Prairie Woods

Wild for Wildlife Camp: 1st-3rd Grade
2026-06-02 09:00 - 2026-06-04 13:00 UTC | PWELC – Education Building, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
Dive into nature with a fun-filled week of wildlife exploration! Campers will discover local mammals and their tracks, investigate insects up close, spot local birds, and explore pond life through hands-on activities. Each day includes outdoor adventures, games, and creative wildlife-themed crafts-perfect for curious young nature lovers.
Dates: Tuesday June 2 – Thursday June 4
Times: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Ages: 1st – 3rd Grade
Location: Education Building
Cost: $115
REGISTER HERE!
Please pack a snack, water bottle, and lunch, as well as clothes for the weather!

Nature Days
2026-06-23 08:30 - 2026-06-25 11:30
WHAT’S THAT????? Let’s check it out! For three mornings we will explore the natural world in which we live. We will use hands-on activities and games to better understand the forest, prairie, and the wetlands at Prairie Woods. Pack yourself a snack and a water bottle.
Dates: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, June 23, 24, 25
Time: 8:30am-11:30am
Location: Education Building
Cost: $75
Ages: K-3rd Grade
Call Prairie Woods at (320)354-5894 to register!

Nature Explorers Camp: 1st-3rd Grade
2026-07-07 09:00 - 2026-07-09 13:00
Join us for a fun outdoor adventure! Campers will enjoy kid-friendly hikes, nature‑themed games, hands‑on crafts, and plenty of exploration. Each day offers new discoveries—searching for plants and critters, creating art from natural materials, and playing active outdoor games. It’s the perfect camp for young adventurers who love to explore the world around them!
Dates: Tuesday July 7 – Thursday July 9
Times: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Ages: 1st – 3rd Grade
Location: Education Building
Cost: $115
REGISTER HERE!
Please pack a snack, water bottle, and lunch, as well as clothes for the weather!

PWELC Wildflower Planting - Volunteers Needed!
2026-07-10 08:30 - 11:30
Help restore native prairie habitat! Everyone is invited to spend a morning at Prairie Woods helping to plant native prairie plants and bring back the wildflowers at Prairie Woods! These prairies will become outdoor classrooms and wildlife havens for years to come. By lending a hand, you’ll help create thriving prairies for generations.

Tools and plants provided.
Dress for the weather and for working outdoors.
Bring a water bottle. We’ll have water available for refills.
Family-friendly, kids welcome with an adult.

Meet at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center in the parking lot just past the main building by the maintenance building.

Address:
12718 10th Street NE
Spicer , MN , USA 56288

To register, or for more information, contact Ellen Dolph
Ellen.d@prairiewoodselc.org
Or call (320) 354-5894

Made possible by Pheasants Forever.

Family Campfire at Prairie Woods
2026-07-10 19:00 - 21:00
Enjoy a classic family evening outdoors with s’mores, campfire games, songs, and stories at Prairie Woods. Gather around the fire, have fun together, and soak up the sights and sounds of the great outdoors during this relaxed 2‑hour family adventure. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult
Dates:
Friday, June 12
Friday, July 10
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: PWELC Farm site
Cost: $5/per person (minors must be accompanied by participating adult)
Ages: All
Call Prairie Woods at (320)354-5894 to register!

Nature's Elements Camp: 3rd-5th Grade
2026-07-13 09:00 - 2026-07-16 13:00
Explore the power of earth, air, water, and fire in this adventure-filled nature camp! Campers will dig into rocks and minerals, study Earth’s creatures, and experience the wonders of water through activities like pond study and canoeing. They’ll experiment with the science of air through outdoor experiments and practice safe fire-building (weather permitting). Each day blends hands-on exploration, nature discovery, and fun games inspired by the elements.
Dates: Monday July 13 – Thursday July 16
Times: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Ages: 3rd – 5th Grade
Location: Education Building
Cost: $150
REGISTER HERE!
Please pack a snack, water bottle, and lunch, as well as clothes for the weather!

Outdoor Adventure Day
2026-07-23 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-13 09:00 - 16:00
Step into the great outdoors with a day full of thrilling activities at Prairie Woods. Challenge yourself on the Outdoor Climbing Wall, experience the exhilaration of swinging high on the Flying Squirrel, and enjoy a peaceful paddle through the Lake Florida Slough. Test your aim with some archery fun, explore the trails on a fat-tire bike, and if time permits, learn essential survival skills like shelter building and fire starting.
Don’t forget to bring a sack lunch, snacks, and a water bottle to keep you energized throughout the day. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Dates:
Thursday, July 23
Thursday, August 13
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: PWELC Farm site
Cost: $60
Ages: 5th-10th Grade
Call Prairie Woods at (320)354-5894 to register!

PWELC Sampler
2026-07-23 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-13 09:00 - 16:00
Join us at Prairie Woods ELC for an unforgettable adventure! Throughout the day we will explore the Pioneer Cabin, climb the rock wall, track animals, dig in the pond, collect insects, and learn essential outdoor survival skills! Remember to bring a sack lunch, snacks, and a water bottle.
Dates:
Tuesday, July 23
Thursday, August 13
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: PWELC Farm site
Cost: $45
Ages:1st-4th Grade
Call Prairie Woods at (320)354-5894 to register!

