Teacher's Corner: Class schedules
We hope you can visit Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo this school year! We offer many classes for all different school ages. Some classes are very weather dependent. Our new nature center has more classroom space, bigger and better exhibits, a children’s play area, and more availability for Oxbow Park naturalists to teach!
507-328-7340 | oxbow@olmstedcounty.gov
Availability
Classes will run Monday through Friday. Morning sessions can start as early as 9:30 AM. We are flexible with our times, please call or email to schedule a class. The earlier a class is booked, the more likely you will get your desired slot.
We will teach regardless of the weather, but please recognize that poor outdoor conditions may cause us to discuss modifications to the scheduled class at the time of your visit. Students must dress for outdoor conditions!
When visiting don't forget to plan time to visit the Zollman Zoo and explore the Path of Imagination natural playscape area.
Things to know when calling or emailing
- School name
- Grade level and number of students
- Class desired
- At least (two) preferred dates to visit
- Contact person and email address
Rates
Class rates are $5 per student with a minimum charge of $50. Please have the funds with you at the time of your visit, or we can send an invoice. We accept cash, check and credit card payments.
For school groups of 100+ students, please book early to ensure a day that works.
Self-guided visits and scavenger hunts
For schools without funding available, we always offer self-guided zoo visits at no charge, we just ask to call in advance and provide the number of students that will be visiting so we can report the numbers to the regulation agencies of the zoo.
Visit our Virtual Park Programs on YouTube
Scavenger Hunts can be found below to use for free. Teachers and chaperones will lead scavenger hunts and provide the following supplies: pencils, clipboards, and print out the scavenger hunt they wish to use.
Printable scavenger hunts and bingo cards
We are looking forward to teaching your group and hope to see you this year. Please feel free to call 507-328-7340 or email oxbow@olmstedcounty.gov with any further questions.
Eagle scout orienteering map
Wanting to learn more about orienteering? Try out our Orienteering Course set up by a local Eagle Scout. Choose from two different versions, the Adventure Course map provides the general location, and you find the posts and do a rubbing to show you were at each location, or try the Challenge Course and use the provided GPS coordinates or orienteering directions to find each post. Bring your own GPS unit or compass, or borrow a GPS unit from the Nature Center front desk.
Classes offered
Animal Classification - Third grade and up
The animal kingdom is broken down into five different classes; mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish. This class will discuss the differences between each classification. Live animals will be used to represent some animal classes.
Class size max: 30 - 40 students
Reptiles And Amphibians - Second grade and up
This class will teach students to differentiate between reptiles and amphibians. Students will learn life cycle differences, skin differences, behavior differences and habitat differences. We will provide an opportunity for students to see the animals up close and the option to touch the live animals.
Class size max: 30 - 40 students
Life Cycles - Third grade and up
This class will give examples of animals that go through metamorphosis and will demonstrate how that compares to us and most other mammals. This class will also explain metamorphosis in the complete form and incomplete form, with examples of species from each type.
Note: This class is best taught in spring and summer when there are tadpoles in the pond.
Class size max: 30 - 40 students
Owls/Birds of Prey - Second grade and up
Also known as Raptors! Five distinguishing characteristics make these birds more impressive than other birds. Students will learn about the 5 characteristics, see live birds of prey and experience real examples of the characteristics of raptors.
Class size max: 30 - 40 students
Bison - Second grade and up
Bring your students out to learn more about this magnificent creature. This animal, as much as any other, helped shape our western heritage. The bison era can teach us some valuable social lessons.
Class size max: 40 - 50 students
Feed the Bear - All grades
Learn how much food a bear needs to eat and how a bear's diet will change throughout the year. Watch as staff feeds the bear showing the large variety of food bears will find in the wild. Learn more facts and natural history about bears in Minnesota.
Note: Available from mid-April through October
Class size max: 30 - 40 students
Animal Introductions - Kindergarten -fourth grade
This is an excellent starter program for younger students. Topics discussed include the daily happenings here at the zoo and park, as well as some basic environmental principles. We also provide the opportunity for some "hands on" learning with our live critters and wildlife artifacts.
Class size max: 30 - 40 students
Feed the Elk/Deer - Second grade and up
Have you ever heard an elk bugle, or witnessed a buck "coming out of velvet?" Students will learn the natural history behind these awesome animals and will be given an opportunity to see the beauty of these creatures up close while we feed them.
Class size max: 40 - 50 students
Karst - Fifth grade and up
Southeast Minnesota has a unique landscape underground. This class teaches the fascinating features of the caves, cracks, and fissures in the bedrock. Discussion of watershed and environmental best practices for karst geography will be covered.
Class size max: 20 - 30 students
Animal Tracks and Signs - Kindergarten - Second grade
Join us and learn how to look for signs and clues of animal life around us. This fun class will promote life-long interest and curiosity about our natural world.
Class size max: 20 - 30 students
Animal Enrichment - All grades
Come and learn some of the techniques that zookeepers use to keep the animals at Zollman Zoo busy and entertained.
Note: Please alert staff of any known food allergies
Class size max: 30 - 50 students
All About Insects - Kindergarten - Third grade
Learn from naturalists the basics of being a bug, then go on a bug hunt to catch and identify the insects of Oxbow Park.
Note: Not available in the winter
Class size max: Up to 40 students
Beginning Skiing - Third grade and up
Students will learn from naturalist’s techniques to cross-country skiing and take a nice lap around the Oxbow Park ski trail.
Note: Snow, weather, and trail condition permitting
Class size max: Up to 25 students
Beginning snowshoeing - All ages
Students will learn from naturalist’s techniques to snowshoeing and take a fun snowshoe hike in Oxbow Park.
Note: Snow, weather, and trail condition permitting
Class size max: 20-30 students depending on age
Animal Adaptations - Second grade and up
Learn from naturalists how animals adapt to their environments and what they do to survive.
Class size max: 30-40 students
Endangered or Threatened Species Recoveries - Seventh grade and up
This class teaches students about animal population declines that have been rebounded thanks to organizations that have helped. The focus is on the success of bald eagle, bison, and other species populations that have increased.
Class size max: 20-30 students
Skull ID - Fourth grade and up
Learn some of the bones in the skull, how to use skulls to tell between predator and prey animals, and how teeth can help you identify what an animal eats.
Class size max: 30-40 students