River Bend Nature Center

Family Painting: Paint the Earth
2025-04-26 12:30 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Family Painting: Paint the Earth
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, April 26, 2025, 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Join River Bend Naturalists to celebrate Earth Day by learning about and participating in a Citizen Science project! Join artist Kate Langlais for a fun, free family painting program. Paint a picture of the Earth for Earth Day! Pre-registration is required to ensure enough supplies are available for participants. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Baby Animals!
2025-04-28 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Baby Animals!
Cost: $10/child, $5/member-child, adults attend free
Monday, April 28, 2025, 9:30 – 11:00 am
It’s spring time and that means baby animals are being born. Join us for a cute adventure as we learn about baby animals! A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Maple Syrup Fun Run 50K Trail Run
2025-05-03 06:00 - 15:30
Maple Syrup Fun Run 50K Trail Run
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Registration/Check-in: 6:00-6:45am
50K Run Start: 7:00am
Registration Fee: $80; Pre-register by March 31: $65
Register Here
Registration fee includes a race t-shirt and an admission to our Pancake Brunch. Race t-shirts are only guaranteed to participants that pre-register by 4pm on Sunday, April 13. Additional shirts will be available first come first serve on race day.
Complete race details are on our Maple Syrup Fun Run website.
Online registration closes at 4:30pm on April 30th. People may also register on the day of the race.
All race registrations are non-refundable.

Maple Syrup Fun Run 25K Trail Run
2025-05-03 06:00 - 15:30
Maple Syrup Fun Run 25K Trail Run
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Registration/Check-in: 6:00-6:45am
50K Run Start: 7:00am
Registration Fee: $65 Pre-register by March 31: $50
Register Here
Registration fee includes a race t-shirt and an admission to our Pancake Brunch. Race t-shirts are only guaranteed to participants that pre-register by 4pm on Sunday, April 13. Additional shirts will be available first come first serve on race day.
Complete race details are on our Maple Syrup Fun Run website.
Online registration closes at 4:30pm on April 30th. People may also register on the day of the race.
All race registrations are non-refundable.

Maple Syrup Fun Run One-Mile Walk
2025-05-03 07:30 - 10:00
Maple Syrup Fun Run One-Mile Walk
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Registration/Check-in: 7:30-8:15am
Walk Start: 8:40am – Not chip timed
Registration Fee: $40 Pre-register by March 31: $30
Register Here
Registration fee includes a race t-shirt and an admission to our Pancake Brunch. Race t-shirts are only guaranteed to participants that pre-register by 4pm on Sunday, April 13. Additional shirts will be available first come first serve on race day. Faribault Public School Employees can register for the race with their school email to qualify for the discounted price.
Complete race details are on our Maple Syrup Fun Run website.
Online registration closes at 4:30pm on April 30th. People may also register on the day of the race..
All race registrations are non-refundable.

Maple Syrup Fun Run 5K Trail Run
2025-05-03 07:30 - 13:00
Maple Syrup Fun Run 5K Trail Run
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Registration/Check-in: 7:30-8:15am
5K Run Start: 8:30am
Registration Fee: $45 Pre-register by March 31: $35
Register Here
Registration fee includes a race t-shirt and an admission to our Pancake Brunch. Race t-shirts are only guaranteed to participants that pre-register by 4pm on Sunday, April 13. Additional shirts will be available first come first serve on race day.
Complete race details are on our Maple Syrup Fun Run website.
Online registration closes at 4:30pm on April 30th. People may also register on the day of the race.
All race registrations are non-refundable.

Maple Syrup Fun Run 10K Trail Run
2025-05-03 07:30 - 13:00
Maple Syrup Fun Run 10K Trail Run
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Registration/Check-in: 7:30-8:15am
10K Run Start: 8:30 am
Registration Fee: $50 Pre-register by March 31: $40
Register Here
Registration fee includes a race t-shirt and an admission to our Pancake Brunch. Race t-shirts are only guaranteed to participants that pre-register by 4pm on Sunday, April 13. Additional shirts will be available first come first serve on race day.
Complete race details are on our Maple Syrup Fun Run website.
Online registration closes at 4:30pm on April 30th. People may also register on the day of the race.
All race registrations are non-refundable.

