Curriculum Guide
Classes available at Prairie Woods are listed below. For more details about scheduling a program at Prairie Woods, download our Program Planner, or call 1-320-354-5894 to receive a paper copy.
Click here to download a copy of the Program Planner. (.pdf 324 k)
Agriculture: Food & Fiber
Year-round—3rd gr. & up.
Everyone likes to eat! But how does food get to our plates? Learn how agriculture both uses and produces resources. Explore how plants work, where foods come from, and how the food cycle works.
Animal Signs
Year-round—all ages.Join our adventure in the woods, wetlands, and prairies, where we’ll search for signs left behind by our animal neighbors. Along the way, we’ll learn how animals move, what they eat, where they live, and much more.
Birds on the Wing
Year-round—all ages.Birds provide a colorful, engaging look into nature. We’ll explore first-hand the concepts of diversity, adaptation, and habitat, while seeking a view of the colorful birds of Prairie Woods, using binoculars and field guides.
Canoeing
Spring, Summer, Fall—5th gr. & up.You’ll have fun experiencing this historic form of transportation. After a lesson in canoeing skills and safety, students will set off over the water to witness the wildlife and wetlands at Prairie Woods. Prairie Woods has standard 17-foot canoes to hold 2 or 3 paddlers, as well as a 34-foot voyageur canoe for 16 paddlers. (See also EcoVoyageur.)
Climbing Wall: Indoor
Year-round—all ages.No matter what the weather, stretch your arms, legs, and courage on our 25-foot climbing wall. Nine different climbs suit a wide range of skill levels.
Climbing Wall: Outdoor
Spring, Summer, Fall—all ages.Our 40-foot, three-sided tower offers six climbs for people of all skill-levels and ages. Participants learn courage, determination, self worth, and mutual encouragement through climbing activities.
Cross-country skiing
Winter—4th gr. & up.Explore the wonders of winter while gliding across the snow. Students will enjoy the opportunity to have a new experience and learn the history of cross country skiing.
EcoVoyageur
Spring, Summer, Fall--4th grade and up."We're all in the same boat!" This special, grant-supported program provides a 34-foot voyageur canoe on local lakes or rivers near your school. Groups of about 15 students work together to paddle the Big Canoe--and explore! Through hands-on activities, students learn about where water comes from, why it is important, and how we can conserve it. EcoVoyageur take about half a day. Check the EcoVoyageur page for more details.
Flying Squirrel
Spring, Summer, Fall—all ages."To the top...fast!" This is your chance to ride a human-powered elevator, exactly as far and as fast you are comfortable going. Teamwork and trust skills are emphasized in this group activity.
Giant Ladder
Spring, Summer, Fall—-5th gr. & up.Working in pairs, climbers set their sights on a goal, and work toward it. Communication, teamwork, and trust are practiced throughout exhilarating activity.
High Ropes Circuit Course
Spring, Summer, Fall—-6th gr. & up.Experience the thrill of testing your limits on Prairie Woods’ dual-level circuit course. Circuit course participants are self-belayed. Participation in other Challenge activities is a recommended prerequisite.
Initiative Games
Year-round—all ages.Initiative Games teach communication, creative problem solving, cooperation and critical thinking skills. Activities illustrate the complexity and interrelatedness of natural systems and provide a fun way to prepare for meeting the challenges of daily life.
Insect Safari
Spring, Summer, Fall—Pre-K to 3rd gr.Creepy, crawly, and crucial: insects are among the most abundant. . . and necessary. . . critters on earth. Investigate the importance of insects, learn about their roles in ecosystems, and search for insects here at Prairie Woods.
Native Cultures
Spring, Summer, Fall—4th gr. & up.Imagine standing here 3,000 years ago. . .what would life have been like? Take this opportunity to visit Prairie Woods’ Native Village, and learn about native cultures by trying to start a fire, playing games, and making a toy to take home.
Minnesota Mammals
Year-round—1st gr. & up.Through studying pelts and skulls, students learn about adaptations among our native mammals. Then, join us outdoors for detective search, where we’ll use observation skills to track mammals and learn about their behavior.
Orienteering Intro
Year-round—4th gr. & up.Let’s stay found! Students will learn the basics of how to find and shoot bearings using a compass, as well as how to navigate in a straight line. Got it? Test your skills in outdoor activities and games, then on an orienteering course through the woods.
Pioneer Cabin
Spring, Summer, Fall—all ages.Visit the log cabin homestead of Swedish immigrant Anders Danielson. Learn how life in Kandiyohi County was different 120 years ago through demonstrations and participation in household tasks.
Planet Curious
Year-round—all ages.You’re serving on the Elite Squad of Planet Curious’ Scientific Expedition to Planet Earth. Once you’ve met the challenges of space travel, your team will investigate Earth’s life forms and report back to your home planet.
Pond Study
Spring, Summer, Fall—all ages.Mysterious and fascinating creatures live in our wetlands. Search the pond’s edge to collect and observe living things in many shapes and sizes. Learn about wetland formation, the importance of wetlands, and what that means for us.
Prairies
Fall—2nd gr & up.Just 1% of Minnesota’' original tall-grass prairie remains today. Explore the significance of this remarkable ecosystem through hands-on activities in our native and restored prairies.
Predator & Prey
Spring, Summer, Fall—1st gr. & up.The complex relationships between predators and prey are made fun and interesting through simulation games. Students have their own roles to play as we learn about population dynamics and survival strategies.
Snowshoe Tracking
Winter—4th gr & up.Put on your big feet and discover the joy of traveling across deep snow. Along the way, we’ll look for evidence of how animals adapt to winter, and search out tracks to identify.
Tree-Tectives
Year-round—all ages.Trees surround us, but how well do we know them? Act out the parts of a tree, then get personally acquainted with a tree here at Prairie Woods. Upper elementary, use a map to find your way on our Tree-Trail, and practice using a dichotomous key to identify them.
Winter Survival
Winter—4th gr. & up.Prepare to survive outdoors, in winter? Consider the possibility. What seven essentials you would need? Teamwork is key as your group builds a shelter, starts a fire, and melts snow using survival basics.
Time Travel: 4-hour Day Visit program
Spring, Summer, Fall—1st gr. & up.Travel back to 1888 for a day! This day-long experience is like no other. The letter you and your students received mentioned that you’re needed to help Anders Danielson prepare his log home for a special arrival from Sweden. There is much to be done, and you’ll learn about it all: churning butter, washing clothes, fishing, making toys, singing a welcome song for the new bride, and much more. When the special guest comes, we'll all sit down to lunch together. (Lunch is included)
