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

Heritage Park Nature Preschool at the Farmington Hills Nature Center is accepting registration for the 2023-2024 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/play,-explore-learn/parks-facilities/nature/nature-preschool

Explore the skills needed to become a successful Volunteer Nature Guide The training will cover best practices in the field of Environmental Education and Interpretation, as well as hands-on activities related to programs offered at the Farmington Hills Nature Center. Participants will leave with helpful resources and a basic understanding of what it takes to interpret the natural world. Trainees will also have the opportunity to join the Volunteer Nature Guide team at the Nature Center. The training is designed for adults. Activities will take place indoors and outdoors. Please dress for the weather. All skill levels welcome! Pre-registration required.

Get ready for adventure and exploring nature after school with the Farmington Area Outdoor Xplorers Club! Discover all the fun ways you can still get outside and enjoy the winter season. Each week your child will experience new nature themes, from animal tracking, bird watching, snowshoeing, outdoor survival skills, and more! The F.O.X. Club will take place almost entirely outdoors, so have your child ready to hike and explore by dressing for the weather! Don’t forget a snack and a water bottle. This is a drop-off program. No class on March 27th.

Enrich your child’s knowledge and connection with the natural world. A naturalist will lead hands-on memorable experiences outdoors with a different nature theme and STEM activities each week. Meet other homeschool families and supplement your at-home lessons. This is a drop-o˜ program. Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather and exploring outdoors. Register in advance to guarantee your spot! No class on March 28th.

Experience the magic of the natural world with your Little Trekker! Children and their Grown-ups will explore a different nature theme each week as they investigate along the trails of Heritage Park, enjoy story time and create an art project to take home. Please dress for the weather, as much of this class will take place in the great outdoors! Parent/Guardian must attend class with child. Strollers are NOT recommended during the winter season due to trail conditions. No class on 3/25 & 3/26.

Allow your Young Explorer to experience the magic of the natural world! Children will explore a different nature theme each week as they hike and investigate along the trails of Heritage Park. Since this is a drop-off program, please send a snack and water bottle along with your child and dress them for the weather. Much of this class will take place in the great outdoors. Pre-registration required. Children must be potty trained. No class on 3/29.

By popular demand. Experience Heritage Park after dark on this "adults only" guided night hike! Don't let the kids have all the fun! Pre-registration required. Program will take place entirely outdoors. Be sure to sign up for the Late-Night Mothing program after the Night Hike too!

Experience spring migration of birds back to Heritage Park. Discover the basics of birding from the tools you'll need to tips on how to find interesting birds. Dress for the outdoors.

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!

Celebrate the Nature Center Children's Garden with an outdoor tea party! Native and planted herbs will be harvested from Heritage Park to enjoy in tea or as snacks. We will also be leading some unique nature crafts and activities during the event. Tea has been generously donated by FRASER TEA in Livonia. Check out their website at https://frasertea.com/ . Children must be accompanied by an adult. Both adults and kids must be registered.

Sponsored by Farmington Area Optimists Club; enhance your child's interest in science, nature and STEM! This 6-week program focuses on topics including nature study, birding, wetland exploration, animals, gardening, outdoor skills, hands-on STEM activities and more. Each child receives their own Nature Pack full of real Naturalist equipment and an O.W.LS Certificate. Make sure children are dressed for the outdoors. Pre-registration required. The program will take place entirely outdoors and is designed as a drop-off program.

Celebrate the longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice, at Heritage Park! Take a hayride through the park, enjoy roasting marshmallows around a campfire, explore the Nature Center, create a fairy/elf craft and art projects, and find out what makes this day so special with games and outdoor activities. A great way to celebrate the first day of summer with family and friends. Registration INCLUDES a hayride that leaves at the time selected during registration. Event activities will be available from 6:30-8:30pm, so show up any time! There is an option to register for the event WITHOUT a hayride at a discounted price. Registration required for both adults and children. No charge for kids under 2. S'more kits can be purchased for an additional $1.

Bring technology and nature together with this international high-tech treasure hunting game! Involve the whole family in this beginner course to explore GPS technology and practice navigation by seeking hidden objects during an exciting outdoor scavenger hunt. GPS units provided. Pre-registration required. Program will take place entirely outdoors. GPS unit is provided (one per family, no sharing with members outside your household). Please bring your own if available.

NOTE NEW DATE is Sat. Jul 29 (NOT Jul 22 as printed in the Activities Guide)
Join the Farmington Area Optimists Club as they host the annual Kids Fishing Day! We provide each child with everything they need for a successful and safe fishing experience, their own high-quality rod and reel, stocked tackle box, informational & activity packet, fun how-to videos and live bait. Families can choose which time they would like to arrive for curbside pick-up of their fishing supplies in the Founder's Park Ice Arena. Families can then head out to any local fishing spot (a list of suggestions will be provided) OR join our volunteers at the Founder's Fishing Pier (west entrance) for in-person fishing practice. Supplies and practice are available to pre-registered families only. Please limit your fishing practice to the time you've registered for (1 hour or less) to allow space for other families.

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! 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.