Explore the 19th century wilderness and discover what life was like for early Minnesota settlers. Find the perfect spot to build a shelter, start a fire using flint and steel and set out in search of food. Practice animal tracking and learn the do's and don'ts of wild edibles. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Learn how to sew with a needle and thread, and make an outdoor fire and cook over it. Help with pioneer chores, games and crafts. Spend your days exploring the big woods and prairies just like Laura. One day will be spent at the historic Grimm Farmhouse in Carver Park Reserve.  

Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 AM and pick-up ends at 5 PM. Registration required by two weeks prior.

It’s time to awaken as a hero! The Kingdom of Carver is becoming unbalanced and the king has requested your help to restore it. In order to protect the land, you must learn about it. Use a map and compass to find your way to find keys and open chests. You will need to explore the three regions of the kingdom and fill out your compendium with information for the king. You’ll need to board a canoe to investigate the water domain, use scientific tools in the land of grasses and be introduced to the hidden secrets of the forest. Play mini–games, follow side–quests and learn all about the environment you’re charged to protect.  

Extended care available for an additional $48; drop-off begins at 8:30 AM and pick-up ends at 5 PM. Registration required by two weeks prior.

What lives in and under a log? Furry, slimy, crawly, scaly… use different tools to explore these amazing microhabitats and discover all the amazing arthropods and other creatures that call logs and soils their home! This camp is designed for youth who like to get their hands dirty and go off trail.

Extended care available for an additional $36; drop-off begins at 8:30 AM and pick-up ends at 5 PM. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Straight from the beloved "Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and the stories of Minnesota's own Minnie Ellingson Tapping, we'll discover the lives of these two real children. Explore their childhood in the Big Woods, on prairie farms and in small towns. Make new friends as we attend a one room school and help with family chores. 

Activities include cooking and crafts, all in the 19th century setting and buildings of The Landing. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Uff–da! From loon calls to Paul Bunyan, discover what makes Minnesota so Minnesotan. Make your own muddy “hotdish”, look for the state insect in the prairie and explore state symbols and folklore through song, art and outdoor discovery. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Is your child ready for the next level of outdoor exploration? Do they enjoy time in the woods and off trail? This camp will take a deeper dive into being comfortable in the outdoors.

We will introduce knot tying skills and build advanced geodome shelters with rope. We will make simple sitting stools, practice fire building, sample nature journaling, and introduce whittling skills with a focus on safety and different wood types. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Walk in the bootsteps of a farmer to experience caring for the animals. Learn how we raise healthy livestock while you assist with chores and participate in hands-on activities to discover what each animal gives back to us. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Uncover the ins and outs of livestock health and management. Explore animal nutrition and husbandry. Investigate a farmer’s tools of the trade as you assist with daily livestock chores and basic care. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Dig into nature and get messy, muddy and wet! Play games with water and explore aquatic habitats. Build with mud, sticks and leaves. Paint with your hands and feet, make gooey concoctions, and meet slimy worms and bugs. Registration required by two weeks prior.

Take a closer look at the hidden worlds around us! Each day, campers will explore a new level of magnification using different types of microscopes to reveal the tiny details that make up our natural world. From hand lenses to dissecting scopes to high–-powered compound microscopes, we’ll journey deeper and deeper into the micro world-taking micro hikes around the park to collect fascinating samples along the way. Campers will even have the chance to view their own cells up close. Inspired by these incredible discoveries, we’ll create artwork that celebrates light, color and the often unseen patterns of nature. Registration required by two weeks prior.

For a full day of adventure, combine with Nature's Protectors Camp in the afternoon. Includes a monitored lunch hour between camp sessions.

Join instructors from the Outdoor Recreation School to explore methods for river fishing and learn about unique river fish like gar and drum. Hunt for river critters to use as bait for catfish, carp, bass and other large fish. Drop a line from shore and, while wading, head down river to find secret fishing spots. Watch demonstrations by professionals in the fishing industry.

Equipment provided. Transportation to specific fishing locations will be provided by Outdoor Recreation School staff during camp hours. Registration required by two weeks prior.