ANCA CONNECTS: Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland, Michigan

Wednesday, October 30 — 9:30am-4pm ET

Join us for an enriching day of professional development and networking at the Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland, Michigan. This CONNECTS program offers you the opportunity to connect with professional peers while learning about the operations of nature centers, outdoor schools, and related organizations.

The Outdoor Discovery Center is a 160-acre nature preserve that includes a variety of ecological habitats, including ponds, remnant dunes, wetlands, meadows, remnant prairie, and lowland hardwood forest. Visitors are able to experience these unique surroundings while exploring three miles of trails, in addition to the site’s Visitors Center, Birds of Prey Center, and Nature Play Park. The Outdoor Discovery Center is part of the ODC Network, which manages two nature centers, two greenways, a water quality initiative of Lake Macatawa, and several nature-based early childhood education centers in West Michigan. 

This program includes discussion-based sessions about operations at nature centers and outdoor schools. These sessions invite all participants to contribute to the discussion, so that you can hear a variety of perspectives from professionals at other organizations.

Throughout the program you will have opportunities to connect with peers and build your professional network. As such you will not only have new ideas and resources to implement at your organization following this CONNECTS, but you will also gain professional connections that can support your work throughout the year.

This ANCA CONNECTS program is for any professional at a nature center, outdoor school, or related organization. We welcome both ANCA members and non-members along with professionals from outside Michigan to attend.

 

Registration

Registration includes the cost of a light breakfast, snack, and a boxed lunch.

• $35 — ANCA Members and staff of ANCA Organization Members
• $55 — Non-Members

Register here

The deadline to register is October 24th.

 

Schedule

All times are ET.

9:30-10am	Check-in and Coffee
10-10:30am	Welcome
10:30-11:30am	Sessions
11:30-11:45am	Break
11:45am-12:30pm	Exploration of the Outdoor Discovery Center Take a short guided tour with ODC staff.
12:30-1:30pm	Lunch & Networking
1:30-2:30pm	Sessions
2:30-2:45pm	Break
2:45-3:45pm	Sessions
3:45-4pm	Conclusion

  

Sessions

This program will include a variety of sessions for participants to learn and share with peers. These sessions are based on a Facilitated Discussion format, where a facilitator guides the dialogue and all participants contribute to the conversation. These discussions are an excellent opportunity to share with your peers, learn new ideas, discuss trends in the profession, and work together to find solutions.

We'll have three time slots for sessions. We are currently coordinating session details and will post a session schedule in October. You don't need to sign up for sessions in advance.

Suggesting a Discussion

If you have an idea for a discussion topic and/or would like to facilitate a conversation, please email ANCA Membership & Programs Coordinator Daniel Auer at  by October 16th.

Session topics may include any subject pertaining to the management of nature centers and related organizations, as well as trends in our profession. 

Examples of topics include:

 

About the Outdoor Discovery Center

The Outdoor Discovery Center is a 160-acre nature preserve that includes a variety of ecological habitats, including ponds, remnant dunes, wetlands, meadows, remnant prairie, and lowland hardwood forest. Visitors are able to experience these unique surroundings while exploring three miles of trails, many of which are wheelchair, stroller, and wagon-friendly.

Highlights include:

• A 5,000-sq-ft Visitors Center, including three exhibit spaces, live animal displays, and a diverse taxidermy collection of North American wildlife
• The De Witt Birds of Prey Center, home to 15 different species of Michigan birds of prey
• The 7-acre Eldean Family Nature Play Park, which provides a space for creative play using natural structures — including an ever-popular zipline
• The Wade & Kris Eldean Wildlife Exhibit, including an opossum, striped skunk, porcupine, red fox, and snowy owl
• The Cultural History Center, a 15-acre site that serves as the launching pad for cultural history programming, featuring a replica Indigenous people’s village, amphitheater, exhibit building with historical artifacts, archery range, fur trader’s cabin, and three sisters garden

The Outdoor Discovery Center is part of the ODC Network, which manages two nature centers, two greenways, a water quality initiative for Lake Macatawa, and several nature-based early childhood education centers serving over 400 children annually. The ODC Network also provides conservation services to businesses, local government, and private landowners. All of these divisions serve ODC's mission to advance outdoor education & conservation in West Michigan.

ODC has been pioneering nature-based education, providing outdoor recreation access, and protecting and restoring natural ecosystems for almost 25 years. ODC believes that the outdoors should be accessible to all people and is committed to maintaining a zero-fee entry to over 800 acres of nature preserves. In 2023, ODC served over 100,000 people through its community and school programs.

 

Location

Address: 4214 56th Street / Holland, MI 49423
Directions on Google Maps