Click here to view the program calendar
Pre-registration is required for all programs (including free programs).
Photo Walks by TNS Photo Club
Saturdays, Jun 1, Jul 6, Aug 3, Sep 7, 8-10 am
Ages: All
TNS Member: Free, Non-Member: $2
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 Jun 1
Click here to register for Jul 6
Click here to register for Aug 3
Click here to register for Sep 7
Little Acorns
Ages: 2-4
Tues, Jun 4, 11 am – 12 pm & Sat, Aug 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 Jun 4
Click here to register for Aug 10
Knee-high Naturalists
10-11:30 am
Ages: 2-4
TNS Member: $11.50, Non-Member: $14.50
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.
Fish: Learn what makes fish so special and play fish games in June.
Click here to register for Fish on Thur, June 13
Click here to register for Fish on Fri, June 14
Butterflies: July is the perfect time of year to see and learn about these graceful insects.
Click here to register for Butterflies on Thur, July 11
Click here to register for Butterflies on Fri, July 12
Animal Homes: Animals live in different places. Find out what kind of animal homes we have at the nature center through a hike on the trails in August.
Click here to register for Animal Homes on Thur, Aug 8
Click here to register for Animal Homes on Fri, Aug 9
Nature Explorers
Sounds of Summer Nights – Fri, Aug 16, 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. Adults must register and remain with their children.
Click here to register
Walk with a Naturalist
Sat, Jun 15, 10:30-11:30 am & Sat, Aug 24, 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 for Jun 15
Click here to register for Aug 24
Bat Walks
Fri, June 7, 8:30-10 pm
Sat, July 27, 8:30-10 pm
Sat, Aug 17, 8-9:30 pm
Ages: 5-Adult
TNS Member: $5, Non-member: $7
Join us to step into the world of some of Michigan’s bug busters. Discover the importance of bats as we search for them living on the grounds of the Stage Nature Center. Just one bat can consume 2,000 to 5,000 insects in one night! We will watch these acrobatic creatures swoop through the air catching insects and listen to their echolocation with a bat detector. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Fees apply to all participants.
Click here to register for Fri, June 7
Click here to register for Sat, July 27
Click here to register for Sat, Aug 17
Versiti Blood Drive
Thur, July 25, 2-6:00pm
Save lives in your community by donating blood at the Versiti Blood Drive.
Click here to register
Outdoor Yoga at Stage
Wednesdays, July 10, 17, 24 & 31, Aug 7, 14 & 28, 6 -7 pm
Ages: 12-Adult
Fee per Session: TNS Member: $4, Non-member: $6
Join us for some summer outdoor yoga at the Stage Nature Center. Whether you are an experienced yogi wanting a change of scenery or a first timer testing the yoga waters, all skill levels are welcome. Classes will be approximately one-hour slow flow with an occasional touch of Yin. Indoor space will be available in the case of inclement weather. Please bring towel, water, yoga mat, and insect repellent. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fees apply to all participants.July 10 CANCELLED
Click here to register for July 17
Click here to register for July 24
Click here to register for July 31
Click here to register for Aug 7
Click here to register for Aug 14
Click here to register for Aug 28
Chair Yoga at Stage
Wednesdays, July 3, 10, 24 & 31, Aug 7, 21 & 28, 10-11 am
Ages: 12-Adult
Fee per Session: TNS Member: $4, Non-member: $6
Ease into yogic flows, postures, and breathing for increased flexibility, strength, and energy. Chair yoga is a modified, gentle form of yoga that is performed either sitting on a chair or standing using a chair for support. This class is ideal for you if you prefer to practice without getting down to floor level, people in wheelchairs welcome. Please bring a towel, water, and insect repellent. You are also welcome to bring ankle/wrist weights or small dumbbells if you like. Classes will be conducted either in the covered pavilion (outdoors but with a concrete floor) or indoors.
Click here to register for July 3
Click here to register for July 10
Click here to register for July 24
Click here to register for July 31
Click here to register for Aug 7
Click here to register for Aug 21
Click here to register for Aug 28
CANCELLED Brownie Girl Scouts: Wonders of Water Journey
Saturday, Jul 20, 9 am-4 pm
Fee: $35/scout (includes Journey Award, Leaders and chaperones are free)
Brownie Girl Scouts will have the opportunity to complete the Wonders of Water Journey in a day-long program. They will learn about the water cycle, where our water comes from and ways to use it wisely, visit the nature center pond, and hike to the stream to observe the power of moving water while exploring for small animals that live there. Each troop should have leaders or chaperones with the group as per GSA policy; an adult is not needed for each scout. A scout attending on her own should have an adult partner.
