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

Get ready for adventure and exploring nature after school with the Farmington-Area Outdoor Xplorers Club! Discover all the fun ways you can get outside and enjoy the Fall season. Each week your child will experience new nature themes; from animal tracking, bird watching, ponding, outdoor survival skills and more! The FOX Club will take place entirely outdoors. Dress for the weather. Don't forget snack and water bottle! This is a drop-off program.

Celebrate National Grandparents Day with Fishing Fun at Founders Fishing Pier!
Parents, Grandparents, family or friends can share the joy and art of fishing with the special children in their lives. We will provide the fishing rod and reel, bait and basic instruction. You'll enjoy spending time with our child or grandchild practicing catch and release fishing at the pond at Founder's Park. Please dress for the weather and bring a water bottle. We recommend wearing your favorite hat too. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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.

Autumn brings bird migration! Walk the nature trails of Heritage Park with a naturalist and other bird enthusiasts as we search and listen for birds of the season. Discover the basics of birding, from the tools you'll need, to tips on how to find some amazing birds in our area. Dress for the weather.

Celebrate the History and Heritage of Heritage Park! Discover what the farm, buildings, and land were like before it was transformed into the beautiful park it is today. Enjoy a hayride, campfire, farm-themed games, historical displays and talks, get a peek inside the Red Barn, take a guided past & present hike and more! S'more kits available for an additional $1 purchase. No charge for children under age 2. Pre-registration required.

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.

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.

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.

Enjoy a night out with Archery, local BREWS and gourmet BITES! The evening will begin with Archery at the Riley Archery Range in Heritage Park. Then we'll head over to the Longacre House for LOCAL bites and brews provided by a local restaurant and Farmington Brewery. All activities will take place OUTDOORS. Participants must be 21+. Drink tickets and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided. Additional beer and wine available for purchase (cash only). Pre-registration required. Space is limited, register early!

Experience the magic of the season! Take a guided hike under a canopy of color through Heritage Park and Woodland Hills. Discover why and how leaves change color in the fall, and search for animals preparing for winter. Please dress for the weather. Pre-registration required. Space is limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Enrich your child's knowledge and connection with the natural world. A naturalist will lead hands-on, memorable experiences outdoors; making new discoveries each week! Meet other homeschool families and supplement your at-home lessons! This is a drop-off program. Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather and exploring outdoors and brings a water bottle. The classes will be OUTSIDE, unless severe weather occurs or a short indoor activity is planned. Pre-registration required. Space is very limited and class will fill quickly.

Experience the magic of the natural world with your Little Trekker! Children and adults will discover a new nature theme each week with story time, outdoor exploration, and nature-inspired art projects! Please dress for the weather and exploring the trails, as this class takes place outdoors! Pre-registration required. Register early, this program fills quickly. An adult must stay with the child.

Allow your Young Explorer to experience the natural world! Children explore a different theme each week as they hike and investigate along the trails. Since this is a drop-off program, please send snack and water with your child and dress them for the weather. We will be outdoors rain or shine! Pre-registration required. Children must be potty-trained. Register early, this program fills quickly! Please Note: The Friday class (PN1565-02) is a 2 hour session and the Monday class (PN1565-03) is a 3 hour session.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Broaden your horizons and enhance your nature knowledge! Explore a new topic each month. We will cover the basics during a FREE, VIRTUAL Zoom presentation. Then join us for an in-depth IN-PERSON program to dive deeper into the topic. You can register for both the VIRTUTAL and the IN-PERSON class OR attend one or the other. Each class will have a different focus. Open to all skill levels. Pre-registration required.

For ALL VIRTUAL presentations copy and paste the Zoom link below:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82688553502