March 2011

march 2011

THE CAMP ISSUE

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letters from camp I still have a small bundle of olive green letters, tied with a ribbon, tucked into a box with other special childhood items. These are the letters my parents wrote to me while I was at Camp Tanadoona, a place that seemed so far away and yet — via the wonders of Google Maps, tells me it was actually 17.6 miles from my childhood home. It’s wonderful how when one is small, things just seem so large, so long, so inescapably far away.

The letters, written mostly in my mother’s beautiful curvy longhand, talk of everyday life; how she got a new dishwasher, how my dog, Charlie, threw up a balogna sandwich in the kitchen (along with speculation as to who might have given it to him in the first place), and a discussion of the latest injury my brother, David, brought forth upon himself. There is also the cramped handwriting of my father, reminding me (embarrassingly) to check “my body” for wood ticks at the end of each day. Best of all, many of the letters allude to a surprise waiting for me when I returned home.

I don’t remember much about that camp, except that I rode a horse for the first time, and swam in a lake, the weed tangling around my toes. And that one of the girls in my cabin had an asthma attack and had to leave in the middle of the night.

Now, there’s a camp specifically for kids who suffer from asthma, and our writer, Kelly Jo McDonnell, has assured us that Camp SuperKids is loaded for bear when it comes to ensuring the kids and their condition are the highest priority.

We are profiling a number of great camps in this issue — overnight and day camps, but also have provided a comprehensive list of resources for you to dig deeper into the experience of sending your child off to camp. And if the resource list isn’t enough for you, please find time in your schedule to attend the Minnesota Parent Camp Fair at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory on February 26 from 10 to 2. Over 80 camp representatives, along with some terrific entertainment, goodie bags, face painting and more, will be there to educate you about the possibilities.

At Minnesota Parent, we believe that sending our kids to camp so they can learn to be independent and succeed apart from the nurturing home environment, is a valuable lesson. We hope you think so, too.

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feature 25 kid rock

music camp gives aspiring musicians a chance to play in a band

photo by robb long

parent pages 6 you know best

19 teens and tweens

thoughts on camp

learning life skills at camp

31 super camping for superkids

9 chatter

21 health + wellness

asthma camp teaches care management

14 hot stuff

34 club skills developing youth through juggling

40 beyond the yellow ribbon a camp for kids with deployed parents

56 real parent brainerd mom becky flansburg

camp kid

16 grows on trees

mommy bootcamp

22 eats march madness munchies

camp costs

kid culture

calendar

44 kid books

45 march top events

nature & camping

ON THE COVER Where will you be sending your kids to camp this summer? This month’s Minnesota Parent will explore a multitude of options. Cover design by Mike Novak.

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It’s the summer to dIscover Y overnIGht camp: aGes 7 – 17

Icaghowan, Ihduhapi, Warren and Camp St. Croix

Y teen wIlderness adventure: aGes 12 – 18 Menogyn and Widjiwagan

Y daY camp: aGes 4 – 15

Outdoor adventures with exciting camp activities: archery, canoeing, crafts and cookouts. Kids are home each night. 10 Locations.

Y summer proGrams:

Fun friendship and quality care. Flexible 3-, 4- and 5-day options.

Over 60 locations.

• summer power:

Y School Age Care/Preschool/Grades K – 6

reGIster now – programs fill up fast!

• summer sports:

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• summer uproar:

call 612-822-2267

Grades 1 – 6

Preteens and Teens/Grades 6 – 9

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FrIdaY, march 4 – sundaY, march 6 Get specIal deals

$10 oFF Day Camp Sessions $10 oFF Summer Sports & Extreme Sessions $25 oFF Overnight & Teen Wilderness Camp Sessions $50 oFF (no registration fee) on Summer Power Preschool, Summer Power and Summer Uproar

vIsIt our summer proGrams FaIr Saturday, March 5 at all YMCA Branches 9 a.m. – noon

11-SP11MN Par

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Talk to the experts, get questions answered and see videos of Summer Programs in action. march 2011

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minnesota

parent the journal of family living Vol. 26, Issue 3 Co-Publishers Janis Hall 612-436-4361 jhall@mnpubs.com

Terry Gahan 612-436-4360 tgahan@mnpubs.com

Editor Kathleen Stoehr kstoehr@mnpubs.com

Contributing Photographer Robb Long

Contributing Writers Jenny Harper Sam Lane Sgt. Patrick Loch Kelly Jo McDonnell Kara McGuire Laurie Kocanda Joy Riggs

Interns Alyson Cummings, Bre McGee, Gustin Schumacher Timberline Construction MNP 1110 4.indd 1 Doctors said

10/11/10 5:25 PM

she wouldn’t go home.

They never said anything about

Circulation Marlo Johnson 612-436-4388 distribution@mnpubs.com

Sales Manager Melissa Ungerman Levy 612-436-4382 mungermanlevy@mnpubs.com

Assistant Sales Manager Kyle Dahlen 612-436-4387 kdahlen@mnpubs.com

Sales Administrator Kate Manson 612-436-5085 kmanson@mnpubs.com

Design Editor Dana Croatt

Creative Team Valerie Moe Mike Novak

Office Manager Chris Damlo 612-436-4376 cdamlo@mnpubs.com

Classified Advertising 612-825-9205 sales@mnpubs.com

Printing ECM Printing

52,500 copies of Minnesota Parent printed monthly, available at news stands statewide.

heading to the lake.

Get Minnesota Parent mailed to your home for just $12.00 a year.

Call 612-825-9205 for more information.

Minnesota Parent (ISSN 0740 3437) is published monthly by Minnesota Premier Publications.

POSTMASTER send address changes to: MINNESOTA PARENT, 1115 Hennepin Avenue S. Minneapolis, MN 55403.

Minnesota Parent is copyright 2011 by Minnesota Premier Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Address all material to address above.

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Neither do we. Our infusion, respiratory and other comprehensive specialties, including private duty nursing, mean she can be happy at home, or anywhere.

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Our age-specific programs keep preschool and school-age kids entertained and excited all summer long.

Learn more about our 12 one-week camps Program availability varies by center Š 2011 Knowledge UniverseŽ. All rights reserved.

2/8/11 2011 5:57 PM5 march

parent pages

camping kids Minnesota Parent asked Facebook fans, “Are you sending your child to camp this summer, and where?” Here’s what they had to say.

you know best We plan to sign our two kids up for a week, maybe two, of YMCA day camp. We are also going to the [Minnesota Parent Camp] Fair at Como Zoo to see other ideas.

— Lisa Thompson, Robbinsdale Summer camps are great! My 9 year-old daughter will go to horseback riding camp and my 16 year-old son will go to basketball camp. It’s smart to fill long summer days with constructive activities!

— Christine Lienke Camp is something I definitely start thinking about right about now with my kiddos driving me crazy from being cooped up! Girl Scout or Y camps are definitely in their

future, as are the Minneapolis Parks awesome programs — they’re cheap and accessible for younger kids.

I might also try to facilitate some kind of preschool camp on my own! With five young kids, it’s a challenge to be able to coordinate camp schedules, but I’m thinking that I’m going to … possibly try to coordinate with other parents of preschool boys for my own “camp” experience for the four boys (4, 3 year-old twins and 1.5). Anything that entertains them and keeps me sane is awesome … especially if I don’t have to spend the day driving and bucking/ unbuckling!

— Betsey Matas, Minneapolis

Camps are usually a huge part of my budget, as a single disabled mother. However, I try to find many camps that offer financial assistance. This summer we are doing two weeks of Camp Kota, through Bloomington’s Summer Spectrum. We always and will again this summer, do one week of Vacation Bible School, through our church, St. Micheal’s, in Bloomington. We are also going to try Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth — a two-week program. As an only child, filling his summer up with a variety of camps always keeps him busy and having fun!

— Jill Tellor, Bloomington

Lessons * Horse Camp * Birthday Parties

A Party At Your House, Not IN Your House.

Horsemanship Summer Camp Not just on for the ride—learn all the basics about horses.

(AGES 6-13)

651-226-2027 MOBILE VIDEO GAME THEATER GaminRide.com • (888) 36-GAMES ALSO OFFERING: Sumo Wrestling • Bumper Balls Outdoor Laser Tag • and more!

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Sunnyside Stables, Inc. Rosemount, Minnesota www.sunnysidestables.org

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parent pages My daughter goes to acting camp at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater each summer.

— Jennifer I plan to enroll my younger child in Camp Invention during early enrollment with the early bird discount and I am looking for a clay art camp/ drawing camp for my older child.

— Heidi Burns, Stillwater Every year I sign my children up for a summer-long program called “Wild Within,” located in Ely, Minnesota, where we live. Wild Within is a Mon. through Fri. program that focus on a combination of wilderness skills such as shelter building, orienteering,

and survival skills, as well as personal growth skills such as leadership, goal setting, and positive conflict resolution. My children have learned so many wonderful things such as spider and tree identification, canoeing, bog walking, etc. They do a nature hike every day and learn about the woods around them while they hike. It’s a terrific group of people who run this program and my children have participated for several years. They love it, and the people running the program, and look forward to it every summer.

— Heidi Brandenburg Pierson, Ely

day camp. Afton Alps had a great golf camp he enrolled in last year, and he will probably do that one again. Also he usually enjoys Science Museum of MN day camps, so he might sign up for one of those as well. He has also enjoyed the day camps from Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth, so depending on the classes offered and the weeks scheduled, he might be interested in that also.

— Kathleen Taylor

you know best

We like you, do you “like” us?

“Like” us on Facebook. You never know what will pop up next on the Minnesota Parent Facebook page.

Whether we’re giving away free tickets to an event or offering important information you need to know as you navigate the choppy parental waters, we hope you will turn to us on Facebook, as well as our Minnesota Parent website (mnparent.com) to get your valuable information.

Yes, we usually sign our 11 year-old up for some type of

A SMART Choice For Summer.

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Camps begin June 13 For students entering grades 2-9 Range from $40-$95 Camp Director: Jesse Foley 612-798-2621 To Register: Emily Dapper 612-798-0764 Spring Open House: April 27, 6:00p.m.

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to locate a school near you and to schedule a visit. *Available at participating locations only. Rules and restrictions apply.

See school for 0-5-year-old and 6-12-year-old summer offer details and restrictions. Sessions, programs, field trips, and hours vary by school. CODE: Use current summer offer disclaimers and code(s).

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march 2011

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✔ EDUCATIONAL ❏

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EXPLORE YOUR INNER BUILDER AT LEGO® KIDSFEST!

The LEGO KidsFest offers LEGO lovers an exciting, three-day interactive experience — packed with activities and creative fun — for the entire family!

Among the many attractions, families will find: Life-sized and miniature models cks built entirely of LEGO bricks LEGO build, race and play tables

FF E ACH T ICK E T at LEGOk idsfest.c with the coupon c om ode

Video Game Alley LEGO Club Lounge LEGO Mystery Mural LEGO Games Arena Meet a Master Builder LEGO & DUPLO® Construction Zones

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LEGO “Creation Nation” group build b ild And so much more…

Sign-up for the LEGO KidsFest newsletter at LEGOkidsfest.com for updates!

Friday, May 20 4pm – 9pm Saturday, May 21 Session I: 9am – 2pm; Session II: 3pm – 8pm Sunday, May 22 Session I: 9am – 2pm; Session II: 3pm – 8pm

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Visit LEGOkidsfest.com for tickets & more information!

LEGO, the LEGO logo, DUPLO, the DUPLO logo, the Brick and Knob confi gurations and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. Produced by LIFE Marketing & Events.

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parent

parent pages snooz’n sleep aid

mourning the demise of cribsheet

We were intrigued with Snooz’n, a t purported “natural sleep aid” to n pare ed! combat stress, energy drinks, and test general sleeplessness. Directions told us to drink the 2.5 oz. bottle (certainly not daunting) and then in about 30 minutes, it would take effect. With natural ingredients like Valerian root (a non-toxic herb that is known to reduce headaches and support natural sleep patterns) and L-Tryptophan (which in substantial quantities is a natural sedative), we were hopeful.

The “Berry-Berry Tired” flavor had a lively but faux fruit flavor according to one tester (another said it was “berry, berry bad”) but the end result was one tester was already tired when she drank the elixir and thinks she would have conked out anyway; the other said it made no difference in his sleep pattern; he laid awake for hours after drinking it. So, the jury is out. Snoozn.com

We had to mention the departure of the Star Tribune’s Cribsheet on January 30th, shut down when the duo of May Chen and Kay Krhin announced: “The simple fact is, we are no longer new parents. Changing diapers is a distant memory. The pediatrician is no longer on speed dial. We no longer type one-handed. And (sometimes) we sleep through the night.” But Chen and her family moved and the duo decided to go out when they were on top.

We will miss their insightful words and will leave you with the final thought, spoken by Kay’s son, Ben.

chatter

Blog e h of t th n o m

The other night, Kay’s Ben whispered from his pillow: Ben: In Charlotte’s Web the spider said: ‘With the right words you can change the world.’”

Kay: Oh? What do you think those words are?

Ben: I think they are please and thank you.

So, thank you Cribsheet. You will be missed.

ATTENTION WOMEN 21-32:

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www.petcremationofmn.com

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Fill your child’s summer with adventure.

Art, nature, music and sports are some of the ways we keep your child’s mind and body active all summer long.

Plus, flexible scheduling provides the freedom your busy family needs.

Minnetonka, 952.939.0396 www.stdavidscenter.org

d y % s Sa isfie 6 t 9 nt a re e S Pa Ar f o nts e ud St

Amazing It’s

what the right learning environment can do for

Self-esteem.

parent pages

chatter

QR codes — what are they?

QR codes, or Quick Response codes, are similar to barcodes found on products in supermarkets and drugstores. Instead of providing the price of an item, however, QR codes take the scanning device to a website, YouTube video, or other online location. These two-dimensional codes are scanned using the camera on an iPhone or Android-equipped 3395 Plymouth Road, Minnetonka QR phone with a downloaded 952.939.0396 • www.stdavidscenter.org code reader app, such as NeoReader. Once scanned, the code automatically sends the phone’s Internet browser to the website connected to the individual code. QR codes are new, but have already shown up in magazines and advertisements as the number of smartphone users increase. And if you are wondering about that confusing Chino Latino billboard near Hennepin & Lake (the eyeball with the white and black square in the center) — yep — that’s a QR code, which will transmit ads, deals (such as a recent freebie for an order of Habanero Hell Poppers), and allow you to watch “cheeky” video.

— Alyson Cummings

We’ll bring out the best in your child.

