- Day Class Summaries & Video Peeks
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Advanced Orienteering - Summary
Amphibians - Summary
Animal Signs - Summary / Video Peek »
Archery - Summary
Archery Engineers - Summary
Beginning Orienteering - Summary
Big Freeze (Winter Ecology) - Summary
Birds - Summary
Cross Country Skiing - Summary
Earth Exploration (Basic Geology) - Summary
Energy's Potential - Summary
Fungus Among Us - Summary
GPS Pathfinders - Summary
Group Challenges - Summary
Ice Age - Summary
Karst Geology - Summary
Oneota - Summary
Pioneer Life - Summary / Video Peek »
Pond Life -Summary
River Canoeing - SummaryRock Climbing - Summary
Root River Hike - Summary
Snowshoeing - Summary
Stream Lab - Summary
Trees and (Dichotomous) Keys - Summary
TreeTops High Ropes Course - Summary /Video Peek »
Wildlife Ecology - Summary
Winter Pond Lab - Summary
Winter Survival - Summary
- Naturalist Program Descriptions
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From 6:30 - 7:30 each evening, students can delve deeper into nature topics or history through stories, slide shows, or character presentations presented by the Eagle Bluff staff. Naturalist Programs are unlike day-classes; they are designed to help students wind-down after an exciting day, they may include other schools, and are presented to groups of up to 250 people. Due to staff availability, Eagle Bluff will choose programs for your group based on your student's ages. You may rank your Naturalist program preferences on your Scheduling Form, but our ability to accommodate requests may be limited.
Backwoods Buttercup / A humorous local character visits Eagle Bluff and shares knowledge of local natural history and animal adaptations. This program is designed to highlight general environmental concepts.
Bats / Discover the amazing truth about bats as you explore bat adaptations, myths, and how a decreasing bat population affects us all. Will be discontinued Fall of 2018.
Cave Ecology / Caves are a fascinating result of the Karst geology defining the landscape of Southeastern Minnesota. Learn how caves form, what special creatures inhabit caves, and why they indicate a unique subsurface highly vulnerable to contamination.Will be discontinued Fall of 2018.
Coyotes / One of the most adaptable mammals in the world, the coyote is wide spread not only in range but also in mythology and folk lore. Learn why the coyote is such a successful survivor and the topic of so many stories.Will be discontinued Fall of 2018.Invasive Species/ Aliens are invading our planet! Not Martians, but exotic plants and animals are taking over where they don’t belong. Learn about the harm they cause and if anything can be done to stop them!
Legends in the Sky / The constellations we see in the night sky have fascinated people for thousands of years. Connections to Greek and Roman mythology as well as Native American stories and beliefs are presented through storytelling.
Our Place in Outer Space / Even on a cloudy night the stars are spectacular! Take a tour of the universe as scientists now understand it. Emphasis is placed on stellar evolution, unique features of our universe, and a brief tour of our solar system.Will be discontinued Fall of 2018.RaptorCARE / Eagle Bluff is responsible for the care and training of 4 Raptors and it takes a team of people and hours of practice to do so effectively. Learn the techniques used to train birds while observing them in action with one of our live Birds of Prey.
**NEW FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR**
RaptorFORCE / Humans and Raptors have long history of working together. Falconry, cultural relationships, superstitions, and human disturbances are topics which will be explore during this program which will feature one of our Raptors.
**NEW FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR**
RaptorPHYSICS / How does flight actually happen? We will explore the physics behind flight through by using science demonstrations. The culminating experience will be viewing one of Eagle Bluff's Birds of Prey to discuss flight adaptations specific to that species.
**NEW FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR**
Reptiles / Often misunderstood, reptiles can evoke strong emotions. With the help of a live snake,students will learn about Minnesota reptiles, conservation efforts, intriguing facts, and reptile’s amazing adaptations.
STARLAB / Eagle Bluff has our very own planetarium!Students will learn how our view of the constellations change with the seasons and some of the stories associated with constellations. Due to space limitations within the STARLAB, this program is only available to 60 students each night.Spiders, Ticks, & Mosquitoes / We love the outdoors but hate these critters. What good are they anyway? Learn about their role in nature and the best ways to avoid bug bites, diseases, and more.
**NEW FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR**
Timber Rattler / Bluff Rattler, Ol’ Velvet Tail, or Timber Rattlesnake; no matter what you call it, the Timber Rattler is one of the most unique and specialized animals in Southeastern Minnesota.Students will learn about Timber Rattlesnake adaptations, yearly cycle, behavior, and conservation management.
Whitetails / Arguably, Minnesota’s most popular game mammal, this majestic animal has thrived among humans for decades. Learn about the natural history of this intriguing species as well some of its controversies.Will be discontinued Fall of 2018.
- Evening Activity Descriptions & Leader Materials
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Evening Activities are led by your school staff or chaperones from 7:30-9:00pm. Please download your activity's lesson plan from below and ensure that the adults leading the activities have a copy of the lesson plans in advance. Your Eagle Bluff liaison will have your supplies available, set-up the classroom, and assist with directions and answer questions prior to the start of the evening activity. They are designed to be flexible and meet a variety of your needs.
