River Bend Nature Center

Earth Day Celebration!
2024-04-20 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Earth Day Celebration!
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, April 20, 2024, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
The Schedule of Events are as follows:
10:30-11:30 am
11:30-12:30 pm
Break for Lunch – a lite lunch will be provided
1:00 – 2:00 pm
The activities are

Invasive species removal
How to make a DIY compost bin demonstration
Upcycling plastic bags into jump ropes

Participants can choose what activity they would like to do. Each activity will run for an hour and will be offered three different times.

Little Sprouts: Earth Day
2024-04-22 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Earth Day
Cost: $10/child, $5/member
Monday, April 22, 2024, 9:30am-11am
Get inspired for earth day with fun, hands-on activities! Dress for the weather, as a portion of the class will be outside.

Maple Syrup Fun Run & Pancake Brunch
2024-05-04 06:30 - 15:30
Maple Syrup Fun Run & Pancake Brunch

Maple Syrup Fun Run
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Pre-register by March 31 for discounted fee
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 Monday, April 15. 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 May 2nd. Entrants may also register on the day of the race starting at 6:00 am.
Race registrations are non-refundable.

Little Sprouts: Baby birds, bunnies & other animals
2024-05-06 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Baby birds, bunnies & other animals
Cost: $10/child, $5/member
Monday, May 6, 2024, 9:30am-11am
It’s spring time and babies are here! We’ll learn all about baby birds, bunnies and other animals. Dress for the weather, as a portion of the class will be outside.

Little Sprouts: Colors, shapes & textures in nature
2024-05-13 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Colors, shapes & textures in nature
Cost: $10/child, $5/member
Monday, May13, 2024, 9:30am-11am
Nature is beautiful in so many ways. Become inspired by nature through colors, shapes & textures! Dress for the weather, as a portion of the class will be outside.

Homeschool: Aquatic Ecosystems
2024-05-13 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool: Aquatic Ecosystems
ages 5-12. Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Monday, May 13, 2024, 1-3pm
Explore the ponds and river while learning what an aquatic ecosystem is, why it’s important, and how we can help protect them.

Lunch & Learn: Wildflowers (Dwarf Trout Lily)
2024-05-15 12:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Learn: Wildflowers (Dwarf Trout Lily)
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).

Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 12:00-2:00pm
Topic: Wildflowers (Dwarf Trout Lily), Guest speaker Andy Wendt from Nerstrand State Park
Bring your own lunch and join us as we learn about a new topic each month.

Woodland Flowers Walk
2024-05-18 13:00 - 14:00
Woodland Flowers Walk
All Ages
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).
Saturday, May 18, 2024, 1:00-2:00pm
Take a walk with a naturalist and learn tips and tricks for identifying different woodland flowers.

Little Sprouts: Mud & Worms
2024-05-20 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Mud & Worms
Cost: $10/child, $5/member
Monday, May 20, 2024, 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.

Bagels & Birds
2024-06-01 10:00 - 11:00
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 1, 2024, 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.

National River's Month Celebration!
2024-06-01 10:30 - 13:30
National River’s Month Celebration!
Ages 12+. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 1, 2024
10:30 am- 12:00 pm – River Cleanup
We’re celebrating National River Month! Join us June 1st to help clean up the Straight River that runs through River Bend. There will be a half hour of education about the river followed by river clean up for the Straight River. There will be two teams, starting at two locations- at Teepee Tonka and Trout Lily Trails.
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm – Stream Table Activity
What happens to the land when water flows through it? What happens when the amount of water changes or the speed at which it flows? Explore these questions and more through interactive hands-on activities using the stream table at River Bend. Make land formations out of sand, design a river channel, then add water and see what happens! Fun for all ages!

Sweet Reads Book Club
2024-06-01 14:00 - 15:00
Sweet Reads Book Club
Teens and Adults. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 1, 2024, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Join us on the 1st Saturday of each month for a one group discussion on topics that include Environmentalism, Forestry, Wellness, Sustainability, Climate Change, Etc…
June Theme: Restoration
Book 1: Saving Tarboo Creek by Scott Freeman

Little Sprouts: What's in the Water?
2024-06-03 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: What’s in the Water?
Cost: $10/child, $5/member
Monday, June 3, 2024, 9:30am-11am
Splish, splash, what’s in the water? Come and learn what lives in the river and ponds at River Bend. Dress for the weather, as a portion of the class will be outside.

