Happy Dancing Turtle

06/24/2026

With the rain today we had to adjust our schedule a bit but it worked out beautifully! We started the morning with Animal Olympics in the garden, seeing how campers measure up against different animals around the world. Then we hit up the outdoor classroom for a bit before lunch. During yaya time the rain was making a great river on the sidewalk and some of the kids started making boats out of scraps. So, we got out more supplies and pretty soon all the campers were totally engrossed in boat making. Something that wasn’t even on the schedule ended up being a favorite activity today! After that, we painted purple coneflowers to add to the Eco Camp wall and ended the day with Tree Bingo!

06/23/2026

Come see Happy Dancing Turtle this Saturday, June 27, as part of Minnesota Loons & Lakes Festival from 10-4! We'll be part of the lineup of terrific exhibitors. Don't miss this great family event that also includes games, crafts, food trucks and vendors. Hope to see you there!

06/22/2026

We had so much fun on the first day of our 3rd & 4th grade Eco Camp! We started the morning with some get-to-know each other games, then, after snack, moved on to everyone’s favorite activity: tie-dye! Next, we played a game about the things that animals need in a habitat in order to survive, followed by another camp favorite: Ranger! After lunch, we took a brief tour of Old Main, then took to the woods for a nature walk. We ended the day with some play in the outdoor classroom before we went inside to cool off and talk about our day. Looking forward to a fun-filled week with these kiddos!

06/20/2026

Join Nora for a nature storytime about one of her favorite hobbies: birdwatching! Learn all about how you can begin birdwatching in this week's story & keep your own list this summer! How many birds can you find?

For more bird info & activities, check out bit.ly/SpringBirding

06/19/2026

What do hogs have to do with crop rotation? Plenty! In this week’s blog, Jim Chamberlin of Island Lake Farm shares the farm’s current crop rotation plan as well as philosophy about what they grow and how they do it. It’s a deep dive into what it takes to orchestrate a system that produces great meat and vegetables as well as builds the soil. Find out how crop rotation can be a seriously successful conservation practice–read more here: https://www.happydancingturtle.org/post/how-to-grow-soil-with-meat-and-potatoes

06/18/2026

Turtle Treks are overnight camping trips specifically for girls in 2nd-8th grade. Younger girls (2nd-4th grade) will spend one night camping at a property on Sand Lake in Pine River, while older girls (5th-8th grade) will spend two nights camping at Itasca State Park. Both groups of campers will learn how to set up and take down tents, build and cook over a fire, and Leave No Trace principles while exploring nature and making new friends. If you have or know a kiddo that would enjoy these trips, visit www.happydancingturtle.org/turtle-treks for more info and to register.

Turtle Treks are an overnight camping experience for girls in 2nd - 8th grade. These camping trips provide youth with a chance to visit parks across the state and in their own backyard. Through Turtle Treks, children have the opportunity to experience the ins-and-outs of camping while building frien...

06/18/2026

Join us this Friday, June 19 at 10:00am at Paul M. Thiede Fire Tower Park in Pequot Lakes for the first Family Nature Walk! Bring your family (or just yourself!) and join Happy Dancing Turtle staff as we walk the trails and see what we can find out in nature. Can't make this one? Good news! There are two more walks scheduled this summer! Check out https://bit.ly/HDTFamilyNatureWalks for more information and to register.

06/17/2026

Did you know that stinging nettles can be transformed into a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden?

Nettle compost tea is a simple, natural way to feed plants with essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron while supporting healthy growth.

Nature provides many of the tools we need to build healthier gardens. Sometimes, the best fertilizer is growing right under our feet!

06/15/2026

Summer grows quickly! Join us for Open Garden this Thursday, June 18. Drop in anytime from 1-4 pm for this free event. See what's growing in the demonstration garden and hoop house. Visit with the garden team--share your own successes and challenges or just bask in the natural beauty. Open Garden at Happy Dancing Turtle

06/13/2026

Do you have a garden at home? There's a lot more to a garden than just the plants! Learn what's going on above and below the ground in this Nature Storytime from 6/10/20 with Nora. Then check out some fun activities exploring roots: https://bit.ly/HDTroots