Photo Walks by TNS Photo Club

Saturdays, Mar 1, Apr 5, May 3, Jun 7, 8-10 am
Ages: All
TNS Member: Free, Non-Member: $2 (No refunds for these programs)
Guided hikes through the SNC. Meet in the parking lot by 8 am. Bring your camera. Dress for the weather.
Click here to register for Mar 1
Click here to register for Apr 5
Click here to register for May 3
Click here to register for Jun 7

Little Acorns

Ages: 2-4
Wed, Mar 26 & Sat, May 10, 11 am – 12 pm
TNS Member: $4, Non-Member: $6
Let your child explore the sights and sounds of nature through outdoor activities. This program will take place outside, except in the event of inclement weather. You may choose to bring children in strollers or sleds that are sturdy enough for a wood chipped trail. The adult partner is free and must accompany the child throughout the program.
Click here to register for Mar 26
Click here to register for May 10

Knee-high Naturalists

10-11:30 am
Ages: 2-4
TNS Member: $12, Non-Member: $15
Children with a free adult partner, can attend one or more of the following programs. Each session includes a nature story, hike, activities, craft, and a snack.

Terrific Trees – Explore the amazing things trees provide in March.

Click here to register for Terrific Trees on Thur, Mar 13
Click here to register for Terrific Trees on Fri, Mar 14

April Showers – Discover how changing weather affects spring happenings.

Click here to register for April Showers on Thur, Apr 10
Click here to register for April Showers on Fri, Apr 11

May Flowers – Search for new flowers and leaves starting to grow.

Click here to register for May Flowers on Thur, May 15
Click here to register for May Flowers on Fri, May 16

Nature Explorers: Amphibian Adventures

Fri, May 2, 8 – 9:30 pm
Ages: All (best for 5 & up)
TNS Member: $5, Non-Member: $7
Enjoy some screen-free time while exploring the natural world! Together we will participate in hands-on, outdoor experiences to investigate different nature-related topics. Join us in April to learn about amphibians as we search for frogs, toads and salamanders on the nature center grounds. Spring is a great time of year to find these sneaky creatures on their breeding grounds while their calls interrupt the quiet of the night. As a special treat, we will meet some of our hoppy residents.
Click here to register

Walk with a Naturalist

Sat, Apr 12, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Ages: 3-Adult
Fee: $3 (No refunds for this program)
Take a relaxing walk on the SNC trails through various natural communities. Get answers to your nature questions. Pre-register online. Adults should remain with their children. Each person participating should enroll and pay the fee.
Click here to register

Owl Encounters

Ages: 5-Adult
Fee: $5
Join us on one of these tours to visit the rehabilitated owls that call the Stage Nature Center home. This tour gives you a chance to learn more about the different owl species, reasons why they each live in captivity, explore their different personalities, and get your owl questions answered. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Space is limited. Registrations may fill before the day of the program.
Click here to register for Fri, Mar 28, 6 – 7 pm
Click here to register for Sat, Apr 12, 3 – 4 pm
Click here to register for Sat, May 3, 2 – 3 pm

Critter Encounter

Sat, Apr 5, 2 – 3 pm
Ages: 5 – Adult
Fee: $5
Join us to meet some of the animal ambassadors that call the Stage Nature Center home. You will learn more about the different species and get your questions answered. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Space is limited. Registrations may fill before the day of the program.
Click here to register

Story Time at Stage

Saturdays, Apr 5 & May 3, 11 am
Ages: Recommended for ages 2-6
Fee: $2/child
Come join a naturalist and enjoy a nature-themed story time and craft. Program will run approximately 30 minutes to an hour. The adult partner is free and must accompany the child throughout the program.
Click here to register for Apr 5
Click here to register for May 3

Scout It Out! Cub Scouts

Fee: $11/scout 

Scouts: come and complete your nature-related badge or achievement! All or most requirements are met; however, the badge itself is not included. Register as an individual scout, den, pack or troop. Please dress for the weather. Leaders or chaperones are free and need to remain with their scouts. Program is subject to cancellation if minimum attendance requirements are not met.

Click here to register for Webelos: Into the Wild (now Arrow of Light) on Sat, Feb 8, 9:30 am – 12 pm

Click here to register for Wolf: Digging in the Past on Sat, Apr 26, 9:30 am – 12 pm

Click here to register for Tiger: My Tiger Jungle (satisfies Tigers in the Wild) on Sat, May 17, 2 pm – 4 pm

Scout It Out! Girl Scouts

Fee: $11/scout 

Scouts: come and complete your nature-related badge or achievement! All or most requirements are met; however, the badge itself is not included. Register as an individual scout, den, pack or troop. Please dress for the weather. Leaders or chaperones are free and need to remain with their scouts. Program is subject to cancellation if minimum attendance requirements are not met.

Click here to register for Brownie GS: Home Scientist on Sat, Dec 7, 9:30 am – 12 pm

Click here to register for Daisy GS: Clover Petal on Sat, May 17, 10 am – 12 pm

Homeschool Nature Classes

Ages: 5-10
10 am-12 pm
TNS Member: $8/child, Non-Member: $10/child
For homeschool children and a free parent partner. Participants should dress for the weather.
Syrup to Sunshine – Follow the path from summer sunshine to sweet syrup and discover how nature’s food factories (leaves) produce sugar through photosynthesis. Students will also participate in several trail side activities, including a tree tapping demonstration, while learning about the basics of sugar bush operation. Warm up after the hike with a pancake and maple syrup tasting.
Weather Wonders – What ingredients are needed to make weather happen? Through hands-on activities and demonstrations, students will explore the wonders of weather. Students will use real scientific tools to measure weather data. Each child will make a simple weather tool.
Animal Forensics – Solve engaging mysteries with dastardly animal culprits in this interactive forensic exercise! Students will piece together unique clues to nab the furry (or feathered) perpetrator, and gain a better understanding of the behavior, appearance, and complexity of animals along the way.

