Wright County Parks & Recreation has announced its summer activities schedule. Here is a rundown of the programs being offered.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Little Naturalist – A program for the little naturalist in your home, this program is designed for kids ages 3-5, but participants can be younger. The programs will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Robert Ney Nature Center in Maple Lake. The events start with story time, followed by nature play and crafts. Each session will have a different nature theme. The cost is $5 per child. An adult must accompany each child. Here is the summer schedule: Wednesday, June 14 – Monarchs; Wednesday, July 19 – Mammals; Wednesday, Aug. 16 – Swans.
Nature & Learn Day Camps – Lifelong memories are made at summer camp. The Nature & Learn Day Camps are designed for children ages 6-12. Each day camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the cost is $25 per child. Each camp will let kids discover nature through crafts, games, science experiments and more. The schedule for the summer is as follows: Thursday, June 22 – Pollinators at Otsego County Park; Thursday, July 20 – Tremendous Trees at Robert Ney Nature Center; Thursday, Aug. 17 – Marvelous Mammals at Collinwood County Park.
To register for any of the youth programs, call (763) 684-2387. Pre-registration is needed to assure your spot.
ADULT & FAMILY PROGRAMS
Ney Nature Day – Every fourth Saturday of each month this summer, the Robert Ney Nature Center will be open to the public for free Ney Nature Days. Spend time bird watching or exploring the trails. Each Ney Nature Day will have an environmental speaker, nature packs, self-led scavenger hunts and more. The events run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., all are welcome and the Saturdays the Ney Nature Days are offered are June 24, July 22 and Aug. 26.
Family Adventure: Overnight Camping – An introductory family camping experience at Beebe Lake Regional Park where participants will learn all the basics of camping. Topics include what gear is best to invest in, setup and takedown of a campsite and camp cooking such as campfire pancakes. Activities include kayaking, compass skills, plant identification and many more family fun activities. All you need to bring is bedding. We will provide the rest! Each family will get a six-person tent, cookware, sleeping pads and a lantern. The event will be held from 5 p.m. Friday, June 14 to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 15. The cost is $60 per family.
Family Nature Nights – Enjoy an evening exploring nature with friends and family. Explore our beautiful trails, go stargazing and learn more about Minnesota wildlife. This event is open to all ages. The cost is $5 per family. Here is the FNN event schedule: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 8 – Animal pelts at Collinwood County Park; 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29 – Evening hike at Bertram Chain of Lakes Park; 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday Aug. 26 – Stargazing at Schroeder Park Campground.
Lunch with a Naturalist – Have lunch at Robert Ney Nature Center with a local Naturalist. Bring your lunch to eat in the Nature Center and be joined by an environmental expert. Each program includes time to eat lunch inside the Nature Center, a short presentation and time outside. The program will run from noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 24 and Monday, Aug. 28. The cost is $5 for adults and children get in free.
Fly Fishing with MN Trout – Minnesota Trout Unlimited is excited to partner with Wright County Parks & Rec to provide fly fishing programs this summer. Join us at Fairhaven Mill County Park for a few hours of fun, learning and meeting other anglers. The program will teach the basics of fly fishing. Learn different types of equipment and files used, set up a rod, cast like a pro and how to take fish off your hook. The cost is $8 per person and requirements are to be ages 10+ at Fairhaven Mill Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 22.
Women, Wine, Water – Spend an evening kayaking followed by a wine tasting and charcuterie boards at sunset. The event costs $28 per person ages 21+ from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25 at Bertram Chain of Lakes Park. The guided kayak tour will take approximately one hour. A local winery will provide the wine.
Pre-registration is required to guarantee your spot. To register, call (763) 684-2387. Wright County Parks & Rec looks forward to seeing you explore our beautiful parks system for events that are of the most interest to you.