Stop envying the people with all the bikes, boats, kayaks and campers strapped to their cars. Experts at Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources are ready to assist even the most tentative beginner in taking that first step toward a life-long love of the outdoors.
The DNR Parks and Recreation Division’s Recreation 101 is a year-round GO-Get Outdoors program that recruits top instructors and sports equipment vendors to provide free or inexpensive hands-on lessons. The goal is to provide the novice sportsman with enough skill and knowledge to begin a new activity.
Program offerings, ranging from fishing, birding and geocaching to hiking, biking and paddling and even mushing, are set to take place in numerous state parks and recreation areas across Michigan. Don’t just watch other people have fun. Use the Recreation 101 demo clinics to try out the many wonderful outdoor activities to be enjoyed in Michigan’s woods and waters.
Bicycling 101
Great Lakes and Inland Kayak Safety 101
Learn basics in kayak design, equipment and safety considerations when venturing out on the water during an in-depth training session from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 11 at Straits State Park, 720 Church St. in St. Ignace in Mackinac County. Sessions led by certified kayak instructors from Woods & Water Ecotours include on-land training from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and on-water demonstrations from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Class size for the on-land portion is unlimited and does not require an RSVP. Class size is limited for the on-water portion and reservations are required. For reservations, call 906-484-4157. For details call the park at 906-643-8620.
Hiking 101
On Aug. 13, join an easy stroll through the lowland trails of the North Unit of Bald Mountain Recreation Area, 1330 E. Greenshield Rd. in Lake Orion in Oakland County. Nature subjects will be discussed along the way as well as hiking safety. For details including time, call the recreation area at 248-693-6767.
Kayaking 101
Crystal River Outfitters will be at Leelanau State Park, 15310 N. Lighthouse Point Rd. in Northport in Leelanau County at 1 p.m. July 30 to offer tips on kayaking including an overview of equipment, trip recommendations, and basic paddle strokes. For details, call the park at 231-386-5422.
Kite Boarding 101
Experts from Motor City Kiteboarding will offer an introduction to the sport and teach a series of skills from noon to 2 p.m. July 22-23 at Tawas Point State Park, 686 Tawas Beach Road in East Tawas in Iosco County. For details, call the park at 989-362-5041.
Model Airplane Flight 101
Members of the Holly Cloudhoppers Model Airplane Club will hold an open house Aug. 6 at Holly Recreation Area, 8100 Grange Hall Rd. in Holly in Oakland County. For details including time, call the recreation area at 248-634-8811.
Mushing 101
A Mush Rig Training Session will be held from Nov. 4-6 at Fort Custer Recreation Area, 5163 W. Fort Custer Dr. in Augusta in Kalamazoo County. For details, call the recreation area at 269-731-4200.
Snorkeling 101
Snorkeling provides some vantage views of lakes and oceans, some of nature’s most marvelous realms. Visit Holland State Park, 2215 Ottawa Beach Rd. in Holland in Ottawa County for Snorkeling 101 on July 22 and Aug. 1. For details, call the park at 616-399-9390.
Survival 101
Learn how to build shelters and fires and to navigate during a Survival 101 session July 22-23 at Van Riper State Park, 851 County Road AKE in Champion in Marquette County. For details, call the park at 906-339-4461.
Trapping 101
State-certified instructors will conduct a Trappers Education Class starting at 9 a.m. Sept. 10 at Brimley State Park, 9200 W. Six Mile Road in Brimley in Chippewa County. The class teaches trapping history, safety, rules and regulations, techniques and conservation. Students must be a minimum of eight years old, and an adult must accompany those students 8 to 10 years of age. There is no charge to attend; however an optional starter kit is offered for $10. Class size is limited. For details, call Charlie Maltby at 906-248-3422.
Windsurfing 101
Get onboard the exciting sport of windsurfing presented by Great Lakes Demo Tour. Instruction and gear will be provided at the following locations.
- July 26-27, Burt Lake State Park, 6635 State Park Dr., Indian River in Cheboygan County. For details, call the park at 231-238-9392.
- Aug. 9-10, Aloha State Park, 4347 Third St., Cheboygan in Cheboygan County. For details, call the park at 231-625-2522.
- Aug. 16-17, Petoskey State Park, 2475 Highway M-119, Petoskey in Emmet County. For details, call the park at 231-347-2311.
The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan’s outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.
Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "YES" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call (517) 241-7275.
Non-resident motor vehicles must still display a valid non-resident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site, which can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore.
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