Nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies and outdoors groups are reminded the Department of Natural Resources' Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center, located on the northern shores of Higgins Lake, is available at select times starting in July through September for event bookings.

The RAM Center, as it is known, can accommodate environmental and conservation education groups, government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, community service clubs, groups of persons with disabilities or any group with a natural resources or conservation focus.

The conference center offers meeting space for groups ranging from 10 to 135, along with overnight accommodations in six lodges that house guests in comfortable twin-bed rooms. Meals are served in the center's dining hall, and in the warmer months cookouts often are held on the shores of Higgins Lake. Meeting rooms are equipped with multi-media projectors, VCRs, large screens, slide and overhead projectors, and the entire conference center has wireless Internet service available for a small daily or weekly fee.

Dates open for bookings are:

• July 1-3 with available lodging for up to 100 guests
• July 6-12 with available lodging for up to 135 guests
• July 17-19 with available lodging for up to 100 guests
• Aug. 2-5 with available lodging for up to 135 guests
• Aug. 8-12 with available lodging for up to 100 guests
• Aug. 16-19 with available lodging for up to 135 guests
• Aug. 21-26 with available lodging for up to 75 guests
• Sept. 4-8 with available lodging for up to 75 guests

Additional dates are available for smaller groups. Also, the RAM Center is not impacted by the six state employee furlough days this summer.

Costs per person range from $75.50 to $86.50 per person. Rate includes lodging, three meals, full use of the facility and more. Interested parties should contact the RAM Center at (989) 821-6200 for more information. The RAM Center is conveniently located in central Michigan, just 1.5 miles east of US-127 or five miles west of I-75.