Introducing our Hike with a Naturalist summer series! Join the Hike with a Naturalist summer series, led by Bennett Myhran, the City Forester for Wayzata, as you explore the Big Woods Preserve and Wood-Rill SNA with your family. These all-ages hikes offer a chance to learn about local wildlife, conservation challenges, and how humans connect with the natural world. Each class in this summer series will feature an appreciation for the season's lush growth, focusing on dense canopy cover, vibrant wildflowers, and the full, mysterious life of the summer forest. **Parent participation required June 11: Welcome to the Big Woods (all ages) On this hike we’ll learn about the ins and outs of this unique woodland preserve. First-time visitors and lifelong enthusiasts are welcome! We’ll be stopping at a number of notable sites along the way to talk about trees, soils, wildlife, and how we humans fit into the equation. June 14: Get to Know Your Trees (all ages) If you live nearby, you probably spend most of your days surrounded by trees – but how well do you really know them? On this hike, we’ll talk about what makes these giants so impressive and what we can do to show them our appreciation. June 20: Conservation 101 (all ages) Woodrill SNA is home to an increasingly rare woodland ecosystem that once defined what is now the Twin Cities west metro area. On this hike, we’ll learn what makes an “old-growth” forest like this so special. We’ll discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by modern conservation managers in our area, and consider how we might borrow their insights.

Join an EcoElsa Naturalist to explore nature and learn about the plants and animals that call it home. Class includes tactile learning activities, exploration time, games, and art to help kids engage and connect with their natural space. We will do a wide variety of outdoor activities that are great for preschoolers to get their minds and bodies moving! **Parent participation required

Offered for kids ages 6-12, Day Camps at Phoenix River Farm teach kids the basics of horse care, grooming, and riding. Kids should provide their own nut-free lunch and wear long pants with closed-toed shoes. It is recommended to dress in multiple layers and sunscreen as we will be both inside and outside. Drop off is at 10:00 a.m. and pick up is at 3:00 p.m. We will provide the rest! NOTE: Phoenix River Farm is located at 5960 Town Hall Drive, Loretto, MN 55357

Bees, Butterflies Hummingbirds, and more! Join a naturalist from EcoElsa to learn about different pollinators and how they help the environment by helping plants and other things. Class includes tactile learning activities, exploration time, games, and art to help kids engage and connect with their natural space. We will do a wide variety of outdoor activities that are great for preschoolers to get their minds and bodies moving! **Parent participation required

Go fishing with a professional angler. Interactive day camp where kids learn how to rig lines, cast, tie fishing knots and GO FISHING! Kids keep all their new fishing gear! Learn how to fish with a professional angler. Dan Jasper, a fishing professional, has created Fish Camp!, an interactive day camp, where kids learn how to fish and then go fishing. On day one, kids receive their very own rod, reel and tackle box full of gear. Kids learn how to rig their lines, cast, tie fishing knots, identify fish and more. On days two and three, kids fish from shore and practice what they learned using their own fishing gear, while catching fish. This camp is designed to help kids learn how to fish and gives them the tools to fish for a lifetime! Day one will be at Central Middle School. Days 2 and 3 will be at the Narrows Bridge on Tonka Bay. https://maps.app.goo.gl/8gMSTHekRFohtbf5A

Sunset Hill families- Join us for this Family Breakfast Campfire class! Level up your family's outdoor skills! Learn the science of fire, how to build safe fire structures, and how to cook amazing food over a campfire. We'll start with easy skewers and drinks, then move up to baking. By the end, you'll know how to make full meals safely! We offer recipes for many dietary needs, including vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free options. Recipe 1 - Skewers Recipe 2 - Campfire beverages Recipe 3 - Tinfoil Packet Hash Recipe 4 - Dutch Oven Monkey Bread **Adult participation required