Tropical Leaves

Happy Dancing Blog

Home Grown Stewards – Family Activity Kits

Jun 19, 2020
2 min

Home Grown Stewards – Family Activity Kits

There are two kits that will be offered over the summer. The first kit, which is available to order until June 29, has a gardening theme. In this kit, families will find instructions for 10 activities and the materials required to complete them. One of the best parts of the kits is that you are able to do the activities in your own time, at your own pace, in whatever order you choose to do them. With an increase in screen time across the board, we made sure to keep time on an

A 2019 Minnesota Summer Festival Highlight

Jun 20, 2019
2 min

A 2019 Minnesota Summer Festival Highlight

Minnesota has a wide heritage that is as eclectic as it is unique. For those of you that have grown up in rural Minnesota, you understand that the summertime is a time to work hard and make hay while the sun shines. We’ve got to cram all our summer fun in three months, so there is significant overlap on weekends, but there is definitely no shortage of things to do during the warm months. We love to celebrate our heritage with festivals and get-togethers that range from New Ul

Take Time To Recharge (In The Great Outdoors!)

Jul 2, 2018
4 min

Take Time To Recharge (In The Great Outdoors!)

During the first week of June, I left for a 10 day adventure in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). This was the third annual trip I’ve taken with a friend of mine, Bry. Although traveling is one of my favorite pastimes and I am always careful to carve time out of my busy schedule for trips, the annual Boundary Waters Trip holds a special place in my heart. From the moment my paddle hits the water, I’m enchanted by the mesmerizing colors and reflections in the endless wate

Get Outside – Biking Across Minnesota

Jun 18, 2018
4 min

Get Outside – Biking Across Minnesota

Summer is here, and we are dedicated to squeezing every last drop of sunshine out of these warm months as we can. In the spirit of summer, we are giving you a look at a few of the fun things you can do in the area. Starting off, let’s hear from Jim C, who is writes about how mountain biking has invigorated the small community of Crosby-Ironton. I’m a Crosby – Ironton Ranger, class of ’82. Growing up in Deerwood, we kind of looked down on Crosby as a washed up mining town. Bu

Turtle Treks Done For the Summer

Aug 29, 2017
1 min

Turtle Treks Done For the Summer

Our last Turtle Trek took place last night right here in Pine River. At Forbes Park, six girls and five boys in grades 2-4 were able to experience the great outdoors before school starts next week. The day was filled with outdoor games, swimming, campfire vittles, and even spooky stories. Thanks for all the memories and fun. We’re sure to look at more camping adventures next year. Nothing but smiles for our little (and big) campers. Two boys about to get wet. Be careful for t

Last-Second Summer

Aug 22, 2017
1 min

Last-Second Summer

With only two (2!) weeks of summer vacation left before school starts there are only so many days left to pack any last-second activities. Let’s go over your checklist: Did you ride the trail like you said you would? With long paved trails and world class well-groomed hill trails in the area, there is no excuse. Did you eat a tomato fresh from the vine like you said you would? It’s the perfect time to grab one from your neighbor’s garden. Or if you want to be more neighborly,

Staying Cool in the Heat

Jul 25, 2017
3 min

Staying Cool in the Heat

Jim and Dave wear hats to keep the sun off their skin. We’ve had a pretty off and on summer, so far. For every day that has been a scorcher, there’s been another day that’s overcast. One week of sunburn weather and then another week of rainy indoor weather. In fact, our wonderful Eco Campers and Turtle Trek Campers have gotten the brunt of both rainy days and fun in the sun! However, the heat (when on) is nothing to be trifled with. So, I looked for some ways to beat the heat

Vitamin N(ature)

Jul 24, 2017
3 min

Vitamin N(ature)

Neither “Natural Deficit Disorder” or “Vitamin N” are actual medical terms but rather two phrases coined by Richard Louv. The author of “Last Child in the Woods,” “The Nature Principle”, and “Vitamin N,” and co-founder of the “Children and Nature Network,” Louv claims our culture is experiencing a crisis of nature withdrawal. Today’s kids spend over 50 hours a week on an electronic device and 90% of their time indoors. But it’s not just the vilified electronic device to blame

Brainerd Lakes Beaches Review: Part 4

Jul 24, 2017
2 min

Brainerd Lakes Beaches Review: Part 4

In our last post reviewing the Brainerd Lakes Area beaches, I wanted to go to a beach that I had never been to before. I wanted to experience it like a rookie. Living in the area for most of my life proved it was difficult to find a public beach in the five county region that I haven’t been to before. After looking online and on maps, I was surprised to find Dower Lake Recreation Area. I was even more surprised to find that it’s a pretty good beach. Minus the drive (around 45

