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.
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
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.
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
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
Fun Fridays in the Play Space
Flower Power
Friday, June 16
10am – Noon
FREE
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Field Station End of Summer Celebration
Thursday, August 3
6:30–8:30 pm
Writers' Readings: 7 pm
Free
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
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
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
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
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