preK-12 Education

Explore and learn in a one-of-a-kind place.

At Outdoor U we strive to educate visiting students and help them form meaningful, lifelong connections with the natural environments of Minnesota. Our educational programs serve public, private, and home school preK-12 students through on-site field experiences and in-class curricula.

Outdoor field trips take place in 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
  Field trips are $6.50 per student. Teachers and chaperones are not charged. Schools with financial need can contact us with questions.
• Field Trip Curriculum Options & Graduation Standards
  Annually updated curricula are designed to incorporate local, state, and national graduation standards. To see what program curriculum is currently being offered, check the Field Trip Request Form.
• 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

• Our field trips take students through the many different environments found in Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum, including prairie, wetland, and oak savanna.
• Each program is hands-on, age-appropriate, and science-driven. We work to accommodate the specific need and focus for each grade level as well as the individual needs of students.
• Programs are designed to focus on the unique seasonal attributes of the Abbey Arboretum. Teachers can choose from activities based on grade level and academic standards.
• Trained educators and college student naturalists lead all activities and maintain a low student-to-teacher ratio.
• Maple syrup classes are available mid-March through mid-April.