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.

Make new friends while you explore the park. Try camp activities like kayaking, archery, fishing and geocaching, led by instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School. All equipment is provided, including adapted kayaks and archery equipment.

Make new friends while you explore the park. Try camp activities like kayaking, archery, fishing and geocaching, led by instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School. All equipment is provided, including adapted kayaks and archery equipment.

Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School to help you adapt a boat to your body and abilities before we take to the lake for kayaking! We will start on land as we individualize adaptations to boats and paddles and then prepare to move to the water. Once on the water, we will practice paddle strokes, maneuvering our boats and then enjoy a tour of the lake. This program is designed for paddlers with disabilities. All equipment is provided, including high-back seats with side supports. If you have a seat pad you would like to use and are comfortable with it getting wet, please bring it. One family member, friend or PCA is welcome to join free of charge to assist with communication, transfers and/or personal needs. $25/person.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School and instructor trainer Nancy Uschold, for an immersive weekend of training to experiment and expand your paddle sport teaching skills. The Advanced Communications Workshop (ACW) focuses on methods to promote seamless integration and address the needs of individuals with speech and language impairments, hearing impairments or deafness, and visual impairments or blindness. This hands-on course is designed for (but not limited to) American Canoe Association (ACA) Certified Instructors. It provides a basic understanding of disabilities along with a toolbox of techniques for skill acquisition and risk management. Upon successful completion, current ACA Instructors will earn the Advanced Communications Endorsement. Participants in this course use existing teaching experience with new methods as we consider working with specific individuals or audiences. Participants in the course should be comfortable teaching foundational paddling skills in a kayak. If you have questions about if this course is right for you or other questions about this course, reach out to Grant.Armour@ThreeRiversParks.org. Please note that there will be pre-coursework to do. The meeting on September 9 will be over Zoom from 6–8 p.m. Central time; the rest of the program will be in-person at Fish Lake Regional Park on September 12 and 13 from 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Equipment provided. $300/person.

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.

Go on adventures through woods, fields and water. Build forts and fires, and catch fish and frogs. Go on a bike ride, learn about animal camouflage and cook over a campfire. Bikes and helmets provided. Extended care available for an additional $75; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

Celebrate National Moth week. Meet live caterpillars, learn what makes them unique and leave with a new appreciation of North America's biggest moth.Drop in anytime. Free.

Smallmouth bass, redhorse, a variety of minnows and even Minnesota’s state fish (the walleye) are all fairly common in this part of the Mississippi River. Learn about the fish of all shapes and sizes that live here and how they play a role in this complex aquatic ecosystem with hands-on experiences and up-close encounters through with live fish. All ages welcome. Free.

Stop by to visit with monarchs; there might be eggs, caterpillars, a chrysalis, or adult butterflies to see. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of the monarch butterfly and how it migrates to Mexico for the winter. All ages welcome. Free.

n Extreme Fishing Camp, participants will learn to fish different bodies of water in search of various species like: panfish, bass, northern pike, walleye, catfish, redhorse sucker and more! Try different techniques and hone skills while learning from experienced Outdoor Recreation School instructors and professionals in the fishing industry. Try angling from a watercraft and from a riverbank. Equipment provided. Transportation to specific fishing locations will be provided by Outdoor Recreation School staff during camp hours.

In Extreme Fishing Camp, participants will learn to fish different bodies of water in search of various species like: panfish, bass, northern pike, walleye, catfish, redhorse sucker and more! Try different techniques and hone skills while learning from experienced Outdoor Recreation School instructors and professionals in the fishing industry. Try angling from a watercraft and from a riverbank. Equipment provided. Each day, campers will meet at one of four parks: French Regional Park, Fish Lake Regional Park, Silverwood Park and Mississippi Gateway Regional Park. Parents are responsible for drop-off and pick-up on each day of camp at one of the locations listed above. These locations will be communicated in the pre-camp email. Transportation to specific fishing locations will be provided by Outdoor Recreation School staff during camp hours.

Extreme Fishing Camp, participants will learn to fish different bodies of water in search of various species like: panfish, bass, northern pike, walleye, catfish, redhorse sucker and more! Try different techniques and hone skills while learning from experienced Outdoor Recreation School instructors and professionals in the fishing industry. Try angling from a watercraft and from a riverbank. Equipment provided. We will meet at different parks throughout the camp, including Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Lake Minnetonka Regional Park, The Landing and Bryant Lake Regional Park (Note: the June camp will not visit Bryant Lake). Parents are responsible for drop-off and pick-up on each day of camp at one of the locations listed above. These locations will be communicated in the pre-camp email. Transportation to specific fishing locations will be provided by Outdoor Recreation School staff during camp hours.

Enjoy the colorful foliage while canoeing with instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School. We will provide very basic instruction; prior canoeing experience is recommended. $12/person.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School for a summer camp focused on fishing and other fun recreation activities! Spend time each day learning about fishing equipment, how to safely handle a pole and a fish, tie knots and cast your line. Try awesome recreation activities such as canoeing, geocaching, archery, slacklining and more. Equipment provided.

Learn the basics of fly fishing equipment, casting skills, knot-tying, how to match the hatch, reading the water and fly presentation. Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors while you develop fly fishing skills, explore methods and watch demonstrations by professionals in the industry. Fishing equipment provided. Transportation to specific fishing locations will be provided by Outdoor Recreation School staff during camp hours.