MTS Minnesota Connections Academy’s tuition-free, full-time, online public school program for grades K-12 uses personalized plans, one-on-one attention from certified teachers, and leading-edge technology tools.

Bring out the best in your child. Find out more today.

Call 800-382-6019, or visit ConnectionsAcademy.com/MTSMCA or MTCS.org.

MTSMCA is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI).

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indoor fun for cold weather months When children are trapped indoors by cold temperatures, the walls of your home rapidly begin to close in. Youthful exuberance and energy simply cannot be expelled by playing quiet indoor games, but the typical horseplay that would take place out of doors usually is not conducive to the survival of your furniture, walls, fragile knick knacks, or anything else breakable in your home.

Parent loves the Pocket Disc. A crocheted flying disc, the Pocket Disc can be used to play hundreds of games like Ceiling Fan 500, Pocket Disc Bowling, Duck Hunting, and many others, all of which won’t result in bumped and bruised crying children or a trashed home. The disc’s soft cotton construction eliminates the possibility for most injury and home damage while still retaining its ability to fly and entertain for hours. Our only issue? Keeping it away from the dog. pocketdisc.com nt pare ed! test

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15th Annual USA Chess National Summer Chess Camp Tour USA Chess is the largest andAnnual premier summer camp organizer for children 15th USA Chess National in the U.S. with more than 100 schools nationwide. Our staff is comprised of Summer Chess Camp Tour the finest children’s chess instructors. Campers experience a fun filled week USA Chess is the and premier summer for children while learning thelargest skills needed to play casual camp and/ororganizer competitive chess. in the U.S. with more than 100 schools nationwide. Our staff is comprised of the finest children’s chess instructors. Campers experience a fun filled week while learning the skills needed to play casual and/or competitive chess.

June 13th - 17th, 2011 June 27th - July 1st, 2011 South Shore Community Center Mounds Park Academy Excelsior, MN St. Paul, MN August 8th - 12th, 2011 Minnehaha Academy Minneapolis, MN

Tuition includes tee-shirt, trophy, chess board & pieces & much more.

\ON SALE NOW! • APRIL 1-3 ORPHEUM Theatre • MINNEAPOLIS in person: State Theatre Box Office (no service fees) or any Ticketmaster outlet

BY PHONE: 800.982.2787 • GROUPS Save! Call 612-373-5665 ONLINE: HennepinTheatreTrust.org

• Beginners thru Advanced Welcome!

• Co-ed, ages 6 to 15 years • Group & Sibling Discounts Tuition includes tee-shirt, trophy, chess board & pieces & much more.

• Morning, Afternoon & All-day Sessions • Beginners thru Advanced Welcome!

Online: • Register Co-ed, ages 6 to 15 years • Group & Sibling Discounts • Morning, Afternoon & All-day Sessions

www.chesscamp.com Register Online: 888•65•CHESS www.chesscamp.com 888•65•CHESS

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SKI & STAY PACKAGES STARTING AT $55 PER PERSON PER NIGHT

I just created a videocreated game! a I just video game!

At Game Builder Creation Camp your child will actually design, develop and create a At Game Builder Creation one of a kind video game.

Camp your child will actually develop andcourse create a We combine learning and fun and bring it to adesign, whole new level. This one of a kind video game. was developed to not just teach introductory programming skills but to also encourage creative thinking to blend these into an exceptional experience.

We combine learning and fun and bring it to a whole new level. This course Enroll at www.gamebuildercamp.com/video.htm. was developed to not just teach introductory programming skills but to also encourage creative toGame blend these- into an exceptional experience.

Intro Video Game Creationthinking Video Creation The Sequel Animation Creation Enroll at www.gamebuildercamp.com/video.htm.

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June 27th - July 1st, 2011 Mounds Park Academy St. Paul, MN

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August 8th - 12th, 2011 Minnehaha Academy Minneapolis, MN

June 20th - 24th, 2011 South Shore Community Center Excelsior, MN

June 20th - 24th, 2011 South Shore Community Center Learn To Fly Excelsior, MN

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INFORMATION: 800-444-8977 | RESERVATIONS: 888-281-0625

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chatter cowles conservatory in the minneapolis sculpture garden Well, cheap date day, actually, but p a e this one is hard to pass up. You ch e dat t have to check out crystalline h nig Cowles Conservatory, open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Entering the Conservatory, the rich scent of dirt and warm green smell of spring will envelop you.

Permanent and seasonal displays of native, tropical and exotic plants, orchids, palms, and other fragrant and beautiful plant species occupy this all glass building. And the crowning glory is Frank Gehry’s Standing Glass Fish, a beloved icon set amongst a fantastic lily pond among the Mexican fan palms and calamondin orange trees.

Ah, spring is here, at least inside this small but lovely glass enclosure. Admission is always FREE; you will find the Conservatory north of the Walker Art Center, almost directly across from the public parking ramp. 726 Vineland Place, Minneapolis.

steps to stop cyberbullying There are some easy steps you can follow if your child is being cyberbullied. Let them know to come to you first, and then assess the level of severity and type of bully. If the cyberbullying is at a high level of severity — threatening physical harm to your child, their family and friends, etc.

— it may be appropriate to contact the local police department, especially if the cyberbully is anonymous. If you or your child knows the cyberbully, it would appropriate to contact school administration and have them handle approaching the bully’s parents. Engaging with the cyberbully directly can escalate the situation, so make sure your child does not respond to or delete messages from a cyberbully. This evidence can be kept as a record of the malicious behavior, while disengaging helps prevent additional negative material from surfacing. Cyberbullying is easier to prevent than to fix, so change any account information and have your child turn off the computer. By walking away, they become less accessible to bullying and harassment, and are

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8 Beautiful Facilities — One Near You!

Plymouth • Corcoran • Edina Brooklyn Park • St. Anthony Maple Grove • Chaska • Wayzata

763-557-6777 2/15/11 11:10 AM parent mnparent.com

parent pages affected less by the situation. Assure them that life goes on without a Facebook profile! — Ryan Moreau, Internet safety expert and panelist with Kiwi Commons (kiwicommons.com)

carle books for health & education Through the end of April, Kohl’s has made the beloved books of Eric Carle, plus an accompanying plush toy, available for $5.00 per set with 100% of the net profits donated to support kids’ health and education initiatives nationwide. The plush toys are very well constructed and completely loveable and we all know how much children throughout the years have loved the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Foolish Tortoise and other characters. Visit kohls.com/ cares for more information or to order. This isn’t just a great deal on a hardcover book plus toy; these are also quality products that fund a good cause. nt pare ed! t s te

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instant cookie gratification nearing end If you haven’t used your Cookie Booth Locator app on your mobile device to find the nearest Girl Scout cookies yet, time is running out. The Cookie Program, which launched February 5 with Cookie Go Day, ends March 20. You can also find your cookies online at girlscoutsrv.org.

On a diet? You can still buy cookies for others to enjoy through the Cookie Care & Share program, which has delivered 200,000 boxes of cookies to 501c3 charitable organizations by accepting donations from cookie customers.

With over 40,000 girls throughout the program, hitting the streets and armed with Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, Dulce de Leche, Lemon Chalet Cremes, and Thank U Berry Munches — what are you waiting for?

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Ages 8–18 All experience levels welcome!

Medical School

Does your child have ADHD? Are they currently taking a medication?

If so, the University of Minnesota is looking for volunteers to participate in an observational study looking at the effects of clinically prescribed ADHD medications on artery health in children.

The Twin Cities’ finest theatre camp experience!

Contact Andrea Metzig: 612-625-3623 or THEL0041@umn.edu

Week-long sessions all summer starting June 13!

U of M - Pediatrics MNP 030111 H8.indd 1

FREE Jesus Christ Superstar ticket with each camper registration!

1/24/11 1:40 PM

INCORPORATED

A Developmental Music Program for Toddlers and PreschoolersTM

★ ACTING ★ DANCE ★ VOICE ★ MOVEMENT

Our year round curriculum offers a variety of singing, movement, and instrumental activities that emphasize overall development while introducing important music concepts.

952-934-1525 800-362-3515 W W W . C H A N H A S S E N D T. C O M parent

chatter

Childcare Providers: Ask how to bring Growing With Music to your students!

Bloomington • Maplewood • Golden Valley Rochester • Stillwater For information call: 763-540-0271 info@growingwithmusic.com www.growingwithmusic.com

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hot stuff

crucial for camp We know all of the “regular” things we should pack for our kids when they leave home for a day or longer. Here’s a look at a few things you may not have thought about.

1 medical alert labels NAME BUBBLES allergy and medical alert labels provide four lines of information to keep everyone aware of emergency care.

Helps alert those around your child, letting them know of peanut allergies, juvenile diabetes, and other potentially life threatening conditions. Great for lunch bags, water bottles, food containers, toys, permission slips, and school forms. Medical alert labels are also waterproof … just press and stick. namebubbles.com; about $33 for 96 labels

2 quick wipes Soiled, sweaty, stinky, self-conscious? Portable single-use disposable washcloths offer an easy and convenient way to help kids get clean and eliminate embarrassing grime and body odor after physical activity. QWIK SHOWER wipes are also great for adults for use after the gym, a jog, when traveling, during a long shift at the office, or even after work enroute to another engagement. qwikshower. com; about $29 for 50 individual packets

3 tattoo you Colorful SAFETYTATS are going high-tech with the inclusion of a QR (Quick Response) code, a barcode that can be scanned by the camera in smart phones. This brings up additional phone numbers, allergies listed, and other information you provide. One emergency contact will be visible on the tattoo. The tattoos, available beginning June 2011, are waterproof and latex-free. safetytat.com

4 tread tracker Who doesn’t want incentives for daily exercise and activity? GEOPALZ pedometers are clipped to the hip area and record steps and movement, earning kids prizes for participating in camp or sports programs. Steps entered online can be redeemed for sports equipment and accessories. Parents receive weekly email updates on their child’s progress and tips for encouraging activity. The pedometers are available in 21 different styles. geopalz.com; about $20

5 energy boost GRANOLA GOURMET energy bars are great to throw in a backpack, to give kids the necessary pick-up without causing the dread sugar crash. These 100 percent natural bars are great for an on-thego snack that won’t cause a spike in blood sugar. The bars are available in four flavors, contain no wheat or dairy, and are low in sodium. granolagourmet.com; about $22 for 20 bars

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Childish Films @ the Library a program of children’s cinema & arts

Spring Break

Feature Film Revival!

Military kids are heroes.

This summer, thousands of military kids will be separated from at least one parent, as Minnesota Servicemembers are mobilized in support of military deployments.

Youth and teen camps help military kids understand the deployment process and connect with others their age facing similar challenges.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is united to bring Servicemembers and their families all the way home.

Learn about camps and dates at: www.BeyondTheYellowRibbon.org/youth-camps

A revival of feature-length films for kids and grown-ups to enjoy together on the big screen, with many shows lined up for local schools’ Spring Breaks.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DATES: March 19 - March 28 LOCATIONS: Minneapolis Central Library Southdale Library

INFO :

supporthclib.org or 952-847-8107

PRESENTED BY : Library Foundation of Hennepin County

11 films.2 sites.all ages.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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grows on trees

DISCOUNT PRICED

camp costs plan, and save by kara mcguire

Summer camp can create experiences that last a lifetime. But the expense! Weekly fees for sleep-away camps in Minnesota cost $325 to $780, on average. Day camps are less, but still run between $100 and $275 per week, according to the midwest office of the American Camp Association. For parents used to paying for childcare or private school, the cost may not be much different than that regular tuition check. But moms and dads with kids in public school may find them-

_______ __9 $____9 REG. PRICE __ 14 selves suffering from summer camp sticker shock.

take action First, plan ahead. Finish reading Minnesota Parent and then grab a calendar. Figure out how many weeks of camp will be needed and estimate the cost. Most camps put out information in the late winter.

If not, last year’s prices are often available online, and most camps have a year-round contact person.

With a ballpark estimate of summer camp costs in hand,

OUR $1199 PRICE

divide the price tag by the number of months until camp orientation and start saving immediately.

Say the price tag is out of reach. Most camps will work with families to make it affordable.

More than one million kids receive some form of financial assistance from American Camp Association-accredited camps each year, Maria Schugel, executive director of the American Camp Association’s Northland office says. If a scholarship isn’t available

Summer Engineering Camps ITASCA COMMUNITY COLLEGE • GRAND RAPIDS, MN

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• Engage in hands-on team design projects (using electrical, robotics, structural, computer, Radio Control, etc.)

• Learn about engineering careers, tour engineering facilities, and meet professional engineers • Build analytical and problem solving skills

Music day camp for girls July 25-29th at Perpich Center in Golden Valley. Learn how to play in a band and write music. Ages 8-16. www.PopRockers.org • 651-649-4877

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• Enjoy evenings at the lake, barbecues, movies, recreational sports, and more!!

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grows on trees

parent pages from the camp itself, it’s possible that a community organization or church might offer assistance.

Camps also typically give out discounts for early registration, multiple week attendance, and for sending more than one child. And if camps are anything like hotels, you may get a deal by filling an empty space at the last minute.

For working parents who rely on summer camp as childcare for their school-aged children, tax benefits can reduce the burden on family finances.

Do you have a dependent care flexible spending account, which allows you to set aside as much as $5,000 pre-tax from your paycheck? If you’re sending your children ages 13 or younger to camp so you can

Company Youth Performance

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work or look for work, then you can use your dependent care account for the cost.

The IRS also offers a tax credit of up to $6,000 for dependent care expenses. The actual amount depends on your income and whether you have a flexible spending account or other workplace childcare perks.

However, overnight camps are not usually eligible for either of these benefits. For the low-down, visit irs.gov and search for Publication 503.

instruction expenses Families who send their kids to academic or “enrichment”oriented camps (think most anything besides sports camps), should research the Minnesota K–12 education credit, which offers a dollar for dollar tax

ROCK & POP BAND CAMP

break for some instructionrelated expenses, up to a certain cap. The credit is only available for lower-income families.

(Visit taxes.state.mn.us for the qualifications.)

There is also a Minnesota K–12 education subtraction, which takes into account up to $1,625 in qualifying expenses for elementary-aged kids and $2,500 for children in grades 7 to 12.

How much is a subtraction worth? Minnesota’s top income tax rate is just shy of 8 percent. So the most you’d get for a $1,625 subtraction would be a $130 savings on your tax bill.

Kara McGuire is the Star Tribune’s personal finance columnist. She lives with her husband and three kids in St. Paul. Follow her on Twitter: @kablog.

