March 2015

A GUIDE TO LOCAL CAMPS

PAGE 64

March 2015

The

CAMP issue

IS YOUR KID READY? CARDBOARD CRAZINESS HORSE POWER ALL ABOUT THAT VASE STEM INSPIRATION

THE MAGIC OF CAMP OZ START THEM YOUNG

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Alexander, 5, Hugo

Making mom friends

Staying sane in winter

The challenge of chores

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Minnesota State Parks and Trails I Can! programs provide first-time experiences for families to try camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, paddling, fishing and archery.

• Hands-on instruction.

• Gear provided.

• Family-friendly program fees.

Some programs are free.

GIVE YOUR KIDS

A LIFETIME OF BIG MOMENTS.

Start making big plans at mndnr.gov/ican.

REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 20.

I Can Climb! is in partnership with

VOLUME 30

CONTENTS

THE CAMP ISSUE

50

24

48

Broadswords and breastplates, castles and catapults: This is summer camp!

We’ve got all the pros and cons of various types of camps, plus key questions about readiness.

31

50

Kids at horsemanship camp ride every day, but they also learn about caring for the animals.

Camp Oz brings kids with epilepsy together to enjoy traditional — and safe — camp experiences.

36

54

Immersive games and spiritual discovery are important parts of Trout Lake Camps.

Northern Clay Center camps help children as young as age 6 try pottery.

Cardboard crazy 42 58

Giddy up!

36

31

Higher power 24

42

Start small 54

ISSUE 3

Kids as young as 4 and 5 can ease into traditional camps with a variety YMCA day camps.

Is your kid ready?

Regular camp

Feats of clay

58

STEM stars Engineering for Kids’ newest franchise is up and running in Minnesota, and camps are starting this spring.

CAMP RESOURCES 64

74 Out & About 6

March 2015 • mnparent.com

When your family is complete, consider Essure® permanent birth control.

Essure is the only permanent birth control that’s: • Non-surgical • Over 99% effective* • Non-hormonal • FDA-approved and available in the US for over 10 years Essure can help you stop worrying about an unplanned pregnancy. It is a short, 10-minute procedure that can be performed right in your doctor’s office. There’s no downtime to recover—most women go home about 45 minutes after the procedure and return to their normal activities within 1 to 2 days. The Essure Confirmation Test is given 3 months after the procedure to verify the inserts are placed correctly and your fallopian tubes are completely blocked, providing permanent birth control.

Essure may be covered by your health insurance plan at no cost† To learn more about Essure and find a doctor, visit essure.com or call 1.877.ESSURE4 (1.877.377.8734)

Indication Essure is a permanent birth control procedure that works with your body to create a natural barrier against pregnancy.

Important Safety Information WARNING: You must continue to use another form of birth control until you have your Essure Confirmation Test and your doctor tells you that you can rely on Essure for birth control.

• You can rely on Essure for birth control only after your doctor has reviewed your Essure Confirmation Test results.

Your doctor will confirm that the inserts are properly placed and both of your fallopian tubes are blocked. If you rely on Essure for birth control before having your Essure Confirmation Test, you are at risk of getting pregnant.

• Talk to your doctor about which method of birth control you should use for the 3 months after the procedure.

Some women can remain on their current birth control. Other women, such as those using an intrauterine device or contraceptive (IUD or IUC), will need to switch to another method.

• It can take longer than three months for the Essure procedure to be effective. In rare cases, it has taken up to 6 months. Make sure to continue using an alternate form of birth control up until your doctor has reviewed your Essure Confirmation Test results and confirmed that you can rely on Essure for birth control.

Please see additional Important Safety Information about Essure on next page.

*Based on 5-year clinical study data. †Some restrictions may apply. Visit essure.com/aca to learn more or contact your health insurance provider.

Important Safety Information (continued) WARNING: Be sure you are done having children before you undergo the Essure procedure. Essure is a permanent method of birth control. The younger a woman is when she chooses to end her fertility, the more likely she is to regret her choice later.

During the procedure: You may experience mild to moderate pain, your doctor may be unable to place one or both Essure inserts correctly, part of an Essure insert may break off or puncture the fallopian tube requiring surgery to repair the puncture, or your body may absorb a large amount of the salt water solution. Your doctor may recommend a local anesthesia which numbs the cervix. Ask your doctor about the risks associated with this type of anesthesia.

Immediately following the procedure: You may experience mild to moderate pain and/or cramping, vaginal bleeding, and pelvic or back discomfort for a few days. Some women experience nausea and/or vomiting or fainting. In rare instances, an Essure insert may be expelled from the body.

During the Essure Confirmation Test: You will be exposed to very low levels of radiation, as with most x-rays. In rare instances, women may experience spotting and/or infection.

Long-term Risks: There are rare reports of chronic pelvic pain in women who have had Essure. In rare instances, an Essure insert may migrate through the fallopian tubes into the lower abdomen and pelvis. It may be necessary to surgically remove the migrated device if the patient is experiencing an adverse event. No birth control method is 100% effective. If you do become pregnant after Essure, the risks to you, the fetus, the pregnancy and childbirth are unknown. Women who have the Essure procedure are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy if they get pregnant. Ectopic pregnancy is when the pregnancy occurs outside of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can be very serious or life-threatening. If you have the NovaSureÂŽ procedure, a procedure that removes the lining of the uterus to lighten or stop menstrual bleeding, after the Essure procedure, your risk of pregnancy may increase. The Essure insert is made of materials that include a nickel-titanium alloy. Patients who are allergic to nickel may have an allergic reaction to the inserts. Symptoms include rash, itching and hives.

Unknown Risks: The safety and effectiveness of Essure has not been established in women under 21 or over 45 years old. The safety and effectiveness of reversing the Essure procedure, of in vitro fertilization (IVF) after the procedure, or to you and your fetus if you get pregnant after the procedure are not known.

Adverse Events: During the procedure, the most common problem reported was mild to moderate pain (9.3%).

Some of the women in the study reported moderate pain (12.9%) and/or cramping (29.6%) on the day of the procedure. A smaller percentage of women reported nausea/vomiting (10.8%) and vaginal bleeding (6.8%).

Essure inserts do not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Talk to your doctor about the Essure procedure and whether it is right for you.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects or quality complaints of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Essure, BAYER, and the Bayer Cross are registered trademarks of Bayer. Š 2014 Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc., Whippany, NJ, 07981 All rights reserved.

PP-250-US-0357

Printed in USA

September 2014

CONTENTS 12

18

BABY ON BOARD If finding mom buddies isn’t easy for you, don’t worry. It takes time!

TEENS AND TWEENS In our fitness- and sports-obsessed world, can kids find a place for simple exercise?

