Here at the Howell Nature Center, our mission is that through mutual love and respect, we teach people to be faithful caretakers of one another and the world around us. With 230 acres, we offer numerous programs so you can find the activity that best suits you and your family to once again connect to nature.
CHOOSE YOUR PATH
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Saving Michigan’s Wildlife
Day & Overnight Camps
Connecting Kids
with Nature
Experiential Education
A Wild Adventure
On or Offsite
Community & Retreats
An Exploration of
Science & Self
Camp Wonder at the Howell Nature Center offers unique summer day, overnight, and excursion camps to help children enjoy and connect with nature, while teaching many classic camp traditions, new skills, and life lessons.
Register Today!
Upcoming Events
The event "July 20, 2019 - Zip Line & Climbing Tower (Combo) 10:00 a.m." is no longer active.
The event "July 20, 2019 - Zip Line & Climbing Tower (Combo) 11:00 a.m." is no longer active.
The event "July 20, 2019 - Zip Line & Climbing Tower (Combo) 1:00 p.m." is no longer active.
STAY CONNECTED
"Hi there! I'm Jake Steiner the new Behavior Specialist here at Camp Wonder, happy to be a part of this great team! As a coordinator here on site, I work closely with our staff, parents, and campers to provide support such as training, resources, structured breaks, and individualized behavior intervention plans to ensure our collective success. We work hard to make our campers smile, laugh, and enjoy every minute of their summer with us here at Howell Nature Center!"
Pictured here, you can see Shelby and a camper helping Jake "fit in."
It's #SillySunday! Can you think of a silly caption for this *yawn* sleepy moment with our ferrets?
If you're feeling a little sluggish this morning, don't worry! We are open until 5pm today, so take your time getting ready for a WILD adventure in our Wild Wonders Wildlife Park and Alexandria's NatureScape. General admission is only $6 per adult and $4 per child. Children 2 and under and HNC members are free!
In case you tried to reach us by phone in the last hour, our phone lines were down due to a power outage. We are up and running again! Thank you for your patience and understanding. Stay cool everyone!
Let's celebrate #Caturday by showing our love for Zeus, the rescued bobcat! This is one of our favorite videos of him where he showed us how "ferocious" he can be with his enrichment.
Share your favorite picture, video, or story of Zeus! You can visit him today (and everyday) in the Wild Wonders Wildlife Park from 10am - 5pm.
Please join us in celebrating National Zoo Keeper week with our AMAZING team of dedicated Wildlife Educators! Zookeeper week focuses on the need to protect and preserve our wildlife and vanishing habitats. The animal keepers role as educators and wildlife ambassadors has become essential and they deserve professional recognition.
Each and every day our animal care professionals are in the field raising awareness of what animal care are professionals do year-round.
We are honored to recognize their hard work, conservation efforts, and passion. (sometimes they actually take on the animals personalities!)
THANK YOU TEAM NATURE!!!!
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OUR CAMP WONDER FAMILIES AND GUESTS...... Today is going to be an extremely hot day, with a heat index between 100-110 degrees. We will still proceed with the camp day, but have made the following modifications to ensure campers and staff are safe in the heat.
Activities have been shifted to be water focused, in the shade, or indoors. If sun is unavoidable on an activity, such as fishing, groups will pause the activity every 15 minutes to take a drink break in the shade.
All campers will take water breaks every 20 minutes in the shade.
Counselors will watch closely for signs of heat related illnesses, stopping activities and calling Health Officers if needed.
Senior staff will place extra water containers throughout camp, so campers are able to refill water bottles whenever needed.
Counselors will apply sunscreen every 1.5 hours to campers.
Traditional Day Camp: The all camp Color Run has been modified--while we will still use the color powder for some extra fun, the activity will now be water focused rather than a run. Campers will complete water relays and a 'Color Slip'n'Slide', among other water focused games.
Specialty Day Camp: Zookeeper Olympics will be indoor/outdoor, and the end of camp celebration will be indoors.
To help us keep your camper safe, please do the following:
Have your camper drink at least two glasses of water during breakfast/before arriving at camp.
Dress your camper in a swimsuit before arriving at camp (this will save us lots of time in the changing rooms). Please ensure your camper is wearing clothing appropriate for the heat over their suit--no long sleeves or pants!
Pack extra (filled) water bottles. Freezing a filled water bottle overnight will result in an icy cold drink by lunchtime 🙂
Long hair should be tied back off the neck.
Send your camper with sunscreen already applied. We will reapply every 1.5 hours.
We would also like to remind our Howell Nature Center visitors today and tomorrow to please stay hydrated at all times and pace yourselves so as to not become overheated.
Our primary goal is to keep our guests and animals safe during this extreme heat advisory. We will keep everyone updated as necessary. Stay cool!
This lucky young red fox kit was found in a garage in Washtenaw County on June 2nd, suffering from mange. Sarcoptic mange is a parasitic mite which multiplies and burrows into the skin causing severe itching and inflammation. Left untreated, the fox will lose its fur, become lethargic and unable to find food. In the end stages, the internal organs will begin to fail. Fortunately, there is a cure for mange if the animal receives treatment in time. With a month of treatment and supportive care, this little fox is now healthy, happy and has joined our other fox kits outdoors. If you see a fox or coyote with fur loss, cracked ears or squinty eyes, please call our Wildlife Helpline (517) 548-5530. Thanks to our amazing supporters we can give them a second chance to Heal, Grow and Be Wild!!
Have you ever wanted to try our zip line and rock wall, typically reserved for schools and camp? Now is your chance!
On Saturday, July 20th, you can fly through the trees on two 500-ft Zip Lines, then test your strength on our 60-ft Climbing Tower! Children 5 years and up! Maximum weight - 250 lbs. $30 per person or $50 per pair. Pre-registration required: Howell Nature Center
Timeline PhotosPop Quiz! Should you use a boot brush before or after you hike? Trick question - the answer is before AND after. Innocent looking seeds can hitch a ride on your shoes, causing aggressive weeds to invade your favorite hiking trails 😱 Invasive plants can crowd out native vegetation, which can hurt wildlife who rely on native plants for food. Check your socks, pants, gear and pets, too! #EnjoyYourWorld #LeaveNoTrace
We'd like to welcome the members of Oak 2, from AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). Oak 2 will be serving with the Howell Nature Center from July 15 - September 7. They will assist in renovations to our rehab area, invasive species management, and summer camp support.
AmeriCorps NCCC is a full time, residential, team-based program for young adults to travel the country and complete hands-on projects. Thank you for joining our team!
