SWELL-Scandia Woods Environmental Learning Lab

SWELL-Scandia Woods Environmental Learning Lab This is the page for the Stevens County, MN Scandia Woods Environmental Learning Lab, fondly known as SWELL. Hours by appointment only.

The idea of SWELL began in 1995 with a group of teachers from the Morris Area and Cyrus School Districts. The original grant was throught the Humphrey Institute School of Change. Through the years, grants, 4-H groups, scout troops, youth serve and other service learning projects have enabled the creation of a very inclusive facility that is flexible to the needs of the audience using it. The SWELL

site is located in the first township to be settled in Stevens County. Linda & Karl Retzlaff own and lease the land and a log cabin built in 1874 by Adolph and August Trantow, originally in Swan Lake Township was donated to the Stevens County Historical Society. It has been moved to the site, refurbished and furnished. Experiencing the life of homesteaders at SWELL allows students to "make history come alive." Over the past decade, students have enjoyed learning about historic music, cooking, chores, homemade fun, storytelling, quilting, dance, pioneer games, dyeing, spinning and other facets of everyday pioneer life.

Looking for some forest time? C'mon out to SWELL! It is breezy today and the bugs aren't so bad, possibly not even notic...
06/27/2026

Looking for some forest time? C'mon out to SWELL! It is breezy today and the bugs aren't so bad, possibly not even noticeable. Chipmunk Alley, Classroom Circle, Wood Duck Lane, and Prairie Pass are all available; a good half mile when all walked together 🚶‍♀️🚶. Wear good shoes, it is muddy in some spots and may be slippery. Gordon's Hallow trail is under water, as well as half the land bridge. We also don't advise walking on Pine Tree Track due to lots of mud. It is absolutely gorgeous. We have at least two geese families. Last night there was a large flock of cormorants you could see from the classroom deck. We saw a fawn on the Retzlaff farm last night, so who knows who you will see!

https://www.scandiawoods.org/

We are always so happy to have visitors to SWELL - especially little ones getting to enjoy all the wonders of nature 🌳🍂
10/07/2025

We are always so happy to have visitors to SWELL - especially little ones getting to enjoy all the wonders of nature 🌳🍂

Thanks to MN 4-H YELLO campers for coming out to help at SWELL today. Picking rock for grass seeding, seeding bus parki...
06/11/2025

Thanks to MN 4-H YELLO campers for coming out to help at SWELL today. Picking rock for grass seeding, seeding bus parking and putting in posts for new trail signage.

Huge thanks to the Swan Lake 4-H Club for cleaning up at SWELL!! It is all ready for visitors and classes! Can't wait to...
05/03/2025

Huge thanks to the Swan Lake 4-H Club for cleaning up at SWELL!! It is all ready for visitors and classes! Can't wait to see you!

Hope you can join us for our rescheduled pancake breakfast! Saturday April 5th , 8 am till 10:30, at the Eagles, Morris...
03/25/2025

Hope you can join us for our rescheduled pancake breakfast! Saturday April 5th , 8 am till 10:30, at the Eagles, Morris.

Get your paws on some pancakes 🐾🐾. Saturday, 8-10:30am Lions Pancake Breakfast in Morris at the Lee Community Center - p...
03/13/2025

Get your paws on some pancakes 🐾🐾. Saturday, 8-10:30am Lions Pancake Breakfast in Morris at the Lee Community Center - proceeds benefit SWELL.

Oh dear! 🦌 The SWELL classroom is sinking!! The Morris Lions Club is contributing all the proceeds from the March 15 Pan...
03/02/2025

Oh dear! 🦌 The SWELL classroom is sinking!! The Morris Lions Club is contributing all the proceeds from the March 15 Pancake Breakfast to help with repairs. 💚 Please join us on March 15, from 8a - 11a, at the Morris Lions Club Pancake Breakfast during the KKOK KMRS Spring Expo🌱, in the Lee Community Center in Morris. We look forward to seeing you there! Thanks for helping support SWELL 💚💙

03/02/2025

The Morris Lions are holding their pancake breakfast again this year at Lee Community center at Spring Expo on Saturday, March 15. Serving from 8-11am and free will donations will benefit SWELL (Scandia Woods Environmental Leaning Lab) funds for improvements and lab up keep! Hope you can come and support this great community event! Your support is greatly appreciated! 🌲🌳🐾🐸🌱🐿️🦊learning in an out door setting!

Conservation Day highlights! 5th graders from Pope and Steven’s SWCD.
10/02/2024

Conservation Day highlights! 5th graders from Pope and Steven’s SWCD.

Beautiful day at SWELL making wood duck houses. Service learning for 4-H YELLO leadership!
06/14/2024

Beautiful day at SWELL making wood duck houses. Service learning for 4-H YELLO leadership!

Address

Morris, MN
56267

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+13205894886

Website

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