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Outdoor Birthday Parties

Let the Johnson Nature Center staff help you celebrate your child’s special day in a fun and outdoor educational atmosphere.

Designed to inspire and excite children in the outdoors, ages 3-12, we offer several popular party themes, with each one designed to be entertaining for your child and their friends, yet is easy and stress-free for parents.

Birthday Party Program Themes:

Pond Life (April-September) - Children learn about Michigan native frogs by taking a guided hike. After the hike, children explore the small critters that live in a pond by doing an activity called dip netting.

Survival of the Fittest (Winter season only) - What happens to animals during the cold winter months? On a guided hike we will explore the nature center habitats and look for tracks and other wildlife evidence. We will also observe our captive deer and birds and discuss how these animals survive the winter.

Birds, Birds, Birds (Year-round) - The nature center provides birds a great habitat, which is essential for their survival. Children will have the chance to observe two species in our bird enclosures, a great-horned owl and two red-tailed hawks. Then a bird-themed guided hike understanding how birds have beak and leg adaptations based on their habitats and diet.

Pollinator Power (June-September) - Does your little one love to stop and smell the flowers or admire the beauty of a butterfly? This theme focuses on the beautiful rainbow of colors offered by native flowers along our Pond Trail. Children will also get a glimpse into the world of butterflies and other insects with songs and activities.

Pioneer Life (Year-round) - Let’s all go back to 1837 and learn about pioneer life; it was hard, but families always enjoyed the simple pleasures while living off the Land. Learn about log house life by doing chores children would have been responsible for.

Package Includes:

• A two-hour timeslot (Thursdays 4:30p.m.-6:30p.m. or Saturdays 1p.m.-3 p.m.)

• Use of the Outdoor Classroom for birthday celebrations (first 30 minutes of the two-hour timeslot)

• A guided hike & outdoor activity for the remaining 1.5 hours

Package Does Not Include:

• Food, beverages, eating utensils or dinner wear

• Invitations

• Outdoor Classroom clean-up (cleaning supplies will be provided)

   

Cost:

• Reservation & Rental Fee:  $50 (non-refundable and required to hold your date)
• $12 per person

Things to Remember:

• Birthday Party reservations must be made at least 30-days in advance.

• For the protection of the wildlife, balloons and confetti are NOT permitted.

• All Visitor Guidelines must be followed.

• A required ratio of 1 adult to 5 children (a minimum of 8 children and a maximum of 25 children for the party).

• All activities will be outdoors (going into the Nature Center building is not part of the program).

• The first 30 minutes of the party will be for refreshments, gift opening, etc… and will be held in the outdoor classroom or in the Visitor Center during inclement weather. You are responsible for the set-up and clean up. Please arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before the party.

Register Online HERE

If you are looking to schedule a birthday party less than the 30 days prior, please contact Jackie to determine availability at jdoran@bloomfield.org

Junior Naturalist Camps are an immersive, weeklong experience for children ages 6-9 to learn and meaningfully engage with the natural world. We provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all campers to experience authentic, outdoor learning, build relationships with their peers, and try something new! Activities are mindfully created to provide campers with a deeper understanding of the connections between themselves, our community, and the natural world.

A majority of the camp day will take place outdoors, so campers should dress appropriately and comfortably. DRESS TO MESS! Campers should bring a sack lunch each day and a snack. No extended (before or after) care is available.

2021 Summer Camps!

Registration for Junior Naturalist summer camps at the Johnson Nature Center will open on Monday March 1, at 9am. 

Register my 6-7 year old camper

• Forest Explorers Camp, July 19-23
• Muddy Trekkers Camp, July 26-30

Register my 8-9 year old camper

• Forest Explorers Camp, August 2-6

Each camp session takes place Monday - Friday, from 9am - 3:30pm. Tuition is $375. Dress to mess! Campers should bring a sack lunch and change of clothes each day. Email Michelle at mgolembieski@bloomfield.org with questions. 

The students who attend the Bloomfield Hills Schools participate in the following instructional programs at the Nature Center as part of the preschool and grade K-12 curriculum. All programs are based on specific science and social studies grade level content expectations as outlined by the Michigan Department of Education.

Pre-school

Nature Detectives
Find out what it's like to explore natural areas, detective style. Join us as nature detectives to solve a seasonally-based mystery! We'll embark on a guided hike with time for self discovery and exploration.

Elementary K-5

Log Cabin Living - Kindergarten
The past comes alive when students virtually visit a pioneer cabin and experience all the chores and activities inherent in the pioneer days.

