Homeschool Program

• January 2026: 
  • January 12, Animal Tracks and Signs – What are animals up to in the winter? We’ll search for clues of their activity and learn to identify the creatures that left them behind. 
  • January 19, All About Mammals – Mammals are fascinating creatures full of amazing characteristics. We’ll learn to identify their skulls, compare their fur, and talk about our interactions with wild mammal populations. 
  • January 26, The Subnivean World – In the winter some creatures head beneath the snow and ice to survive. We’ll explore the winter activities of some subnivean critters. 

• February 2026:
  •  February 9, Feathers, Beaks, and Food – What do birds eat in the winter and how do they stay warm? Let’s take some time to observe birds at our feeders and learn about how different beaks help birds eat different things. 
  • February 16, All About Owls – The many adaptations of owls continue to surprise us. We’ll explore each specialized character from the top of their heads to the tip of their tails. 
  • February 23, Where’s the Nest? – Some birds use dead tree trunks or branches to excavate a protective space to build a nest in. Let’s explore the world of cavity nesting birds. 
• March 2026:
  • March 9, Ephemeral Ponds – As winter snow melts the water often fills depressions in the landscape. These pools will be investigated as we search for the organisms that take advantage of them. 
  • March 16, Spring Flowers – While exploring the forest and wetland we’ll be seeking out the first flowering plants of spring and discussing why we see them so early. 
  • March 23, Water Flowing Underground – Though we can’t always see it there is water gathered beneath our feet. While exploring the landscape of Hemlock Crossing, we’ll look for evidence of this water and how it influences the ecosystems in the park. 
• April 2026:

  • April 13, The Amazing Beaver – The beaver is an ecologic architect creating habitat to support its growing family and in turn providing habitat for numerous other species. Let’s explore the cyclical history of a beaver pond and the beavers that live there.

  • April 20, Life in the Wetlands – Many different creatures use wetlands as a nursery for raising their young. Come investigate the insects, amphibians, and fish that help our wetland ecosystems thrive.

  • April 27, A Bird’s Life – Birds are singing. They’re building nests. They’re laying eggs and raising young. We’ll observe bird activity in the park while learning about their life cycles

• May 2026:

  • May 11, Native vs. Non-native – The natural world of our parks has been impacted by organisms that didn’t originally live here. We’ll explore what it means to be an introduced species and how that affects our native ecosystems. 

  • May 18, Invasive Plants – Some introduced plant species become a problem to the ecosystems into which they have been introduced. Explorers will learn what it means to be an invasive species and work on a project to help remove an invasive plant from our park.

  • June 1, Wetlands by Kayak – The Pigeon River at Hemlock Crossing offers our Explorers the opportunity to investigate wetland habitats up close. As we kayak, we’ll search for special plants and animals, invasive species, and take samples to further investigate the health of our river. Kayaks will be provided.

Thank you for selecting Ottawa County Parks for your homeschool program! We are eager to welcome your children to our Nature Center. The parent letter is intended to help you get ready for your child’s experience. Please take the time to read through this letter thoroughly. If you need any further information, please contact us.

• Homeschool Program Parent Letter