Field Experiences for Schools

Bowers School Farm and Johnson Nature Center, both owned and operated by Bloomfield Hills Schools, extend learning beyond the classroom. Their diverse habitats support a variety of native plants and wildlife, livestock and crops. From stepping into the historical buildings and back in time, to digging deep into the soil and imagining a more sustainable future, these unique sites offer dynamic educational experiences to serve the needs of today’s students.

  • We aim to strengthen classroom teaching and learning by engaging teachers and students in authentic, meaningful experiences that enrich their identities and expand their skills, knowledge and perspectives.

    Together we will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other and the world around us through inquiry-based, developmentally appropriate practices that promote joy and discovery.

    We will build connections within our local community in order to spark action and service. We hope to leverage this action to work toward a healthier community and environment.

  • We are committed to designing educational experiences utilizing research-based learning objectives, frameworks and strategies to guide learners in achieving valuable academic and social-emotional outcomes. We will promote the appreciation and value of outdoor experiences for all in order to reach those outcomes by teaching and valuing the whole person.

  • We believe in a place-based educational approach that embraces deep learning and high impacts by immersing learners in the natural world, land heritage and local food systems. We encourage students to make connections by contributing and applying their own unique knowledge, strengths and interests to develop a stronger sense of themselves and their role in their communities, sparking learning that is cross-cultural and centered on respect and belonging.

View our full Program Guide for all learning opportunities.

View our School & Group Programs Welcome Packet & FAQ to plan your visit.

Programs Currently Available for Registration

Nature Detectives

Pre-K to K ♦ 1 1/2 - 2 hours ♦ $12 per person

Explore our forests, prairie, pond and trails, detective-style. Come along with us as nature detectives to solve a seasonally-based mystery! Engage the senses, play as animals and join in song or story. We’ll embark on a guided hike with time for self-discovery and play-based provocations.

Dates through June 2024 available

Log Cabin Living

K-12 ♦ 2 hours ♦ $14 per person

Step back into the 1800s into our log cabin to immerse into the daily chores and routines of the time period. How is life different today than in the past? What other people have stories to tell on the Land? Engage in bread dough preparation for baking, churn butter, wash clothes and more while enjoying the tales of hunting and fishing.

Dates through June 2024 available

Three children holding binoculars.

Bird Study

Grade 3-12 ♦ 2 hours ♦ $12 per person

Join the flock and help the nature center with a bird census while you learn about bird ecology, conservation, biology, behavior, and environmental needs. Like any good ornithologist, we’ll learn through hands-on (and wings-on) fieldwork.

Dates through June 2024 available

Maple Sugaring

Grade 3-12 ♦ 2 hours ♦ $15 per person

Investigate what life was like in the 1800s by engaging in activities such as historical games and safe tool usage along with baking cookies. Explore the sweet history of the sugar maple grove and peek into the future of sugaring. Discover the joys and science of maple-tree tapping, sap collecting and syrup tasting.

March dates only in 2024 available

(March 6, 7, 8 & 22)

BHS Toolkit

What you need to know…

Developmental Kindergarten

Our BHS Developmental Kindergarten classes alternate visits between Bowers School Farm & Johnson Nature Center to integrate agricultural experiences and nature-based learning into the curriculum, sparking discovery and joy for exploration and learning in the outdoors. These experiences will provide a strong foundation for future learning.