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Grand Adventure: Exploring Nature With Your Grandchild

Program Number: 2547RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/23/2013 - 6/28/2013; 7/7/2013 - 7/12/2013; 7/28/2013 - 8/2/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Finland, Minnesota
Price starting at: $485.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Intergenerational; Outdoor Adventures, Misc.
Intergenerational 		Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; Gluten Free    

Program intended for grandchildren from 8 - 12 years of age.

Spend a week with your grandchild enjoying and learning about Minnesota's beautiful north woods. Build lasting memories through hands-on activities while exploring for animals, becoming French voyageurs and practicing Native American skills. Learn the ecology of forests and streams, hone your map and compass skills and more.




Highlights

• Experience Lake Superior up close on a field trip to the big water, including a gourmet picnic lunch.
• Live the history of the fur trade by paddling a voyageur canoe, making fire with flint and steel and frying bannock over an open fire.
• Face the challenge and excitement of a high-ropes adventure, crossing cables and logs 25 feet off the ground, and climb the Mystical Mountain Indoor Rock Wall.



Activity Particulars

Most classes outdoors and active, rain or shine. Hiking two miles, rugged trails, elevation changes up to 350 feet.



Coordinated by Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center.




Finland (USA)

Finland was one of the last areas of Minnesota to be settled due to its rugged isolation, but today, its stunning location on Lake Superior’s north shore attracts visitors who are also interested in the area’s history, ecology and outdoor activities.
Accommodations
Lodge with simple bedrooms, wooden bunk beds, table, lockers. One family per room, private baths.
Meals and Lodgings
   Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
  Finland, MN 5 nights
 Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
Type: Conference Center
  Description: Perched on a bluff overlooking Lake Superior, Wolf Ridge occupies nearly 2,000 acres. Bordered by the tumbling Baptism River, the campus features a meandering creek, two pristine lakes, two high peaks, 18 miles of trail, and a mixed forest of maple, birch and spruce. Abundant wildlife. The facilities include two dormitories, three classroom buildings, a dining hall, a ski chalet, an office, a raptor aviary, a library, two auditoriums, two rock-climbing wallls and two high ropes courses.
  Contact info: 6282 Cranberry Rd
Finland, MN 55603 USA
phone: 218-353-7414
web: www.wolf-ridge.org
  Room amenities: Small table and locker style space for clothing. Private bathroom and shower. Midweek we offer a towel and washcloth exchange. Group refrigerator. Snack room with tea, coffee and evening snacks.
  Facility amenities: Large group dayroom for meeting and playing games. Board games available. Coin washers and dryers. Group refrigerator. Mid week linen exchange.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior:  There is no additional night option.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after:  There is no additional night option.
  Check out time: 9:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:00 PM at center in Finland, MN. You will be staying at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center that night.
  End of Program:
9:00 AM at center in Finland, MN. You will be staying at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Participants will be asked to sign a health form and liability release.
  Parking availability:
There is unlimited free parking.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Finland, MN
  Nearest city or town:  Finland, Minnesota
  Nearest highway: Scenic Highway 1
  Nearest airport:  Duluth International Airport, Duluth, MN (DLH)
  From End of Program
  Location: Finland, MN
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Duluth, MN

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Wolf Ridge Shuttle
phone: 218-353-7414
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

18.00
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1.5 
 

Distance:

 

65 miles
   

Wolf Ridge offers two locations for shuttle pick-up. We will pick up participants at the Duluth Depot, a downtown site, at 1:30 pm. This is a convenient spot for participants who arrive the day before or arrive very early at the airport. We will pick up participants at the airport at 2:00pm. On the return trip, we will drop of participants anywhere in Duluth. Please register for the shuttle at least two weeks in advance.
 
Driving Directions
  From the South (Duluth) Highway 61 (The North Shore Drive) from Duluth to Little Marais (watch for the ELC highway sign). At Milepost 66 turn left on to County Road 6 (Little Marais Rd) and go 5 miles (again, watch for the ELC highway sign.) Our gravel driveway winds for 3 miles up to the buildings on the bluff.
Elevation Note: 1405 ft is the highest elevation participants will experience.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival/Welcome and Orientation
(Sunday, July 7)
   
 Afternoon: Plan to arrive between 3:00-4:30 PM. Check-in will take place at the office.
 Dinner: Dinner served at 5:00 PM in the dining hall.
 Evening: Group welcome, introduction games and campfire.
   
Accommodations: Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: At some point during the week, you will be invited to experience our Adventure Ropes Course and Rock Climbing Wall. Participation is optional, but most choose to be involved to some extent.
(Monday, July 8)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast served at 7:30 AM. All meals are cafeteria style. Children (and adults!) are welcome to join in helping out in the kitchen for all meals. While we cannot change our menu for specific dietary requirements, you are welcome to visit with our cooks about simple requests. Vegetarian meals are available upon prior request. Those on a prescribed diet may bring their own food, store it in the cooler and prepare it with a microwave. We are able to accomodate specific food allergies with prior notice.
 Morning: Grandparents and grandchildren are assigned together in activity groups for daytime classes. Classes are three hours long. Each group will participate in identical classes during the week, but in a different order. A complete listing of class descriptions will be sent upon registration. Classes include: Adventure Ropes, Aquatic Studies, Animal Classes, Orienteering, Rock Climbing, Voyageur Life and an off campus field trip (transportation provided).
 Lunch: Lunch served at 12:00 NOON.
 Afternoon: Afternoon classes.
 Dinner: Dinner served at 5:00 PM.
 Evening: Group program. Optional activities such as Canoeing, Hiking, Art Classes, Geocaching and Ojibwe Heritage.
   
Accommodations: Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: One day during our week will include an excursion to Lake Superior. Here we will enjoy the beauty of the lake while learning local crafts and history. We will also enjoy a picnic lunch on the rocky shores.
(Tuesday, July 9)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast served at 7:30 AM.
 Morning: Morning class. Groups rotate.
 Lunch: Lunch served at 12:00 NOON.
 Afternoon: Afternoon class. Two afternoons during the week, grandparents and grandchildren will be separated into a shortened "adult only class" and a full three hour "kid only class."
 Dinner: Dinner served at 5:00 PM.
 Evening: Group program.
   
Accommodations: Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Twice during the week, grandparents and grandchildren will separate. Grandkids will be led on a hiking or swimming adventure while grandparents are invited to an expert-led session followed by some free-time.
(Wednesday, July 10)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast served at 7:30 AM.
 Morning: Morning class. Groups rotate.
 Lunch: Lunch served at 12:00 NOON.
 Afternoon: Afternoon class.
 Dinner: Dinner served at 5:00 PM.
 Evening: Group program.
   
Accommodations: Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:
(Thursday, July 11)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast served at 7:30 AM.
 Morning: Morning class. Groups rotate.
 Lunch: Lunch served at 12:00 NOON.
 Afternoon: Afternoon class. Two afternoons during the week, grandparents and grandchildren will be separated into a shortened "adult only class" and a full three hour "kid only class."
 Dinner: Dinner served at 5:00 PM.
 Evening: Group program.
   
Accommodations: Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Departures
(Friday, July 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast served at 7:30 AM.
 Morning: Check out and departure by 9:00 AM.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Finland, MN Wolf Ridge ELC
Free time is not scheduled, but participants are welcome to skip scheduled activities. Free-time options include hiking, canoeing (each person must wear a life jacket), swimming (no lifeguard on duty),and catch and release fishing (bring your own fishing gear and a license for adults.) For additional information, visit www.wolf-ridge.org
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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