Quarry Hill Park was formerly the grounds of the Rochester State Hospital. Learn about some of the Park's historic structures before a short hike to tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882.

No homework required during this three-day mini camp for grades K-6. Spend your days off enjoying some good-natured fun with a Quarry Hill naturalist discovering the many signs of spring emerging in the park. Explorers, birders, photographers - read on to see which camp is designed especially for your age group.

No homework required during this three-day mini camp for grades K-6. Spend your days off enjoying some good-natured fun with a Quarry Hill naturalist discovering the many signs of spring emerging in the park. Explorers, birders, photographers - read on to see which camp is designed especially for your age group.

No homework required during this three-day mini camp for grades K-6. Spend your days off enjoying some good-natured fun with a Quarry Hill naturalist discovering the many signs of spring emerging in the park. Explorers, birders, photographers - read on to see which camp is designed especially for your age group.

Cheerilee, cheeriloo! Spring rains have washed away the winter snow and the Robins are back in search of their favorite food. Worms! Class time includes story, art, and a hike.

Enjoy a Sunday afternoon 'for the birds'! Experience the beauty of birds up close when you observe trapping, netting, banding and releasing birds.

Cheerilee, cheeriloo! Spring rains have washed away the winter snow and the Robins are back in search of their favorite food. Worms! Class time includes story, art, and a hike.

Quarry Hill Park was formerly the grounds of the Rochester State Hospital. Learn about some of the Park's historic structures before a short hike to tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882.

Who do you think would like to live in a log? What could a Log be used for? Kids 2-5 will enjoy making a log collage, and acting out our story. We will also spend time adventuring outside to investigate the life in our logs here in the park. 

Ribbit, croak, and sing. Our frogs have plenty to say about their lifestyle at Quarry Hill. We might even see some of their friends on a quick trip out to the pond.

A great way to bring a natural touch into your  backyard! Native plants are best adapted to the local climate and once established; seldom need watering, mulching, or protection from frost or continuous mowing. Native plants attract beautiful butterflies, beneficial insects & birds.  

Bring the whole family and join a naturalist at our Prairie House site for a reading of the children’s classic Under One Rock. Then head out to the woods with a naturalist where we will look for worms, bugs, slugs and other ughs. Also learn the secret art of worm mustarding! 
 

Quarry Hill Park was formerly the grounds of the Rochester State Hospital. Learn about some of the Park's historic structures before a short hike to tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882.

Meet at Quarry Hill for a morning of foraging fun. Learn how to confidently identify and prepare a variety of common springtime edible plants and mushrooms. The class will begin with a light breakfast featuring foraged ingredients, followed by a lecture, and guided foray through the park.

What does nature 'feel' like? Join a Quarry Hill naturalist to experience the sticky, scratchy, and slippery of the natural world. Bones, burs, bark, coral, animal fur and more, kids ages 2-5 will enjoy exploring nature through their sense of touch. A short hike, art activity and story are included in the class.

Enjoy a Sunday afternoon 'for the birds'! Experience the beauty of birds up close when you observe trapping, netting, banding and releasing birds.

What does nature 'feel' like? Join a Quarry Hill naturalist to experience the sticky, scratchy, and slippery of the natural world. Bones, burs, bark, coral, animal fur and more, kids ages 2-5 will enjoy exploring nature through their sense of touch. A short hike, art activity and story are included in the class.

Springtime brings a symphony of sounds from out amphibian friends. This seasonal call of the wild is a delight for the ears as the male frogs and toads begin to serenade the females. Come join us as we learn all about Minnesota’s resident frogs and toads, their life cycle, distinct calls and features. Class will begin with a short presentation inside and then will head outside for a listening hike in search of the call of the wild! Participants should expect to hike up to a mile over some uneven terrain. Not suitable for strollers

Quarry Hill Park was formerly the grounds of the Rochester State Hospital. Learn about some of the Park's historic structures before a short hike to tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882.

Life around the pond is busy this time of year with frogs and toads leaping and peeping their way into summer. What makes frogs and toads different. Kids ages 2-5 will will learn this through live animal interacting, a Frog and Toad themed story and craft. We may even catch one on our hike around the pond! 

As the water warms and the sun begins to shine, the pond comes alive with water insects, frogs and toads, and waterfowl. Come enjoy the sights and sounds of the springtime pond environment. 

Quarry Hill Park was formerly the grounds of the Rochester State Hospital. Learn about some of the Park's historic structures before a short hike to tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882.

Enjoy a Sunday afternoon 'for the birds'! Experience the beauty of birds up close when you observe trapping, netting, banding and releasing birds.

How is a salamander like a frog? They are both amphibians! Let’s salute the salamander and learn all about this wet, wild and wonderful animal. Meet our live salamander then head out in to the woods in search of more “tigers”. A muddy craft and snack fit for a salamander will complete our morning. (Raindate: June 18)

Who is that knock knocking in the woods? Downy, Hairy, Pileated, what makes these birds so special? We’ll use our eyes and ears as we search for woodpeckers in the park and their signature mark on trees. Then enjoy a snack suitable for “pecky” eaters. (Raindate: June 25)

Did you know that flying dragons exist? They do! We call them dragonflies and they hatch right out of the water. Gather around the pond as we learn all about the lifecycle of the dragonfly. Snack & craft fit for a dragon. (Raindate: July 9)

Moles, worms, groundhogs, spiders, foxes and even owls find life is good when you are underground. Get the dirt on why these animals like to live underfoot when we go searching for their lairs. Dig up some good grub and leave class with your own underground detective funnel. (Raindate: July 23)

Put on your detective hat and i-spy eyes to track down who is out and about in Quarry Hill Park. Who chewed on this tree, spit on this leaf, left their tracks and scat or dug this hole? Get ready to wonder as we try to piece together the clues nature leaves us! (Raindate: July 30)

Most birds can only fly forward. But hummingbirds can also fly backward, up, down, and sideways just like a helicopter! Join us as we learn more about the world’s smallest birds. Fuel up on a sweet snack and create your own hummingbird café for home.  (Raindate: August 20)

Summer is coming to an end and butterflies are abundant. Search high and low for fluttery butterflies that rise and glide on the breeze. Learn what makes each unique and beautiful. Spend time in the butterfly garden looking for young caterpillars, taste a butterfly snack and nature willing, take home your own caterpillar to raise and release. (Raindate August 6)