ODC Network's Outdoor Discovery Center

09/02/2026

👶🌿 What does a nature-based early childhood experience look like for infants?

Before they can even walk, they take “hikes,” exploring trails and woods in strollers or in baby carriers worn by our attentive teachers.

They have playscapes built especially for their age and stage, supporting every wobbly first sit, crawl, and stand.

And when all that discovery calls for rest? At Gentex Discovery Preschool, they nap outside 😴☀️

Fresh air, natural light, and the quiet hum of the outdoors—all safely managed with guidance from our licensing consultant.

Infants’ brains are hard at work 🧠 In those earliest moments, they’re forming over one million new neural connections a second. The result? 90% of brain development happens before age 5. And time in nature supports this critical sensory and cognitive development.

For our youngest learners, the outdoors isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential 🍃

08/19/2026

"...the kind of education innovation our country urgently needs..."

That's what a national education article said about ODC Network's education programs. 🙌

As kids head back to school this month, it's not lost on us the power that time outside can have on every student, every teacher, every school system.

It lowers stress and builds emotional regulation skills. It restores attention that’s been depleted by screens and overstimulation. It builds focus, self-discipline, and resilience.

It’s why we do what we do.

This is how we help kids reach their full potential. This is education, reimagined.

For generations, education has been confined to four walls, desks arranged in rows, and a curriculum increasingly disconnected from the world students are preparing to enter. Sadly, the majority of st

08/17/2026

We're looking for a seasonal educator to join our team asap!

This position runs through December and provides nature-based learning experiences for elementary school children. Please share with anyone who might be interested! More information at the link below.

Overview: The ODC Education Network provides education, training, and support to local school districts in order to implement high quality outdoor education programs. The ODC Network is a nonprofit organization focused on educating children and families about our natural resources and providing educ...

08/07/2026

🌱 Did you know food waste is the single largest source filling Michigan's landfills?

We've partnered with the City of Holland and Ottawa County Environmental Sustainability to launch the Holland Master Composter Training—a 6-week, hands-on course led by local experts. Learn everything from composting basics to soil biology, and walk away ready to compost in your own backyard.

📅 Mondays, Aug 17–Sept 28 (no class Sept 7) | 9–11 AM
📍 DeGraaf Nature Center
💰 $60/participant (scholarships available)
🔞 18+

Registration includes a composting manual, vermicomposting bin, and cohort t-shirt. Complete the course + 10 volunteer hours to earn your Master Composter certification!

Spots are limited. Get more details and registration information at: https://outdoordiscovery.org/events/holland-master-composter-training/

07/24/2026

Need some invasive trees cleared fast? You’re going to want to call this team from Motus Integrated Technologies 😉 A group of volunteers came out to our main site today to remove Autumn Olive and Buckthorn, helping us expand and preserve dune habitat along a new trail.

As an ODC Network Corporate Partner, employees can participate in meaningful, hands-on, volunteer projects that support local conservation efforts, outdoor education, and public access initiatives. Interested in opportunities for your team? Contact [email protected]

07/17/2026

The Macatawa Water Festival has been POSTPONED! Air quality levels are unsafe due to wildfire smoke, and the wellbeing of attendees, volunteers, our animal ambassadors, and staff is our top priority.

The good news is we have rescheduled for September 26, right back at Kollen Park 🎉 We’re looking forward to hosting the fun-filled event you know and love, and we hope to see you there!

07/17/2026

Most days, our preschoolers are out and about—soaking up sunshine, splashing in puddles, and hiking to find frogs, butterflies, and other natural treasures. On unique weather days like we’re having this week, our team of Early Childhood Naturalists are ready to support teachers and students through tailored, in-classroom experiences, instead. 

Ms. Sheila visited our Woodlands classrooms yesterday with three snakes, and returned in the afternoon with a rabbit—bringing nature directly to our students while it’s not safe to be outside. 

These visits are possible, even at a moment’s notice, because each of our preschools has an Early Childhood Naturalist, like Ms. Sheila, on staff. Throughout the year, naturalists can help guide nature-based curriculum, provide professional development to teachers, and expand our students’ knowledge of the natural world. 

Our naturalists are deeply important to creating high-quality nature-based programming for our littlest learners. We appreciate them every day—and especially on days like today 💛

07/13/2026

If you haven’t spent a little time outside today, consider this your sign.

Whether you’re climbing, digging, building, splashing, or simply exploring, there’s something special about seeing the world through curiosity.

Our nature play spaces were designed to inspire exploration, imagination, and connection for kids and grown-ups!

07/10/2026

Discover the beauty of nature through art during ODC’s Floral Print Scarves program on July 17!

Participants will use flowers and leaves to create unique printed scarves while exploring the patterns, colors, and textures found in the natural world. Join us for an evening of creativity, connection, and hands-on learning.

Learn more and register at https://loom.ly/9QweYJ4

07/09/2026

Real-time lake conditions are now at your fingertips!

The Lake Macatawa monitoring buoy, installed through ODC Network’s Project Clarity, now has its very own app. Whether you’re heading out to paddle, fish, boat, or you’re simply curious about the health of the lake, you can now check current conditions anytime, anywhere.

The buoy collects real-time water quality data that helps our team better understand Lake Macatawa and guide restoration efforts throughout the Macatawa Watershed.

Download Seagull Coast today by searching for it in the Apple App Store or Google Play and see what’s happening on Lake Macatawa in real time!