River Bend Nature Center

Yoga on the Prairie
2023-06-29 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Cost: $24/person, $20/member per session
Thursdays, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of yoga and nature with Yoga Reset outside at River Bend Nature Center. Sign up for one class, or register for all three for a discount. In the event of rain, class will be held inside.
June 29, Yoga on the Prairie (Session 2)
July 6, Yoga on the Prairie (Session 3)

Summer Camp - Meadowlarks (K-2) Nature Art
2023-06-28 09:00 - 2023-06-29 16:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Meadowlarks (K-2) Nature Art
Wed/Thurs, June 28 & 29, 9am – 4pm
$55 ($30 for members)
Prepare to be inspired by nature in this camp for art lovers. Campers will explore River Bend and partake in a variety of craft projects. Expect to bring home some great art and incredible memories. Bring a lunch and snacks needed to get through a busy day. Each camp has limited space available and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email. Within the month following registration, you will receive an additional email with an attached information packet including the River Bend liability form and health form. These forms can also be found here.

Summer Camp - Adventure Is Out There! Ology Camp (7-9th grade)
2023-06-28 08:30 - 2023-06-29 16:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Adventure Is Out There! Ology Camp Grades 7-9
June 28 & 29, Wed-Thurs, 8:30am – 4pm *Note Adventure Camps start a half-hour earlier than other River Bend Camps
$75 ($50 for members)
Learn all about the different areas of science that are interesting to you! Explore the science of zoology as you visit the Minnesota Zoo to encounter animals from all over the world and learn how the Zoo contributes to animal conservation. On day two, learn about geology, astronomy, archeology, and more as you touch and investigate the Bell Museum’s expansive natural history collections and visit the planetarium. Then learn all about ornithology as you visit the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota and meet some live raptors! This camp will travel in a van to booked venues.
Bring a lunch and snacks needed to get through a busy day.
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email. Within the month following registration, you will receive an additional email with an attached information packet including the River Bend liability form and health form. These forms can also be found here.

Summer Camp - Meadowlarks (K-2) Nature Ninjas
2023-06-26 09:00 - 2023-06-27 16:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Meadowlarks (K-2) Nature Ninjas
Mon/Tues, June 26 & 27, 9am – 4pm
$55 ($30 for members)
Join us as we explore the stealthiest animals around River Bend! From creatures of the night to what lives underground, campers channel their inner ninja to discover and learn about River Bend’s nature ninjas. Bring a lunch and snacks needed to get through a busy day. Each camp has limited space available and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email. Within the month following registration, you will receive an additional email with an attached information packet including the River Bend liability form and health form. These forms can also be found here.

Summer Camp - Adventure Is Out There! Outdoor Sports (7-9th grade)
2023-06-26 08:30 - 2023-06-27 16:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Adventure Is Out There! Outdoor Sports (Gr. 7-9)
June 26 & 27, M-Tue, 8:30am – 4pm *Note Adventure Camps start a half-hour earlier than other River Bend Camps
$75 ($50 for members)
Live on the wild side! This camp is jam-packed full of exciting outdoor activities such as archery, rock climbing, canoeing, and kayaking that your camper will surely love! This camp will travel in a van to booked venues.
Bring a lunch and snacks needed to get through a busy day.
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email. Within the month following registration, you will receive an additional email with an attached information packet including the River Bend liability form and health form. These forms can also be found here.

Recycling/Compost Ambassadors: Recycling
2023-06-21 16:00 - 18:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Wednesdays, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Cost: $5.00
Join River Bend Nature center and learn how you can become a strong advocate for sustainability in your life! Over the course of 4 classes, participants can learn about how recycling and waste solutions can help our communities thrive. Cost is $5/class. Those who participate in all 4 classes are eligible to receive a Recycling/Composting Ambassador certificate and access to additional resources around these topics!
June 21, Day 1: Recycling
After a quick introduction and overview of the course, participants will dive into the topic of recycling. Potential speaking topics include Rice County Curbside recycling, business recycling, and current recycling practices.
June 28, Day 2: Composting
Our second class will provide a strong overview of composting. Topics can include at home/backyard composting techniques, local organic waste topics, or industrial composting processes.

July 12, Day 3: Food waste
Come and hear all about food waste during our third class. Speakers will be brought into to cover a variety of topics related to this important issue. This may include food donation, at-home food waste, and/or food to animal programs.

