The nature centers in MN have so many great programs and many of them are free or very affordable.  The upcoming Firefly Festival takes place at the Eastman Nature Center on June 22nd.  This is an evening event and reservations are required.  There’s a small fee for this event, however at $5 it’s very reasonable. 

Discover the amazing world of fireflies. Participate in learning stations, search for daytime species and work on an art project. Safely catch and release fireflies during an evening hike. Learn how to record sightings for Citizen Science Firefly Watch at home. Reservations required.

Children 17 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Love model boats? Head to the 27th annual Parade of Boats this Sunday, June 9th from 11 am – 4 pm at Centennial Lakes Park in Edina.

Grab a spot along the park’s central pond to see the parade, which includes miniature yachts, small battleships, model paddleboats, and even a boat full of Minions! You’ll also be able to view model boats on display inside Hughes Pavilion.

For more information about this event and other model boating events, visit the Edina Model Yacht Club website.

During the upcoming 27th Annual Parade of Boats you won’t see people in the boats.  These boats are small and instead of people in the boats, they’ll be on shore controlling them.  The parade takes place in Centennial Lakes Park in Edina.

The model boat event will take place tomorrow June 9th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature boat sailing, racing and showings along the shores of the park’s central pond.  A fun event to watch.

Directions to the event: 

The Park address is 7499 France Ave So. Edina Minnesota. It is located 5 blocks south of Southdale shopping mall and 4 blocks north of Highway 494, on the east side of France Ave. Centennial Lakes is actually a shopping center, when viewed from France Ave. The Park and the Lakes are behind the stores, and on the lower level. Enter the shopping center from either France Ave, Parklawn Ave, or 76th Street, then head to the lower parking level. The park building is North of “Chuck E Cheese”. The Lakes begin at 73rd Street and extend south to 80th Street.

This Saturday, June 8th is National Get Outdoors Day! To celebrate the fun day, ALL of the Minnesota State Parks have free admission. With 75 state parks and recreation areas offering free admission, there is sure to be one close enough for you to visit and enjoy!

Many of them have planned special activities to introduce you to the fun of geocaching, kayaking, camping, and other family-friendly activities. To help you decide which park to choose, take a look at what they are offering here.

Free Fishing and Other Free Stuff
Wet a line while you’re out for the day! Minnesotans don’t need a license to fish at most Minnesota state parks. You can even borrow free loaner fishing kits at many state parks, along with loaner birding kits, GPS kits and Kids’ Discovery Kits.

School’s Out – Camp Out Challenge
DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen is issuing a statewide challenge to all school-aged kids and their families: Start summer break off right by spending the first weekend out of school under the stars with your friends and family. Hike the trails, splash in the water, and sit around a campfire making s’mores with your loved ones. The goal is to fill every campsite in Minnesota State Parks on June 8.

Come Explore!
Whether you stay for the whole weekend or just spend a few hours outdoors, you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime, and you can use your new skills for the rest of the summer.

There’s a state park within 30 miles of most Minnesotans, so take advantage of the opportunity to get out there and explore one!