FLINT, MI – Children can explore Michigan's folklore and investigate six-legged creatures and insects yet again with For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum's Knee-High Naturalist and Wild Adventures programs.

The programs return Wednesday, Sept. 4, to For-Mar, 2142 N. Genesee Road, Burton. The cost per child for both programs is $3.

Knee-High Naturalists, caters to children ages 3 to 6, includes stories of Babe the Blue Ox and the Petoskey Stone. Children can also polish a Petosky stone to take home. The program is held on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at For-Mar.

Children ages 7 to 12 can learn about six-legged creatures and insects in Wild Adventures while exploring the fields and woods for "creepy callers that call For-Mar home." Children can also see Madagascar hissing cockroaches, praying mantis and monarch caterpillars and take part in creating an insect zoo for display in the hallway at For-Mar.

The program is held on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at For-Mar. Children are asked to dress for going outside and wear shoes – no sandals or flip-flops.

Pre-registration for both programs is required by Monday, Sept. 2. To register, call 810-736-7100, ext. 806, or 800-648-7275, ext. 806.

A child involved in a program at For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum smiles in this submitted photo.

Nicole Ferguson, naturalist at For-Mar, said Knee-High Naturalists teaches expectations of preschool and homeschool guidelines, introducing children to colors, shapes and patterns.

The Wild Adventures program involves "a lot more investigation and observation," Ferguson said.

"It's focused on being an outdoor education program, so they're getting a lot of sciences they're taught in school," she said.

Ferguson said the program incorporates social interaction and team-building, and that both programs are outdoor education-oriented.

"All of our kids are so excited when they get here," she said.

Both programs start in the fall and end in June. Other family and children-oriented programs are posted on the Genesee County Parks' event calendar.

For more information on programs, contact For-Mar Naturalist Nicole Ferguson at 810-789-8567 or nferguson@gcparks.org.