NEST

Attention all teachers! Are you looking for a fun and educational field trip for your students? Join us at the Boardman River Nature Center for one of our new NEST Programs!

Nature Education for Students & Teachers (NEST) programs are designed to connect your students to the natural world and are aligned with the State of Michigan’s content expectations. Incorporating a NEST program into your curriculum can bring real-world connections to classroom concepts and help increase academic achievement.

*Additional students may attend for a fee of $6 per student.

Program Themes // Grade Levels

• Sensing Nature // K thru 2
• Life Cycles of Animals // 1 thru 2
• Life Cycles of Plants // 2 thru 3
• Busy Beavers // 1 thru 3
• Animal Adaptations // 3 thru 5
• Wildlife in Winter // 3 thru 5
• Fossils Rock // 4 thru 6
• Soils // 6 thru 8
• Ecosystems // 5 thru 6 & 8 thru 10
• Wetlands // 7 thru 10
• Water & Watersheds // 5 thru 7 & 9 thru 10
• Current Issues in the Environment // 10 thru 12

Note that suggested grade levels are shown, but most NEST programs can be modified for different grade levels. Talk with one of our GTCD Education Staff for details!

Create-Your-Own Custom Programs:
Interested in a theme you don’t see here? No problem! We would be happy to create a custom program for you and your students. Program fees for custom programs are based on a fee of $3 per student per hour. A minimum fee of $30 per hour (10 students) is required for small groups.

Format:
Each NEST program includes hands-on activities in the Boardman River Nature Center, on the Nature Center grounds, and on the trails of the surrounding Natural Education Reserve. Depending on the theme of interest, students will explore the forests, meadow, Boardman River, Sabin Pond and Jack’s Creek. Small groups of students will rotate through learning stations taught by GTCD’s Education Staff and professionally-trained volunteer instructors.

Registration & Payment:
To register your class for a NEST program, please call us at 231.941.0960! To ensure a quick and easy registration, be prepared with your contact information, grade levels and numbers of students, preferred dates/times and themes. Payment may be made by cash, check or credit card.

Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations for reasons other than weather must be made 14 days in advance of the scheduled program date. A $50 cancellation fee may be charged for cancellations made within 14 days of the scheduled program date. We will do our best to reschedule any programs cancelled due to weather. If rescheduling is not possible, a full refund will be provided.