14

20

TODDLER TIME Climbing the walls while you wait for the end of winter? We’ve got some ideas.

GROWS ON TREES New parents, here’s a to-do list to ease your financial fears.

16

22

SCHOOL DAYS Get the kids involved in housework now and reap the benefits later.

ASK THE PEDIATRICIAN When should you have “The Talk?”

Answer: As soon as it comes up!

Mom ‘friends’

Winter sanity

Chore challenge

FMN - Kindercare MNP 0315 H2.indd 1

About our cover kid Exhale!

Get it done

Sex talk

Name: Alexander Age: 5

City: Hugo

Parents: Laura and Jesse Carroll

Siblings: Emmaline, 2 Favorite movie: The LEGO Movie Favorite book: The Biggest Sandwich Ever by Rita Golden Gelman Favorite activities: Swimming, writing letters, building with LEGOs and going on adventures Favorite foods: Cucumbers, pizza, shrimp and ice cream Camper experience: Last summer, Alex attended a bug-focused camp at Wargo Nature Center in Hugo and an art camp at Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Township. This summer, he plans to attend Green Thumb Gardeners camp at Tamarack Nature Center.

Photo by Laura Carroll Photography / lauracarrollphotography.com

2/13/15 10:46 AM

mnparent.com • March 2015

9

FROM THE EDITOR

Camps galore!

W

hat are you going to do with the kids this summer?

When I was growing up in small-town South Dakota, the answer to that question was usually (a) let them bum around the house, (b) send them to the pool, or (c) drive them a long way to an overnight camp.

We (my sister and I) loved it all.

But today, raising my own child in a city, I can’t believe how many more options we have!

Last summer, our 6-year-old split his time between his school’s summer programming and a variety of half-day camps (stacked up to cover a full work week). His camps, which were affordable, included chess, basketPhoto by Tracy Ann Walsh Poserdesign.com ball, golf, LEGOs, space and science.

This year he’s thinking about lacrosse, floor hockey and soccer. Other enticing 2015 day camps include LEGO Minecraft Engineering, Junior Geocaching and Flying Fish Swim Camp.

As you’ll probably be able to tell from this month’s magazine — our highly anticipated annual Camp Issue! — I’m just scratching the surface of what’s available to our kids.

In the Twin Cities and beyond, we have hundreds of choices. Be sure to check out the cool camps featured in this issue as well as our extensive camp listings in the back of the magazine. We’ve got more than 100 camps to explore, along with our searchable directory of local camps at mnparent.com/camp. Consider Minnesota Parent your go-to guide for summer planning! (In fact, if you’re reading this before Feb. 28, be sure to come to our annual Camp Fair at the Como Zoo: See mnparent.com/campfair for details.)

Of course, you have to find a camp that’s right for your kid — and your schedule.

Some camps may require you to drive your kid to camp. However, as I discovered while editing this issue, there are some camps that provide transportation for a modest charge.

The YMCA’s many day camps, for example, offer extensive busing programs from local schools and other sites to make wilderness camps possible — if not totally easy — for metro-area kids. Parents can head to their jobs in the Twin Cities, while their kids (as young as 4) are whisked away to traditional camps to try out archery, canoeing and more.

The YMCA’s DayCroix camp featured in this issue even allows some day-camp kids (in fourth grade and older) to try sleeping at camp at the end of every Thursday session.

Letting your kid get used to camp as a day visitor before having to stay overnight?

Brilliant, right? But what I love most about all the camps in this issue is their call to get kids unplugged and just playing.

That, I believe, is what summer’s all about!

Sarah Dorison, Editor

10

March 2015 • mnparent.com

mnparent.com

CO-PUBLISHERS Janis Hall jhall@mnparent.com Terry Gahan tgahan@mnparent.com GENERAL MANAGER Chris Damlo • 612-436-4376 cdamlo@mnparent.com EDITOR Sarah Dorison • 612-436-4385 editor@mnparent.com CONTRIBUTORS Eric Braun, Peter Dehnel, Megan Devine, Zoe Gahan, Shannon Keough, Cali Owings, Amy Sutton, Jodie Tweed, Jen Wittes, Jennifer Wizbowski CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dana Croatt dcroatt@mnparent.com

Are you currently pregnant or had a baby during the previous month and interested in participating in a telephone-based health and wellness program?

The University of Minnesota is seeking women who are currently pregnant or less than 6 weeks postpartum to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise and wellness on mood following childbirth • Participants receive a motivational exercise program or a health and wellness program, which begins after the birth of your baby (participants can sign up for the program during pregnancy) • Program delivered to you via the mail and phone • Must be 18 years of age or older; must not currently exercise regularly • Must not take antidepressants • Must have a history of depression • You will receive $100 for your time

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Valerie Moe GRAPHIC DESIGNER Amanda Wadeson CLIENT SERVICES Zoe Gahan zgahan@mnpubs.com • 612 436-4375 Mattie Eslinger meslinger@mnpubs.com • 612-436-4386

Call 612-625-9753 or email mompro@umn.edu to see if you qualify for this research study U of M - Kinesiology Dept MNP 1212 S3.indd 1

11/15/12 2:37 PM

CIRCULATION Marlo Johnson • mnparent.com/find-a-copy 612-436-4388 • distribution@mnparent.com ADVERTISING 612-825-9205 • sales@mnparent.com 50,000 copies of Minnesota Parent are printed monthly, available at news stands statewide.

Get Minnesota Parent mailed to your home for just $12 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 Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403.

Minnesota Parent is copyright 2015 by Minnesota Premier Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Address all material to address above.

mnparent.com • March 2015

11

It was good to talk with other women who were struggling with breastfeeding, who were conflicted about going back to work, who were almost hallucinating from lack of sleep, just like me.

Making mom friends “I

wonder what Lori’s been up to?” I thought as I scrolled, zombie-like, through my Facebook

feed. “I haven’t seen much from her on here lately.”

I met Lori at a mom-and-baby class when my daughter was about 6 months old. “She looks cool,” I thought as I admired Lori’s well-worn motorcycle boots and her “stormy grey” Chewbeads.

Lori and I eventually met up for a hangout with our babies. I brought her cookies from Lucia’s. We discussed the pros and cons of having a doula. Our babies rolled around on her living room floor, “playing” with the occasional ball or block.

Our mom friendship sort of fizzled out after that, probably because our class ended and we didn’t automatically see each other every week. But we still chatted when we ran into each other at Lake Harriet a few months later, and she was my Facebook “friend.”

12

March 2015 • mnparent.com

When I looked her up, I was met with the message that confirmed my status: “To see what Lori shares with friends, send her a friend request.”

⊲⊲Friends for life?

