Class Descriptions

Listed alphabetically

NOTE : All classes run year round unless marked with specific season

Day Programs

All About Wolves
Students learn about natural history, myths, folklore, regulations and management issues in this in depth study of the Minnesota’s gray wolf. This class uses hands- on activities and materials, games, and a role playing debate to help students understand the complex and controversial world of wolves.
*Should not be taken if “Wolf Ecology” is an evening program

Animal Habitat
Through discussion, role playing, and games, students explore the concept of habitat and how living organisms are adapted to their habitat.

Animal Signs
Through hiking, hands- on activities, and live animals, students discover the world around them in this study of Minnesota’s wild creatures. Students learn about natural history and how to interpret animal signs leading to increased awareness and observation skills. In the winter, tracking is taught as a more in- depth part of the class.

Aquatic Ecology (spring thru fall)
Students will learn about aquatic ecosystems by sampling and collecting macro invertebrates from four different aquatic habitats, identifying the organisms, and comparing the populations found in each habitat.

Beaver Ecology
Through role playing and an observation hike to the Center’s beaver pond complex, students learn the natural history of the beaver, the beaver’s impact on its habitat, the influence of the beaver on other organisms, and its importance in the fur trade.

Birds and Bird Banding (spring thru fall)
Students will learn basic bird characteristics and ecology. Simple field identification techniques will be covered. Several common species will be identified and students will practice using these skills during a birding hike on the Center grounds. Students may have the opportunity to learn about migration and banding studies, as well as observe birds captured in mist nets for banding and release.

Canoeing (spring thru fall)
In addition to learning history, equipment, and basic strokes, students spend time on Grindstone Lake becoming comfortable in the canoe, and practicing maneuvering their craft. For safety, an extra adult is required to accompany this class.

Climbing Wall
On the Audubon Center’s climbing wall, students learn about climbing equipment, etiquette and safety, how to climb and belay, and how to interact conscientiously with the natural rock community. This class requires two additional adult helpers (three recommended).

Cross Country Skiing ( Winter)
In this beginning class, students learn the history of skiing, as well as how to dress for and use equipment necessary for skiing. They will spend time practicing basic skills, and have some trail time on the Center’s cross country ski trails.

Dirt, Rocks, & Worms (spring thru fall)
Students learn that soil is more than just dirt in this in-depth look at the world beneath their feet. By studying the soil through hands- on activities, students get down and dirty learning about the rock cycle, erosion, soil layers and ingredients, soil insects, and more.

Forest Ecology (spring thru fall)
Students discover the major forest types of Minnesota, and how these communities grow, change and mature. They also identify the components of a succession story, and investigate and map an example of succession in the Center fields and forest.

Initiative Activities
As a member of a team, students learn about trust, communication, cooperation and logical thinking while playing games and accomplishing tasks on a challenging course.

Insect Ecology
Students will learn the basic characteristics of insects as well as some of the major species groups. Discussion of the life cycles and relationships with humans will be followed up with hikes to find and identify local insects.

Low Ropes Course NEW
The low ropes course incorporates the individual and teamwork challenges of group initiatives, and elements of the skywalk ropes course no more than three feet off the ground. This class is great for building group cohesiveness, and giving the students the opportunity to team problem solve.

Maple Syruping ( late March - early April)
The sap flows in the sugar maples from mid-March through mid-April. During this time, students can go to the sugar bush (maple woods) and learn about the natural and cultural history of making maple syrup. Students will identify and tap a maple tree, hang the bucket, collect sap and see how the sap is cooked in to maple syrup.

Map and Compass
Students experiment with skills needed for orienteering by using a compass, completing a practice course, and applying their knowledge to map work.

Nature Journaling
Students explore nature through literature and the arts. They learn to be keener observers, and to record their observations in a variety of creative ways.

Ojibwe Hike
Students learn about past and present day Ojibwe culture. Myths and stereotypes are dispelled while students learn about a culture intimately linked with nature for sustenance and survival . Games, stories and sensory experiences are part of this discovery hike.

