preK-12 Education

An ideal setting for a living outdoor laboratory.

At Outdoor U we strive to improve environmental literacy and emotional connectedness to the natural world through hands-on and age-appropriate field trips. Our educational programs serve public, private, and home school preK-12 students through on-site field experiences and in-class curricula.

Outdoor field trips visit the Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum, which encompasses over 2,500 acres of land in central Minnesota and includes prairie, wetlands, forest, and oak savanna habitats.

Unique Advantages of Our Program

• Low Fees
  Teachers and chaperones are not charged, and the cost per student is kept low.
• Field Trip Curriculum Options & Graduation Standards
  Annually updated curricula are designed to incorporate local, state, and national graduation standards.
• Additional Campus Offerings
  School groups often take advantage of other learning opportunities while at Saint John’s University, including the team-building, climbing wall, and fine arts programs.

Field Trips at Saint John’s Outdoor University

• Many trails within the Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum are available, including a 1.5 mile loop through prairie, wetlands, hardwood forest, and oak savanna.
• Each class is hands-on, age-appropriate, and science-driven. We work to accommodate the specific need and focus for each grade level.
• Teachers can choose from activities based on grade level and academic standards, or select a program centered around a specific theme including: insects, sensory exploration, Minnesota biomes, and environmental changes.
• Maple syrup classes are available mid-March through mid-April.
• Trained naturalists lead all activities and maintain a low student-to-teacher ratio.