The Science of Maple Sugaring - 3rd grade
Students will join us to discover the joys and science of maple sugaring. This virtual program will showcase the process of maple syrup; from sap inside a sugar maple tree to the bottle (syrup inside your stomach).

Bird Field Research - 4th grade
Students will assist a licensed bander by checking mist nets, helping record data, and releasing captive birds. They will also study bird migration, bird identification, bird research, and conduct an annual bird census around the property.

High School

Environmental Field Research - 11th and 12th grade
Juniors and Seniors may elect to take a field course at the Nature Center that emphasizes research methods, data collection and analysis. Water quality, habitat, and wildlife are the focus of the research projects.

Questions? Contact Cass at carsenault@bloomfield.org

SPRING 2021 FIELD TRIP FOR SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL GROUPS

Nature Detectives    

• 2-hour Program

• Pre-K thru Kindergarten

• $12/person including students and chaperones (teacher is free)

Description:

Find out what it’s like to explore the natural areas of Johnson Nature Center, detective-style. Join us as nature detectives to solve a seasonally-based mystery! We’ll embark on a guided hike with time for self-discovery and exploration.

Various dates in April, May and June 2021.

Click HERE to view availability and register.

Questions?  Please email Cass at carsenault@bloomfield.org

Scout Badge Programs

We can help Scouts with badge or pin requirements on a variety of nature related topics.

The Scout Programs are available on Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. , or on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.   

Current availability:  April 22 - June 10, 2021

The cost is $15 per person (leader is free).

Our current offerings include:

• Daisy Eco Learner Badge

• Brownie Ecofriend Badge

• Junior Animal Habitats Badge

For more information see the FAQs below or contact Cass at carsenault@bloomfield.org

Register HERE for a Scout Program at the Nature Center

Bowers School Farm is offering the  "Brownie Bugs Badge". 

If interested in the Farm program, go HERE for more information.

FAQ - Registration Information:

What is the cost and how do I pay?

Each program lists the costs on a per person basis. The cost for Scout Badge Programs is $15 per person for both students and chaperones. The scout leader is free. Payments are required to be paid online in full upon registering by a credit card or debit card. Registration must be made 7 days in advance.

What if we do not have enough attendees to meet the min number?

You can still come by selecting the min number and paying for the min number. For example, if you only have 6 scouts and if the min number is 10 scouts, you may register by paying for the 10 scouts and come with fewer persons.

Can I switch days?

Please only register when you are certain of the date that you can come on your field trip. Once registered, your deposit is not refundable nor exchangeable. If you need to cancel your registration, please notify us. If you need to switch days, you will need to cancel your previous registration and re-book a new date.

What is your payment and cancellation policy?

Registration requires full payment. If you need to cancel more than 2 weeks prior to your program, we will refund your payment less $25 processing fee. Any cancellation within 2 weeks of program start is non-refundable.

Where do we arrive for our field trip?

The E.L. Johnson Nature Center is located at 3325 Franklin Road, 
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302.  Please gather your group and meet in the outdoor bench area (past the deer enclosure and off Cabin Trail)  and a guide will meet you at your designated time.

Can we bring a lunch or snacks?

We ask that you do not bring food nor allow kids to eat during your field trip. You may plan time before or after the field trip for snacks.  There are outdoor picnic tables (first come first serve).  Please "pack in and pack out" all things (trash, plates, etc) to keep the Nature Center clean. 

Are chaperones needed?

We do ask that students are kept under control and monitored by the leader. Chaperones should be used only if necessary for assisting the leader in monitoring student behavior and safety on a field trip as needed.

What should we wear?

Everyone should wear closed-toe shoes or boots, long pants and layer for weather. Boots with traction are recommended since you may be walking on uneven terrain. Sunscreen is also recommended. You will be outside even when it rains.

What if it rains or snows?

We operate rain or shine. The program will continue during any rain or snow unless the weather causes unsafe circumstances that we can not plan around. In this case, you will be contacted.

Interpretive Programs (for all ages)

A variety of nature programs are held throughout the year. These programs are targeted towards families, adults, children, or a combination of all age groups.

The programs might include themed walks, campfires, night hikes, winter activities, pond exploration, or re-creating life in the past in our log cabins. Tapping the maple trees and making maple syrup is a favorite in the spring.

Professional Photography Passes

The Johnson Nature Center provides a beautiful and natural setting for your photographing needs.  We offer day passes and annual photography memberships.  

A  Day Photography Pass is $150 for one name photographer. Additional photographers or assistants are $25 each

An Annual Photography Membership is $500 for the Johnson Nature Center for up to 2 named photographers from the same company.

Please visit the Photography Policy tab on the left for more details.