Pancake Brunch
2025-05-03 10:00 - 12:30
Pancake Brunch
Saturday, May 3, 2025
General Public: 10 am to 12:30 pm
Racers and their families may eat as soon as they finish their race. Racers receive complimentary admission to Brunch.
Admission: $10 per person ($5 per River Bend member). Register Here
Come out to River Bend for delicious pancakes topped with River Bend’s own real maple syrup. We’ll also have sausages, coffee, and juice to accompany our pancakes. Gluten free pancakes are available. Please check the option to have gluten free if you want them when you register. Brunch will be held in the Interpretive Center.
Pancake Brunch is included in race registration. Those registered as racers do not need to register separately for Pancake Brunch.
Complete Maple Syrup Fun Run & Pancake Brunch details are available on their website.
Please note: We will not mail tickets for admission purchased before the event, instead we will add your name to the list at our entry table. If you need physical proof of purchase, please print the receipt you receive after you complete your Pancake Brunch purchase.

Stewardship Saturday: Invasive Species Removal
2025-05-10 10:00 - 14:00
Stewardship Saturday: Invasive Species Removal
Teens +. Cost: Free
Saturday, May 10, 2025, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Learn about invasive plants and how River Bend is controlling them. Then help us to remove them! The specific species being mitigated will depend on the seasonality.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Mud & Worms
2025-05-12 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Mud & Worms
Cost: $10/child, $5/member
Monday, May 12, 2025, 9:30am-11am
Dive into the world of mud and get a bit dirty while having fun learning about worms! Dress for the weather, as a portion of the class will be outside.
Register Here

Homeschool: Water Cycle and Spring Ephemerals
2025-05-12 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool: Water Cycle and Spring Ephemerals
ages 5-12. Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Monday, May 12, 2025, 1-3pm
Water is vital to surviving. In this class we’ll learn about how water cycles through the planet and the different forms it can take. Then, we’ll get outside and discover what Spring Ephemerals are and where they live at River Bend.
Register Here

Canceled: Boy Scout Badge Day: Birds
2025-05-17 10:00 - 13:30
Canceled: Boy Scout Badge Day: Birds
Saturday, May 17, 2025
10:00 – 1:30 pm
Cost: $10/person
Grades: 5th – 12th
Learn all about Birds while fulfilling your badge requirements at River Bend! *Note some specific requirements are more time-consuming than what can be done during this program, it is up to the scout/scout leader to help fulfill any remaining requirements.*
Register Here

Little Sprouts: What's in the Water?
2025-05-19 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: What’s in the Water?
Cost: $10/child, $5/member
Monday, May 19, 2025, 9:30am-11am
Now that winter has passed and the ice is melting, what lives in the water? It’s spring time and ponds are filled with living creatures! Let’s explore what lives in the water. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Lunch & Learn: Big Woods
2025-05-21 12:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Learn: Big Woods
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).
Wednesday, May 21, 12:00-2:00pm, Speaker begins at 12:30 pm, Bring your own lunch.
Join us and guest speaker, Andy Wendt, as he discusses the Big Woods ecosystem at Nerstrand State Park.
Register Here

Stewardship Saturday: Native Plant Communities Info Session
2025-05-31 10:00 - 11:30
Stewardship Saturday: Native Plant Communities Info Session
Teens +. Cost: Free
Saturday, May 31, 2025, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Come learn about the importance of native plant communities and how River Bend intends to use citizen science to create a database of native plant communities found onsite. Then leave with the knowledge needed to volunteer at future Stewardship Saturdays.
Register Here

Bagels & Birds
2025-06-07 10:00 - 11:00
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 7, 2025, 10:00 am-11:00 am
Join us on the first Saturday each month. Enjoy coffee and bagels in a relaxed atmosphere while watching wildlife from the comfort of the Interpretive Center through our Windows on the Wild viewing area. Bagels provided by The Inn at Shattuck.
Register Here

Storytime with a Naturalist: Rivers!
2025-06-07 11:00 - 12:00
Storytime with a Naturalist: Rivers!
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 7, 2025, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Storytime includes a short story and coloring activity.
Register Here

