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.

Explore the forest, pond and prairie habitats. Build a survival shelter with other campers, start a campfire using different techniques and make a s'more. Try canoeing in our nearby lake, meet our resident animals, and gain skills to navigate and overcome obstacles in the forest. Make friends and engage with others during safe, off-trail adventures away from the comforts of home. Participants must be able to demonstrate self-care skills, follow adult direction and safety rules, and show readiness for large group participation, including remaining with the group. Developed in partnership with Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM).

Explore the forest, pond and prairie habitats. Build a survival shelter with other campers. Start a campfire using different techniques and make a s'more. Meet our resident animals, and gain skills to navigate and overcome obstacles in the forest. Make friends and engage with others during safe, off-trail adventures away from the comforts of home. Participants must be able to demonstrate self-care skills, follow adult direction and safety rules, and show readiness for large group participation, including remaining with the group. Developed in partnership with Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM).

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

See, smell and touch beaver biofacts. Learn the difference between beavers and muskrats. Go on a self guided hike to look for beavers and beaver-chewed trees. Free.

Wolves, coyotes and foxes...Oh My! Learn which of these canines call Carver Park Reserve home. Answer trivia questions, touch canine biofacts and learn something new about these four-footed friends. Program will be indoors at Lowry Nature Center. 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.

Discover the hidden world of Lowry’s bugs! Learn about Minnesota insects large and small, explore wild places to see them up close and gain a new appreciation for why the world needs bugs.

Come join our Forest Fellowship of Adventurers, tasked with helping those in need in our many lands. Journey to a fantastical realm where you can talk to the trees, meet magical creatures like elves or dwarves, and maybe even stumble upon a quest.

Learn how to geocache using a GPS unit on our permanent GPS course. Explore around Lowry finding clues and answering trivia questions. Complete the course for a small prize. You will need to be able to navigate over a mile along trails for up to an hour. All ages welcome. Free.

Ever wonder about all those other bees besides honeybees? Native bees are varied, fascinating and incredibly important pollinators! Meet a few species of native bees, visit a native bee "nest" box, and learn several great plants and landscape practices to give native bees and pollinators a boost! Take a bee guide with you to learn who's living in your yard. $6/person.

Young wizards and witches get ready to enter a world where things are not as they seem! Learn the secret arts of herbology, potions, mysterious creatures and more. Craft your own wand, play games and prepare for a wild ride of fantasy nature adventures while exploring our magical world. Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

Does your child have a special adult in their life like a grandparent, aunt or friend? Together they can spend time learning about nature, meeting our animal ambassadors and building special memories. Designed for youth and an older adult—parents get to hear stories later! Participants will travel over uneven ground in a variety of weather conditions. $128/pair. Ages 6-9 plus adult.

Bushcraft is the set of outdoor skills that allow you to survive, thrive and enjoy being in nature. In this series we'll learn skills around fire building, foraging, cordage, knots, simple tools, shelters and more! $24/student.

Bring a historic diary to life as we follow Benedict Schmid's experience in the Civil War. This German immigrant farmer once lived in what is now Carver Park Reserve. Read from his diary entries before he was drafted into the war, during his time as a soldier in Company G of the 2nd Minnesota Regiment and his return to his family and farm in Carver County. Enlist in the Union army, set up camp and learn to march and drill like a soldier. Cook over an open fire and write letters to loved ones back home as we immerse ourselves in the life of a Civil War soldier. $24/student.

Discover the hidden world beneath the winter landscape. Families will learn how animals survive winter, search for life under the snow, explore frozen lakes and try out ice fishing. $24/student.

Explore nature through the lens of a camera. Students will get to step into a large camera obscura, try a pinhole camera, experience a darkroom and build their photography skills with digital cameras. $24/student.

Experience life in a one room school as we learn about the historic school that once stood near the Lowry Nature Center entrance. From 1912 to 1918, the Gerdsen School served students in the area, including many who lived in what is now Carver Park Reserve. Discover what daily life was like for these students as we follow lessons, write on slate boards and recite passages. Practice penmanship and test your spelling with a spelling bee. Take a break with popular recess games from the time. $24/student.

Why does a sled go down a hill? Why does ice float? How do snowshoes work? Each week we'll head out for some winter rec fun while learning about the physics behind each activity. $24/student.

Blast off in to space as we explore our solar system and beyond. Learn about the moon, the other planets in our solar system, stars and many other celestial bodies that are floating throughout the universe. The second week (March 8) will be an evening session for stargazing. The last week (March 22) will be an evening session for a full moon hike. $24/student.

Bring a historic diary to life by following in the footsteps of young Ezra "Fitch" Pabody, a teenager who lived near what is now Lake Minnetonka Regional Park in the 1880s. Using his daily diary entries as inspiration, we'll explore the woods, cook maple syrup and visit the historic Schmid Farmhouse Ruins. Fish from the shores of Lake Minnetonka, net and observe insects, and more as we learn about nature and the history of the area. $24/student.

Each day’s adventures begins with a story by Eric Carle, including "The Lonely Firefly", "The Tiny Seed" and "The Very Clumsy Click Beetle". Stories are followed by nature exploration looking for plants and animals mentioned in the stories. Creative games, songs and an art project make an excellent time of fun and learning.

Learn how to sew with a needle and thread, and make an outdoor fire and cook over it. Help with pioneer chores, games and crafts. Spend your days exploring the big woods and prairies just like Laura. One day will be spent at the historic Grimm Farmhouse in Carver Park Reserve. Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

Step back in time and discover the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder through stories and a guided walk on the prairie. Learn about the plants that grow there and make prairie tea using natural ingredients. Make cornbread to go with your tea, just like a pioneer family might have done. Create a simple pioneer toy to take home, and spend time exploring the sights, sounds and beauty of the prairie. All ages welcome. $8/person.

