Self Guided Learning Experiences
Opportunities for All Ages
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9am-5pm Daily | 715.685.9983 | Free Admission | 29270 County Highway G, Ashland, WI 54806 | info@nglvc.org
Northern Great Lakes
Kinder Critters Programs
This free, hands on program, which runs on one Tuesday every month starting in November, features live animals from Duluth's "Zoo Mobile", and is great for kids of all ages! Each program features different kinds of animals and adaptations which make them unique! Look under the Events tab for dates and information regarding specific programs!
MOVIES By REQUEST Shown in the Martin Hanson Theater!
Wolves 40 min.
Discover the world of wolves by plane, helicopter, on foot and through time. Meet the pack and find out what really goes on in the wolf world where family members play, hunt, travel, howl, and struggle to survive. Find out why wolf populations are making news and discover the ancient link between buffalo herds and wolves. Enjoy with the whole family! Also available for purchase in the Center’s gift store!
People of the Forest 25 min.
Heighten your interest in the Ojibwa culture. This film follows the daily life and adventures of a young Ojibwa girl as she explains her culture’s traditional ways. A movie for the whole family!
Bears 40 min.
Experience a fascinating encounter with one of nature’s most inspiring and misunderstood creatures. From a past steeped in mythology to a future shrouded in uncertainty, this film contains stunning footage of bears in their full glory in varied natural habitats. Watch black bears, grizzlies, and polar bears as they struggle to raise their cubs and survive in an increasingly human-dominated world. Also available for purchase in the Center’s gift store!
Lost in the Woods 30 min.
A new life was born in the woods. He slept alone in the tall grass. Was he lost? The animals of the forest want to know. Watch as live video is combined with photography, music, and voice to tell the story of the award-winning children’s book. Children of all ages will enjoy this tale of trust, patience, and waiting for your time. Also available for purchase in the Center’s gift store!
Paddle to the Sea 30 min.
Based on Holling C. Holling’s beloved Caldecott-awarded children’s book, this film follows the adventures of a tiny, wood-carved canoe with a Native American man carved into its seat as it forges its own path from Lake Superior through the Great Lakes and down to the Atlantic Ocean. Buoyed by beautiful photography and a sense of true wonder about the sun, Earth, and water. An unforgettable tribute to the forces of the natural world, as well as a thrilling journey across the waves and rapids of North America.
Self-Touring
If you plan to self-tour your school group and would like to have self-guided activity ideas, please contact us at 715-685-9983.
If you're seeking a self-directed educational experience, we offer the following resources:
- Interpretive Trails – Learn while you stroll on the Center’s easy to walk 3/4 mile nature trail or the new Aldo Leopold Trail. Interpretive signs and guide book. Spots for reflection and relaxation.
- Nature’s Discovery Area – Hands-on discovery area, just off the Center’s nature trail, includes a beaver lodge, sandbox, and an area to explore for critters.
- Native Garden Walk – Plantings of native flowers & herbs are identified by name and use. Get some great natural landscaping ideas!
Youth Groups
Girl Scout Badge Days and Boy Scout Stewardship Programs! If you are interested in scheduling a visit with your scout or youth group or have special program needs, for reservations or information contact us at 715-685-9983.
Check it Out!
These items are available at the Front Desk for use at the Center. For more information, availability and reservations please call 715-685-9983 or email us.
- Binoculars - Be sure to get in on great bird watching at the Center!
- Activity Backpacks - Our FUN-packs contain everything you need to have an educational exploration on a variety of fun topics during your stay at the Center.
- Snowshoes - Try snowshoeing on the Center's trail systems! Our snowshoes are available for use to the public on a first come, first serve basis. We have all sizes for the whole family. The snowshoes must stay on Center grounds, but are free to use on site!
Summer Northwoods Adventure Programs
Student-led Interpretive programs offered July—August focusing on the region’s natural and cultural history. Check our Events to see what's coming!