I’d been “defriended” on Facebook before, and it’s never really fazed me — maybe because the people doing the defriending were usually people with whom I shared little in common.

But getting defriended by a mom friend felt different.

Getting crossed off Lori’s list seemed to directly contradict one of the many ideas I had about parenting, which was, “The friends you make when your children are babies will be friends for life!”

I think this a common assumption, and one that holds a lot of truth. My mom-and-baby class meetings were the highlight of my week in the weeks right after my daughter was born.

It was good to talk with other women who were struggling with breastfeeding, who were conflicted

BABY STUFF

Hands-free teether ⊲⊲No, this isn’t a pacifier; it’s a teether your kid can use hands free. Made of 100 percent silicone, it’s safe for ages 3 months and older and can be frozen for extra soothing. myrazbaby.com • $4.99

about going back to work, who were almost hallucinating from lack of sleep, just like me.

And we were a supportive little group for the six-week duration of our class. We passed the box of tissues when someone started to cry. We met up for group lunches with our babies in tow, taking over large sections of restaurants with our caravan of strollers and bucket seats.

We shared recommendations for pediatricians, lactation consultants and baby chiropractors.

⊲⊲It takes time Then our class ended, and we dutifully set up a Facebook group. And then ... things sort of fizzled out. Meet-ups were occasionally proposed, but never quite seemed to get off the ground. A couple members moved away. We continued to “like” each other’s photos as the babies turned into toddlers, but we weren’t meeting for happy hour in support of our bond.

Whenever I meet the mother of a 10-year-old who happily reports that she still regularly sees the friends she made in her mom-and-baby group, I feel pretty sheepish about my social ineptitude. That said, I do have friends-in-parenting (most were friends pre-baby). And I’m confident that I’ll find new, like-minded friends in

Winter sanity: Part 2 T

echnically, the first day of spring falls on March 20th, but in Minnesota, we won’t hold our breath.

Around here, March is “in like a lion” and out like

a nasty slush pile with a chance of blizzard.

We’ve seen snowflakes fall into our Cinco de Mayo margaritas in the past. We’ve packed up the winter coats only to drag them out again a week later.

Now more than ever, we claw at our itchy sweaters and those same four walls, delirious with spring fever.

By March, as parents, we’re sick of the old standbys — the zoos, the coffee shops and Chuck E. Cheese.

In January, I presented my picks for breaking out of confinement (mnparent.com/winter-sanity-part-1). For March, here are a few of my favorite at-home sanitysaving activities to help you wait out the thaw.

⊲⊲Guacamole Stick with me here. It’s simple to make. It’s yummy.

It’s healthy. It’s messy fun, but not catastrophically so. A big bowl and a potato masher make this toddler-easy and will give your child a sense of accomplishment as he helps you make an almostspring snack.

⊲⊲Dance party The best part? When they’re this age, YOU get to pick the playlist. They basically think everything you like is cool. Prince, The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Wilco.

Whatever floats your boat. Don’t be afraid to take it to the next level: Think twinkle lights and a choreographed routine. It’s a workout for you and a wearout for your energetic tot.

⊲⊲Sensory-exploration bottles

⊲⊲Make your own play dough

I came across this easy project on The Imagination Tree (tinyurl.com/bottles-sensory). Dig through the junk drawer, the craft box and the recycling bin. Food coloring, glitter, tinsel, beads — anything available and somewhat disposable is up for grabs.

Bam! New toys without leaving the house. Older toddlers can help you gather materials and create, younger toddlers and babies can sit back and enjoy.

In a child’s eyes, this elevates you from Mom and Dad to legend. Add peppermint extract, vanilla, food coloring or glitter for extra wow. This recipe (tinyurl.com/ home-play-dough) involves cooking your dough on the stovetop, but it also links you to an uncooked variation.

⊲⊲Photo shoot They move so much and grow so fast, it’s hard to capture more than a hasty collection of blurry smartphone pictures. Get rainy-day-intentional with blanket backdrops, Grandma’s pearls and the dress-up box.

⊲⊲Mural it Paper by the roll is super cheap and easy to find: Get it from Amazon or Staples. Even parchment paper from the grocery store will work in a pinch! Tape a long piece across the kitchen floor, throw down some (washable) crayons and markers and make a mural. The size and grandeur makes this WAY more exciting than the Thomas and Friends coloring book.

⊲⊲Cookies When in doubt, bake cookies. Chocolate chip, oatmeal

14

March 2015 • mnparent.com

TODDLER STUFF

Keyboard cover ⊲ Does your toddler love to drool on your laptop while he FaceTimes with Nana or watches YouTube Elmo videos?

The Kid Lid straps easily on to 13- and 15-inch Apple and PC laptops to protect them from liquids as well as unwanted typing. We put it to the test — with a lot of kid pounding and pressing — and the keyboard was delightfully unaffected. And it’s dishwasher safe, too. kidlid.com • $29

or peanut butter. Set aside plenty of time, dust off your favorite family recipe and take a deep breath as you prepare to patiently let your toddler “help.”

⊲ Clean With glitter and flour and mashed avocado comes mess. After such festivities or even just because, give your toddler a cleaning project. While highly ineffective, toddler cleaners are enthusiastic, and when they feel like they’re “helping” they’ll allow YOU to actually get some tidying up done.

An old favorite of mine is a spray bottle filled with warm water and a washcloth.

Ask your assistant to clean the tub, fridge or any surface that can take the spray. This is fun for your child and plants the seed of familial responsibility at an early age.

And remember, we’re almost there. By June you’ll be packing up the snow pants for good. Until then … coffee, cookies, glitter, cleanup, wine and repeat.

Jen Wittes lives in St. Paul and is a mother of two. She’s helped many Twin Cities mnparent.com • March 2015

15

If I ask my kids to sweep the floors, it may not be as thorough as if I were to do it myself, but they’re learning and making an effort to help.

Chore challenge! ash, dry, fold, cook, clean, vacuum,

W

sweep,

REPEAT.

Oh, the joys of home life.

If you’re like me, the repetition and monotony of performing the mundane tasks of keeping a home can make you feel frustrated and maybe even a bit trapped.

It’s an endless cycle, necessary, but with short-lasting rewards: There’s always something to be done. Every. Single. Day. In my family, four children (and two grown-ups) proliferate the need for constant home upkeep and attention.

I could ramble endlessly about the amount of energy and work it takes to merely keep up, especially while working full-time, but that wouldn’t help anyone. The fact is, housework is just part of raising a family, and it just needs to be done.

But one thing I know for sure, is that I don’t have to do it all myself!

