Geocaching Challenge
Saturday, July 29th 10am-12pm
Challenge yourself on a technology-based scavenger hunt in the park. Learn how to use a GPS and search for hidden containers. Prizes awarded to those brave enough to finish. All equipment provided. All Ages. Youth under 10 must attend with a registered adult.
Cost: $5/member or $8/non-member
$15/member family of 3+ or $24/non-member family of 3+
Register online by July 26th! Reservations required.
Wilderness Survival Skills: Family Lesson
Saturday, July 29th 2-4pm
Learn about outdoor survival and practice wilderness skills including shelter construction and fire building. Ages: 7+
Cost: $3/member or $5/non-member
$9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+
Register online by July 26th! Reservations required.
Moth Survey (Volunteers Needed!)
Saturday, July 29th 9pm-Midnight
Join us as a citizen scientist during National Moth Week as we survey moths found at the Ney Nature Center! Using lights, sheets, and scents to attract moths, we will document our findings with photos and create a list of identified species. All data will be submitted to iNaturalist and Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA).
Cost: FREE!
Register online by July 26th or just show up!
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Sunday, July 30th – Drop by anytime between 11am and 2pm
Explore the trails at Ney Nature Center and take fun photos along the way. All Ages. Bring your own camera phone. Youth under 14 must attend with an adult.
Cost: FREE!
Register online by July 27th or just show up!
Mountain Bike Trail Grand Opening
Saturday, August 12th 10am-12:30pm
Celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Mountain Bike Trail at the Ney Nature Center with prizes, refreshments, and a ribbon cutting ceremony. Participants who ride the trail between 10am and noon will be entered to win prizes which will be drawn during the ribbon cutting ceremony at 12:15pm (must be present to win). All Ages. Youth under age 10 must attend with an adult.
Cost: FREE! No registration required.
FAMILY SCIENCE: Owl Pellets
Saturday, August 12th 2-3:30pm
Bring the whole family as we learn about science and conduct different experiments! On August 12th we will learn about the life of an owl and explore their digestive process. All Ages. Youth under the age of 14 must attend with a registered adult.
Cost: $3/member or $5/non-member
$9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+
Register online by August 9th! Reservations required.
NEY SENIOR LEARNING SERIES: Renewable Energy
Thursday, August 17th 12:00-2pm
Learn about a new topic each month as we explore local wildlife, history and conservation issues. Lunch included. Conducted on the third Thursday of each month. Ages 50+
Cost: $10/member or $12/non-members
Register online by August 10th! Reservations required.
Prairie Ecology Hike
Sunday, August 20th 1-3pm
Join a naturalist for a guided hike through the prairie! Explore different topics including wildlife, plants, and soils. Ages: 5+
Cost: $3/member or $5/non-member
$9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+
Register online by August 17th! Reservations required.
Nature Craft Night
Friday, August 25th 6-8pm
Spend the evening with color and shape to design your very own mosaic creation! Choose from a variety of designs or come up with one of your own! This nature theme craft night will include a snack as well as supplies so you are sure to have a fantastic evening! All Ages. Youth under the age of 14 must attend with a registered adult.
Cost: $20/member or $25/non-member
Register online by August 22nd! Reservations required.
Carving Club
Sunday, August 27th 1-3pm
Participants receive hands on lessons regarding the fundamentals of carving wood from the amazingly talented Ollie Heitkamp. Contact Michelle if you would like to join as new members are always welcome but prep time is needed! Participants are responsible for bringing their own basic supplies.
Monarch Tagging
Saturday, September 9th 9-11am
Learn about and participate in the monarch tagging process. Carefully collect and tag monarch butterflies found in the prairie. All Ages. Youth under age 10 must attend with a registered adult.
Cost: $3/member or $5/non-member
$9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+
Register online by September 7th! Reservations required.
NEY SENIOR LEARNING SERIES: Chimney Swifts
Thursday, September 21st 12-2pm
Learn about a new topic each month as we explore local wildlife, history and conservation issues. Lunch included. Conducted on the third Thursday of each month. Ages 50+
Cost: $10/member or $12/non-members
Register online by September 14th! Reservations required.
Carving Club
Sunday, September 24th 1-3pm
Participants receive hands on lessons regarding the fundamentals of carving wood from the amazingly talented Ollie Heitkamp. Contact Michelle if you would like to join as new members are always welcome but prep time is needed! Participants are responsible for bringing their own basic supplies.
HOMESCHOOL SERIES: Geocaching Challenge
Saturday, September 27th 1-2:30pm
Programs designed just for homeschool classes. Challenge yourself on a technology-based scavenger hunt in the park. Learn how to use a GPS and search for hidden containers. All equipment provided. Ages 5-17. Supervisory adults may attend for free.
Cost: $5/student
Register online by September 25th! Reservations required.
Fall Colors Hike
Saturday, September 30th 10-11:30am
Join a naturalist as we explore the fall colors and local wildlife on the trails. All Ages. Youth under the age of 10 must attend with a registered adult.
Cost: $3/member or $5/non-member
$9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+
Register online by September 28th! Reservations required.
