Classes & Curriculum
Hands-on learning.
Real-world connections.
Unforgettable experiences.
Our Outdoor School curriculum combines hands-on learning with meaningful outdoor experiences that support state academic standards and help students build STEM, humanities, and life skills.
Plan your Outdoor School Experience
Explore classes, naturalist programs, evening activities, trip journals, and pre- and post-visit resources designed to help you create a meaningful experience connected to your classroom goals, curriculum, and students.
Choose Your Classes
Browse Day Class by subject area, activity level, duration, and grade level to build the best experience for your students.
Add Evening Programs
Enhance your trip with engaging Naturalist Programs and Evening Activities.
Prepare Your Students
Use trip journals, lesson plans, and resources to extend learning before and after your trip.
Day Classes
Each Outdoor School daytime class is hands-on, student-centered, and designed to use the outdoors as the classroom. Use the filters below to explore classes by subject area, grade level, activity level, and duration to build an experience that supports your students, schedule, and learning goals.
Class availability may vary based on season, weather, staffing, and scheduling. Contact scheduling@eaglebluffmn.org to discuss available options for your group’s visit.
-
Wildlife Ecology
Use models and hike through different ecosystems to study wildlife population dynamics.
Resources:
-
Treetops High Ropes Course
Challenge yourself, expand your comfort zone, and encourage others while traversing 30 feet above the ground.
Minimum grade required: 4th
Resources:
-
Trees and (Dichotomous) Keys
Make observations and use a dichotomous key to explore the diversity of Midwest tree species.
Resources:
-
Team Navigation
Work together to explore the outdoors while learning a new way to navigate via a large game of hide and seek.
Resources:
-
Survival
Build confidence in your outdoor experience through shelter building and fire-making.
Resources:
-
Snowshoeing
Play games and stay warm by tromping through the snow on snowshoes.
Resources:
-
Settler Life
Visit a replica cabin and do chores to analyze how 1850’s Settler-Colonists made their homes in Minnesota.
Resources:
-
Root River Hike
Find new ways to enjoy the outdoors through art, games, and beautiful views on a hike to the Root River.
Resources:
-
Rock Climbing
Challenge yourself and support others through safe risk-taking on our rock wall.
Resources:
Naturalist Programs
Each evening from 6:15–7:15 p.m., students participate in a staff-led naturalist program designed to help them unwind after a full day of Outdoor School activities. Unlike daytime classes, evening programs are more relaxed and designed for larger group participation.
What to Expect:
Naturalist Programs may include storytelling, slideshows, live animal experiences, or character-led presentations exploring topics related to nature, wildlife, history, and culture.
Invasive Species
Learn how invasive species impact ecosystems—and what you can do to help protect native environments.
Legends in the Sky
Listen to and act out star stories from cultures around the world, exploring both their differences and shared themes.
Limited to 50 participants.
Nighttime Neighbors
Explore Minnesota’s nocturnal animals and how their senses and behaviors help them thrive after dark.
RaptorCARE
Learn how Eagle Bluff trains, cares for, and works with raptor ambassadors in educational programs.
RaptorFORCE
Explore how humans and raptors have interacted and influenced each other throughout history.
RaptorPHYSICS
Discover the science of flight and learn how birds of prey are uniquely adapted for flight and life in the skies.
Rattled!
Investigate why we often fear snakes, and learn more about the unique adaptations of Minnesota’s only venomous snake.
Reptiles
See reptiles up close to learn about Minnesota’s reptiles, their unique adaptations, and the important roles they play in the ecosystem.
StarLab
Explore seasonal constellations, their science, and the stories behind them in our inflatable planetarium.
Spiders, Ticks, & Mosquitos
Discover what makes these arthropods “tick” in the natural world, and how to enjoy the outdoors in spite of them.
Team Machine
Play an active, competitive game of telephone to learn about communication and problem solving. Led by Eagle Bluff staff.
Limited to 120 participants.
Unhuggables
Explore the myths and realities of misunderstood “nuisance” animals and the important roles they play in ecosystems.
Evening Activities
Evening activities run from 7:30–9:00 p.m. and are led by your school staff or chaperones. Evening activities are flexible and design to meet a variety of your needs.
Your Choice
Customize your evening. Popular options include talent shows, capture the flag, journaling, board games, and gaga ball.
Board Games & Bingo
Unwind and reconnect while you play your choices of cards, board games, and bingo in your homeroom.
Campfire
Unplug and gather around the fire for stories, connection, and classic camp moments. Staff- or group-led—s’mores optional.
Eagle Bluff Olympics
High-energy team challenges that combine strategy, problem-solving, and friendly competition.
Movie Night
Relax and recharge with a movie. Bring your own or use Eagle Bluff’s Netflix or DVDs.
Night Hike
Experience the outdoors after dark—engage the senses and discover the nighttime world.
Owl Pellets
Dissect owl pellets to uncover food webs and ecosystem connections. Additional cost per pellet.
Project Teamwork
Strengthen communication and collaboration through guided problem-solving activities.
Talent Show
Lip-syncing? Slam poetry? Martial arts? Show the crowd hidden talents on stage or around the campfire.
Volleyball & Rec Time
Enjoy movement in the outdoors with a volleyball, frisbee, basketball, and more.
Yard Games
Simple, fun outdoor games that bring groups together through movement and friendly competition.
Trip Journals
- Advanced Orienteering
- Animal Signs
- Archery
- Archery Engineers
- Aquatics Lab
- Big Freeze
- Birds
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Earth Exploration
- Fungus Among Us
- GPS Pathfinders
- Group Challenges
- Ice Age
- Karst Geology
- Oneota
- Pond Study
- River Canoeing
- Rock Climbing
- Root River Hike
- Settler Life
- Snowshoeing
- Survival
- Team Navigation
- Trees and Keys
- Treetops Ropes Course
- Wildlife Ecology
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.
The teacher manual include tips for helping with journals, as well as keys for crossword puzzles and word finds.