TRY SOMETHING NEW
Anoka County Parks offer a variety of recreational and educational activities throughout the park system. There are activities available for all ages and abilities at a variety of locations. Recreation programs, classes and camps are available for registration online. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted.
Classes & Camps
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Homeschool Programs Begin October 18
Wargo Nature Center offers monthly home school classes for a variety of ages. Professional naturalists work with your children to provide quality environmental, recreational and natural history programming that focuses on hands-on, experiential learning. Students are separated into grades Kindergarten, 1-2, 3-5 and 6-12 to facilitate the learning process.
Younger students explore topics such as seeds, animal homes, or Norwegian kicksledding while older students may snowshoe, conduct water quality experiments, or learn bird identification skills. The topics change each year and the use of journals and the scientific method often help guide our studies.
Join us on the second or third Thursday of each month. The cost is $6 per student (plus tax). Registration is required.
We are also looking for volunteers to assist with our K-2 classes. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out a volunteer application.
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Nature Play
Experience the wonders of nature as you play and explore with your 2-5 year old child through outdoor play, stories and crafts. Programs are held the first Thursday of each month during the school year from 10 – 11:15 am and will involve outdoor exploration. Please be prepared for the weather and ready to play! Cost - $5 per child (+ tax)
Preschool Forest Kids Club
Ages 4-5
Join us for a season, or register for the whole school year! We will spend Wednesday mornings adventuring and learning out on Wargo’s wooded peninsula, exploring different nature topics and seasonal changes along the way. In addition to guided activities, each week will include a free-explore time where participants will be encouraged to follow their senses and create their own adventure with new friends! This is a great hands-on experience for young children. Registration is required. Registrations may be accepted after the start date based on availability.
Days and Times - Wednesdays, 9:30 - 11:30 am
Contact 763-324-3350 for more information.
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Activity Backpack
Looking for a great way to explore Wargo Nature Center? Then, the activity backpacks are just for you! Backpacks filled with family oriented activities are available for use at the Wargo Nature Center. Simply stop by and ask for them!
Each backpack has a theme - from general nature to bird and tree species and new packs are always being developed. The activities are designed for families or small groups to use as they explore the trails and natural resources found in the parks. And, use of the activity backpacks are free!
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Are you looking for a fun and educational experience for your child this summer? Look no further than Anoka County. Camps vary in length from three to five days, and children as young as four are invited to participate!
Summer Camp Tips
For campers attending full-day camps, please try to limit the amount of disposable items brought in lunches. We encourage reusable lunch boxes and refillable beverage containers and do recycle cans and bottles. Snacks and beverages are provided throughout the day. Thanks for helping us help the environment!
Summer Day Camp Fee Assistance Request
We Want Your Feedback
Please complete this short survey to let us know about your camp experience.
For Educators
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Each program meets a variety of State Science Standards as determined by the Minnesota Department of Education.
Sample Curriculum Videos:
Our naturalists are highly trained and experienced in working with groups of all ages and abilities. They are dedicated to helping others learn and enjoy our natural environment. At Wargo Nature Center, students will have access to the lake, woods, marsh, and prairie ecosystems. Our nature education group sizes are kept with a small student/naturalist ratio. If your class is unable to come to the nature center, we would love to bring our programs to you.
We encourage you to explore the Partnership Program in which students experience the outdoors in the fall, winter, and spring at a discounted rate.
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The Heritage Lab program is a full day, outdoor historical program that is held for several weeks each fall. Students in grades 1-6 rotate through different educational stations. At each station, students participate in hands-on activities related to the overall historical theme.
2024 Heritage Lab Registration Form
Role Playing Events
Presenters assume roles from a specific time period in Minnesota history. Students rotate through the stations, which are led by a presenter in period costume. They are encouraged to participate and immerse themselves in the time period. For example, students may set up a tipi, taste traditional foods, go through the steps of harvesting wild rice or visit a trading post. Each year brings a new theme as Heritage Lab rotates through five different time periods in Minnesota history. These include: Voyageurs, Native American People of Minnesota, Pioneers and Settlers, Early Minnesota and Milling, Mining and Lumbering.Funding
Thanks to the continued financial support of Connexus Energy, approximately 3,000 students are able to participate in this unique program each year at a reduced cost.A Rich History
The Heritage Lab takes place at the permanent site in the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve in Lino Lakes; an area rich in Indian and Settler history. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Wargo Nature Center at 763-324-3350. -
The Wildlife Outreach program is provided free to local schools and provides presentations on MN animals in an informal and fun manner. The Wildlife Outreach Program is conducted by staff at various school sites in the northern metro area. School groups choose a topic from a list of ten possible MN animals to augment their curriculum. The presentations are approximately 45 minutes each and focus on the animal's habitat, adaptations and conservation issues. Artifacts such as furs, bones, mounts, and costumes are used to bring the animals to life. Each student takes home a brochure that covers key points of the presentation.
The Wildlife Outreach Program takes place during the winter months of the school year. Animal topics are periodically changed and updated to reflect the current interests of students and current events. Thanks to the continued support from Connexus Energy, over 25,000 students are able to participate in this free program annually.
Registration Information
Anoka County Parks is proud to partner with Connexus Energy for the 31st year of the Wildlife Outreach program.
Presentations are booked on a first-come first-served basis.
Register by November 29 and be notified by December 13.
Registration will remain open through early April and registrations will be confirmed in approximately one week after their submission
Confirmations will be sent via email.
Wildlife Outreach is available for the following School Districts:
ISD 11 Anoka-Hennepin
ISD 12 Centennial
ISD 13 Columbia Heights
ISD 14 Fridley
ISD 15 St. Francis
ISD 16 Spring Lake Park
ISD 624 White Bear Lake
ISD 831 Forest Lake
ISD 728 Elk River
ISD 621 Mounds View (Turtle Lake, Bel Air & Sunnyside)
Private schools within those districts are also eligible.
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Wargo Nature Center staff can arrange programs to fulfill a badge, 4-H project requirement or Eagle Scout project. Wargo can conduct special programs on forestry, nature study, pond study and much more. Bring your group out for $6 per child (a $60 minimum). For more information, call 763-324-3350.