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Chickens in the Backyard
This program is sold out. Visit the Activities Calendar for more upcoming programs. Are you thinking about raising chickens at home or wondering if they’re the right animal for you? Whether you want eggs, a new hobby, or simply a pet, this class will teach you how to successfully raise chickens in your yard. We'll cover poultry biology, nutrition, housing, and much more.
Find out more »Dodge Nature Preschool Learning Conference
Registration for this program is closed. Visit the Activities Calendar for more upcoming programs. Educators, join Dodge Nature Preschool for a one-day conference designed to inspire and encourage outdoor learning in your classroom! Find inspiration, engage in dialogue with colleagues, and learn practical ideas to help incorporate nature-based education at your school. Join us at the Learning Conference to: Hike with a guide through nature grounds Observe in preschool outdoor classrooms Engage with materials in the resource room Participate in two breakout…
Find out more »Nature Tots (Friday Morning Series)
This program is sold out. Visit the Activities Calendar for more upcoming programs. Join Dodge Nature Preschool teacher Melissa Thompson, M. Ed., for a six-week series of Nature Tots classes! Curiosity will guide you through the Nature Tots program where families will explore the woodlands in the winter and meet Minnesota native animals at the nature center. Each class will include an inside group gathering time, a short walk outside (a quarter to a half mile) exploring Dodge’s ecosystems, a small snack, and…
Find out more »Springtime Farm Tour
This program is sold out. Visit the Activities Calendar for more upcoming programs. Spring has arrived at Shepard Farm! Come say hello to our chickens, cows, and sheep as they enjoy the fresh spring air. Get up close to the animals, learn about their daily lives, and discover how they adapt to the changing seasons. This program takes place primarily outdoors—please dress accordingly for the weather.
Find out more »Nature Tots (Wednesday Morning Series)
This program is sold out. Visit the Activities Calendar for more upcoming programs. Join Dodge Nature Preschool teacher Melissa Thompson, M. Ed., for a six-week series of Nature Tots classes! Curiosity will guide you through the Nature Tots program where families will explore the woodlands in the winter and meet Minnesota native animals at the nature center. Each class will include an inside group gathering time, a short walk outside (a quarter to a half mile) exploring Dodge’s ecosystems, a small snack, and…
Find out more »Discover the Night: UV Light
Discover the wonders of the night that can be found using UV light! Learn how fluorescence works and see how some animals even glow. See moths up-close at a UV light station and explore the woods using your own UV light*. Come discover science at night! *Each participant will receive their own UV light to use and take home.
Find out more »Screen-Free Open House
Step away from screens and reconnect with nature during South Washing County Community Education’s Screen-Free Week! Join us for an open house at Shepard Farm for unplugged activities. Gather around the fire, meet friendly farm animals, or explore the scenic trails—it's up to you!
Find out more »Forest Bathing
Join Silvae Spiritus Nature & Forest Therapy, certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs, for a guided forest bathing experience! Forest bathing is a slow-moving, deeply sensory, mindful and “bodyful” walk in nature that has shown to result in measurable physiological, cognitive, and emotional benefits. Much like walking meditation or yoga, these activities can be practiced on one’s own, almost anywhere, and yet the benefits greatly increase with regular practice. Forest bathing is significantly more…
Find out more »Here a Chick, There a Chick
Baby birds are a true sign of spring—come meet the newest arrivals on Dodge’s Main Property farm! Chicks are one of Mother Nature’s cutest creations. Learn the natural history of chickens and get a chance to hold one of these adorable creatures. Please note This program is designed for all ages, individuals and families. If you're looking for a program for your group (Scouts, youth groups, schools, homeschools, adults, and other organizations), see Field Trips.
Find out more »Wild Cocktails
It’s been a long winter—let’s toast to spring with a celebratory cocktail class at Shepard Farm! Discover the edible plants growing right in your backyard and learn how to transform them into delicious, seasonal drinks. Sip, savor, and celebrate the flavors of spring.