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teens and tweens

work at camp, learn life skills by joy riggs

photo courtesy of concordia language villages

Staff help campers ‘live the language’ through food, fun, games, and culturally authentic activities.

When my 12-year-old son, Sebastian, went to Boy Scout camp two summers ago, it was his first time living on his own, away from family. He enjoyed the week so much he returned last summer and plans to go again this year.

Attending camp provides many opportunities for him to learn new skills and become more self-reliant. Once he’s 14, his camp experience also could help him land a rewarding summer job.

Camps run by the Boy Scouts of America and the Concordia Language Villages are among

those in Minnesota that employ many former campers in positions like counselor-in-training, leadership intern, and kitchen helper. These jobs may not pay as much as other opportunities for older teens, but the life skills they gain can give them an advantage as they pursue a career.

14-year-old counselor-intraining. McKean worked for 10 summers at Scout camps.

After a two-year hiatus with the Boy Scouts organization, he was offered a job running one of the Scout camps.

I’m 26 now, and I know some people my own age who still don’t do their own laundry.

— Tyler McKean

be prepared: to grow up That proved true for Tyler McKean.

Now the cub camping manager for the Northern Star Council, McKean started his employment with the Boy Scouts as a

Although youth can’t be hired for salaried positions at the camps until age 15, the counselors-in-training who are 14 are treated like any other staff member, McKean says.

They receive job training and go through an evaluation process with a mentor, in which they learn what they do well, and how they can improve.

McKean says interviewing for a job and receiving on-thejob training are experiences that some young adults don’t have until they go to college.

While at camp, teens also must manage their own schedules, take care of their health and hygiene, and decide how they want to spend their free time, with no parents around to make decisions for them.

“I felt very prepared for adulthood, going off to college and taking care of car and insurance payments on my own, because since I was 14 years old, I’ve been living three months of the year on my own,” McKean says. “I’m 26 now, and I know some people my own age who still don’t do their own laundry.”

The Northern Star Council, based in the Twin Cities, accepts applications from

“I’m a big advocate of working at camp,” he says. “I think just being in the outdoors, working in service to other people, is a pretty great thing for young people to do.”

young men and women throughout the winter for summer jobs at its five camps.

Of the roughly 500 seasonal camp staffers, 60 to 70 are counselors-in-training.

Attending an organized camp is a popular, 150-year-old American tradition. The American Camp Association estimates that more than 11 million youth and adults attended camps in 2010. Of the country’s estimated 12,000 day and resident camps, 8,000 are operated by non-profit groups, including youth agencies and churches, and 4,000 are privately owned, for-profit businesses. parent

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“Just about everybody who applies has an opportunity to do a session,” McKean says.

“We’re really lucky in this council to have such a good camping program.”

the language of leadership Although Concordia Language Villages requires at least a high school degree for most summer jobs, high school students are eligible to apply for salaried jobs in the areas of food service and counseling, says Denise Phillippe, the associate director for program and staff development.

Teens who are at least 16 can work as kitchen helpers, and after a year or two of experience, they can be hired as

kitchen cooks. Language proficiency isn’t required, but those who speak a language receive additional pay, Phillippe says.

On the counseling side, students who have finished their junior year of high school can apply for the competitive position of youth leadership intern. The following year, they can return as peer leadership interns. In both positions, the teens assist staff members with counseling duties and programming activities. Language proficiency is required, either gained from previous experience as a camper, or through a school immersion program or life experience.

Phillippe says interns build skills in the areas of leadership, teamwork, communica-

tion, problem-solving, responsibility, planning, and presenting — all of which will help them as they go through college and enter the work world. They also meet people from around the world, and the friendships they develop can lead to future travel or employment opportunities.

Another job benefit is the opportunity for interns to improve their own language skills.

“Sometimes people think that ends with the villager experience, but a lot of our staff have been both villagers and staff, and they say they learn just as much as staff because there’s even more expectation that they’re using (the language),” Phillippe says.

Resources American Camp Association acacamps.org Concordia Language Villages concordialanguagevillages.org Northern Star Council, Boy Scouts of America northernstarbsa.org/camping/ campstaff

Applications for Concordia Language Village summer jobs are accepted on a rolling basis.

Job-seekers who apply by March 15 will hear of their status by May 1.

Joy Riggs once spent a week at basketball camp, where she learned that she’d never go pro.

summer science day camp

Register now for a week-long Summer Science Day Camp at The Bakken Museum! Explore the electrifying world of invention through hands-on activities, creative problem-solving and science magic tricks. Build your own take-home invention and more.

dates, fees and registration:

TheBakken.org/summercamp  612-926-3878 20

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3537 Zenith Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55416-4623

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health + wellness

mommy bootcamp with the kids at camp, it’s time to jumpstart your fitness by laurie kocanda

The key is to awaken your body to new challenges and appeal to the exploratory child living inside you.

Summer camp freeing up some alone time for you this summer?

Take charge of your own wellness by committing (or recommitting) to fitness while the kids are away having fun. While you may be motivated by the best of intentions, it’s never a good idea to go unprepared into the great unknown of “me time.” Here’s what you can do to increase your odds of finding and sticking to a new fitness routine this summer.

fitness first Plan to make exercise the first accomplishment of your day. If you’re dropping your kids off at day camp, suit up in workout gear. Do not shower or put on make up; it will only make it more difficult to get sweaty when you return home.

Schedule and complete your exercise early and you’ll be more efficient the rest of the day. No worrying about when you’ll fit it in, just basking in the afterglow of a hard earned sweat. parent

mnparent.com

set goals Take some time to determine what you want to accomplish during the week, month, or (gasp!) summer of camp activities. Consider anything from daily workouts to new distances or durations. Whatever your chose, make sure you move out of your comfort zone — even if that means just tipping your toe over the line. If you’re new to fitness, you might want to employ the advice of a trusted friend or a personal trainer to establish reasonable goals.

Once you’ve established an attainable goal, write it down and commit.

try something new Consider yourself relatively fit?

Perhaps you’ve been running or walking regularly for years.

Use this time to investigate other forms of exercise that challenge your body in new ways. Check out everything from mind-body workouts like yoga and tai chi to more tradi-

tional cardiovascular activities like biking and running. The key is to awaken your body to new challenges and appeal to the exploratory child living inside you.

team up with a friend Hold yourself accountable to workouts by finding a partner in crime. If you don’t have friends with similar interests or schedules, look for women at your local community center or health club. Participating in group fitness classes is a great way to get to know others and be held accountable to your fitness resolutions.

make sure they see your sweat Actions speak louder than words, which is another reason to don your workout attire before dropping your kids off at day camp. Kids with fit parents are more likely to value fitness themselves, so if they don’t get a glimpse of

you in motion make sure you tell them about your day at camp, too.

clean house All this talk about fitness isn’t complete without mention of nutrition. If you’re alone in the house during the day, eliminate your biggest temptations for unhealthy eating. Get rid of the chips and that stash of secret candy lest you fall victim to their appeal while you’re home alone. Do this ahead of time and replace with healthful alternatives.

Laurie Lethert Kocanda is coauthor of the book Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom (Andrews McMeel 2011). She lives and blogs (seemomsweat.blogspot.com) in Minneapolis with her husband and two young daughters.

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eats

a game day slam dunk food for the masses by jenny harper

We have been talking a lot about camp in this issue, but it’s March, and many families are going to be embroiled in March Madness, the yearly slam-dunkathon of basketball goodness.

Have people coming over to watch the game? A bunch of teens crowded around your big screen? Never fear, your guests will scoop up this chow with abandon.

Chips and other munchies are always good, but you might want to spice things up a bit with these two recipes — they’re easy to hold and eat while cheering on your

favorite underdogs.

Tex-Mex seasonings liven up these mini meatballs, which are great for dipping in salsa and sour cream. Putting them on skewers makes them fun for guests of all ages.

Smoked almonds team up with creamy Carnation to make a great blue cheese dip for wings, veggies, or crackers. Be sure to have plenty of napkins!

For more ways to enjoy the hoopla of March Madness, including recipes, nutritional information and tips, visit thecookingmilk.com.

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through a diversified curriculum and French language

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march 2011

smokin’ almond blue cheese dip Makes 20 servings (2 tablespoons each) • Prep: 5 minutes Refrigerate: 2 hours

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Open House CAEDARCREST CADEMY

photo courtesy of nestlé

For a visit or tour, call (763) 494-5387 6950 West Fish Lake Road, Maple Grove • www.cedarcrest.org

1 3/4 2/3 1/2 4 1 1/8

cup sour cream cup mayonnaise cup (5 fl.-oz. can) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk cup smoked almonds, chopped ounces blue or Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled tablespoon cider vinegar teaspoon ground black pepper

COMBINE sour cream, mayonnaise, evaporated milk, almonds, cheese, vinegar and black pepper in medium bowl; cover. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. Makes about 2.5 cups.

SERVE with assorted cut up vegetables or chicken wings.

NOTE: To use as a dressing, increase evaporated milk to 1 cup. mnparent.com

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For your lifestyle. remodeling design renovation 612.861.0188 • SylvestreConstruction.com Find us on Facebook License #1428

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mexi-meatball kabobs Makes 30 servings, 2 skewers each • Prep: 35 minutes Cooking: 15 minutes Nonstick cooking spray 3 pounds lean ground beef 2 cups quick oats 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk 2 large eggs 1/2 cup ketchup 2 packets (1.25 ounces each) taco seasoning mix 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 3 large bell peppers (any color), cut into 60, 1-inch pieces 60 4-inch wooden skewers Salsa and sour cream (optional)

MN Landmark Center MNP 0311 H8.indd 1

2/4/11 3:30 PM

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Foil-line 3 baking sheets and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

COMBINE ground beef, oats, evaporated milk, eggs, ketchup, taco seasoning and black pepper in large bowl until just mixed. Form mixture into 120, 1-inch meatballs. Place on prepared baking sheets.

BAKE for 15 to 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center.

Drain on paper towels, if needed.

THREAD two meatballs and one piece of pepper on each skewer.

Place on large serving platter. Serve with salsa and sour cream.

TIPS: Meatballs can be made and baked ahead of time, refrigerated for up to three days or frozen up to three months and heated prior to serving.

Jenny Harper is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and verybestbaking.com. parent

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Youth band GHAIM Rock includes Ariel Larin (11) parent mnparent.com and Miles Hanson, right (8). photo by alyssa graham

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k c o R Kid

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✯ ✯✯✯✯ ✯✯✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯✯

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music camp gives aspiring musicians a chance to play and perform in a band by sam lane

M

ore than 60 excited, camera-toting fans packed Cause Spirits and Soundbar on a warm August afternoon waiting for two headline bands to take the stage.

The hotly anticipated musicians weren’t well known. They weren’t 20-somethings trying to strike a record deal. They weren’t middle-aged men trying to relive their youth.

They were kids, ages 8 to 17, who spent prior weeks at Twin Town Guitars, at 34th and Lyndale Ave. in southwest Minneapolis, preparing for their first concert. parent

mnparent.com

In an economy where budget cuts deal constant blows to public school music programs, the owners of Twin Town have spent the last three summers providing a haven for aspiring Minneapolis musicians.

The Twin Town Guitars Summer Sessions Camps, organized by storeowners Carrie and Andrew Bell, run for two weeks in mid-June and two weeks during what Andrew refers to as the “summer doldrums” — the time between the end of July and the State Fair. The camp, which meets for three hours a day during

each span, is split between two age groups: youth and teen.

At the start of the camp, the kids create a band and decide on a name. Then, thanks to a constant reminder from instructors that “it’s all about the band,” members don’t only improve individually, but they also work toward a common goal: group perfection at the live performance that concludes the camp.

And though the kids often come to the camp with a great deal of talent, they learn new skills quickly, something Carrie attributes to their enthusiasm for music.

“You show them something a couple times and you don’t realize how quickly they absorb it and retain it and are able to replay it,” she said as she sat in one of Twin Town’s 10 practice rooms. “It amazes me.”

musical oasis On a blistering weekday afternoon, Twin Town served as an oasis for the two bands as they were just days shy of their performance at Cause a few blocks up the street at the corner of Lake and Lyndale.

Following a break that included browsing the march 2011

25

✯ ✯✯✯ ✯✯✯ ✯✯✯✯ ✯ ✯✯✯ ✯✯✯✯ ✯✯ I went into this camp not really knowing much at all about how to start a band or promotion or songwriting or anything like that, but I’ve learned something everyday so I’ll take a lot from that. — Abby Lothrop, 16 ✯ ✯✯✯ ✯✯✯ ✯✯✯✯ ✯ ✯✯✯ ✯✯✯✯ ✯✯ store’s selection of guitars, basses, and drum sticks, GHAIM (it’s the band members’ initials, pronounced “game”) Rock, the youth band, made their way to a small area of the basement which serves as a practice facility during the camp. The unfinished room had all the necessary elements of a good practice area: painted sound pads on the walls, amps of various sizes, and cables strewn about the floor.

The kids quickly shuffled into position and began practicing the second of their three-

song set, The Beatles’ Here Comes the Sun. Eight year-old Amelia Bell, Carrie and Andrew’s daughter, took the microphone.

“Little darlin’, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter,” she sang with a quintessential lisp.

Next to Amelia, Haley Baird-Dibble, 8, tapped the keyboard while Ariel Larin, 11, who wore a Van Halen T-shirt and strummed parts of Stairway to Heaven during breaks, worked the acoustic guitar. Miles Hanson, 8, played bass, an instrument he’d never

photo by bre mcgee

Twin Town Guitars is located on the corner of 34th and Lyndale in Southwest Minneapolis.

played before this year’s camp, but plucked the chords with ease. In another corner, Miles’ brother, Gabe, 10, played the drums while bopping his shaggy head.

Between songs, the band’s instructor, Allison Raney, helped her pupils work out kinks in the bridge before she listened to 12-year-old Ingrid

Snook, a band member whose guitar and vocal abilities won her third place in a recent talent show. But because Ingrid would be absent from the band’s final performance, Allison helped the maturevoiced youngster with a cover of John Prine’s Angel from Montgomery.

“It’s fun,” Ingrid said of the

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camp. “I can try different instruments and not know exactly what to do. It’s cool because a lot of kids have never played with a bunch of instruments together. It’s a new experience.”

The teen session followed a similar schedule to the younger group: each day of the camp began with a featured artist.

During this period, instructors played music from a singer or band while reading information about the artist and testing the students’ knowledge. The instructor then led a seminar where they taught elements of what it means to be in a band.

Finally, the bands rehearsed their songs as a group.

