School Field Trips & Homeschool

At Blandford, children experience the wonder of nature in a fun, safe, and engaging environment

OUR FIELD TRIP REQUEST FORMS FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR WILL OPEN ON THIS PAGE IN LATE AUGUST. PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE FOR A LINK THE WEEK OF AUGUST 24TH.

From guided field trips to homeschool programs, Blandford Nature Center has something for every curious student. Below you’ll find details about the variety of programs we offer for students of all ages in all educational settings.

School Field Trips
virtual programs
GrPS 1st & 3rd Grade Field Trips
Homeschool SERIES
School Partnerships
BLANDFORD ON THE ROAD
School Field Trips

We offer in-person and virtual field trips and other customized program options to fit your needs for students in preschool through high school. Traditional in-person field trips takes place in Blandford’s 264 acres of forests, wetlands and meadows and offer an immersive experience with nature and wildlife. If you are unable to come to us, we also offer live virtual field trips with a Blandford Educator.

School Field Trips (Sept-May)

Our programs are fully guided with low student-to-Blandford Educator ratios in order to provide the best personalized content and a high level of engagement. We can host up to 60 students per program, and we cannot accommodate program overlaps. If you have more than 60 students, you will need to book additional programs on different mornings or afternoons. The cost of a field trip is $9 per student per program, with a minimum program fee of $100. We require a minimum of 1 teacher or other adult chaperone for every 5 students in attendance. These required adults are free. Extra adults are welcome at $5 each (our regular admission fee). Fees for additional adults still apply even during our “Admission Free” months. Payment instructions will be sent with your program confirmation email. We request payment at least 1 week prior to your program. If this is a hardship, we may be able to make alternate arrangements by special request.

To request a field trip for the 2025-2026 school year, click here:

OUR FIELD TRIP REQUEST FORMS FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR WILL OPEN ON THIS PAGE IN LATE AUGUST. PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE FOR A LINK THE WEEK OF AUGUST 24TH.

If you have questions before then, please refer to the information documents above or email registrar@blandfordnaturecenter.org. Thank you!

 In-Person Field Trip Options:

Pre-K & Kindergarten Programs

1st, 2nd, & 3rd Grade Nature/Science Programs

4th & 5th Grade Nature/Science Programs

K-6th Grade Social Studies Programs

Sugarbush Programs for All Ages

Middle & High School Programs

Virtual Programs

Can’t come to Blandford? We can bring a Blandford experience to you virtually! A Blandford Educator will present a 45-minute live virtual session with your classroom, using key “show and tell” items related to your program topic and will include time for questions and answers from your students.  Your virtual program package will also include pre- and post-program materials, which may include activities, worksheets, games, and links to virtual storybooks and videos. Virtual programs are available for $120. To book a virtual field trip, please choose a topic below and use the following form to submit a request:

OUR PROGRAM REQUEST FORM FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR WILL OPEN ON THIS PAGE IN EARLY AUGUST.

Virtual Program Options:

K-3rd Grade

3rd-5th Grade

GRPS 1st & 3rd Grade Field Trips

GRPS 1st & 3rd Grade Field Trips

Blandford Nature Center is pleased to partner with Grand Rapids Public Schools to ensure every First and Third Grade scholar has an immersive learning experience in nature. First and Third Grade teachers can book 1 free field trip to Blandford during the 2025-2026 school year, and the district with provide transportation to and from BNC.

Our nature-based field trip programs are designed to meet state and Next Generation Science Standards or Michigan Social Studies Standards. Using the 264 acres at Blandford Nature Center, we seek to engage and empower students through hands-on education experiences that can positively affect student outcomes and heighten their natural sense of inquiry.

Field Trip Options:

1st Grade Programs

3rd Grade Programs

For more information about Blandford field trips, click here:

To request a GRPS 1st or 3rd Grade field trip, click on the following link:

OUR GRPS 1st and 3rd GRADE FIELD TRIP REQUEST FORM FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR WILL OPEN ON THIS PAGE IN MID TO LATE AUGUST.

If you have questions before then, please refer to the information documents above or email registrar@blandfordnaturecenter.org. Thank you!

Homeschool Programs

PLEASE CHECK THIS PAGE IN MID AUGUST 2026 WHEN A REGISTRATION LINK FOR THE FALL SERIES WILL OPEN.

*If you wish to book a field trip for a private homeschool group, please choose a topic and make a booking request under the “School Field Trips” tab above.
 

Fall 2026 Homeschool Series

Blandford runs a 3-part Homeschool Series every spring and fall. Homeschool field trips at Blandford immerse students in nature while engaging their curiosity and connection to the natural world! All of our programs are taught by our highly-experienced and educated staff and are designed with modern science education standards in mind.

The Homeschool Series is open to children ages 5-12. This is a drop-off program where you are not required to stay with your child. However, we welcome and need parent chaperones for each small group in order to assist our Educators to make this program successful, especially for the youngest children who may need a little extra assistance. Chaperones will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you wish to chaperone, you must also register yourself for the program, but there is no additional fee.

We carefully plan age-appropriate activities for each group and find that children placed in groups too old or too young for them may not have the same positive experience as those placed in their age-appropriate groups. Therefore, you are asked to register your child for the group that matches their age. For parents with multiple children who wish to keep them together in the same group, you must first email us to see if we can accommodate this. In most cases, if we can, your older child will be placed in a younger group.  If you choose to chaperone and have children in different age groups, we suggest signing up for the group with your youngest child. Similarly, we may be able to make group accommodations for friends close in age but in different age brackets, but we cannot guarantee this. Please email us at registrar@blandfordnaturecenter.org before registering to make any special group requests.

