February Events at Kensington and Indian Springs Metroparks

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.

“Tot Time: “Groundhog Day,” Saturday, February 2 at 10 am, Environmental Discovery Center. The loveable furry groundhog will let us know today whether there is six more weeks of winter or six more weeks until spring! Participants will learn about the interesting lives that groundhogs lead. Children, ages 3 to 5 years, should be prepared to go outdoors to see if they can find where Mr. Groundhog has been hiding out this winter. Fee: $5 per person. Preregistration required.

“Nature’s Noisemakers,” Saturday, February 9 at 1 pm, Environmental Discovery Center. Who doesn’t like to make noise!  Make some callers to take home: a turkey caller, a predator caller, owl caller and more. While making these callers, learn about the wildlife being imitated. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required. For ages 6 and older.

“Webelos: Scientist,” Sunday, February 10 at 10 am and 1:30 pm, Environmental Discovery Center. Many principles of physics were first observed in nature. Become a “natural philosopher” as you observe and test some of these principles on the way to earning the Webelos scientist badge. Requirements 1 thru 7, 9, 12 and beginning of requirement 10 will be met during this 2.5 hour program. Fee: $5 per Scout. Preregistration required.

“Smartphone Apps for Nature Exploration,” Saturday, February 16 at 1 pm, Environmental Discovery Center. Calling all Smartphone users. You are the owner of a gadget that can be used in many capacities in exploring the out-of-doors. This program will feature some of the best free and paid apps out there for geocaching, hiking, birding, plant identification, animal tracking, invasive species documentation and more. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required. For ages 12 and older.

“Boys Scouts Weather Merit Badge,” Sunday, February 17 at 10 am, Environmental Discovery Center. Scouts will learn what causes weather, how we measure it, how dangerous weather conditions occur and what to do in those instances.  All requirements will be addressed in this workshop which is led by a certified merit badge counselor. A visit to the National Weather Service Office in White Lake is planned. Prerequisites will be provided to registrants approximately one month before this 7 hour program. Fee: $16 per Scout. Preregistration is required.

“Fun Science Experiments,” Saturday, February 23 at 1 pm, Environmental Discovery Center. Participants won’t be blowing stuff up but they will still have a good time with all sorts of simple experiments. These experiments are good for sharing in school demonstrations and twill amaze your teacher and classmates. Fee: $5 per person. Preregistration required. For ages 6 and older.

Kensington

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

 At the Nature Center:

“Basics of Ice Fishing,” Saturday, February 2 from 1 pm to 4 pm, Nature Center. This program will give beginners a chance to learn about ice fishing, then wet a line!  Fee: $5 for each person who is fishing. Bring ice fishing rods and dress for the weather (ice conditions permitting). A fishing license is required for those 17 years of age or older. Preregistration required. For ages 6 and older.

“Chickadee Chowdown,” Sunday, February 3 at 2 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. This program is for all ages.

“Basics of Ice Fishing,” Saturday, February 9 from 1 pm to 4 pm, Nature Center. This program will give beginners a chance to learn about ice fishing, then wet a line!  Fee: $5 for each person who is fishing. Bring ice fishing rods and dress for the weather (ice conditions permitting). A fishing license is required for those 17 years of age or older Preregistration required. For ages 6 and older.

“Chickadee Chowdown,” Sunday, February 10 at 2 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. This program is for all ages.

“Get Off the Trail,” Saturday, February 16 at 1 pm, Nature Center. Join an interpreter to see what you can find away from the trail. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required.

“Homeschool: Animal Adaptations,” Thursday, February 21 at 1:30 pm, Nature Center. Explore animal adaptations, structures and functions. Learn how animals protect themselves, how they get food and why they look the way they do with experiential indoor games and an outdoor hike. Fee: $4 per student. Preregistration required.

“Homeschool: Physics of Bird Behavior-Flight and Feathers,” Wednesday, February 27 at 1:30 pm, Nature Center. Students will learn how lift works in a bird’s flight and how different wing shapes and structures affect the way a bird flies. Fee: $4 per student. Preregistration required.

At the Farm Center:

“Ice Harvesting,” Saturday & Sunday, February 2 and 3 from 1 pm to 3 pm, Farm Center. Join the farm staff and find out about putting up a supply of ice the old-fashioned way. Learn who the ice man was, and where ‘the cold shoulder’ could’ve been a good thing. Watch demonstrations, and then help cut blocks of river ice using antique saws and a variety of equipment. Great outdoor fun for both adults and kids!

“Daddy-Daughter Dance,” Saturday, February 16 at 7 pm, Farm Center. Treat your princess to a Valentine’s Day-themed barn dance. A square dance caller will walk you through the basics, providing an evening filled with fun whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pro.  Enjoy light refreshments, as well.  Fee:  $8 per person. Advance ticket purchase and preregistration required.

“Horse-Drawn Hayrides or Sleighrides,” weekends, noon to 4 p.m. Take a relaxing horse-drawn hayride or sleighride (snow conditions permitting) past the fields and through the woods. Hayrides are $3 per child, $5 per adult. For more information, please call 248-684-8632.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Individuals needing assistance in order to participate in these programs should contact the interpretive center at least 72 hours prior to the program. A Metroparks vehicle entry permit is required to enter any Metropark which 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. 

(Source: Denise H. Semion, chief of communication of Huron-Clinton Metroparks.)