Now that the majority of our children are old enough to help with our day-to-day family chores in a meaningful way, my husband and I are enlisting their help. Here’s what we’ve learned so far:

⊲ Give clear guidance It’s easy for everyone to get frustrated when expectations are unclear. Simply telling (or yelling at or nagging at) our children to clean their rooms, doesn’t

always cut it. We may envision a bed that’s made and all their toys in their appropriate places, but in the mind of a 5-year-old, “Clean your room,” could mean something totally different — like shoving toys under the bed to clear a path.

We have to remember to give clear guidance to our children, often actually showing them how to perform a desired task, teaching and modeling our expectations. It takes some time at first, but it’s what they need to develop these life skills.

⊲ Manage expectations In a perfect world, my children would have matching socks every day. (Your kids might, but mine don’t.) Personally, I feel a sense of accomplishment getting all four kids out the door on time fully clothed each day!

My kids are old enough to get dressed themselves, and, for our family, this means our 3-yearold may sometimes go to daycare with his shirt on backwards, our 5-year-old might wear the same

SCHOOL-AGE STUFF

Dye-free egg kits ⊲ If you’re looking to avoid chemical dyes for egg-coloring this Easter — but shudder at the thought of making your own with beets and turmeric — we have good news. Glob Colors has done the work for you by creating vibrant dyes made from radish, cabbage and annatto extracts. globiton.com • $14

16

March 2015 • mnparent.com

shirt to school twice in one week, and our 7-year-old might sometimes walk out the door with mismatched socks.

The same mindset applies when involving my children with chores around the house. If I ask my kids to sweep the floors, it may not be as thorough as if I were to do it myself, but they’re learning and making an effort to help. If there’s something that needs retouching, so be it. With continued practice and involvement, children can build independence.

⊲ Make it a part of life Marty Rossman, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, studied a group of children throughout their early years and into young adulthood. Her findings showed that those who participated in chores as youngsters were more successful than those who didn’t. Chores teach responsibility, provide a sense of accomplishment and build a stronger family unit.

In our family, we have many conversations with our kids about responsibility and the importance of working together to get a job done. Every chore isn’t tied to some kind of a reward. Our children may not always be eager participants, but they understand the importance of their role.

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⊲ Focus on fun We can liven up our family routines by having some fun. Playing energizing music during chores or dinner cleanup time can be both fun and memorable.

Trying out different organizational strategies like chore charts, or even apps like Chore Monster, can make a positive difference in the engagement and attitudes of children, too.

In our family, involving our children with household tasks hasn’t worked out perfectly — yet — but we’re making progress.

Megan Devine is an elementary school teacher who lives with her husband and four MN Autism Society MNP 0315 S3.indd 1

2/12/15 11:17 AM

mnparent.com • March 2015

17

Teach them to run I

’m not what you’d call an athlete — at least not by my standards. I practice hot Vinyasa a couple times a week and try to get a short run in once or twice a week as well. (I prefer floating on my paddleboard, but snow and ice hinder that in winter.)

I’ve learned that, for me, it’s all about the exhale.

I was the kid in middle school who defiantly walked the mile run. I was even a bit prideful about crossing last with a few of my anti-PE comrades.

I didn’t grow up playing organized sports. My extracurricular interests were dance and music, so I never felt the need — or imagined I might have the ability — to demonstrate sports skills.

Instead, I spent most of my youth avoiding them.

⊲ Exercise is ubiquitous Today, unlike when I was growing up, exercise is everywhere.

We have gyms in our shopping centers, TV shows dedicated to watching people lose weight, and a plethora of 5Ks, marathons and ultra-marathons — not to mention the many extreme-racing franchises, including, in one race, electric-shock obstacles.

18

March 2015 • mnparent.com

I don’t really want to be electrocuted, but I do want to model a healthy lifestyle for my kids.

My tween and teen have been blessed with more of a sportsman’s gene. (Phew!)

They’ve both been involved with team sports including soccer, gymnastics, baseball, football and many others all throughout their youth, all by their own choosing. They’ve stuck with some things longer than others, but group athletics have remained a constant for them.

Our kids today have so many opportunities to play sports. But, I fear, if they become too focused on becoming varsity players once they make it to high school, they might lose the simple pleasures of their sports and, eventually, even the physical release that exercise brings.

⊲ Playgrounds to sports When my kids were in their baby and toddler years, I discovered my need for physical exercise and found my cure in nature. I got up early and took cool morning walks on the San Francisco Bay Trail.

It was my respite before a day of floor play and plastic toys.

I also took my kids outside daily. Temperatures of 65 degrees and higher year round — and plenty of parks and trails in Northern California, of course — made this very doable.

My kids grew to crave the outdoors and learned their trail etiquette while navigating their training wheels and scooters at an early age.

Now, as they move from childhood to adulthood, I want them to have the ability to replenish themselves physically. I also want them to be playful and open to the same sense of discovery, adventure and freedom that came when they, as little kids, found a new park for a picnic or a new trail to race down.

I want them to remember, even into adulthood, that feeling of pedaling faster than your trike wheels can carry you, forcing you to put your feet in the air, feel the wind on your face and just coast.

If they become too focused on becoming varsity players once they make it to high school, they can, I fear, lose the simple pleasures of their sports and, perhaps, even the physical release that exercise brings.

TEEN STUFF

Beyond bento ⊲ We were skeptical of the stainless steel lunch boxes from PlanetBox. But then we tried The Rover, designed for kids who like a wide variety of foods in smaller portions. Yes, it’s heavy — 2.5 pounds empty, including the must-have carry bag. But we loved packing lunches in the TV-dinner/bento-style compartments.

It was especially great not fiddling with plastic containers and lids. planetbox.com • $59.95

⊲ Activities to lifestyle I resisted the urge to jog for many years.

But eventually, I gave in and my morning walks became my morning runs. I willed myself to feel comfortable with the discomfort of heavy breathing and sweating. I started dragging the kids with me, assuring them that running would improve their endurance in their many sports.

It took a bit of prodding and prompting especially for my younger one. Come on let’s run to that lamppost there! (Eyes are rolling behind me.)

I can’t guarantee my kids will ever run for fun.

They may just realize that all they need to do is go out on a paddleboard, take a few strokes out to a quiet spot in the lake, stretch out their feet, feel the wind blow and, then, of course, exhale.

And that’s good enough for me.

Jennifer Wizbowski lives in Excelsior with her husband, and daughter and son, ages 11 and 14. Send comments, questions and story ideas to jwizbowski@mnparent.com. mnparent.com • March 2015

19

Top 10 to-do’s for new parents W

hen you have a newborn in the house, who wants to spend their limited non-baby

attention span on financial planning?

Answer: Nobody. Unless you’re a financial-planning geek, in which case you’ve got this wrapped up already. Go ahead and watch Better Call Saul and sleep soundly tonight. Well, maybe not soundly — you’ve got that newborn.

