Little Sprouts: Play Time
2024-12-28 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Play Time
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend free
Saturday, December 28, 2024, 12:00-2:00 pm
There is nothing better than outdoor play! Join us for a fun Little Sprouts day just to play!
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Snow Fun
2024-12-16 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Snow Fun
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend free
Monday, December 16, 2024, 9:30am-11am
Playing in the snow is so much fun and you can do so many things with it, from sledding to snow angels, snowman or snowballs, the fun is endless! And just like you and me, no two snowflakes are alike. Join us and have some snow fun!
Register Here

Drop-in Family Fun Kitchen Science
2024-12-14 10:00 - 14:00
Drop-in Family Fun Kitchen Science
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).
All Ages
Saturday, December 14, 2024, 10:00-2:00pm
In this program, we’ll have fun learning different science experiments with everyday household items.

Homeschool: Homes and Habitats
2024-12-09 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool: Homes and Habitats
ages 5-12. Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Monday, December 9, 2024, 1-3pm
River Bend Nature Center is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. In this class, we’ll learn about what makes a home and what is a habitat?
Register Here

Sweet Reads Book Club
2024-12-07 14:00 - 15:00
Sweet Reads Book Club
Teens and Adults. Cost: Free
Saturday, December 7, 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…
Book : The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
Book Club attendees can use the code RBNC on milkweed.org to get 15% off the books Braiding Sweetgrass, A Year in the Wilderness, and The Seed Keeper for upcoming Sweet Read book club sessions.

Storytime: The Mitten by Jan Barrett
2024-12-07 11:00 - 12:00
Storytime with a Naturalist: The Mitten by Jan Barrett
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Join a naturalist for story time on Saturdays! Free to attend.
Register Here

Bagels & Birds
2024-12-07 10:00 - 11:00
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, December 7, 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.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: MN Animals
2024-12-02 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: MN Animals
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend free
Monday, December 2, 2024, 9:30am-11am
Winter is a great time to see wildlife as you can easily track who has been where in the snow. Let’s discover what animals call Minnesota home.
Register Here

Drop-in Family Fun Nature Art
2024-11-23 10:00 - 14:00
Drop-in Family Fun Nature Art
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).
All Ages
Saturday, November 23, 2024, 10:00-2:00pm
Use your imagination and create something for yourself or a loved one using natural materials collected from River Bend.

Lunch & Learn: All About Bees
2024-11-20 12:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Learn: All About Bees
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).

Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 12:00-2:00pm
Topic: All About Bees
This month’s topic is all about Bees! Join guest speaker, Nicole Gerjets with the DNR as we learn about these beloved pollinators. Bring your own lunch and join us as we learn about a new topic each month.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Clouds and Weather
2024-11-18 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Clouds and Weather
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend free
Monday, November 18, 2024, 9:30am-11am
With winter arriving, clouds gather and the temperature begins to drop. Rain soon begins to fall as snow. Come learn about clouds and weather at different times of the year.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Play Time
2024-11-16 12:00 - 14:00
Little Sprouts: Play Time
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend free
Saturday, November 16, 2024, 12:00-2:00 pm
There is nothing better than outdoor play! Join us for a fun Little Sprouts day just to play!
Register Here

Storytime with a Naturalist: Rocks Rock
2024-11-16 11:00 - 12:00
Storytime with a Naturalist: Rocks Rock
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, November 16, 2024, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Rocks Rock! Listen to some stories about rocks and the landscape during this story time with a Naturalist.

Homeschool: Geology Rocks!
2024-11-11 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool: Geology Rocks!
ages 5-12. Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Monday, November 11, 2024, 1-3pm
What is Geology and why is it cool? There is more to rocks than the first glance. Lets explore together how rocks are formed and what they are made of.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Rocks Rock!
2024-11-04 09:30 - 11:30
Little Sprouts: Rocks Rock!
Cost: $10/child, $5/member-child, adults attend free
Monday, November 4, 2024, 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. Dress for the weather as a portion of the class will be outside.
Register Here

Sweet Reads Book Club
2024-11-02 14:00 - 15:00
Sweet Reads Book Club
Teens and Adults. Cost: Free
Saturday, November 2, 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…
Book: Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Join naturalist, Morgan Heier, for a discussion and refreshments.
Register Here

Storytime with a Naturalist: Turkey Time!
2024-11-02 11:00 - 12:00
Storytime with a Naturalist: Turkey Time!
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, November 2, 2024, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Turkey time! Listen to some stories about turkeys and other birds during this story time with a Naturalist.
Register Here