Before the teen band, called The Octaves, began practicing for a five-song set that included Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean and Cream’s Sunshine of Your Love, the group discussed legendary rock band Queen as well as the finer points of gig preparedness.

During rehearsal, bassist Daniel Culhane, 13, wearing a cutoff T-shirt, violently shook his head, flipping his long brown locks. Tony Martinez, 11, and Matt Schultz, 15, acted as the band’s main guitarists while Colby Hansen, 14, and Abby Lothrop, 16, alternated

between bass and keyboard.

Evan Knutson, 17, sat at the drum set, pressing the pedals with his bare feet and nodding his head as he slammed his drumsticks. The band’s three singers, Zoe Quinn, 11, Mishaila Bowman, 12, and Colby’s twin Greta flanked the keyboard, belting notes that sparked the approval of their instructor, Mark Wade.

Summer Sessions at Twin Town Guitar ✯ ✯ ✯✯ ✯ ✯✯✯ In these two-week long summer camps, students work with instructors to develop their skills as musicians working in a group.

Daily lessons include small group instruction on drums, bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano/keyboard, voice, microphone work, and overall stage presence.

Students will also work on songwriting, improvising, and performing. At the end of two weeks, there is a final performance for family and friends at Cause in Uptown.

Visit twintown.com for dates, times, and costs.

it’s all about the band All of this year’s participants said they enjoyed the camp and most believed they’d return for summer 2011.

What’s the main draw for campers? Learning how to make and develop the band.

“I went into this camp not really knowing much at all about how to start a band or promotion or songwriting or anything like that, but I’ve learned something everyday so I’ll take a lot from that,” said Abby.

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From left to right: Evan Knutson, 17, Daniel Culhane, 13 and Colby Hansen, 14, of The Octaves.

During the break, they made their way to the front of the store to take a band photo. The group joked and smiled as they posed for Carrie’s camera under a Twin Town sign.

The Bells founded the guitar shop in 1997. Since then, Twin Town has bought, sold, and repaired all types of musical equipment. Adds Andrew Bell, “We are constantly working to

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refresh the sales floor as well as in the lesson studios and the waiting area.” He pointed to the addition of a new drinking fountain, fresh paint, and additional sound insulation as modifications to the 100-year-old building coming in the next few weeks.

Additionally, Twin Town’s nearly 20 instructors are able to tailor lessons to students’ needs, with sessions beginning

as early as age four. Carrie noted that such lessons are Twin Town’s primary sources for participants in the summer band camp and other groups.

“The experience gets exponentially better,” Andrew said of Twin Town’s lessons. “They have the opportunity to do something that gives them knowledge in advance.”

Wearing bright Twin Town

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t-shirts, the bands took the Cause stage to rousing applause and whistles. Parents gushed as if standing at the feet of Paul McCartney or Elvis Presley.

“I can only imagine myself being a young musician to be able to play on a stage in town,” said Matt Johnson, one of the band bookers for Cause, “And to be able to do it right down the street is awesome.”

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Summer Day Camps 2011 Minnesota Historical Society Sites and Museums

Bring your campers to the Minnesota Historical Society’s summer day camps. They’ll have a great time and learn about our state’s history, too, with different programs designed to meet different interests.

Register online at www.mnhs.org/summercamps

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asthma camp teaches care management

SUPER CAMPING FOR SUPERKIDS by kelly jo mcdonnell

THERE

The kids take a dip in Lake Independence. submitted image

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are always things to consider before choosing a summer camp for your child. How is the staff selected and trained? How is the camp structured? What do the cabins look like? Is there an on-site pharmacy? Are the camp counselors knowledgeable in environmental triggers? Is there a “cabin nurse” in each building?

Some of these considerations may look familiar. Some of the latter concerns may only look familiar to parents of children with asthma. It’s a sad thought that certain camps might not even be an option for your child, based on their individual health needs.

But luckily, there are groups that offer options to parents and their children who live with from this condition.

Enter Camp SuperKids — run by the American Lung Association that has been in existence since 1966. The objective of the asthma camp is to improve the physical condition and psychological outlook of children with asthma as well as to educate Minnesota campers and their families about how to best manage their care.

Minnesota’s Camp SuperKids, located at Camp Ihduhapi at Lake Independence, runs from June 26th to

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July 1st in 2011. The kids that come to this camp have moderate to persistent asthma, meaning that they need daily controller medication. If the child has very severe asthma (i.e., has been to the emergency room prior to the last month before the camp begins), the camp recommends the child sit that year out, and will help the child get ready for the next year.

While SuperKids has the same fun outdoor activities as other camps do, it offers something a little bit more: peace of mind for the asthmatic child and his or her family.

“We provide all the camp experiences,” explains Cynthia Peat, director of Camp SuperKids and manager of respiratory health at the American Lung Association in Minnesota. “They still get to go swimming and canoeing and hiking and zip line. They participate just as any

submitted image

Sitting around the bonfire singing songs at Camp SuperKids.

other YMCA camper would.”

While these normal summer activities are a staple for a summer camp experience, they also can be “triggers.” Mother Nature has her share of triggers for the asthmatic child, including pine, grass, pollen, ragweed, and other airborne activators. The great outdoor experience can turn into the great emergency room experience in a very short time. But at Camp SuperKids, all

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counselors are aware and ready. “[Triggers are] a huge concern,” says Peat. “Our goal at the end of the camp is for the kids to recognize and understand that they have to take good care of themselves, and to know what to do around their triggers, so they understand. A lot of kids who have asthma don’t go as fast, or develop as quickly, and parents will shelter the kids from a lot of things. The bigger goal of the

camp is to tell kids that they can! Just take precautions.”

At Camp SuperKids, the camp counselors are not only specially trained in asthma, most also sufferer from asthma themselves. Joey Cuttoo, camp manager, started at Camp SuperKids when he was 7 years old, and suffered from persistent asthma. Cuttoo attended all the way up until he was involved in the Jr. Leaders Program for teens. He now manages the entire camp, and helps with the training of camp counselors.

“We work closely with Joey Cuttoo,” explains Peat. “There’s a training program the couple weeks of May, [and] one of our doctors do the run-down. They have a good baseline, then there’s a Sunday review session before campers arrive. There’s a counselor for every cabin of 8 to 10 kids.”

Peat said the children love taking part in the camp experi-

ZOO CAMP 2011!

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ence. “There’s bonfires, hiking, there’s a climbing wall, and one night they get to go on a campout on an island,” says Peat, adding that there’s a physician on every boat, and a tackle box of emergency supplies along for the trip.

While the kids may only be interested in the fun, outdoor activities, Camp SuperKids also offers a little bit of education for their campers. After dinner the campers will get some asthma education in game form. An example is “Lung-Go” which is like Bingo, except children have to answer questions that are asthma related. The campers learn what asthma is, how asthma attacks start, how they can avoided, and how asthma can be better managed in the future.

While children of all ages can suffer from asthma, the American Lung Association recommends children ages 7 to

15 attend Camp SuperKids (age 15 and beyond can be involved in the Jr. Leaders program at the camp). The camp targets the entire state of Minnesota. About one third of its campers come from the inner city, another third from suburbs and the rest come from greater Minnesota.

Eighty percent of the campers receive scholarships, which are offered to low income families.

Most of these families often lack the resources or don’t have health insurance to visit the doctor’s office for their children’s asthma. “We want to make sure we won’t turn away any child who wants to come,” explains Peat.

Camp SuperKids can be a challenging camp to run, and Peat cites the coordination of the medical staff as the biggest challenge as well as its highest priority. “We have a medical board, and everyone is on the

same page,” says Peat. “We coordinate enough volunteers to help staff the medical part of the camp.” She added that pharmacy students from the Children’s Hospital volunteer time in the service center and pharmacy; and nurses, allergists, pediatricians, and respiratory experts volunteer as well, with the majority coming from the Mayo clinic in Rochester.

Above all, Camp SuperKids is fun, and campers learn that they’re not alone with their asthma and that there are kids out there just like them. Peat says that the greatest reward in running the camp is the stories she hears from both the children and the parents. “The kid returns home from camp a different person ... really being able to take independent care of themselves. It’s the best to hear! I’ve already been getting calls on when the camp is this year.”

meds at the ready The precautions are subtle, but straight-forward. Some examples are: • There’s a “cabin nurse” assigned to each cabin • Kids check their meds in with the nurse. Meds are distributed twice a day.

• There’s an on-site pharmacy, and an on-site doctor around the clock • For every eight to 10 campers, there’s one medical staff person at all times

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CLUB SKILLS developing youth through juggling by kathleen stoehr

photo by tom arneberg

Members of JUGHEADS Ultimate Club performed a complex routine at Juggle Jam 11 in preparation for the International Juggling Festival, held that year in Winston-Salem, NC.

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hen you first learn to juggle, you start with just one ball. It might not make a lot of sense because juggling, as we all understand it, involves multiples. But, in order to master multiples, one must first master the toss. So a beginning juggler works with one ball, learning how its weight feels leaving the hand and how it feels landing in the other, tossing it back and forth to achieve the right kind of arc, and also learning how long it takes for the ball to leave one hand and then land in the other.

Then another is added. Often, with a beginning juggler, the two balls will collide midair and carom off in separate directions. And yet, this piece of the puzzle is usually learned with relative ease.

It is with the addition of the third ball that the skills of a real juggler begin to develop. This step, learning how to handle three balls with only two hands, can take some time.

Hanna Stoehr, now a graduate juggler, attended her first JUGHEADS summer camp between her fourth and fifth grade year. For about five weeks, she practiced with three balls. Her instructor, Paul Arneberg, owner and founder of the JUGHEADS Youth Juggling Company, located in east Edina, placed her with her back to the “audience” — facing a wall. The wall taught her to keep her throws compact — no wild forward throws she would

have to chase — and also kept the balls within reaching distance when dropped. (Which, as you can imagine, was a frequent occurrence in the beginning.) “I just remember that my back got really tired from picking up all of my drops,” she says.

By the end weeks of the club, she was able to take a step back from the wall, and then another, turn around to face the audience and from then on, throughout the rest of her middle school and high school years, Hanna was a Jughead.

a little bit about the club JUGHEADS began as part of a larger group, an after school clubwithin-a-club so to speak, part of an Edina youth care program back in the mid-’90s. Initially, there were 10 kids interested in learning to juggle. As interest grew, Arneberg, with the encouragement and help of his wife, Wendy, separated the club from the aftercare program and JUGHEADS became its own entity in 1999.

Today, with over 140 kids enrolled, it has become a unique program that develops creativity, fosters friendships, encourages goal setting, and boosts confidence in youth from a variety of ages and backgrounds. “And while all this is happening, kids become phenomenal jugglers,” espouses Arneberg. While he says he sometimes feels burdened with the feeling that he’s personally

watch, and learn Juggle Jam 13 will be held on Friday, May 13, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 14 at 4:30 p.m. at Hopkins High School Auditorium.

Look for more ticket information and details on the JUGHEADS website, jugheads.com in mid-March.

Summer Sessions: Entering its 18th summer of juggling camps, the club offers instruction and mentorship to beginners through experts entering grades 3 to 12. The summer will kick off with on Monday, June 13, and is followed by five weeks of day camps. The morning sessions (9 a.m. to noon) are focused on beginning/intermediate jugglers, while the afternoons (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) are focused on advanced/expert jugglers (e.g., selfdirected and working on club standards, routines, numbers juggling, club passing, etc.). Use of equipment and snacks/beverages are included in the tuition. For more information, visit jugheads.com and click on “clubs” and then scroll down to “summer juggling camps.”

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photo by hanna k. stoehr

photo by tom arneberg

Jughead Mara Moettus of Edina shows the love for five club juggling.

In Juggle Jam 11, Hanna Stoehr opened the show with perennial favorite, Rock This Town, with 100 plus Jugheads backing her up.

responsible for each child’s individual experience at the club (or clubs) of their choice, he knows that, generally speaking, what a child puts into JUGHEADS is what he or she gets out of it.

juggling can be very useful in blessing others in unexpected ways. A balanced life involves pursuit of both loving people and of personal excellence.”

Hanna recalls that drive for personal excellence beginning at

“The coaches and I are constantly encouraging the kids to make the most of their time here,” says Arneberg, “whether that be a few months or 10 years. Pursuing and mastering skills such as

a young age, “There was a three ball endurance contest when I was in fifth grade. I juggled for 15 minutes straight without dropping. There were three of us left in the competition and the prize was a giant tub of

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Take off with MPA’s Summer Program

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Join us for summer classes in Academics, Athletics and the Arts June 20 – 24, June 27 – July 1, and August 8 – 12 ALSO: Middle School Adventure Week: August 15 – 19

For more information, 651-777-2555 or go to moundsparkacademy.org

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The under age 10 set learns three ball juggling, one of the very first standards a Jughead needs to achieve.

bubblegum. Finally, I dropped, then Sarah dropped, and then Riley won. Oh, the bubblegum.

It was almost MINE!” A typical week during the school year consists of after school clubs every day of the

week, and one evening as well.

Summer is the best time to dip your kid’s toe into the water, when JUGHEADS offers a variety of morning and afternoon options through midJuly, when it then packs up for

Everyday Etiquette

Discover! Create! Imagine! Innovate!

the season and sends its best jugglers (with chaperones) to the International Juggling Association’s (IJA) annual festival. Two summers ago, in 2009, the Ultimate Club (the one club that many kids aspire to), took home an International Gold Medal in teams juggling. The complex sevenplus minute routine began so simply — with a regular warm up of three clubs — the savvy international audience chuckled. Laughter turned to wild standing ovation-style applause, as complex patterns and techniques with crazy names like “get the shoe,” “dropback giveaways” and “behind the back catches” unfolded, and ended with two jugglers walking confidently through a tunnel of flying

clubs. This summer, the IJA festival will be held in Rochester, MN, the closest it has ever been to the JUGHEADS’ home base, and the Ultimate Club is once again training and hoping to compete in Teams Championships.

grey matter Juggling may seem to be just a great, entertaining party trick, but there are actually more benefits than you might imagine. In the mid-2000s, a study in the journal, Nature, compared brain-imaging scans taken of a subject before learning to juggle, with another taken three months after they had mastered the skill. The scans revealed an increase in grey matter — that is, the brain actually expanded. Other

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Computer Explorers: Techstars

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if you are a fan of determination, then you are already a fan of Special Olympics.

