Wilderness Inquiry offers an array of day trips and longer excursions for people of varying ability. Adaptive equipment and trained guides are available. www.wildernessinquiry.org.
REI Outdoor School offers occasional classes for seniors. www.rei.com/learn.
Let's Go Fishing With Seniors facilitates fishing and boating trips for seniors of all abilities. Adaptive equipment and trained guides are available through regional chapters across Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. www.lgfws.com.
The OWLS (Outwardly, Wiser, Livelier Seniors) program is available in several nature centers throughout the state. At the Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul, OWLS meet the first Tuesday of the month to walk trails and learn about natural history. River Bend Nature Center, in Faribault, hosts its OWLS group the second Wednesday of the month.
Check with your city of residence to learn about events, activities or clubs. The city of Minnetonka's senior programs include softball, pickleball, canoeing, hiking and biking groups. Steve Pieh, program director, says the city has developed programs as the population has aged. "People in Minnetonka really enjoy being outside. They were doing these things in their 40s and 50s, and they want to keep doing them." The programs are relatively new — Minnetonka modeled its senior activities after those available in nearby Plymouth, and other cities now are looking to Minnetonka for ideas.
