2015 Public Program Guide

January 17

February 7

March 7 21

April 11

May 2

June Tue & Sat 13 - 14 21 - 26 28 - 30 28 - July 1 28 - July 1

July Tue & Sat 5 - 10 10 - 12 12 - 17 12 - 17 17 - 22 26 - 31

August Tue & Sat 8 - 9

October 10 30

Snowshoe Stroll

Dinner on the Bluff: “Connections - Soils, Plants, and You”

Dinner on the Bluff: “Bluff Country Inspirations”Maple Syrup Fest

Dinner on the Bluff: “Mysteries of the Driftless”

Dinner on the Bluff: “The Return on Character”

Summer High Ropes ChallengeBecoming an Outdoor Family WeekendSummer Camp: Wildlife EncountersSummer Camp: Firearms Safety Summer Camp: Junior Adventurers Summer Camp: Wet & Wild

Summer High Ropes ChallengeSummer Camp: Forkhorn IEcoAdventure WeekendSummer Camp: Survival 101Summer Camp: Survival EXTREMESummer Camp: Pedal & Paddle: Root RiverSummer Camp: Forkhorn II

Summer High Ropes ChallengeBecoming an Outdoor Family Weekend

Eagle Bluff Scholarship Banquet Haunted High Ropes

2015 Calendar of Events

General Information

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center is a private, nonprofit residential learning center located near Laneboro in the beautiful bluff country of southeastern Minnesota. We believe that together we can make a lasting difference by connecting people to the natural world through experiential learning and positive outdoor experiences. We accomplish our mission through a variety of outdoor, hands-on, and natural history-based programs.

Eagle Bluff offers 9 miles of hiking trails that take you from the Root River shore to bluff top to tall grass prairie! Trail maps can be obtained at the Schroeder Building Visitor Center and on our website. The Visitor Center is open Weekdays 8am - 4:30pm, Saturdays 10am - 5pm (June - August) & Closed Sundays, Weekends by appointment (September - May).

Directions to Eagle Bluff can be found at www.eagle-bluff.orgWARNING: Internet Mapping Sites and Personal GPS Units will take you on back roads that may be impassable due to weather conditions - PLEASE use the driving directions recommended on our website.

Canoeing, stargazing, hikes & tours, archery,

yoga, and more!

This all-inclusive weekend includes staying in our

comfortable rooms, gourmet meals, and

tickets to the theatre or golfing!

Family EventsSnowshoe Stroll January 17 , 20155 p.m. - 9 p.m.Cost: $10 per person

Take a nighttime stroll along an illuminated trail as you enjoy the beauty of the winter night. Gaze at the stars as you follow luminaries along our trails or stop to warm up by a fire. Snowshoes will be provided. In case of no snow, an illuminated hike will take place. Reservations required.

Becoming An Outdoor Family WeekendSpring Weekend June 13-14, 2015 Summer Weekend August 8-9, 2015Cost: $90 per person, $335 for family of four & $85 for each additional family member.

Reconnect with family members in the great outdoors this spring and summer. Class options include: archery, geocaching, fishing, rifle range, ropes course, canoeing, and more.

Both weekends are co-sponsored by the Minnesota DNR: Bringing families and the great outdoors together. Pre-registration required.

Maple Syrup FestMarch 21, 201510 a.m. - 2 p.m.Cost: $5 per person, kids 5 and under free

The snow is melting and the sap is flowing! Join a naturalist in Eagle Bluff’s sugar bush to tap a tree and collect maple sap. A tasty treat awaits as together we celebrate the coming of spring. No reservations required.

Summer High Ropes ChallengeJune, July, and August (Closed Labor Day Weekend)Tuesdays: 1:00 p.m. & Saturdays: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.Ages: 10 and older Cost: $25 per person

Meet the challenge on the ropes course this summer! Travel from tower to tower over wires and wooden boards to reach the zip-line and enjoy the best view of SE Minnesota! This confidence building experience is great for family outings, reunions, scouts, youth groups, and individuals. Reservations required.

Haunted High Ropes October 30, 20155:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.Cost: $25 per person

Join us the Friday before Halloween for a SPOOKTACULAR High Ropes experience. Encounter ghosts, sketetons, and witches as you Trick or Treat your way from tower to tower on our West Treetops course. Warm up by the fire after your ride down the zip-line! Pre-registration required.

