Join a naturalist and an art instructor from Silverwood Park and explore a new artmaking activity inspired by nature on the front patio of the French Park visitor center. Take an up-close look at nature artifacts and learn to use tools like binoculars, hand lenses and field guides to observe the wild world around. All ages welcome. Free.

Celebrate National Moth week. Meet live caterpillars, learn what makes them unique and leave with a new appreciation of North America's biggest moth.Drop in anytime. Free.

Stop by to visit with monarchs; there might be eggs, caterpillars, a chrysalis, or adult butterflies to see. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of the monarch butterfly and how it migrates to Mexico for the winter. All ages welcome. Free.

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.

Get your family out on the water with instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School. We will help you improve your paddle strokes to be more effective and efficient while having fun and making safe paddling decisions. Enjoy learning and exploring the lake together. Each person must register and pay. $12/person.

Rooted in the history of the logging era in the Midwest, log rolling is both safe and fun. Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors to learn this exciting sport! Test your new skills while “competing” against other participants. No previous experience is needed. $6/person.

Explore the trails, meet new friends, and experience the whole-body benefits that Nordic pole hiking provides while exercising in nature. Outdoor Recreation School instructors educate on the Nordic walking technique and lead a weekly pole hike. Explore a mix of paved and unpaved trails in French Regional Park, Fish Lake Regional Park and Baker Park Reserve. Please wear sturdy shoes or light hiking boots for hilly terrain and potentially muddy ground. $48/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.

Explore the natural world and what is happening outdoors at the park. Explore plants and how they connect the sun's energy to food webs. Then, use light sensitive paper, plant materials, and pH to create dreamlike plant prints with cyanotype. One registration includes art materials for two projects. One family can register multiple times for more materials. $16/group max 4 people. 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.

The Jon Sullivan Band is a dynamic group of Minneapolis musicians driven by powerhouse singer Jon Sullivan and a very talented 5-piece band that transmits their music through the flavors of funk, blues, soul and rock. Performances for this series are held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m.–8 p.m. outside the French Regional Park visitor center. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and others to enjoy it with! In the event of inclement weather, the decision may be made to move concerts inside to the Oakwood Reservation Room. A food truck will be on site during the performance.

Join us for an unforgettable concert with the Pan-Handlers, who have been captivating audiences for years with their vibrant Caribbean sound and diverse repertoire, including traditional steel pan tunes, The Beatles, Guns N' Roses and Prince. Experience the sweet, lively sound of steel drums, which evolved from old oil barrels to the beautiful instruments we love today. Come and feel the rhythm only these instruments can create. Performances for this series are held on Thursday evenings outside the French Visitor Center. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair and others to enjoy it with! In the event of inclement weather, concerts may be moved inside to the Oakwood Room. A food truck will be on-site during the performance. All ages welcome. Free.

The JazzLove Trio connects audiences with an uplifting blend of jazz, classic rock and Motown favorites. From upbeat love songs to sweet ballads, performances weave in little-known stories about the composers to create a lively, heartfelt celebration of music. With decades of experience on keyboard, vocals and saxophone, the trio brings warmth and artistry. Performances for this series are held on Thursday evenings outside the French Visitor Center. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair and others to enjoy it with! In the event of inclement weather, concerts may be moved inside to the Oakwood Room. A food truck will be on-site during the performance. All ages welcome. Free.

The Jolly Pops are a children's music and entertainment group. The band was built around dads who love to play music for kids. Their presentation involves music, movement and fun learning through experience. They have puppet friends in tow who often get in on the fun. Performances for this series are held on Thursday evenings outside the French Regional Park visitor center. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair and others to enjoy it with! In the event of inclement weather, the decision may be to move concerts inside to the Oakwood Reservation Room. A food truck will be on site during the performance.

Explore the fascinating world of Minnesota’s turtles through both science and art. Learn how these remarkable reptiles are adapted to thrive in a variety of habitats and why they are important to healthy ecosystems. Discover the unique features and behaviors of several turtle species found throughout Minnesota. Then, create your own turtle-inspired mosaic artwork using colorful patterns and designs. $8/person.

Stay active and explore the Park District with an Outdoor Recreation School instructor and others who enjoy hiking. We’ll check out a different trail each week, learn a little about navigating trails, Leave No Trace hiking and get to know each other while we hike. Expect variable trail conditions. Locations subject to change; an updated schedule will be provided to registered participants. $95/person.