2/9/09 Summer 3:11:13 PMprograms

for students with learning or attention challenges

• Open to students from any school entering grades 2 – 8 • Small class sizes ensure personalized instruction

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Program dates: June 20 – July 15

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952.920.6377 High school options available in two-week www.grovesacademy.org blocks from June 13 – August 12 march 2011

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Ring tossing during Juggle Jam 12.

skill/social niche, to the JUGHEADS is profound experience of a a haven for kids to feel young adult whose life accepted, challenged, was forever changed and socially engage in here.” Arneberg stresses that character developa positive atmosphere where ment always trumps virtues and good character medals, awards, and are taught alongside other temporal forms (and of at least equal imporof prestige. tance to) juggling skills. from juggler to — Paul Arneberg, student leader

JUGHEADS

studies have shown that there is a correlation between juggling and a greater understanding of math, which makes sense considering the patterning, counting, and tossing of multiple clubs and balls into the air needed to master a routine.

In addition to cognitive development, says Arneberg, it is “the simple joys of a contented beginner discovering a new 38

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After taking about four years of learning to juggle and juggle well, some kids begin to focus beyond self-improvement, to involvement in the improvement of others and in the company.

“I was at a point where I could sit down and watch someone else’s pattern and show them how to fix it, and I was able to start putting together big group routines for the beginning Rec level clubs,” says Hanna. “During this time

I developed a leadership role and became more than just one of the teenagers in Ultimate Club. I was helping make decisions for the company with the group of student leaders called officers; I spent time talking to parents about their child’s improvement.”

Hanna isn’t the only student juggler who made the leap from participant to leader. If you look at the coach roster online at jugheads.com, you will see that three of the current coaches are JUGHEADS graduates, and now attending college in preparation for careers in neuroscience, philosophy, and physical therapy.

JUGHEADS parent Katherine Carney said of her son, “I know Sean loves assisting on Wednesdays. He said he gets as big a kick out of helping the younger kids obtain a standard as he does

when he obtains a new standard himself. This is a side of him we don’t see at home and I love watching it develop.”

Says Hanna, “The best part about being a student leader for four and a half years was watching those young kids I taught beginning juggling to, become excellent jugglers. I entered JUGHEADS as a 10-year old just wishing I could learn a basic three-ball pattern, and I left with more skills for life than I could have ever imagined.”

juggle jam The culmination of the JUGHEADS experience is the spring Juggle Jam, now in its 13th year. Similar to a variety show, only with juggling as the thread running through each routine, it has exhibited some kooky and wildly entertaining routines (such an epic Lord of the Rings tribute — imagine mnparent.com

parent

photo by tom arneberg

Head coach Paul Arneberg is heavily involved in each Juggle Jam. In this photo, he plays the Wizard of Oz in a skit during Juggle Jam 11.

First-time Juggle Jam attendee, Jason Jones, said the show he attended in 2010 was, “Hands down the most amazing juggling show on Earth, and quite possibly the best show I have ever seen, period. It is a ‘Macy’s Parade’-type quality

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Kathleen Stoehr is editor of Minnesota Parent and the proud parent of a gold medal-winning international juggling champion.

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“The motto of JUGHEADS goes like this: ‘Developing youth through Juggling since 1994.’

And I’m getting emotional saying this, because JUGHEADS did just that, and more.

I performed in my last official Juggle Jam in 2009, and you bet I cried as I tossed my final clubs.

But I’m more proud of the lessons, morals, and skills my time in JUGHEADS gave me.

How many people can say that?”

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small children on stage in homemade medieval battlewear, juggling clubs at each other) to tributes to boy bands incorporating dance with juggling to eye-popping solo routines exhibiting amazing athletic prowess.

production. The show belongs on Broadway. I never thought any of this was possible with juggling. I think the show integrates enough theater for it to be considered stand-alone theater, but this was like theater on steroids! The on-stage visuals were mind blowing at times, but especially so during the opening and finale. All 140 performers share the stage in a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of costumes, props, and juggling.“ Arneberg stresses that JUGHEADS is more than a juggling club. “It’s a haven for kids to feel accepted, challenged, and socially engage in a positive atmosphere where virtues and good character are taught alongside (and of at least equal importance to) juggling skills.” Hanna concurs, saying,

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2/4/11 3:48 PM

beyond the yellow ribbon camps for kids with deployed parents by sgt. patrick loch or the Sepeda girls, there was nothing worse than math. And occasionally, Amelia (12), Brianna (10), and Caitlyn’s (7) math class was enough to bring them to tears.

It hadn’t always been that way. Back when their father, David, was home to help them with their studies, they loved math. With David in Iraq, it left his wife Mary, acting as a single mother, to deal with their heartbroken kids who missed their dad the most when it came time

Summer Academic Programs

for grades 4–12

MITYcurious? www.mity.org

651-696-6590

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Dakota Pediatrics Family Focused Healthcare

Don’t forget....

Get your camp physical today!

Director

Cormac O’Sé of Riverdance

Weekly Classes/Spring & Summer Camps • Preschool – Adult

(651) 455-9697

at The Celtic Junction (I-94 btw. Mpls. & St. Paul or Rochester)

www.dakotapeds.com

www.osheairishdance.com

march 2011

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to concentrate on numbers.

“If anything, it gave the girls a chance to bond over their dislike for math,” Mary says.

Though the girls could turn to each other for support, there were days when the emotional struggle was too much. Their math class was held just before midday, and occasionally Mary would get a phone call during lunch hour from a crying daughter. Once or twice she even got a call from the school to pick up the girls because they were so upset. Worried the school didn’t know how to handle children of a deployed parent, she gave the girls an emergency cell phone.

When the girls felt overwhelmed, they had the option of calling home. If Mary couldn’t soothe her usually happy, smiling girls, the she had a tactic to focus attention elsewhere. She’d pick them up and take them out for lunch to give them a break from their school day.

“I think I made the other kids jealous,” Mary says. “The other kids would say, ‘You got to go to out for lunch!’”

Though David, a Sergeant First Class with the Minnesota National Guard, was deployed in the extreme conditions of the Middle Eastern desert, it was Mary who was on duty 24 hours a day caring for their three girls.

photo courtesy of the sepeda family

Brianna Sepeda, photographed by father David, while canoeing at a one-day camp in July for Service members and their families.

She knew beforehand the challenges the four would face with David thousands of miles away. The whole family attended a Family Preparation Academy, put on by the Minnesota National Guard’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, months before David’s deployment.

The event put Mary in touch with many organizations whose sole purpose is to support military families throughout the deployment process.

THE ART ACADEMY, ExcEllEncE

in

Art EducAtion

operation military kids One program Mary turned to the most was Operation Military Kids (OMK), which helped keep the family strong both during and after David’s tour.

The United States Army, through annual grants to each state, funds OMK. Grants are received by 4-H, a major partner with OMK as they already work with youth and have staff and volunteers in every county of the state.

While their dad was gone, the four girls initially participated in a military bowling night hosted by OMK. Then there was snow tubing at Buck Hill and a holiday party that attracted hundreds of military spouses and kids facing the same difficulties as Amelia, Brianna, and Caitlyn.

This opportunity to connect with other military kids and wives was especially important for them, because active duty bases don’t exist in Minnesota as they do in other states.

Their outings provided support for David too. “It makes you feel good, knowing somebody is watching out for your family,” he says.

Mary liked how OMK had a good handle on what kinds of things kids wanted to do for fun, and the fact that they took special care in overseeing the kids during the events, so Mary could have some much needed time to herself.

“It was nice to get a break,” Mary says. “We all thought about dad all the time … this gave us a chance to not think about him for two hours.”

As for Amelia and her two sisters, it was a good chance to run off and do their own thing.

More importantly, the girls got a chance to really connect with other kids who knew exactly how they were feeling.

Korean Culture Camp

INC

O F

M I N N E S O T A

Classes for Students ages 5 - Adult Call 651-699-1573 for a brochure Visit our website at www.theartacademy.net

State Fair Winner! Emily Tutelman, Age 17

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For questions please contact lisa bentley at 952.891.4524 www.kccmn.org August 1– 6, 2011 • 9:30 am – 2:50 pm march 2011

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team building David returned in May of 2009.

When he stepped off the bus that day, all of his girls were there waving posters, excited to have their dad back. The initial reception and euphoria of having a loved one return was “terrific,” and Amelia was delighted that her father had a rose for her and her sisters.

After being reunited, the Sepedas could move onto that final phase of deployment: reintegration. And with dad finally home, there was a camp for that, too.

That July, David and Brianna attended a one-day camp at the Koinonia Retreat Center near South Haven, in Wright County. The event, hosted by OMK, got the two out to experience a wide variety of camp adventures — even a few military exercises.

David Sepeda and his daughter, Brianna, participated in a one-day family camp in July of 2009, shortly after he returned from Iraq. photo courtesy of the sepeda family

“The idea is, if we can get the families out, throw some military activities at them,” 4-H program manager Michelle VanDyke says, “that should get them talking about the experience.”

David, who was initially hesitant to attend any event, signed the entire family up for a threeday family camp in August at Ironwood Springs Ranch by Stewartville. While there, the five of them ran through the scavenger hunt course and cruised down the zip line. At

night, the girls would climb on the camp’s “Big Red Chair” with other camp kids after a day of new experiences.

“It’s good to have them spend time doing things they typically wouldn’t do together,” VanDyke says, “Things to bring them together.”

Today, 12 year-old Amelia offers a ringing endorsement for OMK. She says that military families going through the deployment cycle “should probably get the family together and

Visit narimn.org or call 612-332-6274 to find a NARI-certified professional for your next remodeling project or to become a NARI member.

work on team building.”

Back together as a family and stronger yet as a team, David and his four girls have been breezing through all that math homework.

Amelia’s young advice is timely as 2,400 Minnesota National Guard families are currently preparing for the state’s second largest deployment since World War II. The 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, will leave for training in May 2011 for a one-year deployment in support of Operation New Dawn, the drawdown phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

For a list of 2011 OMK camps, as well as other camps available to all military families, visit beyondtheyellowribbon.org/youth-camps.

Sgt. Patrick Loch is the public affairs specialist with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, MN National Guard.

Northern Clay Center

We need a remodeler who’ll finish what they start.

That’s why we depend on NARI. NARI MNP 2010 NR3 H8.indd 1

The NARI logo is a registered trademark of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. ©2008 NARI of Minnesota.

12/20/10 4:09 PM

2424 Franklin Ave E | Minneapolis, MN 612.339.8007

www.northernclaycenter.org 42

march 2011

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Indoor Rock Climbing Facilities The Midwest’s LARGEST climbing facilities!

Vertical Endeavors’ summer camp program provides a fun-filled experience for campers ages 6 to 17! Your child will have the opportunity to learn proper climbing techniques and they’ll leave camp with a sense of self-reliance and accomplishment.

birthday parties

5th AnnuAl

camp fair

quality camps for quality kids

We would like to thank everyone for making this year’s camp fair a successful event.

EntErtainmEnt providEd by:

donations providEd by:

• Dazzling Dave the Yo-Yo Master • Face Painting by Karen • Norm Anderson Magician • Simply Jane

• Bell Museum of Natural History • Camp WeHaKee • Chanhassen Dinner Theatres First Act • Steppingstone Theatre • Thirty-One Gifts

Information 612-825-9205 SPOnSORS

Celebrate your next birthday at The Bakken Museum!

A variety of birthday party packages are available and include admission to the museum, a private party room, a party host, electrifying hands-on activities, birthday cake and more.

dates, fees and registration:

TheBakken.org/birthdayparties  612-926-3878 parent

march 2011

mnparent.com

Camp Fair 2011 MNP 0311 4.indd 1

3537 Zenith Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55416-4623

2/11/11 4:07 PM

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kid culture

book shelf

letters from camp discover books for adults and children alike, touching on camp experiences and camp-related angst. by alyson cummings

P.S. I Hate It Here!: Kids’ Letters From Camp

by Diane Falaga Abrams Image, $12.95

This collection of 150 letters home won’t help kids but will keep parents laughing the whole summer. Letters range in topic from the expected homesickness to strange requests, including one straightforward “SEND COOKIES!,” and each letter is printed in the original scribbled penmanship of the child who sent it. Perfect for parents who get their own share of unintentionally hilarious letters from their own kids or those who remember the letters they wrote home themselves.

The Jellybeans and the Big Camp Kickoff

Camp K-9

by Mary Ann Rodman Peachtree Publishers, ages 4–8, $15.95

by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans Abrams Books, ages 3–7, $16.95

Bug Bites and Campfires: A Story for Kids About Homesickness

by Frank J. Sileo, Ph. D. Health Press, ages 8–12, $14.95

Andy is going to summer camp for the first time and is homesick after one day. He wants to leave but changes his mind after a talk with Counselor Mike. Andy decides to stay at camp and plays kickball and soccer, becomes a swimming pro and makes a new friend.

Counselor Mike shares tips about beating the homesick blues throughout the book.

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march 2011

The Jellybeans are back and off to camp! Unlike her friends, Nicole struggles to find her niche. She starts her own soccer team and teaches her friends to play. As summer winds down, a competition heats up as the girls get ready for a soccer game against a nearby camp. Will the Jellybeans be able to combine their talents and win?

Survivor Kid: A Practical Guide to Wilderness Survival

Roxie is ready to have fun and make friends at Camp K-9, but is afraid the other dogs will make fun of her if they find out she brought her security blanket. She meets a bully named Lucy at the camp, and is even more scared that the poodle will find her blankie.

Roxie learns, however, that she isn’t the only pup with a secret at Camp K-9.

by Denise Long Independent Publishers Group, ages 9–12, $12.95

This guide to the outdoors will prepare kids for anything they might face while lost in the woods. Skills covered include safely starting and containing a fire, identifying animals by their tracks, and finding clean water. The book also discusses other tips for making it out of the wilderness safely. mnparent.com

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calendar

events

Your home, happier.

march top events

More appliances. Less money.

Edina • St. Paul • Apple Valley Maple Grove • Woodbury Mpls. Outlet • Rochester

Disney on Ice: Princess Wishes

Tinker Bell represents the magic of Disney, as she whisks you through a collection of enchanting and beloved Disney stories. Join Ariel as she yearns to explore the world above the waves. See Snow White find her one true love. Discover a whole new world with Jasmine. And, watch in wonder as the dreams of Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, and Mulan all come true. Be sure to see this magical show where believing is just the Warners' Stellian MNP 0311 4.indd beginning! Starting one hour before each performance, come enjoy the Disney Princess pre-show. A live Disney princess presides over a fairy tale collection of gowns and treasures from the Disney princess stories. Free to all ticket holders.

