Little Sprouts: Colorful Leaves
2021-10-26 04:30 - 06:00 (America/Chicago) | MINNESOTA
On October 26, learn your colors with the leaves this time of year.
Little Sprouts is a parent child class, held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, exploring the natural world. Each week has planned educational activities and nature-play time. Make sure to dress for the weather, as the class will be mainly outside. Masks are required when inside the building. These programs are open to children birth through 5 years old and their adult. The Little Sprout’s fee is $10 per child, per class ($5 for River Bend members). Pre-registration is required for these programs by the Monday before the program.

Bats, Bones, & Bonfires
2021-10-30 09:00 - 13:00
Bring the whole family to enjoy a fall celebration! Enjoy games, s’mores, crafts, and more! Costumes optional.

Adventure Day Nov 1
2021-11-01 04:00 - 10:30
School is Out Adventure Days are day-long camps open to kindergarten through 5th grade students on days when school’s not in session, but the craving for adventure and exploration is strong! River Bend’s team of naturalists will provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and activities to interact with, discover, and understand nature.
NEW FOR FALL 2021! PAY WHAT YOU CAN ADVENTURE DAYS!
suggested registration $50 (nonmembers) $40 (members)
$10 (suggested for before or aftercare)
or pay what you can

Adult Night Out: Hike and S'mores
2021-11-04 13:00 - 14:30
Have an adult night out with anyone special in your life. Learn about the local flora and fauna around River Bend as you hike with a Naturalist. Then enjoy s’mores at the amphitheater. Pre-registration required

Bagels & Birds
2021-11-06 05:00 - 06:00
*First Saturday of the Month, starting October 2, 2021 from 10 AM -11AM. Pre-registration is recommended, but not required.

Little Sprouts Birds of a Feather
2021-11-09 03:30 - 05:00
On November 9, explore different parts of a bird and be a bird detective on a nature walk. Little Sprouts is a parent child class, held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, exploring the natural world. Each week has planned educational activities and nature-play time. Make sure to dress for the weather, as the class will be mainly outside. Masks are required when inside the building.

Science Day Minnesota History
2021-11-19 04:00 - 17:30
Travel back through time to experience life in pre-colonial Minnesota. Learn about Native American traditions and cultures, Minnesota’s changing geography, and humans have impacted the environment.
River Bend Nature Center invites homeschool families, co-ops, and distance learners the opportunity to experience all of the seasons at River Bend! On each science day, two different topics are offered each day. Students can register for one class, or bring a lunch and stay for both. Science Days are for first through fifth graders.

Science Day Nature Art
2021-11-19 06:30 - 08:00
Use nature as your inspiration to create works of art. Students will have the opportunity to work with different art mediums. River Bend Nature Center invites homeschool families, co-ops, and distance learners the opportunity to experience all of the seasons at River Bend! On each science day, two different topics are offered each day. Students can register for one class, or bring a lunch and stay for both. Science Days are for first through fifth graders.

Adventure Day Thanksgiving Break
2021-11-23 03:00 - 09:30

Little Sprouts Rocks Rock!
2021-11-23 03:30 - 05:00
On November 23, explore different types of rocks, and go on a rock expedition! Little Sprouts is a parent & child class, held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, exploring the natural world. Each week has planned educational activities and nature-play time. Make sure to dress for the weather, as the class will be mainly outside. Masks are required when inside the building.

Bagels & Birds
2021-12-04 04:00 - 05:00
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. First Saturday of the Month, from 10 AM -11AM. Pre-registration is recommended, but not required.

Little Sprouts Animal Signs
2021-12-14 03:30 - 05:00
On December 14, learn about what signs an animal might leave behind as the explore the woods, then go on an exploration walk to find real-life animal signs. Little Sprouts is a parent child class, held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, exploring the natural world. Each week has planned educational activities and nature-play time. Make sure to dress for the weather, as the class will be mainly outside. Masks are required when inside the building.

Adventure Day Winter Break
2021-12-22 03:00 - 09:30

Little Sprouts: Snowy Days
2022-01-11 03:30 - 05:00
Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Tuesday, January 11, 2022, 9:30am-11am
Have fun with your little one(s) as you explore different nature topics each class. Your little sprout will learn about the natural world through nature play and exploration. Be prepared to be outside for most of the class.

Luminary Hike/Snowshoe
2022-01-14 12:00 - 14:00
Full Moon Luminary Hike/snowshoe

All ages. Cost: $10/member, $15/member with rental; $15/non-members, $20/non-members with rental, 5& under are free
Friday, January 14, 2022, 6-8pm
Enjoy the full moon with a luminary hike through River Bend. Trails are packed snow, participants are welcome to bring their own snowshoes.
*MASKS REQUIRED INDOORS* To help with spacing, please pre-register for an entry time. this allows for better distancing. Thank you.

Adventure Day-Pay What You Can!
2022-01-17 03:00 - 09:30
School is Out Adventure Days are day-long camps open to kindergarten through 5th grade students on days when school’s not in session, but the craving for adventure and exploration is strong! River Bend’s team of naturalists will provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and activities to interact with, discover, and understand nature.
Cost: PAY WHAT YOU CAN, EVEN $0!
Times:
9AM to 3:30PM, with optional childcare from 8AM to 4:30PM
What should I bring?
Students should come prepared to spend a portion of the day outside – bring appropriate outdoor gear. Bring a lunch and any snacks needed to get through a full day of high activity.

