Programs and Events

Events & Programs for the Whole Family!

At Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, we offer year-round programs and special events. Whether we are celebrating the changing of the seasons or providing science programs, we always provide a variety of programming for everyone, no matter age or experience. Many of our programs and events are free, but some may have a small fee applied. Pre-registration is required for most programs. Pre-registration allows the Institute to secure staffing and materials for programs/events so that we may best serve you. Cancellations prior to one week before the program/event will be refunded in full. Cancellations after that deadline will not be refunded. To cancel your registration, please contact us at (269) 721-4190 or email info@cedarcreekinstitute.org.

Pre-registration is required for all events by 8 am on the day of the program. Programs with food required pre-registration one week (7 days) prior to the program start date.

Current Events



Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is committed to providing quality programs for community members of all ages. Some community programs have both virtual and in-person options.

If you have any questions about the following events, please contact Community Program Manager Ellen Holste at eholste@cedarcreekinstitute.org. To see a complete list of all programs, visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/piercecedarcreekinstitute

           

 

May Storybook Walk: Box Turtle
by John Himmelman

Monday, May 1–Wednesday, May 31

FREE (self-guided on the trails)

 

Endangered Species Scavenger Hunt

Monday, May 1–Wednesday, May 31

FREE (self-guided on the trails)

 

June Storybook Walk: Wonder Walkers

by Micha Archer

Thursday, June 1–Friday, June 30

FREE (self-guided on the trails)

 

Native Plant Sale (In-Person Sale and Pre-Order Pick-up)

Saturday, June 3

9 am – Noon

Learn more here!

 

Lunch and Learn: Conservation Translocations in Changing Environments

Thursday, June 8

Program: 11 am – Noon (in-person and on Zoom)

Lunch: Noon–1 pm

Program Only: Members FREE; Non-Members $8

Program and Lunch: Members $15 I Non-Members $21

Register by Thursday, June 1, to reserve a lunch.

Register here!

 

Taking Flight in the Outdoors

Saturday, June 10

10–Noon

Optioinal Picnic Lunch: Noon–1 pm

Register by Friday, June 2 to reserve box lunches.

Program: Free

Box Lunch: Members $3 I Non-Members $5

Register here!

 

No Family Left Indoors–Family Night at Camp

Tuesday, June 13

6:30–8 pm

Enjoy a concentrated camp experience including nature trails, games, a craft, and s’mores. Organized by YMCA of Barry County.

Location: Camp Algonquin

Registration is required.

FREE

Register here!

No Family Left Indoors events are sponsored by Corewell Health.

 

Eat Your Invasives Series: Dandelion Dig and Dinner

Wednesday, June 14

6–8 pm

Program: Member Adults $6; I Non-Members $8

Entire Series: Members$12 I Non-Members $17

Register here!

 

Trail Challenge Series

Thursday, June 15

10 am – Noon

FULL

 

Summer Dinner and Doug Jonas's Artist Reception

Thursday, June 15

6–8 pm

Dinner: Members $18; I Non-Members $23

Register here!

 

Fun Fridays in the Play Space

Flower Power

Friday, June 16

10am – Noon

FREE

Register here!

 

Trail Challenge Series

Saturday, June 17

10 am – Noon

FULL

 

Wellness Walk with Trauma Informed Work Group of Barry County

Tuesday, June 20

1–2 pm

Mix movement, nature, and mindfulness while enjoying the beauty of the Institute.

FREE

Register here!

 

No Family Left Indoors–All Creatures Great and Small Family Hike

Tuesday, June 20

6–8 pm

Find animals along the trail while enjoying an evening hike. Hike distance is between 1-3 miles. Prizes for all! What will you discover?

Organized by Chief Noonday Chapter, North Country Trail Association.

Location: M-179 Trailhead along the North Country Trail, between S. Bassett Lake Road and west of Yankee Springs Road

Registration is required.

FREE

Register here!

No Family Left Indoors events are sponsored by Corewell Health.

 

 

Family Science Night/Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, June 21

6–8 pm

FREE

 

Dot the Rot Thing: Composting Workshop

Thursday, June 22

6–8 pm

Members $14 I Non-Members $20

Register here!

 

Learning the Land Hiking Series–Tamarack Swamp Saunter

Saturday, June 24

10am – Noon

Per Hike: Members Free I Non-Members $8

For the Entire Summer Series: Members FREE I Non-Members $18

Register here!

 

No Family Left Indoors–Pond Exploration

Tuesday, June 27

6:30–8 pm

Get a peek at what lives beneath the surface of the water. Look at the different creatures that live in ponds and learn about the unique world of macroinvertebrates.

Organized by Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center.

Location: Clear Lake Camp

Registration is required.

FREE

Register here!

No Family Left Indoors events are sponsored by Corewell Health.

 

Fun Fridays in the Play Space

Dirt + Water = Fun!

Friday, June 30

10am – Noon

Free

Register here!

 

July Storybook Walk: Beyond the Pond

by Joseph Kuefler

Friday, July 1–Monday, July 31

FREE (self-guided on the trails)

 

No Family Left Indoors–Chalk Your Walk

Tuesday, July 4

6:30–7:30 pm

Be inspired by the Hastings City Bank Tribute to America concert while creating sidewalk chalk masterpieces.

