Prairie Woods

Forkhorn I Camp
2025-06-16 09:00 - 2025-06-20 12:00 UTC | PWELC – Education Building, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
(Ages 11-15) Your child will learn beginning hunting skills. Extensive hands-on instruction in basic safety and shooting techniques for rifle, shotgun, and archery. Includes Whitetail deer ecology, outdoor survival skills, and Hunters ethics. Plus, traditional camp activities like canoeing and rock climbing. MN DNR Firearm Safety Certification included.
Monday, June 16 – Friday, June 20, 2025
Time: 9:00-4:00pm (Monday through Thursday)
9:00-12:00pm (Friday, Shooting Range Day)
Location: Education Building, Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center
Fee: $379 (A $100 deposit is due at registration and payment in full prior to the start of camp)
You will also need to fill out the MN DNR “Firearm safety Hunter education program student registration-parental release and self-certification form” at check in. Full legal name and date of birth will need to be verified with birth certificate or passport (a copy is okay).
For more information or to register, please contact:
jake.s@prairiewoodselc.org
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center
320-354-5894

Firearm Safety Field Day
2025-04-26 07:30 - 16:00 | PWELC – Education Building, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
This class is FULL –
(Ages 11-15) Students must complete the online course prior to the Field Day. The firearms safety certificate becomes valid at age 12.
The Field Day consists of seven required scenario-based training opportunities. These scenarios allow students to learn and demonstrate commonly accepted principles of safety in hunting and handling firearms. It includes shooting a .22 caliber rifle on a range.
Saturday, April 26th, 2025
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – firearm check in and paper work to start at 7:30 a.m.
Prairie Woods ELC 12718 10th St NE, Spicer MN 56288 – Education Building

What to Bring:
– printed www.huntercourse.com voucher and a
– copy of student’s birth certificate
– Students should bring a long gun without a scope. Do NOT bring ammunition for this firearm
– bag lunch and snacks
– water bottle
– students must dress for the weather and wear closed toe shoes, we will be walking in the woods and fields, Crocs are not a good option.

Registration is full.
Contact:
Jake Schwinghammer
jake.s@prairiewoodselc.org

Earth Day Celebration
2025-04-12 12:00 - 16:00 | Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, 12718 10th St NE, Spicer, MN, United States
🌎 Celebrate Earth Day at Prairie Woods!
Get ready for a day of outdoor fun, hands-on learning, and nature exploration for the whole family! This year’s Earth Day event features exciting new attractions, including the Nature Preschool & Playscape, along with a special presentation from the Science Museum of Minnesota!
Explore & Discover:

Interactive exhibits on water quality, energy efficiency, and conservation
Live presentations with Science Museum of Minnesota at 12:30pm and 3:00pm
Rock climbing wall
Guided prairie walks & pond study
Hands-on kids’ activities
Outdoor gear SALE to support Prairie Woods
Food truck on site!

New This Year: Treehouse Workshops!
Our Treehouse Learning Space will host interactive workshops every 30 minutes on environmental topics, including wildlife conservation, pollinator habitats, and sustainability.
Workshop Schedule:

12:00pm – Monarchs and Pollinators
12:30pm – Electrify Everything
12:30pm – Water Show (grades K-2)
1:00pm – Emerald Ash Borer
1:30pm – Pond Study
2:00pm – Wildlife Wizard
2:30pm – Wood Duck Boxes
3:00pm – Electrify Everything
3:00pm – Water Show (grades 3-5)

This annual Earth Day event is a collaborative effort of Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, Middle Fork Crow River Watershed, North Fork Crow River Watershed, and Kandiyohi County SWCD.
Saturday April 12, 2025
12:00-4:00pm
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center – Education Building
Cost: FREE
All Ages Welcome!
Join us for a fun, inspiring day celebrating our environment and community—and let’s hope for some spring sunshine! ☀️

Indoor Rock Climbing (K-12th Grade)
2025-03-27 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-03-11 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-02-27 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-02-04 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-01-23 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-01-07 16:00 - 17:30, 2024-12-19 16:00 - 17:30, 2024-12-10 16:00 - 17:30 and 3 more dates | Indoor Climbing Wall at the Education Building
Climbing offers participants the chance to challenge themselves both physically and mentally. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn about the sport and have fun, or an experienced climber seeking to train and refine your skills, our Prairie Woods ELC instructors are here to support you. Let’s reach new heights together! Ages: k-12th Grade
To register, please contact us by phone or email.
(320) 354-5894
prairiewoods@prairiewoodselc.org

Join Us for Our Nature School Open House!
2025-02-13 16:00 - 18:00 | Westby Observatory, 12718 10th Street NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
We’re excited to invite you to our Nature School Open House! Come and explore the wonders of our outdoor playscape and indoor classroom space, and learn more about the engaging programs we offer.

What to Expect:
-Tour our outdoor playscape, where children connect with nature.-Explore our indoor classroom filled with hands-on learning materials.-Discover all the exciting changes made to the Westby Observatory.-Meet our dedicated staff and ask any questions about our programs!-This is the perfect opportunity to see how our Nature School provides a nurturing and educational environment for children.

We can’t wait to share what makes our school special and how we inspire the next generation to love and respect nature.

Intro to Cross Country Skiing (2nd Grade -Adult)
2025-02-13 16:00 - 17:30 | PWELC – Education Building, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
Don’t let the snow keep you inside all winter long. Come learn the basics of cross-country skiing. Then hit the trails to practice your new skills. Instruction and equipment provided. Meet at PWELC Main Building.

