Happy Dancing Turtle Blog

We're gearing up for the hectic summer schedule. Plants are getting planted. Materials for crafts are being collected. Staff is getting psyched. I had a chance to talk with Barb Beck, education and events coordinator for HDT, and she says that activities are already being planned for the 7th Eco Camp summer.

"We're scheduled to visit B&B Farm just south of Pine River. Other field trips are being finalized," said Beck.

Kids will travel to B&B Farm in Pine River.


We have many nature trails that campers will use.

Among field trips, campers will be able to make gifts from re-purposed materials, eat foods grown fifty steps from the door, and explore nature every day of the camp.

Campers will learn neat ways to eat healthy.


Kids will see the beauty of nature.

"We follow five themes throughout the camp," explained Beck. "Environmental Conservation, Ecosystems, the 3R's, Food & Nutrition, and Land Use & Resources."

These themes are peppered into the curriculum of fun, activities, and crafts all week.

"Something we are offering new this year will be the choice between morning OR afternoon camps for your pre-K (4&5 year old). This is being offered because last year's Pre-K camp filled up early and several campers had to be turned away. With camps being offered throughout the summer, you will be able to find one that fits your needs.

Ecology and ecosystems are something our campers learn.

Our campers have a blast

There are four weeks during the summer to choose for your child.

Grades 1-2: June 17-21

Grades 3-4: July 15-19

Pre-K (Ages 4&5): July 29-August 2

Grades 5-6: August 19-23

It's the first week of May and the snow and cold are finally receding enough so we can start our outdoor planting in ernest.

Barb, Dave, and Jim soaked clippings of several different species of currant plants, Cherry Red, Renata, and Champaign White. I was told you can use the berries for juice, jellies, and even wine. 

It was a unique way of planting, to be sure. After dipping the end of each clipping into a bucket of sand-like looking substance called mycorhize, they stuck the tip into the ground and covered it up with dirt and mulch. It looked like one of my kids took a handful of sticks and stuck them into the ground. We'll see how they look in a couple of weeks. 

The team also went to get the other berries in the garden ready for the summer. Dave pruned back the tips of the raspberry bushes and Jim started uncovering the strawberry plants.

Jim also raked away the mulch covering the garlic plants planted last fall. After searching, we found that they are already beginning to sprout. 

Also, as of this morning, hiding underneath a cover of white fabric were freshly planted carrots, onions, lettuce, broccoli, and turnips. 

Dave also spent a morning transferring moss from the pine clearing just to the east of campus to the raised beds in front of Old Main. He placed the moss to help mitigate water loss. The plan is to use the raised beds to grow herbs for the kitchen. 

On Wednesday, May 1, we hosted over 40 4-5 year olds from the Discovery Woods Montessori School in Brainerd, MN. 

It was a chilly day, but the kids were prepared.

They all took turns planting their very own veggies to take home.

Jim E. showed them the differences between pine trees and leaf trees.

They learned the how to pick yummy delicious food and not pick food that's bad for you.

They all got to run outside on our trails through the woods.

They even learned where the name "Happy Dancing Turtle" came from.

If you're interested in your child experiencing the outdoors with a focus on environmental respect, sign up for one of our four week long Eco Camps during the summer. You can register here! But, you'll want to hurry to get your child's spot reserved. They fill up quickly.