Ernie Miller Nature Center was the first Nature Center in Johnson County Kansas(suburb of Kansas City). The facility provides an opportunity for every one in the family to learn and understanding nature's ever-changing ways. They offer cultural, historical, and environmental education programming through the Johnson County Park and Recreation program.
Most of the activities are age focused. There is a 150 seat amphitheater for family programs on Friday night. The program starts about 8:30 and lasts for an hour. The cost is about $1.50 a person (it was less than $2 a person). The program varys with presentation from storytellers to the one entitled "Things that go jump in the night" which was on frogs and toads.
Some of the programs are focused towards the kids earning their scouting badges. They can take sessions in archery, map & compass, wildlife web or the birds of prey. I liked the live snake program the best. The guide showed the different between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, especially those locally in Kansas and Missouri.
We have always enjoyed the nature walks. For small groups, you can get a guided tour that lasts about 45 minutes. The tour guides are great. They have shown us aspects of nature that we would not have recognized on our own. It was well worth the small fee for the guide. The "animal clues" session was really fun, where our guide showed us how to identify tracks and other animal signs. We then had to walk like an animal.
The programs vary based on the time of the year, but inside activities are available during the winter months. Check it out as the programs are well worth the time!