Celebrate autumn as part of our 50+ Adventures! Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors to learn the basics of archery and elements of safety. Practice fundamental skills, participate in fun challenges and enjoy the thrill of hitting the target. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned archer, come enjoy an archery experience with a seasonal twist. $12/person.

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 the Outdoor Recreation School for a hike and enjoy the benefits of spending time in nature. Take time to be active, connect with others, breathe in the crisp November air and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature along the Mississippi River. If there is snow we will snowshoe or use traction devices. $6/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.

Enjoy the sport of mountain biking with the Outdoor Recreation School on an adapted three-wheeled mountain bike. We will ride on an accessible singletrack trail when it is open and a paved trail when the singletrack trail is closed. This program is entirely outdoors. All equipment will be provided; six adapted bikes available to choose from. Please bring a personal bike helmet, eye protection and gloves if you have them. If not, we will provide them. Reservations required. Participants ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Trained staff and volunteers will accompany riders each session on the trail. A family, friend or PCA is encouraged to be present at the start and end of the program to assist with transfers, communication or other personal needs. $30/three sessions.

Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School while experiencing the thrill of riding a modified handcycle mountain bike on park trails. This is a beginner program that may take place on paved trails and grassy areas with small log or rock type features. Bikes are provided for the program. Participants will need to wear a helmet during the program and are encouraged to also bring personal helmet, eye protection and hand protection. If participants do not have access to these items, they will be provided for use during the class. Participants are also encouraged to bring along a family member or friend to accompany them on foot while they bike and for personal needs. $15/person.

Explore some of the best activities in the parks with the Outdoor Recreation School. Try stand-up paddleboarding, archery, log rolling, geocaching, canoeing and more. Enjoy new adventures while making new friends. Equipment provided.

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.

Cross-country skiing is a lifelong winter sport for all ages and abilities. Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School to learn how to get started this winter by discussing equipment, lessons, and beginner trails. This program is taught online, and the program Zoom link will be emailed to all registered participants the day of the program. All ages welcome. Free.

Bring your date or friend for an evening of fun. Create memories together as you explore things that spin. Begin the night with instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School to learn the game and skills of disc golf before playing a round on our portable course. Then art educators from Silverwood will inspire you to put your creative spin towards art that you’ll take home. No art or disc golf experience needed—just curiosity, creativity and a desire to have fun with others. $10/person.

Get fit while making new friends and having fun outdoors! Join cross-country ski instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School for a season of dryland training. Improve your health and fitness for year-round activity, sports performance or for the cross-country ski season. Work on strength, core, mobility, balance and cardio conditioning through pole hiking, hill-bounding and circuit training. Locations may vary throughout Hyland Park Reserve depending on trail conditions. $100/10 sessions.

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.

Enjoy the colorful foliage while canoeing with instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School. We’ll learn canoeing basics including safety and paddle strokes and then enjoy exploring the lake together. This program is in partnership with Scott County. $12/person.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School to create fun memories on the water. Learn kayaking safety and proper paddling techniques. $12/person.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School to create fun memories on the water. Learn kayaking safety and proper paddling techniques. $12/person.

Celebrate the changing season with an evening outdoors. As day and night find balance, join the Outdoor Recreation School for a guided hike through the beauty of autumn—crisp air, changing leaves, and the sights and sounds of the season all around us. After the hike, gather around the campfire to relax, connect and roast marshmallows. Bring warm layers, your sense of adventure and welcome the new season with us! $8/person.

Enjoy the optimal fall hiking season and explore the parks in Scott County with an Outdoor Recreation School Instructor. Hike a different trail each week. Make new connections and meet fellow hikers or bring a friend along! Expect variable trail conditions. Locations subject to change; an updated schedule will be provided to registered participants. This program is in partnership with Scott County. $30/person.

