Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center

“Where Learning Comes Naturally”

Our Mission: To foster environmental awareness and promote respect and personal

responsibility.

A Residential Environmental Learning Center (RELC) that provides year-round, outdoor educational opportunities for students of ALL ages.

A 501(c)(3) private, non-profit, education organization.

Fully accredited as an educational institution by the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation.

What is Eagle Bluff?

Eagle Bluff is located in the beautiful bluff country of southeastern Minnesota, near Lanesboro.

Just 45 minutes: -southeast of Rochester-southwest of Winona-west of LaCrosse, WI

Where is Eagle Bluff?

A Little History1978 – Founded by Joe Deden, Executive Director.

Originally established as the Forest Resource Center offering adult land management programs.

1992 – Opened as a day-use nature center providing educational programs for youth and adults.

1997 – Residential Campus completed (Dorm, Dining Hall, Classrooms)

Forest Resource Center’s name changed to Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center.

Present – Eagle Bluff provides programming to over 22,000 youth and adults annually.

The Eagle Bluff Team

Founder and Executive Director, Joe Deden

11 Full-Time Administrative & Support Staff

19 Education Staff, including 7 Full-Time Educators and 10 Professional Naturalists and 2 Graduate Naturalists

21 individuals serve on the Board of Directors

Our Campus

The campus includes 80 acres of woodlands and prairies with access to 900 acres of State Forest land. - 1 kW Bergey Wind Generator - 1 kW Solar Panel

Dormitory and Dining Hall

Built in 1997, both facilities are able to accommodate up to 250 guests. Weather station in lower lobby.

Each dorm room sleeps up to eight individuals and includes a shower, toilet and double sinks.

The Dining Hall provides full-service meals and is able to meet special dietary needs upon request.

Each dorm room sleeps up to eight individuals and includes a shower, toilet and double sinks.

Educational Programs

Designed to assist teachers in customizing the trip to fit with

classroom curriculum, goals and objectives.

Classes are aligned with MN state academic standards.

Nature Identification Classes

Amphibians Birds Fungus Among Us

Insects Pond Life Trees and Keys

Earth and Physical Science Classes

Stream Lab Winter Pond Lab

Karst Geology Earth Exploration

Ecology Classes Big Freeze Forest Ecology Wildlife Ecology

Outdoor Adventure Classes

Archery

Beginning & Competitive Orienteering

GPS Pathfinders

River Canoeing

Minimum Impact

Camping

Root River Hike

Cross Country Skiing

Snowshoeing

Winter Survival

Culture & History Classes

Pioneer LifeFlint and Steel Fire

StartingCandle Making

Sampler StitchingGames

OneotaBow Drill Fire Starting

Corn GrindingTwine Making

Native American Games

Challenge Skills Classes

Rock Climbing

Group Challenges

TreeTops High Ropes

Sample ScheduleDay Two

7:30 Breakfast8:30-11:30 ClassNoon Lunch1:15-4:15 Class5pm Dinner6:30-7:30 Naturalist

Program7:30-9pm Evening

Activities 9-10pm Group Time,

Journaling10pm Quiet

Time/Lights Out

Day One

Appr 11am ArrivalNoon Lunch1:15-4:15 Class5pm Dinner6:30-7:30 Naturalist Program7:30-9pm Evening Activities 9-10pm Group Time, Journaling10pm Quiet Time/Lights Out

Day Three

7:30 Breakfast8:30-11:30 ClassNoon Lunch

Departure

Evenings at Eagle Bluff 6:30pm-7:30pm

Naturalist Programs

Alien InvasionBackwoodsBatsCave EcologyCoyotes InsectsLegends in the SkyRaptors ReptilesSTARLABTimber Rattler Tale of Two Forest Our Place in Outer Space Root River Power & LightWhitetails

7:30-9pmEvening Activities – led by teachers/chaperones

Art in NatureCampfireDream CatchersEagle Bluff OlympicsKnow Your Bluff StuffNight HikeOwl Pellets Paper MakingProject TeamworkTop SecretVolleyballYard Games

9-9:30pmGroup Meeting Time

9:30-10pmQuiet Time in Dorm Rooms

10pmLights Out

Eagle Eye and FoodWISE

Our staff will check dorm rooms daily as a way to conserve natural resources by monitoring use of water, electricity, energy and recycling. Groups with remaining ‘energy points’ will receive the Eagle Eye Award – a plaque to be displayed at school.

Each school is encouraged to work at minimizing food waste and encourage positive portion control. Schools producing zero or minimal food waste will be added to our Golden Cleanplate Hall of Fame displayed at Eagle Bluff.

We look forward to welcoming you!

K-12 Educational ProgramsNature Identification

Amphibians

Birds

Fungus AmongUs

Insects

Pond Life

Trees & Keys

Earth and Physical Science

Earth Exploration

Karst Geology

Stream Lab

Winter Pond Lab

Ecology

Big Freeze

Forest Ecology

Wildlife Ecology

Culture and History

Oneota Native American Life

Pioneer Life

Outdoor Adventure

Archery

Beginning Orienteering

Competitive Orienteering

GPS Pathfinders

Cross Country Skiing

Minimum Impact Camping

River Canoeing

Root River Hike

Snowshoeing

Winter Survival

Challenge Skills

Group Challenges

Rock Climbing

Tree Tops High Ropes

Naturalist’s Choice

Naturist Programs, 6:30-7:30pm

Alien Invasion

Backwoods Buttercup

Bats

Cave Ecology

Coyotes

Insects

Legends in the Sky

Our Place in Outer Space

Raptors

Reptiles

StarLab

Timber Rattler

Tale of Two Forests

Root River Power and Light Company

Whitetails

Evening Activities, 7:30-9pm

Led by teachers/chaperones

Art in Nature Project Teamwork

Campfire Dream Catchers

Night Hike Paper Making

Top Secret Volleyball

Yard Games Owl Pellets

Eagle Bluff Olympics

Know Your Bluff Stuff

How Can We Help?

Eagle Bluff believes that every school should have

the opportunity to provide its students with a

quality residential environmental experience!!

www.eagle-bluff.org