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Summer Camps Public Programs Private Events, Meetings and Rentals School Programs and Group Presentations Meet our EducatorsSummer Camps
Bugs and Butterflies Summer Camp
Get ready for a week of exploration, creativity, and hands-on fun at Bugs and Butterflies Camp! Designed for children entering 1st–5th grade, this engaging camp brings young explorers up close with the fascinating world of insects and pollinators. Through interactive games, creative crafts, and outdoor exploration, campers will learn all about the tiny creatures that keep our ecosystems buzzing. Please reach out if you have any questions or sign up now!
Dates:
- Register for July 21-24 with optional Fun Friday on July 25th
- Register for August 4-7 with optional Fun Friday on Aug 8th
Time 9:00-4:00 with optional before (8-9am) and after (4-5pm) care
Location: Monarch Joint Venture's Prairie Oaks Campus in Belle Plaine, MN
- Nestled on 20 scenic acres in Belle Plaine, MN, Prairie Oaks offers a serene setting with restored prairies and wooded nature trails, providing an ideal environment for children to explore, learn, and connect with nature during our summer camp.
Cost: $200 ($250 with optional Fun Friday)
Each day of camp features a unique theme:
🦋 Day 1: A Bug’s a Bug! – What makes an insect an insect? Campers will dive into the world of bugs, create their own insect crafts, and play fun movement games.
🌿 Day 2: Habitat is Home – Explore where bugs live and why habitats matter while searching for insects in different environments.
🐞 Day 3: High and Low – Where Are the Bugs? – Investigate the hidden world of bugs in trees, underground, and everywhere in between!
🌼 Day 4: Pollinator Power! – Discover the incredible role of butterflies, bees, and other pollinators through interactive activities and hands-on learning.
🎉 Day 5 (Optional Bonus Day): Friday Fun Day! – A day full of your favorite activities from the week…and some new ones!
Campers will read stories, play games like Bug Bingo and Monarch Migration, craft their own bugs, and even plant milkweed to support monarch butterflies. From running like insects in relay races to learning about how bugs move and survive, every moment is designed to spark curiosity and excitement.
Please note that summer camp sessions require a minimum of 10 participants to run. If this minimum is not met, sessions may be canceled and refunded—with notice provided no later than one month in advance.
Public Programs
Moth Ball
Explore the night flying relatives of monarchs and other butterflies during an evening of mothing with MJV at our Prairie Oaks campus! We’ll explore the difference between moths and butterflies, use different ways to attract and collect moths, learn how to ID different groups of moths, and learn the important roles moths play in our ecosystem. We’ll also collect data through iNaturalist to help us understand more about the wildlife we share Prairie Oaks with!
This program is family friendly, though please note that it does take place after dark.
Date: Apr 18, 2025 (this event will be rescheduled in the case of inclement weather)
Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Cost: Adults and youth (12 and over) - $10
Kids (under 12) - $5 (must be accompanied by an adult over 18)
Family (up to 2 adults and 2 kids) - $25 (each additional child $3)
Community Science Trainings
Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
Be a community scientist with the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP)! The MLMP team from MJV and the UW-Madison Arboretum co-lead virtual one-day training on how to collect data that contributes to our knowledge about the monarch population. Participants learn about monarch biology, monitoring procedures, and data entry protocols and are able to ask monarch biologists their questions about monarchs and monitoring.
Live interactive MLMP training sessions are typically held in the spring and early summer each year. You are welcome to take the trainings below regardless of your location.
2025 Live Interactive Training:
- COMPLETED West: January 29, 2025
- COMPLETED South: February 26, 2025
- North: May 7, 2025
2025 In-Person Training:
If you'd like a self-paced course, you can sign up for the online MLMP course offered at the Monarch NECTAR Hub.
Reach out to info@mlmp.org if you have any questions about community science training.
Butterfly Days
Details coming soon, but save the date - August 23rd, 2025 at 1100 W. South Street, Belle Plaine, MN.
Private Events, Meetings, and Rentals
Birthday Parties, Special Events, and Space Rentals
Host your next special event at the Prairie Oaks Campus:
Our campus boasts a historic building, a walking loop, beautiful views, and plenty of pollinators. It is the perfect setting for family reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, special photo shoots, nature photography, and more. All visitors are welcome to take advantage of our educational resources (handouts to take home, books to read while visiting, etc) at Prairie Oaks while enjoying their time at our campus.
Amenities include:
Mowed lawns and large open areas for activities.
Historic home with restrooms, seating areas, wifi, and a fully equipped kitchen.
Manicured pollinator gardens featuring diverse native plants.
A walking loop around the property.
The privacy of being out in the country!
Tents, tables, and chairs are available for your needs.
