South Washington County Schools Community Education

We are off to beautiful Lanesboro, MN and scenic Bluff Country of Southeast Minnesota. This is a fun and educational experience through the Amish countryside of Southeastern Minnesota. You’ll meet our Amish friends and explore their farms and shops where they make exquisite wood furniture, handmade quilts, baskets, leather goods and much more. We’ll also stop at an Amish bakery filled with fresh bread, pastries and treats. As we travel to each location, your guide will explain about the Amish culture and learn about the families we meet. After our tour we will enjoy a meal at the Pedal Pusher in Lanesboro and stop at Pepin Heights store for some apples and treats on our way home. Fee includes: Transportation, tour and lunch. Registration deadline: September 13, 2024. Plan to be at the District Program Center in Cottage Grove by 6:45 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. departure. We will return approximately 5:45 p.m. Cost is $99 per person.

The soundtrack of a generation inspired this BROADWAY SMASH HIT! For six years, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical thrilled Broadway audiences with the inspiring story of Carole King's remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to Rock & Roll hall of Fame music legend. As a woman in the music industry, King broke barriers and became one of the most prolific songwriters of our time! Fee includes: Transportation, lunch (choose from a list of entrees), tax, tip and show. Extra charge for pop, adult beverage and dessert. Reservation deadline is June 5, 2024. Plan to arrive ready to board the bus at the District Program Center at 10:00 a.m. for a 10:15 a.m. departure. You will return at approx. 4:45 p.m.

See the best of the Twin Cities! Take a narrated sightseeing tour of Minneapolis and St. Paul with a professional guide. This is primarily a riding tour but will include a couple of stops. You will get out of the bus to view Minnehaha Falls. Enjoy the sights as you view St. Anthony Falls, the historic riverfront area, the milling industry and "Mississippi Mile." You'll see places such as Vikings US Bank Stadium, Old City Hall, the Twins Target Field, and the Sculpture Gardens. In St. Paul there are Victorian Mansions along Summit Avenue where the Governor's Mansion and James J. Hill House are located. See the magnificent St. Paul Cathedral, the State Capitol, Landmark Center and more! We will stop for lunch around 1 at the famous Bucca Di Beppo for a delicious pasta lunch. Plan to board the luxury motor coach at the District Program Center in Cottage Grove by 9:15 a.m. for a 9:30 a.m. departure. Bus returns by approx. 3 p.m. Registration deadline is Friday, June 14.

Enjoy a fun fall day with a scenic St. Croix river boat trip with Stillwater Boat Company. The boat will depart Stillwater at 11:30am. Enjoy the scenes while you enjoy a sandwich buffet bar with all the Delicatessen Meats & Cheeses, Sandwich Trimmings, Fresh Seasonal Fruit, Potato Salad, and a Cookie. Buffet includes water and a choice of coffee or a soda. Arrive back to the pier at 1:30pm and have some time to explore the local downtown shops of your choice: some include Midtown Antique Mall, Stillwater Antiques, specialty shops or indulge your sweet tooth at Barbara Ann’s Fudge Shoppe, Candyland or Tremblay’s Sweetshop all within walking distance from the Boat company. We will meet back and board the bus at 3:45pm for a 4pm departure to head back to Hastings and Cottage Grove. Reservation deadline is Wednesday, September 4th, 2024. Plan to arrive ready to board the bus at the District Program Center at 10:00 a.m. for a 10:15 a.m. departure. You will return at approx. 4:45 p.m. to Cottage Grove District Program Center.

In late October and mid-November, a swan interpreter takes you along the migration corridor of the Mississippi River. Witness the impressive concentration of tundra swans. At the Brownsville Wildlife Overlook, swans blanket the river in a sea of white and echo a unique song across the River Valley. We've include a stop on the way for coffee, muffin and to check out hand-carved carousel(additional cost to ride), memory lane antique toy museum(free) and other specialty items at L.A.R.K. Toys in Kellogg, MN. Then we'll be on to our main event where Jim Nissen, Swan Tour interpreter, will guide us through a variety of stops along the migration route based on where the swans currently are. After the tour, we'll stop at the Blue Moon Restaurant in Onalaska, WI. Lunch includes their soup of the day plus a club sandwich. After lunch we'll visit the Onalaska Upper Mississippi River National Fish & Wildlife Refuge Center. The River Walk exhibit allows you to "walk on water" and see what lies below the surface of the river. Let's enjoy this unique outdoor adventure together! Plan to board the luxury motor coach at the District Program Center in Cottage Grove by 7:45 a.m. for an 8 a.m. departure. Bus returns by approx. 6 p.m. Registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 11.

Visit the prestigious and nationally renowned Munsinger and Clemens Gardens nestled along the shores of the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, MN that attract visitors from all over the world. The Virginia Clemens Rose Garden features a series of gardens reminiscent of European gardens. Stroll among the beautiful colors and inhale the garden fragrances.This is a self-guided tour that will require some walking so wear comfortable footwear. Included is lunch at the Coyote Moon Grille overlooking the Territory Golf club in St. Cloud. Menu: Entree, popover, salad, side dish, beverage and dessert. After lunch, take a guided tour through the Stearns County History Museum to explore the county's diverse heritage with connections to the past, perspective on the present and inspiration for the future. They educate, entertain, and inspire participants. After the guided tour you'll have time to explore the two floors of the gallery space at your own pace. Plan to board the luxury motor coach at the District Program Center in Cottage Grove at 7:45 a.m. for departure by 8:00 a.m. Bus returns by approx. 4:30 p.m. Registration deadline is Monday, July 1st.

Join us for this fun musical by Irving Berlin. "White Christmas" is a classic! Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, White Christmas is an uplifting musical sure to bring delight. Fee includes: Transportation, lunch, tax, tip and show. Registration deadline: November 8, 2024 Plan to be at the District Program Center by 10:45 a.m. for an 11:00 a.m. departure. We will return to the District Program Center by approximately 4:30 p.m.