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELLED
“Minecraft” Survival Camp
Fri, Jul 26, 9 am-4 pm
6th-8th grades
TNS Member: $30, Non-Member: $35
Spawn into groups to discover clues, solve puzzles, and learn some building blocks for survival mode in the forest biome! This middle school program will cover concepts in navigation skills, camouflage, shelter building and more. Bring a sack lunch. We will provide beverages and an afternoon snack.
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 Sat, June 15, 4-5 pm
Click here to register for Sat, June 29, 10:30-11:30 am
Click here to register for Fri, July 12, 6-7 pm
Click here to register for Sat, July 27, 4-5 pm
Click here to register for Sat, Aug 17, 4-5 pm
Click here to register for Fri, Aug 30, 6-7 pm
Stargazing at Stage
Fri, Aug 9, 9-10:30 pm
Ages: 8-Adult
TNS Member: $6, Non-Member: $8
Join a member of the Oakland Astronomy Club to explore the summer night sky. We will search for summer constellations and deep space objects while keeping a watchful eye out for meteors from the Perseid meteor shower. Telescopes will be provided; however, you are welcome and encouraged to bring your own. This program will occur regardless of the sky conditions. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Each person participating must enroll and pay the fee.
Click here to register
Intro to Native Plants & Natural Landscaping
Sat, Sep 7, 9 – 10 am
Ages: 12 – Adult
TNS Member: $4, Non-Member: $5
Angela Nelson, Horticulturist at East Michigan Native Plants, LLC, will hold a workshop before the Native Plant Sale to assist you in making your native plant selections! The workshop will provide an introduction to native plants and natural landscaping concepts, discuss environmental and planning considerations, and delve into maintenance techniques, as well as take a look at some of Michigan’s most valuable wildflower and grass species.
Click here to register
Fall Native Plant Sale
Sat, Sep 7, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Fall is a GREAT time to plant!! Butterflies, bees, and birds will flock to your landscape with the addition of some of Michigan’s most-loved native plant species! Angela Nelson from East Michigan Native Plants, LLC, (formerly Designs By Nature East, LLC) will be bringing over 80 species of Michigan native perennial wildflowers and grasses for you to select from. Bring your pictures and plans for personal help and advice with your selections! Native Plant species information can be found at: eastmichnatives.com.
Registration link to be announced soon
SUMMER CAMP: Summer Ecology Days
Fee: $190, TNS Member Fee: $175
Give your child a special opportunity to explore the science of ecology – the study of the interrelationships between living things and their environment. Every adventure filled day will include fun interactive games, activities, and crafts. Children will sweep for insects in the meadow, explore the forest, experience the darkness of the underground, look for signs of wildlife along the trail and much more! Camp is held rain or shine. Bring a sack lunch each day. We will provide beverages and an afternoon snack.
Ages 6-8: Tues-Fri, June 18 – 21, 9 am-4 pm
Ages 9-11: Tues-Fri, June 25 – 28, 9 am-4 pm
SUMMER CAMP: Nature Adventure Camp
Fee: $98, TNS Member Fee: $88
Children will explore animals, including insects, wildflowers, and other wonders of nature. Catching and observing insects, hiking the trails, watching birds and other animals, 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 “bug” box and an insect net. Camp is held rain or shine.
Ages 4-5: Tues-Fri, July 16-19, 9:30-11:30 am
SUMMER CAMP: Stirring Up Science Camp
Fee: $190, TNS Member Fee: $175
Captivate your child’s creativity this summer with our camps full of science surprises! Children will dive-in “hands first” to amazing science projects that incorporate STEM educational practices. They will learn the secret formulas to mixtures like slime, putty, moon sand, and more. Children will explore the sun and the energy it gives to the earth. Do not miss out on the chance to discover simple yet startling science phenomena – sign up now! Camp is held rain or shine. Bring a sack lunch each day. Beverages and an afternoon snack will be provided.
Ages 6-8: Tues-Fri, Aug 13-16, 9 am-4 pm
Ages 9-11: Tues-Fri, Aug 13-16, 9 am-4 pm
WATCH THIS SPACE – MORE NATURE EDUCATION PROGRAMS COMING SOON!