The International Wolf Center has numerous programs that enhance both in-person and online educational experiences. Our ambassador wolves reinforce our educational messages by creating a connection with each one of our visitors. Take a look at the variety of programs we have so you can plan your visit!
Daily Programs
(included with admission)
Ambassadors to the Wild
Want to know more about our Exhibit Pack? Join this program to learn about each of our ambassador wolves, their histories and behaviors. Then step into the world of wolf biology and gain a better understanding of wolf behavior and pack dynamics!
30-minute presentation
Coywolves, Wolves, Wolf-Dogs? Oh my!
It’s more than their looks that make wolves, coyotes, foxes, dogs and even wolf-dogs different. Behaviors, diets and even vocalizations vary between members of the dog family. Come find out what makes each one unique!
Wolf Enrichment
Looking for the wolves? Wolves typically try to conserve energy and avoid the heat of the day. Please join us at the observation windows while staff encourage our ambassador wolves to actively investigate their enclosure.
Wolves of the Northwoods
What’s so special about up North? What role do wolves play here? Join this program to learn how the past has shaped this area and affects what currently survives in this unique part of Minnesota.
The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale
The declining wolf population combined with an increasing moose population on Isle Royale led to a decision to translocate wolves to the island. Learn more about the history, population dynamics, and recent wolf translocations to this isolated ecosystem.
Wolves in Wildlands
What do wolves need to thrive? How do they interact and impact the other organisms where they live? Join us for a look at these relationships and discover the importance of wildlands.
30-minute presentation
Note: Wolves are curious and will generally come out during a program in the auditorium. However, they are wild animals, so we cannot guarantee that you will see the wolves during a particular program.
Specialty Programs
(small additional fee for after hours programs)
What’s for Dinner?
Saturdays at 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Adult Non-member $8; Adult Member $5
Child Non-member (4-12) $5; Child Member $3
Children 3 and under FREE
Learn about the fascinating feeding behavior of wolves as you watch our Exhibit Pack dine, cache, hide or lay on a variety of prey.
Howling Safari
August – Wednesday and Friday at 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
September – Saturday at 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
October – Saturday at 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Adult Non-member $10; Adult Member $9
Child Non-member (6-12) $6; Child Member $5
Not suitable for children under six. If you are participating with children under 8 years old, to comply with Minnesota car and booster seat laws, you will need to provide your own transportation on field trips. Field trip locations are easy to get to, just follow our staff!
Prior registration is required.
Did you hear that?! Learn about wolf vocalizations before practicing your own howl and venturing into the nearby forest to try howling to a local wolf pack. Don’t be surprised if they howl back!
11 a.m. daily from June 15 to Aug. 14
Learn about wolves through interactive games and fun activities. This hands-on program is designed for kids 4-12 years old. Parents must remain on-site and with their child.
Behind the Scenes – Members Only
8:30 a.m. Fridays, starting June 5, ending July 30
Adult $10, Child (6-12) $5
Not suitable for children under six.
Prior registration required.
This behind-the-scenes experience gives members exclusive access to areas off-limits to the general public! Get up close and learn about the socialization, care, and feeding of our ambassador wolves. Participants will view the wolves from benches near the fence.