For everyone else, it’s important to realize that your finances will change now that you have a child.

(Sounds obvious, but new parents sometimes miss the obvious.) Maybe your income is slated to remain the same, but you’ll be adding child-care costs. Maybe one spouse is taking a break from work — keeping down child-care bills but reducing income.

Whatever your child-care situation, you’ll also have costs related to diapering, clothing, feeding, health care and toys, as well as one-time costs including strollers, car seats, a crib and so on. And that doesn’t even cover saving for college (mnparent.com/ saving-for-college).

A excellent resource for getting a grip on how much your budget will be affected is BabyCenter’s First-Year Baby Costs Calculator (babycenter.com/ baby-cost-calculator). A rough estimate shows you’re probably looking at about $10,000 in costs that first year and a quarter of a million dollars to raise the kid.

Most of us would plan pretty carefully for an expense that size, yet most new parents go relatively unprepared into that good night.

Luckily, a few simple steps can dramatically decrease financial worry and set you on a healthy path — and much of it can be checked off in the months before Baby is born.

But don’t worry if you didn’t get to any of these before your joyous noisemaker arrived — or even before her first few birthdays. It’s always a good time to reassess your family’s financial health.

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1. Make a will. Name a guardian, and make an estate plan if you need to. A will is super-important even if you think you don’t have enough assets to warrant one.

2. Get life insurance. For most consumers, term life insurance is the best option, but do some research to figure out whether term or whole is better for your family. No one wants to think about dying, but suck it up: You don’t want to leave your family in a lurch.

3. Get disability insurance. If thinking about death is hard, consider this sad fact — or happy one, depending on your point of view: During your working years you’re more likely to become disabled than to die. So get income-replacement insurance (often available through employers).

4. Reassess your healthcare plan.

Not all plans are created equal. If you have two working parents, compare plans to see which is more affordable — and best — for dependent or family coverage. You might be surprised what you find.

5. Sign up for a dependent-care account. If you (or your spouse) have this option through work, you can put up to $5,000 per year (pre-tax) toward qualified child-care expenses such as daycare and before- or after-school

Luckily, a few simple steps can dramatically decrease financial worry and set you on a healthy path.

care. And that can save you a bundle in taxes.

6. Assess your tax implications. There are lots of benefits available to parents, and it may be that a dependent-care credit on your taxes is more valuable than that before-tax dependent-care spending account. If you use a tax preparer, he or she can help you figure out which choice is right for you. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to taxes, try running the numbers both ways with an online calculator: Many will let you run the numbers for free, even if you don’t end up filing through their service.

7. Save for retirement. Most new parents should save for retirement before saving for college. (Roth IRAs can be used for retirement and college.)

8. Set up a savings account. You could also call this your emergency-spending account. I know, I know: You’re saving for retirement, you’re paying an arm and a leg for child care, can you really sock more away? Answer: Sock it. You really do want to have six months of savings just in case.

9. Save for college. But first be sure to have emergency savings set aside, plus a healthy retirement-savings plan.

10. Get out. Make a line item in your budget for regular date nights. You’re going to need them for your sanity. And sitting up bleary-eyed in bed, streaming Hulu on the iPad is not a date. This special adult time is a good opportunity to discuss many of the items on this list — though you’re more likely to recount stories of cute things your baby did.

Eric Braun is a Minneapolis-based writer, editor and dad of two boys. He’s currently working on a financial literacy book for young readers. Learn more about his other published works at heyericbraun. com. Send comments or questions to ebraun@mnparent.com.

You can get there. We can help.

Visit www.MN529today.com or call Chris McLeod 952-830-3127

Peter Dehnel

Talking about sex When should we start talking to our daughter about sex?

The short answer to this question is as soon as she starts asking questions. Discussions should be at an age-appropriate level. These questions often start with questions like, “Where do babies come from?” Questions about an obviously pregnant woman are likely to come up, too.

Long, detailed answers are generally not needed, but something very factual and to the point will be important on an ongoing basis.

The reality is that children will likely get exposed to sexually explicit material and images at a fairly young age. TV is a traditional source through advertisements and previews for upcoming shows. These will show up even during shows and times of day you might otherwise consider safe for younger eyes.

Random internet searches can expose children to unwanted images and information, too. Young friends may want to share new “information” they’ve learned. Finally, many elementary-school curriculums contain sex-education material at a much younger age than today’s parents may have experienced.

There are ways for parents to restrict some of the material their children get exposed to through digital parental controls, filters and safety controls.

Nearly every morning lately our 4-year-old has a bad tummy ache (cramping pain), followed by painful diarrhea (usually after eating milk and cereal for breakfast). Then he’s fine for the rest of the day. Could he be lactose intolerant?

As strange as this may sound, some of this may just be a normal pattern for your child.

Eating breakfast can stimulate a gastrocolic reflex that may be causing your son to have a bowel movement within several minutes of eating.

In general, if your 4-year-old is just having the one bowel movement each day in the morning, there’s

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Of course, your daughter will get exposed to some information, but it’s important to think about how you want to answer the question, “Mommy, where do babies come from?” and then, “How do they get there?”

generally not much to worry about.

If there’s a large amount of watery mucous or blood accompanying the bowel movement, that’s a much different story, even if it’s just once a day.

If your child is having several bowel movements daily, each of which appears to be like diarrhea, that can be a sign that he or she needs an evaluation.

Children can develop problems with issues like lactose intolerance, but it’s usually a gradual process and tends to run in families. Other causes of troublesome intestinal symptoms include gluten sensitivity (celiac disease), food (protein) allergies, fructose and other carbohydrate malabsorption and even parasites or bacterial overgrowth.

Ruling out all the items on that list will definitely require a visit with your pediatric clinician with the possibility of additional testing.

Thankfully, much more serious conditions or the need for a referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist are uncommon.

CONGRATS TO DR. DEHNEL! Dr. Peter Dehnel was honored in January at the annual meeting of the Twin Cities Medical Society with the group’s 2014 “First a Physician” award.

Dehnel, a University of Minnesota alum and a longtime Twin Cities pediatrician, was honored for selflessly giving his time and energy to improve public health. Dehnel directly impacted local policies by leading smoke-free efforts in Minnesota. He also worked to reduce obesity by urging local governments to enact Healthy Eating Active Living strategies.

Learn more about the Twin Cities Medical Society at metrodoctors.com.

Read more of Dehnel’s Ask the Pediatrician columns at mnparent.com/ asktheped.

How long is it safe to swaddle our baby?

She’s now 3 months old and starting to break out, even as we swaddle her tighter, sometimes double-wrapping her.

