Quick links:
Advanced Orienteering
Animal Signs
Archery Engineers
Beginning Orienteering
Big Freeze (Winter Ecology)
Cross-Country Skiing
Earth Exploration
Fungus Among Us
GPS Pathfinders
Group Challenges
Ice Age
Karst Geology
River Canoeing
Rock Climbing
Root River Hike
Snowshoeing
Trees and (Dichotomous) Keys
Tree Tops High Ropes Course
Wildlife Ecology
Winter Survival
Naturalist Programs
From 6:30-7:30 p.m. each evening, students can delve deeper into nature topics or history through stories, slide shows, or character presentations presented by the Eagle Bluff staff. Naturalist programs are unlike day-classes; they are designed to help students wind-down after an exciting day, they may include other schools, and are presented to groups of up to 250 people. Due to staff availability, we will choose programs for your group based on your students’ ages. You may rank your naturalist program preferences on your scheduling form, but our ability to accommodate requests may be limited.
- Backwoods Buttercup
- A humorous local character visits and shares knowledge of local natural history and animal adaptations. This program is designed to highlight general environmental concepts.
- Invasive Species
- Exotic plants and animals are taking over where they don’t belong. Learn about the harm they cause and if anything can be done to stop them! Live animal program.
- Legends in the Sky
- The constellations we see in the night sky have fascinated people for thousands of years. Connections to Greek and Roman mythology as well as Native American stories and beliefs are presented through storytelling.
- RaptorCARE
- Our staff is responsible for the care and training of four raptors, and it takes a team of people and hours of practice to do so effectively. Learn the techniques used to train birds while observing them in action with one of our live birds of prey. Live animal program.
- RaptorFORCE
- Humans and raptors have long history of working together. Falconry, cultural relationships, superstitions, and human disturbances are topics which will be explore during this program which will feature one of our raptors. Live animal program.
- RaptorPHYSICS
- How does flight actually happen? We will explore the physics behind flight through by using science demonstrations. The culminating experience will be viewing one of our birds of prey to discuss flight adaptations specific to that species. Live animal program.
- Reptiles
- Often misunderstood, reptiles can evoke strong emotions. With the help of a live reptile, students will learn about Minnesota reptiles, conservation efforts, intriguing facts, and reptile’s amazing adaptations. Live animal program.
- STARLAB
- Eagle Bluff has our very own planetarium! Students will learn how our view of the constellations change with the seasons and some of the stories associated with constellations. Due to space limitations within the STARLAB, this program is only available to 60 students each night.
- Timber Rattler
- Bluff rattler, Ol’ Velvet Tail, or timber rattlesnake; no matter what you call it, the timber rattler is one of the most unique and specialized animals in southeastern Minnesota. Students will learn about timber rattlesnake adaptations, yearly cycle, behavior, and conservation management. Live animal program.
- Unhuggables
- Some native Minnesota critters such as skunks, opossums, snakes, and raccoons are considered by many to be ugly, dangerous, or a nuisance. This program reveals the important role played by these “unhuggables” in our natural world. Live animal program.
Evening Activities
Evening Activities are led by your school staff or chaperones from 7:30-9:00 p.m. Please download your activity’s lesson plan from below and ensure that the adults leading the activities have a copy of the lesson plans in advance. Your Eagle Bluff liaison will have your supplies available, set-up the classroom, and assist with directions and answer questions prior to the start of the evening activity. They are designed to be flexible and meet a variety of your needs.
- Campfire
- Eagle Bluff Olympics
- Movie
- Finish the day by winding down with a movie. You can choose to bring your own or pick from our selection of nature-related movies such as Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Mysteries of the Driftless, Wall-E, etc.
- Night Hike
- Owl Pellets
- Project Teamwork
- S.T.E.A.M. Challenges
- This activity features Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math activities which will have students working together in groups to accomplish fun challenges.
- Full Lesson Plan
- Yard Games
- Your Choice
- Many schools create and present their own programs. Fill your evening time in any way you feel is appropriate. Square dancing, journaling, and knot tying are some examples.
- Teacher Manual
- The teacher manual include tips for helping with journals, as well as keys for crossword puzzles and word finds.
- Teacher’s Manual
- General Student Pages
- Class-Specific Pages
- Advanced Orienteering
- Amphibians
- Animal Signs
- Archery
- Archery Engineers
- Beginning Orienteering
- Big Freeze
- Birds
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Earth Exploration
- Energy’s Potential
- Forest Ecology
- Fungus Among Us
- GPS Pathfinders
- Group Challenges
- Ice Age
- Insects
- Karst Geology
- Oneota
- Pioneer Life
- Pond Life
- River Canoeing
- Rock Climbing
- Root River Hike
- Snowshoeing
- Stream Lab
- Trees and Keys
- Tree Tops Ropes Course
- Wildlife Ecology
- Winter Pond Lab
- Winter Survival
- Evening Activity Pages
- Naturalist Program Page
- A journal page designed for use with any Naturalist Program (there are no program-specific pages.) You will need one page per night you are at Eagle Bluff.
- Naturalist Program