Wright County Parks & Recreation Programs and Activities

Summer Programs

Join us for some fun in the sun! From the trails to the lakes, we have something for everyone this summer. You are encouraged to "Explore the Opportunities!"

Registration is required for all programs.

Adult & Family Programs

Family Adventure: Overnight Camping

An introductory family camping experience at Beebe Lake Regional Park where we will go over all the basics of camping! What gear is the best to invest in, set up and take down camp, camp cooking such as campfire pancakes! Plus, activities include kayaking, compasses skills, plant identification, and many more family fun experience! All you need to bring is bedding, and we will provide the rest! Each family will get a six-person tent, cook wear, sleeping pads, and a lantern! Register as a family. 6 person tents hold 4-5 people comfortably. 

  • Date: Friday, July 14th - Saturday, July 15th  
  • Time: 5 pm- 1 pm
  • Cost: $60/family 
  • Max participation: 6 families 
  • Location: BeeBe Lake Regional Park- Group Camp 

Lunch with a Naturalist

Have lunch at Robert Ney Nature Center with a local Naturalist! Bring your lunch to join a presentation from about natural world!  Each program will include time to eat your lunch inside the nature center, a short presentation and some outside time. Presenters still to be determined.

  • Date: Monday, July 24th & August 28th   
  • Time: 12 pm-1:30 pm
  • Cost: $5
  • Max participation: 20
  • Location: Robert Ney Nature Center 
  • Ages: Everyone

Fly Fishing with MN Trout

Minnesota Trout Unlimited is excited to partner with Wright County Parks and Recreation to provide fly fishing programs this summer. Join us at Fairhaven Mill County Park for a few hours of fun, learning, and meeting other anglers. This program will teach the basics of fly fishing. Learn the different types of equipment and flies used, set up a rod and cast like a pro, and take fish off your hook. All equipment is provided. Guardians and youth over 16 years old will need an MN fishing license. 

  • Date: Saturday, July 22nd   
  • Time: 6 pm-8 pm
  • Cost: $8
  • Max participation: 20
  • Location: Fairhaven Mill Park

Women, Wine, & Water

Spend the evening kayaking, followed by a wine tasting and charcuterie boards at sunset. The guide kayak tour of the Bertram Chain of Lakes will be about an hour long. A local winery  will provide wine. You must be 21+ to attend this event. 

  • Date: Friday, August 25th    
  • Time: 6 pm-9 pm
  • Cost: $28
  • Max participation: 20
  • Location: Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park 

Family Nature Nights 

Enjoy an evening of exploring nature with friends and family! Explore our beautiful trails, go star gazing, or learn more about MN wildlife! Open to all ages.

Animal Pelts 

This month Family Nature Nights join one of our Naturalist to learn about our wonderful MN mammels with our animal pelts! This program is great for families with young childern.  

  • Date: Saturday, July 8th    
  • Time: 7 pm- 8:30 pm
  • Cost: $5
  • Max participation: 20
  • Location:Collinwood County Park and Campground 
  • Ages: Everyone

Evening Hike 

This month's Family Nature Night, join one of our Naturalists as they lead you on an evening hike through the beautiful wood of Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park.    

  • Date: Saturday, July 29th    
  • Time: 7 pm- 8:30 pm
  • Cost: $5
  • Max participation: 20
  • Location: Bertram Chain of Lakes Park 
  • Ages: Everyone

Stargazing 

This month's Family Nature Nights, join one of your naturalists for an evening of stargazing. Learn about the constellations, and learn a few constellations from other cultures.   

  • Date: Saturday, August 26th    
  • Time: 8:30 pm- 10 pm
  • Cost: $5
  • Max participation: 20
  • Location: Schroeder Campground 
  • Ages: Everyone

Ney Nature Days 

Spend time this summer at Robert Ney Nature Center! Every 4th Saturday of each month this summer, the Robert Ney Nature Center will be open to the public for Ney Nature Days. Spend time bird-watching or exploring the trails; it’s a great way to spend the day! Each Ney Nature Day will have an environmental speaker, nature packs, self-lead scavenger hunts, and more. Open to all.

  • Date: Saturday, June 24th, July 22nd, & August 26th 
  • Time: 10am - 4 pm
  • Cost: Free
  • Location: Robert Ney Nature Center 
  • Ages: Everyone

Youth Programs

Little Naturalist

If you have a child that just can't get enough outdoors, join us for our Little Naturalist Program at the Nature Center at Robert Ney Regional Park in Maple Lake. Each session will have a different focus and will provide an opportunity that "wild" child to get outside and "Explore the Opportunities" with us.


Monarchs 

Monarchs’ butterflies make one incredible journey! They migrate over 2,000 miles each year! The preschoolers will explore the extraordinary life of monarchs through Storytime, crafts, and outside time.

  • Date: June 14th
  • Time: 10:30-11:30 am
  • Cost: $5
  • Ages: 1-5 w/adult
  • Max participation: 15

Mammals 

Minnesota is home to over 80 different mammals! From chipmunks to black bears, mammals come in all shapes and sizes. Preschoolers will explore the wonderful life of mammals through Storytime, crafts, and outside time.

  • Date: July 19th
  • Time: 10:30-11:30 am
  • Cost: $5
  • Ages: 1-5 w/adult
  • Max participation: 15

Swans 

One of the greatest comeback stories of all time is the revival of Trumpeter Swans. It's hard to believe, but at one point, Trumpeter Swans had disappeared entirely from Minnesota. Now we have over 20,000 swans in the state! Preschoolers will explore this remarkable comeback through Storytime, crafts, and outside time.

  • Date: August  16th
  • Time: 10:30-11:30 am
  • Cost: $5
  • Ages: 1-5 w/adult
  • Max participation: 15

Nature and Learn: Day Camps 

Lifelong memories are made at summer camp! The Nature & Learn camps are meant for kids ages 6-12. Each day camp will let kids discover nature through crafts, games, science experiments, and more! Join us for one or all three!  These classes are meant for mixed age groups, 6- 13 years old.  

Pollinators 

Kids will get to explore the who, what, and where of pollinators with special guest speakers from Master Gardeners. This camp is held at Otsego County Park. 

  • Date: Thursday, June 22nd 
  • Time: 9 am-3:30 pm 
  • Cost: $25
  • Ages: 6-13
  • Max participation: 20 kids
  • Location: Otsego County Park 

Tremendous Trees 

Robert Ney Memorial Park is over 900 acres and is home to various trees, including maples, oaks, and even pines. In this day camp kids will get to spend the day exploring the forest of this park.  By learning to ID trees, what animals depend on trees, and more. 

  • Date: Thursday, July 20th  
  • Time: 9 am-3:30 pm 
  • Cost: $25
  • Ages: 6-13
  • Max participation: 20 kids
  • Location: Robert Ney Memorial Park-Nature Center 

Marvelous Mammals 

Minnesota is home to over 80 different mammals! In this Day Camp kids will get a chance to explore a handful of MN Mammals through, games, crafts, animal pelts and more! Join us at Collinwood County Park and Campground for this fun day camp. 

  • Date: Thursday, August 17th  
  • Time: 9 am-3:30 pm 
  • Cost: $25
  • Ages: 6-13
  • Max participation: 20 kids
  • Location: Collinwood County Park and Campground 

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