Environmental Education Outdoor Classroom for Kids at Retzer Nature Center
Environmental Education Outdoor Classroom for Kids at Retzer Nature Center. Learn and discover in the great outdoors! This program offers guided, hands-on exploration that brings seasonal topics to life for children ages 4-12.
Families, caregivers, home school groups, scout troops and more…supplement your learner’s virtual education experience with an environmental education outdoor classroom program at Retzer Nature Center.
The Outdoor Classroom Series: Environmental Education
Learn and explore the outdoors with a naturalist in programs that focus on seasonal topics and incorporate hands-on discovery and sensory exploration for your elementary-age learner.
Programs take place on select Wednesdays.
Cost is $5 per child per class, ages 4-12.
Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Adults are free.
Programs are mostly outdoors; please dress for the weather. If inclement weather, activities may relocate indoors.
Please register online; sorry, no walk-ins.
The Outdoor Classroom Series: Environmental Education Upcoming Programs:
JULY 9 — Beautiful Bobolinks: Retzer welcomes this special bird each spring! Come spot their unique behaviors before they fly away.
JULY 16 — Butterfly Survey Skills: Use cool survey tools (no net needed!) to count butterfly species for science.
JULY 23 — Recycle Raccoon’s Adventure: Join the Recycle Raccoon mascot to explore how Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot help the planet.
JULY 30 — The Beetles: What makes a bug a beetle? Learn about Earth’s most numerous critters!
AUGUST 6 — Squirrels Are Special: Discover the secrets of Wisconsin’s common grey squirrel and other species.
AUGUST 13 — Prairie Plants: Identify Retzer’s prairie plants and explore what makes them so special.
AUGUST 27 — Bats Day and Night: Fall is a great time of year for detecting bats! Learn about them during the day, then register for Bat Night to see them in action. Note: Bat Night is a separate offering on September 10.
SEPTEMBER 3 — Monarchs & Milkweed: Explore monarchs’ lifecycle as they begin their fall migration. Learn how to help them return safely next year.
SEPTEMBER 10* — Bats at Night: As a follow-up to the August 27 program, explore the night sky and detect bats using echolocation equipment. Note: Open to all! Prior attendance at the August 27 program is not required.
*This program is 7:30-8:30 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 17 — Wood Wide Web and Fungus: Mushrooms and fungi keep the ecosystem healthy! Discover their colors, features, and importance.
OCTOBER 1 — The Life of an Oak: Find out why oaks are a keystone species and learn how to spot them on the trail.
OCTOBER 22 — Outdoor Classroom at Night: Details will be provided soon!
NOVEMBER 5 — Dig In! Soils: What’s under your feet? Learn different characteristics of soils and appreciate life in and under it!
NOVEMBER 19 — Talkin’ Turkey!: Meet a turkey up close, hopefully see some far away, and learn what makes them unique in the bird world!
DECEMBER 3 — Conifers: It’s cold, but conifers are tough! Learn what makes a conifer a conifer and discover their secrets.
DECEMBER 17 — Deer of the Midwest: Wisconsin is lucky to have hooved animals. Learn about these famous holiday creatures and their kin!
JANUARY 7 — Mighty Eagles: Where are they going? What are they doing? Learn about the eagles that soar over Retzer Nature Center!
JANUARY 21 — The Story of Bears: Explore bears’ cozy dens, fascinating habits, and how they brave the seasons.
JULY 16 — Butterfly Survey Skills: Use cool survey tools (no net needed!) to count butterfly species for science.
JULY 23 — Recycle Raccoon’s Adventure: Join the Recycle Raccoon mascot to explore how Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot help the planet.
JULY 30 — The Beetles: What makes a bug a beetle? Learn about Earth’s most numerous critters!
AUGUST 6 — Squirrels Are Special: Discover the secrets of Wisconsin’s common grey squirrel and other species.
AUGUST 13 — Prairie Plants: Identify Retzer’s prairie plants and explore what makes them so special.
AUGUST 27 — Bats Day and Night: Fall is a great time of year for detecting bats! Learn about them during the day, then register for Bat Night to see them in action. Note: Bat Night is a separate offering on September 10.
SEPTEMBER 3 — Monarchs & Milkweed: Explore monarchs’ lifecycle as they begin their fall migration. Learn how to help them return safely next year.
SEPTEMBER 10* — Bats at Night: As a follow-up to the August 27 program, explore the night sky and detect bats using echolocation equipment. Note: Open to all! Prior attendance at the August 27 program is not required.
*This program is 7:30-8:30 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 17 — Wood Wide Web and Fungus: Mushrooms and fungi keep the ecosystem healthy! Discover their colors, features, and importance.
OCTOBER 1 — The Life of an Oak: Find out why oaks are a keystone species and learn how to spot them on the trail.
OCTOBER 22 — Outdoor Classroom at Night: Details will be provided soon!
NOVEMBER 5 — Dig In! Soils: What’s under your feet? Learn different characteristics of soils and appreciate life in and under it!
NOVEMBER 19 — Talkin’ Turkey!: Meet a turkey up close, hopefully see some far away, and learn what makes them unique in the bird world!
DECEMBER 3 — Conifers: It’s cold, but conifers are tough! Learn what makes a conifer a conifer and discover their secrets.
DECEMBER 17 — Deer of the Midwest: Wisconsin is lucky to have hooved animals. Learn about these famous holiday creatures and their kin!
JANUARY 7 — Mighty Eagles: Where are they going? What are they doing? Learn about the eagles that soar over Retzer Nature Center!
JANUARY 21 — The Story of Bears: Explore bears’ cozy dens, fascinating habits, and how they brave the seasons.
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