Use type | Rate |
4 hours of event space use | $150 |
Solely photography use | $30 (per day) |
Add on: Tables, chairs, and tent setup | $100 |
Add on: Facilitated activity by MJV staff | *See the activity guide for pricing |
Inquire for availability and questions at outreach@monarchjointventure.org.
Group Retreats
Host your team retreat at MJV’s scenic Prairie Oaks campus in Belle Plaine, MN surrounded by beautiful land full of wildlife and trails to explore. Build your team’s relationships by helping them bond, learn, and grow while contributing to monarch butterfly conservation.
Please fill out the interest form and an MJV representative will contact you: Interest Form
Retreat days may include:
- Educational session provided by MJV staff ($150/hour)--customizable to include any of these topics in 30 minute or 1 hr presentations:
Basic Monarch Biology and Conservation Status
Monarch Community Science
Gardening for Pollinators
Creating Pollinator Habitat
Community Engagement Activities
Q & A session about monarchs, habitat, and more!
An activity of your choosing ($150/hour), facilitated by MJV staff.
1-2 hours of volunteering (dependent on the volunteer activity chosen and MJV’s needs).
The itinerary for the day is flexible and available for the employer to lead.
All participants will receive promotional MJV items, which may include: stickers, seed packets, and MJV handouts.
Retreats can be up to 8 hours per day (start time before 10 am).
To view the list of activity options, click HERE.
Retreat Options
| Lengths | Description | Price |
| 1 day - Retreat Space Only | This Includes a 30 minute overview of the MJV and monarch butterfly (and a composting and recycling overview for our facilities). The rest of the day is available for your group to lead. | $250 |
| 2 days - Retreat Space Only | This Includes a 30 minute overview of the MJV and monarch butterfly (and a composting and recycling overview for our facilities). The rest of the twos day is available for your group to lead. | $400 (20% discount) |
Add-ons
- Coffee & tea service: $30 per 10 people per day (includes hot coffee, teas, cream, and sweeteners)
- Coffee, tea, and light snacks: $10 per person daily (light snacks may include fruits, granola bars, chips, and sweets).
- Catering: Cost of goods + 20% MJV service charge + 10% tip towards establishment
- Outdoor meeting space: $100 (includes a large tent over seating & tables)
Discounts: Non-profit organizations are eligible for a 10% discount on the cost of the retreat space.
Building Options: Both buildings recycle and compost.
- Technology available for use during your retreat: flat-screen TV, projector, and voice amplifier. We will coordinate in advance to learn what your needs are.
FarmhouseA historic home from the late 1800s with a lot of charm! | Harvest HouseA more modern home with an accessible bathroom | |
| Capacity and Spaces available | 10 and under--great for smaller groups. Attendees are welcome to use the living room, dining room, and porch on the first floor. Room dimensions (ft):
| 20 and under--great for larger groups. Seating can be set up auditorium style (accommodates up to 20 people) or conference room style (accommodates up to 18 people). Attendees are welcome to use both the living room and living room nook on the first floor, as well as the basement. Room dimensions (ft):
|
| A/V technology | 1 Television, portable projector | 1 Television, portable projector |
| Wifi | Yes | Yes |
| Kitchen Facilities | Yes (coffee pot, stove/oven, refrigerator, microwave, plates/silverware/cups/basic kitchen supplies) | Yes (coffee pot, stove/oven, refrigerator, microwave, plates/silverware/cups/basic kitchen supplies) |
| A/C and heating | Heated. No A/C (fans available, house stays cool in the summer) | Heated. Limited A/C (fans available) |
Accessibility | Handicap parking and ramp. No wheelchair accessible restroom | Handicap ramp and driveway parking, one wheelchair accessible restroom. |
Catering Options: All located in Belle Plaine. At least 2 weeks of lead time is required to place a catering order. To place an order, we require the following information: 1) the number of people, 2) the chosen restaurant, 3) and dietary requirements.
Local Restaurants:
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- Mizzy’s Pizza
- El Loro
- Heng Navy Bakery & Diner (blend of American and Vietnamese)
- Annie’s Cafe and Catering
- Riverview Coffee
Chain Restaurants:
- Domino’s Pizza
- Subway
Grocery:
- Coborn’s
Lodging: If you are interested in a multi-day retreat, MJV can help your group get a discount at the local hotel.
School Programs and Group Presentations
NEW - In School Field Trips!
Launching in Spring 2025, MJV staff will come to your classroom to lead a program on monarch migration!
Let experts from MJV lead your students through a hands-on, STEM-driven investigation into what it takes to glide through the air like a monarch. During the field trip, students will build model gliders, design a testing methodology, and record results for multiple trials. Field trips include a pre-visit lesson plan with access to virtual content about the North American monarch migration and post-visit follow up opportunities to deepen students’ understanding.
