Girl Scouts Badge-A-Palooza

Come join your OE Team and the Naturalist Staff at Johnson Nature Center for a fun-filled "Badge-A-Palooza" event where Girl Scouts can earn badges and mini patches amidst the natural backdrop of the nature center.

Participants engage in various hands-on activities tailored to each badge, learning about more-than-human beings, outdoor fire safety, and environmental stewardship. From investigating bugs to exploring trail maps, each station offers a unique learning experience that encourages teamwork, creativity, and a deeper connection to nature.

Prairie Seed Collecting

November is the perfect time to give back to nature! Join us in gathering prairie seeds that will help bring our school programs to life. As you collect these precious seeds, you'll also have the chance to take some home, giving you the opportunity to cultivate beautiful, native plants in your own yard. It's a fun, hands-on way to support our environment while creating your own mini prairie at home!

Craft Series: Seed Tiles

Enjoy a delightful seed tile crafting session! We’ll use clay and an array of beautiful seeds to create unique, eco-friendly works of art. Whether you’re designing patterns, symbols, or just a fun mosaic, your seed tile will be a masterpiece.

$15 per person

Ages 3+

Oct. 26 @ 1p - 3p

DATE CHANGE TO October 26, 2024.

Make a difference in a few hours that can last decades! ReLeaf Michigan, a non-profit tree organization, in collaboration with the the Johnson Nature Center, Friends of the Johnson Nature Center, Bloomfield Hills Schools and the DTE Energy Foundation, is planting 25 trees at the Johnson Nature Center in Bloomfield Hills on Saturday, October 26th. The planting is part of a five-year long program to plant sugar maple trees and reestablish and expand the sugar bush at the nature center. ReLeaf Michigan’s tree experts will be there to show volunteers how to plant a tree and oversee the event.

Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring a shovel, hard rake, and gloves if you have them.

Event occurs rain or shine (we’re a hearty group!).

No planting experience necessary. This is a free volunteer program.

Families are welcome!

We hope to see you there!

Birding & Blooms - Fall Naturalist Series

Embark on a journey through the fascinating world of birds and blooms with our immersive naturalist series, "Birds and Blooms." Join us as we explore the beauty, diversity, and interconnectedness of avian life and floral wonders in this captivating adventure through nature's canvas.

"Birds and Blooms" invites you to deepen your connection with the natural world and appreciate the wonder and beauty that surrounds us. This naturalist series offers a glimpse into the extraordinary lives of birds and blooms and the profound impact they have on our planet.

Join us on this enlightening journey as we celebrate the intricate tapestry of life that flourishes in our midst. Let us be inspired to cherish and protect the precious treasures of nature for generations to come.

There will be binoculars on loan, along with multiple field guides to use (digital and print).

Ages 5 yr - adult

9am - 11am

$12 per person

Dates available on third Tuesday of the month: Sept. 17, Oct. 15, or Nov. 19

Night Hike: Bats

Embark on a spooky Night Hike, where we’ll venture into the moonlit wilderness to spot bats as they swoop through the night sky!!

Ages 7+

$8 per person

Design you own Fishing Pole!

Ages 7+

Cost: $15 per person building a fishing pole.

(If an adult is merely assisting a child, the adult does not need to register)

Birding & Blooms - Fall Naturalist Series

Embark on a journey through the fascinating world of birds and blooms with our immersive naturalist series, "Birds and Blooms." Join us as we explore the beauty, diversity, and interconnectedness of avian life and floral wonders in this captivating adventure through nature's canvas.

"Birds and Blooms" invites you to deepen your connection with the natural world and appreciate the wonder and beauty that surrounds us. This naturalist series offers a glimpse into the extraordinary lives of birds and blooms and the profound impact they have on our planet.

Join us on this enlightening journey as we celebrate the intricate tapestry of life that flourishes in our midst. Let us be inspired to cherish and protect the precious treasures of nature for generations to come.

There will be binoculars on loan, along with multiple field guides to use (digital and print).