(Cancelled) Winter Fun Day
2025-02-09 13:00 - 16:00
Due to lack of snow, this event has been cancelled. Trails are open to the public for hiking.
Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!
Celebrate winter at PWELC with fun outdoor activities for everyone in the family. Try cross country skiing, snowshoeing, kicksledding or fat-tire biking. Indoors, enjoy hot chocolate and treats sold by 4H, warm up by the fire, check out exhibits about winter hobbies & pastimes, or try your hand at the climbing wall.
Date: Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025
Time: 1pm – 4 pm
Cost: $5/person, ($20 max/family) to xc ski, snowshoe, kicksled, fat-tire bike & climb on the indoor rock climbing wall.
Free-will donations are appreciated!
Please call if you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, volunteering, or exhibiting at Winter Fun Day.

Forest Fridays Nature Preschool Program (Ages 3-5 years)
2025-01-31 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-01-24 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-01-17 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-01-10 08:30 - 11:30 | Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, 12718 10th St NE, Spicer, MN, United States
Get ready for our Forest Fridays Nature Preschool Program, a mini program leading up to the official launch of our nature preschool. Each Friday, children will be engaged in their natural environment through hikes, nature exploration, and immersive play. Our program is focused on nature connection and free play in the outdoors that ignites children’s natural curiosity about the world around them. Each session will include: a hike, story, healthy snack, singing and nature exploration/play. You will receive a mini-handbook with more information about the program prior to class. If you have any questions prior to the start of Forest Fridays, please reach out to Hannah at hannah.s@prairiewoodselc.org

Maximum of 10 children.

Instructor: Hannah Stelley, Nature Preschool Director

Fridays, January 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st 2025
8:30 -11:30am
Drop off and Pick up at outdoor playscape behind the Westby Observatory, Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center.
Course Fee: $120 for a 4-week session

Register Now

Kicksled Adventure (4th Grade and Up)
2025-01-21 16:00 - 17:30 | PWELC – Education Building, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
Explore Prairie Woods with style and learn a new way to enjoy winter on our Scandinavian kicksleds! We will get a brief history and instruction before setting off on the trails together! Meet at PWELC Main Building.

PWELC Extravaganza (1st-12th Grade)
2025-01-20 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-01-13 09:00 - 16:00 | PWELC – Education Building, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
NO SCHOOL TODAY-WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?
Get outside and explore this winter! Hit the trails and have an adventure on the skinny skis or Scandinavian kicksleds. Learn some winter survival skills. Then we will come inside to finish the day at the indoor climbing wall. Meet at PWELC Main Building. *must bring own lunch & snack*

Holiday Upcycle Arts & Crafts
2024-12-07 13:00 - 16:00 | PWELC – Education Building, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
Celebrate the holiday season with eco-friendly creativity through upcycled arts and crafts. Discover how to craft recycled paper ornaments and cards, explore relief printmaking, and unleash your imagination with a variety of other sustainable projects. Join in the joy of making unique decorations and heartfelt gifts while reducing waste and embracing creativity. For ages 6+. Adults, please accompany children younger than 10 years old.

Story Hour at the Log Cabin (k-3rd Grade)
2024-12-05 16:00 - 17:15 | PWELC- Farmsite, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
Come to the Log Cabin at Prairie Woods! Dress as a pioneer and listen to a story about the Ingalls family and what pioneer life was like. We will take a page out of the book and do an activity Laura did. It will be a new book and activity each time. (meet at the Log Cabin on the Farmsite)
Ages: k-3rd Grade
To register, please contact us by phone or email.
(320) 354-5894
prairiewoods@prairiewoodselc.org

Story Hour at the Log Cabin
2024-11-12 16:00 - 17:15 | PWELC- Farmsite, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States

Crafts at the Log Cabin
2024-11-04 16:00 - 17:30 | PWELC- Farmsite, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
Come to the Log Cabin at Prairie Woods! Dress as a pioneer and make several different crafts. Learn which crafts would be done for fun (corn husk dolls, buzz saws) and which ones would be done for necessity (dipping candles, sewing). All for you to take home! (meet at the Log Cabin on the Farmsite)
Ages: 1st-5th Grade
To register, please contact us by phone or email.
(320) 354-5894
prairiewoods@prairiewoodselc.org

Forest Fridays Nature Preschool Program (Ages 3-5 years)
2024-11-01 08:30 - 2024-11-22 11:30 | Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, 12718 10th St NE, Spicer, MN, United States
Get ready for our Forest Fridays Nature Preschool Program, a mini program leading up to the official launch of our nature preschool. Each Friday, children will be engaged in their natural environment through hikes, nature exploration, and immersive play. Our program is focused on nature connection and free play in the outdoors that ignites children’s natural curiosity about the world around them. Each session will include: a hike, story, healthy snack, singing and nature exploration/play. You will receive a mini-handbook with more information about the program prior to class. If you have any questions prior to the start of Forest Fridays, please reach out to Hannah at hannah.s@prairiewoodselc.org

Maximum of 10 children.

Instructor: Hannah Stelley, Nature Preschool Director

Fridays, November 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 2024
8:30 -11:30am
Drop off at the Education Building, Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center. Check-in at the upper-level entrance.
Course Fee: $120

Register Now

Great Annual Halloween Haunt
2024-10-25 18:00 - 21:00 | PWELC – Education Building, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
🎃 (PreK-5th Grade) This Halloween party is the most fun of the year. More Treats than Tricks!🌙

Talk with the creatures on the enchanted trail
Play games
Decorate a cookie
Find your way through the obstacle course
Climb the indoor wall in your Halloween costume
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Register Today!

REGISTER ONLINE
Or, Call or Email to register: 320-354-5894 or prairiewoods@prairiewoodselc.org
