Winter Fun at the Stage Nature Center in Troy

Get out of the house this winter and enjoy the outdoors at the Stage Nature Center in Troy. The nature center trails are open daily from dawn to dusk for walking only – no pets, biking, running, skiing or collecting please. For your safety, please stay on the trails when exploring. In addition to open trails, the nature center is open Tuesdays-Fridays, 9am-3pm and Saturdays, 10am-4pm, and offers a variety of programs to educate people about animals and their habitats. Registration is required for all programs, and you can register online at stagenaturecenter.org. Programs are all offered by the Troy Nature Society, a nonprofit organization that has an agreement with the City of Troy to conduct educational nature programs at the SNC. TNS Members receive discount for events that require fees. Donations for free events are also kindly accepted.

Jan 4, 11, 18, 25: Winter Toddler Time | 10-11:30 am | $4/child | A weekly gathering of parents/caring adults and children for some relaxed winter fun. Each themed session includes indoor activities for toddlers with games, crafts, puzzles, books, and children’s music. Take a self-guided hike on the SNC trails. Tea for parents & hot chocolate for the toddlers. Children must be pre-registered. Only one adult per registered child is allowed. January Themes: Animal Feet, Dinosaurs, Fish, Owls.

Jan 7: Photo Walks | 8-10 am | All Ages | TNS Member: Free | Non-Member: $2 | Guided hikes through the SNC. Meet in the parking lot by 8 am. Bring your camera. Dress for the weather.

Jan 7: Walk with a Naturalist | 10:30-11:30 am | Ages 3+ | $3 | Take a relaxing walk on the SNC trails through various natural communities. Get answers to your nature questions. Register online. Adults should remain with their children, and enroll and pay the fee.

Jan 7: Owl Encounters | 4-5 pm | Ages 5+ | $5 | Visit the 5 rehabilitated owls that call the Stage Nature Center home. This tour gives you a chance to learn more about the different owl species. Reasons why they each live in captivity, explore their different personalities, and get your owl questions answered. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Space is limited.

Jan 12: Little Acorns | 11 am-12 pm | Ages 2-4 | $TNS Member: $4 | Non-Member: $6 | Let your child explore the sights and sounds of nature through outdoor activities. This program will take place outside, except in the event of inclement weather. You may choose to bring children in strollers or sleds that are sturdy enough for a wood chipped trail. The adult partner is free and must accompany the child throughout the program.

Jan 13: Owl Prowl | 4:30-6:30 pm | Ages 5+ | TNS Member: $10 | Non-Member: $12 | On each Prowl, we will immerse ourselves into the nighttime world of the owl and discover what makes them so unique. We will first meet one of our resident owls up close and personal. Then we will brave the cold and prowl the trails to listen to look for these elusive raptors that call the grounds of the SNC home. This is a family program; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Each person participating must enroll and pay the fee.

Jan 14: Nature Explorers | 1:30-3 pm | All Ages (Best for 5+) | TNS Member: $5 | Non-Member: $7 | Enjoy some screen-free time while exploring the natural world. Together we will participate in hands-on, outdoor experiences to investigate different nature-related topics. Adults must register and remain with their children.

Jan 19 & 20: Knee-High Naturalists | 10-11:30 am | Ages 2-4 | TNS Member: $11.50 | Non-Member: $14.50 | Children with a free adult partner can attend one or more of the following programs. Each session includes a nature story, hike, activities, craft, and a snack. Find out how nature is getting ready for winter in December. Learn about winter sleepers in January. Discover wildlife at the feeders in February.

Jan 21: Owl Encounters | 11 am-12 pm | Ages 5+ | $5 | Visit the 5 rehabilitated owls that call the Stage Nature Center home. This tour gives you a chance to learn more about the different owl species. Reasons why they each live in captivity, explore their different personalities, and get your owl questions answered. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Space is limited.

Jan 26: Homeschool Nature Class | 10 am-12 pm | Ages 5-10 | TNS Member: $7/child | Non-Member: $9/child | January topic: Geology…Can You Dig It? Examine rocks, minerals, fossils, sand, and soil to learn how they are formed and what roles they play in our daily lives. The outdoor hike offers an opportunity to see natural forces at work.

Jan 27: Stargazing at Stage | 6:30–8:30 pm | Nature Center | Ages 8+ | TNS Member: $6 | Non-Member: $8 | Join Warren Astronomical Society member Marty Kunz as he leads you on a journey deep into the winter night sky. You will explore winter constellations, deep space objects and other astronomical phenomena. Telescopes provided. Program will occur regardless of sky conditions. Dress for winter weather. Children must be accompanied by a registered, paid adult.

Jan 28: Scout it Out | 9:30 am-12 pm | Webelos | $11/scout | Earth Rocks | Scouts, come and complete your nature-related badge or adventure. All or most requirements are met; however, the badge itself is not included. Register as an individual scout, den, pack or troop. Please dress for the weather. Leaders or chaperones are free and need to remain with their scouts.

The Stage Nature Center is located at 6685 Coolidge Hwy., between Square Lake Rd. and South Blvd. Visit stagenaturecenter.org or call 248.688.9703 for more information.

For more events in Troy, see Troy Today and Troy Recreation newsletters, and troymi.gov.