Paddle the Crow
2026-07-25 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for a half day of paddling and fun on the Mill Ponds! The Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District (MFCRWD) and Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC) are once again partnering to get people out on the Crow River in New London. Participants will meet at the New London Boat Access at 9:00 a.m., paddle up through the Mill Ponds, and return by noon. We will provide canoes, paddles, life jackets and river knowledge for our adventure.  Afterward, everyone is welcome to join us for lunch at Goat Ridge Brewing Co. (lunch not included).
Date: Saturday, July 25
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Location: New London Boat Access
Cost: $10 per person or $25 family maximum (all participants must be registered, PWELC will reach out for equipment sizing)
Ages: All (minors must be accompanied by an adult)
Call Prairie Woods at (320)354-5894 to register!

Wonders of Water Camp: 3rd-5th Grade
2026-07-27 09:00 - 2026-07-30 13:00
Make a splash while discovering the amazing world of water! Campers will investigate pond creatures up close, paddle across the water while canoeing, and explore how water travels through nature in the Journey of Water game. With hands on experiments and watery activities throughout the week, this camp is perfect for kids who love exploring and getting their feet wet.
Dates: Monday July 27 – Thursday July 30
Times: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Ages: 3rd – 5th Grade
Location: Education Building
Cost: $150
REGISTER HERE!
Please pack a snack, water bottle, and lunch, as well as clothes for the weather!

Youth Sporting Clay & .22 Shoot - Sponsored by Pheasants Forever
2026-08-08 09:00 - 12:00
This is a great opportunity to shoot for the 1st time OR improve your already existing shooting skills. Safe gun handling instruction will be included in this class. Firearms, shells, and targets will be provided. You may bring your own 12 or 20ga shotgun. Meal to follow program (Meet at Westby shooting range)
Date: Saturday, August 8th
Time: 9:00am-Noon
Location: PWELC – Gary Westby Educational Shooting Sports Range
Cost: $5
Ages: 11-16

Indoor Rock Climbing
2026-09-08 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-09-24 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-10-08 16:00 - 17:30
Climbing offers a chance to challenge yourself both physically and mentally. Rock climbing is a true adventure sport. Beginners can learn about the sport, exercise, and have fun! Experienced climbers can come train and refine their skills. The Prairie Woods ELC instructors are here to help every climber reach new heights! Equipment will be provided. Meet at the PWELC Main Building.
Ages: K – 12th Grade
Dates:

Tuesday, September 8
Thursday, September 24
Thursday, October 8
Thursday, October 29
Thursday, November 5
Tuesday, November 17
Tuesday, December 8
Thursday, December 17

Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm
Cost: $10 per climber for each class
Call Prairie Woods at (320)354-5894 to register!

Prairie Stars
2026-09-10 17:30 - 20:30 | Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, 12718 10th St NE, Spicer, MN, United States
Prairie Stars
An earth-conscious evening benefiting
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Social Hour begins at 5:30pm
Prairie Woods Pavilion, Spicer, MN
Join us for an evening of community, dinner, live music, and support for youth environmental education at Prairie Woods.

Reserve Your Spot

After School Archery Club
2026-09-15 16:00 - 17:30 | PWELC- Farmsite, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
Ages: 4th grade and up
The first session will be learning and practicing the skill of archery with compound bows. Each session after, we will play games, shoot 3-d targets, and learn about shooting from an elevated position and ground blind.
This program meets at the Farm Site from 4:00pm – 5:30pm for 3 Tuesdays in September: September 15, 22, and 29.
The cost for this program is $30.

Call Prairie Woods at (320)354-5894 to register!

Outdoor Survival Club
2026-10-06 16:00 - 17:30 | PWELC – Education Building, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
Outdoor Survival Club is a fun and engaging program for kids in kindergarten through 4th grade. Each session will focus on a basic survival skill such as building a shelter, starting a fire with supervision, filtering water, and exploring nature safely – all through hands-on activities, teamwork, and outdoor play.
This club meets at the Education Building for 3 Tuesdays in October from 4:00pm – 5:30pm: October 6, 13, and 20.
The cost for this program is $30. Call Prairie Woods at (320)354-5894 to register.

Halloween Haunt
2026-10-22 16:30 - 19:30 | PWELC – Education Building, 12718 10th St. NE, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
The best Halloween Party of the year! Talk with the creatures of the enchanted trail, play games, and decorate a cookie. Climb the indoor wall with your costume on! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $10 per child.

Indoor Rock Climbing
2026-10-29 16:00 - 2027-03-06 17:30, 2026-11-05 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-11-17 16:00 - 17:30 | Indoor Climbing Wall at the Education Building

PWELC Extravaganza
2026-11-02 09:00 - 16:00
NO SCHOOL TODAY? No PROBLEM!
Turn your day into an outdoor adventure at Prairie Woods! Spend the day exploring nature, practicing survival skills, discovering amazing local wildlife, and jumping into fun games with friends. *Must bring own lunch & snack*
Ages: 1st – 8th Grade
Location: PWELC Main Building
Cost: $50
Call Prairie Woods at (320)354-5894 to register.

Story Hour at the Pioneer Cabin
2026-11-19 16:00 - 2026-12-10 17:15
Come to the Pioneer Cabin at Prairie Woods! 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 that Laura did. It will be a new book and activity each time.
Dates: Thursday November 19th, 2026
Thursday December 10th, 2026
Time: 4:00-5:15 pm
Ages: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Location: PWELC Farm Site – Pioneer Cabin
Cost: $15 per child/session
Call Prairie Woods at (320)354-5894 to register!

Indoor Rock Climbing (K-12th Grade)
2026-12-08 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-12-17 16:00 - 17:30 | Indoor Climbing Wall at the Education Building
