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, james@grassriver.org
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, james@grassriver.org
NOVEMBER
Wild Turkey Trot 5k
Saturday November 11, 2023 - 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 here: 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 11, 2023 - 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 here: 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.
Nature Trivia Night
Thursday, November 16th, 2023 - 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.
Thursday, November 16th, 2023 - 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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Painting Animals in Action
Saturday, November 18th, 2023 - 1:00pm (2 hrs), $10 per person We will use a variety of painting and drawing media to learn how to illustrate animals in action. Birds, bunnies and bobcats are among the subjects we will explore. We'll learn the basic shapes and textures that make these creatures recognizable. Join us for a playful afternoon! |
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DECEMBER
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Lighting of the Bridges
Saturday December 16, 2023 - 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 1/4 mile winter stroll around our newest section of 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 |
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2-Day Winter Camp
Thursday December 28 and Friday December 29, 10:00am to 3:00pm, Ages 7 to 12, $80 per camper for 2-day camp, limited space, must pre-register! Grass River Natural Area will be hosting a 2023 2-day winter camp for children 7 to 12 years old. Your children can spend their winter break building a snow shelter, tracking animals along the boardwalks, building a campfire, or enjoying the view along Grass River - perfect for the child that loves the outdoors in winter. |
JANUARY 2024
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Pine, Spruce, or Fir? Winter Conifer ID
Saturday, January 6th, 2024 - 1:00pm (1.5 hrs.), $10 per person Is that a pine, spruce, fir, hemlock, or maybe a cedar? And what's the difference? Join us as we learn to ID our conifers at Grass River. Learn ID techniques using various keys, and then hike our trails to put your skills to the test. |
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Nature Trivia Night
January 18, 2024 - 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.
January 18, 2024 - 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.
FEBRUARY
NMC Winter Tree Identification
Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 1:00pm (2 hrs) at NMC University Center
Gain the skills to identify Michigan trees in winter by their bark, buds, and branching patterns. We'll use a variety of real specimens collected from Grass River Natural Area, along with photographs and guides to learn ID techniques for woody plants, including broadleaf trees, shrubs, and evergreens. Registration coming soon through NMC Extended Education.
Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 1:00pm (2 hrs) at NMC University Center
Gain the skills to identify Michigan trees in winter by their bark, buds, and branching patterns. We'll use a variety of real specimens collected from Grass River Natural Area, along with photographs and guides to learn ID techniques for woody plants, including broadleaf trees, shrubs, and evergreens. Registration coming soon through NMC Extended Education.
Nature Trivia Night
February 15, 2024 - 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.
February 15, 2024 - 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.
NMC The Science of Making Maple Syrup
Thursday February 22 (at NMC), & Thursday February 29 (In Person at GRNA), 1:00pm (2 hrs.)
Discover the art of tapping maple trees by learning both traditional and modern methods. Tap into the science of maple syrup production, tree identification, equipment needs, and get instruction for small scale DIY projects. Registration coming soon through NMC Extended Education.
Thursday February 22 (at NMC), & Thursday February 29 (In Person at GRNA), 1:00pm (2 hrs.)
Discover the art of tapping maple trees by learning both traditional and modern methods. Tap into the science of maple syrup production, tree identification, equipment needs, and get instruction for small scale DIY projects. Registration coming soon through NMC Extended Education.
If you are interested in a private program or tour, contact james@grassriver.org
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