The Friends of the Porkies is a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of all users of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The Park has a breathtaking 60,000 acres of natural beauty located in Ontonagon County in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. A drive from Ontonagon along the shoreline of Lake Superior for about 20 minutes will bring you to the “Porkies.”

The Port of Ludington Maritime Museum brings history to life with digital storytelling, authentic images and artifacts, and engaging interactive exhibits that entertain, enlighten, and inspire a deeper appreciation for the region’s maritime history. Located in the former U.S. Coast Guard Station, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this family-friendly, three-story museum overlooks Lake Michigan’s wild shoreline, Ludington’s iconic North Pier Light, and the historic car ferry Badger, extending the maritime experience beyond its doors in this vacation wonderland. The museum is operated by the Mason County Historical Society, which also operates the nearby Historic White Pine Village.

The Potter Center at Jackson College is comprised of the most versatile and complete performing arts complex in the area. Viewed separately, each of the three theatres is well designed, constructed and equipped. Viewed as an entire arts complex, the educational and entertainment possibilities are limitless.

Potter Park Zoo offers a variety of programs for school groups and teachers. From guided tours to classroom presentation, each of our programs can be tailored to suit your needs.

Raven Hill Discovery Center is the only place in northern Lower Michigan where children and adults can link science, history & the arts with hands-on activities and explorations both indoors and outdoors. Connections emerge through classes, exhibits and facilities that provide opportunities for all ages to learn, create, grow and play.

The Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium is a hands on museum that offers field trips that help cultivate student's history, social studies, and science skills. At the museum and planetarium numerous programs are offered to help meet varying teacher's educational goals. Programs at the museum vary from If I Could Build a City to Michigan Fever, and to Flint Drummer Boy and the Civil War. Programs at the planetarium include Galactic Goo to Build Your Own Ecosystem, and even an Ice Cream program. See webpage for specific details on these and many more.

The University of Michigan Exhibit Museum offers an array of guided tours that include Dancing with the Dinosaurs, Prehistoric Explorers, Prehistoric Life, Rocks and Fossils, Behind the Scenes: Mammals, and Michigan Ecology. The Museum also offers theme based days called Learn It! Do It! Days. These are on specific dates and subjects include Dinosaurs, Wild Weather, Michigan Wildlife and Ecology, Bitterly Festival, along with others. The Planetarium is also open and offers a variety of topics and programs.

Hands-on fun formal or informal visits. Jim is willing to work with any teacher on a host of topics which can be taught through the museum’s exhibits.School groups are also welcome to have informal visits to the museum for self discovery.

Woldumar's one- and two-hour Field Study programs engage students in educational activities, interactive lessons and interpretive hikes designed to help teachers meet their learning objectives. Using inquiry-based strategies and the outdoors as our classroom, classes explore our ecologically diverse 180 acres and learn about plants, animals, history, and habitats.