2015 Public Program Guide
2015 Calendar of Events January 17
Snowshoe Stroll
February 7
Dinner on the Bluff: “Connections - Soils, Plants, and You”
March 7 21
Dinner on the Bluff: “Bluff Country Inspirations” Maple Syrup Fest
April 11
Dinner on the Bluff: “Mysteries of the Driftless”
May 2
Dinner on the Bluff: “The Return on Character”
June Tue & Sat Summer High Ropes Challenge Becoming an Outdoor Family Weekend 13 - 14 Summer Camp: Wildlife Encounters 21 - 26 Summer Camp: Firearms Safety 28 - 30 Summer Camp: Junior Adventurers 28 - July 1 28 - July 1 Summer Camp: Wet & Wild July
Tue & Sat Summer High Ropes Challenge Summer Camp: Forkhorn I 5 - 10 10 - 12 EcoAdventure Weekend 12 - 17 Summer Camp: Survival 101 12 - 17 Summer Camp: Survival EXTREME 17 - 22 Summer Camp: Pedal & Paddle: Root River 26 - 31 Summer Camp: Forkhorn II
August Tue & Sat Summer High Ropes Challenge Becoming an Outdoor Family Weekend 8 - 9 October 10 30
Eagle Bluff Scholarship Banquet Haunted High Ropes
General Information Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center is a private, nonprofit residential learning center located near Laneboro in the beautiful bluff country of southeastern Minnesota. We believe that together we can make a lasting difference by connecting people to the natural world through experiential learning and positive outdoor experiences. We accomplish our mission through a variety of outdoor, hands-on, and natural history-based programs.
Eagle Bluff offers 9 miles of hiking trails that take you from the Root River shore to bluff top to tall grass prairie! Trail maps can be obtained at the Schroeder Building Visitor Center and on our website. The Visitor Center is open Weekdays 8am - 4:30pm, Saturdays 10am - 5pm (June - August) & Closed Sundays, Weekends by appointment (September - May). Directions to Eagle Bluff can be found at www.eagle-bluff.org WARNING: Internet Mapping Sites and Personal GPS Units will take you on back roads that may be impassable due to weather conditions - PLEASE use the driving directions recommended on our website.
Canoeing, stargazing, hikes & tours, archery, yoga, and more! This all-inclusive weekend includes staying in our comfortable rooms, gourmet meals, and tickets to the theatre or golfing!
Family Events Maple Syrup Fest
Snowshoe Stroll
January 17 , 2015 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Cost: $10 per person
March 21, 2015 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Cost: $5 per person, kids 5 and under free
Take a nighttime stroll along an illuminated trail as you enjoy the beauty of the winter night. Gaze at the stars as you follow luminaries along our trails or stop to warm up by a fire. Snowshoes will be provided. In case of no snow, an illuminated hike will take place. Reservations required.
The snow is melting and the sap is flowing! Join a naturalist in Eagle Bluff’s sugar bush to tap a tree and collect maple sap. A tasty treat awaits as together we celebrate the coming of spring. No reservations required.
Becoming An Outdoor Family Weekend Spring Weekend June 13-14, 2015 Summer Weekend August 8-9, 2015 Cost: $90 per person, $335 for family of four & $85 for each additional family member.
Reconnect with family members in the great outdoors this spring and summer. Class options include: archery, geocaching, fishing, rifle range, ropes course, canoeing, and more. Both weekends are co-sponsored by the Minnesota DNR: Bringing families and the great outdoors together. Pre-registration required.
Summer High Ropes Challenge
June, July, and August (Closed Labor Day Weekend) Tuesdays: 1:00 p.m. & Saturdays: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Ages: 10 and older Cost: $25 per person Meet the challenge on the ropes course this summer! Travel from tower to tower over wires and wooden boards to reach the zip-line and enjoy the best view of SE Minnesota! This confidence building experience is great for family outings, reunions, scouts, youth groups, and individuals. Reservations required.
Haunted High Ropes October 30, 2015 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Cost: $25 per person
Join us the Friday before Halloween for a SPOOKTACULAR High Ropes experience. Encounter ghosts, sketetons, and witches as you Trick or Treat your way from tower to tower on our West Treetops course. Warm up by the fire after your ride down the zip-line! Pre-registration required.
