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, or want a private program? Contact: James Dake, [email protected]
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, or want a private program? Contact: James Dake, [email protected]
NOVEMBER
Family Playgroup
Thursday, November 6th, 2025 - 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 https://greatstartkids.com/playgroup-schedule/
Thursday, November 6th, 2025 - 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 https://greatstartkids.com/playgroup-schedule/
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Owl Prowl
Friday, November 7, 2025 - 7:00pm (1.5 hrs), $10 per person, must 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. $10 per person. Must pre-register. No walk-in spaces available. |
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Wild Turkey Trot 5k
Saturday November 8, 2025 - Race starts at 11:00am
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.
To register for the race, simply purchase the Wild Turkey Trot T-shirt or Sweatshirt on Bonfire (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. 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 8, 2025 - Race starts at 11:00am
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.
To register for the race, simply purchase the Wild Turkey Trot T-shirt or Sweatshirt on Bonfire (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. 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 20, 2025 - 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 https://greatstartkids.com/playgroup-schedule/
Thursday, November 20, 2025 - 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 https://greatstartkids.com/playgroup-schedule/
Nature Trivia Night
Friday, November 21, 2025 - 6:00 pm (2 hrs), $5 per person at Short's Elk Rapids
Join us for Nature Trivia Night at the Short's Pull Barn in Elk Rapids! Get your team of 2-6 players together and get ready to stretch your brain with 5 rounds of clever, family-friendly trivia. Don't worry if you're not a nature expert; questions will draw from other areas of knowledge - like movies and music - as well. $5 per player, which supports GRNA. Players will pay upon arriving at Short's.
Friday, November 21, 2025 - 6:00 pm (2 hrs), $5 per person at Short's Elk Rapids
Join us for Nature Trivia Night at the Short's Pull Barn in Elk Rapids! Get your team of 2-6 players together and get ready to stretch your brain with 5 rounds of clever, family-friendly trivia. Don't worry if you're not a nature expert; questions will draw from other areas of knowledge - like movies and music - as well. $5 per player, which supports GRNA. Players will pay upon arriving at Short's.
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Owl Prowl
Saturday, November 22, 2025 - 7:00pm (1.5 hrs), $10 per person, must 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. $10 per person. Must pre-register. No walk-in spaces available. |
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DECEMBER
Family Playgroup
Thursday, December 4th, 2025 - 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 https://greatstartkids.com/playgroup-schedule/
Thursday, December 4th, 2025 - 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 https://greatstartkids.com/playgroup-schedule/
Family Playgroup
Thursday, December 18th, 2025 - 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 https://greatstartkids.com/playgroup-schedule/
Thursday, December 18th, 2025 - 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 https://greatstartkids.com/playgroup-schedule/
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Lighting of the Bridges
Saturday December 20, 2025 - 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 for one night only. Enjoy a 1/3 mile winter stroll on the boardwalk to the dock 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. |
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If you are interested in a private program or tour, contact [email protected]
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Do you benefit from our 100+ classes and programs? Please consider a donation in support of program development!
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