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THEY’RE YOUR METROPARKS.
LEARN ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE.

What’s better than exploring nature? Learning about it. No, seriously. Understanding the region’s natural and cultural history helps us live in greater harmony with the world around us. Welcome to our 25,000 acre classroom: The Huron-Clinton Metroparks. With an array of educational programs and interpretive staff to do the teaching. They’re your Metroparks. Come for the fun; stay for the learning. Or the other way around.

INTERPRETIVE CENTERS

Here at the Metroparks, our Interpretive Services Department brings the story of Southeast Michigan alive with a variety of on-site, off-site and school programs. We’re known as one of the country’s leading – and largest – interpretive programs, with ten interpretive facilities and three mobile learning centers. 

Our programs support the Common Core Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math (STREAM) and Michigan Science Standards curriculum. Every year, we reach thousands of Southeast Michigan children, families, groups and schools through field trips, summer camps, scout, homeschool, educational and holiday programs.

Where do you go when you want to do some learning at the Metroparks? Start with our Interpretive Centers. We’ve got 10 of them across our parks, staffed by members of the Metroparks Interpretive Department. Our Interpretive Centers include: 

At our Interpretive Centers, you’ll find plenty of information about local wildlife and their habitats, flora, cultural history, farm life, nature trails and other park amenities, as well as a full schedule of Metroparks educational programs. You can also book field trips for your class or school. 

The Metroparks Interpretive Centers also make great locations for hosting your events, from birthday parties to family reunions to corporate offsite events. We have a wide range of facilities and an experienced team to help make your event a success. Click here to learn more about booking your event. 

SCHOOL PROGRAMS & FIELD TRIPS

When it comes to school time in Southeast Michigan, there are two rules to remember: Everyone loves a field trip to the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. And everyone loves an in-school program hosted by the Metroparks Interpretive Department. 

What topics do we cover? Wildlife, natural science, environment, ecology, climate, farm life, regional history. And that’s just to start. Most Metroparks programs support the Common Core Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math (STREAM) and Michigan Science Standards curriculum in content, methodology and technology use. 

Field Trips

Bring your class to our classroom – the Metroparks Interpretive Centers and land around them. Our Interpretive staff can provide a wide array of programs that take advantage of the unique immersive environment only the Huron-Clinton Metroparks can provide.

Field trips are available year-round.

Educational Program Guide

In-school Programs

We bring our Interpretive team to your school for an educational experience that also provides great food for thought. We can customize a presentation to work closely with your in-class curriculum.

Educational Program Guide

Homeschool Programs

Homeschool isn’t just for home. Not when you can take your lessons out to the Metroparks. It’s the best place to learn about science, nature, the environment … and more. At the Interpretive Centers, homeschool groups are welcome to register for any of the topics covered in our educational program guide. We can also customize programs for your specific needs; just talk to our Interpretive staff to work with your group on scheduling a program.

Educational Program Guide

Virtual / Synchronous Programs

These can include live presentations from Metroparks Interpreters as well as pre-recorded programming. Some programs offer additional hands-on traveling trunk materials or video content to enhance and extend the curriculum.

Download Synchronous Program Guide

Community Outreach Interpreter shows elementary school children a salamander during a Metroparks school program.

MOBILE LEARNING CENTERS

Supporting our in-school programs and community outreach are the three Metroparks Mobile Learning Centers. These vehicles – and the Interpreters who accompany them – are equipped to provide a wide variety of educational programs, including  specialized programming for preschool students and our unique schoolyard ecosystem exploration for upper elementary through high school. Our teams enhance any event with live animal demonstrations, hands-on activities, arts and crafts and more.  

Whether you’re responsible for a school that’s looking for a program for your class, a library looking to host a community program, a senior center looking to entertain your residents, or even a community festival/event, we can bring the learning – and fun – to you. Click here to explore mobile learning center programs, in our Educational Program Guide. For more information, simply complete the form below and a Community Outreach Interpreter will be in touch. 

Mobile Learning Centers
Mobile Learning Center staff dress up for a fall program.

EDUCATIONAL GRANTS

As part of our commitment to supporting education in Southeast Michigan, the Metroparks offer a variety of educational grant opportunities. 

Free Field Trips - Four County Community Foundation

Funded through a grant from the Four County Community Foundation, we are offering free experiential field trips to public schools in:

  • Lapeer County – Almont, Attica, Dryden, Metamora, and Imlay Townships
  • Macomb County – Armada, Bruce, Ray, Richmond, Shelby, and Washington Townships
  • Oakland County – Addison, Brandon, Oakland, and Oxford Townships
  • St. Clair County – Berlin, Emmett, Mussey, and Riley Townships

Classes will receive FREE field trips, including program and transportation to either Stony Creek or Wolcott Mill Metropark. Hands-on, enrichment experiences that provide real-world context and give new meaning to concepts related to agriculture, history, nature and science will be offered. For schools that are unable to take field trips due to pandemic restrictions, new outreach programs to the schools will be made available. The project will run the duration of the 2022 – 2023 school year or until all funds have been designated for use.