Organized by Thornapple Arts Council

Location: Thornapple Plaza

FREE

Register here!

No Family Left Indoors events are sponsored by Corewell Health.

 

No Family Left Indoors–Stroll and Read

Tuesday, July 11

6–7 pm

Families will participate in a variety of fun, hands-on activities and games outside to get everyone moving an learning together.

Organized by Great Start Collaborative; Hastings Public Library; Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

Location: Fish Hatchery Park

FREE

Register here!

No Family Left Indoors events are sponsored by Corewell Health.

 

Lunch and Learn: Field Station Walk and Talk Tour

Thursday, July 13

Tours: 10 am–Noon and 1–3 pm

Lunch: Noon–1 pm

Program: Free

Lunch: Members $15 I Non-Members $21

Register here!

 

Member Appreciation Week at the Institute

Monday–Friday, July 17–21

Member Appreciation Week at the Institute       
Monday – Friday, July 17–21
As a small token of appreciation and celebration of our members, enjoy an extra 5% discount in the Institute’s gift shop and drinks on the deck during Visitor Center hours (Monday – Friday, 9 am–5 pm) this week. Not yet a member? You can become a member for as little as $30 for the whole family (including children and grandchildren) for an entire year!

 

No Family Left Indoors–Wild Wednesdays: Dragon and Damselfies

Wednesday, July 19

10 am – Noon

Let's go wild! Explore the natural world through hands-on activities and outdoor adventurous. Join us in fun, interactive activities about dragonflies and damselflies

and a nature-themed craft.

Organized by W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Location: W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Registration is required.

FREE

Register here!

No Family Left Indoors events are sponsored by Corewell Health.

 

Wild Rice Management Workshop

Wednesday, July 19

10 am – 3 pm

Members $20 I Non-Members $28

Register here!

 

Learning the Land Hiking Series–Cedar Swamp Stroll

Saturday, July 22

10 am – Noon

Per Hike: Members Free I Non-Members $8

For the Entire Summer Series: Members FREE I Non-Members $18

Register here!

 

Learning the Land Accessible Tours

Saturday, July 22 2–4 pm

Tuesday, July 25 10 am–Noon

Wednesday, July 26 10 am–Noon

Members Free I Non-Members $8

Register here!

 

No Family Left Indoors–Uncle Irving's Treasure Quest

July 24-28

Families will follow clues leading them throughout the village on a hunt to locate Uncle Irving's treasure trove!

Organized by Barry County Parks and Recreation

Location: Charlton Park Historic Village

FREE

Register here!

No Family Left Indoors events are sponsored by Corewell Health.

 

Gala in the Garden

Saturday, July 29

6–9 pm

Same Celebration, New Name

More information coming soon.

Sponsored in part by the Douglas E. & Margaret A. DeCamp Foundation and Pedal Bicycles.

 

August Storybook Walk: Berry Song

by Michaela Goade

Tuesday, August 1–Thursday, August 31

FREE (self-guided on the trails)

 

No Family Left Indoors–Play off the Beaten Path

Tuesday, August 1

6–7 pm

Play outside with yard Yahtzee, Bocce ball, and minute-to-win-it games and explore the natural world with bark rubbings and DIY nature journals.

Organized by Hastings Public Library

Location: Riverside Park

FREE

Register here!

No Family Left Indoors events are sponsored by Corewell Health.

 

Dog Days of Summer: Doggy Party on the Trails

Wednesday, August 2

6:30–8:30 pm

Members Free I Non-Members $8

Register here!

 

Field Station End of Summer Celebration

Thursday, August 3

6:30–8:30 pm

Writers' Readings: 7 pm

Free

Register here!

 

No Family Left Indoors–Reframe Your World: Nature Art Frames

Tuesday, August 8

6:30–8 pm

Nature frames can help you discover new things in nature. Join us for a short walk and create your own nature frame using recycled and natural materials.

Organized by Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

Location: Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

FREE

Register here!

No Family Left Indoors events are sponsored by Corewell Health.

 

No Family Left Indoors–Youth Day

Tuesday, August 19

10 am – 1 pm

Join local organization for an afternoon of outdoor fun with many different hands-on outdoor activities.

Organized by Barry Conservation District

Location: Charlton Park

FREE

Register here!

No Family Left Indoors events are sponsored by Corewell Health.

 

Learning the Land Hiking Series–Prairie Fen Promenade

Saturday, August 26

10am – Noon

Per Hike: Members Free I Non-Members $8

For the Entire Summer Series: Members FREE I Non-Members $18

Register here!

 

Eat Your Invasives Series: Autumn Olive and Pie

Wednesday, September 13

6–8 pm

Program: Member Adults $6; I Non-Members $8

Entire Series: Members$12 I Non-Members $17

Register here!

 

Eat Your Invasives Series: Multiflora Rose and Tea

Wednesday, November 8

5:30–7:30 pm

Program: Member Adults $6; I Non-Members $8

Entire Series: Members $12 I Non-Members $17

Register here!