Join us for this two-part program. Read the book "This Tender Land" and hear local author, William Kent Krueger, speak about the book. In the first session, Three Rivers staff will present the historical and ecological context to the book. The second session will include a short, small-group discussion followed by a presentation from the author for the book as it relates to the Big Year of Rivers. Participants provide their own book. This program meets on April 23 and June 4.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School and a local expert in custom fishing rods while you visualize and construct your personalized keepsake. All supplies will be provided. Each participant will receive a six-foot, medium light graphite rod blank. You will get to select between spinning and bait casting rod designs. Participants aged 18 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult. This experience will be entirely indoors and will run, rain or shine.

Join a naturalist and an artist and set out to trace the amazing journey water makes from our atmosphere to the lakes, rivers and oceans on Earth’s surface, to sources found underground. We will discover the importance of water to all living things and how it connects different environments and ecosystems across our planet. Along the way, we will dive into water-based artmaking activities such as painting, weaving and natural dye to illustrate our findings. For a full day of adventure, combine with Digging in Nature & Clay: Handbuilding Camp. Includes a monitored lunch hour between camp sessions.

In this three-session workshop, learn to hand-build clay vessels and collaborate in an outdoor barrel firing. The first session will be dedicated to creating ceramic forms. During the second session, we will load and fire an outdoor barrel kiln using oxide colorants and organic matter to achieve spontaneous, smoky effects on your pottery. On the final day, see the exciting results as you unload your pieces from the barrel and apply a finishing wax surface. No previous ceramics experience is necessary. This program meets on April 11 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m., April 18 from 9–11 a.m., and April 19 from 9–10 a.m. $75/three sessions.

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.

Blast off for four days of hands-on, cosmic discovery as we explore the wonders of our solar system, galaxy and universe! Each day, campers will investigate new space themes—from the planets and moons that orbit our sun to the stars and galaxies that fill the universe. We’ll experiment with craters, build and launch our own model rockets and use our pop-up planetarium to journey through the night sky—right in the middle of the day. Along the way, campers will transform their observations and big ideas into imaginative works of art. Get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure where science and creativity collide.

Explore the park with an artist and naturalist in search of the clues left behind by the things that live and grow here. We will draw from our wild observations to create functional and sculptural ceramic artwork using handbuilding techniques with slabs and coils.

Explore the potter’s wheel while learning to center, open and shape clay to create basic forms like bowls and cups. Head outdoors each day with a naturalist to unearth cycles and patterns found in nature.

Celebrate Earth Day by making a difference—for your wardrobe and the planet! Silverwood Park and St. Anthony Village Community Services are teaming up to bring you a clothing swap, where sustainability meets style. By swapping instead of shopping, you’ll help reduce waste by keeping clothes out of landfills. Join us for this community-focused event and take a step toward a more sustainable future! How It Works: • Donate: Drop off gently used women’s clothes, shoes, and accessories starting at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13. • Swap: Take home your favorite finds, no donation required! • Give Back: All unclaimed items will be donated to local charities after the event.

Join us for an evening that flows where art, ecology and technology meet. Explore the living systems of rivers and watersheds through a creative lens—combining natural history, hands-on art-making and board games for an immersive and relaxed night out. Play tabletop games that explore ecological balance and environmental strategy, get inspired by river science and create artwork that reflects the ever-moving currents. Celebrate the beauty and complexity of water—both on-screen and in the landscape—at this one of-a-kind event.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School and try your luck at one of our region's favorite winter pastimes with your family or friend group. Get a sled, shelter, auger, bait and rods and then learn about safety, ice fishing techniques and gear setup. Participants will use a large sled to drag their equipment onto the ice. Equipment and fishing license is provided for the program. Each group must include at least one registered adult, age 18+. $50/group (1-6 people per group).

Watch some kooky animal puppets as they stop Trasher the Trash Can from trashing nature. Performance begins promptly at 1 p.m. After the show, try your hand at making an art project related to the show until 3 p.m. or join a naturalist led exploration from 1:30–2 p.m. Join Walk with a Naturalist at 2 p.m. for a longer nature hike or stay and make art throughout the afternoon.

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.

Once a month, learn foundational yoga postures and breathwork in a gentle vinyasa flow class with instructor Stephanie Wyman. Practice moving with breath, correct alignment of postures and sun salutations. Mats and props are available; use of props is encouraged. Registration recommended. Drop-ins welcome. This program is designed to be a primer for the weekly Sunset Yoga class. No experience necessary; all abilities welcome.

Water is always moving—through the sky, the ground and the bodies of living things. This month, students will follow the journey of water, exploring watersheds, local water quality and the fascinating lives of fish. Through hands-on art-making inspired by water’s movement such as watercolor techniques and basketry we’ll create flowing, textured pieces that capture the rhythms and cycles of water in nature. $48/three sessions.

Spring is in the air and nature is buzzing with new life! In this hands-on class, students will dive into the fascinating world of nests, eggs and the creatures that call Silverwood Park home in the spring. Through the creative processes of paper making and printmaking, students will tell the stories of these animals’ homes and journeys. $48/three sessions.