Big Woods Biome Hike
2024-06-08 10:00 - 12:00
Big Woods Biome Hike
Ages 12+
Cost: Free
Saturday, June 8, 2024, 10:00-12:00pm
The Big Woods is one of the major biomes found in Minnesota. Come learn about what makes this biome unique and explore the Big Woods at River Bend Nature Center. Program consists of a short presentation followed by a naturalist-led hike.

Dinosaurs Summer Camp
2024-06-10 09:00 - 16:00, 2024-06-11 09:00 - 16:00
Dinosaurs – Meadowlarks (K-2)
June 10 & 11, Mon-Tue, 9am – 4pm
$55 ($30 for members)
Take a trip back in time as we explore dinosaurs! Come learn all about the prehistoric world as we play games, make art, and look for fossils.
Register Here

Creepy Crawlies Summer Camp
2024-06-12 09:00 - 16:00, 2024-06-13 09:00 - 16:00
Creepy Crawlies – Meadowlarks (K-2)
June 12 & 13, Wed-Thurs, 9am – 4pm
$55 ($30 for members)
Join us as we inspect the pond, look under logs, and explore the forest looking for critters. From insects to snakes discover all that creeps and crawls and calls River Bend home. Come ready to explore!
Register Here

Survival Skills Summer Camp
2024-06-17 09:00 - 16:00, 2024-06-18 09:00 - 16:00
Survival Skills – Herons (3-5)
June 17 & 18, Mon-Tues, 9am – 4pm
$55 ($30 for members)
Come sharpen your survival skills! Campers will spend time learning what it takes to survive in the wilderness and then get hands-on experience applying their skills.
Register Here

Archery and Atlatls Summer Camp
2024-06-19 09:00 - 16:00, 2024-06-20 09:00 - 16:00
Archery and Atlatls – Herons (3-5)
June 19 & 20, Wed-Thurs, 9am – 4pm
$55 ($30 for members)
Come learn the basics of archery and atlatls at River Bend Nature Center. We will learn the fundamentals, play games, and hone these time-honored skills. All equipment will be provided.
Register Here

Lunch & Learn: Recycling and Composting
2024-06-19 12:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Learn: Recycling and Composting
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).

Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 12:00-2:00pm
Topic: Recycling and Composting
Can this be recycled? Can this be composted? Why not put everything in the landfill? These are just a few questions we all struggle with. Join, as we discuss these questions and more about recycling and composting! Bring your own lunch and join us as we learn about a new topic each month.

Storytime with a Naturalist: All About Owls
2024-06-22 10:00 - 11:00
Storytime with a Naturalist: All About Owls
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 22, 2024, 10:00 am-11:00 am
Join a naturalist for storytime on Saturdays! Free to attend. Topic themes coordinate with Family Paint sessions. Make a day of it and attend both!

Family Painting: Give a Hoot About Owls
2024-06-22 11:00 - 12:30
Family Painting: Give a Hoot About Owls
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 22, 2024, 11:00 am-12:30 pm
Join artist Kate Langlais for a fun, free family painting program. Learn all about owls in Minnesota and how to paint them! 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. Themes coordinate with Storytime with a Naturalist. Make a day of it and attend both!

Wild About Animals, AIOT Summer Camp
2024-06-24 08:30 - 16:00, 2024-06-25 08:30 - 16:00
Wild About Animals, AIOT Summer Camp – (3-5)
June 24 & 25, Mon-Tues, 8:30am – 4pm
$75 ($50 for members)
Calling all animal lovers! This camp will provide an up close look at a wide variety of animals through enriching experiences at places such as zoos, nature preserves, state parks, and right here at River Bend.
Register Here

Outdoor Sports, AIOT Summer Camp
2024-06-26 08:30 - 16:00, 2024-06-27 08:30 - 16:00
Outdoor Sports, AIOT Summer Camp – (3-5)
June 26 & 27, Wed-Thurs, 8:30am – 4pm
$75 ($50 for members)
Join us as we enjoy outdoor sports together! Maybe it is your first time or outdoor sports are your favorite. Either way we’ll have fun with activities such as archery, disk golf, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming.
Register Here