Bring the whole family and give archery a try! Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors to learn the basics of shooting, safety and aiming in this fun, beginner-friendly session. Perfect for families and friends looking to try a new outdoor activity side-by-side. Practice fundamental skills, participate in fun challenges and enjoy the thrill of hitting the target. Equipment provided. $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.

Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School to explore the sport of archery. Learn the fundamentals of archery in a safe and supportive environment. Participants will learn proper form, safety techniques, and target shooting through practice, games and challenges. Whether you are a beginner or looking to improve your skills, our club fosters confidence, patience and empowerment. No prior experience is necessary. This is a youth drop-off program. $48/person.

Bring the whole family out to the park for an adventure series with the Outdoor Recreation School this fall. Each week you’ll explore a new recreation skill while spending time in nature with your family. Activities include canoeing, archery, disc golf, slacklining and geocaching. Everyone attending this program must register and pay. Students must be accompanied by a registered adult. $24/person.

Embrace the winter season with your family at an adventure series with the Outdoor Recreation School! Each month you’ll explore a new recreation skill while spending time in nature with your family. Activities may include snowshoeing, kicksledding, cross-country skiing, geocaching and fire building. Activities are subject to change based on snow conditions. $18/person.

Celebrate the Big Year of Rivers canoeing the Minnesota River with Outdoor Recreation School instructors. We will cover the essentials of canoeing on a river, like how to identify and avoid common river hazards. Then, we’ll launch our canoes for a leisurely paddle together, enjoying nature along the way. All participants should have prior canoeing experience and be comfortable maneuvering a canoe. Exact start and end point will depend on water levels and will be communicated to registered participants the week before the program. Shuttle between entry and exit points is provided. Please wear footwear that can get wet, muddy and that will stay on well when in the water. $60/person.

Spend your summer days exploring the outdoors through hands-on adventures and nature discoveries! Team up with the Outdoor Recreation School and Richardson Nature Center to uncover the critters and creatures that call Minnesota home. From nature hikes and creek or lake explorations, to log rolling, geocaching and more, every day brings a new adventure. All equipment is provided.

Looking to further hone your compound bow skills? The Outdoor Recreation School has the equipment covered for you at our open range times. Instructors are available to help you with your shooting form and the provided equipment as needed. All participants must register and can check in anytime during the designated session. Open archery range is for archers who have previously taken an introductory archery course. Equipment is checked out on a first-come, first-served basis. Everyone participating must register and pay. Participants ages 11 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult. $10/person.

Join an Outdoor Recreation School instructor to learn the fundamentals of reading and understanding topography maps, using a compass and combining those skills to navigate outdoors. This hands-on class is great for beginners and those looking to refresh their navigation skills. This program will take place primarily outdoors. $18/person.

Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors to celebrate the season with some gourd old-fashioned fun! Learn the basics of archery and take aim at pumpkins. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned archer, come enjoy a lighthearted experience with a seasonal twist. All equipment provided—just bring your autumn spirit! $12/person.

Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors to celebrate the season with some gourd old-fashioned fun! Learn the basics of archery and take aim at pumpkins. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned archer, come enjoy a lighthearted experience with a seasonal twist. All equipment provided—just bring your autumn spirit! This program is in partnership with Scott County. $12/person.

Stay active and explore the Park District with an Outdoor Recreation School instructor and others who enjoy hiking. We’ll check out a different trail each week, learn a little about navigating trails, Leave No Trace hiking and get to know each other while we hike. Expect variable trail conditions. Locations subject to change; an updated schedule will be provided to registered participants. $95/person.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School on a geocaching adventure full of Halloween surprises and treats. All ages welcome. $8/person.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School on a geocaching adventure full of Halloween surprises and treats. All ages are welcome. This program is in partnership with Scott County. $8/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.

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.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School for a nighttime hike on quiet trails. Get tips on navigating trails after dusk. After the hike, gather around a fire for s'mores. If there is snow, we will use snowshoes or traction devices. We will hike 2-4 miles on variable terrain. $8/person.