Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors for a beautiful spring evening on the water. Listen to the sounds of the birds and absorb the colors of the setting sun. We will do a brief review of paddle strokes before heading out on the lake, but we recommend participants have some canoeing experience for this program. Equipment provided.

Explore some of the best activities in the parks with the Outdoor Recreation School. Try stand-up paddleboarding, archery, log rolling, geocaching, canoeing and more. Enjoy new adventures while making new friends. Equipment provided.

Bring your date or best friend for an evening of play. Spend a memorable evening together as you learn to slackline with Outdoor Recreation School instructors in a relaxed and supportive setting. Team up with your date and support each other in building your skills and balance. No experience needed, just bring your sense of adventure! Registration is per person.

In Extreme Fishing Camp, participants will learn to fish different bodies of water in search of various species like: panfish, bass, northern pike, walleye, catfish, redhorse sucker and more! Try different techniques and hone skills while learning from experienced Outdoor Recreation School instructors and professionals in the fishing industry. Try angling from a watercraft and from a riverbank. Equipment provided. Each day, campers will meet at one of four parks: French Regional Park, Fish Lake Regional Park, Silverwood Park and Mississippi Gateway Regional Park. Parents are responsible for drop-off and pick-up on each day of camp at one of the locations listed above. These locations will be communicated in the pre-camp email. Transportation to specific fishing locations will be provided by Outdoor Recreation School staff during camp hours.

Join a naturalist for a walk along the trails. Observe seasonal changes happening across the habitats and landscapes. Bring binoculars if you have them or some will be available to borrow at the park. Drop-ins welcome. Hike departs shortly after 2 p.m. from in front of the visitor center.

Spend four active days exploring the park and crafting unique and useful projects from natural materials responsibly gathered along the way. Campers will learn how to safely cut and carve using hand tools like knives and handsaws, and experiment with different processes including weaving with natural fibers and colors.

Experience the whole-body benefits that pole hiking provides while also experiencing the social benefits of the club. Outdoor Recreation School instructors provide direction about Nordic walking and lead a weekly hike. Explore trails, meet new friends and feel the health benefits of exercising in nature. Most of the hikes will be on unpaved dirt trails. Park locations will vary each week of club. You will be emailed a schedule from your Lead Instructor prior to the first week of club. $60/person.

Summer camp for adults? Yes! Explore different parks and activities under the guidance of skilled instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School. Be part of a community focused on health and wellness in nature. Activities include canoeing, log rolling, disc golf, archery, stand-up paddleboarding and more! Park locations will vary each week of club. You will be emailed a schedule from your Lead Instructor prior to the first week of club. $120/person.

Learn what makes insects so unique in the animal world and then grab a net and go on an insect hunt. We will study these animals up close and then release them back into the wild. All ages welcome. $6/person.

Explore the natural world and what is happening outdoors at the park. Learn about flowers and spring ephemerals in Minnesota. Then, try your hand at using a punch needle to create your own fiber embroidered floral design. $8/person. Ages: 7–12 plus adult.

Join art instructors from Silverwood Park at French Regional Park for three mornings to explore the creative arts and natural world. Cozy up for a story or song, observe the wild surroundings and create an art project inspired by your discoveries. $66 per person. Ages 2-5 with an adult, siblings under age 2 are free but must register.

Join Silverwood Park art instructors at French Regional Park for a quarterly program exploring the creative arts and natural world. Cozy up for a story or song, observe the wild surroundings and create an art project inspired by your discoveries. $6/person Ages: 2-6 plus adult, under age 2 free but must register.

Learn map and compass skills from the experts with the Minnesota Orienteering Club through classroom instruction, skill stations geared for beginners, guided practice courses, and an official “sprint” course with electronic punching. Equipment provided. Beginners can arrive for either Noon or 1 p.m. classroom sessions. Participants with previous orienteering experience, who are not interested in attending a classroom session, may arrive between 12:15-2 p.m. to run the courses. Courses close at 3 p.m. Preregistration at a rate of $13/person is encouraged. Day-of registration is also available at a rate of $18/person.

Celebrate the longest day of the year by getting out on the water! Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School to enjoy an evening of canoeing on Medicine Lake. We will do a brief review of paddle strokes before heading out on the lake. We recommend participants have some previous canoeing experience for this program. $12/person.

Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors for a stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) lesson designed to build skills, confidence and community. Learn the fundamentals of SUP including equipment basics, essential paddle strokes and how to navigate safely in changing conditions. Practice paddling in a variety of positions—laying, sitting, kneeling and standing—and gain confidence getting on and off your board in the water. Whether you’re brand new to paddleboarding or looking to refine your skills in a supportive, women-focused environment, this session is designed to meet you where you’re at. Come as you are and leave feeling strong, balanced and empowered on the water. $35/person.

Go on a geocaching adventure and celebrate the Big Year of Rivers with the Outdoor Recreation School. Learn how to use a GPS unit and explore the park to find geocaches full of river-themed trivia and fun prizes. No previous experience is needed. $6/person.

Voices in Fishing series, hosted by the Outdoor Recreation School, provides a platform for anglers from various communities. Each session will be held in the cozy Oakwood Room at the French Visitor Center, with a fire crackling to spark your interest in spring fishing opportunities and happenings. This week, Melissa Wagner from Women Anglers of Minnesota will share about chasing fish in the southeast corner of our region, known as the “Driftless Area.” Her presentation will cover some background information on the unique geography and sport, suggestions on techniques and gear and delve into how you can take the next steps to chase stream trout this spring. This is a free program directed to ages 10 and older, though all ages are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is preferred, but day-of drop-ins are also welcome to join. Participants ages 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult.