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Winter 2010

Current / Upcoming Youth and Public Programs

Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center

All attendees must register in advance.
Call 320-354-5894 to register.

- TIMETRAVEL PROGRAMS

HERITAGE SAMPLER

How did the settlers pass the cold winter months? Take a step back in time and try some forgotten arts and crafts of the past. Each week we'll try a new craft or art project and you'll have some unique samples to bring home! Some of the things we may do are: rug making, spool weaving, knitting, and quilting, candle making, corn husk dolls etc. Just like the early settlers, we’ll be sitting round the stove, making our creations by hand in the cozy log cabin.
Cost: $36.00
Ages: 3rd-6th Graders
Time: 3:45-5:30pm (NLS Students take bus #5)
Dates: February 4, 11, 18, 25 (4 consecutive Thursday nights)
Minimum of 6
Parents pick up children at the PWELC Log Cabin

WINTER SURVIVAL AT THE PIONEER CABIN

Come to the log cabin at PWELC and see if you could have survived as a pioneer! We'll be cutting wood for a fire, using candles for light and looking for signs of animals. We may have to use snowshoes or skis in our hunt! Then we'll warm up with a hot cup of cocoa over the fire.
Cost: $10.00 pp
Ages: 3rd-6th Graders
Time: 3:45-5:30pm (NLS Students take bus #5)
Date: Thursday, January 28
Minimum of 6
Parents pick up children at the PWELC Log Cabin

SPRING AT THE PIONEER CABIN

Help the pioneers with their busy springtime activities: preparing the garden, beating rugs, churning butter, shining up the buggy...then we'll make a handmade toy for you to take home.
Cost: $10.00pp
Ages: 2nd-6th graders
Time: 3:45-5:30pm (NLS Students take bus #5)
Date: Monday,April 12
Minimum of 6

TRAVEL BACK TO THE TIMES OF THE 'ANCIENT ONES'

When the Ice Age ended and the Mammoths and Mastadons suddenly disappeared, the people had to change their way of living to survive. Here's your chance to step WAY BACK in time. We'll try some of the technology of the Archaic Period, including special tools like the Grinding Stone and Mano and the Atlatl, or spear thrower.
Cost: $10.00
Ages: Grades 3-7
Time: 3:45-5:30pm
Date: Monday, April 19
Pick up and Drop off at the PWELC Farmsite • (NLS take bus #5)

- SHOOTING RANGE PROGRAMS

Beginner Archery Class

This class gives you the opportunity to learn the basics of using a compound bow and arrow. We will be working on form, safety, technique, how to properly use the equipment, etc. A hands on class of learning and fun while practicing and playing archery games that all ages will enjoy. All equipment will be provided or you can bring your own.
Price: $10/person
Date: Tuesday,April 6th
Time: 4:00-5:15 p.m.
Ages: 10 and up

Advanced Archery Class

All ready attended the beginner class or are looking to hone your skills a little more? Then join us for the advanced archery class. In this class we will be taking a closer look at our form and technique and how to take care of your equipment. We will get into ranging distances and down field shooting. All equipment will be provided or you can bring your own.
Price: $10/person
Date: Tuesday,April 13th
Time: 4:00-5:15 p.m.
Ages: 10 and up

After School Archery Club

It is lots of fun learning and practicing the skill of archery. We will be using compound bows to improve our skills. We will play games, shoot 3-d targets, do Olympic style archery, use the atlatl's, all while aiming to have a great time. Equipment will be provided.
Price: $36/person
Date: Thursdays, March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
Time: 4:00-5:15 p.m.
Ages: 10 and up

Open Range – Sporting Clays and .22's

Come with the kids or drop them off for some fun at the GaryWestby Educational shooting range. We will have the sporting clays range open as well as the .22 range. Bring your own firearm or use one of ours. All ammunition and targets will be provided.
Price: $16 for a round of Sporting clays and $4 for the .22 range
Date: Tuesdays, May 25th & June 1st
Time: Range opens at 5:00 and will close at dark, come at your convenience
RSVP Encouraged
Ages: All ages welcome, 12 and under will need adult chaperone

PrairieWood's Sporting Clays Range is open to the public on a reservation basis call Ryan to schedule your group 320-354-5894. A great activity for scouts, 4-H, FFA, corporate groups and families.

CHALLENGE COURSE PROGRAMS

Climbing Club

This is a favorite. Join the climbing club and get to climb walls, learn to belay, learn about safety and equipment used for rock climbing. This is a great time!
Price: $35 per person
Date: March 18, 25, April 1, and 8
Time: 3:30-5:00
Ages: Grades 2-6

Partners in Climb

It's all about teamwork. Find a friend and head out to PrairieWoods ELC. This program will be using the climbing wall and games to explore teamwork and what it takes to be a good friend.
Price: $20 per person
Date: January 25 and Feb 1
Time: 3:30-5:00
Ages: Grades 3-7

Base Camp (Mini facilitator's training)

This is where it all begins.At base camp we will experience and train on PrairieWoods' exciting challenge course. As we have a great time challenging ourselves on the challenge course we will also be training to help others and receive a Jr. Facilitators certificate.
Price: $40 per person
Date: Thursdays, April 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 3:30-5:00
Ages: Grades 5-9

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

WINTER FAMILY FUN DAY

Celebrate winter at PWELC with fun outdoor activities for everyone in the family; snowshoeing, cross country skiing, winter birding, and animal tracking. Indoors, warm up by the fire and enjoy the climbing wall, refreshments and more. Ski and snowshoe rental is included. XC ski instruction will be provided by volunteers from the Willmar High School Nordic Ski team and theWillmar Area Nordic Ski Club.
Price: $5 per person - $15 max per family
Date: Sunday, February 7
Time: 1:00-4:00 PM
Ages: Everyone

WINTER ADVENTURE: Cross Country Skiing

Get outside and explore this winter! Hit the trails and have an adventure on the skinny skis. PrairieWoods has numerous miles of groomed trails. Instruction and equipment provided.
Price: $8 per person
Date: Monday February 22
Time: 3:45-5:30 PM
Ages: Grades 4-8

WINTER ADVENTURE: SnowshoeTracking

On snowshoes, you can explore "off the beaten path" and beyond the trails. Enjoy this magical adventure through quiet woods and hills, while watching for tracks and signs of our animal neighbors. Instruction and all equipment provided
Price: $8 per student
Date: Monday, March 1
Time: 3:45-5:30
Ages: Grades 4-8

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6TH ANNUAL JJM VICTORY RUN

Join us on June 19th 2010 for our 6th Annual Jesse John Mithaugen Victory Run. Let's try to double last years size—everyone bring a friend and spread the word. It will be a great day filled with celebration, families, memories of Jesse and others.

A huge thanks goes out to:
Chad Mithaugen for the water Precise Ice of Belgrade for the ice
Country Stop for the watermelon
North American State Bank for the donation toward shirts
Prairie Woods ELC for the facility and trails
Bayer Built for the door prizes
Micki's for the door prizes
Halvorson Agribility for the hats
And all the people who helped make the day and this event a success.

Past results of the 5K run are posted on http://pickleevents.com.

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Spring / Summer

Youth and Public Programs

High Adventure Day Camp

This is it! The day camp you have been asking about and waiting for. . . High Adventure!

Spend a thrilling day at PW experiencing new adventures on the ground and in the air. Fly through the air on the Flying Squirrel, challenge yourself on the 40 foot climbing tower, use teamwork to climb the Giant’s Ladder and much more. Bring a bag lunch and be prepared to have LOTS of fun.

  Date Options for High Adventure

• Grades 3-7 (If an older group would be interested, a separate class can be scheduled. Call PWELC to arrange: 320-354-5894)
• $20 per person
  
  

Nature Days

Nature Days Day Camps provide a safe, fun atmosphere for young children to learn about nature, themselves, and each other. Explore flowers and trees, butterflies and dragonflies, bugs and other creepy critters. Learn about water and rain, dirt and sunshine. Even take a trip into history and find yourself a guest of your neighbors in the log cabin! Mid-morning snack is provided.

  PreK Sessions of Nature Days (ages 4-5)

  K-2 Sessions of Nature Days

$50 for 3-day session

Base Camp

This is where it all begins. At base camp we will experience and train on Prairie Woods' exciting challenge course. As we have a great time challenging ourselves on the challenge course we will also be training to help others and receive a Jr. Facilitators certificate.

• $40 per person
• Grades 5-9

Splash Bash

This is a Wet and Wild Day Camp full of games and water activities. Bring a swim suit or an extra change of clothes, because we will play games with water, canoe on the water and take a closer look at water. A fun, educational day of laughter and learning. Bring a bag lunch and a towel.

• $20 per person
• Grades 3-7

Time Travel

Ever wish you could travel back in time? First we’ll visit the pioneers in the 1800s. We’ll cut wood for the stove with a two-handled saw, prepare a snack in the log cabin and make a toy to keep. Then we’ll travel by canoe as the Voyageurs did back to the Native American Village and try our hand at building fires, and throwing atlatls and other activities of the past.

• $20.00 per person
• 8-14 years
• *Bring a bag lunch

Summer Archery Club

Learn the basics of shooting bow and arrow, using compound bows, Olympic target style archery and the basics of 3-D archery. Get tips on form, accuracy, technique and ranging distance. We will also play archery games. Equipment will be provided or you may bring your own.

• $30 per participant
• Ages 10 and up

Clay Busters

Great opportunity for youth to improve their ability and learn new skills before the fall, with NRA and 4-H certified instructors. Each session we will work on form and technique and shoot a round of sporting clays, which is 25 targets. We will emphasize safe and ethical firearm practices. All shells, clay targets, shotguns and instruction will be provided at the Westby Shooting Range. (You may bring your own firearm.) Questions? Call Ryan Block at PWELC. (Length of the program will depend on number of participants.)

• $55 per participant
• Ages 12 and up

Pioneer Girls Day

Did you ever wish you could be a pioneer girl like Laura Ingalls was? Come spend the morning at a homesteaders log cabin. Dress up as a pioneer and learn some pioneer crafts. We’ll make a corn husk doll and try some fabric arts of the past.

• 8-14 years

Investigate and Rescue Day Camp

SSHHHHH...Where did all the animals go?? Investigating where they might be and how we can rescue them, while learning about nature and about working together as a team. We might even have to rescue them from hidden places on the climbing wall. Be a hero! Help us rescue the animals. Bring a sack lunch.

• $20 per person
• Grades K-4

Evening Canoeing Programs

Enjoy an evening on the water with your family. This guided canoe exploration will introduce you to the basics of paddling, and lead you through a wildlife-rich wetland on some of the most beautiful evenings of the year. All equipment provided. Children must be at least 7, and accompanied by an adult.

  Date Options for Evening Canoeing

• all ages, 7+ years
• Register for each session separately.
• Each session: $6 per person or $25 maximum per family

Family Climb

I’m bored! School’s out for the summer, and the kids are tired of being home. Come share some quality family time and get some exercise too. Prairie Woods’ climbing wall is open and waiting for your family to come and have some fun.

• $10 per climber
• All ages

An Evening Under the Prairie Stars
a fundraiser for Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center

Announcing the second annual, earth conscious benefit for Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, An Evening Under the Prairie Stars. Please join us a a guest, a volunteer, or a sponsor for this beautiful evening on the prairie.
Click here for more details