Stony Creek and Wolcott Mill Metropark grant funded field trips are full. 

Free Virtual Master Rain Gardener Classes - EPA-GLRI Grant

In this five-week class, you will learn how to design your own rain garden! Rain Gardens filter and cool stormwater so that our streams and rivers run clean. Join us to receive step-by-step instruction to create your garden, protecting your home against flooding and helping the birds and butterflies. And in the process, you will become a neighborhood expert!

Participants must attend all five classes and plant or adopt a rain garden to earn their Master Rain Gardener certificate, sign, and t-shirt. Classes are held virtually, along with one rain garden in-person tour date for a more hands-on learning experience (tours are optional). Classes will be held Thursdays beginning January 25 and running through February 22.

This class is held in partnership with the Metro Detroit Master Rain Gardeners Group, Washtenaw County, Friends of the Rouge, Friends of the Detroit River, the Clinton River Watershed Council, Huron River Watershed Council, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, River Raisin Watershed Council, Friends of the Detroit River and Alliance of Downriver Watersheds.

Full scholarships are funded through a grant from EPA – Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant: Protecting Lake Erie Marsh and Waters are available for residents in the following zip codes: Detroit (48209, 48217), Ecorse (48229), Inkster (48141), Lincoln Park (48146), Melvindale (48122), River Rouge (48218), Riverview (48193), Romulus (48174), Taylor (48180). Email Jill Martin (jill.martin@metroparks.com) for scholarship details.

Ages: Adults 18 and up.
Time: 10 a.m. – Noon
Cost: $89 Early Bird Rate ($145 after January 9). FREE for residents in specific zip codes listed above.
Location: Virtual with In-Person Tours

Pre-registration is required. To register please visit: https://therouge.org/master-rain-gardener/

If you have questions or to see if you qualify for a full scholarship, email jill.martin@metroparks.com or call 810-227-2757 x6067.

Get Out And Learn

Get Out And Learn offers scholarships to cover transportation for in-person field trips or outreach programs at your school.  All program fees are included in the scholarship in addition to the cost of transportation to and from a Metropark. Qualifying schools must have at least 50% of their students eligible to receive the federal free and reduced lunch program.

Grants are currently available for the 2023-2024 school year. Click here to apply for a Get Out and Learn Grant by completing the online application.

For questions please contact Jennifer Jaworski at (810) 494-6030, or email Jennifer.Jaworski@metroparks.com. Please reference Get Out and Learn when calling or emailing.

Nature Conservancy and Oak Openings Grant at Oakwoods Metropark

Your Metroparks have teamed up with The Nature Conservancy to provide field trips to Oakwoods Metropark highlighting the Oak Openings Region; a unique habitat the extends from the Maumee River in Ohio into southeast Michigan. Give your students an up-close and personal look at some of the amazing ecosystems that The Nature Conservancy has placed on their list of the Top 200 Last Great Places on Earth list, including Oakwoods Metropark.

Grants includes program fees and transportation costs to and from Oakwoods Metropark. Programs offered through this grant include:

  • Animals of Oakwoods (Pre-K – 6th): Students will be introduced to some of the animals that live within the Oak Openings Region; including threatened species such as the Eastern Fox Snake and the Eastern Box Turtle, through the use of live animals, mounts, study skins, and other items. Learn why these animals thrive in these habitats and what special adaptations they have to help them survive.
  • Prairie Walk (7th – 12th): Become immersed in an actual tallgrass prairie. Discover the plants and animals that can be found within the prairie; and explore the adaptations possess. Through hands-on activities, we will learn what it takes to thrive in this unique habitat.

Grant funded field trips are now full!

Wheels To Woods

Wheels To Woods provides funding to PreK-12 schools and other youth groups to cover transportation costs for educational field trips to nearby forests or forest products companies. Any PreK-12 school in Michigan is eligible to apply. Wheels To Woods reimburses actual transportation costs up to $350 per bus and $1,000 per school. Click here to learn more and to apply.

Interpreter at the Kensington Metropark Farm Center demonstrates how to make maple syrup from maple sap.

VIRTUAL RESOURCES

You’ll also find a wealth of educational information right here at Metroparks.com. From our library of videos to worksheets, DIY crafts, science experiments and much more, we provide teachers and parents plenty of opportunities to share the love of nature, animals and science with kids of all ages. 

