All classes require registration to attend unless otherwise noted.
Please note that our calendar only shows public Ney programs, board & committee meetings, and volunteer opportunities. It does not show field trips or private event rentals. If you are curious if a day is open on our calendar, please reach out to us directly.
Youth & Family Programs
Tiny Trekkers & Nature Detectives Homeschool Programs
New discoveries every month! These drop-off programs are during the week, so they work well for homeschoolers. However, all are welcome! Tiny Trekkers are for ages 4-6 years old, and Nature Detectives are for ages 7-11 years old. Descriptions for each topic can be found on the registration site.
May: Trees
Tiny Trekkers: Tuesday, May 20th from 10am-11:30am
Nature Detectives: Tuesday, May 27th from 10am-11:30am
Pre-registration required. Register here.
Pond Crafts Drop-In
Wednesday, May 21st from 4-7pm
This drop-in crafting experience is great for young naturalists! Stop by the education building anytime between 4pm and 7pm to create fun pond-themed crafts. Whether you stay for a few minutes, or an hour, you’ll get the chance to explore easy-to-follow projects. We’ll provide all the supplies plus lemonade to keep you refreshed while you craft.
This program is designed for families with kids aged 4 to 10, but is open to everyone. You only need to register the youth taking part in the crafting, unless you want to make your own creations, too! Pre-registration is not required, however we will only have a certain amount of supplies set aside for walk-ins. Register here.
Slow Birding at the Pond
Tuesday, June 17th from 6-7pm
Join us for a relaxing evening of birding at the Ney Pond. Instead of going on a traditional observation hike, we’ll be taking a laid back approach to birding. While we’re sitting by the pond, we’ll monitor the behaviors, flight patterns, sounds, and colors of the birds we see around us. This is a great opportunity for bird enthusiasts of all ages who are excited to explore the curious world of our feathered friends. Pre-registration is required. Register here.
Photo taken by Koleesa Dirksen.
Adult Programs
Lifelong Learner Series
Discover a new topic each month as we explore local wildlife, history, and conservation issues. The structure is tailored to be accessible for anyone, including those with limited mobility, allowing everyone to engage comfortably. Whether you’re joining us to learn, socialize, or enjoy a relaxed educational environment, this class offers a fun experience for all participants. Please inform staff of any dietary restrictions.
Scurvy: Thursday, August 21st from 12-1:30pm
Registration will open in July!
Summer Morning Yoga Class
Saturday, July 19th from 9am-10am
Enjoy a relaxing morning outside. Tiffany from Om Shanti Wellness will be leading a morning class of gentle hatha yoga outside of the education building by the fire pit. No experience is necessary. We recommend bringing a yoga mat or blanket, as well as bug spray.
Each registration is for one individual, all ages welcome, geared toward teens and adults. Pre-registration required. Register here.
FAQ & Policies
Sold Out Programs: Send us an email or give us a call, we sometimes open more spots, and either way, we take public interest into account and may run the program again or add spots in the future.
Drop-Off Program Policy: If a program is listed as “Drop-Off” we ask that you step out of the building (or area where the program takes place) for the duration of the time while your child takes part in the program. You are welcome to wait in your car, go for a walk in the park, or run some errands! We will ask that you confirm your phone number on the check-in sheet before leaving and staff will call you if we need you! If you are not comfortable with the drop-off format, we welcome you reaching out to us with any concerns or questions. We also would love for you to join us at a family program if it is more your style to participate with your kids!
Public Programs Cancellation Policy: If you cancel your registration 48 hours or more before the day of the program, you can receive a 100% refund if requested. If you cancel within 48 hours of the day of the program, you can receive a 50% refund if requested. Day-of cancellations are appreciated for communication with instructors, however, we do not provide refunds in this case.
Example: If your program is on a Thursday, we can provide full refunds up until Monday at midnight. If you cancel on Tuesday or Wednesday, we can provide 50% of your registration fee back. If you let us know on Thursday, we would not provide a refund.
If your registration is under $10, consider donating it instead of requesting a refund! As a small non-profit, every dollar really does count. Thank you!
Ney Nature Center reserves the right to cancel any program due to illness, staffing issues, low registration, weather, etc. We promise to try our best to avoid cancellations and to give participants fair notice of any changes, but we are not always able to do this, so we appreciate your understanding. If Ney cancels a program, all participants will receive a 100% refund of their registration.
Public Programs Registration Transfer Policy: If there is a class offered at the same value or less and still has open spots, we can transfer your registration to that class up until the day of the program. However, you must request this before the start time of your original class.
COVID-19 & Illness: At this time we are following CDC guidelines for all of our procedures, please visit the MN Department of Health website for more information. If you are experiencing symptoms of a communicable illness, please stay home! You can reach us by email or call us at 507-357-8580.