Quarry Hill Nature Center - Classes for Adults

Programs & Events

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Classes for Adults

Just because you are grown up doesn't mean you can't have fun at Quarry Hill! Join us for a great selection of class offerings. To ensure placement, pre-registration is recommended for all classes unless noted. To register for classes you may call Quarry Hill Nature Center (328-3950) or mail us the registration form and payment. Payment may be done with cash, check, or credit card. Friends members discount, when available, is listed with the class write-ups.

Learn to Geo-Cache
Get ready for summer funs as we learn how to geo-cache! Young and old alike can enjoy this modern-day game of hide and seek using GPS coordinates for clues. While we're finding some of the many geo-caches hidden in the park, we'll learn how to use a handheld GPS unit. Most geo-caches are hidden off the trail, please come prepared for a little bit of 'bush whacking' such as walking through tall grasses or shrubs. Recommended for families with children 5 and older.
May 11, 6:00-7:30 pm Pre-registration required.	Fee: $5/participant ($16 family maximum) $4 Friends Members ($12 family maximum)
Learn to Letterbox
Get ready for summer adventures and come learn the secrets of the fast-growing hobby of letterboxing. Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining navigational skills and rubber stamp artistry in a charming "treasure hunt" style outdoor quest. A wide vaiety of adventures can be found to suit all ages and experience levels. So grab your little explorer and get ready to learn the basics of letterboxing. Recommended for families with children 5 and older.
May 18, 6:00-7:30 pm Pre-registration required.	Fee: $5/participant ($16 family maximum) $4 Friends Members ($12 family maximum)
History Hikes
The lands of Quarry Hill Park were once part of Rochester’s historic State Hospital grounds. Join other adults on a guided walking tour of the park to visit some of the interesting historic features that remain from a century of State Hospital use. For example did you know that there are actually two historic quarries in the park, that the hospital farmed over 1,000 acres and ran a soap factory that provided soap to all of Minnesota’s state hospitals? From cave, to cemetery to quarry operations – the history is rich and intriguing! We will cover about a mile and a half of up and down terrain. Participants should wear good walking shoes. Class is for adults over 18 yrs.
June 28 or July 19 6:00-7:30 pm Pre-registration required.	Fee: $10/person $8/Friends Members
Paddle on the Pond
Come paddle on the pond and enjoy a relaxing evening in nature. $8 per canoe for 30 minutes (paddles & life jackets included) Up to 4 people in a canoe (no more than 2 adults) Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult No children under 36 months A life jacket must be worn at all times
Dates: July 19, August 16 Time: 6:00—7:30 pm, canoes must be in by 8:00 pm	Due to equipment availability, pre-registration is strongly recommended by calling us at 328-3950.
Sundays at Quarry Hill
Programs for adults, families, etc., are offered on most sundays. All programs start at 1:30 pm and last approximately one hour. Due to space limitations, pre-registration is strongly recommended, especially for the cave tours.
	Fee: $2 Adult / $1 Child
Bird Sundays
The first sunday is reserved for birds! We will talk about our bird related topic of the month and activities will typically include trapping, netting, banding, and releasing of birds.
Dates	Topic
June 3	Grosbeaks - Winged Nutcrackers
July 8	Naturalist Choice
August 5	Naturalist Choice
Cave Sundays
Find out about the history of Quarry Hill Park with a tour of our man-made sandstone caves. The cave is a short 10 minute walk from the Nature Center. There will be an optional hike after the cave tour to a featured site. *Pre-registration is strongly recommended for cave tours to ensure placement.*
Dates	Featured Site
June 10 & 24	Cave & Cemetary
July 15 & 29	Cave & Mortuary Cave
August 12 & 26	Cave & Pond
Critter Sundays
Our focus will be on one or more of Quarry Hill's resident live animals. Learn what makes them special and if they are hungary, possibly watch them eat.
Dates	Topic
May 20	Worm Wrangling
June, July, August	No Program