Monarch butterflies in eastern North America make a long and challenging journey to the mountains of central Mexico each fall. This field trip will explore when and why monarchs make this journey and support students in a STEM-driven investigation to dive deeper into how they travel so far.
The field trip is designed with a short pre-visit lesson to develop student background knowledge and a post-visit lesson to extend their learning.
Grades: 3-5
Time:
20-30 minute pre-visit lesson
60 minute in class field trip with Monarch Joint Venture
45-60 minute post-visit lesson
Lessons and field trip meet MN science standards 1.1.1, 2.1.1, 3.1.1, and 4.1.1
This service is only available in the Twin Cities region. Please email education@monarchjointvneture.org to book your field trip today!
MJV staff are also available to present smaller programs to your group. Please contact us to work together to
Group Presentations
MJV staff are available to present to your group or classroom! We offer a variety of ways to connect with your audience, from short question and answer sessions to full on presentations. Format options and topics for these presentations are listed below, and you can be assured that you’ll be getting the most up to date information from knowledgeable experts in monarch conservation. To book a presentation please fill out the presentation and outreach request form.
Virtual Q&A with an expert- 30 minutes, live | $30 | Ages: All
Live virtual presentation with Q&A (pre-prepared or customized) - 45-60 minutes | $75 | Ages: 4th grade to adults
In Person presentation - 45-60 minutes | $150 | Ages: All*
*In person presentations are limited to locations in which MJV staff are based. Scheduling for all presentations is subject to availability of MJV staff. We are most likely to be able to staff or provide in person services in the following locations: Twin Cities region of Minnesota, West Central Wisconsin, Omaha region of Nebraska, St Louis region of Missouri, Central or Northern California, and Northwestern Indiana.
Topics include:
Monarch Overview - Life cycle, migration, population, conservation
Gardening for Monarchs
Monarch Community Science
Science updates
The “why” of community science
Research review updates
If you are interested in having MJV present as a keynote speaker for your conference or meeting, please contact us directly at education@monarchjointvneture.org.
Meet Our Educators
Here are the staff that will be leading your programs!
Katie-Lyn - Education Manager
Katie-Lyn coordinates MJV’s education and outreach programs, which include professional development programs for teachers and educators, local programming, and public courses both virtual and in-person. She also works to connect partners and the public to the resources they need for monarch conservation and education. Born and raised in southeast Wisconsin, she moved to Minnesota for school and never left, now residing in the Twin Cities area. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Environmental Sciences Policy and Management. Previous to MJV, Katie-Lyn worked as an informal educator at museums, zoos, nature centers and park systems where she led and coordinated summer camps, field trips, and outdoor education programs for all ages. In her free time, she can be found hiking, camping, reading, knitting and spending time with her son.
Rita - Outreach Coordinator
Rita communicates with a diverse array of people, communities, and organizations by responding to general information requests, questions about monarchs, and more. She assists with creating educational materials, as well as various communications and outreach projects, donor management, and fundraising projects. Rita is from the Twin Cities, MN, and continues to live in St. Paul. She graduated from UW-Madison with a BA in Zoology, and certificates in Global Health and Environmental Studies. Prior to her position with the MJV, she worked in entomology research and wildlife conservation. Some of her more exciting prior positions include working as: a visiting mammal rehabilitator for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of MN, a research fellow for the Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Disease, and as a research technician for the University of Minnesota’s Native Bee Lab. She is passionate about wildlife conservation--specifically pollinator conservation (of course!). In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, gardening, and visiting local restaurants.
Dawn - Program Coordinator
Dawn, a Minnesota native, spent her childhood exploring the state's forests, rivers, and lakes. Her early adventures instilled a lifelong passion for travel and new experiences. Dawn's deep connection to nature has inspired her to educate others on wildlife and habitat conservation.
Sarah - Education Specialist
As an Education Specialist, Sarah focuses on professional development workshops and educational outreach for Monarch Joint Venture. Sarah is a recent transplant to Minnesota, having spent most of her adult life in Chicago. After completing a Ph.D. in Physics at Northwestern University, Sarah worked for 5 years with the Materials Research Institute coordinating with scientists and educators developing nanoscience-based curriculum for middle and high school grades. She also volunteered with a local backpacking group, organizing weekend trips for other adults in the area. Wanting to spend even more time outside eventually led her to work with the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Forest Playschool, and Fraternal Forest supporting a community gardening program, nature education, and nature play. Through these various roles, Sarah has remained a lifelong scientist and outdoor enthusiast. She finds joy in facilitating nature play and learning for any age. In addition to her work with MJV, Sarah is currently a naturalist with the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board and Dakota County Parks. When not at work, Sarah enjoys picking up new crafts, woodworking, learning aerial silks, and spending time with her family.