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Spring

Current / Upcoming Youth and Public Programs

Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center

All attendees must register in advance.
Call 320-354-5894 to register.

- Earth Day

Location: Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, 7 miles west of Spicer

Free breakfast!
Fun for all ages!
Attractions:
Free trees!
Water quality information for land-owners
Informational booths
Educational activities
Renewable energy demonstrations
Kid's activities: tie-dye and much more!
Climbing wall
Archery
Archaeology exhibits
Artifact identification
Flint-knapping demonstration
Youth Energy Summit (YES!) team exhibits

Sponsors: Crow River Organization of Water (CROW), Hawk Creek Watershed District, Kandiyohi Soil and Water Conservation District, Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District, North Fork Crow River Watershed District, Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, Shakopee Creek Headwaters Project, Southwest Initiative Foundation

- TIMETRAVEL PROGRAMS

SPRING AT THE PIONEER CABIN

Help the pioneers with their busy springtime activities: preparing the garden, beating rugs, churning butter, shining up the buggy...then we'll make a handmade toy for you to take home.
Cost:
Ages: 2nd-6th graders
Time:
Date:
Minimum of 6

TRAVEL BACK TO THE TIMES OF THE 'ANCIENT ONES'

When the Ice Age ended and the Mammoths and Mastadons suddenly disappeared, the people had to change their way of living to survive. Here's your chance to step WAY BACK in time. We'll try some of the technology of the Archaic Period, including special tools like the Grinding Stone and Mano and the Atlatl, or spear thrower.
Cost:
Ages: Grades 3-7
Time:
Date:
Pick up and Drop off at the PWELC Farmsite • (NLS take bus #5)

- SHOOTING RANGE PROGRAMS

Beginner Archery Class

This class gives you the opportunity to learn the basics of using a compound bow and arrow. We will be working on form, safety, technique, how to properly use the equipment, etc. A hands on class of learning and fun while practicing and playing archery games that all ages will enjoy. All equipment will be provided or you can bring your own.
Price:
Date:
Time: 4:00-5:15 p.m.
Ages: 10 and up

Advanced Archery Class

All ready attended the beginner class or are looking to hone your skills a little more? Then join us for the advanced archery class. In this class we will be taking a closer look at our form and technique and how to take care of your equipment. We will get into ranging distances and down field shooting. All equipment will be provided or you can bring your own.
Price:
Date:
Time: 4:00-5:15 p.m.
Ages: 10 and up

Open Range – Sporting Clays and .22's

Come with the kids or drop them off for some fun at the GaryWestby Educational shooting range. We will have the sporting clays range open as well as the .22 range. Bring your own firearm or use one of ours. All ammunition and targets will be provided.
Price:
Date:
Time: Range opens at 5:00 and will close at dark, come at your convenience
RSVP Encouraged
Ages: All ages welcome, 12 and under will need adult chaperone

PrairieWood's Sporting Clays Range is open to the public on a reservation basis call Ryan to schedule your group 320-354-5894. A great activity for scouts, 4-H, FFA, corporate groups and families.

CHALLENGE COURSE PROGRAMS

Climbing Club

This is a favorite. Join the climbing club and get to climb walls, learn to belay, learn about safety and equipment used for rock climbing. This is a great time!
Price:
Date:
Time: 3:30-5:00
Ages: Grades 2-6

Base Camp (Mini facilitator's training)

This is where it all begins.At base camp we will experience and train on PrairieWoods' exciting challenge course. As we have a great time challenging ourselves on the challenge course we will also be training to help others and receive a Jr. Facilitators certificate.
Price:
Date:
Time: 3:30-5:00
Ages: Grades 5-9

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

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6TH ANNUAL JJM VICTORY RUN

Join us on June 19th 2010 for our 6th Annual Jesse John Mithaugen Victory Run. Let's try to double last years size—everyone bring a friend and spread the word. It will be a great day filled with celebration, families, memories of Jesse and others.

A huge thanks goes out to:
Chad Mithaugen for the water Precise Ice of Belgrade for the ice
Country Stop for the watermelon
North American State Bank for the donation toward shirts
Prairie Woods ELC for the facility and trails
Bayer Built for the door prizes
Micki's for the door prizes
Halvorson Agribility for the hats
And all the people who helped make the day and this event a success.

