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.
Free Community Events
Fall Festival
September 28th from 11am-2pm
Save the date! Our Fall Festival will be September 28th! Look forward to:
– Wagon Rides
– Ax Throwing
– Corn Husk Dolls
– Fresh Cider Pressing
– Prairie Maze
…and more!
Cosmos Celebration
October 4th from 7-8:30pm
October 25th from 7-8:30pm
A presentation from the Minnesota Astronomical Society at 7:00pm will include the opportunity to gaze at some otherworldly objects in the sky (clear skies permitting)! The celebration will have cosmos-themed crafts and snacks to follow the presentation.
Free to the public and for all-ages.
Youth & Family Programs
Kayaking the MN River Valley
For ages 12+, all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Join us this summer for a kayaking trip with one of our naturalists and learn about the Minnesota River Valley’s history, geography, plants, and animals. Groups will depart from Henderson at noon, with transportation provided to Le Sueur, where we will begin kayaking back to Henderson. The estimated time for the trip is 3-4 hours, but it will vary for each group. If time allows, there will be time to relax on a sandbar with snacks provided. Groups are limited to 8 Participants. Kayaks, paddles, and lifejackets are provided.
July 27th from 12-4pm
August 24th from 12-4pm
Pre-registration is required; registration closes the Thursday before the program. $20 members, $25 non-members. Register here.
Family Day Camp
August 3rd from 10am-3:30pm
All Ages
Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and join us for a fun-filled adventure at Family Camp! Nestled in 446 acres of wilderness, this day offers the perfect opportunity for families to bond, explore, and create lasting memories together. Please bring your own food; we will provide time for lunch & afternoon snacks. S’mores will be available at afternoon snack time! Please let us know about any limitations or allergies in the registration form. We recommend bringing sunscreen, bug spray, and dressing for the weather! All other equipment is provided.
Activities offered throughout the day to choose from:
- Archery (ages 9+ only)
- Kayaking on Frog Pond (ages 12+ only)
- Geocaching
- Wilderness Survival Skills
- Owls & Owl Pellet Dissection
- Furs, Tracks, & Skulls
- Pond Study
- Nature Crafts
$15/member, $20/non-member
Due to a lack of interest in our overnight Family Camp, this event has replaced it. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out!
Tiny Trekkers, Family Expedition, and Nature Detectives: These classes will be paused this summer as we focus on summer camps and field trips. Look out for their return in September 2024!
Adult Programs
Adult Day Camp
August 10th from 9am-12:30pm
You’re never too old for camp fun! Our naturalists will set up some of our most popular activities, and you can try out your favorites! Around 12pm, we will have a fire going and have supplies for lunch to cook over it, you can choose to stay for as long as you would like after that. Please let us know about any limitations or allergies in the registration form. We recommend bringing sunscreen, bug spray, and dressing for the weather!
Ages 18+
Activities offered:
- Archery
- Atl-Atl
- Ax Throwing
- Geocaching
- Orienteering
- Fire building
- Wilderness survival skills
$35 members, $40 general public
Lifelong Learner Series
Discover a new topic each month as we explore local wildlife, history, and conservation issues. Join us for lunch and conversation; please inform staff of any dietary restrictions. Ages 18+.
Crows and other Corvids: Thursday, August 22nd from 12-1:30pm
Crows are one of the most intelligent birds on the planet. We will learn about these amazing creatures and the other birds in this family. They exhibit voice mimicry, tool use, and the ability to distinguish and remember individual humans.
Pre-registration required. $12/member or $15/non-member. Register here.
FAQ & Policies
Public Programs Cancellation Policy: If you cancel your registration 24 hours or more before the start of the program, you can receive a 100% refund. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start of the program, you will receive a 90% refund. If you leave partway through or no-call, no-show, you will not receive a refund.
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 will try 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.
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.