March 15-16-17 2024
3rd weekend in March
Fri. Mar 15 10am-7pm | Sat. Mar 16 10am-6pm | Sun. Mar 17 11am-5pm
Keeley Park
200 W Ganson St
Jackson MI 49202
Map link to Jackson County Fairgrounds (Keeley Park)
Show Chair: Sally Hoskin
showchair@mgmsrockclub.com
2023 Show Dealer List
(--- 2024 dealer info coming soon ---)
More About Our Club
What Does it Mean to be a Member of MGMS?
Membership privileges include eligibility to participate in all club activities. Non-club members and the general public may attend our annual gem and mineral show which is held the third weekend in March each year. Other privileges include:
- Subscription to the MGMS newsletter
- Participation in field trips
- Participation in silent auctions, raffles and drawings at Club events
- Participation in the Handicrafters special meetings (for members who like to make stuff, or want to learn)
- Board Member Elections
- Participation in meetings, summer potlucks, & annual Christmas Party
- Free lunch and t-shirt for annual show volunteers
The best part of being a member is hanging out with your fellow rockhounds and fossil collectors! We are always learning from one another. Our club is a diverse group with everyone from novice collectors to experienced experts. We learn from one another, have a great time on the field trips, and of course planning and participating in our annual show is a blast!
The Michigan Gem and Mineral Society (MGMS) is a chartered non-Profit 501c3 organization, which held its first meeting on March 4, 1954. It is a gathering of like-minded rock, mineral and fossil enthusiasts who come together to share their common interest and make new friends and share their stories.
During the year MGMS goes on several field trips to different locations in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. These are different opportunities to have fellowship and collect new specimens of rocks, minerals and fossils to add to your collection – or to begin a new collection! These field trips are announced in the newsletter, via email, and at the meetings.
View meetings and field trips on the club calendar, or contact the field trip chair for details (members only).
If you wish to join MGMS, there is a modest yearly fee of only $15.00 per adult (17 years and older) or $20.00 per family. A family is considered to be all members living under the same roof. What a bargain! Yearly membership fees are payable – and due – on March 25th of each year.
Click here for the Membership Application
MEETING TIMES AND LOCATIONS:
MGMS meetings are held on the SECOND SATURDAY of each month at 1:00 pm at the Jackson District Library - Carnegie Branch (downtown) 244 W Michigan Ave, Jackson, MI 49201 (December meeting is informal/holiday potluck; location TBD)
In the summer months of June and July, the meetings are a potluck with various activities (see below). Each month’s location will be announced in the newsletter, via email and on this web site. NO MEETINGS IN AUGUST.
MGMS Calendar -- Upcoming Events
JULY 13-14, 2023 --- LEARNING FAIR
Activities for kids -- Attaching google-eyes to make a pet rock, Sifting sand to find rocks, gems, shells, fossils
Northwest Elementary School, 3757 Lansing Avenue, Thursday 7/13 12-7, Friday 7/14 10-5
JULY 22, 2023 --- MGMS POTLUCK (Saturday)
Our Pot Luck was held at John and Emily Minar's home.
MGMS Education Scholarships for Students
The Michigan Gem and Mineral Society is dedicated to furthering the education of our youth. We would like to award from one to three scholarships ($1000.00 each) to graduating seniors from Jackson County (and/or bordering counties) High Schools. The scholarships are for study in the areas of Earth Sciences, Lapidary Arts, and related areas. Membership in the MGMS is encouraged but not required.
*** The application MUST be POSTMARKED by February 20th ***
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MGMS Show Scholarship for Educators
The Educator Scholarship Fund is a gift for any teacher in the Jackson, Michigan County schools (or bordering counties).
This scholarship will be applied to either admission of students and chaperones or transportation to our Annual Gem and Mineral Show held the third weekend in March. The student visitation day will be on Friday.
Applications must be postmarked by February 20th. The Scholarship Committee will decide the award
recipients. There will be three scholarships awarded to teachers.
Notification to the winning recipients will be emailed.
Mail Application to:
MGMS
Attn: Scholarship Committee
PO Box 633
Michigan Center, MI 49254
