Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors for a beautiful spring evening on the water. Listen to the sounds of the birds and absorb the colors of the setting sun. 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. Equipment provided.

The adult/junior birdie league provides play for children ages 7+ with an adult on the 9-hole pitch-and-putt course. Greens fees included. $100/pair for nine course play dates.  

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.

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.

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

Birds are migrating from their winter home to their summer home. Join us on a hike as we use binoculars and our ears to identify the birds we only see once or twice a year. Bird friendly coffee will be provided!

Spring migration is here! Come and see what birds are passing through the park and sharpen your birding skills. All levels of experience are welcome. Beginners are asked to be ready to learn, and experts are asked to be ready to share their knowledge. Binoculars will be available to borrow.

Watch for birds along the river corridor while floating down the Mississippi and exploring the natural shoreline. Beginners are welcome. Participants will paddle and do some lifting with the team while guided by experienced naturalists. Safety equipment and shuttle provided. $35/person.

Use a different sense than sight to identify the different birds that live in your backyard and around Eastman Nature Center. Use your ears and the Merlin app to learn different bird calls and add to our bird survey. The program is designed for anyone, but with a special emphasis on those who are visually impaired or blind. Reservations are not required but recommended so the naturalist can contact participants to make sure they have the supplies needed to accommodate accessibility needs. A smart phone is encouraged to download the Merlin app. Drop in anytime.

Try some binoculars to look for birds both big and small. Search along the river or from the Treetop Trail for warblers, ducks, eagles and herons. All ages welcome. Free.

Step into the quiet embrace of the forest and let the spring birdsong wash over you. Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” is more than a walk—it’s an immersion of the senses, a return to the wisdom of the trees.  Join ANFT-certified guide David Motzenbecker in this therapeutic guided practice during peak spring songbird season. You’ll be invited to slow down and engage deeply with your surroundings, touching bark textured as time, watching sunlight dance through shifting canopies, tasting the crispness of the air itself. Through gentle prompts and mindful reflection, you’ll rediscover the innate connection between yourself and the living world.

Step into the quiet embrace of the forest and let nature wash over you. Shinrin-Yoku, or “forest bathing”, is more than a walk—it’s an immersion of the senses, a return to the wisdom of the trees. Feel the cool whisper of the breeze against your skin. Breathe in the earthy scent of moss and pine, and the sweetness of damp leaves. Hear the rhythmic rustle of branches, the distant call of a bird, the gentle trickle of water over smooth stone. With each step, the weight of the world softens, your mind quiets, your body unwinds. Guided by a certified Forest Bathing practitioner, you’ll be invited to slow down and engage deeply with your surroundings—touching bark craggy as time, watching sunlight dance through shifting canopies, tasting the crispness of the air itself. Through gentle prompts and mindful reflection, you’ll rediscover the innate connection between yourself and the living world. This is not a hike, nor a destination—it is an experience of presence, a practice of simply being. Benefits of Shinrin-Yoku: Reduces stress and anxiety, boosts mood and mental clarity, supports immune function, enhances mindfulness and connection. Come, step into the forest. Let it restore you. $32/person.

What does nature do when the sun begins to go down? Walk the trails in search of spring migrant birds and insects, trilling toads and singing frogs, mammal signs at the edge of a marsh and more. Come prepared to be outdoors for this lesson.

Gain extensive hands-on firearms safety instruction and earn your Minnesota DNR Firearms Safety Certificate while exploring the world of bird hunting. Learn pheasant, turkey and waterfowl ecology with some hunting tips and techniques. Shoot a shotgun and .22 at a local gun range. Try archery, shooting crossbows, survival skills, making a turkey call and more. Designed for beginning hunters who do not have their firearms safety certification. Run by DNR-certified firearms safety instructors. All equipment provided. Scholarships may be available; for information, call 763-694-7856. Sponsored by the Northwest Suburban Chapter of Pheasants Forever and National Wild Turkey Federation. Friday's location will be at the Delano Sportsman Club. Campers will be assigned a two hour range timeslot and will need to provide their own transportation. Extended care available Monday-Thursday for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m. Extended care not available on Friday.

Celebrate International Pilates Day with a refreshing lakeside mat pilates class followed by a picnic at Cleary's Lakeview Picnic Shelter. Surrounded by nature on a small peninsula that attracts birds like great blue herons, egrets and even bald eagles, enjoy being among community that values human and natural wellness. Please bring a yoga mat or towel for the pilates program that will run from 6–7 p.m. From 7–8 p.m., we will enjoy grilling together for a bring-your-own picnic meal using two charcoal grills that will be ready and available for use. Please bring your own food to grill and beverages. $15/person.

Juniors are expected to be able to play nine holes of golf before joining this league. This league teaches basic golf skills and USGA rules and etiquette within the context of First Tee. Lessons consist of games and instruction in a group setting. No lessons or play June 29–July 5. Dates listed below are for the lessons only. League play is June 15th - August 10th. You will receive an email the next day to sign up for your tee time. Tee times are every 10 minutes between 8–10:50 a.m. If you have further questions, call 763-694-7777. $215/eight lessons and eight course play dates.

This league builds on the basic skills learned in Birdie 1 Lesson League. Goal setting and course management are also introduced at this level, but the focus continues to be on having fun and learning skills. No lessons or play June 29–July 5. Dates listed below are for the lessons only. League play is June 15th - August 10th. You will receive an email the next day to sign up for your tee time. Tee times are every 10 minutes between 8-10:50 a.m. If you have further questions, call 763-694-7777. $215/eight lessons and eight course play dates.

This league builds on skills learned in Birdie 1 and 2 Lesson Leagues. More advanced golf skills are introduced with friendly competition and tournament play. No lessons or play June 29–July 5. Dates listed below are for the lessons only.League play is June 15th - August 10th. You will receive an email the next day to sign up for your tee time. Tee times are every 10 minutes between 8–10:50 a.m. If you have further questions, call 763-694-7777. $215/eight lessons and eight course play dates.   

Instruction includes putting, pitching and full swing fundamentals. Junior golfers learn golf terms, basic USGA rules, golf tips and etiquette. The Birdie Course is perfect for young golfers and skill development. Participants are introduced to First Tee Nine Core Values. Times and days listed below are for the lessons only; league play dates are July 8 – Aug 12 on Wednesdays with a 12 p.m. shotgun start. Please arrive by 11:45 a.m.  Eagle Lake on-course supervision is limited so parents are encouraged to coordinate a chaperone for the play dates. $149/three lessons and six play dates. 18 sessions available. Continue to next page if needed. Copy and paste class description into the 'search text' for complete listings.

Our Birdie Level lessons are designed for junior golfers who have progressed beyond the basics and are ready to take their game to the next level. Ideal for players who regularly play nine holes, have completed a Par Level lesson or its equivalent and are dedicated to skill development. Program highlights include detailed instruction on essential aspects of the game, including putting, chipping, pitching, sand play, irons and woods. Instructors place an emphasis on strategies and decision-making to improve performance on the course. Sessions are designed to refine technique and enhance overall gameplay, fostering confidence in each participant's abilities. This program is perfect for young golfers who are committed to developing their skills, understanding the game more deeply, and enjoying the challenge of golf. $130/five lessons.