Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center

Weekends at Wolf Ridge: North Shore Native Plant Communities
2024-09-27 15:00 - 2024-09-29 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, 6282 Cranberry Road, Finland, MN, 55603
Spend a glorious fall weekend on the North Shore of Minnesota gaining hands-on experience and learning from experts in their field.
Workshops take place on the Wolf Ridge campus and surrounding areas, with lodging and meals provided. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just a curious learner, the experience is designed for lifelong learners who have a passion for the natural world. Participants select a single workshop for the weekend but will have an opportunity to connect with other workshop groups during meals and evening programming.
Register for this Workshop
Lodging Information
Dining Information
Directions to Wolf Ridge
Workshop: North Shore Native Plant Communities
Minnesota is the convergent point of 4 of North America’s major biomes: Aspen Parklands, Prairie Grasslands, Deciduous Forest, and Coniferous Forest; as such, it is home to a great diversity of native plants. These biomes are composed of a mosaic of distinct plant communities (groups of plants that interact with each other and their surrounding environment). Come along and explore a variety of these communities found in and around the Wolf Ridge campus, such as: fens, marshes, cliff and talus slopes, rocky shoreline and many more. Through hands-on exploration we will learn how the MNDNR classifies these communities, discuss the unique ecosystem services that they provide and why they are so important to us and all of the many fungi, mammals, reptiles, lichens, insects, birds, that inhabit them. In this workshop we will zoom in and focus on practicing plant identification skills. We will also zoom out and discuss the relationship between these plants and their environment. We will encounter many fascinating plants, some of them carnivorous, some of them mere inches tall at maturity, some with strikingly beautiful flowers, some of them are some of the rarest plants in the state!
Instructor: Jonny Tostenson

Jonny Tostenson is a naturalist and environmental educator working at Wolf Ridge ELC. He grew up in West-Central MN and has always had a fascination with plants and the vast array of insects that they support. For the past 6 years he has been living along the North Shore with plenty of time to explore and find some pretty cool plants and of course some amazing views. Recently he has really been getting into lichen identification and learning all about them and is especially interested in finding the many extremely rare arctic/alpine disjunct plants and lichens that are present in the North Shore area.
Weekend Workshop Schedule
Friday, Sep 27, 2024

3:00 – 4:45 pm — Registration and check-in at the Wolf Ridge office
4:00 – 4:45 pm — Tour of the Margaret A. Cargill (MAC) Lodge
5:15 pm — Dinner
6:00 – 6:30 pm — Orientation in MAC Lodge Weesner Commons
7:00 – 9:00 pm — 1st learning session
10 pm — Quiet time

Saturday, Sep 28, 2024

7:30 am — Breakfast
8:30-10:00 am — Continental breakfast for Owl Workshop
8:30-11:30 am — 2nd learning session
12:15 pm — Lunch and bag lunch
1:00 -2:00 pm – Naturalist program
1:30 – 4:30 pm — 3rd learning session
5:15 pm — Dinner
6:30 – 7:15 pm — Evening presentation
7:30 – 9:30 pm — Social hour & campfire
10:00 pm — Quiet time

Sunday, Sep 29, 2024

7:30 am — Breakfast
8:30-10:00 am — Continental breakfast for Owl workshop
*check out of rooms by 10:00 am
8:30-11:30 am —4th learning session
12:15 pm — Lunch & check-out
12:30 – Owl workshop ends
12:30-1:30 pm — Optional: Use of designed rooms to shower before leaving
1:00-2:00 pm – Naturalist program

On Friday afternoon before registration or on Sunday afternoon you’re welcome to hike our trails and enjoy the fall colors.
Packing List
You should plan to venture out in rain or shine and the instructors may follow up with more information on specific details about your workshop if applicable. You can expect nighttime temperatures to range from 25°F to 50°F and daytime temperatures up to 65°F. Please be prepared so you can feel comfortable if it is cool or rainy. Most of the walking you will do is on nice graveled trails, but some trails are rugged. Photography will be a common thread throughout the weekend so we encourage you to bring a camera. If you do not own a digital camera, we can loan you one for the weekend.

Rain suit with pants and hood
Walking or hiking shoes
Warm jacket
Sweater or fleece
Warm hat
Light shirts
Light pants
Wool Socks (recommended for hiking)
Soap, shampoo, other toiletries
Personal water bottle
Sunscreen, sun hat

Optional Items:

Knee-high rubber boots
Non-aerosol insect repellent
Camera
Sunglasses
Alarm clock
Small backpack for day use
Snacks (space available in group refrigerator)

Wolf Ridge will provide linens, blankets, towels, and a pillow.

