July 2019
Apollo 11: 50th Anniversary Celebration
Fifty years ago Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin landed on a place everyone could see, but no one had touched. The Moon! They took “one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind” (-Neil Armstrong). Begin your first step at Hudson Mills Metropark as we celebrate Apollo 11’s 50th Anniversary. Take a tour of constellations in our portable planetarium, take a moon tour, build yourself a moon-tastic helmet, hear some moon stories, create a solar bracelet, and build an alka seltzer rocket. Most activities are free. 10 am – 2 pm. All Ages. No registration necessary.
Find out more »Orienteering 101
Getting lost is easy, but finding your way can be so much more fun! We’ll share with beginners the basics of navigation by map and compass. Then you can try out your new skills on Huron Meadows Metropark’s permanent orienteering course. Ages 10 and up. Bring a water bottle. Please preregister, (734) 426-8211.
Find out more »Invasive Species Pull – Hudson Mills
Join us in removing invasive Japanese hedge parsley from Hudson Mills Metropark’s Disc Golf Course. We will meet in the Park Office parking lot (look for the Metroparks vehicle and blue flag). Volunteers receive free day entry to the park and a free round of disc golf, just let the toll booth attendant know you are at the park for a volunteer workday.
Find out more »August 2019
Summer Birding
Nesting season is over, and our avian neighbors are getting ready to head south. The young of the year are flying, but still depend on mom and dad for some food. Let’s see what we can find flying at Hudson Mills Metropark. Great for the beginning birder as well as the seasoned watcher. No birding experience necessary. All ages. Please preregister, (734) 426-8211.
Find out more »Bike Hike
A bicycle is a great way to discover Hudson Mills Metropark. We will go in search of late summer wildflowers, and search for clues about the previous residents that made the hamlet of our park their home. Bring your own bike or rent one from us. Ages 12 and up. Please preregister, (734) 426-8211.
Find out more »Bats in the Night Sky
Discover the night time world of Michigan’s native bats. We will dispel some myths, learn how important bats are to our ecosystem and then head outside to look for our resident bats as they search for their insect prey. Ages 8 and up. Please preregister, (734) 426-8211.
Find out more »September 2019
Full Moon Walk
Discover our closest celestial neighbor, as we watch the Harvest Moon rise! We will look for the nocturnal wildlife of Hudson Mills Metropark. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. All ages. Please preregister, (734) 426-8211.
Find out more »Calling All Owls
This program will introduce you to the common owls of our area and how they live. You’ll also enjoy an evening stroll to search for nocturnal animals under the stars. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. All ages. Please preregister, (734) 426-8211.
Find out more »October 2019
Fall Birding
Search for your favorite birds in the fall colors and play a game of “Name that Warbler.” Fall migration should be in full swing; many species of birds that do not reside in Hudson Mills Metropark will stop in to refuel, before continuing south for the winter. Great for the beginning birder as well as the seasoned watcher. No birding experience necessary. All ages. Please preregister, 734-426-8211.
Find out more »Trick-or-Treat Along the Trail
During this evening program, costume-clad little ones will experience Halloween-themed interpretive stops along the Hudson Mills Metropak Nature Trails. Bring a bag or bucket and collect treats at each stop. Upon your return to the festively-decorated Activity Center enjoy cider, donuts and fall activities. Ages 3-8. Tours leave at scheduled times. Preregistration required, 734-426-8211.
Find out more »Pumpkin Carving Party
Get in the Halloween spirit! Choose a pumpkin and a design and have fun carving it at our place. Then enjoy cider and donuts. We’ll party ‘til the pumpkins run out! All ages. Fee covers one pumpkin and refreshments.
Find out more »Full Moon Walk
The Hunter’s Moon is here! We will share some moon lore and watch the moon rise. The earlier sunsets should have some of our nocturnal animals out a little earlier. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. All ages. Please preregister, 734-426-8211.
Find out more »Zombie Apocalypse Survival
Will you be ready to head for the wilderness when the zombies attack? Learn some of the skills you’ll need, such as shelter building and fire starting, to survive this and other emergencies. Dress for the weather. Ages 8 and up. Please preregister, 734-426-8211.
