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Eagle Bluff

Eagle Bluff

Environmental Learning Center

  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Staff & Board
    • Employment
    • Contact & Directions
    • Impact & Financials
  • Our Programs
    • Nature Preschool
    • Residential Outdoor School Program (K-12)
    • Summer & Family Camps
    • Environmental Education Fellowship
    • Undergraduate J-Term
    • Adult Learning & Continuing Education
    • Team Building Adventures
    • Wildlife Care & Public Outreach
  • Upcoming Events
    • 2021 High Ropes Challenge
    • Dinner on the Bluff Speaker Series
    • Banquet on the Bluff Fundraiser
    • Host Your Event, Meeting, or Retreat at Eagle Bluff
  • Explore Our Campus
    • Dining & Food Service
    • Lodging & Accommodations
    • Public Hiking Trails
    • Tree Tops High Ropes
    • Rock Climbing Wall
    • Discovery Center
    • The Point Conservation Project
    • Other Campus Highlights
    • Visit Us!
  • Resources
    • Information for Teachers and Group Leaders
    • Information for Outdoor School Parents and Students
    • Information for Outdoor School Chaperones
    • Outdoor School Classes and Curriculum
    • Gift Shop Price List ↪
    • About the Driftless Area
    • What to do if you find injured wildlife ↪
  • Ways to Give
  • DONATE

Residential Outdoor School Program (K-12)

Jump to: Program Overview | Our Campus | Our Location | Trip Planning | Rates & Trip Options

Book your overnight or day trip!

View our COVID-19 protocols for Outdoor School programming (updated February 2021): Outdoor School Overnight Protocols | Outdoor School Day Use Protocols

Overnight and day-use environmental education field trips for schools and groups

What is the Eagle Bluff Outdoor School? More than your average field trip – it’s an experience unlike any other! Expanding learning beyond the classroom, students are immersed in natural surroundings while participating in experiential learning in the form of hands-on classes, naturalist programs, group challenges, and adventure activities.

Outdoor School classes, curriculum, and activities aim to sharpen students’ critical thinking skills, foster teamwork and leadership, and raise environmental awareness while inspiring an ethos of care for the earth and each other.

Inquire about an Outdoor School trip! Request a catalog by mail

Program Overview

Student-centered, nature-focused

Through our accredited Outdoor School programming, we aim to provide students with hands-on, transformative experiences that:

  • Promote a positive relationship with the outdoors
  • Spark curiosity and appreciation for the natural world
  • Impart life skills such as teamwork and problem solving
  • Increase environmental & academic literacy
  • Foster a sense of respect, stewardship and community

Programming highlights

☑ Inquiry-based learning
☑ Classes almost all outdoors
☑ Aligned with state standards
☑ NCA Accredited
☑ STEM-connected w/ IB profiles
☑ Adventure & challenge activities
☑ Custom curriculum based on group

View sample daily schedule

Morning
7:30-8:30: Breakfast
8:30-11:30: Class
11:30–12:00: Free time

Afternoon
Noon-1:15: Lunch/Free Time
1:15–4:15: Class
4:15–5:00: Free time

Evening
5:00–6:30: Dinner/Free Time
6:30–7:30: Naturalist Program
7:30–9:00: Group Activities

Nighttime
9:00–9:30: Group Meeting Time
9:30-10:00: Quiet Time in Rooms
10:00 – 6:30: Quiet hours

Our Classes & Curriculum

All of our classes and activities are aligned with Minnesota State Academic Standards, providing students in-depth experiences in: ecology, nature identification, earth and physical science, history and people, outdoor adventure & recreation, challenge skills, and more! Our curriculum is paired with supporting materials to deepen the learning experience, including STEM connections and IB profiles.

View our classes and curriculum materials

Our Teaching Philosophy

Using research-based methodologies, four core beliefs are woven throughout the student experience and incorporated into our lessons. We believe students learn best when they: engage directly with nature, learn through discussions, think like a scientist, and follow the learning cycle. Eagle Bluff’s methodologies are based on those researched and trained through The BEETLES Project. 