Click here to register for Syrup to Sunshine on Wed, Mar 12 CANCELLED
Click here to register for Weather Wonders on Wed, Apr 9
Click here to register for Animal Forensics on Wed, May 14

“Egg”stravaganza

Sun, Apr 13,
Choose from one of the following sessions: 1 – 2:15, 1:15 – 2:30, 1:30 – 2:45 or 1:45 – 3 pm
Ages: 4-10
TNS Member: $12/child, Non-Member: $15/child
Celebrate Spring and the new life that is upon us! Learn about the many animals that hatch from eggs. Discover how eggs protect them as they grow. Families will take a short spring hike while participating in egg activities and games at stops along the way. Dress for the weather. Free adult partners must accompany children.
Click here to register for 1 – 2:15 pm
Click here to register for 1:15 – 2:30 pm
Click here to register for 1:30 – 2:45 pm
Click here to register for 1:45 – 3 pm

Woodcock Walk

Fri, Apr 11, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Ages: 7-Adult
TNS Member: $5, Non-Member: $7
A sure sign of spring is the wonderful and slightly wacky courtship display of the American Woodcock. Join us for a sunset stroll to their display area at the SNC to marvel at the dance and bizarre flights of these amazing birds. Dress in layers for warmth and wear boots for wet and muddy trails. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Each participant must enroll and pay the fee.
Click here to register

Invasive Plant Removal & Spring Clean Up Day

Sat, Apr 26, 1 – 4 pm
Ages 14 – Adult
We are seeking volunteers (age 14-adult) to help us preserve our native flora by eradicating invasive non-native plants. We’ll also work to improve the nature trails and clean up the grounds. Work gloves, old clothes, and “old fashioned elbow grease” are recommended. Bring a kneeling pad, if desired. Help us observe Earth Day by participating on this date!
Click here to register

Early Birds & Coffee

Saturdays, May 3 & 17, 8 – 10 am
Ages: 14 – Adult
Fee: $5
Join the flock for a delightful morning where nature lovers and coffee enthusiasts come together to enjoy two of life’s simple pleasures—birdwatching and sipping freshly brewed coffee. We will venture into the great outdoors, coffee cups in hand, to search for local bird species in their natural habitat. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a first-timer, this gathering offers a relaxing and engaging experience, combining the serenity of birdwatching with the warmth of good coffee and great company. Come for the birds, stay for the brew! Bring your own binoculars or borrow one of ours.

Click here to register for May 3

Click here to register for May 17

Native Plant Sale

Buy Online (plantsforecology.com): 8 am, May 19 – 5 pm, May 29
Pick-up (SNC): Sat, May 31, 9 am – 12 pm

Plan to help support a healthy ecosystem by planting natives! Brendan Nolan of Plants for Ecology, a producer of locally sourced native plants, will have a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and plants available for purchase ONLINE ONLY from 8 am on May 19th through 5 pm on May 29th through his website plantsforecology.com. Pick- up is Saturday, May 31st, from 9 am – 12 pm at SNC. 25% of the proceeds will be donated to the Troy Nature Society.

2025 Run for Nature Fundraiser – Sun, June 8 at Troy Farm

Click here for details

Stage Nature Center 2025 Summer Camps

Due to licensing requirements at the state level, we are no longer able to accommodate full day camps and have switched to half days.

All camps are held rain or shine. Please note that the grade levels shown are for children entering into those grades the next school year.

Nature Day Camp

Fee: $100, TNS Member Fee: $90
Sign your child up for this fantastic program! Every adventure filled day will include fun interactive games, activities, and crafts. Children will sweep for insects in the meadow, explore life on a log using bug boxes and magnifiers, look for signs of wildlife along the trail and much more!

Grades:1st – 2nd , Tues-Fri, June 17 – 20, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Click here to register

Grades: 3rd – 5th , Tues-Fri, June 17 – 20, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Click here to register

Earth Explorers Camp

Fee: $100, TNS Member Fee: $90
Children will explore forest, meadow, and pond, observing the animals and plants found in those communities. Catching and observing insects, hiking the trails, watching birds and other animals at the feeders, playing simple nature games, and making crafts with a nature theme are some of the activities that will take place. Each child will take home a tool for investigating nature, such as a “bug” box or magnifying lens.

Ages:4-5
Tues-Fr, July 22 – 25, 9:30-11:30 am
Click here to register

River Camp

Fee: $100, TNS Member Fee: $90
If your child is fascinated with water, river life, streams and more, this is the right camp! Activities will include stream exploration, water experiments, water testing and learning more about the animals that depend on water like fish, frogs, and turtles. Children will build their own boats to race down the Rouge River! Everyone should prepare to get dirty and come daily with boots.

Grades: 1st – 2nd Tues-Fri, Aug 5 – 8, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Grades: 3rd – 5th Tues-Fri , Aug 5 – 8, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Click here to register for all grades