Brainerd Lakes Beach Review: Part 3

Jul 21, 2017
4 min

Brainerd Lakes Beach Review: Part 3

So far, we’ve focused on the beaches in Crow Wing County. It seems a little unfair to focus on the ones closest to Brainerd when there are dozens of beautiful beaches thirty minutes out. So, we grabbed snacks and supplies and drove the construction-riddled journey up Hwy 371 to Pine River to visit not only the Pine River Dam Park but also two (count ’em TWO!) beaches on Pelican Lake near Breezy Point. Pine River Dam Park The Pine River Dam has been in use for over a century,

“Freshwater Friends” Eco Camp Sessions a Success.

Jul 17, 2017
1 min

“Freshwater Friends” Eco Camp Sessions a Success.

Three of our four 2017 Freshwater Friends Eco Camps are in the books. Our campers have ventured on field trips, eaten straight from the garden, and learned a bit about our environment. Here’s a small glimpse of the adventures our Freshwater Friends have had over the last few months: 1st-2nd Grade – Loons (June 12-16) The trip to Serenity Now Alpaca Farm had mixed feelings. Dave W. introduced the neat idea of hydroponics. There was even time for swimming at Sand Lake. Nora sho

Brainerd Lakes Beach Review: Part 2

Jul 14, 2017
4 min

Brainerd Lakes Beach Review: Part 2

I found out that Crow Wing County only has four “public” beaches in the county limits: Gull Lake, Lum Park, Whipple Beach, and Serpent Lake Beach in Crosby. That’s it. You would think that with how much the BLA relies on our lakes for business and recreation, that there would be a larger emphasis on public beaches. With that in mind, I wanted to take a closer look at the beaches that are a bit outside of town on the east side of Crow Wing County. Serpent Lake “Kahnah’ bek” is

Brainerd Lakes Beach Review: Part 1

Jul 7, 2017
4 min

Brainerd Lakes Beach Review: Part 1

They don’t call it the Brainerd Lakes Area for nothing. As we get into the dog days of summer, there’s no better time to make use of the area’s namesake. But before you double-check your packing list and apply your sunscreen, take a moment to see which beach might fit your needs. I grabbed my kids and we spent a hot afternoon doing a little research of the area’s best beaches. Gull Lake Recreation Area Clean sand welcomes all sand castle builders. Ever since the early 20th ce

Southward on the Paul Bunyan State Trail

Jun 29, 2017
2 min

Southward on the Paul Bunyan State Trail

At 120 miles, the Paul Bunyan State Trail is the longest recreational trail in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Natural Recourses Parks and Trails Division recently (three years ago) added over six miles to the southern tip of the trail. For just $1.2 million, this connected the Lake Bemidji State Park in Bemidji to the Crow Wing State Park just south of Baxter. I wanted to show that this little jaunt is a worthwhile use of your time. So, last Sunday I took my Gary Fish

Summer’s More Fun With Friends Spots

Jun 15, 2017
2 min

Summer’s More Fun With Friends Spots

Here’s a few promotional shots we did. Some production notes: 1) I wanted to make these have a little more somber feel to them. Last year, we did something like it and I wanted to recreate the slight ennui that our counselors would have without our Eco Campers. However, Michelle H. (counselor in the kayak) convinced me that we should do a few “happier” takes to see how it looked. I agreed and we got a shot of a take I wanted and a few that she wanted. In the “Kayak” spot, I t

It’s About Time (or What to do in Minnesota in the Summer)

Jun 9, 2017
7 min

It’s About Time (or What to do in Minnesota in the Summer)

For anyone who lives in Minnesota, you know that summer is when everyone is eager to enjoy what our great state has to offer. Home of thousands of lakes, hundreds of miles of trails, and thousands of acres of forest, there is no shortage of “stuff” to do this summer. Do you have your plan on how will you get to it all? Is it even possible? Yes. It is. All it takes is one simple trick. But first, let’s look at the concept of “time.” In the “Nick of Time” What is “time”? Can we

Unique Farmer’s Market Finds

Aug 9, 2016
4 min

Unique Farmer’s Market Finds

Farmers markets are becoming more popular than ever. It’s a combination of knowing where your food is coming from, shopping local, and eating healthier that seems to be the reason. However, there’s a large variety of produce being introduced that the majority of shoppers are not really interested in trying. We know that August is the best time to harvest all types of tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, tomatillos, and other familiar produce. These are the staples of our summer. But,