Horace Mann School Students (along with Mrs. Meuwissen and Coach Olson) will be attending Eagle Bluff May 7 - 11, 2007.

Daily updates of their trip will be posted on the Horace Mann School website.

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center (EBELC), formerly known as the Forest Resource Center, was founded in 1978 to provide quality, outdoor environmental education experiences.

The Mission
"The mission of Eagle Bluff is to foster awareness, enhance respect, and promote personal responsibility for the natural world."

In the early years, Eagle Bluff consisted of one building, the Director's current residence. The residence was used both as a classroom and office. Adult classes were the prime focus and included ecotours, woodland management, and a Shiitake Mushroom Project. The Shiitake Mushroom Project is a demonstration project that is on-going today.

In 1992, the John Schroeder Renewable Resources Building was constructed and educational day use opportunities were created for school groups. Over 8,000 students participated in our programs annually. In 1997, Eagle Bluff opened its dormitory and dining hall and became a residential environmental learning center (RELC).

The Land
Eagle Bluff owns 80 acres of land on which the main campus is located. Surrounding Eagle Bluff is the 900-acre Brightsdale Unit of the Richard J. Doerer Memorial Hardwood Forest. The trails wind through this demonstration forest highlighting white pine plantings, spectacular views from limestone bluffs, hardwood stands, open fields, and wildlife openings. Ski trails traverse the forest in the winter and the Root River offers wonderful canoe adventures.

Buildings and Facilities
The campus resides primarily on the bluffs above the scenic Root River. A dormitory, divided into 2 wings, can house up to 248 students. The dining hall seats 300 people. The John Schroeder Renewable Resource Building houses administrative offices. Environmental education classes and programs begin in our Discovery Center classroom building. Along the banks of the Root River is the Shiitake Mushroom Operation, an intriguing forest management project.

Several miles of trails include the Interpretive Nature Trail and Austin Limited Mobility Trail with a scenic overview and wildlife viewing station. This hike takes visitors past more than 42 forestry demonstration sites. Along the paths, hikers will find our two Treetops Ropes Courses nestled between towering oaks. Other special features include: a Group Challenge Course, Volleyball Courts, Counsel Fire Ring, Trees and Keys Course, Oneota Native American Site, Recycling Facility, Orienteering Courses, Archery Ranges, Indoor Climbing Wall, and “Eagle’s Nest” Gift Shop.

Horace Mann School is a K-6 elementary school nestled in St. Paul's Highland Park community and is known for academic excellence & total personal development focused on individual students. As a  learning community where high expectations for every child are nurtured in a caring and supportive environment -- the school is highly respected for its exceptional teaching staff, its diversity, a gifted and talented program of distinction, test scores among the highest in the district, and many academic enrichment opportunities.  Horace Mann School is a welcoming, friendly, caring, and safe environment for learning and enjoys the enthusiastic support of committed families who participate in a myriad of volunteer activities on behalf of the school.