Interested in chasing fish on the Crow River? Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School and from Fishing for All for this unique guided fly fishing experience. Enjoy time in a stable, comfortable, oar-powered float boat with a guide and another angler. Learn how to read the river, decide which flies and techniques work best, and learn about how one can experience trophy bass fishing from locations close to home. Previous fly fishing experience is strongly recommended for this program. All fishing gear and a catch-and-release fishing license are provided for use during the program. A brimmed hat and polarized sunglasses are strongly recommended if participants have access to bring those items. Please bring your own packed lunch and non-alcoholic beverages. $250/person.

Explore the trails, meet new friends, and experience the whole-body benefits that Nordic pole hiking provides while exercising in nature. Outdoor Recreation School instructors educate on the Nordic walking technique and lead a weekly pole hike. Explore a mix of paved and unpaved trails in French Regional Park, Fish Lake Regional Park and Baker Park Reserve. Please wear sturdy shoes or light hiking boots for hilly terrain and potentially muddy ground. $48/person.

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.

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.

Leave the adults at home and join Outdoor Recreation School instructors for a splash-filled introduction to stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) made just for kids. You’ll learn the basics of SUP equipment, simple paddle strokes and how to stay safe on the water in changing conditions. Try paddling in different positions—laying down, sitting, kneeling and standing—and build confidence getting on and off your board in the water. We’ll mix in fun challenges and water games so you can test your new skills, practice your balance and make a splash with friends. $20/person.

Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School to explore methods for river fishing and learn about unique river fish like gar and drum. Hunt for river critters to use as bait for catfish, carp, bass and other large fish. Drop a line from shore and, while wading, head down river to find secret fishing spots. Watch demonstrations by professionals in the fishing industry. Equipment provided. Transportation to specific fishing locations will be provided by Outdoor Recreation School staff during camp hours.

Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School to explore methods for river fishing and learn about unique river fish like gar and drum. Hunt for river critters to use as bait for catfish, carp, bass and other large fish. Drop a line from shore and, while wading, head down river to find secret fishing spots. Watch demonstrations by professionals in the fishing industry. Equipment provided. Reservations required by two weeks prior. Transportation will be provided by Outdoor Recreation School staff during camp hours to specific fishing locations.

Spend your days on and in the water! Build your paddling skills with coaching from Outdoor Recreation School instructors. Go on adventures and play games while paddleboarding, kayaking, log rolling and canoeing. No previous experience required. Equipment provided. We will do alternative activities in the event that weather conditions prevent us from doing planned water activities.

Buffalo and quillback and gar…oh my! For this Big Year of Rivers program join Tyler Winter, co-founder of Native Fish for Tomorrow and one of the leading advocates for native fish conservation in the country, on a fishing adventure. We will begin our program with Tyler teaching us about Minnesota's native "rough" fish, when they received that title and why they are actually smooth. He'll cover some simple approaches to fishing the big rivers where many of these native fish are found. Then, we’ll head down river for a fishing experience along the banks of the Minnesota River where we will try our luck spotting them in person. All fishing gear and catch-and-release fishing license will be provided for the duration of the program. The second portion of this program takes place along a riverbank with uneven terrain; please include any mobility needs in the question prompts during registration. This program is in partnership with Scott County. $30/person.

Silverwood OnStage invites you to come to the park and enjoy the music of the Fish on Hooks. A collection of fish who have, by happenstance, found themselves on hooks. Bluegrass, folk and experimental psych in Minnesota. Performances take place from 6:30–8 p.m. in the outdoor amphitheater or inside the visitor center Great Hall in the case of inclement weather. For more information on this performance series, visit ThreeRiversParks.org/Page/Silverwood-Onstage. All ages welcome. Free.

Ready to find your balance? Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors to learn the fundamental skills and versatility of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). You’ll learn about the equipment, basic paddle strokes and how to navigate the water safely in variable conditions. Practice paddling in a variety of positions—laying, sitting, kneeling and standing—and gain confidence getting on and off your board in the water. Whether you’re brand new to paddleboarding or looking to refine your skills and build confidence, this session is designed to meet you where you’re at. $35/person.

Learn how to fully submerge and hold your breath, change direction of travel, and more. Practice front, jellyfish and tuck floats. Successful demonstration of Level 1 skills required. Learn water safety and swimming techniques. Instructors are lifeguards certified through the American Red Cross to teach swimming lessons. Program participants and family members in their household receive a $3 discount for season swim pond wristbands. Please call Guest Services at 763-559-6700 to receive the discount. Reservations required. $68/6 sessions.

Fish, like us, are vertebrates. How much are we alike and different? We will examine the bodies of freshwater fish at a basic level, the structure and function of their main characteristics. This class is not for the squeamish, as the majority of our time will be spent examining the bodies of real fish. We will begin with external parts and will continue on to internal anatomy as you are asked to wield a scalpel, probe and scissors. All equipment (including gloves) provided. $6/person.

Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School for an introduction to a classic Minnesota pastime. We will cover canoeing safety, equipment, paddle strokes on land, and then get out on the water to practice our canoeing skills and enjoy the lake. This is a great class for beginners or those looking to brush up on skills. $12/person.