Get ready for an unforgettable science adventure! Hunt for insects like an entomologist, spot wild birds and meet Richardson’s resident raptors like an ornithologist, and explore the colors, shapes and textures of plants like a botanist. Get hands-on with reptiles and amphibians like a herpetologist, and uncover the secret lives of mammals through tracks and clues like a mammologist. At the end of the week, showcase your discoveries at our very own research symposium.

Embark on an exciting journey into the world of science! Track down insects like an entomologist, spot wild birds and meet Richardson’s resident raptors like an ornithologist and dive into the world of plants like a botanist. Handle reptiles and amphibians up close like a herpetologist, and uncover the hidden lives of mammals by following tracks and clues like a mammologist. Then hop into a canoe and explore the pond like a real ecologist, observing the entire ecosystem from the water. At the end of the week, showcase your discoveries at our very own research symposium.

Experience the magic of tallgrass prairies and insects at this all-ages event! Pack up dinner and a blanket to enjoy a picnic in the prairie while listening to live folk and bluegrass music by The May North. Venture into the grasses with sweep nets and bug-catching jars, make a prairie-inspired craft, meet live animals and learn about the captivating world of monarch migration. All ages welcome. Free.

Learn about nature at your own pace through free, hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required.

Learn about nature at your own pace through free, hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. All ages welcome. Free.

Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.

Experience the joy of summer camp and spending family time together in nature. Learn all about the animals that call Minnesota home. Hike the trails to search for animal homes, hideouts and clues they have left behind. Get up close, touch and help feed the animal ambassadors living at Richardson Nature Center. $36/person.

Experience the joy of summer camp and spending family time together in nature. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring the park and learning wilderness skills. Discover wild edibles, try building a campfire, roast a hot dog, create a campfire dessert and paddle a canoe at dusk. $40/person.

Enjoy paddling a canoe with your family and friends around a nature center pond. While exploring on the water, look for turtles, birds, insects and other wildlife. This program will cover the basics of paddling a canoe (safety, parts of a canoe, entering and exiting, and paddling strokes). We will focus on wildlife viewing and not on advanced canoeing skills. One adult participant is required in each canoe. $10/person.

Uff-da! From loon calls to Paul Bunyan, discover what makes Minnesota so Minnesotan. Make your own muddy “hotdish”, look for the state insect in the prairie, and explore state symbols and folklore through song, art and outdoor discovery.

Venture into the prairie in search of monarch butterflies preparing for their incredible 2,000 mile journey to Mexico. Learn how these remarkable insects are tagged for research and observe them in various stages of their life cycle. Try your hand at finding and catching a monarch or other prairie insects using a net. This program includes a hike along rolling, woodchipped trails. All ages welcome. $6/person.

Get muddy and messy through crafts and outdoor adventures! Jump in puddles, catch and release pond critters, and play in a "mud kitchen" using natural materials to make mud pies and other creative concoctions. Hunt for slimy slugs and slippery worms in the forest. Catch interesting insects in a tallgrass prairie, and meet captive reptiles and amphibians. Ready to get your hands dirty?

Discover the natural world with your preschooler through free play, a craft and a naturalist-led hike. Explore how the plants and animals in the park are getting ready for winter. This program is primarily outdoors. This program is designed for ages 2-6 and an accompanying adult. Both adult and child must register and pay. $6/person.

Discover the beauty of the natural world with your preschooler through free play, a craft and a naturalist led hike. Learn which flowers are blooming, where we can see them and which animals need them most. $6/person. Ages: 2-6 plus adult.

Discover the mystery of the monarch butterfly and its migration. Catch and tag monarchs before they fly to Mexico. Search the prairie for insects and make fun monarch crafts. Designed for children who have not completed kindergarten. $34/person. Siblings welcome with registration.

Get ready for a playful adventure with your child to learn about animals with paws and claws. Discover what makes them unique through stories, crafts and free play. Explore different habitats in search of animal tracks and homes, and maybe even see a few furry surprises along the way! Designed for children who have not completed kindergarten. $34/person. Siblings welcome with registration.

Learn alongside your preschooler through imaginative play, nature artifacts and movement. Then, watch a silly puppet show! Try a self-guided nature activity after the show. $5/person. Ages 2-6 plus adult.

Did you know that Minnesota is home to hundreds of moth species? Discover what makes these winged insects so unique and learn the important role they play in our ecosystem. Enjoy an evening hike through the forest and prairie, then see what moths and other late-night critters are attracted to a “light tent”. The hike will be moderately paced along rolling turf and non-paved trails. All ages welcome. $6/person.

Join naturalists to take in the symphony of sounds and sights of late summer. Listen for crickets, frogs, owls and other nighttime wildlife. Learn why animals call at night and how tiny insects make big sounds. The hike will be moderately paced along rolling turf and woodchip trails. All ages welcome. $6/person.

Get ready for a playful adventure to learn about animals with paws and claws. Discover what makes them unique through stories, crafts and free play. Explore different habitats in search of animal tracks and homes, and maybe even see a few furry surprises along the way!

Drop off your preschooler to discover the natural world through art, songs, play, live animals, hikes and more. Enjoy a snack brought from home and listen to nature stories. Each session is taught in English with an introduction to the Spanish language. $51/6 sessions.

This collaborative camp brings together naturalists from Richardson Nature Center and the University of Minnesota Raptor Center. Richardson Nature Center hosts the first day of camp. Activities include meeting resident raptor ambassadors, discovering their natural history and behaviors, learning the requirements to care for and train birds in captivity, and exploring habitats to search for wild birds. The second day includes a field trip to The Raptor Center. Campers will learn how the veterinary clinic rehabilitates and cares for injured birds and will get a behind the scenes tour of The Raptor Center’s education department to see many different species of raptors up close. Bus transportation to and from The Raptor Center will be provided.

Use nets, trowels and jars to catch and observe the critters that crawl, hop and fly. Discover insects, arachnids and other amazing arthropods found in the park. Play games, make bug-themed art and meet animal ambassadors with a connection to bugs.