NANKIN MILLS PUBLIC INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS

Public programs at Nankin Mills Interpretive Center are designed for individuals or families to attend, with adults and children participating together.  Please note the age recommendations listed for each program.  Advance registration and prepayment are required.  You will only be registered for a program after payment is received.  Progam fee is $4.00 per person, unless otherwise noted.  Please call to cancel if you will not be able to attend.  No refunds will be given unless Wayne County cancels the program.  Call 734-261-1990 for more information.  See our Family Winter Program Flier for January – March programs, available at the Park Office or on our web site at www.waynecountyparks.org

2008 PUBLIC INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS

Featured Program:
NATURALIST BIRTHDAY PARTY!

Celebrate your child’s special birthday with a naturalist program and party at Nankin Mills!   Ages 4 – 12, minimum 10 and maximum 20 children.  A naturalist will present a 45 minute program of your choice from the following topics:

WINTER (December – March): Animal Track T-shirts, Owl Pellets, Live Reptiles & Amphibians, Dinosaur Crafts

SPRING (April – June): Live Reptiles & Amphibians, Nature Hike, Recycle Birthday, Pond Netting

SUMMER (August): Live Reptiles & Amphibians, Insect Catching, Nature Scavenger Hike, Campfire Birthday

FALL (September – November): Leaf Print T-shirts, Owl Pellets, Live Reptiles & Amphibians, Pioneer Games

After the program activity, you will have use of the Nankin Mills classroom for your 45 minute birthday party.  Birthday party supplies are not provided, other than tables and chairs.  Fee: $4.00 per child plus $50.00 room use fee. There are a limited number of dates available.  To schedule, call 734-261-1850.

MARCH

NATURE TOTS:  WINTER TO SPRING
Fridays, March 7, 14, 28, 2008, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
$12.00 per child for all 3 sessions, no class March 21
Must register sessions as a series, No charge for adults

Chase away your winter doldrums and get ready for spring by visiting Nankin Mills for weekly adventures with your tot.  Each week we will explore a new nature topic designed for 3 ½ to 4 ½ year olds, accompanied by an adult.  Hands-on crafts, games, activities and a short hike will be part of the weekly fun, so come prepared to be outdoors for a short while each week.  Each child should bring a light colored T-shirt to the first class.

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MAPLE SUGARING AT CASS BENTON
Saturday, March 15, 2008, 10 am, 11 am, or Noon.
$4.00 per person, All ages welcome

A sure sign that spring is just around the corner is the flow of maple sap up the trees!  Native Americans were the first to discover sap was a tasty treat, and taught early settlers how to collect and boil it.  Discover how sap is collected and processed into syrup or sugar by joining our naturalists at Cass Benton Park (off Northville Road north of Six Mile) near the picnic shelter and play structure.  Register for one of the starting times listed. Program is approximately 1 ½ hours, and completely outdoors, so dress for the weather.  Afterwards, enjoy some pancakes and syrup!  Trail is not suitable for strollers.

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APRIL

OWLS OF MICHIGAN
Friday, April 18, 2008, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Eleven species of owls can be found in Michigan.  Join us to learn more about these magnificent birds and find out why they are such excellent night predators.  Examine an owl “pellet” to find out what owls like to eat.  We will venture out on a night hike to try to engage some of our local owls in conversation.  We have seen and heard screech owls and great horned owls in Holliday Nature Preserve, but we have not been able to get a commitment from the resident owls for a return performance!  Ages 8 – Adult.

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MAY

SPRING FROGS
Friday, May 2, 2008, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

The melodic call of frogs from breeding ponds is one sure sign that spring is here!  Nine of Michigan’s eleven frog species live in the Rouge watershed.  Learn to recognize a variety of frog calls and discover adaptations that help them survive their environment.  Meet some live frogs and, weather permitting, venture outdoors to listen for frog calls.  You may have an opportunity to catch and release some toads.  Carpooling may be necessary, nets are provided.  Ages 7 - Adult.

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LIVE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF MICHIGAN
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 1:30 –3:30 pm

The Rouge floodplain is home to many different species of reptiles and amphibians.  Join us for an up close and personal encounter with some of the live turtles, frogs, snakes and salamanders that are found in our area.  Learn about their natural history and kids will have a chance to make a fun craft to take home.  Ages 4 – Adult.

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JUNE

WILDLIFE SAFARI ANIMAL SHOW
Saturday, June 14, 2008, 2:00 – 3:00 pm

Join us for an exciting presentation by Nelson, “The animal guy” as he shares his animals from around the world.  You are guaranteed to enjoy this energetic show, and meet some animals you have never seen before!  Entertaining for the whole family!

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GROW ZONES:  WHAT ARE THEY?
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 1:00– 2:00 pm
FREE PROGRAM!!

Have you been wondering about the Grow Zone areas that you have seen along Hines Drive?  Here is your chance to find out more about them.   A Wayne County Parks naturalist will describe the benefits associated with these special areas during this free presentation.  Join us at Nankin Mills for a short walk to one of our Grow Zones to see for yourself what is going on.

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JULY

SUMMER NATURE/HISTORY DAY CAMP

July is Summer Day Camp time at Nankin Mills!  This popular program offers weekly sessions for different age groups focusing on a variety of nature and history topics each day.  Kids may explore mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, insects, astronomy, geology, Native American and Settlement history, to name a few!   Hands-on games, crafts, hikes and activities make learning fun.  Special visitors will make presentations during the week as well. 