Swaddling infants to help them sleep has been around for a very long time. It’s a classic way of helping comfort young infants and it allows them to sleep for longer stretches. It’s safe for your daughter as long as she’s on her back, her face isn’t covered and the blankets used for swaddling are thin and not the thicker, quilted type.

How long you can do this, or need to do this, with your infant really depends on your child. Most infants will grow out of the need to do this by 2 months of age.

Some benefit as long as 6 months of age.

Dr. Peter Dehnel is a board-certified pediatrician and medical director with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. Send questions to drdehnel@mnparent.com.

This column is intended to provide general information only and not medical advice.

Contact your health care provider with questions about your child.

d breastplate

tapults. THIS is s. Castles and ca

Broadswords an

Story and photos

by Amy Sutton 24

March 2015 • mnparent.com

summer camp!

On the final day of Castle Adventure Camp, comes a highly anticipated Campers vs.

Counselors battle, in which parents are invited to attend as spectators.

rums pound in the distance. A trumpet signals a charge. Suddenly a hoard of warriors — decked out with helms and axes — charges toward the castle, attempting to break down the gates.

The defenders inside, whose armor all shares a symbol of a boar upon it, ready their swords and shields and quietly reaffirm their planned strategy to repel the attackers. Their archers take aim.

Sound like something straight out of Lord of the Rings rather than a Twin Cities summer camp?

Well, obviously this isn’t just any camp.

This is Castle Adventure Camp, the brainchild of Julian McFaul, a Twin Cities teacher and theater set designer.

McFaul’s popular Adventures in Cardboard camps

blend the physical activity of a sports camp with the creativity of an arts-and-crafts camp — and a dash of role-playing to boot.

The result appears to be pure fun for both boys and girls ages 8 and up.

McFaul, who supervises and serves alongside a team of artist counselors, created Adventures in Cardboard camps five years ago to draw kids away from digital media and back into imaginative outdoor play.

In the U.S., the average child between 6 and 11 years of age spends about 28 hours a week in front of the TV, according to data from the Neilson Company, which found TV viewing among kids to be at an eight-year high back in 2009.

Yes, that’s just TV — not screen time overall — replacing valuable time needed for playing with friends, physical activity, fresh air and mnparent.com • March 2015

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Cardboard crazy!

imaginative play, according to the study.

McFaul, however, isn’t just getting kids outside and away from electronic screens, he’s taking them to some of the Twin Cities’ best parks, including Historic Fort Snelling in Minneapolis, Bryant Lake Regional Park in Eden Prairie and Tony Schmidt Regional Park in Arden Hills, to name a few.

After designing similar camps for other arts groups in recent years — including Leonardo’s Basement in Minneapolis and ArtStart in St. Paul — McFaul incorporated Adventures in Cardboard in 2011 and started bringing camps to regional parks.

And it’s really catching on.

“We’ve added two more weeks this year and brought in more staff to meet the increase in demand,” said McFaul, whose wife, visual artist Shelley Chinander, also serves as one of the many artist counselors. “My wife and I come home physically tired to the bone, but smiling and with our spirits filled.”

Outdoor spaces are an important element in fostering creative play, according to McFaul, who explains on his website: “We know that natural spaces open the imagination, and, in turn, the imagination can open new respect and longing for the natural world. From the work of Richard Louv and others describing ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ we know children are smarter, healthier and happier when they have time for semistructured play in natural places.”

Inspired by childhood Why cardboard?

“My dad would come home with a refrigerator box, and it would turn into a million things,” McFaul said. “It was a spaceship; it was a castle. It became all sorts of different things until it was finally nothing but a flat piece of busted cardboard that you could slide down the hill on.”

Recreating those memorable times from his own childhood motivates McFaul to offer that same kind of experience to today’s youth. Cardboard can be made into anything, especially by campers given enough time and motivation. And it’s easy to work with, even for kids with no previous construction experience, McFaul said.

McFaul is a pro when it comes to cardboard. He’s used the medium in theatrical design many times.

In 2002, he even won critical acclaim for his design

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of a spaceship interior that rotated around the entire audience as part of the Bedlam Theatre production Terminus.

Castles, mazes, catapults

↑ Castle Adventure Camp allows campers to design and build a castle or fortified village to inhabit and defend, using basic wood framing and cardboard construction.

At Castle Adventure Camp, construction workshops involve glue by the gallon, rolls and rolls of tape, markers, staples, a bit of wood, cutting tools and tons of cardboard.

Counselors share their knowledge in the safest and most effective techniques for molding ordinary pieces of cardboard into a myriad of play props. Campers make wizarding wands and staffs, magical amulets and enchanted creatures to guard them. They create exotic swords, axes, maces, pikes, bows, suits of armor, helmets, castles, forts and catapults.

When it comes to cardboard, kids are limited only by their imaginations. Last summer, for example, one group of kids created a landshark battering ram!

Each week campers are also encouraged to choose elective projects such as maze building, giant monster creation, bows and arrows, siege engines, advanced tactical maneuvers, clan history development, character creation and role-playing.

“We rely mainly on the different terrain each park has to offer to inspire elective projects,” McFaul said.

Though each camp includes about 75 kids, most activities happen in smaller groups of about 15. Campers — split into six “houses” for a bit of excitement and healthy rivalry — come together in larger games and battles.

Creating a character Once scenes and accessories are constructed, campers are encouraged to create a story and a character or persona for themselves. (This is where the camp’s role-playing element comes into play.)

Some campers choose their characters based on personalities that already exist in the mainstream media: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Percy Jackson franchises rank high among the most popular choices.

Other kids model their personas after people from specific cultures or time periods such as the Middle Ages. Still others play as humanoid mythical creatures such as orcs, golems or fairies. Even a dragon may pop up, McFaul said.

Next campers can chose their professions — warriors, sorceresses, messengers, merchants, thieves, archers, spies, bards, wizards and an array of other roles within the camp’s community.

A merchant may sell his arrows to the archer in exchange for gold coins; a spy may infiltrate her rival’s territory to discover battle plans; and warriors may defend the castle wall or lead a charge. A wizard may attempt to negotiate alliances for his king. A sorceress may find herself on a quest to collect dragon teeth.

This type of make-believe and roleplaying — imaginative play — is, according to Psychology Today, “a vital component to normal child development.”

Safety, fair play Before any serious games can begin, the counselors instruct campers in the art of safe cardboard combat and fair play.

“Safe sword tag is actually just as safe as any sport when played with integrity,” McFaul said. “So our biggest goal in keeping play safe is teaching our kids to respect the rules.”

That means helping the mnparent.com • March 2015

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Cardboard crazy!