Campfire / End the day gathered around a the campfire for songs, skits, stories, and star gazing? Your liaison will assist you in developing a program that fits your school.
Eagle Bluff Olympics / Games like tug-of-war, thumb wrestling, cracker whistling, logic tests, charades, animal taboo, tree I. D. give students the opportunity to analyze the nature of competition and how it affects our lives today while having fun.
Egg Drop Engineering / This activity challenges students working in teams to create a container that will protect an egg from cracking or breaking from a high fall.
**NEW FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR**
Gyotaku / Students will participate in the Japanese Art of Fish Printing after fist learning the basics of fish anatomy. Using rubber replicas of fish, participants will paint then print fishes on paper or shirts or fabric (if you group chooses to bring these items).
**NEW FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR**
LEGO© Simple Machines / Students work in pairs following assembling simple machines (levers, gears, pulleys, wheels and axels), forming hypotheses, and answering questions on a worksheet. This activity was designed by elementary teachers to address simple machine standards.
> To obtain copies of the LEGO activity worksheets please email our Evening Program Coordinator.
Night Hike / Walk the woods in the dark, see mints “spark” in your mouth! Groups will explore the night through a series of multi-sensory activities such as silent sits, lifesaver lightning, owl hooting, scent jars and more! A route will be recommended and equipment for activities provided.
Owl Pellets / Students dissect an owl pellet to find bones or anything else the owl has eaten then the bones will be used to identify the prey species. ($3.00 charge per pellet, 1-2 students per pellet)
Project Teamwork / Students will work together in large and small groups completing puzzles, building trust, communicating, and sharing ideas. This is a great activity for working on team building, respect, and problem solving.
Yard Games / Students will work together and follow directions to play new and familiar games such as bocce, kubb, and ladder golf. This activity is designed to promote healthy & active recreation choices that can last a lifetime.
Volleyball / Pick your best teams and hit our sandy volleyball court with fun and excitement in mind. Get your team cheer ready. Volleyballs and nets are provided.
Your Choice / Many schools create and present their own programs. Fill your evening time in any way you feel is appropriate. Square dancing, rope making, tie dying, knot tying, and watching movies are some examples.
- Trip Journal Materials
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TEACHER MANUAL / The Teacher Manual include tips for helping with journals as well as teacher’s keys for crossword puzzles and word finds. › Download Manual
STUDENT PAGES / Below are pages with an assortment of activities and reflections that provide a framework of reflection for your Eagle Bluff experience. Day Class, Naturalist, and Evening Activity pages can be inserted among these pages. Use as many or a few as you like. You may use the Generic Day Class form for your classes -OR- print out Specific Day Class pages written to the classes you are taking. You will need one page per night you are at Eagle Bluff.
General Pages
› My Feelings about Eagle Bluff
› The Dorm
Class-Specific Pages
› Archery
› Birds
› Insects
› Oneota
Evening Activity Pages / Pages that correspond with the specific evening activities you are taking. You will need one page per night you are at Eagle Bluff.
› Campfire
Naturalist Program Page
A journal page designed for use with any Naturalist Program (there are no program-specific pages.) You will need one page per night you are at Eagle Bluff. › Blank Page
- Teaching WEB / Pre & Post-Visit Activities
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Teaching W.E.B. (With Eagle Bluff)
"Weaving EB into your Classroom"
The Teaching WEB (Teaching With Eagle Bluff) is an effort to provide resources for teachers to integrate environmental education into their own classrooms and to bookend their residential ELC experience. Eagle Bluff provides specially designed pre/post-visit classroom activities that correlate to our classes.
PRE/POST ACTIVITIESAdvanced Orienteering - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Amphibians - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Animal Signs - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Archery - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Archery Engineers - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Beginning Orienteering - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Big Freeze - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Birds - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Cross Country Skiing - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Earth Exploration - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Energy's Potential - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Forest Ecology - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Fungus Among Us - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
GPS Pathfinders - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Group Challenges - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Ice Age - Under Construction
Insects - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Karst Geology - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Oneota - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Pioneer Life - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Pond Life - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
River Canoeing - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Rock Climbing - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Root River Hike - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Snowshoeing - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Stream/Winter Pond Lab - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Trees and Keys - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
TreeTops HighRopes - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Wildlife Ecology - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
Winter Pond Lab - See Stream Lab
Winter Survival - Pre-Visit Activity / Post-Visit Activity
FoodWISE - WASTE-themed activities
- MN Academic Standards Matrix
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Our curriculum is written to state academic standards and focuses on building STEM, Humanities (history, culture, language arts) and Life Skills (communication, team building, outdoor recreation) knowledge and experience. Each class is hands-on and uses the outdoors as our classroom. Our instructors make each class unique and get to know each student by name!