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2/10/11 2:18 PM

When: March 3 to 6, day and evening performances available Where: Target Center, 600 North 1st Avenue, Minneapolis Tickets: Begin at $10 plus $2 facility fee, up to $65 for front row seating Info: ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000

and difficult moral choices, Jodi Picoult keeps her readers riveted with heartfelt yet impeccably researched novels, like the richly suspenseful Second Glance and the poignant and controversial family drama My Sister’s Keeper.

Jodi Picoult Book Signing & Discussion Bestselling author Jodi Picoult will discuss and sign her latest novel, Sing You Home. Known for expertly blending provocative themes with family conflicts parent

When: Friday, March 11 at 7:30 Where: Edina Performing Arts Center at Edina High School Tickets: FREE and open to the public Info: Sponsored by Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Please call 952-920-0633 for more information march 2011

mnparent.com Tangletown Dental MNP 0311 4.indd 1

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2/16/11 10:45 AM

calendar SPR

Saturday, March 12 10am-3pm

HO Impr

2011

ING

ME

ovem

SW High School West Gym

ent

Fair

p r e s e n t s

FREE!

3414 W. 47th Street

Over 800 attendees, 80 vendors 612.825.9205 for information

Green to Me: Finding the Trees for the Forest

Door Prizes Free Admission • ags Goodie B s p o n s o r s : D E S I G N • B U I L D

SW HIF MNP 0311 4.indd 1

FREE!

events

2011

o hoMe iMpr

veMent

Green to Me: Finding the Trees for the Forest, features a talented cast of Unity Church’s 5th and 6th graders. Packed with original songs and dances, the show features an environmental theme and vivid storytelling. Colorful characters abound, from forest animals to woodland sprites.

Can a bully be reformed? Can hugging trees make a difference?

What are trees and animals really 2/16/11 9:10 AM thinking? presents Now in its 22nd year, this production has become a tradition for the entire Unity community, giving kids from the congregation a chance to tackle a big project and put on a performance in the sanctuary. Talented adults help too. They compose, direct and choreograph this unique show,

along with pulling together sets, costumes and more. Directed

by Mary Blouin-Auffert with the assistance of playwright and choreographer, Rene Meyer Grimberg. Music by Sandy Waterman.

When: Thursday, March 3 and Friday, March 4, with performances at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 5 with performance at 5 p.m. (Performances run approximately one hour.)

Where: Unity Church-Unitarian, 732 Holly Ave., St. Paul Tickets: Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children or $15 for families. Tickets are available at the church before the performances.

Info: Contact the church at 651-228-1456

That Eternal Day

Saturday, March 26 • 10AM-2PM Northeast Middle School • 2955 Hayes Street NE 612.825.9205 for information

LiSten to the expertS! 11:30am | Window Outfitters 12:15pm | Castle Building & Remodeling 1:00pm | Vujovich Design•Build sponsors:

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In That Eternal Day, Cantus explores sacred music as a global and American tradition, including music by Thomas Tallis and Bobby McFerrin as well as traditional African-American spirituals. That Eternal Day, which is also the title of the vocal ensemble’s latest CD, offers a program of songs that is emotionally invigorating and musically fulfilling.

New arrangements of Keep Your Lamps, Sweet By and By and Simple Gifts, alongside pieces by William Billings, Moses Hogan, and Paul Manz will be included.

When: March 18, 20, 24, & 27; both day and evening events are offered Where: A variety of venues around the Twin Cities area include Westminster Presbyterian Church & St. Olaf Catholic Church; Sundin Music Hall/St. Paul; St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church; and more Tickets: $10 to $25 Info: 612-435-0055

march 2011

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guide ••• camp resource (advertiser listings) Academic Bell Museum Science Discovery Day Camp

Our week-long camps are packed with hands-on projects that encourage kids to explore science, art, and nature.

Camps include field trips, swimming, and other UM facilities, for grades kindergarten through 6. Registration opens Feb. 21.

University of Minnesota 10 Church St SE, Minneapolis 612-624-9050 bellmuseum.org/camps.html

Camp Invention

Unleash the creative genius in your child! Five exciting hands-on classes daily: take apart appliances, make new inventions, experiment with chemistry and polymers, decipher secret codes, and discover nature’s inventors. Presented by teachers at local schools for children entering 1–6.

40+ programs in local schools in MN 800-968-4332 campinvention.org

Gifted & Talented Institute (GTI)

GTI offers a variety of week long, half, and full day courses, June 20–July 29, for children, grades K–10, who are part of an identified gifted/talented program or who demonstrate high aptitude or ability in one or more areas.

Eagle Ridge Junior High 13955 Glendale Rd, Savage 952-707-4150 giftedtalented.org

ICC Summer Engineering Camp

ICC Engineering Camps engage students in daily hands-on design and engineering challenges, tours of local industries, and team-focused challenges. Campers stay at the Engineering Center and enjoy the campus setting at Itasca Community College as well as local area recreational activities. For more information, contact kimberly. damiani@itascacc.edu.

Itasca Community College, Grand Rapids 218-322-2370 engineering.itascacc.edu

iD Tech Camps & iD Teen Academies

Ages 7–17 create video games, iPhone apps, websites, C++/Java programs, robots, and more. Week-long, day, and overnight programs at 60 universities nationwide including Macalester, U Wisconsin, Stanford, and others. Also, special teen programs.

Free year-round learning! Save with code MN22L. Macalester, University of Wisconsin, Stanford, and others 888-709-TECH (8324) internaldrive.com

Arts All Seasons Preschool Summer Camp 2011

Fill your summer with art, nature, and

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activities with seniors! Water play, hiking, gardening, games, and art projects. Set your own schedule!

7260 S Robert Trail, Inver Grove Heights 651-450-0606 allseasonspreschool.net

Art Camps at Studio Seven 2011

One week painting and drawing camps for students ages 7–17. Compositional elements will be explored through landscape and figure studies.

Students will paint and draw both in the studio and outside. Trips to galleries and museums included. Camps are Monday through Friday, 8 am–5 pm. $465 per week, all materials are included.

708 N 1st St, Minneapolis 612-376-0381 studio7mn.com

Art Academy, The

City Pages Winner: Best of the Twin Cities! Year-round traditional drawing and painting classes and camps for students ages 5–18. Exceptional student/teacher ratio. Homeschool Program. A Renaissance Program for adults also offered. See samples of student artwork; visit our website. Call for a brochure.

Classes held at: Holy Spirit Elementary 515 S Albert St,St. Paul 651-699-1573 theartacademy.net

College of Visual Arts Summer Arts Immersion

CVA is offering weeklong classes for middle school and high school students interested in the visual arts.

Take a workshop in drawing, painting, fashion design, graphic design, illustration, printmaking, or photography. Classes run June, July, and August. Learn more at www.cva.edu/ community/ 344 Summit Ave, St. Paul 651-224-3416 cva.edu/community

KidCreate Studio

Kidcreate Studio offers art camps for young artists age 3–12. Our camps are designed to inspire and educate your child in an environment where giggles and grins are encouraged. At Kidcreate, making a mess is the best!

7918 Mitchell Rd, Eden Prairie 952-974-3438 kidcreatestudio.com

Loft’s Young Writers’ Program, The

The Loft’s Young Writers’ Program offers 69 classes this summer that foster creativity, enrich talents, and create friendships. Classes run all summer for ages 6–17 at all skill levels.

Open Book 1011 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis 612-215-2575 loft.org

MCAD Summer Youth Program

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design’s Summer Youth Program invites kids and teens ages 5–18 to explore the fascinating world of art.

Nurture your child’s creativity in these unique hands-on studio courses led by professional artists.

2501 Stevens Ave, Minneapolis 612-874-3765 mcad.edu/youth

Minnetonka Center for the Arts

Build important skills and utilize a wide variety of materials and tools. A professional style gallery show during the final weeks of camp in August displays the amazing talents of our young artists. Kids 5–12, Teens 13–15 June 13 –August 26, 2011. Registration is open from February through August.

2240 North Shore Dr, Wayzata 952-473-7361, x16 minnetonkaarts.org

Northern Clay Center Clay Camps

Kids use their imaginations and learn about clay in week-long, half-day, and full-day camps. We offer 40 themed wheel and hand-building camps for all skill levels. Special programs for teens.

Registration starts March 1. June 20– August 26. Ages 6 and up.

2424 Franklin Ave E, Minneapolis 612-339-8007 northernclaycenter.org

Phipps Summer Art Camp, The Partial-day and full-day classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery, mosaic, animation, fiber arts, jewelry making, and printmaking, as well as creative dramatics and musical theater, for preschool through teens, taught by experienced artists, June 13–August 19.

The Phipps Center for the Arts 109 Locust St, Hudson, WI 54016 715-386-2305 thephipps.org

Camp Resources American Camp Association Northland Section

Enriching Lives…Building Tomorrows.

Plan an exciting summer for your child. Many day and overnight resident camps still have openings for this summer. Look for the label of quality that a camp is ACA Accredited. If not, ask why! The American Camp Association (ACA) accredits camps that meet more than 300 national standards regarding safety, health, programming, personnel, and facilities. To learn more visit campparents.org — the Camp Resource for Families or contact the ACA Northland Section 800-842-0308 acanorthland.org

Dakota Pediatrics

Don’t forget to get your camp physical today!

5975 Carmen Ave E. Inver Grove Heights

651-455-9697 dakotapeds.com

Thirty-One Gifts

Personalized Products that are versatile and fashionable. We have something for everyone. Great gift ideas for baby showers, weddings and birthdays; totes to organize your home, car and office; toddler back packs, and purses for mom.

952-221-6880 debcoolman.31@gmail.com mythirtyone.com/coolman

Dance/Music/ Performance Stages Theatre Company — Summer Theatre Workshops 2011 Calling all actors, singers or dancers: have fun learning about theatre from some of the area’s finest teaching artists. Stages Theatre Company offers a variety of age appropriate workshops for students ranging from age 7–17.

1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins 952-979-1111 or 952-979-1138 stagestheatre.org

Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs Summer Day Camp

Calling all kids who love to sing! Join us for a week (July 25–29) filled with singing, music games, and arts activities. This camp will serve as a springboard from which singers will explore their vocal potential and increase their confidence in singing. Grades 2–5. $90. 10 am–12 pm.

Bloomington Center for the Arts 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington 952-563-8572 angelicacantanti.org

Center for Irish Music Summer Camps

Center for Irish music summer camps introduce preschoolers through adults to Irish traditional music through Irish songs, instruments (whistle, fiddle, harp, accordion, guitar, pipes, bodhrán), and dance. Regular private and group lessons available over the summer and throughout the year.

836 Prior Ave N, St. Paul 651-815-0083 centerforirishmusic.org

Children’s Yamaha Music School

Keyboard classes for children ages 3–8 encourage creative self-expression; and include singing, hearing, playing, reading, writing, and ensembles. The focus is on total musicianship, including imagination, theory, composing, and performing. Free preview classes each February & July/August. Private lessons available for ages 9+ in piano and more.

CYMS Edina: Edina Community Center 5701 Normandale Rd, Edina CYMS Roseville: Hamline Center 2819 N Hamline Ave, Roseville 612-339-2255 cyms.ws march 2011

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YMCA SuMMer ProgrAMS Join us for YMCA Summer Programs Fair Saturday, March 5, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Summer rally Days March 4 – 6

get Special Deals at ymcatwincities.org

SuMMer PoWer – grades K - 6

Summer Power is your answer to quality care and exciting adventures. We offer flexible 3-, 4-, and 5-day options. Kids enjoy their day in small age appropriate groups and participate in activities such as crafts, group games, sports and weekly field trips. Water parks, zoos, museums, regional and local parks are just of few of the field trip adventures. Over 60 sites throughout the Twin Cities area.

For tHe LoCAtioN NeAreSt You, CALL:

SuMMer uProAr –

Youth will have the opportunity to learn new skills, practice and play new sports. Y Summer Sports is a safe, fun, non-competitive sports program designed to build teamwork, leadership skills and self-esteem. Kids find out what success is all about in an approach that says, “everybody plays, everybody wins!”

Uproar provides an exciting combination of spirited adventure and growth. Participants get their first taste of leadership as they help to plan their summer activities.

grades 1 - 6

For tHe LoCAtioN NeAreSt You, CALL: Hastings Area YMCA, Hastings, 651-480-8887 Northwest YMCA, New Hope, 763-535-4800 South Family YMCA, West St. Paul, 651-457-0048 Southdale YMCA, Edina, 952-835-2567 Also Eden Prairie locations.

Southwest Area YMCA, Eagan, 651-456-9622 St. Croix Valley YMCA, Hudson, WI, 715-386-1616 or 651-436-2883 White Bear Area YMCA, White Bear Lake, 651-777-8103

Preteens and teens grades 6 - 8

For tHe LoCAtioN NeAreSt You, CALL: Andover YMCA, Andover, 763-230-9622 Chain of Lakes YMCA, Lino Lakes, 651-795-9622 Downtown YMCA, Minneapolis, 612-371-8740 Elk River YMCA, Elk River, 763-230-2800 Emma B. Howe YMCA, Coon Rapids, 763-785-7882 Minnesota Valley YMCA, Burnsville, 952-898-9622 Northwest YMCA, New Hope, 763-535-4800 Northwest Family YMCA, Shoreview, 651-483-2671 Ridgedale YMCA, Minnetonka, 952-544-7708 River Valley YMCA, Prior Lake, 952-230-9622 Also Shakopee locations.

Southdale YMCA, Edina, 952-835-2567 Also Eden Prairie locations.

Southeast Area YMCA, Woodbury, 651-731-9507 Southwest Area YMCA, Eagan, 651-456-9622 St. Croix Valley YMCA, Hudson, WI, 715-386-1616 or 651-436-2883 White Bear Area YMCA, White Bear Lake, 651-777-8103

SuMMer at the Y – Hastings 651-480-8887

ymcatwincities.org

An do ver YM CA Bla isd ell YM CA Ch ain of Lak es Do YM wn CA tow nY MC eas A tY MC A elk riv er YM em CA ma BH ow eY Ha MC sti A ngs Are a Mid YM wa CA yY MC A Min nes ota Val No ley rth YM we CA st YM No C A rth we st Fam rid ily ged YM ale CA YM CA riv er Fal ls Y MC riv A er Val ley in P So uth rio r La Fam ke ily So YM uth C A eas tA rea Sou thd YM CA ale Y M Sou C A thw est Are St. aY Cro MC A ix V alle y YM Wh CA ite Bea r Ar ea Y MC A

Andover YMCA, Andover, 763-230-9622 Blaisdell YMCA, South Minneapolis, 612-827-5401 Chain of Lakes YMCA, Lino Lakes, 651-795-9622 Downtown YMCA, Minneapolis, 612-371-8740 East YMCA, St. Paul, 651-771-8881 Elk River YMCA, Elk River, 763-230-2800 Emma B. Howe YMCA, Coon Rapids, 763-785-7882 Hastings Area YMCA, Hastings, 651-480-8887 Midway YMCA, St. Paul, 651-646-4557 Minnesota Valley YMCA, Burnsville, 952-898-9622 Northwest YMCA, New Hope, 763-535-4800 Northwest Family YMCA, Shoreview, 651-483-2671 Ridgedale YMCA, Minnetonka, 952-544-7708.