Adventure Vacations
(Online Registration Required)
Events Search and Views Navigation
February 2020
Wolves and Women’s Weekend: Northwoods Winter
Program Rates: Non-member $275, Member $250 Registration Deadline: February 14, 2020 Join us for a fun, relaxing weekend learning about wolves and the northwoods while enjoying the company of women who have the same hectic routine as you! Try snowshoeing, using radio telemetry to listen for a wild wolf’s signal and even take a quick dogsled ride. Slow it down for the weekend, enjoy some wine and cheese as we gather at the Northern Tier High Adventure Canoe Base. Enjoy everything…
Find out more »March 2020
Star Trails and the Night Sky
Program Rates: Non-member $75, Member $67.50 Registration Deadline: March 9, 2020 Come to the dark side of photography where you’ll learn to capture the beauty of the night. Learn how photographer Heidi Pinkerton creates intriguing compositions after dark. She will go over basic camera settings and show you how to focus in the dark, but this workshop goes beyond that. Heidi will bring in RAW images and show you how she processes and prepares them for print. After the sun…
Find out more »Boltz’s Birthday Webinar
Webinar rate: $15 Non-members, $12 Members Boltz is representative of the Great Plains subspecies, and joined the Exhibit Pack on July 30th, 2012. He is currently a lower ranking wolf, but is always watching for opportunities to increase his status. He is a bit more reserved in personality and often displays the “wolf look” judging the flight distance of any oncoming threat. Join us for this one-hour webinar as we broadcast from the Exhibit Pack and celebrate Boltz’s 8th birthday.
Find out more »The Life and Legacy of Luna
Webinar rate: $15 Non-members, $12 Members Luna was a representative of the Great Plains subspecies and had been living in the retirement area since August 7, 2016. As you may know, Luna was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in 2019. Luna was euthanized following complications from cancer on Nov. 26, 2019. Join us for this one-hour webinar as we honor her life as an incredible ambassador to her species.
Find out more »April 2020
Tracking the Pack
Registration Deadline: April 10, 2020 Program Rates: Non-member $135, Member $120 Have you ever wanted to experience the life of a biologist? Join us for our wolf research weekend adventure! Our program starts on Friday night at the International Wolf Center, where you’ll learn what tools biologists use in the field to locate and study wild wolves. After a provided breakfast in the morning, you and Center staff will test your new skills with our telemetry equipment and then hop in our…
Find out more »Honoring Aidan and Denali’s Birthday Webinar
Webinar rate: $15 Non-members, $12 Members Aidan and Denali were born on April 27, 2008 and have experienced much in their lives. Aidan transitioned into retirement in 2018, then lost a battle with cancer in 2019. Denali stayed in the Exhibit Pack and as of fall 2019, was still an active social member of the pack. Join us for this one-hour webinar as we honor Aidan’s life as an ambassador wolf and celebrate Denali’s 12th birthday.
Find out more »May 2020
Grayson and Axel’s Birthday Webinar
Webinar rate: $15 Non-members, $12 Members Axel and Grayson will be four years old on May 2, 2019. Join us for this one-hour webinar as we celebrate Axel and Grayson’s birthday and decipher their place in the Center’s Exhibit Pack and discuss the implications of the presence of the 2020 pups.
Find out more »Grizzer’s Birthday Webinar
Webinar rate: $15 Non-members, $12 Members Grizzer, a Great Plains subspecies of the gray wolf, was born on May 5, 2004. Grizzer was retired in 2011 due to some conflict with Denali. He began sharing retirement with Luna in August of 2016 and welcomed Aidan into retirement in July, 2018. Join us for this special one-hour webinar as we celebrate Grizzer’s 16th birthday or depending on Grizzer’s health and advanced age, we celebrate Grizzer’s life.
Find out more »Welcoming the 2020 Pups
Webinar rate: $15 Non-members, $12 Members The summer of 2020 is special due to the planned integration of new pups into the Exhibit Pack. We don’t know the exact time of their birth, but we can share some details from our previous litters. Typically, pups are born in the last week of April or the 1st week of May. By this May 31st webinar, they should be approximately one month of age. Notable features include, erect ears, blue eyes, the…
Find out more »June 2020
MEMBERS ONLY Behind the Scenes – June 5
Program Rates: Adult Members $10, K-12 Students $5 Registration Deadline: June 4 Join the Center staff for a Friday morning MEMBERS ONLY Behind the Scenes program during a period of heightened activity in the Exhibit Pack, Retired Pack and our 2020 pups. Wolf care staff will help identify individual wolves, interpret behavioral activity and provide details on the overall captive management plan. Online Pre-registration is required. Due to wolf behavioral focus, no children under the age of 6 can be…
Find out more »