Love your library!

Summer programs provide a great time for kids of all ages

BY ALISON STUCKE PHOTOS BY DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE

Girl Scouts

girlscoutslp.org

(218) 726-4710

Office: 424 W. Superior St., Ste G3, Duluth

Twin Ports area teens can try their hand at welding at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College’s Mind Over Metal Camp, get acquainted with all aspects of the aviation industry at Lake Superior College’s Aviation Academy, or learn to sail through the Duluth-Superior Sailing Association — to touch on a few local camp offerings.

Aviation Academy

(One-week session beginning June 17, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for teens 15 to 19. Cost: Free. For more information, go to www.lsc.edu/summer-camps/. Select either the Women in Aviation cohort or Aviation Co-Ed cohort.)

Maybe it’s the high fences, the barbed wire, the belief that the only way to get onto an airport is to go through a TSA checkpoint, Dan Traska said of a perceived barrier to entry into the aviation industry. The director of LSC’s Center for Advanced Aviation sees the summer Aviation Academy as a way to break down that barrier.

The academy showcases every aspect of aviation — flying, manufacturing, maintenance and repair, a bit of history.

Campers take “discovery flights” in small planes and helicopters, operate flight simulators and — for fun — launch foam airplanes off therapy stretch bands on a makeshift runway. They explore all areas of aircraft maintenance and repair from avionics and engines to fuel systems and riveting/sheet metal. They tour Cirrus airplane manufacturer, the AAR airplane maintenance facility, the 148th Air National Guard, the control tower at Duluth International Airport, the Sky Harbor Airport and Seaplane Base, suppliers such as Ikonics, SCS Interiors and American Precision Avionics, the Bong Museum and Commemorative Air Force. They hear and learn from commercial airline pilots, LifeLink helicopter pilots, mechanics and others involved in the industry.

“If you have any inkling aviation might be for you, this is one way to find out what it’s like,” said Will Beecroft, LSC aviation maintenance instructor in charge of the camp.

Girls Scouts offers resident, day, family and troop camps. Get outdoors and explore one of four locations. In addition to having a summer full of trying new things and meeting great friends, campers discover teamwork, leadership and confidence skills. Grades 1-12. If not a scout, can join when you register.

K.E.Y. Zone, ISD 709

duluthymca.org

(218) 336-8900

K.E.Y. Zone is a collaborative program of the Duluth Y and ISD 709 Community Education. The locations of these programs are at all nine Duluth public elementary schools, which provides services for grades K-5 year-round, including summer and school breaks. Schedule includes snack, physical recreation, brain-time activities, clubs and choice time. Off-site field trips. Students need not attend Duluth public schools. $39 per full day. Extended care available for a fee.

Lake Superior Zoo

lszooduluth.org

(218) 730-4500 info@lszoo.org

7210 Fremont St., Duluth

Toddler program available for parents to attend alongside. Each camp features animal encounters, hands-on activities, crafts and games that focus on inspiring children to care about wildlife, conservation and the natural world. Teenagers can join the Zoo Crew and gain real-world knowledge about caring for animals and visitors. Ages 4-17. Offers camp for children 8-11 with autism. $15-$224. Single class, half-day, full-day.

While your family is busy this summer with camping, biking, swimming, baseball, soccer, barbequing, picnicking, hiking, vacationing and whatever additional summertime activities you do, don’t forget to visit your public library for summer fun that’s free to everyone. Your library is open and ready to provide adventure, entertainment, and learning to kids, teens, and all members of the family all summer long!

The Duluth Public Library

“There’s a lot of fun planned for this coming summer,” said Kristy Nerhaugen, Youth Services Coordinator at the Duluth Public Library. “First is our Summer Reading Program that kicks of June 3 and runs through Aug.16 for children ages birth through 18. They’re encouraged to read or be read to 20 hours over the summer.”

Every child and youth who reaches this goal gets to pick out a free book and enter for the grand prize drawings with fabulous prizes including four $75 Visa gift cards for teens and Barnes & Noble gift cards for kids.

The theme of the Summer Reading Program is “It’s Show Time at the Library!”

“Many of our summer events at the Library naturally fit into that theme,” Nerhaugen explained. “That includes our Kaleidoscope shows for children that run Tuesdays July 9 through Aug. 6 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. outdoors on the plaza stage at the Main Library.”

Kaleidoscope performances include the following:

July 9 Kenny Ahern -Physical Comedy

July 16 Siama Congo Roots -Music, Drumming, & Dance

July 23 Laura Ernst -Aerialist

July 30 Jim Gill -Award-Winning Children’s Musician

Aug. 6 Teddy Bear Band -Music

“Especially during those last two shows, kids will be up and dancing,” Nerhaugen said. “The Duluth Public Library has been running Kaleidoscope for a very long time, and Kiwanis Club of Friendly Duluth has supported the programs for 40 years.”

The fun doesn’t end there. On Monday, June 17 at 1 p.m., the Duluth Public Library partners with Duluth Public Schools to bring International 3 Time Award Winner Master Magician Brodini to Lincoln Park Middle School. It’s a show not to be missed. The next day, on June 18 at 11 a.m. at the Main Library Duluth Huskies players and mascot Harley will host activities for kids as part of the Summer Reading Program.

Here’s a list of even more events for kids this summer:

The Dollipops: Music, dancing and theater group, getting kids moving, grooving, and using their imaginations. June 25, Main Library 10:30 a.m.; Mount Royal 3:30 p.m.; West Duluth 6:00 p.m.

Bubble Wonders: Tricks with bubbles, and motivational speaking. June 28, Mount Royal 2:30 p.m.

Old McDonald Had a Banjo: Folk musician Paul Imholte plays the part of Old MacDonald as he sings original and classic children’s songs. During the show, Paul will play fiddle, guitar, hammered dulcimer, autoharp, cello, harmonica, spoons, jaw harp, and, of course, banjo. July 10, 10:30 a.m. West Duluth; 1:30 p.m. Main Library; July 11, 10:15 a.m Mount Royal

Weekly Story Times include the following:

Baby and Toddler Storytime at 10:15 Wednesdays at the Main Library;

West Duluth Storytime at 10:30 Wednesdays for Babies, Toddlers and Preschool;

Preschool Storytime at 11:15 Wednesdays at the Main Library;

Mount Royal Storytime at 10:15 Thursdays for Babies, Toddlers and Preschool.

The DPL has not forgotten teens in planning fun activities. Teen Scene meets from 4 to 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month in the Green Room. Teens in grades 6-12 are welcome. The fun includes games, crafts, movies, book discussions and more. Pizza is served while quantities last. The June 6 meeting will include Messy Arts and Water Balloons on the Library Plaza. No meeting in July. The Aug. 1 meeting will be Paint Day. Teens can relax and paint with acrylics or watercolors.

The Teen Anime and Manga Club meets from 4 to 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. On June 20, this group will have a Cosplay Contest: Come dressed in your best Cosplay for a chance for prizes including gift cards to Barnes & Noble. July 18 is Candy Tapeball with candy galore for the fastest fingers. On Aug. 1, create anime buttons and keychains, and enjoy Wii U Gaming.