Adult Events

Treat yourself to a night of great food and enlightened conversation. Noted speakers and presenters from around the region will kick off the evening with an engaging presentation

followed by a delicious gourmet meal!

February 7, 2015 “Connections - Soils, Plants, and You” Douglas Piltingsrud Ph.D., CEO of BioLive Soils LLCBy understanding the important connections between soils, plants and human health, we can learn to maximize the effectiveness of nature’s system for producing nutritious food. This allows us to minimize damage from insects, diseases, and weed competition naturally. Together we will discuss how we can all benefit from these interconnections if we learn to grow plants nature’s way. This dinner is co-sponsored by Fillmore SWCD.

All dinners will begin with the presentation at 5:00 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner. The cost is $25 per person for early bird reservations and $30 per person for reservations made the week of the event. Buy the entire series (all four

dinners) for $80 per person or $150 per pair. Pre-registration is required.

October 10, 2015 Eagle Bluff Scholarship BanquetCost: $45 per person or $100 Patron Package

Cheers to you! Join us for fantastic food, drinks, and great company! Your support during the banquet allows children to visit Eagle Bluff! All proceeds from the event go to Eagle Bluff’s Scholarship Fund. Pre-registration required.

March 7, 2015 “Bluff Country Inspirations” Artists from Lanesboro ArtsEnjoy the work of several artists from Lanesboro Arts as they share their work and inspirations from our surrounding Bluff Country. Artists will have several pieces of work on display for discussion and purchase. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to ask the artists questions on their inspirations and technique!

April 11, 2015 “Mysteries of the Driftless” George Howe M.S., M.E.P.D., Executive ProducerIn the upper Midwest, there exists a geographical area that is unique in all the world; a large, diverse, and scenic area that has repeatedly escaped the crushing effects of massive continental glaciers, while all land around it was dramatically altered. This ancient “island” of unglaciated land is known as the “Driftless Area,” and recently a team of scientists and educators set out to tell its story. George Howe, Executive Producer of the nature-adventure documentary “Mysteries of the Driftless,” will tell the story of how and why this unique film was created locally and how it has affected people. Howe will present ideas for how the film and similar media products, can be utilized to help inspire and educate area youth, shape public opinion, and enhance area conservation efforts. This dinner is co-sponsored by Fillmore SWCD.

May 2, 2015 “The Return on Character” Fred Kiel Ph.D., Executive Director KRW Research InstituteFred has spent the last seven years gathering data and studying the connection between the character of CEOs and the business results they produce. He will present some of his findings described in his book “Return on Character: The Real Reason Leaders and their Companies Win” to be published in April 2015 by Harvard Business Review Press.

Dinner on the Bluff Series

Summer Camps

Wildlife EncountersJune 21 - 26, 2015Age: Youth entering grades 6, 7, 8, & 9Cost: Early Bird $420, Regular $435

Wildlife Camp at Eagle Bluff is one of the most unique summer camps you’ll find! Designed for critter enthusiasts, campers will be out in our ponds, streams, prairies, and forests seeing everything from toads and frogs to bats and snakes. Camp Highlight: Spending one on one time handling members of the Eagle Bluff Raptor Team!

Firearms SafetyJune 28 - June 30, 2015Ages: Youth entering grades 5, 6, 7, & 8

* Due to state requirements, participants must be at least age 11 at the start of camp

Cost: $130Eagle Bluff staff will spend an intense two and a half days engaging campers in fun, hands-on class sessions that will emphasize the knowledge and skills needed to become a responsible and successful hunter. Plus, they’ll get the opportunity to go on one of the ropes courses during their stay. Camp Highlight: Campers will earn their Firearms Safety Certification through the MN DNR!

Junior AdventurersJune 28 - July 1, 2015Ages: Youth entering grades 3, 4, & 5Cost: Early Bird $310, Regular $320

Created for younger explorers, this is a great first-time summer camp experience. The Junior Adventurers will spend their days rock climbing, building shelters, and practicing their aim during archery. From being silly at the campfire to pretending to be a pioneer, these campers will get the chance to build friendships and find new interests! Camp Highlight: A hike on the Root River for an afternoon full of swimming, tubing, and water games!