Adult Events Dinner on the Bluff Series
Treat yourself to a night of great food and enlightened conversation. Noted speakers and presenters from around the region will kick off the evening with an engaging presentation followed by a delicious gourmet meal! All dinners will begin with the presentation at 5:00 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner. The cost is $25 per person for early bird reservations and $30 per person for reservations made the week of the event. Buy the entire series (all four dinners) for $80 per person or $150 per pair. Pre-registration is required.
February 7, 2015 “Connections - Soils, Plants, and You” Douglas Piltingsrud Ph.D., CEO of BioLive Soils LLC
By understanding the important connections between soils, plants and human health, we can learn to maximize the effectiveness of nature’s system for producing nutritious food. This allows us to minimize damage from insects, diseases, and weed competition naturally. Together we will discuss how we can all benefit from these interconnections if we learn to grow plants nature’s way. This dinner is co-sponsored by Fillmore SWCD.
March 7, 2015
“Bluff Country Inspirations” Artists from Lanesboro Arts
Enjoy the work of several artists from Lanesboro Arts as they share their work and inspirations from our surrounding Bluff Country. Artists will have several pieces of work on display for discussion and purchase. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to ask the artists questions on their inspirations and technique!
April 11, 2015 “Mysteries of the Driftless” George Howe M.S., M.E.P.D., Executive Producer
In the upper Midwest, there exists a geographical area that is unique in all the world; a large, diverse, and scenic area that has repeatedly escaped the crushing effects of massive continental glaciers, while all land around it was dramatically altered. This ancient “island” of unglaciated land is known as the “Driftless Area,” and recently a team of scientists and educators set out to tell its story. George Howe, Executive Producer of the nature-adventure documentary “Mysteries of the Driftless,” will tell the story of how and why this unique film was created locally and how it has affected people. Howe will present ideas for how the film and similar media products, can be utilized to help inspire and educate area youth, shape public opinion, and enhance area conservation efforts. This dinner is co-sponsored by Fillmore SWCD.
May 2, 2015 “The Return on Character” Fred Kiel Ph.D., Executive Director KRW Research Institute
Fred has spent the last seven years gathering data and studying the connection between the character of CEOs and the business results they produce. He will present some of his findings described in his book “Return on Character: The Real Reason Leaders and their Companies Win” to be published in April 2015 by Harvard Business Review Press.
October 10, 2015
Eagle Bluff Scholarship Banquet
Cost: $45 per person or $100 Patron Package
Cheers to you! Join us for fantastic food, drinks, and great company! Your support during the banquet allows children to visit Eagle Bluff! All proceeds from the event go to Eagle Bluff’s Scholarship Fund. Pre-registration required.
Summer Camps Our summer camps offer unique opportunities for your child! Our highly trained and knowledgable staff, wonderful facilities, beautiful landscapes, and engaging activities are sure to provide an unforgetable summer camp experience! Wildlife Encounters June 21 - 26, 2015 Age: Youth entering grades 6, 7, 8, & 9 Cost: Early Bird $420, Regular $435 Wildlife Camp at Eagle Bluff is one of the most unique summer camps you’ll find! Designed for critter enthusiasts, campers will be out in our ponds, streams, prairies, and forests seeing everything from toads and frogs to bats and snakes. Camp Highlight: Spending one on one time handling members of the Eagle Bluff Raptor Team!
Firearms Safety June 28 - June 30, 2015 Ages: Youth entering grades 5, 6, 7, & 8
* Due to state requirements, participants must be at least age 11 at the start of camp
Cost: $130 Eagle Bluff staff will spend an intense two and a half days engaging campers in fun, hands-on class sessions that will emphasize the knowledge and skills needed to become a responsible and successful hunter. Plus, they’ll get the opportunity to go on one of the ropes courses during their stay. Camp Highlight: Campers will earn their Firearms Safety Certification through the MN DNR!
Wet & Wild June 28 - July 1, 2015 Ages: Youth entering grades 6, 7, & 8 Cost: Early Bird $340, Regular $350 A new offering this year, Wet & Wild is for water fanatics. We’ll be spending a lot of time around campus and beyond, doing everything from canoeing to fishing to pond exploration! Camp Highlight: A day trip to Lake Pepin for a sailing adventure!
