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Environmental centers

Minnesota's environmental learning centers

A weekend at an ELC is fun for all ages, and a bargain to boot.

There are seven residential learning centers in Minnesota. All are non-profit, funded by a variety of governmental entities and private foundations, and serve the public at large as well as Minnesota schoolchildren.

All hold day programs, and some schedule special weekends for families or groups of friends. They also can be rented for retreats and family reunions.

Audubon Center of the North Woods: This center near Sandstone in eastern Minnesota, off the Willard Munger State Trail, has a high-ropes course and indoor climbing wall. 1-888-404-7743, www.audubon-center.com.

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Playground in the woods

At Deep Portage, adults take a tip from the kids.

As adults, we sometimes forget how great it is to be a kid.

People give you toys to play with. They show you new games and explain things in interesting ways. They feed you freshly baked cookies and s'mores.

Kids take it for granted. But I didn't one January, when I got to stay at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve, in the woods north of Brainerd.

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