Upcoming Programs - River Bend Nature Center

River Bend Members Receive a Discount on Classes and Events.

If you are not a member, become a member today to save on program fees, further our mission and show your support for River Bend.

Check out an Adventure Pack on your next visit!

Visiting River Bend with junior naturalists in tow? Borrow our brand new adventure bags! These backpacks and more information about our park are available to borrow at the front desk inside the Interpretive Center and are filled with tools for your junior naturalist to explore the beautiful ecosystems here at River Bend.

HipHop to Turtle Pond Pack

Want to splish splash in the pond? Borrow our "Hip Hop to Turtle Pond" backpack to catch macroinvertebrates and learn more about their life cycles.

Playing in the Prairie Pack

Interested in discovering our native tall grass prairie? Borrow our Playing in the Prairie backpack with sweep nets and bug jars for finding creepy crawly friends.

Public Programs Little Sprouts Homeschool Scout Badges Annual Events

Public Programs

Lunch & Learn Series - New topic each month

Wednesdays, 12:00 - 2:00 pm (Bring and eat your own lunch at 12:00, Guest Speakers begin at 12:30)

Cost: $10/person, $5/member, Adults

March 18 - Gardening for Minnesota's Pollinators: Want to attract pollinators to your garden? Looking for recommendations on native plants? Join RBNC Naturalist Matt Johnson to learn how to make a thriving pollinator habitat this spring!

April 15 - Lunch & Learn: Pollinators and Prairies in Southwest MN: Join guest speaker, Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer Nongame Wildlife Specialist with the MN DNR this month. Pollinators, Prairies, and Private Landowner Partners: Explore the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program with a focus on southern region pollinator initiatives. Hear what has been learned about pollinator responses to various types of habitats. And how the DNR manages prairies and works with private landowners all with pollinators in mind.

May 20- Recycling in Rice County: How to Reduce Your Waste: Have you ever wondered what really happens to the recycling in your curbside bin after it's been picked up and hauled away? Come and learn about Rice County's Solid Waste Facility and reuse events! This presentation will walk you through our local recycling process, how to recycle like a pro, and how you can put more waste reduction and reuse principles to use in daily life. Presented by Fern Schiffer, Minnesota Greencorps Member

Bagels and Birds

Saturdays, 10:00 - 11:00 am

Cost: FREE!, All ages

Saturday, March 7th

Saturday, April 4th

Saturday, June 6th

Saturday, August 1st

Come and enjoy coffee and a free bagel, provided by The Inn at Shattuck, and watch for birds at Windows on the Wild.

Storytime with a Naturalist

Saturdays, 11:00 - 12:00 pm

Cost: FREE!, All ages

Saturday, March 7th - Maple Syruping

Saturday, April 4th - April Showers bring May flowers

Saturday, June 6th - What's in the Water?

Saturday, August 1st - Pollinators

Owatonna Community Ed - Maple Syruping Demo Program

Cost: FREE

Saturday, March 14, 12:00-1:00 pm (Registration is through Owatonna Community Ed)

How does sap turn into syrup? This hands-on experience will follow the process of maple syruping from start to finish. At the end of the program, attendees will be able to sample the sweet syrup they helped make.

Maple Syruping Demo Program

Cost: $10/non-member, $5/member

Saturday, March 21, 10:30-11:30 am or 12:30-1:30 pm

How does sap turn into syrup? This hands-on experience will follow the process of maple syruping from start to finish. At the end of the program, students will be able to sample the sweet syrup they helped make.

Chainsaw Safety Certification

Age 18+, Cost: Free if eligible, otherwise - pay what you can (Fill out this form for eligibility and to register)

Level One: Friday, March 27, 8:30 - 4:00 pm

Level One: Saturday, March 28, 8:30 - 4:00 pm

Level Two: Monday, March 30, 8:30 - 4:00 pm

Learn how to safely use a chainsaw in these basic training courses. Courses will be held at River Bend Nature Center. You must take level one before taking level two.

