Looking for a summer experience or private program for your group at Blandford? We have several options! See the tabs below for more information about our Summer Nature Discovery guided field trips, Self-Guided Groups, and Other Private Programs.
2024 Summer Nature Discovery (Guided Summer Field Trips)
Booking requests open in mid- to late-February
Looking for an exciting, guided adventure for your group this summer? Experience the nature of summertime in this fun, exploratory program at Blandford Nature Center! In this fully-guided program, we will meet some of Blandford’s resident wildlife, take a hike to see what kinds of plants and animals inhabit Blandford in the summertime, and play in the great outdoors. Depending on the size of your group and ages of participants, we may go bug netting, pond dipping, or bird watching. Come explore this beautiful, lively time of the year!
This program is ideally intended for students between the ages of 4 and 10.
Pricing Information
Our Summer Nature Discovery program is a 90-minute guided program and costs $9 per student. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 students, and these required chaperones are free. Extra adult chaperones over the required minimum are $5 each. There is a $100 program minimum.
How To Schedule A Program: Our Summer Nature Discovery calendar is full. We are no longer taking booking requests for these programs.
Summer Nature Discovery programs are offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings on a first come, first served basis and are subject to limited space and staffing. Programs may begin at 10:00 or 10:30 in the morning. We generally accommodate groups of 30 students or less, though we may be able to accommodate larger groups depending on the date and staff availability.
To request a program on one of these dates, please fill out the Summer Nature Discovery Request Form below by May 1st to book a program, and we will get back to you with our availability. If you have any questions prior to filling out the form, please email registrar@blandfordnaturecenter.org.
*Please note that this is not a “drop off” program. We require at least 1 chaperone for every 10 students.
The Summer Nature Discovery Request Form will ask you for the following information:
- School/Organization Name (if applicable)
- Contact Person
- Address with City and Zip
- Phone Number
- Group Size and Age
- Preferred day of the week and time
- 1st choice Date
- 2nd choice Date
- Special needs or ESL/ELL information (if applicable)
Additional Information
We may be able to accommodate large groups (more than 30 students) depending on staff availability or by having your group visit over multiple dates. If you wish to book a program for more than 30 students, please submit a booking request and we will be in touch with your options.
Self-Guided Groups
Groups of 10 or more individuals are welcome to self-guide at Blandford but must make a reservation at least 2 weeks in advance, subject to availability. This is especially important in the summertime when we already have a large number of Blandford Summer Day campers on the property Monday through Friday. **We reserve the right to turn away self-guiding groups of 10 or more who do not make a reservation ahead of time.
Pricing Information
The cost for self-guiding groups of 10 or more is $5 per participant (adults and children). A reservation includes trail maps, scavenger hunt sheets, a staff member to orient you upon arrival, parking for your bus or van, and limitations on the presence of other outside groups so as not to overwhelm our campus. Due to the heavy volume of summer camp traffic in our parking lot, self-guiding groups may arrive no earlier than 10:00 am and must depart no later than 3:00 pm. We cannot guarantee that the Wildlife Education Center will be open during your visit, but a Blandford staff member will have more information about this upon your arrival, and our outdoor Wildlife Trail is always available. Picnic tables in our schoolyard are not available between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm when our Summer Camp is in session, so we advise your group to bring picnic blankets and we can direct you to other areas where you may eat lunch.
How To Schedule A Program
If you wish to self-guide at Blandford, please email registrar@blandfordnaturecenter.org with the following information and we will respond within 1 week to confirm availability of your requested dates or offer alternate dates:
- Organization name
- Contact name
- Address
- Phone number
- Expected arrival time
- Expected departure time
- # of children in your group
- Age range of children in your group (PreK, elementary, middle school, high school, etc.)
- # of adults in your group (please note, we require at least 1 chaperone per 10 children in self-guiding groups in order to enter the Wildlife Center)
- Will you be arriving by bus or van?
- Will your bus or van be staying in our parking lot while you are at Blandford?
- Do you plan to eat lunch while at Blandford?
- Do you wish to walk to our Farm during your visit (about a 15-min walk from the main Nature Center)?
Wildlife Programs
For a full list of our wildlife program options, click here.
Other Program Requests
Occasionally we get requests for private programs for adults, families, church groups, scout troops, clubs and other small groups. We are happy to accommodate depending on the dates requested and staff availability. Please submit inquiries for private program requests to registrar@blandfordnaturecenter.org. We will get back to you within 10 business days to discuss details and availability.
Cancellation & Refund Policies:
Weather Cancellation: If the National Weather Service issues a severe weather warning we will cancel the program; there is no fee for canceling due to severe weather. We will attempt to reschedule based on availability.
COVID-19 Policies & Procedures: Blandford Nature Center takes the health and safety of its guests, employees, and animals very seriously. Due to concerns regarding COVID-19, Blandford Nature Center may cancel, postpone, or reschedule any programs under the guidance of state-mandated orders. As much notice as possible will be given in the event of a program cancellation or change. Programs that are affected by a COVID-19 related change will be rescheduled based on availability.
All Other Cancellations: For all non-weather cancellations, notice must be sent to the Registrar at registrar@blandfordnaturecenter.org at least 10 business days before the scheduled program to avoid a $50.00 cancellation fee. This policy does not apply to cases of inclement weather, programs that are rescheduled, or programs that are canceled due to COVID-19.
Blandford Nature Center COVID-19 Health Policy
Blandford Nature Center does not require masks indoors or outdoors for staff, general visitors, or program participants. We will continue to monitor local COVID-19 rates and may instate masking requirements for staff, general visitors, and program participants of all ages, regardless of vaccination status, if community health concerns rise. If you have any questions about our COVID-19 policies and procedures for programs, please contact our Program Manager at 616-735-6240 or email registrar@blandfordnaturecenter.org.
By attending your program you are confirming you have read, understand, and agree to follow all policies set by Blandford Nature Center.