Explore the frozen world this February as teens glide through winter on kicksleds, discovering the natural boundaries that shape our landscape. These winter adventures will inspire creative fiber projects and bring their discoveries to life through texture and form. Ready to explore the season and create your own fiber art?

This May, teens will dive into the world of printmaking, discovering the art of creating images and textures that capture the essence of the natural world. From botanical prints to nature-inspired designs, students will explore different techniques like relief printing and mono printing to create their own unique work. Through this process, they’ll learn how to transform the beauty of the outdoors into lasting works of art.

Celebrate International Sculpture Day at Silverwood Park. Learn about the sculpture trail during a guided tour from 10– 11:15 a.m. with park staff. Meet at the Visitor Center. Participants ages 11 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Celebrate International Sculpture Day and make art inspired by the work on view in the gallery. Materials and instruction provided. See respective gallery exhibitions by Ben Moren and FotoMatter on view through April 30. Participants ages 11 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Drop in anytime.

Learn the basics of throwing on a potter's wheel or build on your current skills. Demonstrations will focus on cups, bowls, handles and surface options. Class will include free time to practice new skills and explore personal interests.

Discover the magic of shadow puppets and projection art with Sofía Padilla. She’ll guide you through her creative process and help you develop a story to bring to life. Sofía is an internationally experienced puppeteer and director known for blending visual art, movement, and narrative. Explore her imaginative techniques, experiment with light and shadow, and create a narrative all your own.

Take a closer look at the hidden worlds around us! Each day, campers will explore a new level of magnification using different types of microscopes to reveal the tiny details that make up our natural world. From hand lenses to dissecting scopes to high-powered compound microscopes, we’ll journey deeper and deeper into the micro world taking micro hikes around the park to collect fascinating samples along the way. Campers will even have the chance to view their own cells up close. Inspired by these incredible discoveries, we’ll create artwork that celebrates light, color and the often unseen patterns of nature. For a full day of adventure, combine with Nature's Protectors Camp in the afternoon. Includes a monitored lunch hour between camp sessions.

National Alliance on Mental Health Minnesota (NAMI MN) and Silverwood Park partner to offer a monthly arts-integrated support group for anyone experiencing a mental health condition. This support group is dedicated to helping participants build resilience through creative experiences, facilitated peer discussion and reflection, and connection to the natural world. Phone Number to register (651) 645-2948

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.

Explore the natural world and what is happening outdoors in the park. Learn about ice and seasonal shifts in water as the seasons begin to change. Then, cut glass and arrange it to create your own fused glass creations. Artwork will not go home the same day and will need to be picked up at later time. $8/person. Ages 7-12 plus adult.

Join us for a once monthly program exploring the creative arts and natural world. Cozy up for a story or song, head on a hike to observe the wild surroundings and create an art project inspired by what you find. This program will occur primarily outdoors with access to the indoors for restroom breaks and when necessary for some artmaking activities. $7/person. Ages: 2-6 plus adult. Siblings under age 2 are free but must register.

Join us for an evening of reading and making! We will read a book about maple syruping and make a colorful ceramic project inspired by our discoveries. $18/pair. Ages: 3–6 plus adult.

Join us for an evening of reading and making! We will read a book about animal tracks and make a colorful ceramic project inspired by our discoveries. $18/pair. Ages 3-6 plus adult.

Step outside and let nature become your studio! In this outdoor program, preschoolers and their caregivers will explore creative play through open-ended art experiences inspired by the natural world. Guided by a naturalist and art educator families will observe their surroundings and experiment with simple art-making techniques that encourage imagination and curiosity. $5/pair. Ages: 3–6 plus adult.

Defend the wetlands, forests, prairies and lake while guided by an artist, a naturalist and your imagination. Practice outdoor skills needed along your journey and defend the earth from evil forces. Tell your epic tale of this saga through the artful creations we will make along the way. Registration required by two weeks prior. For a full day of adventure, combine with Micro Camp in the morning. Includes a monitored lunch hour between camp sessions.

Independently navigate clay through handbuilding or wheel throwing. Limited instruction provided; must have at least two years of clay experience and be self-sufficient in skills. Includes firings and one 25- pound bag of clay (additional clay available for purchase). $150/six sessions.

Independently navigate clay through handbuilding or wheel throwing. Limited instruction provided; participants must have at least two years of clay experience and be self-sufficient in skills. Includes firings and one 25-pound bag of clay (additional clay available for purchase). $125/five sessions.

Join us for the opening reception of a group show by Foto Matter on Thursday, March 12 from 6–8 p.m. The exhibition is on view March 12–April 30. Drop in anytime.

Join us for the opening reception of Surface Tension by Ben Moren on Thursday, March 12 from 6–8 p.m. The exhibition is on view March 12–April 30. Drop in anytime.

Drop off your creative explorer for adventures in artmaking and the natural world. Each week during our winter seasonal series we will enjoy a story, creative play and exploration, as well as an art project. Activities take place outdoors with access to an indoor space for restrooms, inclement weather and artmaking, if necessary. $180 per child/10 sessions.

Drop your creative explorer off for discovery in artmaking and the outdoor world guided by an artist and naturalist. Each morning we will focus on a new topic in nature through story or song, creative play and investigating different parts of the park. Then we will use what we observe to inspire artmaking across a variety of mediums.