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.

Join staff from Mississippi Gateway Regional Park and the Outdoor Recreation School to try two very modifiable activities. You will get to experience the accessible features at Mississippi Gateway while fishing in the Mississippi River and practicing archery. Participants under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Trained staff and volunteers will lead instruction and modify the program for needs. A family, friend or PCA is encouraged to be present at the program to assist with transfers, communication or other personal needs if necessary. $15/person.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School and Gary’s Custom Fishing Rods while you visualize and construct your personalized keepsake. Each participant will receive a six-foot, medium light graphite rod blank. You will get to select between spinning and bait casting rod design. All participants building a rod must register and pay. Participants aged 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult actively engaged in assisting their child; this adult can also register to build their own rod while assisting their registered child or simply assist their child during the program at no additional fee. This program is entirely indoors. $150/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.

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.

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.

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.

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 the Outdoor Recreation School and Pioneer Midwest to learn how to apply glide wax to your skis. Get your skis ready for the cross-country ski season and learn or refine the skill of hot waxing. In this course you will get to see how a professional wax technician applies glide wax and then wax your own skis with their support and guidance. Bring one pair of modern cross-country skis and, and we will provide the rest. Blue wax will be provided; if you would like a different wax, you may bring your own melt-on wax. Classic skis, waxed, skin or fish scale and skate skis are welcome. $25/person.

Would your child rather be collecting crayfish than watching cartoons? Join us to wonder and wander as we follow the seasonal changes through the perspective of the river and all its inhabitants. It’s an open studio for the outdoors, combining science, art and students’ curiosity to guide our explorations. $230/9 sessions.

Step into a weekend of embracing new experiences and finding strength in an adventurous community. Nestled in new log camper cabins along Cedar Lake, this overnight getaway is filled with hands-on experiences designed to help you build confidence in the outdoors with instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School. Participate in group activities such as archery, canoeing, fly fishing and outdoor yoga. When the day's adventures wind down, gather around the campfire to share stories and enjoy the simple comforts of camp life. Come ready to explore, encourage others, and leave feeling empowered, refreshed and inspired for your next adventure. Instruction and food for three camp cooking meals are included; other meals will be on your own. A detailed schedule and packing list will be sent prior to the program. Shared lodging is provided (4 adults/cabin). Participants are responsible for bringing their own sleeping bag/bedding. This program is in partnership with Scott County. $225/person.