This past spring, thousands of fourth-grade students explored Michigan’s state parks on a free field trip thanks to the The Michigan Department of Natural Resource’s Nature Awaits program.

With 30 locations throughout the state, Nature Awaits provided students with 90 minutes of interactive learning and a complimentary one-day Recreation Passport voucher to visit a state park with their family.

This fall, three new locations will host the program. Students can explore the new state park in Flint, located along a three-mile stretch of the Flint River and a section of Swartz Creek. Fort Custer Recreation Area, located between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, offers three lakes and more than 40 miles of trails. Oden State Fish Hatchery, near Petoskey, features an underwater viewing chamber.

Of participating teachers, 100% recommend Nature Awaits, and interested teachers can register for a field trip online. Interested in leading a trip? The DNR is hiring field trip leaders for the fall program cycle.

Questions? Email DNR-NatureAwaits@Michigan.gov.