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Beginning June 22^nd, children ages 6-13 throughout the greater Grand Rapids area will be transformed into adventurers, discoverers, and naturalists as they take part in Blandford Nature Center’s annual Summer Discovery Day Camp.

“Discovery Day Camp offers the opportunity for new explorers to discover nature and experienced adventurers to practice new outdoor skills,” said Kristin Tindall, Ecology Education Coordinator at Blandford Nature Center.  

Day Camp programs include full week, single day and half day programs in early Michigan history, nature, ecology, and wildlife. Activities range from finding frogs to sculpting clay to cranking hand-made ice cream. A past camp parent said “the program increased [my child’s] love and respect for animals and nature.”

A special offering this year is Stone Age Explorers, July 20-24. Children 11-13 can learn ancient skills like making arrowheads, tanning a hide and starting a fire with a couple of sticks.

Blandford Nature Center is also offering Camp Cooldown in conjunction with Discovery Day Camp. Those registered for full-day sessions can add a session of quiet nature time to extend their visit to the Blandford grounds until 5 pm.

A complete list of programs can be found at http://www.blandfordnaturecenter.org/summercamp. To register, download and complete the online form or call (616) 735-6240. Registration will continue until camps are full.  

The vision of the Blandford Nature Center is to cultivate relationships with nature that lead individuals to transform their community and create a healthy, sustainable world.  For more information on this upcoming event, or for details of other events and programs at Blandford Nature Center, please visit www.blandfordnaturecenter.org, e-mail info@blandfordnaturecenter.org or call (616) 735-6240.

There are two definitions of maple syrup: "a commercial variety of such syrup, often mixed with cane sugar or some other sweetening agent," and " a syrup produced by partially boiling down the sap of the sugar maple or of any of several other maple trees." If you prefer artificial sugars added to your syrup, then don't bother coming to Blandford Nature Center's Sugarbush Festival during the month of March. At Sugarbush Festival, only pure, natural syrup is found.

This unique festival, drawing crowds from all over Michigan, will show how maple syrup is brought from tree to table. Through guided or self-led tours down the Sugarbush trail, the history and experience of tree tapping will be unraveled.  A visit to the sugarhouse, or “sugar shack,” is open for guests to see firsthand how sap is transformed into syrup. Fresh, pure maple syrup, as well as other locally made maple treats, can be purchased throughout Sugarbush Festival at Blandford's General Store.

Blandford’s 100% pure maple syrup will also be available to sample at the annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 28 from 8am until noon at CA Frost Environmental Academy. This popular annual event is perfect for the whole family- featuring senior discounts, games and crafts to entertain children while they eat. After the breakfast, stop by the Sugarbush Festival at Blandford to take a tour, visit the Heritage Village, and explore the Interpretive and Wildlife Centers.

Sugarbush runs throughout the month of March, including every Saturday (March 7, 14, 21, 28) from 10am – 4pm and Sunday (March 8, 15, 22) from 12pm – 4pm. Guided tours will be available Saturdays only, while self guided tours will be available Saturdays and Sundays. On Saturday, March 28th, Sugarbush hours will be extended to 9am until 4pm. During this time, our Heritage buildings, Wildlife Center and Interpretive Center will be open, and guided tours will be available. Admission is free every weekend except March 28th, where admission will be $5 for adults, $3 for children. Admission to the Pancake Breakfast is $8 for adults, $5 for children (3 to 12) and $7 for seniors (60 and older) and includes admission to the festival.

There are still openings for scheduling your large group or school during M-F tours. For a more personal experience for PreK-2 students, Blandford Environmental Education Program 6th graders (BEEPS) can lead your group through the Sugarbush. Ask for more details when registering.

For more information on this program, or for details of other events and programs at Blandford Nature Center, please visit www.blandfordnaturecenter.org, e-mail info@blandfordnaturecenter.org or call 616-735-6240.

Homestead Holidays, a unique family-friendly event, will be hosted at Blandford Nature Center on December 13, from 4 until 8 PM. Enjoy a peaceful winter’s night and experience what the holidays were like during simpler times during this unique event.