Join a naturalist to discover a variety of life that call the prairie home. Use sweep nets to comb the prairie for a variety of insects and arachnids. Learn about different insect orders and how to notice the wonders that are often missed. Free.

More numerous than butterflies, moths are a diverse and still largely mysterious group of animals. Join a Lowry naturalist as they capture and observe wild moths under lamplight. Participants will learn where and when moths can be found, and learn how to setup a space to observe them humanely. All ages welcome. $10/person.

Dig into nature and get messy, muddy and wet! Play games with water and explore aquatic habitats. Build with mud, sticks and leaves. Paint with your hands and feet, make gooey concoctions, and meet slimy worms and bugs.

Go on a hike with a naturalist looking for milkweed and monarch caterpillars. You'll learn how to identify milkweed plants and the many different stages of the monarch butterflies life cycle. Lightweight long sleeves and pants recommended for hiking off-trail in tall grasses. Free.

Get up close to the fascinating world of insects! Explore the prairie with a net as you search for butterflies, grasshoppers, dragonflies and other insects. If monarch butterflies are caught, participants may have the opportunity to help tag them and learn about their incredible life cycle and annual migration to Mexico. Be sure to dress for outdoor exploration in tall grass. All ages welcome. Free.

Discover nature on the bookshelf with your preschooler. Join a Lowry Nature Center naturalist for a picture-book story time, followed by learning ways to explore and experience nature and the outdoors. Participants should dress for the weather and be prepared to be outside for 45 minutes. Feel free to bring a bag lunch or snack to eat at the building after the program. $6/person. Age 4-6 plus adult.

Join our puppet friends. Explore activities before the show and hike on your own afterward. Maximum of three children per adult. Program is a combination of indoor and outdoor activities. Please dress for the weather. Bring a bag lunch and eat with other participants after the program. $6/person. Ages 2-6 plus adult. Under 2 are free but must register.

Explore nature as an artist with drawing, painting and photography! Our art adventures will take us near and far: hike, canoe, gather inspiration and materials from nature. Try gesture sketches, and paint in watercolor and ink. Use a camera to create engaging photos, paint the outdoors and try your hand at land art. Make and take your own art tools, and canoe and be inspired by new scenes. Equipment and supplies provided.

Explore the outdoors, hike, bike, and canoe through the trails and waterways of Carver Park Reserve. Play games and solve challenges with other campers. Try swimming, tie-dye and solo hiking (just a little while). You’ll even spend a full day on the trail with adventures along the way. Bikes and helmets required for one day of camp.

Who runs the (natural) world? GIRLS! Join this all-girl camp to try new things and reinforce skills all while spending time outdoors. Make new connections with other campers, build independence, explore the nature center as well as the town of Victoria. Try your hand at projectiles, carving, weaving, alternative fire starting and more. Bikes and helmets required for one day. Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

Grab your sketchbook, journal, pencils and paints, and explore nature at the equinox! With 12 hours of light and dark, there are unique things happening for plants and animals. Meet up, explore outside and share your discoveries with the group. Youth and adults welcome. Plan on 45-60 minutes of outdoor time. Free.

Bring your sketchbook and lets learn about native bees! Native bees are varied, fascinating and incredibly important pollinators. Meet a few species of native bees, visit a native bee "nest" box and learn several great plants for giving pollinators a boost. Free.

Bring your nature journal or plein air kit, grab a prairie scavenger hunt and go explore, artistically! Beginners and experienced nature journalers and artists are welcome. Meet back at up at the nature center at 11:30 a.m. to share your discoveries and have a refreshing drink of iced tea or lemonade. $6/person.

Has it been too long since you've made time for art? Looking for an excuse to sit outside and be creative? Come to the Lowry Nature Center and draw a prompt out of a hat! You will be assigned a space outside and a drawing challenge to work on in that area. You will have one hour to sit and work on your prompt, then meet back at the building to see everyone else's work and connect with other artistic hobbyists in the area. Art supplies (paper, pencils, pens, markers, watercolors, colored pencils and charcoal) will be provided or bring your own if you prefer. $5/person.

Visit the nature table and learn about Minnesota's native reptiles and amphibians. Spin the trivia wheel to win prizes, touch real artifacts and meet live animals. You can even hang poolside with a painted turtle! All ages welcome. Free.

Learn the basics of pinhole photography while exploring the habitats around Lowry Nature Center. You'll learn how to make a pinhole camera, develop photos in a dark room and all the steps needed to do this at home. Participant will borrow Lowry cameras and will leave with three to five developed photos. $6/person.

Finally, the captain has a boat! But there's a twist (because of course there is). Follow maps, start fires, pilot canoes, build shelters, search for wild edibles and practice using all of your senses and, of course, look for treasure. All while trying to figure out who is attempting to foil the plans of the captain and ruin his big boat reveal party.

Explore Crosby Lake looking for insects using dip nets. Learn how to make observations to identify what you caught. Practice using identification guides, make friends and practice communicating your needs during safe, off-trail adventures away from the comforts of home. Participants must be able to demonstrate self-care skills without assistance, independently follow adult direction and safety rules, and show readiness for large group participation, including always remaining with the group. This program is entirely outdoors. Free.

Explore and identify flowers in the prairies and rain garden around the nature center. Use one of our cameras to practice macro-photography. Learn some tips and tricks for getting a sharp shot. Perfect for beginner and experienced photographers. $6/person.

Raptors have been a part of education at Lowry for many of our 50 years. Meet the current captive raptors, learn about these amazing birds of prey and how they help teach. Drop in anytime. All ages welcome. Free.

Catch bugs in the water using a net, bowl and spoon. Look at them up close with magnifying viewers to identify them and more. Drop in anytime. Free.