DNR Outdoor Adventure Center

Notice: There is a Walk/Race in our neighborhood on the following dates:
June 28
July 11, 18 and 26
August 1 and 29

Please expect detours near the Outdoor Adventure Center, and allow extra time to reach our location.

The parking lot entrance on Atwater Street will be open to traffic coming from St. Aubin for the duration of the race.

Did you know? Pollinator Week is June 22-28!

Pollinator Week is an annual celebration in support of pollinator health that was initiated and is managed by Pollinator Partnership.

Approximately 75% of all flowering plant species need the help of animals to move their heavy pollen grains from plant to plant for fertilization.

In Michigan, this work is done by a wide variety of native pollinators, including bees, butterflies, beetles, bats, and others.

Join us at the OAC this weekend to learn more about Michigan's powerful pollinators!
Weekend hours: Saturday, June 20 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, June 21 from 12-4 p.m. Last entry is 3:30 p.m. daily.

Learn more about Pollinator Week: https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator-week

Meet the 2026 Camp Explore team! We are all very excited to meet our campers this summer.

Still looking for a summer adventure for your 7-17 year old? There's still time to join the fun!

June 29-July 1: Pathfinders (7-8 years old) - limited space remaining
June 29-July 1: Teen City Explorers Mini Camp (14-17 years old) - limited space remaining
July 6-10: Trailblazers (9-13 years old): Fishing Fanatics
July 13-17: Trailblazers: Best of the Detroit Riverfront
July 20-24: Trailblazers: Rock On! - limited space remaining

Use the link in the comments to learn more and register! Questions? Contact Camp Director Emily at [email protected]

Reminder: we are closed today in observance of the holiday.

We will reopen tomorrow from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Note that last entry to the OAC is at 3:30 p.m.

Thank you to the Nokomis Learning Center for presenting at our Brunch and Learn today! We learned so much about the Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes!

Check out our upcoming Senior Brunch presentations (registration link in the comments):
Albert Kahn: Unintended Consequences
Thursday, July 9
9 a.m.-noon
Join Dale A. Carlson, author of “Kahn’s Detroit: A Field Guide to Albert Kahn Designs of the Metro Area,” as he explores some of the most surprising and significant adaptive reuses of Albert Kahn’s buildings across metro Detroit.

Art & Architecture of Detroit's Belle Isle
Tuesday, August 4
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Join Dale A. Carlson as he discusses the history of numerous significant structures and art installations on Detroit's famed Belle Isle, as well as the careers of numerous contributing artists and architects over multiple eras. Carlson's presentation will include both his professional photography and compelling, relevant historical images and era-specific newspaper clippings that give life to the historical scenarios recounted.

Wildland Fire History in Our Backyard
Thursday, August 13
9 a.m.-noon
Robert Ziel, retired forester and wildland fire analyst, presents the story is about the gathering firestorms in Michigan and the Great Lake states of the late 1800s and early 1900s, which dramatically changed the landscape and led to our management of it in the following decades. Even today, wildfire threats from both very near and very far become impacts that are difficult to manage.

Did you know? This weekend (June 13-14) you can fish, ride ORV trails and visit state parks or state-managed boating access sites without the required fishing/ORV license, trail permit or Recreation Passport!

And don't miss out on another great outdoor adventure - join the OAC team for Fishing for Scouts, Saturday, June 27 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
We will start the program by learning about some of the fish that call the Detroit River home. Next, we'll practice how to safely handle fishing equipment and then go fishing at Milliken State Park and Harbor. All equipment and bait will be provided to registered Scouts. Registered Scouts will earn an Outdoor Adventure Center Scout patch.
Participants must be age 8 or older. This is not a drop-off program.

Preregistration is required for Scouts. Cost is $10 per Scout.

Did you know? The Detroit River is home to over 65 species of fish!

Bass, catfish, muskellunge, sunfish and more (even lake sturgeon!) can be found in the Detroit River.

While much of the river is industrialized, recent efforts by local agencies, including Michigan Department of Natural Resources, have resulted in restored fish habitat along the 32-mile long waterway.

Ready to start fishing? Join OAC staff for FREE Hook, Line and Sinker fishing classes on select Saturday mornings from 9-11 a.m. This program is recommended for ages 3 or older.

Please add your name to our Interest Form (below) to receive notifications about the OAC’s drop-in schedule for Hook, Line and Sinker programs. Notifications will be emailed on Thursdays only for the weeks when the Saturday program is planned.

The DNR offers Hook, Line and Sinker classes at state parks throughout Michigan. To learn more about additional locations, visit the DNR Fishing classes webpage.

OAC Hook Line and Sinker Interest Form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=h3D71Xc3rUKWaoku9HIl0T0Wqq22HHNHs2DkGhPltudUMlVXWjFaTE1SS1ozVUVNREFLSFVEUENPWS4u

Learn more about Detroit River fish: http://detroitriver.ca/learntofish/

Discover how the Detroit River habitat is being restored: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/revitalizing-detroit-river-ecosystem-great-lakes-fisheries

Outdoor Adventure Center Fishing Program overview: https://www.michigan.gov/oac/experience/fishing

Join Outdoor Adventure Center educators and Detroit River Sports for a kayaking trip along the Detroit River and its beautiful canals.
We’ll spend most of our time learning about the history of the river and the Eastside Canals, visiting Greyhaven Island and the Historic Fisher Mansion along the way. We’ll finish with a quiet paddle through the canals in southern Jefferson Chalmers.

Five chances for adventure:
Tuesday, June 16 (registration closes 6/12 11:59 p.m.)
Tuesday, July 14
Tuesday, July 28
Tuesday, August 4
Tuesday, August 18

6-8 p.m.

Preregistration is required. Cost is $59 per person.
Learn more and register: https://secure.rec1.com/MI/michigan-dnr/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTQxMzIyNTM=

That's a wrap on week one of Camp Explore: Staff Training! Our new camp counselors learned games, songs and more that they will teach to each of our summer campers!

Looking for a summer adventure? Camp Explore offers day and overnight programs for youth ages 7 to 17 to explore the Detroit Riverfront and Michigan's state parks.

Camp begins JUNE 22 - and there's still space for new campers to join the fun! Check out the registration links in the comments.

Notice: we will be closed Friday, June 19, in observance of the holiday.

We will reopen Saturday, June 20 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Note that last entry to the OAC is at 3:30 p.m.