Heritage Park Nature Preschool at the Farmington Hills Nature Center is accepting registration for the 2024-2025 school year. The Nature Preschool is designed as HALF DAY nature-based school for ages 3-5. The M/W/F PM option will be designed as a Young Fives program for children ages 4-5. Children will spend the majority of their time outdoors, connecting with nature while experiencing research-based, age appropriate and meaningful curriculum. The per child, non-refundable pre-enrollment fee guarantees your spot, but your registration is NOT FINAL until you select your tuition payment option and all required forms are submitted. Parents will receive an email indicating the required forms, along with the Family Handbook. Parents will also get an email from ePACT requesting emergency contact information. The Nature Preschool will run approximately Sept-June with a quarterly or discounted annual tuition payment option. If you choose the 5-day option, you will need to add both the M/W/F & T/H classes to your cart. You will need to select AM or PM. The 2nd registration fee is waived at checkout. The Nature Preschool program is expected to fill quickly, but enrollment will be open throughout the year, as class capacities allow. If a class is full, we encourage you to add your child to the waitlist and we will contact about enrollment.
Please call the Nature Center if you have questions (248) 473-1870 or visit the Nature Preschool Website (copy & paste into browser): https://www.fhgov.com/naturepreschool

Enrich your child's natural curiosity and encourage outdoor exploration through this hands-on nature discovery program. Children explore a different nature theme each month. They will touch, smell, hear and see many aspects of the natural world! Earn a "badge" for each class you participate in! Earn 3 badges and get a nature prize! Pre-registration is required, as space is limited. Please dress your child for the weather and exploring outdoors. This class is held entirely outdoors. This is a drop-off class.

Enjoy family hayrides through the trails of Heritage Park! Rides leave every 1/2 hour from 5:30-7:30pm: LAST RIDE LEAVES AT 7pm. After the ride, purchase a cup of cider and s'more kit to roast around a cozy campfire for $1 (not included in hayride fee). You can add-on your s'more and cider kit at check-out, includes a roasting stick. Don't forget to explore the Nature Center, open until 7pm on Hayride nights. Hayride are held RAIN OR SHINE. Dress accordingly. If SEVERE weather occurs, the ride will be canceled and participants will be notified the day-of with an option to transfer, if available. Please register in advance, hayrides fill quickly and space is limited. No charge for kids under age 2. Groups can reserve weekday or weekend private rides in advance by calling (248) 473-1870. Hayrides leave from the Nature Center parking lot. Check-in with Nature Center Staff near the campfire upon arrival.

Enjoy a guided hike to seek out nature's treasures and discover the reasons to be thankful for them. We'll be searching for local plants and animals and figuring out what makes them special. After, make a fall-themed craft to take home. A great way to get outside after Thanksgiving! A perfect program for families and Scout Groups. Dress for the weather. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fee applies to children and adults.

Discover what's lurking in the woods of Heritage Park... Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster, or Heritage Park's own Earl the Swamp Creature! Together we will explore cryptozoology, the exciting science of animals that may or may not exist. Then we'll head out on a fun adventure to look for possible evidence of the local swamp thing. Pre-registration is required for both adults and children. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather and exploring outside.

Experience an entirely new world: Heritage Park after dark! Enjoy a guided sensory hike through the trails in search of nocturnal animals, features of the night sky and the mysterious sounds of the woods. Don't miss the nighttime fun! Dress for the weather. Arrive early on Sept 29 & Oct 27 for a fall hayride and campfire for only $5 more (5:30-7pm). S'mores and Cider also available for purchase during Hayride.

Get to know the Nature Center education animals up close! Each week we will focus on exploring a different animal with a story, craft and time to introduce our animal friends. The program takes place indoors. Children must be accompanied by an adult. There is no charge for adults or children under 18 months.

Put on your pajamas and get cozy with Moon, the Nature Center rabbit! Together with Moon, we will read the bedtime story, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Brown. We will explore what makes rabbits unique, share healthy snacks that Moon loves to munch on and make a craft to take home. Pre-registration is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No charge for adults or children under 18 months, only children need to register.

Project Learning Tree - Trees & Me is an early childhood education program from Project Learning Tree that builds on children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore plants and wildlife, and the natural world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, Project Learning Tree provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about nature and lifelong social and academic skills. During the workshop, educators will discover how to use the activity book and participate in ready-to-go lessons that can be used in a formal classroom setting, outdoors or non-formal education program. Lessons align with school curriculum objectives. SCECHs available upon request. Short portions of the workshop will be held outdoors. Come prepared for the weather! Snacks provided and all registered participants will leave with the Project Learning Tree - Trees & Me activity book.

Avoid the hustle and bustle of Holiday shopping with this popular seasonal program! Create your own natural grapevine wreath using items found in nature! Materials will be provided along with a pre-shaped grapevine wreath. Experienced wreath-makers will be available to assist with tips and tricks throughout the workshop. Supplies are limited, but there will be a wide variety of beautiful and interesting items to choose from during each session. Pre-registration REQUIRED, spots fill quickly.

After the sun goes down, Heritage Park comes alive! Join us on a night hike to listen for nocturnal animals, observe the night sky and heighten your senses along the way!

Santa is making a special stop at Heritage Park! Families will get a chance to visit and get photos with Santa at our holiday display in the historic Red Barn in Heritage Park. Be sure to bring your smart phone or camera so we can capture the moment for you. Families can participate in activity stations, crafts, and games that celebrate white-tailed deer and the winter season. Warm up at the cozy campfire with hot coca. S'mores kits can be purchased for $1 each. Dress for winter weather. The event will be held rain, snow, or shine. Each family will have limited time with Santa. Register yourself and bring up to 5 people f your choice (adults & children). If you have more than 6 in your group, please register for more than 1 spot. Pre-registration required.