Family Painting: Spring Flowers
2025-06-07 12:30 - 14:00
Family Painting: Spring Flowers
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 7, 2025, 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Join artist Kate Langlais for a fun, free family painting program. Learn about spring flowers that bloom at River Bend, then try to paint them! This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Register Here

Sweet Reads Book Club
2025-06-07 14:00 - 15:00
Sweet Reads Book Club – Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake
Teens and Adults. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 7, 2025, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Join Ampact members Caitlin and Nick for Sweet Reads Book Club! Discuss environmental-related books with eco-conscience individuals while enjoying refreshments in the interpretive center.
Register Here

Summer Camp: Forts and Fires
2025-06-09 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-10 09:00 - 16:00
Forts and Fires – Entering Grades K-2nd, Fall of 2025
June 9-10, Mon/Tue, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
$60 ($35 for members) Register Here
Come enjoy all that the forest has to offer! Take a hike, build forts for you and your friends, light fires, and cook a tasty treat.
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email with information regarding what is needed for camp.
If you completed the liability & health form questions online during registration, you do not need to submit any other forms. You only need to fill out the questions online One Time. Paper forms are available. These forms can be found here. You only need to fill these out one time for the whole summer, one per child if registering more than one child. You will receive a reminder email a week prior to your registered summer camp.
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org

Summer Camp: Animal Ambassadors
2025-06-11 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-12 09:00 - 16:00
Animal Ambassadors – Entering Grades K-2nd, Fall of 2025
June 11-12, Wed/Thu, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
$60 ($35 for members) Register Here
Come meet our Animal Ambassadors! This is the perfect camp for animal lovers who want to get a closer look at the animals that call River Bend home.
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email with information regarding what is needed for camp.
If you completed the liability & health form questions online during registration, you do not need to submit any other forms. You only need to fill out the questions online One Time. Paper forms are available. These forms can be found here. You only need to fill these out one time for the whole summer, one per child if registering more than one child. You will receive a reminder email a week prior to your registered summer camp.
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org

Stewardship Saturday: Native Plant Communities Field Day
2025-06-14 10:00 - 12:00
Stewardship Saturday: Native Plant Communities Field Day
Teens +. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 14, 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 pm
Help River Bend inventory the native plant communities found onsite!
Register Here

Summer Camp: Nature Art
2025-06-16 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-17 09:00 - 16:00
Nature Art – Entering Grades 3rd-5th, Fall of 2025
June 16-17, Mon/Tue, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
$60 ($35 for members) Register Here
Let’s get inspired by nature! We will explore River Bend, create art inspired by what we find, and experiment with art materials made in nature.
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email with information regarding what is needed for camp.
If you completed the liability & health form questions online during registration, you do not need to submit any other forms. You only need to fill out the questions online One Time. Paper forms are available. These forms can be found here. You only need to fill these out one time for the whole summer, one per child if registering more than one child. You will receive a reminder email a week prior to your registered summer camp.
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org

Summer Camp: Nature Engineers
2025-06-18 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-19 09:00 - 16:00
Nature Engineers – Entering Grades 3rd-5th, Fall of 2025
June 18-19, Wed/Thu, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
$60 ($35 for members) Register Here
Get ready for takeoff! This camp will be a blast for anyone who enjoys getting outside and doing science experiments.
Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email with information regarding what is needed for camp.
If you completed the liability & health form questions online during registration, you do not need to submit any other forms. You only need to fill out the questions online One Time. Paper forms are available. These forms can be found here. You only need to fill these out one time for the whole summer, one per child if registering more than one child. You will receive a reminder email a week prior to your registered summer camp.
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org

Little Sprouts: Play Time
2025-06-21 12:00 - 14:00
Little Sprouts: Play Time
Cost: $10/child, $5/member
Monday, June 21, 2025, 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Today’s session is loosely structured play time for your little one to explore different activities. All or a portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Family Painting: Rivers
2025-06-21 12:30 - 14:00
Family Painting: Rivers
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 21, 2025, 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Join artist Kate Langlais for a fun, free family painting program. Rivers are a vital source for life. Discover their natural beauty as you paint a river! Pre-registration is required to ensure enough supplies are available for participants. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Register Here
