An open-sky retreat

Visitors’ Guide

Where learning and nature

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Navigating The Program

WINTER SPRING FALLSUMMEROpen year-round with day and overnight seasonal programs, Laurentian provides activities that are geared to grade and group levels, including:

Laurentian Environmental Center is an accredited residential learning center that is owned and operated by Mounds View Public Schools. Educational programs are hands-on discovery oriented, and aligned with Minnesota’s state graduation standards. Open year-round with day and overnight programs, Laurentian provides activities that are weather appropriate and geared to grade and group levels.

Large group activities

Predator Prey

Rendezvous

Recreation activities

Archery

Canoeing & Boating

Challenge Courses

Climbing Wall

Cross Country Skiing

Fishing

Ice Fishing

Lacrosse

Sauna

Snowshoeing

Ultimate Frisbee

Evening programs

Buckskinner Bob

Campfires

Storytelling

Nature Jeopardy

Scavenger Hunts

Environmental education classes

Bog Ecology

Boreal Forest

Cross Country Skiing

Fire Ecology

Geo-Caching

Grokking

Lake Ecology

Leapers and Creepers

Life Below Freezing

Map and Compass

Northern Mammals

Ojibway Lifestyle

Outdoor Survival

Snowshoeing

Whitetail Deer

Wildlife Management

Wild Munchies

Woodworking for Wildlife

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Navigating The Program

For class descriptions and a full list of programs, visit www.laurentiancenter.org.

Evening programs

Buckskinner Bob

Campfires

Storytelling

Nature Jeopardy

Scavenger Hunts

Activities are led by qualified and caring staff who hold degrees in one or more of the following areas: biology, natural resource management, outdoor recreation and education, environmental studies or education.

• persisting

• managing impulsivity

• listening and understanding

• thinking flexibly

• striving for accuracy

• questioning and problem posing

• applying past knowledge to new situations

• thinking and communicating with clarity

• creating, imagining and innovating

• engagement

• teamwork

• continuous learning

Laurentian is committed to enforcing the “12 Habits of Mind.” Activities are designed to offer students opportunities to develop key life skills. Lessons encourage students to adopt these 12 mindsets:

Programs are specially designed for specific grade levels to align with schools’ curriculum.

Laurentian is the only environmental center in the state that provides specialized programming for high school alternative learning centers and high school leadership and post‑secondary planning.

Staff are knowledgeable of Positive Behavioral Intervention Strategies (PBIS) programs and initiatives and have incorporated key concepts into grade‑level programs. Laurentian will also work with school groups to help reinforce school‑based behavioral strategies and other programs while attending Laurentian.

Lodging

Located in the Superior National Forest, overlooking Arrowhead Lake, Laurentian Environmental Center offers access to hundreds of acres of wilderness. The property includes 100-acre pristine lake access and hiking and ski trails that connect with the Big Aspen hiking and ski trails.

In addition to indoor classroom space, the Center maintains a 12-station Challenge Course, a 32-foot outdoor climbing wall, an archery range, canoes and rowboats, a sauna, an outdoor campfire theatre and a large playing field.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIESLaurentian is a wilderness site and much of the program is outdoors in a rustic setting. There are many features at Laurentian that make this experience more accessible for students with disabilities such as an physically accessible cabin located close to the dining hall, accessible paved trails to some activity sites, and the availability of school staff to support students who might need extra assistance. Individual advance planning should be addressed for students with a

disability to participate in the Laurentian educational program. Planning for a student’s trip to Laurentian will be discussed on an individual basis and documented on their Section 504 Plan, Individual Health Plan or Individualized Educational Program (IEP) Plan. Teams, including the parent, will meet to discuss appropriate accommodations available at the Laurentian site and program how each student can participate based on individual needs.

CABINS Students are assigned to one of Laurentian’s six dorms. The facility’s bunk configuration includes 164 beds.