Plant Hike

Cost: $10/non-member, $5/member

Saturday, May 16, 1:00-2:00 pm

Come explore with a Naturalist on a guided hike as we discover what plants can be found around River Bend in May. From spring ephemerals to the trees of the forest. We will meet in the interpretive center then head out on an hour long hike. Elevation will include one rocky decline and one rocky incline on trout lily trail. Best suited to 8 years or older. All ages who can handle a one hour hike with some elevation are welcome!

Little Sprouts

Little Sprouts is an educational exploration class filled with activities of a different theme each week. Dress for the weather, as most of the class will be outside.

Parent/child class for ages birth-5. ($5/member child, $10/non-member child), Parents or chaperones attend for free.

Monday, January 19, 9:30am-11am

Icy Weather: Water rains down on the earth in many different forms from pretty snowflakes to large ice balls called hail. What makes our weather icy in the winter?

Saturday, January 31, 10:00am-11:30am

Icy Weather: Water rains down on the earth in many different forms from pretty snowflakes to large ice balls called hail. What makes our weather icy in the winter?

Monday, February 2, 9:30am-11am

Rocks Rock: Rocks rock because they come in so many different types of colors, textures and can be dull or crystals! Come and explore how fascinating rocks can be! Dress for the weather, as most of the course will be outside.

Monday, February 16, 9:30am-11am

Animal Homes: Animals have homes too! Explore what types of homes animals live in and look for animal homes on a walk outside. Dress for the weather.

Saturday, February 21, 10:00am-11:30am

Animal Homes: Animals have homes too! Explore what types of homes animals live in and look for animal homes on a walk outside. Dress for the weather.

Monday, March 2, 9:30am-11am

Weather: "Rain, rain go away come again another day!" We'll explore what weather is, and how we can be prepared to enjoy the outdoors in almost any weather.

Monday, March 16, 9:30am-11am

Maple Syruping: How do we get tasty maple syrup? From Maple Trees! have fun exploring the world of trees and how we make maple syrup at River Bend.

Monday, April 6, 9:30am-11am

Baby Animals: Baby Animals is a playful early childhood program where young children explore the world of baby animals through songs, stories, and hands-on activities. Designed for toddlers and their caregivers, this program nurtures curiosity and connection with nature’s cutest creatures.

Saturday, April 18, 10:00am-11:30am

Batty about Bats: In this hands-on early childhood program, children will explore the fascinating world of bats through sensory play, observation, and storytelling. This playful, messy experience encourages curiosity, scientific thinking, and a love for nature.

Monday, April 20, 9:30am-11am

Monday, May 18, 9:30am-11am

What’s in the water? Explore what lives in River Bend's ponds through sensory play, observation, and storytime! Dress to be outside.

Saturday, May 30, 10:00am-11:30am

What’s in the water? Explore what lives in River Bend's ponds through sensory play, observation, and storytime! Dress to be outside.

Homeschool

River Bend Nature Center invites all learners, ages 5-11 years old, the opportunity to experience all of the seasons at River Bend!

Cost: $10/child, $5/member child Pre-registration required by the Wednesday prior to the program date.

Classes are held on Mondays from 1pm-3pm.

Please dress for the weather.

Monday, January 19: Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a fun winter activity that draws inspiration from the large feet of several well-adapted animals. Come learn about how humans created these useful winter tools and then spend time outside practicing traversing through the snow.

Monday, February 2: Intro to Animal Tracking

Winter is a great time to better understand animal activity and behaviors. Students will learn how to identify tracks and interpret what they can teach us.

Monday, February 16: Making Tracks

This program will allow students to learn the process of animal track casting. While our casts are drying, students will get outside and have a blast learning about and using kicksleds.

Monday, March 2: Maple Syruping

Monday, March 16: Maple Syruping

Monday, April 6: Intro to Spring Flowers

Monday, April 20: Dwarf Trout Lily

Did you know that there is a plant found at River Bend that is only found in a few areas in Minnesota and nowhere else on earth? Students will learn more about the federally endangered Dwarf Trout Lily, Minnesota’s only endemic flower. If we’re lucky we might even get to catch a glimpse of this flower blooming!

Monday, May 4: Intro to Signs of Spring

Spring is a great time to observe the many changes occurring in the natural world. As the trees begin to leaf out and animals return from a long migration, join us as we tour River Bend to learn about all these spring happenings.