This experience will prove to be educational and fun for the whole family. A horse drawn wagon ride, complete with the soft twinkling of sleigh bells and carol singing, will run throughout the evening for visitors to enjoy. Children can make their own traditional holiday crafts, such as the Yule log, to bring home for their own enjoyment. Blandford’s Wildlife Education Center, featuring various owls, reptiles and birds of prey, will be open to the public. Blandford’s authentic historical 19th century pioneer cabin and blacksmith shop will also be open for visitors to view various demonstrations. The Giving Tree will also be displayed, offering various ways to give back to Blandford. Hot beverages and baked goods, as well as various items at the General Store will be for sale during this event.

Blandford’s Homestead Holiday is on Friday, December 12, from 4pm until 8pm. The cost of this event is $4 for adults (ages 18 and older), $2 for children (ages 4-17), and children ages 3 and under will be free. The horse-drawn sleigh ride will also be $1 per person, with children ages 3 and under free. Admission tickets will be sold during the event at Blandford Nature Center’s front gate, with wagon ride tickets sold near the wagon ride.

The vision of the Blandford Nature Center & Mixed Greens is to cultivate, nourish and sustain a generation of leaders, citizens and communities who have a deep relationship with the land and therefore embrace and advocate for sustainable living. For more information on this event, or for details of other events and programs at Blandford Nature Center, please visit www.blandfordnaturecenter.org, e-mail info@blandfordnaturecenter.org or call 616-735-6240.

Photo and other media opportunities are available; please contact bhuizinga@blandfordnaturecenter.org.

During September 24-30, Blandford Nature Center will join a growing national program to help spread the word about the importance of allowing children to discover the beauty of the natural world and adventure of the outdoors.

Children today are more inclined to stay indoors, neglecting the exploration and excitement that lies beyond the front door. For these reasons, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science decided to initiate Take a Child Outside Week, designed to bridge the growing gap between children and the outdoors. Through this program, teachers, parents, and organizations can join together to expose children to the environment, teaching them to appreciate and protect the natural beauty that surrounds them.

The promotion of children’s curiosity for nature is much more than a week-long program. Blandford Nature Center is committed to the ongoing promotion of programs and opportunities for children, as well as adults that will reconnect to nature in ongoing, significant ways. Through self guided tours on Blandford’s beautiful trails, children may have the opportunity to reconnect to the beauty around them.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Science is also committed to bridging the gap between children and the outdoors. Since 1990, the Museum has been placed under the supervision of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and has given more emphasis on the educational development of people of all ages.

For more information on this upcoming event, or for details of other events and programs at Blandford Nature Center, please visit www.blandfordnaturecenter.org, e-mail info@blandfordnaturecenter.org or call 616-735-6240.

Sick of summer? Discover the freshness of fall with your family at Blandford Nature Center’s Fall Harvest Festival. This annual event is sure to restore your spirit and reawaken your love of the outdoors.

Explore your senses by participating in an authentic harvest and pioneer experience─ an event the whole family can enjoy. See folk dances and listen to local artists play folk music. Taste freshly pressed apple cider, touch the intricacies of hand-carved wood. Many more family-friendly activities such as pumpkin painting, making scarecrows, and horse-drawn wagon rides through Blandford are open for guests to experience. The wildlife and nature trails are also open during the Festival for guests continued enjoyment.

Visitors can also purchase freshly pressed apple cider and one-of-a-kind gifts handmade by local artisans. These opportunities and more will be held at Blandford’s authentic and historical 19th century pioneer cabin, school house and blacksmith shop.

Blandford’s Harvest Festival is on Saturday, October 4, from 10am until 5pm and Sunday, October 5, from 1pm until 5pm. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 4 to 17. Children ages 3 and under receive free admission and rides on the horse-drawn wagon. An additional $1 will be charged for the horse-drawn wagon rides and for pictures with our wild birds. Admission tickets will be sold during the Festival at Blandford Nature Center.

For more information about this festival, or for details of other events and programs at Blandford Nature Center, please visit www.blandfordnaturecenter.org, e-mail info@blandfordnaturecenter.org or call 616-735-6240.

Photo and other media opportunities are available; please contact bhuizinga@blandfordnaturecenter.org.