Summer 2024 Eco Camp
Eco Camps are nature-based day camps where campers will learn about various environmental topics through activities, games, crafts, stories, outdoor exploration & recreation, play, and a whole lot of fun! Each session has a maximum of 15 campers. In order to fully engage campers & provide age-appropriate activities that are fun for all, camps are separated by age group, based on the grade the camper is entering in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. ​
Who: Girls entering 2nd - 4th grade Fall of '24
Where: Sand Lake Property, Pine River
When: August 20 - 21
Fee: $30, includes all food, activities, and camping equipment (except sleeping bag)
Details: Campers will be dropped off at the campsite at 2 pm on Tuesday, August 20 and picked up there at 10 am on Wednesday, August 21. While there, HDT staffers Michelle & Ellie will teach campers the ins and outs of camping, including how to set up and take down a tent, how to build a fire and cook over it. We'll swim, play games, kayak, and get to know each other as we sit around the campfire.
Thank you to those who joined our Turtle Treks this year! Check back next spring for information on our next adventure!
Who: Girls entering 5th-8th grade Fall of '24
Where: Lake Bemidji State Park
When: August 13 - 15
Fee: $150, includes all reservation fees, food, activities, and camping equipment (except sleeping bag)
Details: Campers will be dropped off at the campsite at 4 pm on Tuesday, August 13 and picked up there at 3 pm on Thursday, August 15. While there, HDT staffers Michelle & Ellie will teach campers the ins and outs of camping, including how to set up and take down a tent, how to build a fire and cook over it. We’ll explore the park – swim, geocache, search for animal tracks, check out the visitor centers, & much more! The deadline for sign-up is August 1.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations made at least 14 days prior to camp start date will receive a full refund, less a 10% processing fee.
-
Cancellations made 3-13 days prior to camp start date will receive a refund of 50%.
-
Cancellations made less than 3 days prior to camp start date will receive no refund.
-
Should Happy Dancing Turtle cancel camp for any reason, all paid registrations will receive a refund of 100%.
WHAT 2023 PARENTS HAD TO SAY
1st Grade Camper
The Eco Camp staff were so great, making every child feel important and helped them learn and make new friends. We can hardly wait for next year's camp!!
Anonymous
My child looks forward to this all year. Her favorite week of the summer! All of the staff are amazing!
Mother of 3 Eco Campers
The boys have so enjoyed eco camp over the years! Thank you for providing such a fun and meaningful experience for them!
Pine River Eco Camps
Pine River Eco Camps are nature-based day camps for kids aged 1st-6th grade. All camps will be hosted at the Hunt Utilities Group Resilient Living Campus in Pine River, Minnesota. Campers will have the opportunity to learn and explore in a forest classroom setting, a strawbale building, and a 2-acre demonstration garden. Depending on age, campers may also walk into town for various activities.
Eco Camp runs Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm; $150*/camper; campers bring their own snack, lunch, and water bottle. One day of camp will be spent at the lake where we will swim, kayak, and participate in water-related games and activities.
-
Grades 1 & 2: June 10-14 || Open
-
Grades 3 & 4: June 24-28 || Open
-
Grades 5 & 6: July 8-12 || Open
-
Grades 5 & 6: July 22-26* || FULL
*Due to high demand, a second week of camp for grades 5 & 6 has been added.
*The price of camp includes supplies, activities, guest speakers, & camp t-shirt. Payment plans are available, upon request. Email info@happdancingturtle.org for more information.​
Thank you to those who joined int the fun at Turtle Treks this year! Check back next spring for information on our next adventure!
Fall Recycled Craft Fun
When
Tuesday, October 24 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Where
At the PR-B School. Meet in the Commons.
Pricing
$5 per Student
Registration
Registration for this event is through Pine River-Backus Community Ed's Infinite Campus. Click the button below to register.
About
Using paint, paper, glue, fabric, and more, we’ll transform and recycle readily available household materials into fun, fall crafts! Come create with us! Meet in the Commons.
Class is for 1st - 5th Grade.
