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These programs are intended for individuals and families, with parents and children participating together. Programs are suitable for all ages unless otherwise noted. Advance registration and payment are required. You are not registered for a program until payment is received. Programs are $3.00 per person unless otherwise noted. No refunds will be given unless Crosswinds cancels the program. Any program with less than 10 pre-registered participants will be cancelled and fees returned. Call (734) 654-1220 to register for a program. All programs are conducted outdoors under an open-air pavilion, please dress appropriately.
2008 FAMILY PROGRAMS
APRIL
Saturday, April 12, 2008 l 8:00 - 10:00 am l Ages 6-adult
Join our naturalist for some early morning birding and learn why Crosswinds Marsh is one of the most popular birding destinations in Wayne County. Walk with us down the scenic trails leading you through meadows, forests and wetlands, while we observe some of the 200+ species of birds known to frequent the marsh. Please bring binoculars, bird book, and comfortable shoes. A limited number of binoculars are available to use.
Saturday, April 19, 2008 l 10:00 am – Noon
Earth Day is a time for us to take a look at our planet – earth! When you are a kid you may be responsible for your room. As an adult, you are responsible for the whole planet! Let’s do our part! We will make safe, non-toxic cleaners to use at home, learn what items to recycle and where to do it, and create an earth-friendly craft to take home.
MAY
Saturday, May 10, 2008 l 10:00 am – Noon
Spring is back and nature is calling! Have you ever wondered what those strange sounds were coming from your pond or woods in springtime? Come to Crosswinds Marsh and learn about the mysterious animals that make these noises -- Michigan’s frogs and toads. In this program, students will not only learn to identify many of Michigan’s frogs and toads by sight and sound, but also how to imitate their calls. We will meet several live frogs and toads, briefly discuss their life cycles and adaptations, then create a frog craft to take home. We will also take a short hike to listen for the calls of the frogs and toads that make Crosswinds Marsh their home.
Saturday, May 24, 2008 l 10:00 am – Noon
What is Crosswinds Marsh and why is it here? Why are wetlands important? What kinds of animals live here? What kind of special adaptations do the animals need to survive here? We will answer these questions and many more on a leisurely hiking tour of one of Wayne County’s most picturesque parks. Please wear comfortable shoes. Binoculars will be available to borrow.
Saturday, May 31, 2008 l 10:00 am – Noon l Ages 6-adult
Get a duck’s eye view of Crosswinds Marsh in springtime from the seat of your canoe. We will take a relaxing canoe trip through the marsh, stopping frequently to observe and discuss the abundant wildlife and various plants we encounter. Before we start, we will cover the basics of canoe operation and safety. All participants must wear a life jacket. Canoes and life jackets will be provided. Registration limited to 20 people.
JUNE
more info
Saturday, June 7, 2008 l 9:00 am - Noon l No charge
Come one, come all! It’s a fishin’ free for all! Bring the family to Crosswinds Marsh and enjoy a free fishing day as part of the Department of Natural Resources Free Fishing Weekend, where fishing licenses are NOT required. Tackle tying and casting techniques will be offered for those first time fisher boys and girls. Prizes will be awarded to kids 17 and under for the biggest fish. Kids will make and take home their very own fish print t-shirts! Please bring a light-colored, cotton T-shirt for each participant. Paint and fish prints are provided.
Saturday, June 28, 2008 l 1:00 pm – 4:00 l No Charge
The whole family will enjoy this fun filled Nature Fest! This nature-oriented event will feature live entertainment, nature crafts and games, face painting and free canoeing. Come and see one of the few nesting pairs of bald eagles in Wayne County or enjoy a nature hike led by our county naturalists. All kinds of creatures will be on hand at the animal tent, the Birds of Prey Program and the Michigan Animals Presentation. Contest activities for the kids include a fishing contest, a scavenger hunt, a nature photo contest and a nature drawing/painting contest. Please bring your best nature photo, painting or drawing to be judged. Contest registration begins at 1:00 pm and prizes will be awarded to the winners of each contest at 4:00 pm. A limited number of fishing poles are available for those who may need to borrow one.
JULY
Saturdays, July 5, 12, 19, 26, 2008 l 10:00 am – Noon lAges 10-14 years
(FEE: $12.00 per child for all four sessions, must register for the entire series.)
