Parent-Child Nature Lessons

I’m your host, Joanna, and for decades I’ve worked as a school psychologist and early interventionist.  When I  started dreaming about creating a vacation rental, I was dreaming about this part right here.  I’ve come to believe deeply in the huge importance of spending time outside. It’s important for  all children’s development and for the mental health of all humans.  I wanted to find a way to share that message, and sprinkle it throughout the guest experience.  Acorn Family Retreats is pleased to offer guided parent-child seasonal nature activities and crafts to our guests.  Acorn House is stocked with small kits/simple materials and ideas for ways to connect with your child in nature.  Our kits supplement activities from 1000hoursoutside.com.  They say it best on their site: 
​
"The entire purpose of 1000 Hours Outside is to attempt to match nature time with screen time. If kids can consume media through screens 1200 hours a year on average then the time is there and at least some of it can and should be shifted towards a more productive and healthy outcome!"

One of our dreams when creating Acorn House was to make a place that inspires families to get outside together. By offering you a chance to try out some of 1000hoursoutside activities and resources during your stay, we are hoping you’ll take some of those ideas back home with you and make them part of your family’s routines.
Applicable Partners

Conservation Minded

We did not take our decision to build on the shore of Lake Huron lightly. We feel the giant responsibility of caring for our tiny corner of this Great Lake. We continue to educate ourselves about how to be thoughtful stewards of the shore, the lake itself, the animals and plants that make their homes there. 
We are MSU Lakes Course graduates, members of Michigan Lake and Streams Association, business supporters of the Northern Michigan conservation agency, Huron Pines,  and founding members of ​Give Back Great Lakes ​
We are a long way from zero-waste but we are taking our first steps. We refill our laundry and cleaning products at Walking Lightly (WalkingLightly.net), a zero-waste refillery located in Ferndale, Mi. Walking Lightly  supplies us with locally made household products that we refill in reusable containers to help us move toward eliminating some of our single-use plastics.
Applicable Partners

The Acorn Family Is Proud

Here at Acorn Family Retreats, we are proud allies and members of the LGBTQ community.
When you stay with us, you may see pride magnets on our refrigerator and pride flags in our garden. These are not just tokens to us. They are beacons for those in the community to know that Acorn House is a safe and welcoming place to stay.  
If our support of our loved ones offends you, kindly find another place to stay.
May our own dear friends and family members who are part of the LGBTQ community find more and more places in this world where they feel safe to visit, work, and play. To join us in learning about ways you can pledge your support to the community, please visit upnorthpride.com/

Permanent Discounts For Educators

A message from your host, Joanna:
As a child, school was where I felt safe. Because of that, I want to thank educators.
As a school psychologist, I worked alongside some of the best people I have ever known. Because of that, I want to thank educators.
No matter where my career takes me, I will forever consider myself a proud & grateful member of the community of educators. We are in a time where many educators feel undervalued, taken advantage of, and burnt out.  As Acorn House opens its doors to guests, our vision is that educators will find their way here year after year, as a place where they can rest, heal, and re-connect with their families.  Acorn House is pleased to offer a permanent 20% off discount to all educators, with our thanks for the work you do.

Dogs Welcome

​Dog people are the best people! Ask us about our pet policies and pet perks. We believe that our dogs are part of our family and know they have loved being with us at the lake. Your dog is welcome to stay with you at Acorn House. The only thing we ask is that you send us pictures of them enjoying their stay!

Personalized Experiences

Celebrating something special? Share your wishlist and let us help you make your party planning easier. Looking for ways to soak up the season? We can help you locate local places for berry picking and river floating in the summer,  pumpkin patches, cider mills and supreme fall color hikes in the fall, snow shoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter.
Does your family have favorite hobbies or new ones you’d like to try? Let us guide you with information about beach yoga, local hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, lighthouse hunting, antiquing, birding, and more!
Tell us your dreams for your perfect getaway, and we’ll dive in and see what we can do to help make them come true.

    Let us keep you up to date!

    Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when we open new bookings. Get notified about discounts, last minute openings, and special events happening in the Tawas Area. We promise, we won’t bombard your inbox!  Expect communication around once a month
Copyright 2021 Acorn Family Retreats.  All Rights Reserved