Monday, May 11: Pond Dipping/Frog Call ID

Spring brings with it many sounds, one of them being the songs of frogs! Students will learn how to identify Minnesota’s native frogs, while also discovering what other creatures swim beneath the surface.

Scout Badges

River Bend Nature Center provides your scouts with opportunities to connect with nature vital to their learning and development with badge programs led by professional naturalist staff and volunteers. Students will see science come alive and experience the benefits of outdoor learning through hands-on activities to observe and understand the natural world around us.

All classes are 1.5 hours long. Most are year-round, seasonal programs April-November indicated by (*). Email education@rbnc.org to book your class.

Girl Scout Badges

Brownie Badges

*Bugs - Experience a bug's life at River Bend. Have a story time as we learn about bugs, then go outside to observe them up close. Count how many types of bugs you can find and see where they live. Then make a bug craft to take home.

EcoFriend - Adventure outside at River Bend Nature Center and become nature's best friend. Learn about and practice the Leave No Trace rule, safely make a campfire, visit animal homes, and more! Finally, leave River Bend a nice place for animals by picking up trash along the trail.

Outdoor Adventurer - Become a fearless outdoor adventurer as we play and explore nature at River Bend! We will hike down to the Straight River and explore the shoreline, play some water games, learn how to tie knots for camping, and male recycled bird feeders.

Hiker - Come earn your hiking badge at River Bend Nature Center! Learn about River Bend's trails, how to read a map, what to pack, and what you might find on your hike. Then hit the trails with a naturalist to play some trail games and learn about plants and animals you see.

*Outdoor Art Creator - Use nature as your inspiration as we create art! Create a nature journal with pictures, colors, or written descriptions of what you find. Create leaf rubbings, drawings, and play nature games outside.

Junior Badges

*Geocacher - Learn all about Geocaching and how this sport is used world-wide! With instruction of a naturalist, learn how to use a GPS, make an item to trade, and go on geocaching adventure! Girl Scouts will explore River Bend Nature Center's 743 acres of land on and off the trails. Long sleeves, long pants, and close-toed shoes are recommended.

*Flowers - Join the River Bend Naturalists on a spring flower hike. Learn about the parts of a flower, their importance to the plants, and how flowers are used by humans. Go on a flower hike, make a flower journal, and learn about a super special flower that only grows in this small area of the world!

Animal Habitats - Learn all about wild animals and their homes as you explore River Bend. Investigate animal homes and make one on your own. Learn how scientists classify animals and why some animals are endangered. See and learn about a Minnesota native endangered habitat.

Outdoor Art Explorer - Head out on an inspirational hike to find art in nature. Make a nature imprint to take home, create a human-made "rainstorm", test out nature photography, and draw plans for your own birdhouse.

Cadette Badges

*Archery - Come shoot some archery at River Bend! Learn all about the parts of a bow and arrow, range commands, then take to the range for some practice. Finally, play some archery games in a friendly competition.

Trees - Come explore the wonderful world of trees at River Bend! Explore the forest at River Bend and identify the trees in the forest by making a booklet of tree rubbings to take home. Learn about tree parts, how they grow, and who uses them. See the steps of the oldest tradition in the area, maple syruping. Finally, learn about some issues facing our forests today and what you can do to help protect them.

EcoTrekker - Talk with a Naturalist and learn about the important Leave No Trace Principals. See first hand how recreational hiking and biking can negatively impact the environment. Help remove an invasive species from the area, and make art from trash.

Senior & Ambassador Badges

EcoExplorer - Learn about biodiversity of River Bend Nature Center, and see different species of plants and animals. Find out which ones are invasive and harmful to the biodiversity of River Bend. Then put what you have learned into action by helping to remove an invasive species. (Invasive species removal can only be done May-November).

*Water - Explore the waterway River Bend Nature Center is named after! Hike down to the Straight River and explore the creatures and rocks along the shoreline. Listen to the sound of the water and have water craft time by the river. Then get your geek on by conducting water quality tests and learning what they mean for the river. Finally, become an engineer as you devise a way to help clean polluted water.