Find out more »November 2019
Girl Scout Cadettes: Trees
Cadettes will discover the world of trees, roots to crown and limb to limb, as they explore the science of trees. Learn about the connections between trees and humans and other living things. Find out what it takes for a tree to thrive. All requirements for the Cadette Tree badge will be met. Dress for the weather, rain or shine. Please preregister, 734-426-8211.
Find out more »Girl Scout Brownies: Hiker
With miles of trails that are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, the Hudson Mills Metropark is the perfect place for earning your Brownie Hiker badge. For this program, we’ll have fun learning how to be prepared for a safe and enjoyable hike. Scouts will get to make a plan and choose their own trail, gain some new trail skills, learn how to select the appropriate gear, and make a tasty hiking snack. We’ll head outside to put our new knowledge to the test, and we’ll even play a game or two. This two-hour program will satisfy all requirements to earn the Brownie Hiker badge. A Girl Scout is always prepared so please remember to bring a water bottle, wear good hiking shoes, and dress for the weather.
Find out more »Girl Scout Brownies: Senses
Girl Scout Brownies will explore the world through their five senses. Spend some time outdoors with us to observe the way vision, hearing, smell, touch and taste can be used in nature. Then experience life with some of your senses turned off. Interested in more? Scouts can satisfy the requirements for two elective adventures in the same day! Pack a lunch and attend Brownies: Hiker from 10 a.m. – noon for a day full of fun. Dress for the weather, rain or shine. Please preregister, 734-426-8211.
Find out more »Boy Scout Webelos: Into the Woods
Discover the beauty and importance of our native Michigan trees while meeting all the requirements for the Webelos: Into the Woods elective. We’ll talk about types of trees, how they grow, what products we can use them for, and their role in local ecosystems. We’ll also hit the trails to identify some of our trees and other plant species. Equipped with your new knowledge, you’ll be able to appreciate and experience the forest like never before!
Find out more »Boy Scout Webelos: Into the Woods
This scout program focuses on the respect and understanding of our natural world—we’ll use a variety of interactive approaches to learn about food chains, ecosystems, and how humans impact nature. We’ll look at some of Michigan’s native wildlife species and discover their roles within their ecosystems and how that relates to us. We’ll even put our observational skills to use and see what kind of critters we can observe around Hudson Mills Metropark. Interested in more? Scouts can satisfy the requirements for two elective adventures in the same day! Pack a lunch and attend Webelos: Into the Woods from 10 a.m. - noon for a day full of fun. Dress for the weather, rain or shine. Please preregister, 734-426-8211.
Find out more »December 2019
Winter Birding
With the leaves off the trees we should get some glimpses of our less common year-round species. Great for the beginning birder as well as seasoned watcher. No birding experience necessary. All ages. Please preregister, 734-426-8211.
Find out more »O Tannenbaum
Are you planning on bringing a tree into your home and stringing it up with lights and glittery decorations? Ever wonder about how this tradition was started? Join us as we take on the origins of this holiday staple. Discover the reverence for evergreens across many cultures, and enjoy the beauty of our gaily decorated Christmas trees. You’ll get to make and take home a special ornament for your own tree. Please preregister, 734-426-8211.
Find out more »Santa Central
Santa Central is a Christmas tradition. Children can create some crafts, enjoy a hayride and snack, and share their wish list with Santa. Don’t stand in line at the mall; we have small groups with little wait to see the jolly guy. Program is geared toward young children. Advanced ticket sales at the Hudson Mills Metropark Office. Please preregister, (734) 426-8211.
Find out more »An ELF Christmas
Come be an elf with us and make this holiday experience your new family tradition. Besides a visit to see Santa (of course you know him!), spread some Christmas cheer by singing carols loudly with us for all to hear on a hayride, make paper cut-out snowflakes and other crafts in your favorite color for decorating, and enjoy a spaghetti dinner and candy for desert. And don’t leave without buying some real Maple syrup to take home! Fun for buddies of all ages- but especially fun if you’ve seen the movie. Please preregister, (734) 426-8211.
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