Birding Trip – 4/18/26

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Recreation Department
Skoglund and Tostrud Center
1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, MN 55057

P 507-786-3715 E recdept@stolaf.edu

Birding Trip – 4/18/26

"*" indicates required fields

Date: 4/18/26

Van Departure Time: 8:00AM

Van Returning Time: 12:00PM

Van Departure/Return Location: Skoglund faculty and staff parking lot

Trip Location: McKnight Prairie, Dundas MN

Mandatory Pre-Trip Meeting: Monday (4/13) @ 6:00PM. Location will be shared when registration is approved.

Trip Description

Join us for a peaceful morning of birding in the McKnight Prairie, a beautiful native prairie located just outside Northfield. This protected area is home to a variety of grassland birds, wildflowers, and open prairie landscapes, making it an excellent spot for spring and early summer birdwatching. We’ll spend time walking the trails, listening for bird calls, and observing species that thrive in Minnesota’s remaining tallgrass prairies. This trip is perfect for both beginner and experienced birders looking to enjoy nature, learn, and appreciate a unique local ecosystem.

What We Provide:

Experienced guides, transportation, Binoculars

What You Should Bring:

Warm weather clothing, a backpack, extra water, snacks, comfortable shoes to walk in. St Olaf College is not responsible for lost or damaged electronic devices. Bring them at your own risk.

First Name*

Last Name*

Gender Identity

I identify as:

Student ID*

Email*

Phone*

Medical Information

Please provide information below that would be valuable to have in an emergency situation:

Are you allergic to any insect bites or bee stings?*

Yes

Please elaborate:

Are you allergic to any foods or beverages?*

Yes

Please elaborate:

Do you have any dietary restrictions?*

Yes

Please elaborate:

Do you have any medical conditions that may affect you on this activity or trip (e.g. diabetic):*

Yes

Please elaborate:

Co-Curricular Opportunity Fund

Have you applied to the CCOF?*

Yes

No but I am planning to

Policies and Procedures

Nondiscrimination Policy

St. Olaf College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. St. Olaf College prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon these and any other legally protected status in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admissions and employment.

Inquiries about this nondiscrimination policy may be referred to St. Olaf College’s Director of Equal Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights or both. St. Olaf’s Director of Equal Opportunity (who serves as the College’s Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 Coordinator) is Pamela McDowell, Tomson Hall, mcdowell@stolaf.edu, (507) 786-3465.

Ole Expeditions Trip Cancellation Policies*

Ole Expeditions recognizes that various circumstances can impact students’ ability to attend activities that require pre-registration. As such, the Recreation team applies the following approach to respect the reality that plans can change while also honoring the financial investment of organizing and facilitating student trips. This policy only applies to trips organized by Ole Expeditions for which pre-registration is required, as noted within the registration form.

Trip Cancellation by Ole Expeditions

The Recreation department reserves the right to cancel an event due to low enrollment or other circumstances which would make the event non-viable. If the Recreation department postpones an event, registrants will be promptly notified, and an alternative date will be shared. If Recreation cancels an event, registrants will be promptly notified, and if participants pay a registration fee, a full refund will be issued.

Registration Cancellation by the Participant

Unless expressly stated on the event registration form, the deadline to notify the Assistant Director of Recreation that you can no longer attend an event is ten (10) business days prior. Cancellations received after the stated deadline will:

If no participation fee has been paid, a charge will be incurred to the student’s account for the amount invested in materials/meals for the presumed attendee.

If a participation fee has been paid, the student will not be eligible for a refund unless a participant on the waitlist is able to take their spot on the trip. If that happens, 50% of the participation fee will be refunded back to the initial participant.

Cancellations made from the Monday of the Pre-Trip meeting through the day of the trip, are not eligible for a refund of any sort.

Additionally, the above applies to those who choose not to attend an applicable event without advanced communication. Notification of cancellations will be accepted by email (herfin3@stolaf.edu) and must be received by the stated cancellation deadline. Students who cannot attend an applicable event can identify an alternative student to participate in their place IF there is not already someone on the waitlist. They will then receive 50% of their initial participation fee. They must do this before the Monday of the Pre-Trip meeting to be eligible for a refund. Cancellations due to family emergencies or other uncontrollable circumstances are understandable. In these cases, please connect with the Assistant Director of Recreation.

Pre-Trip Meeting

All participants are required to attend an informational, pre-trip meeting before they can participate in the activity. The pre-trip meeting will be on Monday at 6:00pm the week of the trip. If you are unable to attend the meeting, contact the Assistant Director of Recreation ahead of time (herfin3@stolaf.edu). If you decide not to attend the meeting and do not contact the Assistant Director of Recreation, you will forfeit your spot on the trip and the Registration Cancellation by Participant policies will go into effect.

Event Cancellation Statement

The following statement must be included in all registration forms for Ole Expedition events for which this policy applies:

This event is covered by the Ole Expeditions Event Cancellation Policy. If you can no longer attend this event, please contact our team before the Monday of the Pre-Trip meeting for that event. Failing to inform us of your cancellation or absence will forfeit your eligibility to receive any of your registration fee.

Students completing the registration form must acknowledge that they have read and understand the policy before submitting their event registration.

I agree to the cancellation policy.

Pre-Trip Meeting Policies*

Pre-Trip Meeting

All participants are required to attend an informational, pre-trip meeting before they can participate in the activity. The pre-trip meeting will be on Monday at 6pm the week of the trip. If you are unable to attend the meeting, contact the Assistant Director of Recreation ahead of time (herfin3@stolaf.edu). If you decide not to attend the meeting and do not contact the Assistant Director of Recreation, you will forfeit your spot on the trip and the Registration Cancellation by Participant policies will go into effect.

I agree to the Pre-Trip Meeting requirement