Fall Homeschool Week
2024-09-09 15:00 - 2024-09-13 13:30
Learn, connect, and thrive in the heart of nature.
We invite you and your family to join us for a week of discovery, connection, and growth. At Wolf Ridge, learning extends far beyond the walls of a traditional classroom, and our Fall Homeschool Week is designed to showcase the endless possibilities of outdoor education.
For more information and to register, visit our Homeschool Weeks page or contact us directly at scheduling@wolf-ridge.org.
Schedule (Subject to change)
Monday 9/9

Arrival: 3-4 PM
Group Orientation: 4:30 PM
Evening Activity: 6:30-9:15 PM

Choice of:

Indoor Rock Climbing, Ropes Course or Evening Program & Activity

Tuesday 9/10

AM & PM Classes:

Superior View Hike
Canoeing Wolf Lake
Competitive Orienteering

Evening:

Choice of:

Indoor Rock Climbing, Ropes Course or Evening Program & Activity

Wednesday 9/11 (Half week check out after lunch at 1:30 PM)

AM Class

Lake Study
Birds
Forest Ecology

PM Class

Trees and Keys
Small Mammals

Evening

Evening program & activity

Thursday 9/12

AM & PM Classes

Geology
Earthworks

Evening

Evening program & activity

Friday 9/13 (Full week check out after lunch at 1:30 PM)

AM Class

Ojibwe Heritage
Beaver Ecology

Fill out this form to secure your spot. Please specify if you are interested in either our Fall or Winter Homeschool Week.

K-12 Class Trips

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Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor Course - Base Camp
2024-05-15 - 2024-05-19
Register for this Course
Learn to travel responsibly and sustainably in wild places. Within the rich ecosystems of our public and private lands, you will learn and teach the principles of Leave No Trace and discuss wildland ethics. Your course will be centered in a base camp where you will learn and discuss the history of the Leave No Trace program, receive an introduction to Leave No Trace principles and then complete the full Level 2 Instructor Course curriculum. Throughout the days of the course, you will put your new skills into practice both in daily living at the base camp and on day hikes in the surrounding area.
Registration is handled by NOLS. Visit the NOLS website for more information.

Spring Vitality Yoga Retreat
2024-04-12 - 2024-04-14
Spring is in the air!

Take a journey to renew your life force and experience the magic and beauty of the North Shore. Allow this time to align to the rhythm of nature. Connect with your breath and the beauty that surrounds you. This weekend at Wolf Ridge, spend time with experienced yoga instructors, Rewa Giroux-Dumas and Dawn Perra in a relaxing and rejuvenating setting. Enjoy hiking, snowshoeing and journaling on the North Shore as well as mindfulness practices of yoga, meditation and a sound bath experience.
Register for this Workshop
Instructors: Rewa Giroux-Dumas & Dawn Perra

Rewa Giroux-DumasRewa Zen Yoga and WellnessRYT 500
Growing up I can remember being outside, regardless of the weather. It was a place where I was most creative, felt safe and at home. To this day, when I find myself out of balance, I seek time to connect to nature.
I found Yoga while healing from a back injury. Active most of my life, and a bit competitive, took a toll on my body. Through the practice of Yoga I learned strength, steadiness, surrender and balance in my life in addition to compassion toward myself. I enjoy guiding a fun, breath centered practice that encourages exploration of the body, breath and heart. My teachings draw from over 25 years of study and practice in the areas of health, wellness, yoga and mindfulness. The practice is one that meets you just as you are, right now. It invites a quiet exploration into courage, strength and renewal. Get ready to experience one, or more, of those AH-HA moments.
Dawn Perra
New Dawn Yoga and Wellness, LLC
E-RYT200, RYT500, Reiki Master Practitioner, Certified Sound Therapist, Certified Mediation Teacher

Hello! I’m Dawn, an Experienced 200 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT200), 500 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT500), Certified Sound Therapist, Meditation Guide, Reiki Master Practitioner, and owner of New Dawn Yoga and Wellness. After 22 years of personal yoga practice and hundreds of hours of training and teaching, I remain passionate about my practice, learning, and sharing my yoga journey with others. I am currently focused on researching the effects of yoga, meditation, sound therapy and reiki on the central nervous system.
I have hiked hundreds of miles on the Superior Hiking Trail, North Shore State Parks, and all around the country. I love a good challenging elevation hike as well as a gentle stroll in the woods. I have yet to find anywhere more magical than the North Shore of Lake Superior. I am eager to share my love of yoga and hiking at Wolf Ridge.

Instruction, meals and lodging included. Private room options are available for an additional fee during registration.
REGISTER NOW
Lodging Information
Directions to Wolf Ridge.

Summer Sampler
2023-08-13 - 2023-08-17
Register for Summer Sampler
Summer Camp Website

Want to Try Summer Camp But Not for the Whole Week?
Ease into overnight camp with this fun-filled camp! Adventuring outside, games, campfires and challenges await all campers here at Wolf Ridge.