Tiny Turtles - Summer Session
When
June 5 & 19, July 10 & 24, August 14 & 28
Where
Hunt Utilities Group Resilient Living Campus
Pricing
$30 per Child
About
Tiny Turtles is an outdoor nature program designed specifically for 4 and 5-year-olds! This class meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, March through May, and select Mondays June through August, from 10:00 am until 11:30 am. Children will have the opportunity to explore the natural world around them on the Hunt Utilities Group Resilient Living Campus while learning about healthy foods and gardening, animals and their habitats, trees, and so much more! Classes will be held entirely outdoors, so it is imperative that kids are dressed for the weather each day, whether that means mud boots and raincoats or full winter gear.
Pine River-Backus Schools
Join Happy Dancing Turtle staff members for some outdoor fun! In each session, we’ll explore nature through games, lessons, activities, crafts, and more! We will be mostly outside, so please make sure you are dressed for the weather! Nature Club is held at the Pine River-Backus School on select Mondays each month. Meet in the Commons. Register through PR-B Community Education.
Spring Dates:
March 6 & 27, April 3 & 17, May 8 & 22
Time:
3:15pm - 4:45pm
Fee:
$30 per student
Ages:
1st-4th Grade
Driftless Region
Getting outdoors is important for children, and it's important for adults, too! Click here to learn more about our monthly Family Nature Walks in the beautiful Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge - all ages are welcome!
Save the Date - Eco Camp 2023!
1st & 2nd grade: June 26 - 30
3rd & 4th grade: July 17 - 21
5th & 6th grade: July 31 - August 4
Camps are based on the grade the child is entering in the Fall of '23.
Registration opens mid-March
Recycled Holiday Craft Fun
When
Tuesday, December 13 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Where
At the PR-B School. Meet in the Commons.
Pricing
$5 per Student
Registration
Registration for this event is through Pine River-Backus Community Ed's Infinite Campus. Click the button below to register.
About
Using paint, paper, glue, fabric, and more, we’ll transform and recycle readily available household materials into fun, spring crafts! Come create with us! Meet in the Commons.
Class is for 1st - 5th Grade.
Halloween Walk on the Wild Side
About
Happy Dancing Turtle is offering a special family activity at the Dam Park in Pine River just for the Halloween
season. The Walk on the Wild Side features pictures and information of some very wild animals. Can you find
all 10 deadly animals (pictures!) hidden at the Dam Park? Pro tip: pick up a guide at the Pine River Chamber to
take with you and read about each animal as you go. Or—look for a QR code on at the start of the Walk for the
online guide.
When & Where
Tuesday, October 18 - Monday, October 31
Pine River Dam Park
Questions? Email: info@happydancingturtle.org
Who: Girls entering 2nd - 4th grade Fall of '22
Where: Sand Lake Property, Pine River
When: August 17 - 18 *Registration closed
Fee: $30, includes all food, activities, and camping equipment (except sleeping bag)
Details: Campers will be dropped off at the campsite at 2 pm on Wednesday, August 17 and picked up there at 10 am on Thursday, August 18. While there, HDT staffers Michelle & Ellie will teach campers the ins and outs of camping, including how to set up and take down a tent, how to build a fire and cook over it. We'll swim, play games, and get to know each other as we sit around the campfire.
Who: Girls entering 5th-8th grade Fall of '22
Where: Itasca State Park
When: July 12 - 14 *Registration closed
Fee: $125, includes all reservation fees, food, activities, and camping equipment (except sleeping bag)
Details: Campers will be dropped off at the campsite at 4 pm on Tuesday, July 12 and picked up there at 3 pm on Thursday, July 14. While there, HDT staffers Michelle & Ellie will teach campers the ins and outs of camping, including how to set up and take down a tent, how to build a fire and cook over it. We’ll explore the park – cross the Headwaters of the mighty Mississippi, climb the fire tower, search for animal tracks, check out the visitor centers, & much more! The deadline for sign-up is July 8.
Thank you to those who joined our Turtle Treks this year! Check back next spring for information on our next adventure!
Pine River-Backus Schools
Happy Dancing Turtle’s Pine River Nature Club meets on select Mondays throughout the school year. Members meet in the Commons Area of PR-B Schools at 3:15 where they have a snack and discuss the plans for that day, and then head outside, usually to the School Forest.
Select Mondays, 3:15PM - 4:15PM
Meet in the Commons
Series 1: Dates TBD
Series 2: Dates TBD
Pricing
$20 Per Series
Details
1st-4th Grade
Min. 5, Max 15 Participants
Campsite 3
Campsite Name
When
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Who
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Pricing
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Details
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.