Ages 5 yr - adult

9am - 11am

$12 per person

Dates available on third Tuesday of the month: Sept. 17, Oct. 15, or Nov. 19

Birding & Blooms - Summer Naturalist Series

Embark on a journey through the fascinating world of birds and blooms with our immersive naturalist series, "Birds and Blooms." Join us as we explore the beauty, diversity, and interconnectedness of avian life and floral wonders in this captivating adventure through nature's canvas.

"Birds and Blooms" invites you to deepen your connection with the natural world and appreciate the wonder and beauty that surrounds us. This naturalist series offers a glimpse into the extraordinary lives of birds and blooms and the profound impact they have on our planet.

Join us on this enlightening journey as we celebrate the intricate tapestry of life that flourishes in our midst. Let us be inspired to cherish and protect the precious treasures of nature for generations to come.

There will be binoculars on loan, along with multiple field guides to use (digital and print).

$12 pp

Ages 7 through adult

Join us on select Saturday or Sunday mornings to discover what lies below the surface of our pond! Participants have the option of bringing their own equipment, or borrowing from what the Nature Center has to offer.

Up to 15 families/groups per day with up to 5 people per family/group.  If you have more people than 5, select 2 groups.  you can register up to 2 groups at at time here.

$10 per person.

All ages.

Hoppin' Fun Frog Walk

Embark on a guided frog hike through lush wetlands, immersing yourself in the enchanting chorus of croaks and discovering the diverse amphibian life thriving in their natural habitat..

Time:  2p - 3p

Ages: all ages

Cost:  $8 per person

Constellations Night Hike

Embark on a celestial adventure like no other with our Constellation Night Hike! As the city lights fade away, a canvas of stars unfolds above, painting the night sky with dazzling constellations.

Time: 9:30p - 10:30p

Ages: Adults and children 7 yrs and older

Cost: $8 per person

Spring Into Wellness: Conflict Resolution Workshop & Nature Nurture Walk and Talk for Children

Bloomfield Youth Assistance, with grant support from Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation, presents a program for children and their parents/caregivers to learn mindfulness skills and techniques for ""Conflict Resolution"". The program is intended for school-aged children in developmental-kindergarten through 5th grade.

Jessica Cortez, LMSW, from Bloomfield Hills Child & Family Counseling and the Johnson Nature Center Naturalists welcome families to experience the beauty of the nature center while learning emotional regulation tools.

Please dress children in outdoor-appropriate clothing, as children's activities will be outside. Adults will spend part of the afternoon indoors and part outdoors."

Ages: developmental-kindergarten through 5th grade with a parent/guardian. An adult may attend without a child.

This is not a drop off program. Children must have an adult attend with them. Adults may register separately.

Registration is required. Limited registration to 15 children and 40 adults.

Registration is free. Donations are appreciated.

Diverse Learners Day at the Nature Center!

We will go on an insect hike, investigate trees and listen to the forest.

This specialized program is designed for children with special needs and 2 family members. It provides a more accessible, supported experience for the child and their family that might otherwise be challenging due to complex learning needs or challenges (i.e. sensory needs, language impairments, emotional, behavioral, or cognitive learning challenges, physical needs, etc.). Each session will provide families with various interactive activities for engagement.

This collaborative program has an experienced guide who works directly with the children (4:1 ratio) to provide specialized support and accommodation to experience the farm and nature center.  The guide also provides support to family members to highlight ways to support their child in these environments for future visits.  The family is provided with a digital social story to read with their child before the program and will leave with a set of visuals to support engagement on future visits. 

Pre-Registration required.

Sliding Scale $45-55

Ages 2-16

*Each child must have at least one adult with them and can have up to two family members accompany them (two adults or one adult and one sibling).

*This is not designed as a drop-off program.

Cost: sliding scale based on what you can pay per child/parent(x2) pair. (What is a sliding scale? Look here)

Option 1: Lowest Cost: $45

Option 2: Sustaining Cost: $50

Option 3: Pay it Forward Cost: $55

Wind Chime Craft

Embrace your inner whimsy with a DIY wind chime take-home craft!

Time: 1p - 3p

Ages: age 5 yr through adult

Cost: $15 per person