Entering Grades 2-3
Discover and explore the north woods of Minnesota learning about the forest ecology, birds and beavers. Learn new skills like canoeing, cooking over a campfire, and swimming in Wolf Lake. Express yourself through nature-based art with new friends! All-camp games, the adventure ropes, and campfires give more opportunities for personal growth and new friendships.

Forest Ecology
Earthworks
Canoeing
Birds
Swimming
Adventure Ropes

Entering Grades 4-5
Let’s get small! Explore the insects of the north woods and discover what calls Wolf Lake home. Learn what plants are edible in the woods while making new friends and memories. Conquer the challenges of the rock wall and Wolf Ridge Adventure Ropes and celebrate with an enthusiastic campfire.

Insects
Wild Edible Plants
Lake Study
Rock Climbing
Adventure Ropes
Canoeing

Parents Join Wednesday Afternoon Activities
Parents are invited to join their child at camp on Wednesday afternoon and participate in the Adventure Ropes or Rock Climbing activity. They can also join in on the campfire Wednesday night and sleep in the dorm that night. Camp ends Thursday morning.

Women's Intro to Timber Framing Workshop
2023-06-18 - 2023-06-24
Photo Credit: Caitlin Augdahl
REGISTER
Women make up less than 5% of US carpenters by trade. The purpose of this course is to provide a supportive learning environment for women to work with their hands, using traditional and modern tools to learn the craft of timber frame building. The women who take this class may use these skills to pursue personal building projects or continue to develop their skills in pursuit of a career working with wood.
Timber framing is the craft of joining wooden timbers together without the use of nails or metal fasteners. Timber frames are simple, strong, and elegant, and have stood for centuries around the world. In this workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of timber framing, from the use of hand and power tools to the layout and cutting of mortise and tenon joinery. On the final day of the course, students will work together to raise the frame and will go home with the knowledge and skills to continue their timber framing practice and build structures of their own.
Students will be housed on-site at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in our MAC Lodge with meals provided at the on-site dining hall. Housing is dormitory style with other Timber framing participants.
The structure being built during this workshop will serve as a covered vegetable-washing station for Wolf Ridge Farm. Wolf Ridge Farm grows over 13,000lb of produce seasonally, which is utilized in the Wolf Ridge dining hall and distributed to the surrounding community through farmers’ market, food shelf and farm-to-school programming.
Workshop instructor Jenna Pollard has taught timber frame workshops in Minnesota, Washington, and Arizona, and has been timber framing since 2010. She has built or assisted with building over a dozen timber frames, from her own small cabin to large pavilions for community gatherings. Her passion for teaching has led her to offer women’s timber framing courses as a way to grow the number of women in the trades and provide a supportive learning environment for other women.
Assistant instructor Abbey Dickhudt (she/her) is from Mankato, MN, and was introduced to woodworking initially through taking a bowl-turning class in 2019 at the Milan Village Arts School in Milan, MN. Since then, Abbey has continued to turn bowls and teach classes with Fireweed Woodshop in MSP, MN, and Mankato Makerspace. Along with this, she has enjoyed working in cabinetry and home remodeling, which act as her current career. Abbey was introduced to timber framing through mutual friends and was drawn in with the interest in using more hand tools and different building techniques. After taking a women’s class last year, Abbey was hooked and has continued to be involved in builds when possible. Abbey hopes to keep learning more about woodworking, timber framing, and overall, craftsmanship and building community. She hopes that by helping to teach these classes, more women and non-binary makers will feel able to be in the environment and explore their own curiosity in building these skills. Abbey believes in the ability to always learn new things from people and always take classes/new skills at a comfortable pace for students, thus making herself available for any questions, feedback, or added instruction.
Tools:
Students are encouraged to provide their own basic set of timber framing tools, which will allow them to become familiar with those tools during the workshop, and continue to practice timber framing into the future. This workshop is meant to be accessible to anyone who wishes to learn how to timber frame, and if the cost of tools is prohibitive, tools can be borrowed for the duration of the workshop. A tool list will be provided to all participants in advance of the course, or upon request for interested applicants.
Cost:
Tuition+ meals + lodging is $1,200
Tuition+ lunch only is $738
We recognize that students come from varying backgrounds and we are eager to make this workshop accessible to anyone interested in furthering their building skills. If interested in our scholarship, please fill out this form and send it to rachel.giemza@wolf-ridge.org
For those who wish to support this workshop and Wolf Ridge Farm, please consider donating the Women’s Timber Frame Scholarship Fund. Your donation will be used to offset the cost of tuition for students from socially disadvantaged communities. Donate Here .
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