Finland, MN — In a landmark year for outdoor education in Minnesota, Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center is proud to announce it has secured over $840,000 in funding—the highest tuition support in its 50+ year history—to help eliminate financial barriers for students and educators attending its residential outdoor learning programs. This transformative milestone aligns with the passage of Outdoor School For All MN, signed into law on June 14, 2025, ushering in a new era of equitable access to immersive nature-based education.
Transforming Education in Nature’s Greatest Classroom
The Outdoor School For All MN legislation ensures that every child in Minnesota has the opportunity for a multi-day, overnight learning experience at one of the state’s five accredited Residential Environmental Learning Centers (RELCs), including Wolf Ridge. These programs, modeled after successful initiatives in Oregon, provide hands-on, interdisciplinary learning that strengthens academic growth, environmental stewardship, and social-emotional development.
“Minnesotans hold two things quite dear—our children and the outdoors,” said Peter Smerud, Executive Director of Wolf Ridge. “This historic support ensures future generations maintain an authentic connection to Minnesota’s natural heritage and outdoor ethic.”
Unprecedented Access Through Generous Partnerships
The true cost of a three-day overnight Outdoor School experience at Wolf Ridge is $365 per student. However, thanks to this year’s unprecedented funding, subsidized tuition is just $209, with additional aid available for schools with higher needs. This funding—more than $800,000 —comes from a coalition of public and private partners deeply committed to equitable education and environmental leadership.
Over the years, Wolf Ridge has steadily increased its tuition support—from just $20,000–$40,000 in its early days to $400,000 in recent years. In 2025, that support has taken a significant leap forward, allowing even more schools—including those in underserved and rural communities—to participate in our programs. Today, students in 21 Minnesota counties still lack access to outdoor school experiences. Wolf Ridge is committed to changing that by breaking down financial barriers and creating more equitable access for all.
Why Outdoor School Matters – Now More Than Ever
Over the past decade, Minnesota has seen a 31% decline in Outdoor School participation, from nearly 40,000 students in 2015 to just over 27,000 in 2024. Barriers—ranging from transportation costs and teacher workloads to cultural and language accessibility—have limited participation. Wolf Ridge is addressing these challenges head-on by:
- Offering adaptive equipment to support students of all abilities
- Training teachers through a Teacher Institute with continuing education hours
- Integrating virtual field trips and appropriate field-based technology
- Expanding programs in science, sustainability, and cultural history
- The only outdoor school in the region that can host from 15 – 375 students
Each Wolf Ridge experience provides a minimum of 18 instructional hours over three – five days, delivering high-impact learning that supports core educational standards while deepening connections to the natural world.
A National Leader in Outdoor Environmental Learning
As the largest outdoor school in the region, Wolf Ridge hosts over 11,000 students annually on its 2,000-acre campus featuring forests, lakes, and trails. Students explore field-based science, high ropes courses, rock climbing walls, and a working organic farm—while learning in a Living Building Certified dormitory, one of the greenest & sustainable buildings in the world.
Since 1971, Wolf Ridge has trained more than 1,000 environmental educators through its graduate Naturalist Training Program. Alumni have gone on to become Minnesota State Representatives, directors of natural history museums, founders of environmental learning centers around the word, and professors at leading universities. Many now serve as influential leaders in conservation, education, and environmental policy across the country. Wolf Ridge’s innovative curriculum and instructional methods were selected as the model to support environmental education design in China, demonstrating the program’s far-reaching impact..
Wolf Ridge Leads the
Call to Action
This year’s success represents more than financial progress—it’s a statement of Minnesota’s values. With the Outdoor School For All MN law now enacted, Wolf Ridge is leading a movement to:
- Ensure every Minnesota student, regardless of background, can attend outdoor school
- Champion partnerships between schools, families, and environmental educators
- Promote career pathways in environmental science, forestry, water quality, and sustainability
- Support mental health, academic achievement, and community connection
“Outdoor School builds resilience, confidence, and a sense of place in our youth,” said Smerud. “With this support, we are investing not only in education, but in the future leaders and stewards of Minnesota.”
Take the Next Step: Help Bring Outdoor School to More Students
Whether you’re an educator, parent, donor, or community leader, you have a role to play in ensuring that every child in Minnesota has the chance to learn in nature’s greatest classroom.
- Educators: Apply now to bring your students to Wolf Ridge–subsidies and transportation aid available.
- Parents: Advocate for your child’s school to attend Outdoor School.
- Donors: Join us in expanding access to this life-changing experience.
- Community Leaders: Partner with us to build a stronger, more connected future for Minnesota students and the environment.
Visit www.wolf-ridge.org or email outdoorschool@wolf-ridge.org to learn more, apply for funding, or get involved.
Together, we can ensure Outdoor School is truly for all.
