Join forces with others from around the galaxy as you join the Lowry Bounty Guild. We've been entrusted with an item that must be delivered. Everyone wants what we have. Learn about plants and animals, practice survival skills, take aim and try archery, become an expert in camouflage, hunt down clues and explore uncharted territories all while keeping an eye out for friend and foe as we race to save the day and unravel a galaxy-wide mystery. Bikes and helmets required for one day of camp.

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.

Bushcraft is the set of outdoor skills that allow you to survive, thrive and enjoy being in the wild. In this camp we’ll learn skills including weaving, whittling, fire-building, foraging, projectile throwing and more! This is the camp where nature, art and survival come together. Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

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.

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.

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.

Step into the past to experience early Minnesota as we explore the historic lifeways of the Dakota people. Paddle a canoe across the water, practice archery skills and help raise a traditional style tipi. Try your hand at fire-starting and traditional Dakota games. Learn Dakota words connected to the natural world and discover the cultural significance of many plants and animals. This camp is based out of Lowry Nature Center but includes an off-site visit with bus transportation to Shakopee to visit The Landing (Three Rivers Park District) and Hocokata Ti Cultural Center (Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.) Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

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.

It’s time to awaken as a hero! The Kingdom of Carver is becoming unbalanced and the king has requested your help to restore it. In order to protect the land, you must learn about it. Use a map and compass to find your way to find keys and open chests. You will need to explore the three regions of the kingdom and fill out your compendium with information for the king. You’ll need to board a canoe to investigate the water domain, use scientific tools in the land of grasses and be introduced to the hidden secrets of the forest. Play mini-games, follow side-quests and learn all about the environment you’re charged to protect. Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

Make your own survival bracelet from scratch. An instructor will be on site to assist you with learning to tie each knot and providing guidance along the way. All materials provided. $5/bracelet kit.

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.

Join naturalist Kirk and others on this popular series of four Monday morning hikes to look for birds. All levels of birders welcome. Beginners will learn a lot from more experienced birders on the hike and everyone will learn along the way. If you need binoculars, you will be able to borrow a pair from the nature center. This is a great opportunity to learn the trails and find out where various species are seen in the park.

Ever heard of a bigmouth buffalo or freshwater drum? Join a naturalist to learn about Minnesota's unsung native rough fish, non-game fish, while practicing a new skill. Use a map to locate hidden trivia along the trail and collect prizes. Drop in any time. All ages welcome. Free.

Discover nature through art and photography. Explore habitats while creating sketches and seeking the perfect photo. Use a sketchbook to explore nature by drawing in pencil and charcoal and painting with ink and watercolor. Experiment with color, art materials made in nature and a camera to take great photos. Supplies and equipment provided. Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

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.

Where science and art meet! Learn the basics of dragonfly (odonata) ID, try your hand at catching “odes” and join a dragonfly survey. Meet survey volunteers, learn survey goals, and visit pond and upland habitats where dragonflies live. We will learn and sketch from pinned specimens and then venture outside to survey. Get your own dragonfly guide. No experience necessary. Please bring your own sketchbook. $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.

Dip in the pond with a bowl and net and try to catch bugs, snails and other water animals. Look at them up close with a magnifier and see how cool they are. All ages welcome. Free.

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.

The forest is calling. Are you ready to explore? Create the perfect walking stick, hike meandering paths, and build forts for you and your friends. Try stick-based projectiles of the past, light a fire to cook a tasty treat and enjoy the summer woodland at its finest. Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

Go on a hike and search for trivia questions along the way! You will get a page to write down your answers and a map with the locations of the questions. Learn about nature and Minnesota while enjoying a short (approximately one mile) hike on the trails at Lowry Nature Center. All ages are welcome to enjoy the hike, but the question difficulty is for ages high school and above. The first place team will win a fire ring rental. $6/person.

May through June is egg laying time for our reptile friends. Go on a hike to see if we can spot turtles basking at the pond or maybe on their journey to laying eggs. Explore turtle biofacts and meet our painted turtle. All ages welcome. Free.

Calling all Young Birders! Spend your days outdoors looking for colorful and elusive birds on the world’s greatest treasure hunt. We’ll learn how to find birds, use binoculars, visit an osprey nest, check out cool technology and capture, tag and release wild birds as a part of research. If you love birds, this intensive four-day camp is for you. Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

Hear the stories of pioneer girl, Laura Ingalls and participate in pioneer chores, games and crafts. Spend your days exploring the Big Woods and prairies like Laura.

A strange new pathogen is spreading around the world turning people into zombies. We need you to help find a cure, fight zombies and survive while riding bikes around the park. This camp will be a combination of learning how scientists investigate outbreaks and learning to survive. Learn axe throwing, archery, how to hide and other survival skills while playing zombie games in the woods. Get ready for four days of zombies, science and fun. Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.