Cub Scout Badges

Tiger Badges

My Tiger Jungle

Go for a hike and pick out two or more sights or sounds of "nature" around you. Discuss with a partner or den
Take a 1-foot hike and make a list of living things you find on your hike
Point out two different kinds of birds that live in your area
Preparation for planting a plant, shrub or tree
Preparation for building a bird house

Tigers in the Wild

Learn about the Cub Scout Six Essential items needed for a hike
Prepare for and go on a nature hike
Discuss the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace principles
Find three different kinds of plants, animals, or signs of animals on the trail
Find two different trees and two different types of plants
Find out about the animals that live on River Bend grounds
Participate in a pack meeting or pack campout campfire

Sky is the Limit

Go outside to observe the night sky
Look at a distant object through a telescope or binoculars
Observe in the sky or select from a book or chart two constellations
Create and name your own constellation
Create a homemade constellation
Find out about two different jobs related to astronomy
Find out about two astronauts who were Scouts when they were younger

Wolf Badges

Call of the Wild

Preparation for requirement 1 (attend a campout) and requirement 7 (present a skit at campfire)
Learn to tie an overhand knot and a square knot
Identify four different types of animals at River Bend
Learn about possible weather changes
Show or demonstrate what to do:
1. When a stranger approaches you, your family, or your belongings
2. In case of a natural disaster such as an earthquake or flood
3. To keep from spreading your germs
Recite the Outdoor Code and discuss the Leave No Trace principle

Paws On The Path

Prepare the Cub Scout Six Essentials
Explain and use the buddy system
Describe what you should do if you get separated from your group while hiking
Choose the appropriate clothing to wear on your hike based on the expected weather
Read the Outdoor Code, discuss Leave No Trace principles, show respect for wildlife
Go on a 1-mile hike with your den or family
Name two birds, two insects, and two other animals on River Bend grounds
Draw a map of an area using common map symbols

Finding Your Way

Draw a map to show somewhere special to you on a map
Learn how to use a compass rose
Pick a nutritious snack and find out where it came from. Show this area on a map
Go on a scavenger hunt using a compass, and locate an object with a compass
Using a map and compass, go on a hike

Bear Badge

Fur, Feather and Ferns

Hike for one mile and spot animal signs
Learn about extinct animals
Describe what you learned at River Bend about wildlife with your pack or family
Observe wildlife from a distance. Describe what you saw
Use a magnifying glass to examine plants more closely
Learn about composting and how vegetable waste can be turned into fertilizer for plants

Webelos Badges

Webelos Walkabout

Create a hike plan
Assemble a hiking first-aid kit
Describe and identify poisonous plants and dangerous animals and insects
Learn about planning nutritious lunches for hikes
Recite the Outdoor Code and the Leave No Trace Principles for kids from memory
Preparation for requirement 6 (a 3-mile hike)
Preparation for requirement 7 (service project)
Lead one aspect of the hike

Into the Woods

Identify two different groups of trees and the parts of a tree
Identify six trees commonly found at River Bend
Identify six plants commonly found at River Bend
Learn about native trees and River Bend
Prepare for requirement 5 (plant a tree)
Think about what wood products are important in your life
Explain how the growth rings of a tree trunk tell its life story

Into the Wild

Learn to be a birdwatcher
Learn about the bird flyways closest to your home. Find out which birds use these flyways
Watch at least four wild creatures in the wild
Identify an insect, reptile, bird, or other wild animal that is found only in your area of the country
Learn about food chains and how we can help them
Visit a River Bend aquatic ecosystem
Share your experiences

Annual Events

Earth Day Celebration

Stay tuned for 2026 activities.

Maple Syrup Fun Run and Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, May 2, 2026- REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

River Bend Ramble

August 8, 2026

Join us for a night of celebrating and connecting people through nature at River Bend with the annual River Bend Ramble fundraising dinner. For more information and to buy fundraiser tickets, visit rbnc.org/ramble

National Public Lands Day of Volunteering

National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands, held annually on the fourth Saturday in September. The next day is September 26, 2026 from 9am-12pm. Free, all ages. Registration currently closed.

Bats, Bones, & Bonfires

Saturday, October 24, 2026 - Stay tuned for event details

Archery Only Deer Hunt

Details and registration will be available late summer. Visit our events page for more information.