At a 2014 Adventures in Cardboard camp, one group of campers created a landshark battering ram.

campers remember to tag someone out rather than use any unneeded force — and to graciously accept when they’re “out.” Accepting a loss gracefully is the greatest challenge of the week for some campers, an important skill at camp, but also in real life, McFaul said.

The camp’s philosophy of “be the kid you’d want to play with” stresses taking pride in being a good sport in both victory and in defeat as well as personal accountability for following the spirit of the rules.

Games, battles, cooling off Once campers have been walked through the safe way to play — and have been observed in a few short practice matches — the bigger games can begin.

Each camp’s natural settings come alive with several different activities. Games cater to the many different roles and interests of the campers. Those who love the thrill of battle do so. Those who would rather take more peaceful measures can avoid conflict.

Games include capture the flag — which pits the houses against each other in order to acquire the land and loyalties of their rivals through strategy and battle — as well as epic quests to rescue a royal family or to retrieve supernatural artifacts hidden within the forest.

On the final day of camp comes a highly anticipated event — the “Campers vs. Counselors” battle, in which parents are invited to attend as spectators.

Spoiler alert: It doesn’t end well for the counselors.

McFaul loves watching kids make believe in the woods.

“There is something so uplifting about pretend-living the mysteries of the great fairy traditions we’ve inherited,” he said. “There is also something fascinating for girls and boys about trying on ‘power’ in these stories … with apparently so little power in their lives, to strap a sword to their waist and strike off on a trail, a master of their own destiny — if only for a moment in their own mind — capable of brokering mortal decisions.”

Of course, it’s not just field games and battles.

Because the camps come during some of the warmest months of the year, the counselors always make time for swimming breaks (with lifeguard-certified waterfront staff) as well as lunch, between all the creating, constructing and playing.

But when the beat of the drum starts and the blast of the trumpet sounds, girls and boys are quick to don their armor, strap their sword or staff to their backs and rejoin the adventure created from a bit of cardboard and their imaginations.

Amy Sutton is a St. Paul-based freelance writer who will finish her degree in professional writing at Metropolitan State University this spring.

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Castle Adventure Camp What: Adventures in Cardboard camps blend the physical activity of sports-emphasis camps with the creativity of arts-and-crafts camps, plus a dash of role-playing. All weeks include castle-building, arms and armor, games and swimming.

Professional artists and teachers lead all activities with a 1-to-4 counselor-camper ratio.

Ages: 8-15, except the last week of August, which is limited to ages 13 and up.

Dates: June 8 through Aug. 28 Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Transportation: Busing from Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis is offered for three of the eight weeks. Buses leave at 8:30 a.m. and return by 3:30 p.m. Monday–Friday.

Locations: Historic Fort Snelling, Minneapolis; Bryant Lake Regional Park, Eden Prairie; French Regional Park, Plymouth; Tony Schmidt Regional Park, Arden Hills; and West Bush Lake Park, Bloomington.

Cost: $299 per weeklong session (Monday through Friday), $25 per week for busing Info: julianmcfaul.com or 612-532-6764

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By Jen Wittes

At Sunnyside Stables’ horse camps, kids don’t just ride horses, they learn to understand them and care for them.

→

Photos by Ann McCarthy Horse camp can be a test experience for children who are interested in riding lessons. They can try it out and see what it’s all about for a week. mnparent.com • March 2015

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GYMNASTICS TUMBLING TRAMPOLINE

very summer, campers at Sunnyside Stables Horse Camp get lots of opportunities to ride horses.

Gleason’s Gymnastics School Strengthening children in mind and body through successful gymnastics experiences

www.gleasons.com Maple Grove 763.493.2526 9778 85th Ave. N Eagan 651.454.6203 2015 Silver Bell Rd. 32

March 2015 • mnparent.com

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Thanks to indoor and outdoor riding arenas — as well as horseback riding trails on 75 rolling acres in rural Rosemount — kids ride every day, rain or shine.

But they also get horse experience that goes far beyond “giddy up.”

Camp teachings include saddling and unsaddling, grooming, feeding and basic care.

Campers also make keepsakes to take home at the end of the week, including a memory picture book and a steppingstone with their horse’s hoof print.

Those keepsakes aren’t just crafts. They’re an important part of what camp director Ashley Mosier sees as the most incredible aspect of camp life: “I love to see the bond between the kids and the horses,” she said. “It’s a real relationship that brings out amazing things in the campers. They grow up a lot during the week and develop a deep respect for these powerful animals.”

Mosier said working with the horses can be an especially positive outlet for shy kids, kids who have been victims of bullying or city kids who are stuck in a rut and craving a taste of nature and sunshine.

2/16/15 1:56 PM

Family-friendly farm Melanie Klassen, an Eagan mother of three, has sent her two oldest daughters to Sunnyside Stables in past years. When her youngest hits the minimum age of 6, she’ll go, too.

In the meantime, her 4-year-old visits Sunnyside with her big sisters and plays with the farm animals while the older girls ride. Campers and younger siblings enjoy time with the horses, pigs, chickens and kittens.

Klassen enjoys the safe, familyfriendly environment.

“I tell everybody that it’s just the best little secret. The confidence that girls in particular get — as they learn to care for and control these powerful animals — is pretty mind-blowing,” Klassen said.

Boosting confidence Klassen’s daughters’ self-esteem carried over into the fall when they went back to school.

In fact, one of Klassen’s daughters became a better student as a result of her relationship with Sunnyside. An English teacher pulled her aside in September, wondering what work she’d done over the summer. Her reading comprehension was through the roof.

Klassen believes it was a result of learning to pay attention to and communicate non-verbally with the horses — a new language of sorts that led to her more advanced English-language skills.

Angela Hanson, a Rosemount mother of two, said her daughter attended the camp with her best friend and loved the experience. As a parent and horse-enthusiast herself, Hanson appreciates that the camp taught her child the reality of owning a horse, including how much work is involved.

Hanson also noticed the quality of the animals and skill of the instructors.

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2/19/15 10:43 AM

Camp director Ashley Mosier said Sunnyside Stables campers enjoy working with horses for more than just a single lesson: “They grow up a lot during the week and develop a deep respect for these powerful animals.”

“Sunnyside’s horses are very well-trained and — more importantly — the staff knows their horses well.

They are great at matching kids and horses, and they really understand the animals’ cues.”

Going gadget-free Perhaps the biggest benefit of Sunnyside’s summer camp is the chance kids get to completely unplug from technology, Klassen said.

“In today’s environment with the Internet and iPads and what not, this place takes that out of the equation completely,” Klassen said. “The kids experience a rare simplicity of being. They get dirty.

They play hide-and-seek. It’s a complete absence of technology. I love that they have that and are able to take that knowledge home, where there are gadgets and screens and such.”