SCOUTS ONLY: Geocaching Challenge
Saturday, September 30th 1-2:30pm
Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Cub Scouts are invited to join us for these exciting adventures. Challenge yourself on a technology-based scavenger hunt in the park. Learn how to use a GPS and search for hidden containers. All equipment provided. Ages 5-14. Supervisory adults may attend for free.
Cost: $5/scout
Register online by September 28th! Reservations required.
Fall Festival
Saturday, October 7th
Come celebrate the fall season with trail runs, a pancake lunch, and family activities including a human maze, tractor wagon rides, and much more!
Family activities are FREE and all new or renewed memberships receive a FREE pumpkin. Pancake Lunch $5/person, All Ages. Trail Run distances and pricing available by clicking on the Fall Festival tab.
Fall Colors Canoe Trip
Sunday, October 1st 1-4:30pm
Canoe on the Minnesota River while enjoying the lush fall colors. All equipment provided. Ages: 5+ Youth under the age of 14 must attend with a registered adult.
Cost: $35/member or $45/non-member
Limited to the first 20 participants. Register online by September 24th! Reservations required.
NEY SENIOR LEARNING SERIES: East Henderson Farm
Thursday, October 19th 12:00-2pm
Learn about a new topic each month as we explore local wildlife, history and conservation issues. Lunch included. Conducted on the third Thursday of each month. Ages 50+
Cost: $10/member or $12/non-members
Register online by October 12th! Reservations required.
SCOUTS ONLY: Outdoor Survival Skills
Saturday, October 21st 10am-12pm
Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Cub Scouts are invited to join us for these exciting adventures. Learn about outdoor survival and practice wilderness skills including shelter construction and fire building. Ages 5-14. Supervisory adults may attend for free.
Cost: $5/scout
Register online by October 19th! Reservations required.
Live Animal Meet and Greet
Saturday, October 21st 1-2pm
Learn about local wildlife and meet live educational animals up close! All Ages.
Cost: $2/member or $3/non-member
Register online by October 19th! Reservations required.
Carving Club
Sunday, October 22nd 1-3pm
Participants receive hands on lessons regarding the fundamentals of carving wood from the amazingly talented Ollie Heitkamp. Contact Michelle if you would like to join as new members are always welcome but prep time is needed! Participants are responsible for bringing their own basic supplies.
HOMESCHOOL SERIES: Outdoor Survival Skills
Wednesday, October 25th 1-3pm
Programs designed just for homeschool classes. Learn about outdoor survival and practice wilderness skills including shelter construction and fire building. All equipment provided. Ages 5-17. Supervisory adults may attend for free.
Cost: $5/student
Register online by October 23rd! Reservations required.
Full Moon Hike
Friday, November 3rd 5:30-7pm
Join a naturalist guide for a walk under the full moon. Explore different topics including nocturnal wildlife, animal adaptations, and of course the moon! If the sky is clear, peer through a spotting scope to view the moon up close. Ages: 5+. Youth under the age of 10 must attend with a registered adult.
Cost: $3/member or $5/non-member
$9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+
Register online by November 1st! Reservations required.
NEY SENIOR LEARNING SERIES: Nature in Winter
Thursday, November 16th 12:00-2pm
Learn about a new topic each month as we explore local wildlife, history and conservation issues. Lunch included. Conducted on the third Thursday of each month. Ages 50+
Cost: $10/member or $12/non-members
Register online by November 9th! Reservations required.
Nature Craft Night: Spa Make and Take
Friday, November 17th 6-8pm
Planning in progress! Check back for more information this fall.
Burn off the Turkey Hike
Saturday, November 25th 10-11:30am
Burn off those Thanksgiving calories by taking an intermediate hike on the Nature Center trails. Ages: 5+. Youth under the age of 10 must attend with a registered adult.
Cost: $3/member or $5/non-member; $9/member family of 3+ or $15/non-member family of 3+
Register online by November 23rd! Reservations required.
Carving Club
Sunday, November 26th 1-3pm
Participants receive hands on lessons regarding the fundamentals of carving wood from the amazingly talented Ollie Heitkamp. Contact Michelle if you would like to join as new members are always welcome but prep time is needed! Participants are responsible for bringing their own basic supplies.
HOMESCHOOL SERIES: Renewable Energy
Wednesday, November 29th 1-2:30pm
Programs designed just for homeschool classes. Learn about renewable energy including solar and wind energy. Ages 5-17. Supervisory adults may attend for free.
Cost: $5/student
Register online by November 27th! Reservations required.
NEY SENIOR LEARNING SERIES: American Bison
Thursday, December 21st 12:00-2pm
Learn about a new topic each month as we explore local wildlife, history and conservation issues. Lunch included. Conducted on the third Thursday of each month. Ages 50+
Cost: $10/member or $12/non-members
Register online by December 14th! Reservations required.
Carving Club
Sunday, December 24th 1-3pm
Participants receive hands on lessons regarding the fundamentals of carving wood from the amazingly talented Ollie Heitkamp. Contact Michelle if you would like to join as new members are always welcome but prep time is needed! Participants are responsible for bringing their own basic supplies.