Grand Haven, MI – Grand Haven Area Public Schools (GHAPS) and ODC Network (ODC) are proud to announce a new collaboration to establish a nature-based early childhood education center in Grand Haven. The announcement comes after the GHAPS school board approved a plan earlier this week to consolidate its seven elementary schools into six due to declining enrollment and convert Mary A. White Elementary into an early childhood center beginning next school year.
The two organizations have partnered in the past, with ODC providing nature-based education training to GHAPS teachers, but this new collaboration expands on the partnership, bringing nature playscapes and innovative early learning experiences to the site of the new GHAPS early childhood center. The curriculum will focus on outdoor play, environmental stewardship, and experiential learning, preparing children ages three to five to become active, independent learners with a lifelong connection to the natural world.
Grand Haven Area Public Schools Superintendent Kristin Perkowski said the partnership will help the district meet multiple community needs that have continued to come up during engagement sessions and listening tours she has participated in since taking on her role in July.
“Expanding on our partnership with ODC and concentrating our early learning efforts under one roof will mean improved and expanded early childhood opportunities, a deepened focus on outdoor learning, and, ultimately, better preparing children in our community for success in kindergarten and beyond,” Perkowski said.
Through the partnership, GHAPS will maintain ownership of the property and operation of the program, including staffing and leadership. The ODC will create outdoor classrooms and learning environments, restore the habitat on site, and provide support services such as coaching, planning, training, mentorship, co-teaching, parent education classes, and more.
ODC Chief Executive Officer Travis Williams said the project aligns with the organization’s mission to advance outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan.
“ODC is excited to collaborate with such a long-standing partner as Grand Haven Area Public Schools,” Williams said. “Together we can provide incredible early childhood learning opportunities with a world-class nature-based approach.”
Williams added that by fostering a love for nature in children and offering innovative learning opportunities, the center will serve as a hub for education, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.
According to John Vincent, ODC’s Chief of Early Childhood Education, the nature-based approach to early childhood education offers significant developmental benefits, including fostering cognitive, social-emotional, and physical growth. “Regular engagement with nature can also improve concentration, problem-solving skills, creativity, and cooperation,” he said.
“The ODC’s nature-based approach to early childhood education supports comprehensive development,” Vincent added. “It prepares children to become well-rounded individuals equipped with the skills, creativity, and respect for nature that are essential for thriving in an increasingly complex world.”
The center is now enrolling three-year-olds through the GHAPS Preschool Development Program (PDP), four-year-olds through the district’s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), and five-year-olds entering its Young Fives program. Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) spots are also available.
Those interested in enrolling can visit www.GHAPS.org/enroll to get started.
ODC Network:
ODC Network (ODC) is a registered 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan. Since its founding in 2000, ODC has connected more than 1.3 million people to nature through hands-on, outdoor learning experiences. ODC operates four nature-based early childhood centers, serving nearly 400 young learners annually, and is committed to creating meaningful learning opportunities through early childhood education, K-12 school partnerships, and community engagement. ODC has preserved over 800 acres of natural habitat and is dedicated to fostering a better community by connecting people, land, and nature.
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