July 19, Day 4: Behavior change/Volunteering in the Community
Our last class will cover both how advocates can message their goals to a variety of audiences as well as provide some ideas for local action on topics related to earlier classes.

Summer Camp - Meadowlarks (K-2) Creepy Crawlies
2023-06-21 09:00 - 2023-06-22 16:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Meadowlarks (K-2) Creepy Crawlies
June 21 & 22, 9am – 4pm
$55 ($30 for members)
Join us as we dig through dirt, splash in ponds and flip over rocks and logs to uncover some of the amazing creepy crawlies that call River Bend Nature Center home. This two-day camp will be filled with adventure, investigation, and a lot of fun! Come prepared to get a little dirty! Bring a lunch and snacks needed to get through a busy day. Each camp has limited space available and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email. Within the month following registration, you will receive an additional email with an attached information packet including the River Bend liability form and health form. These forms can also be found here.

Summer Camp - Meadowlarks (K-2) Dinomite Dinos
2023-06-19 09:00 - 2023-06-20 16:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Meadowlarks (K-2) Dinomite Dinos
June 19 & 20, 9am – 4pm
$55 ($30 for members)
Have a roaring good time as we learn all about dinosaurs! Campers will take a trip back in time, as they uncover a world that was once full of these amazing creatures. Bring a lunch and snacks needed to get through a busy day. Each camp has limited space available and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email. Within the month following registration, you will receive an additional email with an attached information packet including the River Bend liability form and health form. These forms can also be found here.

Stewardship Day: Landscaping
2023-06-17 10:00 - 11:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 17, 10:00-11:30 am and 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Help beautify River Bend Nature Center. Projects will include preparing and planting around signage, building, cleaning up the rain garden.

Summer Camp - Herons (3-5) Archery Camp
2023-06-14 09:00 - 2023-06-15 16:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Herons Archery Camp- Grades 3-5
June 14 & 15 Wed-Thurs, 9am – 4pm
$55 ($30 for members)
Learn the basics of archery at River Bend Nature Center. Learners will explore the history of archery, and how humans have used archery for survival and will get to hone their skills with a bow and arrow over the course of two days. Archery equipment is provided, but students may bring their own bow and arrow on day two of the camp if applicable. Each camp has limited space available and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring a lunch and snacks needed to get through a busy day.
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email. Within the month following registration, you will receive an additional email with an attached information packet including the River Bend liability form and health form. These forms can also be found here.

Stewardship Day: Landscaping
2023-06-13 10:00 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Tuesday, June 13, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
All Ages
Cost: Free!
Help beautify River Bend Nature Center. Projects will include preparing and planting around signage, building, cleaning up the rain garden.

Summer Camp: Food Fight (Heron)
2023-06-12 09:00 - 2023-06-13 16:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Herons Food Fight- Grades 3-5
June 12 &13, Mon-Tue, 9am – 4pm
$55 ($30 for members)
Start summer off with a full belly as we explore everything there is to know about food. From growing crops to eating our favorite meals to fighting food waste, this two-day camp will teach you everything there is to know about the things we eat! Each camp has limited space available and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring a lunch and snacks needed to get through a busy day.
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email. Within the month following registration, you will receive an additional email with an attached information packet including the River Bend liability form and health form. These forms can also be found here.

Forest Therapy Walk
2023-06-10 09:30 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Cost: $60/person; $50/member
Improved mental health. Lower stress levels. Heightened immune response. Deep gratitude. A renewed connection with creation and Creator. Through a series of invitations designed to boost your senses and evoke discovery, the ANFT-certified Jerad Morey will guide you on a Forest Therapy Walk. Past participants have called their experience “transformative,” “meaningful,” and “spiritual” and reported feelings of refreshment, relaxation, and peace.
A Forest Therapy Walk is not an extended hike – you will not be huffing and puffing or racking up your step count – but you will be invited to traverse unpaved and uneven ground. Please bring a full water bottle and dress appropriately for a few hours in the weather including sunscreen, bug deterrent, a portable chair or clothes in which you can sit on the ground, and shoes in which you can walk off-trail.

Archery for Beginners
2023-06-03 12:30 - 13:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Cost: $10/child, $5/member, Ages: 8-15
Ever wanted to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow? Now is your chance! Learn the basics of shooting a compound bow and have time to practice your new skill. The NASP archery equipment provided for this program was sponsored by a No Child Left Inside grant through the Minnesota DNR.

