Critters & Company: Nurturing young children to become lifelong caretakers of nature. During the school year we offer a series of seasonal programs for children (the critters) ages 3 to 6 and their care givers (the company) to explore nature together.  Participants will explore the topic of the day through a variety of stories and puppet shows, discovery hikes and investigations, games and activities, and nature art projects.  Programs are led by both staff and volunteer environmental educators and will take place both in the BIC and out in the Preserve.

Program Fee

The fee covers instruction for four programs, take home discovery pages, nature art materials, and loads of fun.  Fee per a seasonal series (four programs) is $20 per a family (a caregiver and up to two or three children of appropriate age). For additional children contact Jeanette Henderson at 616-526-7601 or preserve@calvin.edu.  Enrollment is on a first come first serve basis.

Note: Only one ticket is needed per a family.

Lead Educators: Nancy McIntyre, CCEP Volunteer Naturalist

                           Jeanette Henderson, CCEP Program Manager

Fall 2012 Topics and Dates

Our fall series will be offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Our Tuesday classes will be offered on the following dates this fall: September 25, October 2, 9, & 16. Two time slots are available 10:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Our Wednesday classes will be offered on the following dates this fall: September 26, October 3, 10, & 17. Two time slots are available 10:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 to 2:30 pm..

Fall topics we will study include: colors found in nature, squirrels, chipmunks and their relatives, leaves, and scat! Topics are dependent on weather conditions and we reserve the right to adapt them to better meet the needs of the participants.

Caregivers please make sure both you and the child(ren) are dressed appropriately for the weather. During the spring and fall months, we suggest  participants wear lots of layers, hats and mittens when it is cold, tennis shoes or rain boots  (the trails can be muddy if it has rained) and rain gear if appropriate.  During the winter month, we suggest participcants wear lots of layers, winter coats, snow pants, hats, mittens and winter boots as dictated by the weather. Activities take place both outside in the Preserve and in the Bunker Interpretive Center.

Reimbursement and Cancellation Policies

In the event you, the caregiver, must cancel, a cancellation letter must be submitted in writing to the program manager, Jeanette Henderson.  Your registration fee minus a processing fee of $4 will be refunded up to one week before the start of the first program in the series. No refunds are given after that date. Please note that fees will not be reduced if you cannot attend all of the programs in a series.

In the event that there is insufficient enrollment or other circumstances, Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve reserves the right to cancel.  If a series is canceled we will refund registration fees.

Inclement Weather

If the Grand Rapids School system is closed due to inclement weather, classes will be cancelled or rescheduled.

Additional Questions

Contact Jeanette Henderson, Program Manager at 616-526-7601 or preserve@calvin.edu.