Bagels & Birds
2024-11-02 10:00 - 11:00
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, November 2, 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.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Creepy Crawlies
2024-10-21 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Creepy Crawlies
Cost: $10/child, $5/member-child, adults attend free
Monday, October 21, 2024, 9:30am-11am
Are you daring enough to creep with the creepy crawlies? Your little sprout will learn about the natural world through nature play and exploration. Dress for the weather as a portion of the class will be outside.
Register Here

Boy Scout Badge Day
2024-10-19 10:00 - 13:30
Boy Scout Badge Day
Saturday, October 19, 2024
10-1:30 pm Environmental Science
Cost: $15/person, $10/member
Ages: 11-17
Come work on your Environmental Science Badges at River Bend! Register and bring a lunch to eat during the day. *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

Lunch & Learn: Freshwater Mussels
2024-10-16 12:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Learn: Freshwater Mussels
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).

Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 12:00-2:00pm
Topic: Freshwater Mussels
The MN Zoo takes part in many conservation projects around the world. Join Ben Minerich, Mussel Conservation Specialist, with the MN Zoo as he shares his studies and research in restoring our freshwater mussel, skipper and skipperling populations. Bring your own lunch and join us as we learn about a new topic each month.
Register Here

Homeschool: Survival Skills & Compass Course
2024-10-14 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool: Survival Skills and Compass Course
ages 5-12. Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Monday, October 14, 2024, 1-3pm
Join us as we learn important survival skills like building a fire and using a compass to navigate the woods of River Bend Nature Center. These are some of our most popular activities. Your child is sure to have fun!
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Icy Weather
2024-10-09 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Icy Weather
Cost: $10/child, $5/member-child, adults attend free
Monday, February 3, 2025, 9:30am-11am
Water rains down on the earth in many different forms from pretty snowflakes to large ice balls called hail. What makes our weather icy in the winter? Your little sprout will learn about the natural world through nature play and exploration. Dress for the weather as a portion of the class will be outside.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Colors, Shapes, & Textures in Nature
2024-10-07 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Colors, Shapes, and Textures in Nature
Cost: $10/child, $5/member-child, adults attend free
Monday, October 7, 2024, 9:30am-11am
Discover how amazing our natural world is with its spectacular patterns, colors and textures! Your little sprout will learn about the natural world through nature play and exploration. Dress for the weather as a portion of the class will be outside.
Register Here

Sweet Reads Book Club
2024-10-05 14:00 - 15:00
Sweet Reads Book Club
Teens and Adults. Cost: Free
Saturday, October 5, 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…
Book : A year in the Wilderness: “Bearing Witness in the Boundary Waters” by Dave and Amy Freeman
Book Club attendees can use the code RBNC on milkweed.org to get 15% off the books Braiding Sweetgrass, A Year in the Wilderness, and The Seed Keeper for upcoming Sweet Read book club sessions
Register Here

Storytime: Migration & Bird Hike
2024-10-05 11:00 - 12:00
Storytime with a Naturalist: Migration and Bird Hike
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Join a naturalist for story time on Saturdays! Free to attend. Today’s topic is about bird migration. We’ll read a story and then get out on the trails for a bird hike.
Register Here

Bagels & Birds
2024-10-05 10:00 - 11:00
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, October 5, 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.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Terrific Turtles and Fabulous Frogs
2024-09-23 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Terrific Turtles and Fabulous Frogs
Cost: $10/child, $5/member-child, adults attend free
Monday, September 23, 2024, 9:30am-11am
Come stride or hop along with us in this terrific turtles and fabulous frogs session to see how amazing our aquatic friends are. Your little sprout will learn about the natural world through nature play and exploration. Dress for the weather as a portion of the class will be outside.
Register Here

Boy Scout Badge Day
2024-09-21 10:30 - 13:30
Boy Scout Badge Day
Saturday, September 21, 2024
10-1:30 pm Bird Badge
Cost: $15/person, $10/member
Ages: 11-17
Come work on your Bird Badges at River Bend! Register and bring a lunch to eat during the day. *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

Lunch & Learn: All About Bats
2024-09-18 12:00 - 14:00
Virtual Presentation, Lunch & Learn: All About Bats
Cost: $5 ($0 for River Bend members).
Join online or come to the nature center to watch online. The meeting link will be emailed to you on Tuesday, September 17.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 12:00-2:00pm
Topic: All About Bats
We often look at Bats with fear and creepy feelings, but they are beneficial animals that help play an important role in our ecosystem. Come learn all about bats with guest speaker, Melissa Boman with the MN DNR. Bring your own lunch and join us as we learn about a new topic each month.
Register Here
