Living Sustainably: Family fun is set for ODC Treats and Trails

By Ashley Van Zee, ODC Network
Treats and Trails is a chance for families to enjoy a safe and fun walk along the trails of the Outdoor Discovery Center with games and candy treats as well as opportunities for up-close and personal wildlife encounters.
The evening offers:
 Plenty of activities to entertain children of all ages,
 A safe and fun trick-or-treating event – without the scares,
 A great and inexpensive way for the whole family to unplug and get outdoors!
 
Available activities will include seeing the live birds of prey, making delicious and toasty s’mores, and exploring the North American Wildlife Exhibit in the Visitors Center.
Children are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes. All of the nature trails are wheelchair, stroller and wagon-friendly, so don’t let wheels stop you from a night of family fun.
Macatawa Bank’s Snack Wagon will be at the event handing out goodies, and food from Beechwood Grill’s Mr. Big Slice pizza truck will be available for purchase.
No registration is necessary for Treats and Trails. Admission fee is $10 per family.
New this year will be a costume contest, with the best costume photo winning a family membership at the Outdoor Discovery Center. These are the rules for those who want to join in the costume contest:

 Costume must be homemade,
 Group costumes allowed,
 Must be appropriate for young audiences,
 Must attend Treats and Trails and include the large Green Frog statue in a photo,
 Must tag ODC on Facebook or Instagram and use #ODCcontest2019,
 Profile must be public enough for us to see your post.

Note that road closures will help traffic control and provide street parking during the event. 142nd Avenue will have one-way traffic eastbound and 56 th Street will be one-way northbound.
If you are interested in volunteering to help with Treats & Trails, please sign up online or email Ashley VanZee, ashley@outdoordiscovery.org 
Treat your family to a night of fall fun full of games, treats, wildlife, and the great outdoors. We look forward to seeing you there!
 Ashley Van Zee is a development manager at the ODC Network and has been co- planning Treats & Trails for five years as it has grown to become a perfect event for families with children of all ages. The ODC Network is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is focused on advancing outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan.

If You Go:
What: Treats and Trails
Where: Outdoor Discovery Center, 4214 56th St, Holland
When: 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26
Cost: $10 per family

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme
Community & Neighborhood: The places we live and the individuals we interact with support the development of our personalities and perspectives on life. Encouraging vital and effective communities is essential.

ABOUT THIS SERIES  
Living Sustainably is a collection of community voices sharing updates about local sustainability initiatives. It is presented by the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute, a joint project of Hope College, the City of Holland and Holland Board of Public Works. Go to www.hope.edu/sustainability-institute for more information.