One snack is provided each day.  Campers should bring a sack lunch with drink, bathing suit and towel to cool off on our waterslide at lunchtime.  Our camp is licensed by the state of Michigan.  Children should have COMPLETED the grades listed for the session.  A family potluck picnic is held each Thursday evening for the session.

KINDERGARTEN/FIRST GRADE CAMP
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, July 8, 9, 10, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
$105.00 per child

Campers should have completed Kindergarten or First Grade.  Bring sack lunch with drink, swimsuit and towel.

SECOND/THIRD GRADE CAMP
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, July 15, 16, 17, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
$105.00 per child

Campers should have completed 2nd or 3rd Grade.  Bring sack lunch with drink, swimsuit and towel. 

FOURTH – SIXTH GRADE CAMP
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, July 22, 23, 24, 9am – 3 pm
$105.00 per child

Campers should have completed 4th, 5th, or 6th grade.  Bring sack lunch with drink, swimsuit and towel.

SEVENTH/EIGHTH GRADE CAMP
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, July 29, 30, 31, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
$105.00 per child

Campers should have completed 7th or 8th grade. Bring sack lunch with drink, swimsuit and towel.

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SEPTEMBER

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY
Saturday, September 13, 2008, 1:00 – 5:00 pm, Free Event

The native people of the Great Lakes, the Anishnabeg, (including the Ojibwa, Odawa and Potawatomi people) will host a special Social Gathering at Nankin Mills to share their culture and their heritage.  A drumming circle will lead the dancers in their beautiful regalia through the ceremony.  These dedicated drummers, singers, dancers and artisans follow the Pow Wow trail all over North America.  It is poignant that they will gather at Nankin Mills, a historic gathering site for Anishnabeg.  Native artisans will display, demonstrate and sell their crafts, and authentic Native American food will be available for purchase.  Bring the whole family to share in this celebration of Michigan’s first people.  All ages welcome.

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PIONEER DAY AT NANKIN MILLS
Saturday, September 27, 2008, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Free Event, Except Tickets $4.00 per child for Craft Tent

Enjoy an afternoon visiting yesteryear with activities, music and re-enactors from the 1800s.  Period demonstrations may feature black smithing, butter making, wool spinning, cider pressing, flour grinding, quilting, lumberjacking, outdoor cooking and more!  The air will be filled with the sounds of old-time musical entertainment, and visitors will have a chance to take a leisurely hayride on Hines Drive. The “historic”craft tent and old-fashioned games can be enjoyed by all.  Concession snacks are available.  Make sure you visit our Gristmill Era history exhibits while you’re here!  Co-sponsored by the Friends of Nankin Mills.  All ages welcome.

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OCTOBER

FALL FAMILY FUN!
Saturday, October 18, 2008, 1:30 – 3:30  pm

Autumn in Michigan is incomparable!  There are so many fun things to do!  Join us for a day celebrating this wonderful season.  Bring a light-colored T-shirt and make leaf prints to capture the beautiful fall colors.  Bring apples (five per person) to make your own cider on our old-fashioned cider press, and enjoy the taste of fresh apple cider.  We will also take a short hike to enjoy the beautiful colors of the season.  Ages 5 – Adult.

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HALLOWEEN FOREST FUN HIKE
Offered two nights, either:
Friday, October 24, 2008, Hikes beginning at 6:45 pm, 7:15pm, 7:45 pm
Saturday, October 25, 2008, Hikes beginning at 6:45 pm, 7:15 pm, 7:45 pm

In the spirit of the Halloween season, take a guided night hike to meet some of our “not-so-scary” funny forest-dwellers.  These costumed creatures love to tell you about themselves, and can be pretty comical!  Hikes will begin every 30 minutes, please register for one of the starting times, and arrive 15 minutes early.  Hikes begin on the grounds of Nankin Mills Interpretive Center and last about an hour, so dress for the weather. All ages welcome, but trail is not stroller friendly.  After your hike, you will have a chance to meet some amazing creatures from around the world during an indoor presentation.  In the event of rain, the program will be moved indoors to Nankin Mills Interpretive Center.  All ages welcome.

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DECEMBER

FAMILY HOLIDAY FEST & TREE LIGHTING
Saturday, December 13, 2008, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
$4.00 per participant for Crafts and Games (4:00 – 5:15 pm)
No charge for Santa Visit and Tree Lighting, sponsored by Friends of Nankin Mills (5:15 – 6:00 pm)

The Friends of Nankin Mills and Wayne County Parks are pleased to invite the community to join us during this special time of year for an old-fashioned celebration at historic Nankin Mills.  The first portion of the program features seasonal crafts you can make and take home to decorate your tree.  Unique seasonal games, such as “fruitcake bowling”, “pin the nose on Rudolph” and “reindeer antler wreath toss” are also featured, as well as a live reindeer visit!  The second part of the program includes a short outdoor community Tree Lighting and Sing-a-long with an indoor visit from St. Nick, sponsored by the Friends of Nankin Mills.  Refreshments provided.  This is the 21st year the Friends have held this event!  All ages welcome.

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:: summer day camp ::

:: scout programs::
:: school field trips, outreach programs, & home school program series::

:: layout of park » ::

:: map of hines park [farmington road to
ford road ] » ::

:: map ::

The 1996 and 2001 millage for Parks made these and other new events possible in Wayne County Parks. Thank you for your patronage!