Find out more »Wild Cocktails
It’s been a long winter—let’s toast to spring with a celebratory cocktail class at the Main Property! Discover the edible plants growing right in your backyard and learn how to transform them into delicious, seasonal drinks. Sip, savor, and celebrate the flavors of spring.
Find out more »Here a Chick, There a Chick
Baby birds are a true sign of spring—come meet the newest arrivals at Shepard Farm! Chicks and poults (baby turkeys) are some of Mother Nature’s cutest creations. Learn the natural history of these birds and get a chance to hold these adorable creatures. Please note This program is designed for all ages, individuals and families. If you're looking for a program for your group (Scouts, youth groups, schools, homeschools, adults, and other organizations), see Field Trips.
Find out more »Coal Forge Blacksmithing Project Shop: Bottle Opener (One-day Workshop)
This program is sold out. Visit the Activities Calendar for more upcoming programs. Join blacksmithing instructors from Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center for a one-day blacksmithing workshop at Dodge’s new forge at Shepard Farm. Build your blacksmith skills with a fun and useful project: making a bottler opener! They’re quick to make and can incorporate all basic blacksmithing processes in one compact project. We’ll end class with a celebratory bottle-opening to try out your new tool—that means a beer or soda is included! …
Find out more »Rock the Barn
Put on your boots and come on down for Dodge’s annual farm and music festival—all while supporting the Dodge Nature Preschool Scholarship Fund! Jam along to live bands and musicians as spring blooms around the nature center. Bring a blanket to picnic with family and friends. Get up close to farm animals, make dandelion fritters, and ride the hay wagon. Opportunities to support the Scholarship Fund at the event include a bake sale, raffle baskets, lemonade stand, and more. This…
Find out more »Foraged Foods
Spring has arrived, and nature’s pantry is in full bloom! Ever wondered what’s on the menu in the wild? Join us in the kitchen for an evening of discovery as we explore edible plants, their uses, and how to prepare them. Enjoy a guided hike through nature’s bounty, then wrap up the experience with a delicious sample of wild-foraged flavors.
Find out more »Foraged Foods
Spring has arrived, and nature’s pantry is in full bloom! Ever wondered what’s on the menu in the wild? Join us in the teaching kitchen at Shepard Farm for an evening of discovery as we explore edible plants, their uses, and how to prepare them. Enjoy a guided hike through nature’s bounty, then wrap up the experience with a delicious sample of wild-foraged flavors.
Find out more »Blacksmithing Basics 1 with Coal Forge (8-session Series)
Join blacksmithing instructors from Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center for an eight-week dive into the basics of blacksmithing at Dodge’s new forge at Shepard Farm! This course is designed to ignite your passion for blacksmithing and introduce you to the seemingly endless ways of shaping iron with fire and hammer. You’ll gain basic knowledge of iron and its characteristics, an understanding of the dynamics of forging using a coal forge, and the ability to safely shape iron. By the end…
Find out more »Poetry in the Wild
Immerse yourself in nature and poetry as we hike, observe, and write our way through the forest of Shepard Farm! Along the trail, we’ll draw inspiration from the natural world while exploring poetic forms such as free verse, Awdl Gywydd, and more. Bring your curiosity, your favorite writing tools, and sturdy hiking shoes for this creative outdoor adventure.
Find out more »Forest Bathing
Join Silvae Spiritus Nature & Forest Therapy, certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs, for a guided forest bathing experience! Forest bathing is a slow-moving, deeply sensory, mindful and “bodyful” walk in nature that has shown to result in measurable physiological, cognitive, and emotional benefits. Much like walking meditation or yoga, these activities can be practiced on one’s own, almost anywhere, and yet the benefits greatly increase with regular practice. Forest bathing is significantly more…
Find out more »Nature Game Night
Everyone has a board game they’ve been meaning to play. Whether it’s a lack of time or space, let Dodge Nature Center be the perfect excuse to gather your friends and finally break it out! Enjoy an evening hike and learn about the many animals at Dodge before settling in to play some games. Board games will be provided but feel free to bring your own!
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