LodgingThe on-site dining facility seats 175 and serves healthy home-cooked meals from menus developed by a dietician. Menu items vary. Food and snacks are not allowed in the sleeping cabins. Chewing gum is not allowed at Laurentian.

Dining

Special Dietary Requests With a minimum 2-week advance notice, most requests for vegetarian, food allergies, etc., can be met. To assure you or your student’s special needs do not get lost along the way, please contact Laurentian directly and ask to be transferred to speak with the camp cook before you or your student arrives.

BREAKFAST

Eggs and hash browns

Pancakes and sausage

Cinnamon rolls

and oatmeal

Cereal and milk

Fresh fruit

Yogurt

Orange juice

LUNCHDeli sandwich and soup

Spaghetti and bread sticksPizza and salad

Chicken and mashed potatoes

Vegetables

Fruit

Milk, water

Dessert

SNACKS

may include

Rice Krispie bars

Cookies

Orange creamsicles

sample menu items

DINNERChicken patty with bun

Hot dogs with macaroni and cheeseTacos

Chicken nuggets and French friesSloppy JoesVegetablesColeslaw

Potato chips

Fruit

Milk, punch

All seasons:

□ Sleeping bag (or bedding) and pillow

□ Bath towel and wash cloth

□ Hand towel (Laurentian avoids use of disposable paper products, no paper towel is provided in cabins)

□ Toothpaste and toothbrush

□ Flashlight

□ Bar of soap

□ Flip-flops for the shower

□ Comb or hairbrush

□ Waterproof boots

□ Underclothes

□ Shirts

□ Jeans or pants

□ Many pairs of socks (two per day)

□ Headwear (warm hat in winter or cap if seasonally appropriate)

□ Pajamas and slippers

□ Swimsuit for the sauna

□ Small backpack

□ Rain gear

□ Water bottle

Add for winter (November 1 - April 1):

Layered dressing is the best for staying warm in winter. 

□ Long underwear (tops and bottoms)

□ Sweater, sweatshirt or vest

□ Warm hat

□ Scarf

□ Warm parka or coat

□ Snow pants

□ Three pairs of warm mittens

□ Warm boots with removable liners (Do not bring fashion boots. Make sure the boots are warm and fit properly.)

□ Two-three pairs of warm (wool) socks per day

Optional

□ Fishing equipment; barbless hooks

□ Camera 

□ Inexpensive binoculars

□ Bug spray

□ Bug head net

Do Not Bring• Electronics

• Radios, iPods, mp3 players

• Electronic games

• Food, candy, soda, chewing gum

• Curling irons, straighteners

 

Packing List

Before your scheduled visit to

Laurentian Environmental Center,

the information and forms enclosed

here must be reviewed. Complete,

sign and return all forms according

to the instructions on each form.

Packing List

Must be returned!

° Registration form and

informed consent

° Health and medical

release form

° Student behavior contract

Find us: Located just a few hours north of the Twin Cities, Laurentian Environmental Center (LEC) is an accredited, year-round educational facility located in the Superior National Forest.

Laurentian Environmental Center, 8950 Peppard Rd., Britt, MN 55710

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Plan an event with us Planning a family reunion or group event? Consider Laurentian Environmental Center (LEC) in Britt, Minn. The Center can accommodate small and large groups year-round with 160 beds, five large classroom buildings, a lodge and a dining facility that seats 175. LEC offers access to hundreds of acres of wilderness with trout streams and diverse wildlife habitat. The environmental center’s property includes access to a 100-acre pristine lake and hiking/

ski trails that connect with the Big Aspen hiking and ski trails. LEC maintains a 12-station Challenge Course, a 32-foot outdoor climbing wall, a dogsled yard and trails, an archery range, canoes and rowboats, a sauna, an outdoor campfire theater and a large playing field. The on-site dining facility serves healthy, home-cooked meals from menus developed by a dietician. Call 1-888-749-1288 or visit www.laurentiancenter.org for more information.