Homeschool Weeks at Wolf Ridge

We’re located in Finland, Minnesota on the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior.

Our campus is approximately four hours from Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport and two hours from the Canadian border. Our main campus is a 10-minute drive from Lake Superior. 

Parents or guardians must accompany the students they are responsible for in each class. While our naturalists work diligently to support all participants, it’s important that you remain engaged and oversee your students. Your role isn’t just to supervise, but to learn alongside your child. This will help you bring the concepts and lessons from our program back to your own classroom, enriching your teaching of the natural world.

Each child attending needs at least 1 attending adult responsible for them. That might mean that there is an adult responsible for a group of attending students. A child is not allowed to be sent by themselves, no matter their age.

For our Homeschool Week sessions, we recommend that parents and guardians only bring and register students who are in 4th grade or older (around 9–10 years of age+). This is due to the varying intensity levels of our classes, which can be physically demanding. For example, our ropes and rock climbing courses are only open to students 4th grade and above. Other activities, like hiking long distances, snowshoeing, or skiing, also require greater stamina, which can be challenging for younger children.

Most younger children tire quickly, so we suggest leaving the little ones at home to ensure everyone has a positive experience. As per our parent/chaperone policy, you must attend classes with your student.

If you plan on bringing more than 10 total participants, please email scheduling@wolf-ridge.org. With bigger groups, it’s easier for us to accommodate you through our booking process rather than self-registration.

Homeschool families can register through our self-registration portal.

We have allocated scholarship funds specifically for Homeschool Week participants, making this a fantastic opportunity! Only students from Minnesota are eligible, adults are ineligible for scholarships.

Please inquire when booking.

Homeschool Week at Wolf Ridge stands out from a regular visit in several ways:

Curriculum: Designed for homeschooling families, the curriculum aligns with different learning philosophies and allows for flexible approaches.

Inclusivity: We welcome families of all backgrounds and levels of homeschooling experience, providing resources to meet diverse needs.

Immersive Learning Experiences: Our expert educators will guide you through hands-on activities and engaging lessons that bring science, history, and environmental stewardship to life. Every moment at Wolf Ridge is a chance to learn and grow.

Community Building: A supportive environment for families to connect, share experiences, and build relationships with like-minded individuals. Our Fall Homeschool Week is not just about learning; it’s about building a supportive community where every participant feels valued and empowered.

Social Emotional Learning: In the great outdoors, children have the space to explore their emotions, build resilience, and develop essential life skills. Through group activities, team challenges, and reflective discussions, we’ll nurture the social and emotional well-being of every participant, fostering empathy, cooperation, and self-confidence.

When you register, you’ll be asked to pick your top 3 classes you’d like to take. A complete schedule will be sent to registered participants a few weeks before your trip.

View our course list:  Course List

Visiting student groups stay in the Margaret A. Cargill Lodge or the Summit Lodge.

Each lodge is divided into four sections, has co-ed hallways, and dorm rooms with four to eight beds and private bathrooms and showers in each room. As a homeschool family, you will be placed in a dorm room with your children. Both dorms contain coin-operated laundry facilities, a courtesy phone for outgoing calls, and homeroom spaces for groups to gather between classes.

Our policy is to assign rooms based on a participant’s gender identity. 

Meals are served in our cafeteria. Students can choose from a range of menu options, including seasonal food freshly harvested at the Wolf Ridge Organic Farm. The entirety of the Wolf Ridge campus is peanut and tree nut-free. Parents of students with special dietary needs or allergies will have an opportunity to fill out a form letting our kitchen and staff know what to expect. This information will be confirmed with your student’s liaison upon their arrival.

Our buildings are fully accessible, but our campus terrain varies. The trails on our main campus at the top of the ridge are suitable for all-terrain wheelchairs. To provide access to the rest of campus, we have equipment is available. Please let us know ahead of time if you have any students who might need accessibility equipment so that we can work with you to ensure the best possible experience for everyone.

Be ready for all types of weather and outdoor conditions during your visit, depending on the season. Our packing list offers helpful suggestions to ensure you’re well-prepared.

Packing List