Andrea Grix Says Goodbye After 24 Years

Andrea Grix

After twenty-four years of service to Kettunen Center, Andrea Grix said goodbye. She has relocated to Beulah with her husband and former Kettunen Center director, John Grix. Andrea served as Kettunen Center’s Educational Program Manager since 1988.

During her tenure Andrea initiated, developed, and grown a vast array of educational program offerings that have impacted many youth and families over the years. She started the 4-H Trackers outdoor environmental education program that has provided area schools with meaningful opportunity to bring science to life at Kett. The TREE program has fostered group work and team-building for young and old throughout the year. Andrea initiated a number of Road Scholar programs at the center that have benefited visitors from all over the country.

Many community programs were developed through Andrea’s efforts. The Family Day Programs hosted at Kettunen Center throughout the year give local families a chance to be together and enjoy the outdoor environment Kettunen offers. While Andrea did not start it, she developed the center’s annual Breakfast with Santa event to serve nearly 1000 people each year. The summer’s Art Camp has provided a unique week of camp to youth from all over the region.

Andrea’s service has not been limited to Kettunen Center. Her statewide activities have included coordinating MSU Extension’s Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council; participating in the 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp each summer; serving with the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE); leading local 4-H clubs; and many other endeavors.

The Kettunen Center facility has also benefited from Andrea’s dedication. She coordinated re-development of the arboretum, the various gardens, the trail system, and waterfront. It’s been a common sight to see Andrea working with volunteers in the gardens, lifeguarding at the beach, or guiding folks along the trails. She’s been a leader, facilitator, and worker in enhancing the beauty and enjoyment of Kettunen Center.

Kettunen Center has become a better place because of Andrea’s passion, dedication, hard work and leadership. She’ll be very much missed but her touch and work will always be present for future visitors and program participants.

Thank you, Andrea!

Save the Date for our Summer Events

Summer Family Water Fest - June 9

Start your summer with a family fishing trip to Kettunen Center. Saturday June 9th, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., join the Summer Family Water Fest to enjoy shoreline and pontoon boat fishing on Center Lake. Basic fishing skills will be taught with a prize for the largest fish caught. Center Lake is great habitat for Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and this year the Michigan Department of Natural Resources fish-stocked the lake with Rainbow Trout. Enjoy paddling a kayak or canoe and watch Common Loons diving for fish and Great Blue Herons hunting for frogs. Basic boating instruction provided. Other Summer Family Water Fest activities include watercolor art, and water team games. The cost of the event is $4.00 per person or “fill the boat” with five or more family members and only pay $3.00 a person.

Registration deadline June 7th. To register call Kettunen Center at (231)829-3421. Funding for the event is provided by the Osceola County Community Foundation.

Learning Science Through the Arts Camp - July 8-11

Kettunen Center has a summer camp for kids, 9-14 years old from July 8-11, 2012!  It is the 20th year for the Learning Science through the Arts Youth Camp. This year the camp will focus on Games around the World: Our window into other cultures! Campers will learn games, songs, dances, art, sports, traditions and culture of people that live in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. Different cultural food preferences and lifestyle practices will be explored through hands-on geography and science activities. Campers will also enjoy fishing, swimming and boating on Center Lake, disc golf, campfires and much more.

Registration deadline July 1st. To register, visit Kettunen Center online at  www.kettunencenter.org for a camp brochure and registration form or call Kettunen Center at (231)829-3421.

Camp scholarships funded by Mecosta-Osceola United Way are available for local families.

5K Green Trail Run/Walk - Aug. 11

If you enjoy a challenge Kettunen Center is hosting the 2nd annual 5K Green Trail Run/Walk event, August 11, 2012. The course is not your average 5K. We have it all- hills, flats, woods, lakeshore and fields! We will have medals for the top three in each age group and a trophy for overall fastest male and female runner, plus Masters Runner. T-shirts will be given to the first 50 registrants. Start time is 9:00am. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The race begins at 9 a.m.

Cost is $15 before Aug. 8 and $20 day of the race. To register visit Kettunen Center at, www.kettunencenter.org for the registration form or call (231)829-3421.

It's not too late! Register now for Learning Science Through the Arts Camp 2010

Power Up! Blast Into Action with Rockets & Dance!
July 11-14 (Register by July 5, 2010)
$140/person
DEADLINE APPROACHING FAST!

The Kettunen Center will be holding their annual Learning Science Through the Arts Camp on July 11th -14th.

The theme for this years camp is "Power Up! Blast Into Action with Rockets and Dance!" The camp will include fun things such as: moving it with mime, zumba, dance and yoga, blasting off with homemade rockets, exploring with a magnetic energy compass, building a high powered catapult, creating energy-inspired art plus all the really fun "campy" things like: hiking, swimming, camp fires, s’mores, friends and more.

JUST ADDED: Campers will be able tackle the 32' climbing wall "The MAX."

Camp brochures can be downloaded from our website or e-mail Kama Ross and she will get one right out to you.

LSA Camp is for:
♦ Boys and girls ages 9-14
♦ 4-H Members and non 4-H Members

*Scholarships may be available. 4-H members should contact their county MSU Extension office. Campers who are not 4-H members should contact Kama Ross at Kettunen Center for more information.