Mississippi River Youth Explorers

Overview

Does your classroom love to explore? Solve mysteries? Have your students join Mississippi National River & Recreation Area Park Rangers and Wilderness Inquiry Outdoor Leaders on this free virtual adventure along the Mississippi River! During each session, explorers will investigate different topics and notable places along the Mississippi. With National Park Service developed curriculum and facilitation, students will leave this adventure with a deeper understanding of the Mighty Mississippi in the Twin Cities. Although this is a Zoom-based experience, students will have a chance to be active, solve mysteries about the river and surrounding areas, and challenge themselves to make connections to the Mississippi River, even from a distance. 

The program is for youth in grades 5-8*. Youth will be given a free Exploration Kit that includes all materials needed to participate in activities. Youth will need an internet connection and a device that connects to the internet. This experience can be a two-day or a four-day experience from 9:00 – 11:00am covering history and ecology of the Mississippi River.

Here’s how to sign up:

Step 1: Choose your experience from the three different options listed below.

River of Life

Day 1, Ecology at Crosby Farm Regional Park: At Crosby Farm Regional Park, explorers will learn about floodplain forest ecosystems, species adaptation, and how to be a local waterway steward.

Day 2, Ecology at Coldwater Spring: At Coldwater Spring, explorers will learn about prairie ecosystems in Minnesota, and the importance of prairie restoration and conservation.

River of History

Day 1, History at Fort Snelling State Park: At Fort Snelling State Park, explorers will learn about the North American fur trade, and the cultural significance of the Bdote.

Day 2, History at Saint Anthony Falls: At Saint Anthony Falls, explorers will learn about Minnesota geology, waterfall erosion, and the important connections between the Mississippi River and the development of the Twin Cities.

River of Life & History

Day 1, Ecology at Crosby Farm Regional Park

Day 2, Ecology at Coldwater Spring

Day 3, History at Fort Snelling State Park

Day 4, History at Saint Anthony Falls

Step 2: Determine the dates that best fit your group’s schedule.

This program runs from 9:00 – 11:00am each day.

Step 3: Register!

You will register for your entire classroom or group at one time for each date you’re interested in. For example, a science class is interested in River of Life. The teacher, or class leader, then chooses two dates from the list below, registers for each date using their contact information on behalf of the class, and then moves forward as the group’s main contact.

Step 4: Confirm details with Wilderness Inquiry.

Wilderness Inquiry’s Youth Programs team will follow up with you to confirm final details like class roster, Exploration Kit pick-up/drop-off, Zoom logistics, and more. If you have any questions, please email canoemobile@wildernessinquiry.org.

Dates & Fees

We currently have no dates scheduled for this itinerary. If you have a group of people interested, we can set up a customized experience just for you! Please contact us or request a trip quote below if you are interested in learning more.

Request Trip Quote »

What to Expect

MATERIALS NEEDED: Youth need internet service and a device that connects to the internet in order to participate.

WHAT IS PROVIDED: Free Exploration Kits will be provided to all participants. Kits will include materials needed to participate in activities. Kit delivery/pick-up/drop-off will be coordinated with you directly.

REGISTRATION: This experience can be a two-day or a four-day experience. You will register your entire classroom or group at one time, please choose the dates that best fit your schedule. We will then contact you to learn more about your group and content areas if applicable.

COST: Thanks to financial support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, Mississippi River Explorers is free for Minnesota youth. If your student or group is from outside of Minnesota, the cost is $15 for a 2-day experience, and $20 for a 4-day experience.

GROUP SIZE: Your classroom/group will be in both large and small group settings. A large group size can be up to 100 youth, or 4 different classrooms/groups, at one time.

RECOMMENDED GRADE LEVEL: Youth in grades 5-8 are best suited for the activities of this program. Opportunities for high school students will be available soon.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS: Mississippi River Explorers curriculum is aligned with science and history academic standards for grades 5-8. Click here to view aligned science standards. Click here to view aligned social studies standards.

DAILY SCHEDULE: Each day will begin with a large group introduction, team-building game, and check-in. The majority of our time will be spent in smaller virtual “rooms” investigating the Mississippi River with interactive activities led by National Park Rangers and Wilderness Inquiry Outdoor Leaders. We will finish our day with a large group discussion and farewell.

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