December Events at Indian Springs and Kensington Metroparks

The follow are the events listed for both Indian Spring Metropark in White Lake, and Kensington Metropark in Milford for the month of December.

A Metroparks vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark and is only $25 annually for regular admission, $15 annually for seniors or $5 daily. General information can be found at www.metroparks.com or by calling 1-800-47-PARKS.

Indian Springs

For additional information or to register for programs at the Indian Springs Metropark Environmental Discovery Center near White Lake, please call 248-625-7280.

• “Senior Girl Scouts: Sky Badge,” Saturday, December 1 from 6 pm to 9 pm, Environmental Discovery Center. Scouts will focus on five aspects during this three-hour program:  the night sky (outdoors), planetarium (learn about other objects in space), track a current space mission, explore light pollution (effects on people and wildlife) and make sky art (an accurate map of the fall constellations on fabric). Please bring one item to decorate: a pale color tote bag, a white T-shirt, a white sweatshirt or a light-color pillowcase. Each Scout should be prepared to share two sky legends/myths during the outdoor night viewing, but not the Perseus/Andromeda legend. Fee: $6 per Scout, due at registration.
• “Nature Write Workshop,” Saturday, December 8 at 9 am, Environmental Discovery Center.  Connect with an essential part of yourself by engaging with the natural world. The session begins with a discussion of a carefully selected reading from one of the world’s most intriguing nature writers, followed by guided outdoor activities to explore your place in the web of life. A guided reflective writing session follows to integrate your experience and practice some nature writing of your own. This session will be taught by writers Cathy Shap and Dave DeGolyer. Fee: $30 per session. Preregistration required.
• “Snacks with Santa,” Saturday, December 8 at 10 am & 1 pm, Environmental Discovery Center at Indian Springs Metropark near White Lake. Visit with Santa, decorate a cookie, hear a holiday story, and make some crafts! Tickets are $5 per child and are on sale at the Environmental Discovery Center. Bring your own camera or purchase a photo for $2. Admission is by advance ticket sales only.

Kensington

For additional information or to register for programs at the Kensington Metropark Nature Center located near Milford/Brighton, please call 810-227-8910.

At the Nature Center:

• “Brownies Try-It: Hiker,” Saturday, December 1 at 2 pm, Nature Center. All requirements for this badge will be met during this indoor/outdoor program. Fee: $5 per Scout. Preregistration required.
• “Jr. Girl Scouts: Trees,” Sunday, December 2 at 2 pm, Nature Center. All requirements for this badge will be met during this indoor/outdoor program. Fee: $5 per Scout. Preregistration required.
• “Astronomy for Scouts,” Saturday, December 8 at 2 pm, Nature Center. Scouts will learn about what’s up in the night sky and other astronomy-related topics. Fee: $5 per Scout. Please bring a white T-shirt. Preregistration required.
• “Winter Walkabout,” Saturday, December 15 at 1 pm, Nature Center. Many kind of wildlife stay active during the winter months. Wear boots and bring binoculars to go on this search for winter birds and mammals. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required. For age 8 years and older.
• “Chickadee Chow-Down,” Saturday, December 22, at 1 pm, Nature Center. In winter, a variety of songbirds will actually take sunflower seeds from your hands. Bird seed will be provided for this short walk along the nature trails. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required.
• “Attracting Winter Birds,” Sunday, December 23 at 2 pm, Nature Center.  Few animals brighten the winter landscape better than birds. Learn how to attract birds to your yard and keep them coming back. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required. For ages 8 and older.
• “Chickadee Chow-Down,” Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 28, 29 & 30, at 1 pm, Nature Center. In winter, a variety of songbirds will actually take sunflower seeds from your hands. Bird seed will be provided for this short walk along the nature trails. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required.

 At the Farm Center:

• “Snacks with Santa,” Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and December 9 at 10:30 am, noon & 2 pm, Farm Center at Kensington Metropark, near Milford/Brighton. Visit with Santa, have a snack, take a hayride or sleigh ride through the woods, and sing holiday songs. Snacks include cookies and/or fruit, juice and hot chocolate or coffee, plus the kids get a special treat from Santa. Tickets are $10 per person and are now on sale at the Kensington Park Office. Everyone is required to have a ticket, regardless of age. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

(Source: Huron-Clinton Metroparks)