All programs 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.
All Ages Programs
Bird Buddies Series
Join us to learn about different bird species each month of 2026! Together we’ll be learning bird identification details, participating in activities to explore the life of a bird, and going on hikes around the park to hopefully observe the birds.
This program is great for bird enthusiasts or families starting their birding journey. Binoculars will be provided to all participants, but feel free to bring your own. Please wear active, weather appropriate attire. All youth 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Programs run from 8:30AM-10:00AM
Members $5, non-members $7
January 31 – Woodpeckers & Nuthatches
February 28 – Bird Olympic Games
March 28 – Eastern Bluebirds
April 25 – Spring Pond Birds
May 30 – Warblers
June 27 – Waterfowl
July 25 – Seated Birding at the Pond
August 29 – Hawks
September 12 – Migratory Birds
October 3 – Pheasants
November 19 – Owls [EVENING PROGRAM]December 19 – Winter Bird Count
Youth & Family Programs
Youth Nordic Ski Club
Join our Youth Nordic Ski Club and experience the thrill of gliding through the snow! This month-long program is perfect for kids ages 6-12 who want to learn the basics of Nordic skiing or improve their skills. Each week, participants will receive hands-on instruction, focusing on proper technique, balance, and endurance. All skill levels are welcome, and equipment rentals are available. Bundle up, embrace the cold, and discover the joy of Nordic skiing with us! This is a youth drop-off program.
Meetings:
January 29th from 4:15-5:30pm
February 5th from 4:15-5:30pm
February 12th from 4:15-5:30pm
February 19th from 4:15-5:30pm
Please note, in the event of there not being enough snow, we will postpone and provide alternative dates, otherwise refunds will be provided in full.
Members $25, non-members $30
Nordic Ski Skills
Take advantage of a snowy winter and join us for an all ages/skills nordic ski class! Learn the basics of maneuvering, equipment care, and trail ettiquette before heading out with the group to enjoy a leisurely ski through the park! Equipment is available to borrow, participants are also welcome to bring their own.
This is a family/all ages program. Youth 15 and under must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Member $10, nonmember $15 (household participants of 5 or more flat rate $50, $75 – please list names of ALL participants during registration)
Please note, in the event of there not being enough snow, we will postpone and provide an alternative date, otherwise refunds will be provided in full.
Tiny Trekkers & Nature Detectives & Nature Explorers Homeschool – “Winter Pond Study”
Tuesday, January 13th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Tiny Trekker]
Tuesday January 27th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Detective]
Thursday February 26th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Explorers]
We will be spending most of this class exploring our frozen pond! Students will drill a hole in the ice using a hand auger, measure the thickness of the ice, compare water temperature with air temperature, and then use Norwegian Kicksleds to skate around the lake. Come dressed for the weather! Please note: If the ice is not solid in January, this program will be moved to February.
Members $5, non-members $7
Tiny Trekkers & Nature Detectives & Nature Explorers Homeschool – “Coyotes”
Tuesday, February 17th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Tiny Trekker]
Tuesday February 24th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Detective]
We will be learning all about Coyotes this month. In addition to learning about coyotes and their life history, we will review trail camera footage taken within the park. We will explore signs left by Coyotes, such as prints and scat, before we go out and look for evidence of them along our trails. Come dressed for the weather!
Members $5, non-members $7
Tiny Trekkers & Nature Detectives Homeschool – “Emerald Ash Borers”
Tuesday, March 10th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Tiny Trekker]
Tuesday March 24th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Detective]
We will be learning all about the invasive Emerald Ash Borer and its impact on our Ash trees. After learning about the life cycle of this nonnative insect, and looking at some examples of them and the damage they cause to wood, we will go out into the park to look at the health of our Ash trees. Come dressed for the weather!
Members $5, non-members $7
Tiny Trekkers & Nature Detectives Homeschool – “Frogs”
Tuesday, April 7th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Tiny Trekker]
Tuesday April 28th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Detective]
We are going to be learning all about frogs this month! We will compare amphibians and reptiles to learn how they are different, as well as their various stages of life. We will walk down to the pond and try to find frogs or toads as we go, before learning about the history of our Frog Pond. If the weather and water temperature permits, we will also do a pond study to look at what our frogs eat. Come dressed for the weather!
Members $5, non-members $7
Tiny Trekkers & Nature Detectives Homeschool – “Flowers”
Tuesday, May 19th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Tiny Trekker]
Tuesday May 26th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Detective]
We are going to be learning all about flowers this month! From big, brightly colored flowers to tiny, hidden flowers, we will learn all about them, why plants have them, and why they look so different. The craft this month will be flower themed, so bring your creative juices. As always, dress for the weather as we will be going outside to look for flowers!
Members $5, non-members $7
Summer Day Camp
Visit our camp page for more information & to register!
Spring Break Camp
Coming Soon! Discover the best of the season at our fun-filled Spring Break Camp at Ney! Kids will explore the outdoors with guided nature hikes, unleash their creativity, and get hands-on with a variety of games and activities. Each camp is a one-day experience that offers new and unique adventures, teamwork, and fun!
Please check back later or subscribe to our newsletter for the most up-to-date notifications on upcoming programs.
Adult Programs
Adult Ski Workshop (16+)
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. Lunch is included, please inform staff of any dietary restrictions when registering.
January’s Topic:
Guest speaker Madeline Hayden will be joining us for an engaging look into aquatic invasive species (AIS), their impacts on our waterways, and what research is being done to counter them. Come learn how you can help prevent the spread of AIS, and what we can do in our communities to help!
February’s Topic:
We will be learning all about zoos this month! We will explore their early beginnings as private collections to their modern iterations. From research and conservation to entertainment and exploitation, zoos have a varied history. In addition to learning about this, we will delve into the different kinds of zoos, what makes them different, and why that matters. We look forward to seeing you!
March’s Topic:
Everyone’s favorite rodents are the topic of discussion this month! Come welcome in Spring by learning about these amazing creatures, where they live, and what roles they play in our landscapes.
April’s Topic:
Freshwater mussels are amazing creatures who had a large impact on the button industry here in Minnesota. We will be learning about these hidden wonders, where you might find them, and why they are so important to our aquatic ecosystems. We will talk about mussels that are known to be in the Minnesota River currently, as well as what efforts are being made to bring some of the historic diversity back to our waters.
May’s Topic:
We will be diving into the history of the Ney Family Homestead here in the park. Thanks to the help of our Ney Nature Center historian, Carol Jackson, and our historic interpreter Koleesa Dirksen, we will have photos of the homestead when the Ney family lived there, as well as information about the family’s time on the property. Following our presentation, we will load onto the wagon for a ride down to the homestead where we will tour the property. Remember to dress for the weather!
Members-Only Programs
Become a Ney Member & gain access to unique programming throughout the year.
Please check back later or subscribe to our newsletter for the most up-to-date notifications on upcoming programs.
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.