Join us for the opening reception of In the Sky by Kim Wetzel on Thursday, September 10 from 6–8 p.m. The exhibition is on view August 13–September 30. Drop in anytime. All ages welcome. Free.

Celebrate autumn as part of our 50+ Adventures! Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors to learn the basics of archery and elements of safety. Practice fundamental skills, participate in fun challenges and enjoy the thrill of hitting the target. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned archer, come enjoy an archery experience with a seasonal twist. $12/person.

Spend a beautiful fall morning canoeing and enjoy the colorful foliage with instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School. Prior canoeing experience is recommended. There will be a brief review of equipment, paddle strokes and safety prior to our touring the lake. $12/person.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School for a beautiful summer evening on the water. Enjoy canoeing across a scenic lake while taking in the colors of sunset. 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. $12/person.

How slow can you go? September is full of activity in the natural world. You can't take a step without noticing something new; at least that's the goal of this walk! How much can we find in a short distance Participants can choose from a wide range of tools such as nets, binoculars, magnifying glasses, field guides and more as we head out on an adventure short in length but rich in discovery. All the mushrooms, insects, birds, plants, etc. will be documented for citizen science. All ages welcome. Free.

Join staff from Mississippi Gateway Regional Park and the Outdoor Recreation School to try two very modifiable activities. You will get to experience the accessible features at Mississippi Gateway while fishing in the Mississippi River and practicing archery. Participants under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Trained staff and volunteers will lead instruction and modify the program for needs. A family, friend or PCA is encouraged to be present at the program to assist with transfers, communication or other personal needs if necessary. $15/person.

Enjoy the sport of mountain biking with the Outdoor Recreation School on an adapted three-wheeled mountain bike. We will ride on an accessible singletrack trail when it is open and a paved trail when the singletrack trail is closed. This program is entirely outdoors. All equipment will be provided; six adapted bikes available to choose from. Please bring a personal bike helmet, eye protection and gloves if you have them. If not, we will provide them. Reservations required. Participants ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Trained staff and volunteers will accompany riders each session on the trail. A family, friend or PCA is encouraged to be present at the start and end of the program to assist with transfers, communication or other personal needs. $30/three sessions.

Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School while experiencing the thrill of riding a modified handcycle mountain bike on park trails. This is a beginner program that may take place on paved trails and grassy areas with small log or rock type features. Bikes are provided for the program. Participants will need to wear a helmet during the program and are encouraged to also bring personal helmet, eye protection and hand protection. If participants do not have access to these items, they will be provided for use during the class. Participants are also encouraged to bring along a family member or friend to accompany them on foot while they bike and for personal needs. $15/person.

This program is designed to build upon skills learned in Get Golf Ready 1 or for the golfer with some experience who wants to improve their fundamentals and basic golf skills. Lessons cover irons, driving, pitching, chipping and putting. Completion prepares participants for leagues, recreational play, and private lessons. Bring clubs if you have them, otherwise golf clubs, balls and other equipment are provided. $150/five lessons.

This program is for adults entering the game of golf with little or no experience. Learn everything you need to play golf in just a few lessons. PGA and LPGA professionals show you lots of ways to play by combining fun, friends and fitness. Each session focuses on the various golf skills you use while playing. In addition to learning the basics, you are guided onto the golf course to put your skills into action in a casual, friendly setting. $150/five lessons.      What to bring: Just yourself and a desire to have fun. Bring clubs if you have them, otherwise golf clubs, balls and other equipment are provided.

This welcoming program is designed for adults who are brand new to the game or have very little golf experience. In just five lessons, you’ll learn everything you need to start playing golf confidently and comfortably. Each session introduces the basic skills used on the course—such as grip, stance, swing, chipping and putting. Instruction is friendly, supportive and focused on helping you enjoy the game while connecting with others. The atmosphere is casual and fun, making it easy to learn at your own pace and meet fellow beginners. All you need to bring is a desire to have fun. If you already own golf clubs, feel free to bring them, otherwise, clubs, balls and all other necessary equipment will be provided. $150/five lessons.

Take Your Golf Skills to the Next Level. Designed for golfers looking to build on their foundation, Get Golf Ready 2 focuses on refining your technique and enhancing your overall game. This program dives deeper into key aspects of golf to help you feel more confident and capable on the course. Master uneven lies by learning how to adjust and succeed in challenging terrain. Develop strategies to navigate the course efficiently and make smarter decisions during play. Improve your chipping, pitching and putting to lower your scores. This program is ideal for those who have completed Get Golf Ready 1 or have some prior golf experience. You'll be prepared to handle more advanced challenges while enjoying the game even more. $150/five lessons.

This program is designed for adults who have completed Get Golf Ready 1 or for those with some prior golf experience looking to improve their game. Each of the five lessons focuses on refining core golf skills while incorporating important elements such as golf etiquette, basic USGA rules, effective drills, and swing instruction. Participants will receive focused guidance on irons, driving, pitching, chipping, and putting, helping to build consistency and confidence across all areas of the game. By the end of the program, golfers will feel well-prepared to join leagues, take private lessons, or participate in supervised practice sessions. Just bring yourself and a desire to have fun. If you have clubs, feel free to bring them, otherwise, all necessary equipment including golf clubs and balls will be provided. $150/five lessons. No credit or refunds for missed classes. Classes that are cancelled due to weather will be rescheduled.