River Falls YMCA, River Falls, WI, 715-425-9778 River Valley YMCA, Prior Lake, 952-230-9622 Also Shakopee locations.

South Family YMCA, West St. Paul, 651-457-0048 Southdale YMCA, Edina, 952-835-2567 Also Eden Prairie locations.

Southwest Area YMCA, Eagan, 651-456-9622 St. Croix Valley YMCA, Hudson, WI, 715-386-1616 or 651-436-2883 White Bear Area YMCA, White Bear Lake, 651-777-8103

SuMMer SPortS –

Summer Preschool Summer Power Kindergarten Summer Power Summer Sports Summer uproar Summer extreme Junior Achievement Specialty Programs Summer at the Y

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YMCA CAMPS AND DAY CAMPS

regiSter NoW — SoMe SeSSioNS FiLL FASt. You Do Not NeeD to Be A MeMBer to regiSter.

YMCA oVerNigHt CAMPS

YMCA FAMiLY CAMPS

Camp St. Croix—612-822-2267. Ages 7-17.

Family Camp offers the uninterrupted time and the perfect place for you and your family to reconnect and leave the hectic pace of life behind.

Camp du Nord—612-822-2267. Located on the

Located on Lake St. Croix, two miles south of Hudson, WI. Campers participate in a wide variety of traditional camp activities or select a specialty camp such as horseback riding, rock climbing, sailing and canoeing.

Three-day, one-week or two-week sessions.

edge of the BWCA on Burntside Lake, Camp du Nord offers a totally unique week-long camping experience for families. Cozy woodland cabins with kitchens range from rustic to upscale. Tent camping sites, full/partial food service also available. Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, nature and arts programs are offered as family activities and for children’s age groups. Relax at days end with an authentic Finnish sauna.

Camp icaghowan—612-822-2267. Ages 7-16.

Located on Lake Wapogasset near Amery, WI. Icaghowan offers traditional camp and a variety of unique specialty camps focused on activities such as horseback riding, rock climbing, river canoeing, fishing, technical tree climbing and skateboard camp. Threeday, one-week or two-week sessions.

Camp ihduhapi—612-822-2267. Ages 7-16.

YMCA DAY CAMPS: Ages 4 - 14

Located on Lake Independence just 22 miles west of Minneapolis, MN, Ihduhapi offers youth a traditional experience or sailing and horseback riding specialty camps. Three-day, one-week or two-week sessions.

Leadership development programs for grades 8-11.

YMCA Day Camp provides a week full of exciting camp activities like canoeing, archery, fishing, camp crafts, cookouts, swimming and more! Day camps facilitate a great introduction to camping in a safe environment. Kids are home each night. Bus transportation is available at most locations. Financial assistance is available for all Y programs.

Camp Warren—612-822-2267. Ages 7-16. Camp Warren, located in the north woods on Half Moon Lake near Eveleth, MN, offers girls-only sessions the first part of the summer and boys-only sessions later in the summer. Camp Warren has a strong tradition of progressive activities including sailing, archery, tennis, photography and horseback riding.

Minnetrista, MN 55364, 952-544-7708. Traditional day camp is located on 45 acres at Dutch Lake near Mound, MN. Camp guy robinson—3100 217th Ave NW, Oak Grove, MN, 763-785-7882. Traditional day camp is located at Lake George Regional Park.

YMCA Day Camp ihduhapi—3425 Ihduhapi Rd., Loretto, MN 55357, 763-479-1146. Located on Lake Independence. Day Camp Ihduhapi offers the beautiful, north woods feel of camp.

Camp Kici Yapi—13220 Pike Lake Trail NE, Prior Lake, MN 55372, 952-835-2567. Traditional day camp is located on 80 acre site in Prior Lake.

Camp Streefland—11490 Klamath Trail, Lakeville, MN 55044, 952-898-9622. Traditional day camp is located on Lake Kingsley in Lakeville.

Camp Manitou—9910 Briarwood Ave NE, Monticello, MN 55362, 763-535-4800. Traditional day camp is located on 1200 acre site on Lake Bertram and Long Lake in Monticello, MN.

YMCA Camp St. Croix – DayCroix 532 County Rd. F, Hudson, WI, 612-465-0560. Traditional day camp is located on 400 acre site overlooking Lake St. Croix.

Camp Menogyn—612-822-2267. Ages 12-18.

Camp Menogyn is located on the Gunflint Trail 30 miles north of Grand Marais, MN. There are no roads leading to Menogyn, so all campers cross West Bearskin Lake by boat to arrive at this beautiful, intimate wilderness setting. Our focus is on the small group, compassionate guided wilderness canoeing, backpacking and rock climbing trips that are safe, fun and enriching.

Camp Heritage

7732 Main Street, Lino Lakes, MN; Traditional day camp held across from Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes.

Camp Kumalya

1515 Keats Ave.N., Lake Elmo, MN, 651-731-9507.

Traditional day camp held at Lake Elmo Park Reserve in Lake Elmo.

Camp Widjiwagan—612-822-2267. Ages 12-18.

Camp Sacajawea

Located on Burntside Lake near Ely, MN, Widji offers high-quality canoe and backpacking adventures in the BWCA and throughout North America. Widji wilderness trips are focused on respect and values that build skills for life, and a relationship with the environment that is unparalleled.

5121 McAndrews Road, Eagan, MN 55123 Dakota County Lebanon Hills, 651-456-9622.

Traditional day camp held at Dakota County Lebanon Hills, Camp Sacajawea.

ymcatwincities.org

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Develop a greater passion for the things you love, or try out something new at one of our YMCA specialty camps! Campers spend approximately 2 hours each day in their specialized activity. The remainder of the day is spent enjoying traditional camp activities.

Camp Christmas tree—6365 Game Farm Rd.,

DAY CAMPS iN St. PAuL

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YMCA DAY CAMPS: SPeCiALtY CAMPS

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DAY CAMPS iN St. PAuL DayCroix at Camp St. Croix Day Camp Heritage Day Camp Kumalya Day Camp Sacajawea

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c amp resource guide ••• (advertiser listings) Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS) Summer Programs

GTCYS offers two fun and challenging summer programs for beginning to advanced string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students in grades 2–12. String Camp: June 20–24. Summer Orchestras: Tuesday evenings, May 31– July 19. Details and registration at gtcys.org.

Central Middle School: 4857 Bloom Ave, White Bear Lake Mayflower Church: 106 E Diamond Lake Rd, Minneapolis 612-870-7611 • gtcys.org

MacPhail Center for Music MacPhail’s 46 summer camps for ages 3–adult provide a fun and unique learning opportunity to explore music in a creative surrounding. Each camp is designed to build a nurturing environment that promotes cooperation, creativity and self-discovery. Dates: June 13–August 31.

Minneapolis, Apple Valley, White Bear Lake 612-321-0100 • macphail.org

O’Shea Irish Dance

Director Cormac O’Sé, original member of Riverdance. Irish Dance is an art, a sport, and a deeply rooted cultural folk tradition. Highly skilled technical training for preschoolers through adults; for competition, for fun, and for fitness! Weekly Classes: Mondays through Thursdays. Beginners spring and summer camps registering now.

Midway at I-94/Cretin and Rochester, MN 612-722-7000 • osheairishdance.com

Rock & Pop Band Camp

Young musicians learn “how-to’s” of playing/singing in a contemporary rock/pop band. Professional musicians provide a supportive environment for all instruments, abilities, ages 12–18 from June 20–24. Affordable, some scholarships. Private lessons also offered all summer.

West Bank School of Music 1813 S 6th St, Minneapolis 612-333-6651 wbsm.org

Audubon Center of the North Woods

Summer Camps 2011 Becoming an Outdoor Family Weekend June 10-12

Residential Camps

Forts, Fires & Fishing - July 5-8 The Ways of Wildlife - July 10-15 State Park Sampler - July 23-24

Shell Lake Arts Center

With programs in jazz, rock band, show choir, art, theatre, dance, and more, the Shell Lake Arts Center is like nowhere else! Just two hours northeast of the Twin Cities in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin. Come join us for the experience of a lifetime!

802 1st St, Shell Lake, WI 54871 715-468-2414 shelllakeartscenter.org

Sing Minnesota

Sing Minnesota is a week-long day camp for girls and boys, ages 8–12 (completed grades 2–6) sponsored by the Minnesota Boychoir. While focusing on choral singing, campers also participate in other creative arts — drama and movement, visual arts, as well as outdoor fun and games! $280, scholarships are available. August 8–12. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Concordia University Buetow Music Center 300 Hamline Ave N, St. Paul 651-292-3219 boychoir.org

StageCoach Theatre Arts Summer Camps

See why parents and students love the unique StageCoach experience.

Your 6–16 year-old will be part of a fun-packed, creative summer camp.

Camps include classes in dance, acting, and singing and end in a musical theatre presentation.

Edina/Minnetonka/St. Paul Locations: 15911 Woodgate Rd N, Minnetonka 651-775-2849 St. Louis Park Location: 3332 30th Ave S, Minneapolis 952-367-6032 stagecoachschools.com

TweenTown Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls

August 2–5. 4 days/3 nights. Fun, music driven camp for girls 9–13.

Popular music is the medium to boost self-confidence, promote self-esteem, and encourage team building at crucial tweener age. Guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and voice with music professionals, culminating in performance. No experience necessary. Camp activities.

Camp Tanadoona Excelsior Sue McLean & Associates 761 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis 612-343-8662 tweentowngirlscamp.com

Day Academy of Holy Angels Summer Experience 2011

For children grades 3–9. Camps include Photography, Theater, Writing, Science, Band, Computer Animation, Pottery, Cartooning, 30 different sports including Larry Fitzgerald Football Camp! Check us out online.

Starting June 13. Average cost for a one-week camp is $75.

6600 Nicollet Ave S, Richfield 612-798-0764 academyofholyangels.org

Camp Enercise

Camp Enercise is a whirlwind of physical activity, enercise energy, creativity, theme based art projects, fun, and friends! Ages 3–5 and 6–9. Sign up for a week that works for you — camps are 9:30–11:30 Monday through Fridays.

12981 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka 952-405-9471 enercisegym.com

International Kids Camp

The International School of Minnesota offers full and half day camp for ages 3.5–grade 6. From June 20–August 12 this is your passport to summer fun! An afternoon sport option is also available.

6385 Beach Rd, Eden Prairie 952-918-1828 internationalschoolmn.com

Minnesota Zoo — Zoo Camp

Go wild this summer at Zoo Camp!

Kids ages 2–18 explore the rainforest, travel under the sea, encounter amazing animals up close, and learn about important wildlife and wild places around the world!

13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley 952-431-9320 mnzoo.org

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Have a great summer by attending these camps in Roseville. Includes day camps, music/drama camps, sport camps such as basketball, football, cheerleading, golf, tennis, track and field, volleyball, lacrosse, and nature camps. Online registration available.

2660 Civic Center Dr, Roseville 651-792-7110 cityofroseville.com/parks

Silverwood Park Art & Nature Day Camps

Are you looking for a new summer day camp experience in the Twin Cities?

Silverwood Park offers nature inspired art day camps lead by local artists for a variety of ages. Explore clay, digital photography, music, theater, and more!

Silverwood Park, St. Anthony 763-694-7707 threeriversparks.org

Tamarack Nature Center Summer Camp Adventures

Is your child suffering from “nature deficit disorder?” The only known antidote is a summer of outdoor fun and adventure! We offer weekly half and full-day camps for ages 3–13. The adventures begin June 20th. Get your spot today!

5287 Otter Lake Rd, White Bear Township 651-407-5350 co.ramsey.mn.us/parks/tamarack/ daycamps

• Coed, 8 to 16 years old!

• Focus on personal growth and development!

• Over 30 quality activities!

• 2 & 4 week sessions!

• Family owned and operated for over 85 years!

• American Camp Association Accredited!

History Comes Alive!

www.campfoley.com 218-543-6161

march 2011

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Roseville Parks & Recreation

Knight for a Day Camp

Mix & Match Camp - June 20 Feathered Friends - June 21

888-404-7743 www.audubon-center.org

Take off with MPA’s Summer Programs! Summer courses in arts, academics, and athletics are for grades PK–12. Classes include everything from improv theatre to rocket science to origami. New this year: Middle School Adventure Week. MPA also offers Panther Camp — summer daycare in a camp format. Call today for a catalog or visit our website to register.

2051 Larpenteur Ave E, St. Paul 651-777-2555 moundsparkacademy.org/go/summer2011

Spend some time in paradise!

Day Camps

On Grindstone Lake near Sandstone, MN

Mounds Park Academy Summer Programs

Sessions: June 20 - July 29

Culturally unique musiC eduCation summer camps & weekly classes preschool–adult i-94 & snelling www.centerforirishmusic.org

www.oakeshott.org mnparent.com

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guide ••• camp resource (advertiser listings) Unleashed Animal Humane Society

651-226-2027 sunnysidestables.org

An animal-themed summer day camp at the Animal Humane Society for students entering grades 3–12. Includes animal-related educational activities, animal interactions, special guests, field trips, and more. Register early.

Unleashed — where “acting like an animal” is a good thing.

Buffalo, Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, St. Paul and Woodbury 763-489-2220 animalhumanesociety.org/unleashed

Horseback Riding Camp Featherbrook Farm

Riding twice daily on 34 acres, immersion, fundamentals, and foundation of horsemanship, games, crafts, grooming, anatomy, horsemanship skills, horse and stable safety, first-aid, farm life and making new friends.

Campers build self-esteem, practice values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

20603 Cty Rd 50, Corcoran 612-868-8506 featherbrookfarm.com

Kinni Valley Riding Academy Summer Day Camp

Treat your kids to a summer experience they’ll never forget. Gain confidence and pride in a safe, fun environment with hours in the saddle each day. English and Western equitation, horse care, safety, and miles of trails along the scenic Kinnickinnic River.

