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 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.

Experience a weekend of cabins and ice fishing! Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School to try your luck at one of our regions' favorite winter pastimes with your family or friend group. Instruction, gear and lodging provided. Arrive Friday to settle into the cozy camper cabins and prep for fishing at Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park. Enjoy ample ice time and a community fish fry. Space is limited. Ages 10+. Cost $250 per cabin, with a maximum of four guests per cabin. Check-in is Friday, March 6 from 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Check-out is Sunday, March 8 from 1–2 p.m. All registered participants over the age of 15 must have a valid Minnesota fishing license. A list of cabin amenities and suggested things to bring will be sent out in the weeks leading up to your experience.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School to discover the rhythms and techniques of fly fishing. Learn about equipment, casting, shooting the line, fly types and presentation. Equipment and fishing license provided for class only. Please wear closed-toe shoes and if you’d like to get closer to the action shoes that can get wet and muddy or waders. Participants aged 11 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult.

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. Visit two parks, Silverwood Park and Fish Lake Regional Park. Fishing equipment provided. 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 will be provided to specific fishing locations by Outdoor Recreation School staff during camp hours.

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.

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 other fly fishing skills, explore methods and watch demonstrations by professionals in the industry. Visit two parks, Bryant Lake Regional Park and Hyland Lake Park Reserve. Equipment provided. 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 will be provided to specific fishing locations by Outdoor Recreation School staff during camp hours.

Enjoy summertime at the lake. Immerse yourself in the story of young Marjorie Myers Douglas, author of "Barefoot on Crane Island"—a book about her childhood summers spent on an island in Lake Minnetonka in the 1920s. Explore the lake with a boat tour around the islands of Upper Lake Minnetonka. Go fishing from shore, swim at the swim pond and explore nature around the lakeshore. Meet live animals from Lowry Nature Center and discover the fascinating history of Lake Minnetonka.

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.

Drop a line in the mighty Mississippi River to see what’s biting. Learn river fishing techniques and discover which fish call this river home. Equipment, bait and fishing license provided for the program.

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.

Explore a river, pond, field and forest to discover where animals find their food, build their homes, sleep and play. Catch insects, frogs and fish, play games and meet animal ambassadors that call these habitats home. Extended care available for an additional $75; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

Get ready for summer adventures! Put your survival skills to the test with shelter building and fire-making. Step back in time with historical games like spear throwing. Try your luck at baiting a hook and reeling in a fish at Bush Lake. Take to the water and enjoy a canoeing adventure on scenic Turtle Basking Pond. Learn essential outdoor skills and cool tricks from seasoned experts to prepare for your future adventures.

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.

Spend your days on and in the water with other teens! 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.

Voices in Fishing series, hosted by the Outdoor Recreation School, provides a platform for anglers from various communities. Each session will be held in the cozy Oakwood Room at the French Visitor Center, with a fire crackling to spark your interest in spring fishing opportunities and happenings. This week, Melissa Wagner from Women Anglers of Minnesota will share about chasing fish in the southeast corner of our region, known as the “Driftless Area.” Her presentation will cover some background information on the unique geography and sport, suggestions on techniques and gear and delve into how you can take the next steps to chase stream trout this spring. This is a free program directed to ages 10 and older, though all ages are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is preferred, but day-of drop-ins are also welcome to join. Participants ages 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Voices in Fishing series, hosted by your Outdoor Recreation School, provides a platform for anglers from various communities. Each session will be held in the cozy Oakwood room of French Visitor Center, with a fire crackling to spark your interest in spring fishing opportunities and happenings. This week, Kiki will share about spring fishing and Native rights, while reading her children’s book: Fishing by Torchlight. Learn about gear and technique while Kiki shares her story. This is a free program for all ages. Participants ages 18 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is preferred, but drop-ins are also welcome.

Explore and discover what lives in and around the Mississippi River. See how many types of animals you can catch and release, from small mammals and insects to fish and frogs. Meet the animal ambassadors from the Gateway Center and have fun with new friends. Extended care available for an additional $75; drop-off begins at 8 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.