Schedule of Events

Have you ever wondered what snakes eat? Snakes are carnivores and only eat other animals. They are definitely not vegetarians! Come to the Visitors Center to find out what's on the menu as you watch our resident serpents enjoy a meal.

No registration required

Fee: FREE

Knee-high Naturalists introduces the wonders of the natural world to young children. Crafts, activities, books, snacks, live animals, and outside exploration will be incorporated into their nature-based learning experience.

Parents are encouraged to attend with their 4 to 6 year old - though not required. Parents or guardians are asked to attend with their 3 year old to help with bathroom use and transitioning into a group learning environment.

Registration required

Fee: $10 per child, $5 for members

Stop by the De Witt Birds of Prey Center during this open house style program and watch a naturalist feed our resident raptors. You will learn about the habitats these birds live in, some of their amazing adaptations, and what they love to eat. You can bring a snack for yourself too!

Plan on a 10 minute walk from the Main Entrance to the De Witt Birds of Prey Center.

No registration necessary

Fee: FREE

The ODC Network is offering a field day for participants who have completed the online hunter safety course. Upon passing the online course, participants are eligible to complete the field day and take the written examination without attending a classroom course. The fees associated with the online course are not covered by the field day portion of the training.

Online course options can be found on the Michigan DNR website (www.michigan.gov/dnr). You must bring your online course certificate in order to participate in the field day. Dress for the weather, as we will be spending much of the time outdoors. Also, please bring a sack lunch or snack, there will not be adequate time to leave the site for lunch.

Registration and wait list are full.

Fee: $10 per person being certified

max 25

The ODC Network will hold its annual benefit “Evening with the ODC” on Monday September 9 from 6-9pm. 

This year guests will celebrate the ODC Network’s 20th Anniversary at Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant located in Holland, where our partners there have agreed to close the restaurant to the public to accommodate our special event. The night will begin with a time to eat drink and socialize, followed by a special 20th anniversary presentation and dessert. Throughout the night attendees will enjoy a great time with ODC family and friends and have a chance to invest in the ODC Network’s mission.

New this year, guests can arrive by boat. Please contact the ODC to arrange this new option.

Location: Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant
Fee: $125/person - Registration Required

It’s time to round up the little ones and come out to the DeGraaf Nature Center for Explore a Story!

We’ll be introducing kids to the outdoors through books and outdoor adventures. We’ll read stories, take hikes, meet animals, and have lots of fun. Dress for the weather because we’ll be heading outside to experience the nature around us!

No registration necessary

Fee: $5 per child, FREE for members

Women in Nature is a program series designed to motivate women to be more healthy, active and passionate about the natural world surrounding them. In order to do so, we are offering various program experiences.

In this gardening program, participants will learn the difference between native plants and "wildflowers", how they can be used in urban or suburban landscapes, and how native plants can attract birds and butterflies to their yards. Examples from the grounds of the Outdoor Discovery Center property will be viewed.

Registration required

Fee: $5 per person

Don't you want to learn about the most abundant and diverse group of animals on the planet? Insects are amazing and all around us. Come and explore the meadows of Ridge Point Community Church with us as we catch insects and learn about the many different types of insects we have right in our own backyard.

Registration required - registration is closed for this event.

Fee: $5 per child, FREE to members

Program Location: Ridge Point Community Church 340 104th Ave. Holland, MI - use drive 3, meet at door F

Knee-high Naturalists introduces the wonders of the natural world to young children. Crafts, activities, books, snacks, live animals, and outside exploration will be incorporated into their nature-based learning experience.

Parents are encouraged to attend with their 4 to 6 year old - though not required. Parents or guardians are asked to attend with their 3 year old to help with bathroom use and transitioning into a group learning environment.

Registration required

Fee: $10 per child, $5 for members

Our Volunteer League is a service club for teens to experience what it takes to maintain a natural area and captive wildlife; and to gain insight to the ODC Network mission of educating people about the importance of nature. This program is designed for 12 to 18 year olds who will work with ODC Network staff on a variety of indoor and outdoor tasks. We might spend time improving the nature preserve by removing invasive species, cleaning up animal enclosures, or a number of other projects that further our goal of connecting people with nature. It’s also a great way to earn those community service volunteer hours!

VoLes club meetings are scheduled for one Friday/Thursday and one Saturday of each month, for a total of six meetings per session. Spring, Summer and Fall sessions are available, no prior experience or participation required to sign up.

There is no fee for this activity, however a signed Behavior Guidelines Agreement and Photo/Liability Release Form are required.

Registration required ** By registering for this event you are registering for the entire Fall session**

Fee: FREE

Schedule available at https://outdoordiscovery.org/voles/

Fall 2019 Sessions:

Friday 9/13, 3:30-5:30 pm
Saturday 9/21 (with River Clean up) 1-4 pm
Friday 10/04, 3:30-5:30 pm
Saturday 10/26 (Treats and Trails) 2-7pm (sign up for shift online here)
Friday 11/8 (set up with 5K fun run) 3:30-5:30 pm
Saturday 11/16, 3:30-5:30 pm

Start your day with a morning walk at DeGraaf Nature Center. We will walk the trails in search of birds. With the fall songbird migration in full swing we will see what birds we can find stopping over at the nature center. Binoculars are available for lending.

No registration required

Fee: FREE

Use all of your senses on this walk through Shore Acres Township Park. Touch, feel, smell, see, and taste your way along these dune trails with one of our naturalists. Learn how you use your senses different than many of Michigan's native animals. This program is perfect for adventurous 4-9 year olds.

Registration required

Fee: FREE - program partner Laketown Twp.

Program Location: Shore Acres Township Park 6602 138th Ave. Holland, MI

Bring out your little tykes to learn more about nature. In each program, you and your little tyke will have the opportunity to explore together. This fall we will be learning about insects, leaves, and tremendous turkeys! Please dress for the weather.

Registration required
Fee: $5 per child, FREE for members

Women in Nature is a program series designed to motivate women to be more healthy, active and passionate about the natural world surrounding them. In order to do so we are offering various program experiences.

This program will take place on the Rabbit River. We will be launching from New Richmond Bridge Park (North side) and paddling up river and then turning around and heading back to the park. This river has little current and is ideal for an inexperienced or casual paddler. During these programs, women will get the opportunity to learn about river wildlife, our efforts to improve local watersheds, and enjoy a casual paddle with a naturalist.

Registration required

Fee: $10 per person

Program location: New Richmond Bridge Park (North Side) 5758 Old Allegan Rd. Hamilton, MI