Wellness Wednesday: Archery
2023-05-31 16:30 - 17:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members)
Shoot archery with a naturalist on Wellness Wednesday! We’re getting outside for some fresh air and rejuvenation. Ask any question about nature while the naturalist highlights what’s happening throughout the seasons during this special session of archery.

Lunch & Learn: Prairie Songbird Conservation
2023-05-24 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: Prairie Songbird Conservation
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).
Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 12:00-2:00pm
Topic: Prairie Songbird Conservation
Dr. LaReesa Wolfenbarger and Dr. John McCarty will talk about studies of Henslow’s Sparrows and other prairie birds completed by their Lab of Avian Ecology at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Nature Prints with Paradise Center for the Arts
2023-05-20 10:00 - 12:00 | MINNESOTA
Nature Prints with Artist Karen Peters, Paradise Center for the Arts
Saturday, May 20, 10:00 – 12:00pm
Free Program, all ages welcome!- Must pre-register for the event.

Register with the Paradise Center for the Arts at https://www.paradisecenterforthearts.org/education
Or, call the Paradise Center for the Arts 507-332-7372 ext. 1 or 4 or stop in during open hours Wed. – Fri. 12pm – 5pm, Saturday 10am – 2pm

We will meet at River Bend Nature Center 1000 Rustad Rd, Faribault (near the Interpretive Center Building) at 10:00am. All ages are welcome but small children must have supervision and help. In this class artist Karen Peters will bring nature and art together. Students are encouraged to enjoy the outdoors and see the wonder in nature while creating nature prints. Students will create small format monotypes using abstract color fields and plants. We’ll use leaves and other plants to create shapes and textures on our prints. Combining the beauty of art and nature. Students will make two or more prints. Students will be able to take one print home and leave the other print to be included in the collaborative art piece that will be assembled and displayed locally.
The collaborative Nature Print piece will be displayed at the Paradise Center for the Arts (321 Central Ave. N., Faribault) June 30 – August 5, 2023. An artist opening reception will be held Friday, June 30th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, for friends, family, and the public. The Nature Prints Collaborative piece will be on display in the K & M Gallery at the Paradise until August 5th.
Ink does not wash out of clothes. Wear something old, or something black, or bring a paint shirt. We are limited to 20 students for the class. Please register soon. The Nature Prints will bring you in touch with nature and art.

Stewardship Day: Invasive Species
2023-05-20 10:00 - 11:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
10:00-11:30am or 12:30-2:00pm
Cost: Free, for all ages
Come learn about what an invasive species is and help to remove it.

Wellness Wednesday
2023-05-17 16:30 - 17:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members)
Hike with a naturalist on Wellness Wednesday! We’re getting outside for some fresh air and rejuvenation. Ask any question about nature while the naturalist highlights what’s happening throughout the seasons.

Lunch & Learn: Faribault Parks and Rec Department
2023-05-17 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members)
Topic: Faribault Parks and Rec Department
Bring your own lunch and join us as we listen to Paul Peanasky talk about the parks and rec department.

Stewardship Day: Invasive Species
2023-05-16 10:00 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
10:00 am – 11:00 am, meet at the main interpretive center
Cost: Free!
Come learn about what an invasive species is and then help remove it to restore River Bend’s habitats.

Homeschool Reptiles and Amphibians
2023-05-08 13:00 - 15:00 | MINNESOTA
River Bend Nature Center invites all learners, grades K-5th, the opportunity to experience all of the seasons at River Bend!
Classes are held on the second Monday of the month from 1pm-3pm.
May 8: Reptiles and Amphibians
Come meet River Bend’s animal ambassadors, a painted turtle, gray tree frog, tiger salamander, and corn snake, as we explore the importance of and differences between reptiles and amphibians.

Maple Syrup Fun Run & Pancake Brunch
2023-05-06 | MINNESOTA
Your registration fee supports environmental education, outdoor recreation, and natural resource conservation. River Bend is a 501(c)(3) non-profit nature center that relies on donations, memberships, and fundraising events. Thank You!
All registrations get a free pancake brunch and goodies from race sponsors. Register by Monday, April 17 to get a Free t-shirt. T-shirts are unisex sizes. Registrations after April 17th and same-day registrations can get a t-shirt on a first-come, first serve basis while supplies last. Multiple distances are available: one mile, 5K, 10K, 25K, 50K. Chip timing by Anderson Race Management. Registration prices increase April 1st!