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.

Use an old-fashioned cider press to make apple cider and taste the finished product. Learn about pollinators, flowers and fruits on an autumn nature walk. Reservations required. Everyone attending this program must register and pay. All ages welcome. $6/person.

Become a nature observer and get to know some of the many organisms living near the Crow River while taking part in a bioblitz. Join an early morning bird survey from 7:30–9:30 a.m. or attend the official event starting at noon. Throughout your visit, find and photograph plants, insects and other organisms, then visit an expert station for assistance identifying what you’ve discovered. Choose from activities that start on the half-hour, such as sessions with animal ambassadors, live presentations on local flora and fauna and guided van tours through the restored prairie. Have fun while you learn! All ages welcome. Free.

Calling all adventurous kids! Explore, play, create and enjoy some of your favorite camp activities at the end of the summer. Bring your sense of adventure. Extended care available for an additional $75; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

Join the animal characters of the Big Woods on a Halloween trail walk. Visit the bubbling cauldron, eat a bug and experience the Gross Out Grotto! Enjoy Halloween games, a green screen photo opportunity and make a treat at the fire. Earn treats and experience the candy cannon. Costumes encouraged and refreshments provided. Activities are ongoing from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., but your reservation time is your trail start time. $8/person.

Step down from the bank and into the water of rambling Rush Creek. Investigate sandbars, forest birds, puddle creatures and oxbow formations. Splash, climb, bend and leap as you explore the shallow water channel and its connection to the big river. Naturalists will lead this unique hiking experience with an eye toward water quality and wildlife. $6/person.

Have you ever wondered why the bike trails around Eastman have so many hills, while outside the park the trails are relatively flat? Join us as we bike the north loop of Elm Creek Park Reserve and explore how the glaciers of 10,000 years ago impact your biking experience today. We will take small rests at glacial features along the trail, but it will be a moderate intensity bike ride. $9/person.

Ride along the Crow River and explore the paths people have followed over time. Enjoy the scenic and historic river and the layers of stories while enjoying the ride. Discover how this little river has played some big roles in shaping our region. Stops include a brew pub to celebrate the Big Year of Rivers. (beer samples available for purchase). Participants must bring their own bike and helmet and be able to ride a 15-mile loop at a leisurely pace with stops. $15/person.

See wild songbirds safely trapped, studied and banded with numbered rings. Find out what scientists learn from these banded birds. All ages welcome. Free.

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.

Stay in a rustic log cabin with your family or friends. Try archery and other activities while exploring and relaxing on your own. Meals are cooked on your own at outdoor grill sites. Advice, firewood and cooking/eating utensils provided. Maximum one cabin per family (maximum eight people). $199/cabin.

Pie irons are a great way to cook and bake over the fire! One of the best things about pie iron cooking is that each person can customize the recipe to their taste. Don't like a particular ingredient? Don't add it! We have all new recipes for you to try. Make your next cookout amazing with tips and recipes your friends and family will love. Cook and eat tasty food during this wilderness feast. We will make several items, including mouthwatering cream cheese bars. Bring your family and friends for a unique and custom dining experience. $14 ages 16+; $10 ages 3-15; children under 3 free.

Powerful but little known, crayfish can make drastic changes to rivers and lakes. Catch crayfish in the river using nets to find out which ones live here. Learn how to handle these fascinating animals and discover their habits. Bring your own rubber boots or use ours. $6/person.

Create personal projects in clay through basic handbuilding methods. Learn pinch and coil building, slab construction techniques, and how to apply texture and surface decoration to your pieces. Designed for students at a beginner level who have not taken this class more than three times. This class is for handbuilding only and includes materials and firings. $150/six sessions.

Get fired up about the experimental and exhilarating process of raku! Raku is a fast alternative firing technique that comes from ancient Japanese traditions and produces a range of dramatic surfaces, from metallic luster to smoky crackle. During this two-part workshop, learn techniques for handbuilding unique ceramic objects, then the following week, learn how to prepare surfaces for the kiln and collaboratively fire the raku kiln. Quickly raise the kiln to peak temperature, remove the red-hot pots, and place them into combustible materials to create striking, unpredictable effects. No two pieces ever come out alike, making each firing a truly unique experience. No previous ceramics or raku experience required. $75/person.

A wellness offering for teachers, administrators and community care professionals looking for respite in a challenging time. Each session will include a short walk to immerse in nature and a wellness practice such as a meditation trail, solo sit, qigong practice, etc. Each session is a standalone offering, but participants can join as many sessions as they like. Scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays throughout the summer. Alternating morning and evening. Come rain or shine. Drop-ins are welcome. Free

Help us remove invasive buckthorn from the Lowry Nature Center trails. Begin with a presentation about how to identify and remove common buckthorn, then work as a team to cut buckthorn with gloves and tools. Participants will work at their own pace, but must be able to walk on uneven terrain with limited access to water or restroom facilities. All materials will be provided. Free. Registration required.

With a CSA share, you pay a one-time fee for weekly pickups from mid-June through mid-October (18 weeks). Shareholders select their own items every week at a market-style pick-up at the farm. Your pick-up day is the same each week; either Tuesdays from 3:30–6 p.m. or Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (one hour prior to the Saturday Market public opening). We don't offer partial shares, but you may split shares on your own.