Science Day: Give a Hoot About Owls
2022-01-22 04:30
January 22, from 10:30-11:30am
Come learn all about Owls and how they are important to our ecosystem.
Grades: K-5th
Cost: $10/student
*bring your lunch and say for the afternoon program, Animal Tracking! (separate registration required)

Science Day: Animal Tracking
2022-01-22 06:30 - 07:30
January 22, 12:30-1:30pm
Open to homeschoolers/distance learners aged 5-11. Cost: $10 per child.
Pre-registration is required by Thursday, January 20.
Animal Tracking
Come learn all about animal tracking so you can figure out who’s been visiting your yard or the nature center.

Little Sprouts: Meet the Animal Ambassadors
2022-01-25 03:30 - 05:00
Little Sprouts: Meet the Animal Ambassadors
Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 9:30am-11am
Meet River Bend’s education animals!
Have fun with your little one(s) as you explore different nature topics each class. Your little sprout will learn about the natural world through nature play and exploration. Be prepared to be outside for most of the class.

Bagels & Birds
2022-02-05 04:00 - 05:00
Saturday, February 5th
10-11am, Free for all ages.
Enjoy bagels as you watch birds through the windows on the wild viewing area.

U of MN Raptor Center
2022-02-05 05:00 - 06:00
Raptors of MN with the Raptor Center
Saturday, February 5, 11am-12pm OR 12:30-1:30pm
$5/child (12& under), $10/adult
Come meet and learn about an Owl, Hawk, and Falcon with the Raptor Center of Minnesota!
“The Raptors of Minnesota program explores different raptors found in Minnesota and their role in the environment. Participants learn some raptor identification, habitats where different species are found, key adaptations that make raptors different than other birds, and amazing success stories of what is possible when we come together to protect wildlife and their environments.”

Little Sprouts Ice Exploration
2022-02-08 03:30 - 05:00
Little Sprouts: Ice Exploration
Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Tuesday, February 8, 2022, 9:30am-11am
Have fun with your little one(s) as you explore different nature topics each class. Your little sprout will learn about the natural world through nature play and exploration. Be prepared to be outside for most of the class.

Adult Night Out: Luminary Snowshoe/Hike
2022-02-11 12:00 - 14:00
Adult Night Out Full Moon Luminary Hike/snowshoe

Cost: $20/member, $25/member with rental; $25/non-members, $30/non-members with rental
Friday, February 11, 2022, 6-8pm
Enjoy an adult night out! Stroll through the nature center with luminaries as your guide. Then enjoy an adult beverage as you warm up inside. Snowshoes available to rent. Pre-registration required.

Lunch & Learn: Trumpeter Swan Conservation by: Larry Vorwerk
2022-02-16 06:00 - 08:00
Lunch & Learn: Trumpeter Swan Conservation By Larry Vorwerk
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).

Wednesday, January 19, 2022, 12:00-2:00pm
Topic: Trumpeter Swan Conservation by Larry Vorwerk
Bring your lunch and join us for a presentation on the Trumpeter Swan Conservation efforts in Minnesota. Larry Vorwerk, a retired MN Zoo keeper and River Bend Volunteer Naturalist, will discuss how the Trumpeter Swan was successfully reintroduced to Minnesota.

Science Day: Extreme Animal Survival
2022-02-19 04:30 - 05:30
Science Day: Extreme Survival
Open to homeschoolers/distance learners aged 5-11. Cost: $10 per child.
Saturday, February 19, 10:30am-11:30am
Extreme Survival
Learn about animals that can survive extreme environments, then learn some techniques for you to survive the winter weather.
River Bend offers a monthly science program designed for homeschool/ distance learning families. Our programs are led by our experienced education staff. The classes are designed to provide students with an enriching hands-on experience to supplement their science lessons. All classes include an outdoor component.

Bagels & Birds
2022-03-05 04:00 - 05:00
Come watch birds from the Windows on the Wild viewing area while enjoying bagels provided by The Inn at Shattuck.

Maple Syruping
2022-03-05 06:30 - 07:30
Maple syruping is a tradition that dates back to the first nations that lived in this area. Learn about the history of maple syruping, what makes the sap flow, and the process of turning sap into syrup through a hands-on syruping experience.
Cost: $5/person, $15/family (FREE for members) * a family is 2 adults and 4 kids under 18
Saturday, March 5, 12:30pm-1:30pm
Saturday, March 19, 10:30am-11:30am & 12:30pm-1:30pm

Lunch & Learn Environmental Good News By Jan Mitchell
2022-03-16 07:00 - 09:00
Join us once a month for an environmental presentation.
Lunch & Learn: Environmental Good News By: Jan Mitchell
Wednesday, March 16, from 12 pm-2 pm
Feeling down about the state of our environment? Join us as Jan Mitchell, River Bend Volunteer Naturalist, tells us about some environmental success stories.

March Science Day
2022-03-18 05:00 - 09:00
For the 2021-2022 school year, River Bend Nature Center invites all learners the opportunity to experience all of the seasons at River Bend! On each science day, two different topics are offered. Students can register for one class, or for both! Bring a lunch to eat in between programs. All ages are welcome, subjects are aimed for kindergarten through fifth grade.
Please dress for the weather.
Friday, March 18
March Migration (10:00am-11:30am)
Come learn about birds, and how/why many of them migrate!
Maple Syruping (12:30pm-2:00pm)
Learn about the natural history and cultural significance of maple syruping, then participate in the process!

Maple Syruping
2022-03-19 05:30 - 06:30
Maple syruping is a tradition that dates back to the first nations that lived in this area. Learn about the history of maple syruping, what makes the sap flow, and the process of turning sap into syrup through a hands-on syruping experience.
Cost: $5/person, $15/family (FREE for members) * a family is 2 adults and 4 kids under 18
Saturday, March 19, 10:30am-11:30am & 12:30pm-1:30pm