Junior Adventurers June 28 - July 1, 2015 Ages: Youth entering grades 3, 4, & 5 Cost: Early Bird $310, Regular $320 Created for younger explorers, this is a great first-time summer camp experience. The Junior Adventurers will spend their days rock climbing, building shelters, and practicing their aim during archery. From being silly at the campfire to pretending to be a pioneer, these campers will get the chance to build friendships and find new interests! Camp Highlight: A hike on the Root River for an afternoon full of swimming, tubing, and water games!
Early Bird Rates end April 15th, 2015
Summer Camps Forkhorn I July 5 - 10, 2015 Ages: Youth entering grades 5, 6, 7, & 8 * Due to state requirements, participants must be at least age 11 at the start of camp
Cost: Early Bird $410, Regular $425 Forkhorn I Camp continues to be Eagle Bluff’s most popular camp- due to its array of fun experiences! Campers not only spend time learning about safe hunting practices, but they also get to improve their skills in canoeing, archery, rock climbing, and more! The option to complete the MN Firearms Safety Certification is available. Camp Highlight: Shooting at both the rifle and shotgun ranges!
Survival 101 July 12 - 17, 2015 Age: Youth entering grades 5, 6, 7, & 8 Cost: Early Bird $410, Regular $425
Survival EXTREME July 12 - 17, 2015 Age: Youth entering grades 7, 8, 9, & 10 Cost: Early Bird $410, Regular $425
Campers will spend the week learning basic skills- from finding wild edibles and fire starting, to shooting arrows, blowguns, and rifles. Plus, we’ll spend a day camping out along the Root River, which includes building shelters, swimming, fishing, and tasty campfire treats! Camp Highlight: A chance to show off all their new skills at the SURVIVAL Games.
Survival EXTREME is for the campers who really want to push their abilities to the max. Everything in this camp is a step up from regular Survival Camp- more skills to learn, challenges to face, and a tougher SURVIVAL Games arena. Camp Highlight: We’re extending the campout! More stories to tell, shelters to build, and campfire meals to enjoy!
Pedal & Paddle: Root River July 17 - 22, 2015 Age: Youth entering grades 6, 7, & 8 Cost: Early Bird $420, Regular $435 This camp is looking for adventurous explorers to tackle the Root River trails! The campers will start and end at Eagle Bluff- which leaves time for the ropes course and climbing wall- but much of the time will be spent canoeing, biking, and camping for two nights along the river in and around Lanesboro. Camp Highlight: Exploring places only accessible by boat and bike!
Forkhorn II July 26 - 31, 2015 Ages: Youth entering 6, 7, 8, & 9
* Participants must be at least age 12 and Firearms Safety Certified at the start of camp
Cost: Early Bird $410, Regular $425 The week will be spent improving the camper’s archery and shooting skills through activities that focus on marksmanship and large game hunting techniques. Additionally, they will spend time enjoying the classic Eagle Bluff favorites! Campers will earn their Bow Hunters Safety Certification through the MN DNR. Camp Highlight: More rounds at the ranges, more time climbing the rock wall, and a longer campout by the river!
Returning Camper Discount: Enjoy 5% off the listed price if your camper has attended a past Eagle Bluff Summer Camp. Camps NOT included are Firearms Safety, Forkhorn I, and Forhorn II.
Public Programs 28097 Goodview Drive Lanesboro, MN 55949 Return Service Requested
non-profit org u.s. postage paid permit no. 22 lanesboro, mn 55949
507-467-2437 • 888-800-9558 • www.eagle-bluff.org • events@eagle-bluff.org
We are offering a brand new educational venture in affiliation with Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center River Roots Skills School! Our mission is to empower individuals to live and lead a balanced life in a sustainable world. Not finding an event that meets your needs? Looking for a place to hold a special event like a corporate retreat, birthday party, family reunion, or group gathering? Eagle Bluff can meet those needs! Contact our Group Event Coordinator to plan your event today! Cheryl Krage groups@eagle-bluff.org 507-467-2437