Past results of the 5K run are posted on http://pickleevents.com.

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Spring / Summer

Youth and Public Programs

High Adventure Day Camp

This is it! The day camp you have been asking about and waiting for. . . High Adventure!

Spend a thrilling day at PW experiencing new adventures on the ground and in the air. Fly through the air on the Flying Squirrel, challenge yourself on the 40 foot climbing tower, use teamwork to climb the Giant’s Ladder and much more. Bring a bag lunch and be prepared to have LOTS of fun.

  Date Options for High Adventure

• Grades 3-7 (If an older group would be interested, a separate class can be scheduled. Call PWELC to arrange: 320-354-5894)

Nature Days

Nature Days Day Camps provide a safe, fun atmosphere for young children to learn about nature, themselves, and each other. Explore flowers and trees, butterflies and dragonflies, bugs and other creepy critters. Learn about water and rain, dirt and sunshine. Even take a trip into history and find yourself a guest of your neighbors in the log cabin! Mid-morning snack is provided.

  PreK Sessions of Nature Days (ages 4-5)

  K-2 Sessions of Nature Days

Base Camp

This is where it all begins. At base camp we will experience and train on Prairie Woods' exciting challenge course. As we have a great time challenging ourselves on the challenge course we will also be training to help others and receive a Jr. Facilitators certificate.

• Grades 5-9

Splash Bash

This is a Wet and Wild Day Camp full of games and water activities. Bring a swim suit or an extra change of clothes, because we will play games with water, canoe on the water and take a closer look at water. A fun, educational day of laughter and learning. Bring a bag lunch and a towel.

• Grades 3-7

Time Travel

Ever wish you could travel back in time? First we’ll visit the pioneers in the 1800s. We’ll cut wood for the stove with a two-handled saw, prepare a snack in the log cabin and make a toy to keep. Then we’ll travel by canoe as the Voyageurs did back to the Native American Village and try our hand at building fires, and throwing atlatls and other activities of the past.

• 8-14 years
• *Bring a bag lunch

Summer Archery Club

Learn the basics of shooting bow and arrow, using compound bows, Olympic target style archery and the basics of 3-D archery. Get tips on form, accuracy, technique and ranging distance. We will also play archery games. Equipment will be provided or you may bring your own.

• Ages 10 and up

Clay Busters

Great opportunity for youth to improve their ability and learn new skills before the fall, with NRA and 4-H certified instructors. Each session we will work on form and technique and shoot a round of sporting clays, which is 25 targets. We will emphasize safe and ethical firearm practices. All shells, clay targets, shotguns and instruction will be provided at the Westby Shooting Range. (You may bring your own firearm.) Questions? Call Ryan Block at PWELC. (Length of the program will depend on number of participants.)

• Ages 12 and up

Pioneer Girls Day

Did you ever wish you could be a pioneer girl like Laura Ingalls was? Come spend the morning at a homesteaders log cabin. Dress up as a pioneer and learn some pioneer crafts. We’ll make a corn husk doll and try some fabric arts of the past.

• 8-14 years

Investigate and Rescue Day Camp

SSHHHHH...Where did all the animals go?? Investigating where they might be and how we can rescue them, while learning about nature and about working together as a team. We might even have to rescue them from hidden places on the climbing wall. Be a hero! Help us rescue the animals. Bring a sack lunch.

• Grades K-4

Evening Canoeing Programs

Enjoy an evening on the water with your family. This guided canoe exploration will introduce you to the basics of paddling, and lead you through a wildlife-rich wetland on some of the most beautiful evenings of the year. All equipment provided. Children must be at least 7, and accompanied by an adult.

  Date Options for Evening Canoeing

• all ages, 7+ years
• Register for each session separately.

Family Climb

I’m bored! School’s out for the summer, and the kids are tired of being home. Come share some quality family time and get some exercise too. Prairie Woods’ climbing wall is open and waiting for your family to come and have some fun.

• All ages

An Evening Under the Prairie Stars
a fundraiser for Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center

Announcing the second annual, earth conscious benefit for Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, An Evening Under the Prairie Stars. Please join us a a guest, a volunteer, or a sponsor for this beautiful evening on the prairie.
Click here for more details