Shetek Environmental Learning Center

10/19/2026

Kilen Stat Park was beautiful- hope to see more hiker next hike- November 7th!

10/19/2026

Until next hike! November 7th.

10/06/2026

CHECK OUT WHATS AT CAMP Shetek Lutheran Ministries

Laetiporus: AKA Chicken of the woods!

🐔🍄 FUN FACTS:
• It gets its name because its texture is often compared to chicken when cooked.
• It usually grows in large, bright yellow/orange clusters on trees or fallen logs.
• Unlike many mushrooms, it doesn’t have traditional gills underneath—it has tiny pores.
• It’s a saprotroph, meaning it helps break down dead wood and return nutrients to the ecosystem. 🌳➡️🌱
• It can sometimes grow back in the same general area year after year.
• Its bright colors make it one of the easier wild mushrooms to spot.
• It’s an important part of forest decomposition—so even though we might see it as food, it’s also doing a pretty important job for the forest!

And here's the reminder I give whenever we're talking about wild mushrooms: never eat a mushroom based on a photo or social media post alone. Proper identification matters!

09/29/2026

09/21/2026

New things are coming to Lake Shetek from the Environmental Education Department and I hope you are here for it!

09/15/2026

SLM Hiking Club completes hike #27 on Sunday, September 13 at the Lower Sioux Agency in Morton Minnesota. We completed all three trails hiking 3 1/2 miles. The East and West Trails were well groomed and provided many opportunities for education on the US-Dakota War of 1862 and the events and timelines leading up to this war and the events that followed. The River Trail was a steep grade with beautiful views of the Minnesota River.

09/14/2026

Look who made an appearance today at camp even though its raining! The American Robin! This North American songbird is known for its bright red-ish orange- ish breast and cheerful and familiar morning song.

09/04/2026

SLM Hiking Club will be gathering Sunday, September 13th at 3pm for hike #27. Guests and new members are welcome!

08/03/2026

What a difference a week can make. The 67 degree weather for our morning hike on Saturday, August 1st was refreshing! SLM Hiking Club completed hike #26 at Granite Fall MN Memorial Park. We covered 2.5 miles within the 141 acres of the park. Before we started our hike we learned a little about the history behind this park and the natural resources within it.

07/27/2026

Next hike is Saturday, August 1 at 9 am. Guests and new members welcome!