Westonka Fourth Graders Share Outdoor Adventures at Wolf Ridge
Westonka Fourth Graders Share Outdoor Adventures at Wolf Ridge
Fourth graders from Hilltop and Shirley Hills primary schools, along with a brave group of staff and parents, spent an exciting week at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center together the week of May 18-22. Although the two schools followed different class schedules, students in the Class of 2034 overlapped at mealtimes and came together for a group photo.
“The 2026 Wolf Ridge trip was an unforgettable experience!” said Shirley Hills second grade teacher Debbie Loomis. “Our Shirley Hills Primary students represented us beautifully, SOARing all week long.”
Students spent the week engaged in environmental education and hands-on learning. Activities included voyageur life, Ojibwe heritage, small mammals, wetland ecology, ropes courses, indoor rock climbing, and bird studies. Other offerings included papermaking, rope making, mystery skulls, and block printing. Students challenged themselves in countless ways.
Another highlight this year was the newly refurbished lichens class. Shirley Hills fourth grade teacher Jennifer Naslund shared that students loved hunting for lichens everywhere and studying their impact on the ecosystem.
“This was another fantastic week at Wolf Ridge for our fourth graders. We seemed to have a recurring theme of ‘community’ during the week,” said Hilltop music teacher Theresa Schmidt. “We heard this word used often by parents, staff, and our Wolf Ridge naturalist liaison, Ashlynn ‘Peachy’.”
The Wolf Ridge experience stays with many students for a lifetime. The trip is often mentioned as a favorite memory of school days and is even noted in some graduation speeches.
Students and parents at both schools participate in a variety of fundraising activities to help cover the cost of the trip.
“Our students worked extremely well together, and we saw many instances of thoughtfulness and looking out for one another,” said Schmidt. “We are sad to see them leave the halls of Hilltop Primary, but we know they will make their mark on Westonka Middle School. We wish them all the best!”
“It takes a village to pull this off,” added Loomis, thanking the spectacular parents and staff who jumped in to help with every task.
Wolf Ridge is a nationally respected and accredited K-12 school and residential learning center. The educational activities immerse participants in nature exploration, cultural history, outdoor skills, team-building, and personal growth.