Minnesota Valley History Learning Center

Support Minnesota Valley Youth Explorers

The Minnesota Valley History Learning Center located in Morton, MN is dedicated to educating people of all ages to learn the natural and cultural history of the Minnesota River Valley.  Currently our organization supports area youth through our Summer Explorer Program.

The MVHLC Summer Explorer Program is for students in grades 1-6 in the Minnesota counties of Redwood, Renville, Brown and Sibley.  Each program is 3 weeks long and focuses on three themes: Minnesota River, Dakota Culture & Pioneer Life and Agriculture.  Students get up close and personal with the theme topics through field experiences and hands-on learning opportunities.  Canoeing on the river, identifying animal tracks, learning traditional Dakota words, playing Dakota-inspired lacrosse, churning butter, spinning thread, and bottle feeding calves are just some of the hands-on adventures our Explorers take part in.  Over 100 students participated in 2015 and we estimate over 300 will be involved in 2016.

New in the Summer of 2016, there will be three Explorer Programs along the river valley: Redwood Falls (May 16 - June 2), Morton (June 13 - June 30) and Winthrop (July 11 - July 29).  The tuition fee for each student is $250.  The MVHLC fundraises to make the fee reasonable.  The estimated total cost of the three Explorer Programs will be $101,155.  The more funds we bring in, the less the student tuition will be.

The Minnesota Valley History Learning Center is a non-profit organization focused on educating people of all ages on the cultural and natural history of the Minnesota River Valley.  It provides curriculum training for teachers, the Summer Explorer Program for youth and Lunch & Learn Presentations for life-long learners.

Questions about our Summer Explorer Program can be sent to Ann Vote, Explorer Program Director at MVHLC.explorerprogram@gmail.com.