Bird Of The Week

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks are a haven for birders because of the variety of our habitats. And because we provide waypoints for literally hundreds of bird species. Follow us on social media (#HCMetroparksor read our Bird OThe Week Blog to learn more about the birds you’ll find in Southeast Michigan. Or go on a bird search at any of the Metroparks and share your sightings by tagging us and using #BirdOfTheWeek 

Click here to read our Bird of the Week Blog.

Coloring Pages

Dear Kevin

Got a question about wildlife, nature or the Metroparks? Be sure to ask “Dear Kevin.” Who’s Kevin? He’s Kevin Arnoldour Southern District Interpretive Service Supervisor. And he’s here to answer your questions about regional habitats, animals, native plant species, science, agriculture and regional history. Just send your questions to DearKevin@metroparks.com. Kevin posts questions and answers on our Facebook and Instagram stories, so be sure to follow us.

Educational Programming Video Series

Animals

Bird Feeding

Birds

Crafts

Earth Day

Nature

Science with the Metroparks

Trail Adventures

Nature Blog

Get to know nature – and the Metroparks – through the eyes of our Interpreters on our Nature Blog, where we share trail experiences, identify interesting plants and take journeys through time to learn about how our local ecology has adapted and evolved

Click here to explore our nature blog.

Nature Discovery App

Seek by iNaturalist

Take your nature knowledge up a notch with Seek! Use the power of image recognition technology to identify the plants and animals all around you. Earn badges for seeing different types of birds, amphibians, plants, and fungi and participate in monthly observation challenges. Download the app onto your phone or tablet. Click here to learn more. 

Scavenger Hunts

Got questions about wildlife, nature or the Metroparks? Be sure to ask "Dear Kevin."

SCOUT PROGRAMS

How long have the Huron-Clinton Metroparks hosted programs or events for Southeast Michigan’s Scouting community? As long as we’ve been around. We’re proud to keep that tradition alive with a number of programs crafted for Boy and Girl ScoutsWhether it’s the perfect setting for a jamboree, an overnight camping excursion or a facility to host a merit badge class, we can help! 

Badge Courses

We can work with your troop or pack to offer badge or merit badge classes. We work with scouting officials, including Merit Badge Counselors, to help your scouts advance in the ranks. Call one of Farm or Nature Centers to learn about our regularly scheduled badge courses or ask us if we’re able to accommodate the badge requirements you need. 

Click here to explore farm and nature centers.

Group Camps

Bring your scouting group out to one of our group campsites for a day in the sun or a night under the stars. Our campsites are also perfect for hosting jamborees or other ceremonies. Advance registration is required.  

Group camp is available at the following parks, click on the park below to learn more about their group camp:

Scouts working on projects at your Metroparks.

TEACHER WORKSHOPS

Are you a teacher interested in providing more hands-on outdoor learning opportunities for your students? Well, the Metroparks are here to help.

In addition to offering a wide variety of field trips and in-school programs, we are now offering teacher workshops. These workshops are created to teach you projects you can do with your students throughout the year regardless of the size of your outdoor learning space. We’ll focus on projects that relate to topics of the outdoor world around us; how they tie to the standards, and how to use student engagement with the natural world to build learning across the content areas.

The best part is you can also earn State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) by attending our workshops.

Teacher Workshop: Project Wild | April 16

Have you ever wanted to provide more outdoor learning opportunities for your students but are not sure how to incorporate it into your curriculum? Join us for a day of learning as we explore the Project WILD Activity Guide and provide you with tips and tricks to make sure your students are engaged while outdoors. You’ll get a chance to participate in activities you can bring into your classroom, how they are tied to the standards and how these activities build student learning across the content areas. Project WILD is a conservation education program that emphasizes awareness, appreciation and understanding of wildlife and natural resources. This workshop is aimed at teachers that work with students in grades K – 5. You will receive a Project Wild Activity Guide included in the cost of the program. Participants will receive up to 5 SCECHs through Macomb Intermediate School District upon completion of the workshop!

Ages: 21 and up
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: $35 per adult, includes 5 SCECHs
Location: Stony Creek Metropark, Nature Center

Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. three days before the program.

Click here to register.

Teacher Workshop: Milkweed Project | June 29

Calling all teachers from elementary through college instructors! Are you looking for unique ways to connect your students to science concepts and the natural world? The Milkweed Project is the perfect suite of hands-on, student-led, community-science-based learning experiences for you and your students. Come learn about identifying, growing, and using common milkweed to explore the science of phenology, pollinator preferences, and more. Students can make observations, ask questions, and explore the world of milkweed. Teachers will receive a binder of milkweed project protocols, milkweed seeds to use with students, and 4.5 SCHECHs through Macomb Intermediate School District! Dress to be outdoors in tall grasses and bring water and a sack lunch; snacks and coffee provided. Student teachers and informal educators welcome!

