Residential Programs

What is a residential program?

We schedule hands-on experiences, workshops, and recreational expeditions related to environmental education as part of a multiple-day learning excursion where participants stay overnight at NLDC. Our programming can be tailored to fit your group’s interests and needs. We offer a wide variety of environmental education programs, and if you have a specific interest in a certain topic, please let us know!

Education

Program topics include:

• Experiential Activities
  • Canoeing, snowshoeing, field hikes/excursions, night hikes, campfires, pontoon tours, biking, etc.
• Ecological lessons
  • Forestry, water ecology, wildlife ecology, etc.
• Seasonally specific lessons
  • Spring, summer, fall, or winter ecology
• Habitat specific lessons
  • Bogs, wetlands, lakes, rivers, old growth forests, mixed forests, timber stands, etc.
• Wildlife specific lessons
  • Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, etc.

Group

Our facility can accommodate up to 50 participants, and typically our classes range from 12-30. Larger groups can incorporate a rotation-based schedule for lessons and excursions.

Youth groups must bring adult chaperones in a 1:10 student to chaperone ratio. Group leaders are not required to lead programming but are responsible for student behavior.

Lodging

We offer bunk house style cabins that include bathrooms with showers for year-round accommodation. Participants bring their own toiletries, towels, and bedding. Private lodging for chaperones and a separate first aid space is also available. We can arrange for meals to be provided.

Location

Naturalists leverage our unique Northwoods location and offer both indoor and outdoor learning spaces. Our campus sits on 850 acres of undeveloped forest with lake, wetland, and bog habitats with access to thousands of acres of state and federal land.

Our facility offers classrooms, cabins, amphitheater, nature center, native pollinator gardens, gathering space, commercial kitchen, 12 mile trail system, firepit, lakefront, and more!

Reservations

Pricing for groups is based on the size of the group, length of the stay, facility use, meal options, and the amount of programming required.

Alternative educational options for groups include day programs, virtual lessons, and a traveling naturalist at your site of choice.

Contact Hannah or fill out an interest form online to reserve program dates or receive more information!

Hannah Gargrave, Naturalist and Residential Program Coordinator