1171 30th Ave, River Falls, WI 54022 715-426-1321 kinnivalleyacademy.com

Sunnyside Stables Horsemanship Summer Camp

Sunnyside’s camp is a place to discover horses and new friends. Each day includes riding — rain or shine, as we have an indoor and outdoor arena as well as scenic trails. You will discover the basics of grooming, saddling, body language, posture, contact, and balance to develop independent riding skills.

15400 Emery Ave E, Rosemount

Woodloch Stable & Bunker Park Stable

Horseback riding day camps for ages 5 and older. Individualized attention and structured lessons in Western and English riding. Our professional, caring staff and safe horses are dedicated to a safe and enjoyable riding experience for your child at an affordable price. Two convenient locations.

5676 170th St, Hugo 651-429-3064 woodlochstable.com 550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW, Andover 763-757-9445 bunkerparkstable.com

a real accomplishment something to be proud of for the rest of your life Contact

Edric Lysne 866.467.7651 x2360 elysne@outwardbound.org outwardbound.org/catalog parent

Camp Lincoln/Camp Lake Hubert

Language

In our 102nd season! Traditional, yet separate boys and girls camps, ages 7–17, with focus on skill building and featuring over 30 land and water activities. Two, three, and four week sessions, as well as five day intro camp.

PO Box 1308, Lake Hubert 800-242-1909 lincoln-lakehubert.com

Bilingual Child Care & Education Center

Camp Olson YMCA

9 am–7 pm. Meals and field trips included. PT or FT. 2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake 952-496-6811 playworksfun.com

Bakken Museum, The Summer Science Day Camps Students explore the electrifying world of science through hands-on activities, creative dramatics, team challenges, and more. Campers learn The Bakken invention process and build their own take-home creation.

Spaces fill quickly ... register early!

3537 Zenith Ave S, Minneapolis 612-926-3878 thebakken.org

Camp Odayin

¡Verano divertido! St. Paul’s newest and most exciting option for summer childcare, Spanish learning, and fun.

Weekly themed, culturally-based activities and field trips lead by bilingual Native Spanish speaking teachers. 18 months–10 years, M–F, 7:30–5:30 (full/ half day available).

1514 Englewood Ave, St. Paul 651-644-2405 bilingualchildcaremn.org

For more than 55 years Camp Olson has been providing unforgettable and life changing experiences for youth and young leaders through quality programs. Traditional summer camp available as well as specialty programs in Sailing, Horseback Riding, Nature Study and Leadership Development.

4160 Little Boy Rd NE, Longville 218-363-2207 campolson.org

For children with heart disease ages 6–17. Camp Odayin provides day and residential camping experiences where campers discover outdoor, athletic, and creative activities in a safe and medically supervised environment. Day Camp: August 1–5 (ages 6–7). Residential Camp: July 18–22 (ages 14–15), July 25–29 (ages 16–17), August 8–12 (ages 8–11), August 15–19 (ages 11–13).

St. Paul and Crosslake 651-351-9185 info@campodayin.org campodayin.org

French Summer Camps: Les Vacances tout en français !

Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center

Computer Explorers TechStars Camps

Specialty

Friendship Ventures

Explore French through children’s literature, marionettes, song, and art.

Activities are led by native speakers with teaching experience. Half-day camps for beginners are the perfect introduction to French, available July– August, for ages 4–11.

Alliance Française Warehouse district, Minneapolis 612-332-0436 afmsp.org

Overnight Audubon Center of the North Woods

Youth and family camps that expand your horizons! Becoming an Outdoor

shell lake arts center

An unforgettable experience

Family: June 10–12; Mix Match Day Camp: June 20; Feathered Friends Day Camp: June 21; Forts, Fires & Fishing: July 5–8; Ways of Wildlife: July 10–15; State Park Sampler: July 23–24.

East side of Grindstone Lake near Sandstone 888-404-7743 audubon-center.org/youth_camp.htm

master teachers. magic setting.

Adventure outside and grow inside at Wolf Ridge. Explore pristine lakes and streams, forests, and wetlands during educationally accredited overnight camps, day camps, and wilderness trips. Exciting new activities, rock climbing, high ropes, and camp-outs offered each year.

6282 Cranberry Rd, Finland 218-353-7414 wolf-ridge.org

Playworks: Racing Off to a Winning Summer Camp 2011 June 1–Sept 2. Kids entering 1st–6th grade. Arts, crafts, science, nature, more. M–F 6:30 am–7 pm, Sat–Sun

Let Your True Colors Shine!

Nationally recognized technology camps for ages 4–14. Where learning is fun, innovative, challenging, and hands-on. With over 200 camps in Minnesota, we offer exciting classes in Robotics, Video Game Design, Movie Production, Animation, Solar, Aerospace, Rollercoaster Engineering, and more!

Throughout Minnesota 651-730-9910 computerexplorersmn.com Camp Friendship (Annandale), Camp Eden Wood (Eden Prairie), and Camp New Hope (McGregor) offer resident and day camps for children, teens, and adults, ages 5–18 and older with developmental, physical, or multiple

Science and chess camps for ages 4 to 12 throughout the metro area.

SUMMER CAMPS 2011 Rock Band • Jazz • Art Concert Band • Strings Piano • Film Making Dance • Music Theatre Acting & Playwriting Guitar & Bass Workshop Trumpet Workshop Rousseau Saxophone Workshop For a complete camp schedule, please visit our Website

www.shelllakeartscenter.org

802 First Street • PO Box 315 • Shell Lake, WI 54871

715-468-2414

CAMP FOR GIRLS

www.WeHakeeCampforGirls.com 1-800-582-2267

www.madscience.org/mn march 2011

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c amp resource guide ••• (advertiser listings) disabilities. Sessions for friends and siblings without disabilities. Scholarships available. ACA accredited.

10509 108th St NW, Annandale 800-450-8376 952-852-0101 friendshipventures.org

Korean Culture Camp

Korean Culture Camp is open to adoptees, their children, siblings, and anyone interested in Korean culture.

Pre-K–6th graders traditional music, dance, tae kwon do, language, history, and Korean food in a day camp format.

Minnehaha Academy 3100 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis 952-994-2815 kccmn.org

Mad Science of Minnesota Join us in our mission to spark imaginative learning in your child. Mad Science provides amazing birthday parties and, with Schoolhouse Chess, we provide entertainment and education with camps, workshops, special large group shows, and after school enrichment classes throughout the Twin Cities area.

519 Payne Ave, St. Paul 651-793-5721 madscience.org/mn

Outward Bound

Outward Bound USA is a non-profit outdoor school that serves ages 12, teens, and adults through active learning expeditions that inspire character development, self-discovery, and service. We offer programs in Minnesota and nation-wide with a few international trips.

Wilderness Areas in United States (MN, CO, UT, CA, OR, WA, FL, NC, AK, ME, MD, PA), Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Patagonia 866-467-7651 outwardbound.org

Swift Nature Camp

Let your child’s natural curiosity for nature be discovered. Located just two hours from Minneapolis, we are a traditional co-ed camp, with focus on nature and environment. A First Time Campers Program is available for campers who have not attended camp before.

W7471 Ernie Swift Rd, Minong, WI 54859 630-654-8036 swiftnaturecamp.com

West Metro Learning Connectons

of July 4. Morning, afternoon, and full day options are available. Unique afternoon options for teens and tweens, too!

355 2nd St, Excelsior 952-474-0227 x 204 wmlc.biz

Sports and Fitness Active Kids Association of Sport (AKASPORT) AKASPORT offers year round multisports programming with its afterschool multi-sports classes and the highly coveted AKA All Sports Summer Camp at the National Sports Center. Look for added programs, sports, field trips, and excitement in 2011!!

1369 Spencer Rd, St. Paul 612-384-2192 akasport.org

Camp Lincoln/Camp Lake Hubert

For children with Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, and others that benefit from opportunities to develop social skills and friendships.

June 13–August 26. No camp week

Tennis and golf camps since 1973. All skill levels, ages 8–15, five hours daily instruction and play, plus traditional camp activities. Brainerd Lakes Area.

We also offer traditional two, three and four week boys/girls sessions, a co-ed session and Family Camp.

PO Box 1308, Lake Hubert 800-242-1909 lincoln-lakehubert.com

Foss Swim School

Swimmers Guaranteed.™ Learn to swim, starting at six months of age through adult, with FOSS’ unique teaching methods, adult instructors, and comfortable 91º pools. Once-aweek lessons, 2- and 4-week camps offered year round.

12440 Aberdeen St NE Blaine 763-416-8993 421 Lake Dr, Chanhassen 952-906-5942 9455 Garland Ln, Maple Grove 763-416-8993 8300 Egan Dr, Savage 952-215-3050 8332 Hwy 7 (Knollwood Mall), St. Louis Park 952-935-8732 257 Rivertown Dr, Woodbury 651-233-5777 fossswimschool.com

Loppet Adventure Camp

Four camps this summer for kids ages 7–13. Kids will experience the year-round athletic lifestyle of a crosscountry skier through outdoor activities including roller-skiing, mountain biking, running, adventure racing, canoeing, Ultimate Frisbee, and other games.

Wirth Beach, Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis 612-604-5333 loppet.org

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march 2011

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BLOOMA - YOGA Prenatal Postnatal Kids Everyone

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party pages

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A Party At Your House, Not IN Your House.

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Fun Birthday Parties for children ages 3 and up! Call 651-487-8272 for more information or to schedule your party.

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ENTS MOBILE VIDEO GAME THEATER GaminRide.com • (888) 36-GAMES (952) 212-7827 (STAR) Story Man MNP 0806 1c1.5.indd 6/21/06 1 11:53:37 AM ALSO OFFERING: Sumo Wrestling • Bumper Balls • Outdoor Laser Tag • and more! www.costumestar.com

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Birthday Parties – Open Gym

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real parents becky flansburg with husband paul and children jake and sarah

Becky Flansburg is as brutally and hilariously real as a parent can be.

Her blog FranticMommy crowns her “Queen of the Kingdom of Tired” and records the challenges and rewards of raising two children, Jake and Sara. Jake is adopted while Sara is her birth child, though both carry her feisty, sassy spirit.

Flansburg, with two fellow Brainerd, MN moms, started Lakes Area Mom Squad, or LAMS, which compiles and distributes coupon books with discounts to mom-owned or mom-friendly businesses in the area. The LAMS blog reviews these businesses and provides links to their websites. Also on her to-do list are Flansburg’s Saraboo Travel Activity Bags, which are full of entertaining goodies for trips with less-than-happy campers.

How are you able to blog from home with kids around?

Some people sleep in on weekends … not this chick. I still get up at 5:00. My kids sleep in until 8:00-ish; that gives me almost three hours of “creative time.” I am not on my computer much during the day on weekends because that’s family time. I am a firm believer that kids and family should be the center of your universe, not living on the outskirts of it.

Do you put LAMS (since it is a collaborative effort) before other work?

Saraboo Travel Activity Bags for 56

march 2011

photo by studio north photography

Kids is very small. I have couple of resorts and hotels in my area that do a great job selling my bags.

LAMS takes a little more attention and I put that before anything because I take it very seriously that businesses have entrusted me with their time and money on this project. Word-of-mouth is by far our best way to attract new “Mom Squaders”, but we recently joined our Chamber of Commerce and it’s been one of the smartest moves we’ve ever made. It felt good to join because I’ve always been an advocate of our Brainerd Lakes Chamber. I am the chair of our Main Street Promotions Committee and recently started with the Member Outreach

Committee. Apparently I didn’t already have enough to do.

Have you discussed your son’s adoption with him? Have you had challenges having one adopted and one birth child?

Our son is almost eight and we’ve had the “you grew in someone else’s tummy” talk. We’ve had an open dialogue about it for a few years. People sometimes don’t realize they are being hurtful when they ask about my son’s “real mom.” I’m not a fake mom so I must be his real mom, right?

We encourage words like “birth mom” or “placed for adoption” instead of “gave up.” Our son was a domestic adoption from right

here in Minnesota so he blends.

He looks just like us and especially like my hubby. It’s cool how God works in special ways.

Our youngest we “cooked ourselves” with the help of a doctor and some yucky shots. She just turned 5 and is 40 pounds of … diva attitude. In our eyes, there’s no difference between the two. They are OUR KIDS. Period.

We love them equally, and they drive us nuts equally. We don’t think differently about either one, and don’t treat them any different.

We are super-proud of both of our kids because they are hardfought-hard-won. I think that makes us both more grateful to even BE parents.

— Alyson Cummings

want to be featured in real parents?

We’re looking for real parents — parents who aren’t famous but perhaps should be, people from whom we could all learn a little something. Maybe they’ve faced a challenge or come up with a unique solution or are living their lives in a particularly inspiring way. If that’s you or someone you know, send an email to kstoehr@mnpubs.com. mnparent.com

parent

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Give your baby every opportunity to accomplish his or her dreams.

Start with the Minnesota College Savings Plan.

Thinking about paying for college now may seem overwhelming.

Yet, by starting to save today, you can make financing your child’s future college education more manageable. The Minnesota College Savings Plan makes it easy to start and simple to save.

Affordable to start: A contribution to an account can be made with as little as $25 in any investment option.

Anyone can contribute: Parents, grandparents, family and friends can give to an account on behalf of a child or loved one.

Tax advantages can help: Minnesota College Savings Plan account earnings can grow free from Minnesota and federal income taxes.

Flexible to use: Funds can be used for a variety of qualified expenses at nearly any school in the U.S. and many abroad.

Potential Matching Grant: Some Minnesota families may qualify for a Matching Grant.* Children grow up fast. Start saving for their future today.

You can get there. We can help.

To get started, or for more information:

• Visit www.MN529Dreams.com • Call 877 338-4646

*Matching Grants are dependent upon appropriations from the Minnesota Legislature as approved by the Minnesota Governor. Eligibility requirements for Matching Grants are subject to change. If the total amount of Matching Grants exceeds the amount appropriated, Matching Grant awards will be proportionately reduced. Please visit www.mnsaves.com for additional details.

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Minnesota College Savings Plan. Please visit www.mnsaves.org for a Disclosure Booklet containing this and other information. Read it carefully.

Before investing in a 529 plan, you should consider whether the state you or your designated beneficiary reside in or have taxable income in has a 529 plan that offers favorable state income tax or other benefits that are only available if you invest in that state’s 529 plan.

The tax information contained herein is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. It was written to support the promotion of the Minnesota College Savings Plan. Taxpayers should seek advice based on their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

Account value in the investment options is not guaranteed and will fluctuate based upon a number of factors, including general market conditions.

Non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal regular income taxes, the 10% federal additional tax, and other taxes. © 2010 TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., Plan Manager.

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