Youth Community Groups

Secondary School Groups

Programs Available

Youth Community Programs are designed for groups of children outside of school activities, such as church youth groups, child care programs, etc.  These fun, hands-on programs were created from commonly requested topics, and are both educational and recreational. Some of our programs can only be offered during certain times of the year. Please look closely at the program you wish to schedule and that it is available during the season of your visit. In some cases programs can be modified.

Learners Ages 5-10 Years Old

  • Apple Orchard (Fall only)- Visit the orchard habitat, sample some ripe apples & taste freshly pressed juice.
  • Chow Time– Observe the special ways animals catch & eat their food, then watch them dine.
  • Maple Syruping (March only)- Examine the magic that takes place in a Maple tree as we learn how to tap and gather sap to make syrup! Taste the syrup at the end!
  • Migration Mania– Learn the mysteries & dangers of bird migration. Meet a live bird.
  • River Life (Fall, Spring, Summer)- Get your feet wet while exploring the life of the St. Croix River. Please wear shoes and clothes that can get wet.
  • Summerfest– Join us for a summer party! We’ll play games and much more to celebrate summer.
  • Untouchables– Identify poisonous plants and animals. Meet a few of the “undesirable” animals.
  • Wetland Bingo– Explore the wetland by tromping through the mud & the muck & playing bingo. Please wear shoes and clothes that can get wet.
  • Wildlife Walk– Investigate habitats of common wildlife in MN and WI. Meet live animals.

Learners 10 Years and Older

  • Lumberjack Games– Work on team building with some fun lumberjack games. Please wear shoes and clothes that can get wet.
  • Maple Syruping (Fall only)- Examine the magic that takes place in a Maple tree as we learn how to tap and gather sap to make syrup. Taste the syrup at the end.
  • Snowshoeing (Winter only)- Unveil winter’s mysteries with this ancient sport and learn about winter ecology on a guided snowshoe hike. Snow conditions need to be 6-8inches.
  • Wildlife Walk– Investigate habitats of common wildlife and meet live animals.
  • Wilderness Survival– Build a fire, shelter, and keep a smile as you put your survival skills to the test

Fees:
$5.00 per child/ $50.00 program minimum

Teachers and adult chaperones are FREE

Group Size: Programs work best with a 65 child per program maximum or less. We recommend, although not required, a student-to-adult ratio of 15:1. During the program, our team may ask group leaders to divide their students into smaller groups for a better field experience. You can call before your program if you would like to know how many field groups will be needed.

  • Teachers, inform parents/chaperones to lead by example by limiting conversations amongst other adults during the program. This is a distraction to the naturalist and the students.
  • If you have any differently-abled students, please let your booking contact know so we can ensure the best learning experience possible for all students.

Scheduling Dates: Reservations for each season will be taken after the following dates:

School Year – May 1

Summer – January 1

Contact: For more information, and to book a program, please call Program Director Sarah Germscheid.

Sarah@CarpenterNatureCenter.org
Phone: 651-437-4359 ext. 103

Helpful Tips

Site Use: Your group will be at the Carpenter Nature Center. CNC staff ask that you remind your students to be respectful and practice good outdoor ethics. Inform your students not to collect materials unless otherwise permitted by your naturalist. Ask your students to move slowly and quietly around the Nature Center’s animal ambassadors inside the Visitor Center.