Embrace Winter! MPRB Offers Programs, Classes and Events

The Minneapolis Park & Rec Board recently announced their winter programming line up. Below is a sampling.  Check out the full list online.

- Kids Camps & Classes

Winter Outdoor Adventure Camp Week 1 & Week 2
Spend your winter break in extreme action! Build snow forts, find hidden treasure by compass, go sledding and snowshoeing, track animals in the snow and more! No snow? Don't worry. Our naturalists will still provide fun alternative activities. Be prepared for outdoor winter adventures and dress appropriately. Please click on Week 1 or 2 to register.

Happy Groundhog’s Day!
Tuesday February 2nd 2015 10:30am – 12:00pm: Join us as we celebrate Groundhog’s Day. Stop by Theodore Park any time during the event. Read a story, make a craft, play games, touch animal furs and go on your own groundhog scavenger hunt. Learn more about these animals and about this American holiday. Will the groundhog see his shadow this year? Ages 2-6. $5 dollars per child; adults free.

Come Out and Play Family Nature Club
You don't need to leave the city or even your neighborhood to enjoy fun in nature. It's time to get outside and play! Come Out and Play is a FREE, no-registration, no-obligation program that encourages families to get out and enjoy nature. Research shows that kids who spend time in nature are more relaxed, happier, learn and sleep better, and enjoy better physical health than those who spend the majority of their time indoors. Join our club leader and her children in a natural setting for some unstructured play and exploration. Kids of all ages and their adults are welcome, including (of course) babes-in-arms. Each month the club leader picks a new location in a Minneapolis park to explore. The club meets on weekdays and weekends so all families have the opportunity to participate. For more information contact natureclub@minneapolisparks.org

- December Cooking Classes

Kombucha
Tuesday December 11, 2014 6:00-8:00pm at Theodore Wirth Park Picnic Pavilion (3275 Glenwood Ave.)
Help yourself and your family avoid the cold and the flu season this year by regularly taking your homemade elderberry syrup. We will be making syrup in class to learn the process, so that you can make it at home.
Instructor: Iman Mefleh, co-owner of You Betcha Kimchi, LLC.

Greek Yogurt & Lebneh- Simple Milk Ferments
Thursday December 18, 2014 6:00-7:30pm at Theodore Wirth Park Picnic Pavilion (3275 Glenwood Ave.)
Yogurt populates a whole section of most grocery stores. Yet you can make your own simply and for less money and packaging. Learn to make traditional creamy yogurt and variations: Greek yogurt and "lebneh"- Lebanese strained yogurt spread. Taught by Iman Mefleh, who learned from the "Lebanese Grandmother School of Cooking."
Instructor: Iman Mefleh, co-owner of You Betcha Kimchi, LLC.
 
- Family Winter Programs

Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and for that it is celebrated in many different cultures as the renewing of a season. Learn about the history of the Winter Solstice, catch the sun, make a nature craft, and enjoy a bonfire with treats as we celebrate too!
Saturday December 20th 4pm-6pm

Snowshoeing When the Moon is Full
Join us on snowshoes as we hike through Theodore Wirth Park while the moon is full. Follow animal tracks, listens for owls’ calls and enjoy nature’s evening beauty. Join us for one or both sessions. Snowshoes are provided.
Sunday January 4th 2015, 6pm-8pm and Tuesday February 3rd 2015, 6pm-8pm

Night Owl Snowshoeing
Travel through the Bird Sanctuary on snowshoes while tracking nature's nocturnal hunters. Its owl nesting season and we'll look for signs of local owl species, such as Great Horned Barred and Screech. Meet at the Rose Garden Parking lot on the Roseway RD just east of Lake Harriet Parways. Snowshoes provided. Dress for the weather.
Saturday February 7th 5-6:30pm and Friday February 27th 5-6:30pm

Winter Snowshoe Hike and Bonfire
Follow the moonlit trail along Minnehaha Creek to the Mississippi River, then back to the fire pit to warm up and roast marshmallows. Meet at the Minnehaha Falls Pavilion. Snowshoes provided. Dress for the weather. Winter boots are a must.
Friday January 16th 5-7pm and Friday February 6th 5-7pm

Snowshoeing for the Family at Thomas Sadler Roberts Bird Sanctuary
Drop in any time for this laid back family fun day. Try on a pair of snowshoes and take a hike around the park. Make a snowshoe craft, meet some live animals and stay to enjoy a warm fire. Children under 10 are free with an adult. $5 dollars per person 11 and up.
Saturday January 17th 2015, 10am -12pm

Valentine’s Day Snowshoeing
Looking for an outdoor adventure on Valentine's Day? Travel by sunset or moonlight through the park on snowshoes and go to areas seldom visited in winter. End your evening at the Wirth Pavilion where you'll warm up by the fire and make homemade hot chocolate. Meet at the Wirth Beach parking lot. Snowshoes provided. Dress for the weather. Winter boots are a must.
Saturday February 14th 5pm-7pm and 7:30pm-9:30pm

Snowshoeing and Birding
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean all the birds have headed south. Join us at Theodore Wirth Park as we hike through the park on snowshoes looking for birds. Learn how to identify bird calls as well as examine some bird bio facts. Join us for a warm drink and fire inside the pavilion after we hike. If the snow has melted by the day of the hike, still plant to hike on foot with binoculars. Snowshoes and binoculars will be provided but feel free to bring your own. $7.00 per person
Saturday February 28th 9am-11am
 
Maple Syruping Demonstration
Learn about the history of Maple Syruping and experience the process first-hand, from sap to syrup. Discover how and why trees produce sap, see demonstrations of traditional and modern syruping techniques, participate in hands-on activities, and pick up some delicious maple syrup recipes to try at home. Meet at the Theodore Wirth Pavilion. Parking is available across Glenwood Avenue at the Wirth Beach Parking lot. Live trees will not be tapped at this event.
Saturday March 14th 11am-1pm
                              
- Preview January Cooking Classes

Look for more cooking classes to come in 2015:  Pizza-making, Dark chocolate from scratch, cooking with herbs, spices and "weeds," Gluten-free baking, preserving the harvest classes, easy at-home ferments, cooking with honey, children's cooking classes, personal and household cleaning products and much, much more!