Porcupine Quill Embroidery
Students learn the natural history of the porcupine and paper birch, and the collection and preparation techniques of materials from these organisms needed to do quill embroidery. Students have the opportunity to create a quilled design on a birch bark medallion after observing a demonstration of quill embroidery technique

Predator/Prey Relationships (grades K-5)
Students learn about the roles of predator and prey in the food chain, physical and behavioral adaptations of each for survival, and the natural history of several examples of predator and prey species.

Reptiles and Amphibians (spring thru fall)
While surrounded by live specimens in our wildlife classroom, students will discover the similarities and differences between Minnesota’s native species of reptiles and amphibians. Class discussion will be followed by discovery hikes during spring through fall seasons to find examples of these organisms in their natural habitats.

Skywalk Ropes Course
Students face the challenge and excitement of crossing cables and logs 20 feet off the ground, while tied in by safety lines. This class requires three additional adult helpers. Safety and teamwork are highly emphasized.

Snow shoeing (winter)
Students learn the history of snow shoeing, techniques, and go out on snowshoes to explore the world of winter. This class may be combined with Animal Signs in the winter.

Survivor : North Woods
Students learn lifelong survival skills: how to build a fire and a shelter, as well as how to put together a survival pack . A variety of health related conditions such as hypothermia frostbite, heat stroke, etc will be addressed. Students will be working in small groups on building a fire and shelter outside while working as a team to succeed in surviving in the woods.

Twines from Plants & Shell Ornaments
Students learn about the natural resources used by Native Americans and voyageurs for making utilitarian items, such as rope or twine. Each student will make a piece of basswood twine for a bracelet or necklace, and fashion a freshwater mussel or wooden ornament to decorate it.

Wetland Ecology (spring thru fall)
Wetlands have an abundance of food, vegetative cover, are saturated with water and are have diverse wildlife species. Through discussion and a variety of activities at the Center’s restored wetland learning area, students investigate the wonder of wetlands.

Winter Adaptations of Minnesota Wildlife (winter)
Students learn about the concept of adaptation, esp. as it applies to how animals in Minnesota survive our cold winters. An adaptation game, an energy conservation hike, and an animal antifreeze activity are the main components of this lesson.

Evening Program Descriptions

Evening Programs -These programs are scheduled for the whole group for approximately one hour. ( 7:00—8:00 PM )

Birds of Prey
Students learn about the ecology of some of Minnesota’s top predators, raptors. Students meet the center’s education raptors and through discussion, stories, and audience participation learn about these amazing hunters. Owls, hawks, and falcons are the stars of the evening in this up close and personal observation of some of Minnesota’s birds of prey.

Land Use Hearing
This highly interactive evening activity has the students exploring the options of developing or not developing a 1 square mile plot of land. The large group is divided into small groups that are given a role to play (i.e. the National Park Service or the timber industry). They will then decide as a small group, how the land be developed, what it will look like, and then they have to convince a county commission that their idea is the best. This activity will push the students to group process, be creative, and think about the consequences of their decisions.
This program takes one and a half hours.

Nature Jeopardy
Students will work in teams to answer questions relating to the classes they have taken during the Audubon Center visit in a game show format.

Nature Scavenger Hunt
Students will have a chance to burn some energy looking for natural and unnatural objects (ex: tinder that burns when wet) all over ACNW while learning about them. This evening program takes place outside and requires one adult per students learning group. Students will need to bring a flashlight for this activity.

Wolf Ecology
Through a slide show, group activity, stories, and artifacts, students enter into the amazing world of wolves. This program helps students see beyond the myths and folklore of the wolf while teaching about the natural history of these endangered species.
*Should not be taken if “All About Wolves” is a day class

Teacher Led Evening Programs

The following are teacher led options. The Audubon Center can provide curriculum and materials.

Astronomy
Students may be able to view the night sky, and learn about the constellations.

Camp Fire
Students may have the opportunity to roast marshmallows (think s’ mores) while listening to stories around the camp fire.

Night Owl Café (grades K-5)
Students will learn about the creatures of the night like bats, opossums, raccoons, skunks and owls in this fun skit loaded with jokes, stories, and natural history.

Night Hike
Students will use all of their senses to experience the outdoors at night.

Recreation
We have a large mowed field for playing ball sports, Frisbee, etc., and a volleyball court available for your use during the snow free months. A great way to burn off all that energy!

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