On Thursday, November 12 we went on a field trip to the Outdoor Adventure Center with "School on the Go." Prior to this field trip, we hadn't even heard of this place, so we were pleasantly surprised by all the fun there was to do in this little museum whose mission is "Bringing up north to downtown Detroit."
The Outdoor Adventure Center, which opened in 2015, is a part of Michigan's DNR (Department of Natural Resources). So the focus here was on a lot of the wildlife and activities that can be done in nature in Michigan. Below are some quotes from the website about the different exhibits we experienced.
One of the first areas we explored was the Yurt tent - which reminds us of the adventures of camping in Michigan. The boys checked out a game of checkers and climbed the bunk beds.
"Michigan has 11,000 inland lakes, more freshwater shoreline than any other state in the nation, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and more than 3,000 miles of water trails." And we had a chance to practice our fishing skills in the boat with Grandma (we always love when Grandma is able to join us on a field trip!). You can choose which kind of fish you want to try to hook and then feel the tug as you try to reel it in.
Meanwhile, someone has to steer the boat!
Watch out for the fish that like to swim right up to your boat!
"Paddle down a river in our kayaking simulator and discover the adventures that await on Michigan's waters, from paddle boards, canoes and kayaks to motorized boats and wave runners."
It was tough to control that paddle for an almost 3 year old, but Henry was determined to give it a shot like his older brother.
"Climb aboard an airplane and see how the DNR uses planes to fight wildfires, monitor and manage wildlife like moose and elk, and find trees being damaged by invasive forest pests. See real video of fighting wildfires and spotting wildlife and learn about how you can help prevent wildfires."
Playing in the airplane was probably the highlight for the boys.
We took a break from our play to check out a class about trees and their roots with some other homeschoolers.
Back out to the plane afterward.
"Discover the possibilities along Michigan trails! Hop on one of our simulators and experience what it's like to ride a snowmobile, off-road vehicle or mountain bike. With more than 13,000 miles of trails in Michigan, some in urban areas, there's something for everyone - from hiking, biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing to snowmobiling and off-road vehicle riding."
Snowmobiles, bikes, ATV's - the simulators were a hit for the boys.
Helen also loved the airplane exhibit, though it wasn't until the end that she went inside. She was thrilled with just climbing up and down the stairs. After Mommy finally coaxed her to go in the cockpit, she discovered the many buttons that had been just waiting for her to push.
With Smokey the Bear.
Our kids love these cutout photo spots.
"Michigan has more fresh water than any other state, and a huge variety of aquatic life, including 154 different species of fish. Identify some of these fish, like whitefish, sturgeon, bass, perch and walleye, swimming in our aquarium. Learn more about aquatic invasive species, and the threatened and endangered native species they jeopardize. Find out how the DNR protects, rehabilitates and enhances Michigan's fish populations, which provide the best freshwater fishing opportunities in the world. And discover what a big deal fishing is to Michigan's economy - $4 billion!"
Cycling back through the exhibits.
"Climb into a tent, relax, sit by the campfire and imagine biting into some s'mores! Learn more about rustic camping - a great, inexpensive way for families to spend time outdoors year-round. Most Michigan state forest campgrounds are located on a river or lake, so the fun can continue with fishing, boating and paddling."
The tent was a great place to crawl in and out of.
"Experience our 35-foot-tall bur oak tree from top to bottom. Explore what lies under, and slide down, giant tree roots and look through a lightning-strike fissure. Peek into a bear den and learn about Michigan's black bears. Then climb to the second story and check out the inside of the tree trunk, the net climb and a suspension bridge. Learn about the importance of trees as a source of food and shelter for all kinds of wildlife and as a renewable resource used to create a variety of products we use every day, making forests an important part of Michigan's economy."
Sliding down and climbing up - those were fun activities. Finding the bear den and hearing it growl - that caused a bit of fear.
We took our lunch break and Micah was intrigued by the Coke machine. It had a "memory" game which was like a magnet for this boy who rarely gets to play video games.
Climbing inside the tree.
Helen finally ventured inside the airplane.
"Explore our state's hunting and trapping heritage and what these traditions mean to Michigan residents. Give hunting a try with a laser shot simulator and identify mammals by examining their fur. Learn about how hunting funds conservation, contributes $2 billion a year to the state's economy and is a critical tool for biologists to manage wildlife populations. And it's a safe and fun pastime that everyone can enjoy, especially since Michigan boasts a wide variety of game animals and millions of acres of public hunting land."
Once they figured out how to do the hunting simulators, the boys did not want to leave!
Back on the plane.
Pushing the buttons.
Walking, walking, walking - Grandma has so much patience!
Playing with the blocks carved from wood.
The mountain bike race! (Some took it more seriously than others.)
Helen was interested to sit in the simulators - as long as they weren't moving.
We can't wait to go back again and take Daddy along!
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