CLASSES AND PROGRAMS CALENDAR
Scroll down to see full class listings
Programs at Grass River Natural Area are Green, Special Events that are off-site are Blue, Holidays are Brown.
PROGRAM REGISTRATION
Searching for bugs in Finch Creek!
GRNA has a wide selection of classes and events for all ages. All programs listed below are open to the general public. Many programs require preregistration.
Register for the classes below by clicking on the "Add to Cart" button.
Cancellations: Participants that cancel before 24-hours from the start of a program may receive a full refund, unless otherwise noted. Cancellations within 24 hours receive no refund. Programs run rain or shine, but may be cancelled by GRNA in inclement weather. If canceled by GRNA, a notification is posted online and registered participants are notified & receive a full refund.
Questions, book a private program, or problems registering? Contact: James Dake at 231-492-8793 or [email protected] - we can always register you by phone or email as well.
Register for the classes below by clicking on the "Add to Cart" button.
Cancellations: Participants that cancel before 24-hours from the start of a program may receive a full refund, unless otherwise noted. Cancellations within 24 hours receive no refund. Programs run rain or shine, but may be cancelled by GRNA in inclement weather. If canceled by GRNA, a notification is posted online and registered participants are notified & receive a full refund.
Questions, book a private program, or problems registering? Contact: James Dake at 231-492-8793 or [email protected] - we can always register you by phone or email as well.
OCTOBER
Family Playgroup
Thursday, October 15, 2026 - 10:30am (1 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Thursday, October 15, 2026 - 10:30am (1 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Crosshatch Felt Embroidery Workshop
CANCELLED - this event has been cancelled. Keep an eye on crosshatch.org for updated programs.
Saturday October 17, 2026 - 1:00pm (3hrs), $65 per person, hosted at Grass River Natural Area
Join Kim of Fran & Judy for three cozy hours of stitching! In this workshop, you’ll get to choose one Cozy Cottage ornament to make. The workshop will start with an overview of embroidery and practicing a few stitches on scrap felt. Once you’re ready, Kim will guide you step by step through the process of making a felt embroidered ornament, with plenty of individual instruction and hands-on support along the way.
Whether you’re completely new to embroidery or looking to build confidence with your stitching, this workshop is designed to be relaxed, encouraging, and enjoyable. And don’t worry if you don’t finish! Your kit includes step-by-step instructions so you can take it home and finish at your own pace.
The workshop will be held at Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire, Michigan, so feel free to arrive early, take a walk through the trails, and enjoy the beautiful fall colors before we begin!
Workshop Cost: $50
Material Cost: $15
Register at: Cozy Cottage Felt Embroidery Workshop Tickets, Saturday, October 17 • 1 PM - 4 PM | Eventbrite
CANCELLED - this event has been cancelled. Keep an eye on crosshatch.org for updated programs.
Saturday October 17, 2026 - 1:00pm (3hrs), $65 per person, hosted at Grass River Natural Area
Join Kim of Fran & Judy for three cozy hours of stitching! In this workshop, you’ll get to choose one Cozy Cottage ornament to make. The workshop will start with an overview of embroidery and practicing a few stitches on scrap felt. Once you’re ready, Kim will guide you step by step through the process of making a felt embroidered ornament, with plenty of individual instruction and hands-on support along the way.
Whether you’re completely new to embroidery or looking to build confidence with your stitching, this workshop is designed to be relaxed, encouraging, and enjoyable. And don’t worry if you don’t finish! Your kit includes step-by-step instructions so you can take it home and finish at your own pace.
The workshop will be held at Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire, Michigan, so feel free to arrive early, take a walk through the trails, and enjoy the beautiful fall colors before we begin!
Workshop Cost: $50
Material Cost: $15
Register at: Cozy Cottage Felt Embroidery Workshop Tickets, Saturday, October 17 • 1 PM - 4 PM | Eventbrite
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Moonlight Owl Prowl
Friday, October 23, 2026 - 7:00pm (1.5 hrs), $10 per person, please pre-register Join us as we learn about our local owls and their conservation with an introductory presentation, and then head out for a night hike under moonlight in search of these amazing birds. Participants should be comfortable walking outdoors at night for about 1 mile on uneven trails. Bring a light in the case that it is cloudy. $10 per person. Please pre-register. |
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Fall Fairy Houses
Saturday, October 24, 2026 - 1:00pm (2 hrs), $10 per participant Fall fairy fun is here! And what fairy wouldn’t want to live inside a magical pumpkin palace that your imagination creates. Turn a pretend pumpkin into a fabulous work of fairy house art. We provide all the supplies and you provide all of your whimsical ideas. This class is for adults and kids old enough to use a hot glue gun. Or come as a family and work on a house together. |
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Owl Prowl
Friday, October 30, 2026 - 7:00pm (1.5 hrs), $10 per person, please pre-register Join us as we learn about our local owls and their conservation with an introductory presentation, and then head out for a night hike in search of these amazing birds. Participants should be comfortable walking outdoors at night for about 1 mile on uneven trails. Bring a light in the case that it is cloudy. $10 per person. Please pre-register here: GRNA Programs |
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NOVEMBER
Family Playgroup
Thursday, November 5, 2026 - 10:30am (1.5 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with NMCAA and the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Thursday, November 5, 2026 - 10:30am (1.5 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with NMCAA and the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Wild Turkey Trot 5k
Saturday November 7, 2026 - Race starts at 11:00am at the Grass River Center
Celebrate autumn with a Wild Turkey Trot 5k on the trails at Grass River Natural Area. Run or walk the designated course on race day with other participants, or run your own 5k at your own convenience and submit your time later if you can't make the race day! Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female runners on race day.