Early Bird Rates end April 15th, 2015

Wet & WildJune 28 - July 1, 2015Ages: Youth entering grades 6, 7, & 8 Cost: Early Bird $340, Regular $350A new offering this year, Wet & Wild is for water fanatics. We’ll be spending a lot of time around campus and beyond, doing everything from canoeing to fishing to pond exploration! Camp Highlight: A day trip to Lake Pepin for a sailing adventure!

Our summer camps offer unique opportunities for your child! Our highly trained and knowledgable staff, wonderful facilities, beautiful landscapes, and engaging activities

are sure to provide an unforgetable summer camp experience!

Summer CampsForkhorn I July 5 - 10, 2015Ages: Youth entering grades 5, 6, 7, & 8* Due to state requirements, participants must be at least age 11 at the start of camp

Cost: Early Bird $410, Regular $425

Forkhorn I Camp continues to be Eagle Bluff’s most popular camp- due to its array of fun experiences! Campers not only spend time learning about safe hunting practices, but they also get to improve their skills in canoeing, archery, rock climbing, and more! The option to complete the MN Firearms Safety Certification is available. Camp Highlight: Shooting at both the rifle and shotgun ranges!

Survival 101July 12 - 17, 2015Age: Youth entering grades 5, 6, 7, & 8Cost: Early Bird $410, Regular $425

Campers will spend the week learning basic skills- from finding wild edibles and fire starting, to shooting arrows, blowguns, and rifles. Plus, we’ll spend a day camping out along the Root River, which includes building shelters, swimming, fishing, and tasty campfire treats! Camp Highlight: A chance to show off all their new skills at the SURVIVAL Games.

Forkhorn II July 26 - 31, 2015Ages: Youth entering 6, 7, 8, & 9 * Participants must be at least age 12 and Firearms Safety Certified at the start of camp

Cost: Early Bird $410, Regular $425

The week will be spent improving the camper’s archery and shooting skills through activities that focus on marksmanship and large game hunting techniques. Additionally, they will spend time enjoying the classic Eagle Bluff favorites! Campers will earn their Bow Hunters Safety Certification through the MN DNR. Camp Highlight: More rounds at the ranges, more time climbing the rock wall, and a longer campout by the river!

Returning Camper Discount: Enjoy 5% off the listed price if your camper has attended a past Eagle Bluff Summer Camp. Camps NOT included are Firearms Safety, Forkhorn I, and Forhorn II.

Pedal & Paddle: Root RiverJuly 17 - 22, 2015Age: Youth entering grades 6, 7, & 8Cost: Early Bird $420, Regular $435

This camp is looking for adventurous explorers to tackle the Root River trails! The campers will start and end at Eagle Bluff- which leaves time for the ropes course and climbing wall- but much of the time will be spent canoeing, biking, and camping for two nights along the river in and around Lanesboro.Camp Highlight: Exploring places only accessible by boat and bike!

Survival EXTREMEJuly 12 - 17, 2015Age: Youth entering grades 7, 8, 9, & 10Cost: Early Bird $410, Regular $425

Survival EXTREME is for the campers who really want to push their abilities to the max. Everything in this camp is a step up from regular Survival Camp- more skills to learn, challenges to face, and a tougher SURVIVAL Games arena. Camp Highlight: We’re extending the campout! More stories to tell, shelters to build, and campfire meals to enjoy!

NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 22

LANESBORO, MN55949

Public Programs28097 Goodview DriveLanesboro, MN 55949

Return Service Requested

507-467-2437 • 888-800-9558 • www.eagle-bluff.org • events@eagle-bluff.org

Not finding an event that meets your needs? Looking for a place to hold a special event like a corporate retreat, birthday party, family reunion, or group gathering? Eagle Bluff can meet those needs! Contact our Group Event Coordinator to plan your event today!

Cheryl Kragegroups@eagle-bluff.org

507-467-2437

We are offering a brand new educational venture in affiliation with Eagle Bluff Environmental

Learning Center - River Roots Skills School!

Our mission is to empower individuals to live and lead a balanced life in a sustainable

world.