Learn more about our teaching methods

Our Educators

Our highly-trained, passionate outdoor educators provide programming that challenges students to think critically, step out of their comfort zone, and experience personal growth and connection with the natural world. We get to know our students by name and work to build a culture of mutual respect. Additionally, all of our educators have have earned undergraduate degrees or higher and are trained and evaluated in behavior and risk management and outdoor teaching techniques.

Meet our staff

“We had a wonderful time here! The kids got so much hands-on learning, had so much fun, and created such a wonderful little community together. This is definitely an experience they will look back on for years.”

– Parent chaperone

Our Campus & Facilities

The perfect learning environment!

The outdoor environment of our 250-acre campus, such as the river, prairies, and forest, as well as indoor classrooms in our Discovery Center, are used for teaching lessons in science, adventure, natural history, cultural history, team building and more. Located in the ecologically-unique Driftless Area, we are home to an abundance of unique plants and wildlife, adding to the richness of students’ learning experience.

Learn more about our campus

Campus highlights

☑ Hundreds of acres of wilderness
☑ Captive wildlife onsite
☑ Dormitory-style lodging
☑ Cafeteria-style dining hall
☑ Food waste reduction practices
☑ Adventure & challenge courses

Lodging & Accommodations

Bunk comfortably in our climate-controlled lodging! Our 31-room, 248-bed, climate-controlled dormitory serves as the living quarters for students, chaperones, lead teachers, and other guests during their overnight trip to our Outdoor School. Each suite has private bathrooms and showers. Four rooms are fully handicapped-accessible.  We also offer campus transportation for students with mobility impairments.

Learn more about our lodging

Food Service & Dining Hall

Enjoy meals in our full-service, cafeteria-style dining hall! Our menus are accommodating to dietary needs and feature scratch-made, local, and organic ingredients as much as possible. Guests participate in our FoodWISE program to learn about minimizing food waste. We also utilize multiple composting systems allowing us to compost food scraps from kitchen prep and guests’ plates. 

Learn more about our food service

Recreation, Challenge, & Adventure!

Campus recreation and adventure experiences include: high ropes courses, low-ropes courses, rock climbing wall, archery ranges, orienteering course, hiking trails, geocaching, a re-created 1860’s pioneer cabin, a replica Oneota dwelling site, gift shop and more!

Check out everything our campus has to offer

We’re located in the beautiful Bluff Country of Lanesboro, Minnesota

Just 45 minutes southeast of Rochester and an hour west of La Crosse, Eagle Bluff is conveniently located for schools and groups from all over Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and northern Illinois.

View our location on Google Maps

Prepare for Your Trip

Teachers & Group Leaders

Here you’ll find planning resources: Overnight Planning Guide, Trip Planning Checklist, Medical Release Forms, Code of Conduct, Food Allergen Disclosure, and more.

Teacher planning page >>

Parents & Students

Parents, here you’ll find important information including pertinent forms, lodging & safety info, and more. Students, check here to learn about what to expect on your trip!

Parent & student planning page >>

Adult Chaperones

Chaperones are a vital part of your group’s trip to Eagle Bluff! Here you’ll find information on How to Be a Top-Notch Chaperone, Tips for Thriving During Your Chaperone Experience, and more.

Chaperone planning page >>

Gift Shop

Our campus gift shop is located in the dining hall and offers Eagle Bluff clothing and apparel, water bottles, plush wild animals, and many other nature and adventure-inspired items for purchase.

Gift shop price list >>

Rates & Trip Options

Discounts may be available on multi-day overnight programs to first-year groups! Inquire using the form below!

Outdoor School rates for the 2020-2021 school year:

Overnight Trips

Three Day, Two Night Program: $123/person
Four Day, Three Night Program: $168/person
Five Day, Four Night Program:
$210/person

Inquire about a trip

Day Use Trips

Half-day
$25/person
Full day
$40/person
Youth group lunch rate is $7/person, or you may bring your own.

Inquire about a trip

Included in the per person cost (students and chaperones) is all lodging & meals (for overnight trips), and educational programming.

We believe that everyone should have access to the outdoors. To inquire about potential funding assistance for your trip, please contact us.

Inquire about a trip

Fill out our inquiry form and our groups manager will get back to you with more information!

You may also call and talk with our groups scheduling manager at 507-467-2437.

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Contact

info@eagle-bluff.org

(507) 467-2437

28097 Goodview Drive
Lanesboro, MN 55949

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