Forest Therapy Walk
2023-04-23 13:00 - 15:30 | MINNESOTA
Forest Therapy Walk
Sunday, April 23, 1:00-3:30pm
Cost: $60/person, $50/member (Guided by Jerad Morey, ANFT-Certified)

Improved mental health. Lower stress levels. Heightened immune response. Deep gratitude. A renewed connection with creation and Creator. Through a series of invitations designed to boost your senses and evoke discovery, the ANFT-certified Jerad Morey will guide you on a Forest Therapy Walk. Past participants have called their experience “transformative,” “meaningful,” and “spiritual” and reported feelings of refreshment, relaxation, and peace.
A Forest Therapy Walk is not an extended hike – you will not be huffing and puffing or racking up your step count – but you will be invited to traverse unpaved and uneven ground. Please bring a full water bottle and dress appropriately for a few hours in the weather including sunscreen, bug deterrent, a portable chair or clothes in which you can sit on the ground, and shoes in which you can walk off-trail.

Earth Day, Family Day!
2023-04-23 11:00 - 14:30 | MINNESOTA
Earth Day Celebration – Family Day!
Sunday, April 23, 11:00-2:30pm
Cost: Free! for all ages

Celebrate Earth Day at River Bend Nature Center and enjoy a fun day of filled with wildflowers and earth friendly activities! Come for all or part of the planned activities.
11:00-12:00 Wildflower Hike with trash clean up (Outside)
12:00-12:30 Lunch break – pack a lunch and enjoy each other’s company!
12:30-1:30 Kids/Family Story with activity (Inside)
1:30-2:30 Take home wildflower project (Inside)

Earth Day Celebration!
2023-04-22 11:00 - 14:30 | MINNESOTA
Earth Day Celebration – Call to Action!
Saturday, April 22, 11:00-2:30pm
Cost: Free! for all ages

Celebrate Earth Day at River Bend Nature Center and enjoy a fun day of filled with wildflowers and earth friendly activities! Come for all or part of the planned activities.
11:00-12:00 Wildflower Hike with trash pick up
12:00-12:30 Lunch break – pack a lunch and enjoy each other’s company!
12:30-1:30 Stewardship Activity Invasive Species Removal (Outside) What can be recycled? (Inside)
1:30-2:30 Stewardship Activity Invasive Species Removal (Outside) What is Composting? (Inside)

Lunch & Learn: Energy Conservation with Xcel Energy
2023-04-19 12:00 - 14:00 | MINNESOTA
Lunch & Learn: Energy Conservation at Home with Anna Thill from Xcel Energy
Wednesday, April 19, 12:00-2:00pm
Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Learn all about ways you can be more eco-conscious by conserving energy (and usually money!) at home.

Live Peregrine Falcons
2023-04-15 10:30 - 11:30 | MINNESOTA
Live Peregrine Falcons with Jackie Fallon from Mayo Clinic
Saturday April 15, Cost: $5/member, $10/non-member
Peregrine Falcons are the fastest bird in the air and nearly went extinct. Jackie Fallon helped bring the population back. Come hear about the amazing recovery story, what is being done right here in Minnesota to help the species and what we have discovered about them after 40 years of research. Please pre-register for this event, as it usually sells out!
Morning Session 10:30 – 11:30 am
Afternoon Session 12:30 – 1:30 pm

Little Sprouts Adult/Child Programs
2023-04-11 09:30 - 11:00 | MINNESOTA
Adult/child class for ages birth-5. ($5/member, $10 for non-members)
There are planned educational exploration activities with a different theme each week. Dress for the weather, as most of the class will be outside.
Classes are held on Tuesdays from 9:30-11 am unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, April 11 – Birds and Nests
Tuesday, April 25 – Baby Animals
Tuesday, May 9 – Sounds and Shapes in Nature
Tuesday, May 23 – Worms and Mud
Tuesday, June 13 – What’s in the Water?
Tuesday, August 8 – What’s in the Water?

Homeschool Weather and Seasons
2023-04-10 13:00 - 15:00 | MINNESOTA
April 10: Weather and Seasons
As the weather warms, learn all about the seasons we experience in Minnesota and how weather changes. Please pre-register for this event, as they do fill quickly.