Ages: Adults 21 and up
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: Free! includes 4.5 SCECHs
Location: Lake St. Clair Metropark, Nature Center

Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before the program.

Click here to register.

Teacher Workshop: Water Quality | June 30

Let’s explore water! Join us for a day of learning as we explore the latest Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Supports (MEECS) for Water Quality. All the water quality lessons will be overviewed with a special focus for lessons and outdoor experiences in our local waterways. Participants will receive all the curricula, materials, and resources and up to 4.5 SCHECHs. Dress to be outdoors and bring water and a sack lunch; snacks and coffee provided. Student teachers and informal educator’s welcome.

Ages: Adults 21 and up
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cost: FREE includes up to 4.5 SCECHs and updated MEECs curricula
Location: Lake St. Clair Metropark, Nature Center

Pre-registration is required 3 days before the program. Click here to register.

Teacher Workshop: Water Quality | July 21

Let’s explore water! Join us for a day of learning as we explore the latest Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Supports (MEECS) for Water Quality. All the water quality lessons will be overviewed with a special focus for lessons and outdoor experiences in our local waterways. Participants will receive all the curricula, materials, and resources and up to 4.5 SCHECHs. Dress to be outdoors and bring water and a sack lunch; snacks and coffee provided. Student teachers and informal educator’s welcome.

Ages: Adults 21 and up
Time: 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Cost: FREE includes up to 4.5 SCECHs and updated MEECs curricula
Location: Hudson Mills Activity Center, Hudson Mills Metropark

Pre-registration is required 3 days before the program. Click here to register.

Teacher Workshop: Ecosystems & Biodiversity | July 29

Join us for a day of learning about the latest Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Supports (MEECS) for Ecosystems and Biodiversity. All the ecosystems and biodiversity lessons will be touched on, with focus on Human Impact on Ecosystems: Land Use Decisions and Transformed Michigan Ecosystems. Participants will receive all the curricula, materials, and resources and up to 4.5 SCHECHs. Dress to be outdoors and bring water and a sack lunch; snacks and coffee provided. Student teachers and informal educator’s welcome.

Ages: Adults 21 and up
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: FREE includes up to 4.5 SCECHs and updated MEECs curricula
Location: Stony Creek Metropark, Nature Center

Pre-registration is required 3 days before the program. Click here to register.

Teacher Workshop: Water Quality | August 5

Let’s explore water! Join us for a day of learning as we explore the latest Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Supports (MEECS) for Water Quality. All the water quality lessons will be overviewed with a special focus for lessons and outdoor experiences in our local waterways. Participants will receive all the curricula, materials, and resources and up to 4.5 SCHECHs. Dress to be outdoors and bring water and a sack lunch; snacks and coffee provided. Student teachers and informal educator’s welcome.

Ages: Adults 21 and up
Time: 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Cost: FREE includes up to 4.5 SCECHs and updated MEECs curricula
Location: Belle Isle State Park, Nature Center

Pre-registration is required 3 days before the program. Click here to register.

Teacher Workshop: Ecosystems & Biodiversity | September 15

Join us for a day of learning about the latest Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Supports (MEECS) for Ecosystems and Biodiversity. All the ecosystems and biodiversity lessons will be touched on, with focus on Human Impact on Ecosystems: Land Use Decisions and Transformed Michigan Ecosystems. Participants will receive all the curricula, materials, and resources and up to 4.5 SCHECHs. Dress to be outdoors and bring water and a sack lunch; snacks and coffee provided. Student teachers and informal educator’s welcome.

Ages: Adults 21 and up
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: FREE includes up to 4.5 SCECHs and updated MEECs curricula
Location: Kensington Metropark, Farm Center

Pre-registration is required 3 days before the program. Click here to register.

Teacher Workshop: Ecosystems & Biodiversity | October 13

Join us for a day of learning about the latest Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Supports (MEECS) for Ecosystems and Biodiversity. All the ecosystems and biodiversity lessons will be touched on, with focus on Human Impact on Ecosystems: Land Use Decisions and Transformed Michigan Ecosystems. Participants will receive all the curricula, materials, and resources and up to 4.5 SCHECHs. Dress to be outdoors and bring water and a sack lunch; snacks and coffee provided. Student teachers and informal educator’s welcome.

Ages: Adults 21 and up
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: FREE includes up to 4.5 SCECHs and updated MEECs curricula
Location: Oakwoods Metropark, Nature Center

Pre-registration is required 3 days before the program. Click here to register.

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