Accessibility at Eagle Bluff

Dormitory & Room Accommodations:

• Two-story, climate-controlled dormitory
• Wide hallways and doorways for ease of mobility
• Elevator access to all floors
• Accessible entrance with ramp
• 31 total rooms; capacity for up to 248 guests
• 4 fully accessible rooms for individuals with mobility needs

Click here to learn more about our lodging.

Staff are trained to assist participants in using adaptive gear safely.

Manual wheelchairs are also available on-site.

• A first aid room with basic supplies and over-the-counter medications is located in the dormitory.
• Medications may be refrigerated in the guest lounge.
• AEDs are available in the dormitory, Discovery Center, and Schroeder Building.
• All Eagle Bluff instructors are certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED use. Instructors carry first aid kits when leading Eagle Bluff activities.

• Two private lactation rooms are available—one in the Schroeder Building and one in the dormitory. Each includes a chair, sink, and power outlet.
• To access a lactation room, please speak with a staff member.
• Nursing is welcome anywhere on campus—guests are encouraged to choose the space that feels most comfortable for them.

• Designated accessible parking spaces are available near all main entrances.
• Accessible parking spaces are clearly marked and can accommodate larger vehicles.
• All parking is free.

View our campus map for more details on parking.

• All restrooms on campus are wheelchair-accessible.
• Facilities include manual flushing toilets, manual sinks, and paper towel dispensers—no loud air dryers.
• Urinals are auto-flushing.
• All-gender/companion restrooms are available on each floor of the dormitory.
• Child-sized changing tables are located near the restrooms in the Schroeder Building and in both the men’s and women’s restrooms in the dining hall.

Dormitory:

• The Peace Nook offers a quiet space with books and coloring supplies.

Restrooms:

• All restrooms feature manual flushing toilets, manual sinks, and paper towels—no loud air dryers. Our urinals are auto-flushing.

Service animals are welcome on our campus in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Pets and emotional support animals (ESAs) are not permitted inside buildings.

• A gravel-paved Limited Mobility Trail near the Schroeder Building provides seasonal access and scenic views of the Root River Valley.
• Most other trails (excluding mountain bike trails) are wide enough for all-terrain strollers and wheelchairs. Trails may be difficult to navigate with devices designed for paved surfaces due to hills and uneven ground.

Click here to explore our trails and view trail maps.

Financial Assistance for Minnesota Schools

Eagle Bluff has received new state funding to make overnight outdoor education more accessible. Eligible Minnesota schools may receive up to 100% coverage for a 3-day, 2-night Outdoor School trip, including:

• Program fees
• Busing assistance
• Stipends for lead teachers

Support is made possible through two state initiatives:

• Minnesota Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund (LCCMR):
  $3.9 million awarded to Minnesota’s five accredited Outdoor Schools to be distributed over three years.
• Outdoor School for All Minnesota Law (2025):
  Provides $848,000 over two years to expand overnight outdoor learning for students in grades 4–12.

How Financial Assistance is Determined:

• Based on your school’s percentage of students eligible for free/reduced lunch
• Schools must complete a funding assessment each year
• Financial assistance amounts vary and are not guaranteed

Financial Assistance for all Schools

The following medically-necessary support staff qualify for free attendance:

• Nurses
• Special Education Teachers
• School Counselors
• Interpreters
• Paraprofessionals
• Parents/guardians providing 1:1 student support (with pre-approval)

Questions or Ready to Apply?

Contact our Outdoor School Manager to start your funding assessment and/or confirm staff eligibility.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to fully participate in our classes. That’s why our instructors are trained to support students with physical, intellectual, visual, and hearing disabilities.

To meet individual needs, we offer a variety of accommodations, which may include:

• Modified activities
• Adaptive equipment
• Additional assistance (as needed)

We recommend planning accommodations in advance. This helps us provide the best support for your students. To discuss specific needs, please email our Outdoor School Manager.

Mobility Support:

Many of our trails are hilly, uneven, rocky, or can become muddy or snowy depending on the season. Manual wheelchairs typically cannot be used on these trails. Some electric wheelchairs may work, depending on the trail conditions.

To ensure all participants can explore our outdoor learning spaces, we provide mobility support vehicles. One of each of the following is available:

• Electric Golf Cart
• Gasoline Golf Cart
• John Deere Gator
• Polaris Ranger (includes seatbelts and interior heating)

We assign vehicles based on the needs of each group. If you or someone in your group has mobility needs—such as requiring seatbelts for trunk support or needing transportation—please email our Outdoor School Manager in advance to arrange accommodations.

Adaptive Equipment

We offer specialized adaptive gear for each of these activities:

• High Ropes Course
• Indoor Rock Climbing Wall
• Archery Range
• Canoeing

Our staff are trained to assist participants in using this equipment safely and confidently.

Manual wheelchairs are also available on-site for guests who need mobility support.

If you or someone in your group may benefit from adaptive gear, please email our Outdoor School Manager in advance to arrange accommodations.

Meal Accommodations

• All medical, religious, vegan, and vegetarian diets are supported.
• Note allergies and dietary needs on your Medical Form.
• Our campus is always free of peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish.
• Schools needing pork-free or halal meals may request this on the Scheduling Form.
• To speak to someone about food allergies or dietary restrictions, please email our Food Service Manager.

Bringing Your Own Food

• A guest lounge with fridge, freezer, and microwave is available.
• Brought food must be free of peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish.

Class-Related Food

• Some classes include optional food tasting (view foods offered here); substitutions or opt-outs are welcome.
• For more information about the foods offered in classes, email our Outdoor School Manager.

We are working to make key documents available in the four most commonly spoken languages in Minnesota: English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong.

The following Eagle Bluff materials are available in all four languages:

• Medical Forms
• Outdoor School Packing List
• Parent and Guardian Information
• Adult Chaperone Guide
• Outdoor School Code of Conduct
• Gift Shop Price List

If you notice an issue with a translation or would like to suggest a document for future translation, please email our Outdoor School Manager.

Note: Interpreters provided by the school are welcome and attend the trip free of charge.

Schools may share prayer needs on the Scheduling Form. Many groups choose to pray in their homeroom before meals.

If a quiet, private prayer space is needed, we will designate a room in the dormitory. These accessible rooms include a table and chair, are located near washrooms, and offer peaceful views of the surrounding landscape.

If your individual prayer need is not included in your school’s submission, you may note it on your Medical Form.