WILDERNESS INQUIRY | Virtual Exploration Along the Mississippi River with National Park Rangers
The program is for youth in grades 5-8. Youth will be given a free Exploration Kit that includes all materials needed to participate in activities. Youth will need an internet connection and a device that connects to the internet. We suggest registering for all four days of this program for the most impactful experience, but it is not required to register for each day in order to participate. The program will be facilitated from 9:00 – 10:30am or 1:00 – 2:30pm covering history and ecology of the Mississippi River.
Here’s how to sign up:
Step 1: Choose your experience from the four different options listed below.
River of Life
Day 1, Ecology at Crosby Farm Regional Park: At Crosby Farm Regional Park, explorers will learn about floodplain forest ecosystems, species adaptation, and how to be a local waterway steward.
Day 2, Ecology at Coldwater Spring: At Coldwater Spring, explorers will learn about prairie ecosystems in Minnesota, and the importance of prairie restoration and conservation.
River of History
Day 1, History at Fort Snelling State Park: At Fort Snelling State Park, explorers will learn about the North American fur trade, and the cultural significance of the Bdote.
Day 2, History at Saint Anthony Falls: At Saint Anthony Falls, explorers will learn about Minnesota geology, waterfall erosion, and the important connections between the Mississippi River and the development of the Twin Cities.
River of Life & History
Day 1, Ecology at Crosby Farm Regional Park
Day 2, Ecology at Coldwater Spring
Day 3, History at Fort Snelling State Park
Day 4, History at Saint Anthony Falls
Choose Your Own Adventure!
Pick and choose what days sound most interesting to you!
Step 2: Determine the dates that best fit your group’s schedule.
This program runs from 9:00 – 10:30am or 1:00 – 2:30pm Monday through Thursday most weeks. Each month, the first and third weeks will be morning sessions and the second and fourth will be afternoon sessions.
Step 3: Register!
You will register for your entire classroom or group at one time for each date you’re interested in. For example, a science class is interested in River of Life. The teacher, or class leader, then chooses two dates from the list below, registers for each date using their contact information on behalf of the class, and then moves forward as the group’s main contact.
Step 4: Confirm details with Wilderness Inquiry.
Wilderness Inquiry’s Youth Programs team will follow up with you to confirm final details like class roster, Exploration Kit pick-up/drop-off, Zoom logistics, and more. If you have any questions, please email canoemobile@wildernessinquiry.org.
