Join Outdoor Recreation School instructors for an exhilarating week of precision, skill and camaraderie. Shoot long, recurve and compound bows. Develop and refine proper technique by learning the National Training System’s 11 steps to shooting. Get tips to shoot proficiently from varying distances while exploring a walk-around course and shooting from an elevated platform. Discover primitive hunting techniques and challenge yourself with shooting games. Equipment provided.

The Coon Rapids Dam has been considered for removal several times since its construction in 1914. Discover the pros and cons of dam removal and factors that affect the fate of dams in our area. Then take a short walk to explore features of the Coon Rapids Dam and learn about the dam’s current role and how it has changed over the years.

Join us for this Big Year of Rivers program where we explore how water cycles through our environment. Walk along one of our trails and play an interactive game where you become a drop of water. Gain a better understanding of how water moves and changes as you move through the game. Where will you start? Where will you end up? Every drop's journey is different!

Evergreen trees not only offer up year-round color, they offer protective factors that benefit human health like phytoncides: natural oils emitted by pine, fir, spruce and cedar trees that boost your immune system. We will find, identify and smell two different evergreen species on a 45-minute hike. Returning to the warmth of the fireplace, we will make evergreen sachets for you to take home while we sip evergreen tea.

Watch some kooky animal puppets as they stop Trasher the Trash Can from trashing nature. Performance begins promptly at 1 p.m. After the show, try your hand at making an art project related to the show until 3 p.m. or join a naturalist led exploration from 1:30–2 p.m. Join Walk with a Naturalist at 2 p.m. for a longer nature hike or stay and make art throughout the afternoon.

Join a naturalist for a walk along the trails. Observe seasonal changes happening across the habitats and landscapes. Bring binoculars if you have them or some will be available to borrow at the park. Drop-ins welcome. Hike departs shortly after 2 p.m. from in front of the visitor center.

Did you know some of the maple trees at Eastman are over 100 years old? Learn how to use math to age a tree and see if you can find the oldest tree in our maple sugarbush. Enjoy a self-led walk through the woods and taste a sample of our delicious syrup. On-going, drop in anytime.

Go on a hunt looking for the tastiest treasure of all, maple syrup. You'll learn how to use a GPS device and about the process to make maple syrup. The class involves walking roughly two miles on mostly flat terrain and tasting a small sample of Lowry's award winning maple syrup.

Explore trails, meet new friends and feel the health and wellness benefits of exercising in nature. Instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School provide instruction and technique for using Nordic walking poles and will lead a weekly hike. Most of the hikes will be on unpaved dirt trails of Three Rivers parks within the South Metro. Experience the whole-body benefits that Nordic pole hiking provides while also experiencing the social benefits of the club. Nordic walking poles are provided for use during the program. Be sure to have sturdy shoes or lightweight hiking boots to hike on unpaved, possibly muddy trails with hilly terrain. Meets every Monday from April 27th to June 8th at 5:45pm-7pm.

The great blue herons have returned to the Upper Mississippi River! Learn about herons and their lives on a geocaching course, pretend you’re a great blue heron migrating along the Mississippi Flyway by playing a game. Gain experience using binoculars as you take a walk in search of herons and look for their distinctive blue eggs.

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.

Join certified wildlife trackers to dive deeper into the art and science of wildlife tracking. Interpret the prints and signs left behind by all kinds of animals. Beyond identification (naming this is a deer track or this is a raccoon track), we will explore ecology and behavior to illuminate the stories of the wild lives that inhabit this stretch of the Mississippi River. Expect walking and stopping to look at dirt, mud, snow or sand, examining footprints and sharing your observations.

Walk in the bootsteps of a farmer to experience caring for the animals. Learn how we raise healthy livestock while you assist with chores and participate in hands-on activities to discover what each animal gives back to us.

Start your Monday mornings with fresh air, movement and good company! Developed in partnership with Club Prior, Morning Stretch and Stroll is a casual, quick walking club for adults ages 55+ looking to boost their health by walking outdoors on a peaceful paved path at a distance of a little over a mile. Halfway through, we stop to focus on activities to enhance balance and agility. These 45-minute guided walking sessions will help you maintain your mobility and cardiovascular health. Nordic walking poles are available upon request.

Discover the animals that swim, walk and slither in the park. Meet reptile and amphibian ambassadors and learn about them through games, play, art and hikes. Search for food to feed them and learn fascinating facts about their life cycles. Sign up for Go Buggy camp for four days of fun.

These guided 2-2.5 mile walks feature wetlands burbling with spring peepers, bird migration hot spots and prairies abuzz with spring sounds. Each walk will feature a brief wellness activity at the midpoint. Join for one or join for all. This program meets on the following dates and locations: 4/15 at Spring Lake Regional Park, South Entrance; 4/22 at Doyle Kennefick Regional Park; 4/29 at Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve - Minnregs Lake Trailhead.

Join teaching artist Scott Stafford for a walk through Cleary Lake Regional Park as he guides you through various tai chi and qigong forms along the path. Together, we will appreciate the beauty of the natural world with exercises that encourage stress relief, a sense of connection with nature and overall wellness. The majority of this program will be held outdoors, please dress accordingly.

The forest is calling. Are you ready to explore? Create the perfect walking stick, hike meandering paths, and build forts for you and your friends. Try stick-based projectiles of the past, light a fire to cook a tasty treat and enjoy the summer woodland at its finest. Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up ends at 5 p.m.

Take a walk with a naturalist under a full moon and learn about what's happening outside as winter fades into spring.

Join us for a low impact guided trail walk that engages the whole person (physical, mental, emotional). Each session includes a low impact physical activity and wellness practice such as meditation, breathing exercise or nature reading. Wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing. Meets snow or shine. Nordic poles and instruction are provided. Drop-ins welcome.

Join us for a low impact, guided trail walk that engages the whole person (physical, mental and emotional). Each session includes low impact physical activity and wellness activity such as meditation, breathing or nature reading. Participants will be on uneven trails up to two miles. Wear close-toed shoes and comfortable clothing. Meets snow or shine! Nordic poles and instruction are provided. Drop-ins welcome.