Long Lake educators say hands‑on programs bring 3,500–4,000 students outdoors each year

Mara Richter, a naturalist instructor at Long Lake Conservation Center in Aitkin County, said she first visited the center as a fifth grader and has returned as a staff member: “I actually purchased my grandparents place 5 years ago,” she said, describing a long personal connection to the site.

The center’s three permanent naturalist instructors—Mara Richter, Katie Murphy and Julia Coons—told the county radio program Coffee with the County that Long Lake’s education programming focuses on hands‑on, discovery‑based learning aimed at getting students outdoors and away from screens. The educators said they all began their permanent roles on Aug. 2, 2021, a staffing model they called unusual for naturalist positions and one that they said strengthens the program.

Why it matters: The instructors estimated Long Lake hosts about 3,500 to 4,000 school‑group visits a year, drawing groups from across Minnesota and beyond. Staff said the center works with a wide range of schools—rural districts, inner‑city classes, immersion programs and some out‑of‑state groups—and adapts curricula to match grade level and group needs while aligning with state education standards.

Program details: The educators described core and elective offerings that run year‑round. Popular activities include lake‑bottom organism sampling (students scoop and examine macroinvertebrates to discuss water quality), shelter‑building and survival exercises, canoeing and archery, and winter options such as snowshoeing, cross‑country skiing and cooking wilderness meals. They said the bog on site is a standout feature and that, where other sites keep visitors on a boardwalk, Long Lake sometimes immerses students directly in the bog to encourage tactile learning.

Staff said they worked to rewrite and adapt pre‑existing, scripted lessons after a period of closure and turnover, keeping learning objectives and standards while giving instructors flexibility to tailor classes to student interest. The educators described their collective approach as ‘‘trick[ing]’’ students into learning through games and hands‑on exploration.

Public access and community programs: The instructors reminded listeners that Long Lake is also an Aitkin County park with about 700 acres of trails, some groomed for skiing. They said outer trails require a Minnesota DNR pass and that, when schools are on campus, the public should avoid the campus proper but can still use other trails and public offerings. The center promotes community education classes, fundraisers including a fish fry, and a 'Nature Rocks' concert; staff encouraged locals to sign up for classes and attend events.

Numbers and logistics: The program’s visit volume varies by year and school size; the instructors gave a typical range of 3,500–4,000 school participants annually. They emphasized year‑round programming and the importance of proper clothing and preparation for winter offerings.

What’s next: The hosts and instructors urged listeners to check the center’s event schedule for community classes this summer, including a campfire cooking session, and to visit trails on non‑school days.

(Reporting based solely on the Aitkin County radio program "Coffee with the County" interview with Long Lake Conservation Center staff.)