Welcome To our First Annual Nature Explorers Series. This new series is for our older explorers and is a little more advanced than our Cattail Kids Series. Each week’s session will concentrate on a different nature-related topic. Through discussion, observations, and hands-on activities, children will learn about our natural world. Participants will learn how to determine the health of a wetland by the animals that live there, learn some basic survival skills, and determine what critters have been visiting the marsh by the signs they leave behind. Parents are encouraged to attend with their child. Please dress for the weather.
- Session 1: Aquatic Critters – How healthy is our wetland? We will find out by netting insects, fish, frogs and other creatures that live in the water.
- Session 2: Outdoor Survival – Learn basic survival skills through shelter building, fire starting, and much more.
- Session 3: Mammal Study – Explore the marsh and forest for signs of animals, learn how to identify animal tracks and make a field guide to take home.
- Session 4: Art in Nature – We will make fun and creative art projects from natural objects found in our very own park!
AUGUST
Wednesdays, August 6, 13, 20, 27, 2008 l 4:30 – 6:00 pm lAges 6-10 years
(FEE: $12.00 per child for all four sessions, must register for the entire series.)
Welcome To our Fifth Annual CATTAIL KIDS Nature Series. Come join us and transfer your child into a Cattail Kid! Each week’s session will concentrate on a different nature-related topic. Through discussion, observations, and hands-on activities, children will learn about our natural world. Participants will be transformed into official birders, learn that rocks rock and discover the mad scientist in all of us. We will also create special nature crafts at each session to take home. Parents are encouraged to attend with their child. Please dress for the weather.
- Session 1: Bird Buddies – Learn about bird adaptations, build a feeder and go “birding”.
- Session 2: Fun with Geology – Study Michigan’s famous geology, assemble a rock collection and make a real working volcano.
- Session 3: Mad Scientist – Conduct Water and air pressure experiments, learn the tricks behind optical illusions and build a simple rocket.
- Session 4: Nature Fun and Games – Make nature-related crafts and play nature-related games!
Saturday, August 9, 2008 l 10:00 am – Noon
Learn about wetlands and those wonderfully weird creatures that call the water their home. Through activities, discussions and a hike we will discover the importance of wetlands to us and the animals around us. We will also meet live animals that depend on wetlands for their survival, and even sift through the wetland muck to identify some of our more common water critters.
Saturday, August 16, 2008 l10:00 am – Noon
Summer is finally here and nature is in full bloom including those incredible insects! The marsh is alive with darting dragonflies, buzzing bees, and thousands of beautiful butterflies! We will learn why all bugs are insects but not all insects are bugs, and how to identify some of the more common critters. We will use bug nets to capture live specimens and each participant will make a bug jar to take home.
SEPTEMBER
Saturday, September 6, 2008 l 10:00 am –Noon l Ages 6-adult
Come and see Crosswinds Marsh from a totally new perspective. We will take a leisurely canoe trip through Crosswinds Marsh, stopping frequently to observe and discuss the abundant wildlife and various plants we encounter. Before we start we will cover the basics of canoe operation and safety. All participants must wear a life jacket. Canoes and life jackets will be provided. Registration limited to 20 people.
Saturday, September 20, 2008 l 8:00 - 10:00 am l Ages 6-adult
Join a naturalist for some early morning birding and learn why Crosswinds Marsh is one of the most popular birding destinations in Wayne County. Walk with us down the scenic trails leading you through meadows, forests and marsh wetlands, while we observe some of the 200+ species of birds known to frequent the marsh. Please bring binoculars, bird book, and comfortable shoes; a limited number of binoculars are available to borrow.
OCTOBER
Saturday, October 4, 2008 l 10:00 am – Noon
Have you ever wondered what animal made “those” tracks, or left “those” droppings? Well here’s your chance to find out by becoming a nature detective. We will discuss some of the clues animals leave behind, including tracks, scat (droppings), nests, etc. We will then go on a nature detective hike and look for clues left by mystery animals. Afterwards we will create an animal track T-shirt to take home with you. Please bring a light-colored, cotton T-shirt for each participant. Paint and tracks for T-shirts are provided.
Saturday, October 18, 2008 l 10:00 am –Noon
The whole family is invited to join our naturalist on a fall color hike at Crosswinds Marsh. We will learn how our trees and wildlife prepare for the long Michigan winters. Afterwards, we will create a leaf print T-shirt to take home with you. Please bring a light-colored, cotton T-shirt for each participant. Paint and leaves are provided.
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