Archery and Atlatls Camp 3rd-5th Grade
2026-06-15 09:00 - 2026-06-16 16:00 (America/Chicago) | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Archery and Atlatls Camp 3rd-5th Grade
Monday & Tuesday, June 15th & 16th
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Camp Description
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.
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center.
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

Bushcraft Camp 3rd-5th Grade
2026-06-17 09:00 - 2026-06-18 16:00
Bushcraft Camp 3rd-5th Grade
Wednesday & Thursday, June 17th & 18th
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Camp Description
Bushcraft is a set of outdoor skills that allow you to survive and enjoy being out in the wild. We will learn skills like shelter building, weaving, fire building, cordage making, and more! This is where nature, art and survival come together.
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center.
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

Dinosaurs K-2nd Grade
2026-06-22 09:00 - 2026-06-23 16:00
Dinosaurs K-2nd Grade
Monday & Tuesday, June 22nd & 23rd
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Camp Description
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.
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

The Buzz on Pollinators K-2nd Grade
2026-06-24 09:00 - 2026-06-25 16:00
The Buzz on Pollinators K-2nd Grade
Wednesday & Thursday, June 24th & 25th
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Camp Description
Get the buzz on pollinators! Campers will learn about the important role our pollinators serve and what we can do to help them out.
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

AIOT Outdoor Sports 3rd-5th Grade
2026-06-29 08:30 - 2026-06-30 16:00
AIOT Outdoor Sports 3rd-5th Grade
Monday & Tuesday, June 29th & 30th
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Camp Description
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! Activities may include archery, disk golf, canoeing, fishing, and climbing.
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

AIOT Archaeology 3rd-5th Grade
2026-07-01 08:30 - 2026-07-02 16:00
AIOT Archaeology 3rd-5th Grade
Wednesday & Thursday, July 1st & 2nd
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Camp Description
Come be an archaeologist as we dig into the past to discover its secrets. Search for rocks and fossils to uncover the story they have to tell about a time long ago. We will explore various areas that may include River Bend and Quarry Hill Nature Center.
Register Here

Nature Engineers 3rd-5th Grade
2026-07-06 09:00 - 2026-07-07 16:00
Nature Engineers 3rd-5th Grade
Monday & Tuesday, July 6 & 7th
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Camp Description
Get ready for takeoff! This camp will be a blast for anyone who enjoys getting outside and doing science experiments.
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

Campfire Cooking 3rd-5th Grade
2026-07-08 09:00 - 2026-07-09 16:00
Campfire Cooking 3rd-5th Grade
Wednesday& Thursday, July 8 & 9th
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Get a taste of the outdoors! Campers will spend time learning fun and new recipes that taste best over the campfire.
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

Nature Art K-2nd Grade
2026-07-13 09:00 - 2026-07-14 16:00
Nature Art K-2nd Grade
Monday & Tuesday, July 13th & 14th
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
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.
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

Forts and Fires K-2nd Grade
2026-07-15 09:00 - 2026-07-16 16:00
Forts and Fires K-2nd Grade
Wednesday& Thursday, July 15th & 16th
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Enjoy all the forest has to offer! Take a hike, build forts for you and your friends, practice lighting fires with different methods, and cook a tasty treat.
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

Little Sprouts Free Play- Prairie Pollinators
2026-07-18 10:00 - 12:00
Little Sprouts Free Play- Prairie Pollinators
Cost: Free, donations appreciated.
Geared towards ages 5 and younger.
Saturday, July 18, 10:00am-12:00pm
Bring your Little Sprouts to explore self-led free play with pollinator-themed hands-on activities.
Register Here

AIOT Outdoor Sports 6th-9th Grade
2026-07-20 08:30 - 2026-07-21 16:00
AIOT Outdoor Sports 6th-9th Grade
Monday & Tuesday, July 20th &21st
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Camp Description
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! Activities may include archery, disk golf, canoeing, fishing, and climbing.
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

AIOT Race Around River Bend 6th-9th Grade
2026-07-22 08:30 - 2026-07-23 16:00
AIOT Race Around River Bend 6th-9th Grade
Wednesday & Thursday, July 22nd & 23rd
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Ready…Set…Go! Join us for a journey around River Bend where campers will test their physical and mental skills. Outdoor-themed challenges will push teams to work together in order to cross the finish line!
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

Annual Meeting
2026-07-23 17:00 - 19:00
Annual Meeting
Free
All RBNC members encouraged to attend
Thursday, July 23, 5:00pm-7:00pm
River Bend Members and the general public are welcome to attend our annual meeting. There will be a presentation on activities that happened over the past year. Then members will vote for new board members.
Register Here

Explorers K-2nd Grade
2026-07-27 09:00 - 2026-07-28 16:00
Explorers K-2nd Grade
Monday & Tuesday, July 27th & 28th
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Are you ready to explore River Bend? Discover the different habitats around the nature center and try to catch a glimpse of the animals that live there.
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

Animal Camp K-2nd Grade
2026-07-29 09:00 - 2026-07-30 16:00
Animal Camp K-2nd Grade
Wednesday & Thursday, July 29th, & 30th
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Are you ready to explore River Bend? Discover the different habitats around the nature center and try to catch a glimpse of the animals that live there.
Drop-off and pick-up at the main interpretive center
If you have questions, you can call 507-332-7151 or email camp@rbnc.org
Register Here

Bagels & Birds
2026-08-01 10:00 - 11:00
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, August 1, 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

Story Time Pollinators
2026-08-01 11:00 - 12:00
Story time with a Naturalist: Pollinators
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, August 1, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Join a Naturalist for a fun and interactive story time all about pollinators!
Register Here

Lunch & Learn: Minnesota's Mussels
2026-08-19 12:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Learn: Minnesota’s Mussels with Andy Wendt, Nerstrand State Park Naturalist
Cost: $5/member, $10/non-member
Adult Learning, 18+
Wednesday, August 19, 12:00-2:00pm
Join Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Naturalist Andy Wendt to explore the fascinating world of Minnesota’s mussels. Discover their importance to our waters and some of the unique ways they complete their lifecycle. You will also have an opportunity to learn how you can help protect these ecosystem superstars!
Guest Speaker begins at 12:30 pm. Bring your own lunch and enjoy!
Register Here

Lunch & Learn: The National Wild Turkey Federation
2026-09-16 12:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Learn: The National Wild Turkey Federation and Restoring Wild Turkeys in Minnesota
Cost: $5/member, $10/non-member
Adult Learning, 18+
Wednesday, September 16, 12:00-2:00pm
Steve Misvaer, Regional Director NWTF and Linden Anderson, Minnesota DNR and NWTF Volunteer, will be discussing the NWTF’s past, present and future turkey restoration efforts as well as a discussion on the efforts to reintroduce wild turkeys to Minnesota over the past century. This presentation will cover both the challenges and successes, as well as the lessons learned throughout the restoration process. It will feature insights and stories from one of the individuals involved in Minnesota’s trap-and-transplant program.
Guest Speaker begins at 12:30 pm. Bring your own lunch and enjoy!
Register Here