Each registration is sold as a package of three programs on the dates and times below. Registration cannot be split into single sessions.

Program Dates & Topics:

September 23, 2026 | Seeds & Plants – A focus on seed movement has students exploring forest and meadows and uncovering the secrets of plant and animal interdependence.

October 21, 2026| Animal Adaptations – How do organisms survive and thrive in their environments? Students will learn about the special adaptations that help Michigan animals survive and interact with the world around them.

November 18, 2026 | Anishinabek Lifeways – The cultural heritage of West Michigan comes alive through hands‐on experiences with traditional tools and artifacts. Investigate how the seasons and resources of this area influenced the lives of Anishinaabe people over 400 years ago.

All programs are 1:00-2:30 pm. Check-in takes place 10 minutes before the program starts in the Environmental Education Center on the main campus at 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

Pricing & Registration:

Registration is $40/student for Non-Members and $32/student (20% discount) for Members and includes all three programs for the dates listed. Because children may be dropped off for this program, health information must be submitted during registration. Missed sessions will not be refunded. Sessions cancelled due to weather will be rescheduled if possible or a partial refund will be issued. You are not required to chaperone, but adult chaperones are welcome! There is no charge to chaperone or to visit the Nature Center while your child Chaperones who register are asked to attend all three session dates. Registration for the Spring 2027 Homeschool series begins in early January for both Members and Non-Members and will close in early March (exact dates TBD). A minimum capacity (including minimum number of chaperones) must be reached for Homeschool programs to proceed. Follow the links below to register for this year’s homeschool series.

If you have any questions, please contact our Program Manager at (616) 735-6240 or email registrar@blandfordnaturecenter.org.

PLEASE CHECK THIS PAGE IN JANUARY 2027 WHEN A REGISTRATION LINK FOR THE SPRING SERIES WILL OPEN.

Spring 2027 Homeschool Series

Blandford runs a 3-part Homeschool series every spring and fall. Homeschool field trips at Blandford immerse students in nature while engaging their curiosity and connection to the natural world! All of our programs are taught by our highly-experienced and educated staff and are designed with modern science education standards in mind. 

The Homeschool Series is open to children ages 5-12. This is a drop-off program where you are not required to stay with your child. However, we welcome and need parent chaperones for each small group in order to assist our Educators to make this program successful, especially for the youngest children who may need a little extra assistance. Chaperones will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you wish to chaperone, you must also register yourself for the program, but there is no additional fee.

We carefully plan age-appropriate activities for each group and find that children placed in groups too old or too young for them may not have the same positive experience as those placed in their age-appropriate groups. Therefore, you are asked to register your child for the group that matches their age. For parents with multiple children who wish to keep them together in the same group, you must first email us to see if we can accommodate this. In most cases, if we can, your older child will be placed in a younger group.  If you choose to chaperone and have children in different age groups, we suggest signing up for the group with your youngest child. Similarly, we may be able to make group accommodations for friends close in age but in different age brackets, but we cannot guarantee this. Please email us at registrar@blandfordnaturecenter.org before registering to make any special group requests.

Each registration is sold as a package of three programs on the dates and times below. Registration cannot be split into single sessions.

Program Dates & Topics:

March 17 | Sugarbush – Experience the science of maple syrup production in the heart of Blandford’s sugarbush! Identify maple trees and learn the history of maple syrup production through the centuries. Students will experience various methods of tapping, collecting, and boiling using real tools and will taste the sweet results of all of this hard work!

April 21 | Birds of a Feather – Explore the amazing worlds of birds and the ways in which they call for mates, build nests, and raise their young. Students will identify distinguishing characteristics of birds, take a hike with binoculars, and meet one of our resident birds of prey.

May 19 | Michigan Ecosystems – Young biologists explore different Michigan ecosystems, searching for evidence of biodiverse food chains within these unique habitats. Program includes a close-up view of Blandford’s wildlife.

All programs are 1:00-2:30 pm. Check-in takes place 10 minutes before the program starts in the Environmental Education Center on the main campus at 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

Cost & Registration:

Registration is $40/student for Non-Members and $32/student (20% discount) for Members and includes all three programs for the dates listed. Because children may be dropped off for this program, health information must be submitted during registration. Missed sessions will not be refunded. Sessions cancelled due to weather will be rescheduled if possible or a partial refund will be issued. You are not required to chaperone, but adult chaperones are welcome! There is no charge to chaperone or to visit the Nature Center while your child Chaperones who register are asked to attend all three session dates. Registration for the Spring 2027 Homeschool series begins in early January for both Members and Non-Members and will close in early March (exact dates TBD). A minimum capacity (including minimum number of chaperones) must be reached for Homeschool programs to proceed. Follow the links below to register for this year’s homeschool series.

If you have any questions, please contact our Program Manager at (616) 735-6240 or email registrar@blandfordnaturecenter.org.

School Partnerships

We are excited to offer partnerships with local schools to give all students at least one experience in nature every school year! These schools have all made a commitment to bring environmental learning into the classroom and to get students out to Blandford for experiential learning on our trails. In addition to field trips and Blandford on the Road programs, these schools benefit from early scheduling and discounted family memberships.

Northwest Co-op Preschool

West Side Christian School

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School

Great Start Readiness Program at CA Frost Elementary School

If you are interested in partnering with us to provide environmental learning opportunities to multiple classrooms at your school, please contact our Director of Program Operations, Heather Lewis, at 616-735-6240 ext. 115 or email heather@blandfordnaturecenter.org.

Blandford on the Road

Blandford on the Road

If you are unable to bring your class to Blandford but still prefer an in-person program, let us bring the excitement to you! Check out our Blandford on the Road program options by visiting our Wildlife Experiences page.

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