• June 10 - June 14, 2026 | Science of Fly Fishing
• TBA | Drawn to Nature
• TBA | Wild Words

See individual course pages for course costs. Registration costs include lodging and dining at the station, as well as the course fee.

If you have registered for a course and need to cancel, you may receive a full or partial refund depending on your date of cancellation. Specific drop deadline dates are listed on the email receipt sent after registration. The general cancellation policy for the Science of Craft program is as follows:

• 100% refund if cancellation is requested more than 6 weeks before the start of the course
• 50% refund if cancellation is requested between 6 and 3 weeks before the start of the course
• 0% refund if cancellation is requested less than 3 weeks before the start of the course

All cancellation requests are processed through the registration portal. To request to drop a course, log in at learning.umn.edu with the same email and password used to register for the course. Click on "My Enrollment History", find the course you wish to drop, and click the button labeled "Request Drop."

Participants will lodge in shared housing at the Itasca Biological Station. During the registration process, participants will elect to stay in either 'faculty cabins' or bunkhouse lodging. See our lodging page for details on accommodations. Lodging assignments will be dependent on course enrollment, and it may be necessary to share a bedroom with another participant. Participants can submit roommate requests during the registration process. Many of our bedrooms have bunkbeds, but no one will be assigned to an upper bunk. 

No pets or unregistered guests will be allowed at the station.

Participants will need to bring their own bed linens, pillows, and bath/swim towels. See packing list tab.

Meals will be provided on-site by the Itasca Station Dining Hall. Meals are self-served buffet-style. The first meal is dinner on arrival day and the final meal is breakfast on departure day. In addition to climate-controlled indoor seating, there are picnic tables outside, which allow participants to take their meals on the shore of Lake Itasca.

During registration, participants will be able to request dietary accommodations. See our dining page for more information.

Bedding & towels

The station does not provide bedding. Please bring sheets (twin sized), pillows, blanket (or sleeping bag), and bath/swim towels. Nights are often cool, even in summer, so make sure to pack a warm blanket.

Kitchen and bathroom items 

The station provides: dish towels, a dish cloth, pot holders, dish soap, hand soap, toilet paper, and trash bags. 

Station users should bring their own: coffee filters (basket style), food storage bags/wrapping, paper towels, body soap, and facial tissues.

Other items

• Variety of clothes (for layering)
• Long pants and socks (for protection from ticks, mosquitoes, and poison ivy)
• Raingear
• Walking shoes/hiking boots
• Swimsuit
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• Toiletries and medications
• Bug spray and sunscreen
• Day backpack (large enough for water, snacks, course materials)
• Portable chair
• Water bottle
• Binoculars
• Snacks in case you are hungry between meals

See our printable student packing list for a more complete list. 

Some courses require specific materials. Please see the course pages for more info.

Because the station is situated within Itasca State Park, there are ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, both on our station campus and in the park, including biking, hiking, fishing, hammocking, swimming, canoeing and kayaking. The station provides canoes and kayaks for general use. There are also bikes and helmets available to check out. There are great paved biking trails in the park.