Conservation Conversations
2021-08-12 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Are you interested in nature and environmental policy? Join us for a series of three evening conversations at 7pm on Thursdays at River Bend. Come to one or all. Meet on the Interpretive Center Lawn.

Walk or Ride with a Naturalist
2021-08-16 04:00 - 07:00, 2021-08-17 04:00 - 07:00
Join a River Bend Naturalist for an hour-long walk (or golf cart ride) around the River Bend grounds. Learn a bit about the history and local flora and fauna at River Bend.
This program is part of Ramble, a week-long fundraiser to support River Bend’s mission to help people discover, enjoy, understand, and preserve the incredible natural world around us.
If you have purchased a Ramble week ticket, you DO NOT need to purchase a ticket here, this event is included in Ramble Admission.

Campfire Trivia
2021-08-18 14:00 - 16:00
Test your knowledge of nature at Nature Trivia around a bonfire with smores. This will be held in the amphitheater, so dress for the weather. Feel free to bring your own camp chair.
This is part of Ramble week events. If you have purchased a Ramble ticket, admission to trivia is included.

Music on the Prairie
2021-08-19 13:00 - 14:30
Come enjoy music on the prairie by Jivin’ Ivan and the Kings of Swing! Free, all ages event. Donations appreciated.

Ramble Dinner & Live Auction
2021-08-20 12:30 - 15:00
Join River Bend supporters for a night to renew and restore River Bend!

Little Sprouts: What's in the Water?
2021-09-14 04:30 - 06:00
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. On September 14, have fun exploring “What’s in the Water?” at River Bend’s ponds with nets and buckets.
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.

Science Day: The Buzz on Pollinators
2021-09-17 05:00 - 06:30
Learn all about the types of animals that pollinate flowers, what pollination is, and why it is important. We will catch insects and play pollinator games. Bring a lunch and stay for the afternoon program. Open to kindergarten through 5th graders.

Science Day: Prairie Power
2021-09-17 07:30 - 09:00
Learn about the parts of a plant, the different types of plants, and flowers that grow in the prairie. Play games and take a hike to look at the different plants we can see in the prairie, and if any pollinators are at the flowers.

Adult Night Out: Splatter Paint Archery
2021-09-23 13:00 - 14:30
Have an adult night out with anyone special in your life. Learn how to shoot a bow and arrow and get some practice shooting before we add some paint balloons to the target and watch them splatter. Leave with a piece of art created in a one-of-a-kind way. Ages 18+. Pre-registration required.

Little Sprouts Turtle Time
2021-09-28 04:30 - 06:00
On September 28, learn all about turtles during “Turtle Time”. Go on an exploration hike to see if you can spot turtles at Turtle Pond.
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
2021-10-02 05:00 - 06:00
Join a RBNC Naturalist on the first Saturday of the month for bagels while watching birds through the windows on the wild viewing area. Ask bird related questions and enjoy the bagels compliments of The Inn at Shattuck.

Little Sprouts The Secret of Seeds
2021-10-12 04:30 - 06:00
On October 12, explore the many different types of seeds that you see outside this type of year, and learn how they grow. 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 Batty About Bats
2021-10-15 05:00 - 06:30
Learn all about this “spooky” animal, from what types are found in Minnesota, to what they eat and where they live. Your child’s curiosity will take flight! Stay for the afternoon program!

Science Day Forests and Feathers
2021-10-15 07:30 - 09:00
Learn about the types of trees that grow in Minnesota. Then learn about the birds that migrate through Minnesota in the fall. Go on a scavenger hunt and play fun games to better understand what birds go through during migration.

School's Out Adventure Day: MEA Break
2021-10-20 04:00 - 10:30, 2021-10-21 04:00 - 10:30, 2021-10-22 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

Little Sprouts: Colorful Leaves
2021-10-26 04:30 - 06:00
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

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.