REGISTER WITH A SHIRT: To register for the race, simply purchase the Wild Turkey Trot T-shirt or Sweatshirt on Bonfire and you are automatically registered: (Wild Turkey Trot 5k | Bonfire). The shirt will be mailed directly to you. All ages welcome. All proceeds go to support the educational programming at Grass River.
REGISTER WITHOUT A SHIRT: If you want to register for the race, but do NOT want a t-shirt, you can just pay the registration fee here.
Saturday November 7, 2026 - Race starts at 11:00am at the Grass River Center
Celebrate autumn with a Wild Turkey Trot 5k on the trails at Grass River Natural Area. Run or walk the designated course on race day with other participants, or run your own 5k at your own convenience and submit your time later if you can't make the race day! Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female runners on race day.
REGISTER WITH A SHIRT: To register for the race, simply purchase the Wild Turkey Trot T-shirt or Sweatshirt on Bonfire and you are automatically registered: (Wild Turkey Trot 5k | Bonfire). The shirt will be mailed directly to you. All ages welcome. All proceeds go to support the educational programming at Grass River.
REGISTER WITHOUT A SHIRT: If you want to register for the race, but do NOT want a t-shirt, you can just pay the registration fee here.
Family Playgroup
Thursday, November 19, 2026 - 10:30am (1 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Thursday, November 19, 2026 - 10:30am (1 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Writing Workshop with author Lane Regan
Thursday, November 19, 2026 - $10, Register at: Antrim Writers Series — Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology
Lane (Iliana) Regan is a Michelin-star chef whoruns the Milkweed Inn in Michigan's upperpeninsula. Their debut memoir, Burn the Place, waslonglisted for the National Book Award. Lane holdsa MFA from The School the Arts Institute in Chicagoand will be discussing their newest book, Fieldwork:A Foragers Memoir. A Free Copy of Fieldwork: A Forager's Memoir will be given to the first 25 people who register for either event on Nov 18 (reading) or 19 (workshop at GRNA).
Thursday, November 19, 2026 - $10, Register at: Antrim Writers Series — Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology
Lane (Iliana) Regan is a Michelin-star chef whoruns the Milkweed Inn in Michigan's upperpeninsula. Their debut memoir, Burn the Place, waslonglisted for the National Book Award. Lane holdsa MFA from The School the Arts Institute in Chicagoand will be discussing their newest book, Fieldwork:A Foragers Memoir. A Free Copy of Fieldwork: A Forager's Memoir will be given to the first 25 people who register for either event on Nov 18 (reading) or 19 (workshop at GRNA).
DECEMBER
Family Playgroup
Thursday, December 3, 2026 - 10:30am (1.5 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with NMCAA and the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Thursday, December 3, 2026 - 10:30am (1.5 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with NMCAA and the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Family Playgroup
Thursday, December 17, 2026 - 10:30am (1 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
Thursday, December 17, 2026 - 10:30am (1 hr), Free
Families with children ages 0–5 are invited to join us at Grass River Natural Area for free, nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, and connection with other families — all in the beauty of the outdoors. No registration needed! Offered in partnership with the Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition of Traverse Bay. Learn more at Playgroups | Help Me Grow
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Lighting of the Bridges
Saturday December 19, 2026 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm, $5 per person Join us for a magical evening as we light up the bridges of our boardwalk with colorful lights and lanterns. Enjoy a 1/3 mile winter stroll on the boardwalk with the bridges lit up with lights, and then warm up with a campfire and hot cocoa at the pavilion. Inside the Center we will have a variety of holiday crafts to make! You can come any time during this two-hour "open house" style event and walk the self-guided trail, enjoy the fire, and make crafts in the Center. Snowshoes are available for rent if there is deep snow. Bring a light. |
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If you are interested in a private program or tour, contact [email protected]