Horse camp can be a test experience for kids

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March 2015 • mnparent.com

HORSE CAMP What: Sunnyside Stables’ horse camp, held on 75 acres, lets kids ride horses, rain or shine, but also teaches basic care, including saddling, unsaddling, grooming and feeding.

Ages: 6-13 Dates: June 8 through Aug. 24 Hours: 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Monday–Thursday or 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday–Friday, depending on the session Location: 15400 Emery Ave. E., Rosemount Cost: $300 per week Info: sunnysidestables.org or 651-226-2027

The kids experience a rare simplicity of being. They get dirty.

They play hide-andseek. It’s a complete absence of technology.

— Melanie Klassen, an Eagan mother of three, including two veteran horse campers

who have expressed interest in horseriding lessons.

In one week, they can try it and see what it’s all about.

What’s the next step?

But what if they fall in love with riding?

Sunnyside offers lessons, a horseleasing program and even the opportunity to buy and board horses. To most parents, of course, this sounds impossibly pricy.

Take heart. Mosier and the rest of the staff at Sunnyside Stables are committed to finding solutions for each young horse lover.

Sunnyside runs an extensive volunteer program in which students can pay off monthly horse leases (which might not be as steep as you’d think) or earn lessons by cleaning stalls, grooming and even working as junior counselors.

Klassen, whose girls went on to participate in the volunteer and leasing programs, said, “There’s a pride of ownership and a strong sense of commitment that comes from actually caring for their leased animals and earning riding time with work around the stables. The experience means more.”

Hamline University MNP 0315 S3.indd 1

2/9/15 3:02 PM

Jen Wittes is a St. Paul mother of two and frequent contributor to Minnesota Parent.

mnparent.com • March 2015

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HIGHER POWER Trout Lake Camps make summer camp — and spiritual learning — engaging with next-level activities, including crate-stacking, ‘blobbing,’ black-light dodge ball and more.

By Jodie Tweed Photos by Trout Lake Camps

W

ith a snap of the bat, the wiffleball is … gone! … straight over the boards at Target Field and into the woods of central Minnesota.

Wait, what?

At Trout Lake Camps — in the Brainerd Lakes area about 3 hours north of the Twin Cities — anything is possible, including a grand-slam home run at a Major League Baseball park.

The central Minnesota Bible camp deliberately creates outdoor adventures that take campers out of their comfort zones.

Forget Minecraft. In fact, don’t bring your cell phone or iPad to camp at all.

↑ Crate stacking, added last summer as an activity at Trout Lake Camps in the Brainerd Lakes Area, involves a camper stacking as many milk crates as possible while standing on the top of the stack.

mnparent.com • March 2015

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/ HIGHER POWER

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Korean Culture Camp MNP 0315 12.indd 1

2/4/15 10:54 AM

Electronic devices are strictly prohibited, though usually a few parents try to sneak phones into their children’s camp bags each summer so they can call home, said camp director James Rock.

Whether you're looking for the perfect summer quest for your little adventurer or a way for your child to perfect some seriously thrilling skills, The Little Gym Summer Camps have something for everyone! Plus, flexible scheduling options allow you to schedule several weeks, a single week or even just a day at a time!

New Grade School ONLY Camps called "SKILL THRILL" Grade School Camps Thursday 1:00p–4:00p Friday 9:45a–12:45p Pre-K Camps Monday–Wednesday 1:00p–4:00p AND Wednesday 9:30a–12:30p

Call today to book your spot in camp!

The Little Gym of Edina www.thelittlegym.com/edinamn 952-924-0083

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Immersive, new sports Trout Lake Camps’ Target Field, built to about a quarter of the size of the ballpark in downtown Minneapolis, was actually built before the official home of the Minnesota Twins was completed.

There are a few differences, but that’s because some design specifications for the actual field were changed during construction, Rock said.

And the immersive sports events don’t end there: The camp also boasts a large outdoor human foosball field, in which each camper becomes part of the game inside a large enclosure. Players hold onto straps along a bar and must work together to win the game.

An outdoor dodge ball field, surrounded entirely by netting, also gives campers that I’m-inside-the-game experience. An indoor dodge ball area is lighted only by black lights for a thrilling play-in-the-dark experience.

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↑↑At Trout Lake Crate stacking, Camps in the added last summer Brainerd Lakes at the camp, is a Area, kids can take challenging advantage of four ¼-mile-long ziplines indoor-climbing located next to the game where a scenic tubing hill camper stacks as and the back door of Timber Ridge, the many milk crates camp’s dining hall. as possible while standing on the top of the stack without losing balance. Each stacker wears a safety harness since crate stacks can reach as high as 20 feet.

“Every year we try to make new events at camp,” Rock said. “We try to get campers inside the games.”

A popular camp activity for middle and high school campers is playing Mission Impossible — paintball with an up-north twist: Dozens of campers hide in a woodsy area at night, attempting to escape detection by their counselors and other camp staffers.

Another camp favorite is Gaga Ball, a outdoor “dodge ball from the knees down” played inside a wooden enclosure with a single ball.

This is our little slice of paradise.

Campers don’t need to be concerned about issues at home or popularity at school.

— Ryan Bostrom, Trout Lake Camps counselor

Simple games, God-focused Noelle Soltero, 19, of Tucson, Ariz., served as a recreational area coordinator last summer. Her parents met as camp counselors at Trout Lake Camps, and she’s been coming to camp every summer since fifth grade.

“My gift to Trout Lake this summer was sponge dodge ball,” Soltero said with a laugh. The game she created involves campers throwing big car-wash sponges at each other. Each player is armed with a bucket of water, too, of course.

“These are simple games, but they don’t get to do this stuff at home,” Soltero said.

“I have the best job. I get to play with them all day long. From day one, they’re going to be safe, they’re going to have fun and they’re going to hear about the gospel.”

The Minnesota Baptist Conference owns the camp, billed as “a meeting place with God,” and driven by a core mission of spiritual growth for all.

While many of the campers who attend camp come from churches within the conference, many do not. During the summer months, more than 400 campers attend Trout Lake Camps each week with about 130 staff members and about 75 camp volunteers.

Trout Lake Camps are busy year round, hosting men’s and women’s retreats, as well as youth weekends and group rentals during the winter. The camp also offers winter activities, including a snow tubing hill with a tow rope.

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Great minds learn to think...all summer long!

Register today for camps and classes. www.blakeschool.org

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/ HIGHER POWER

Ice cream and ‘blobbing’ The camp has plans to construct a new camp on its 300-acre site with a castle fort, tree houses, a Hobbit house and a New England fishing village to provide another fun way to camp.

Trout Lake Camps also offer traditional summer camp experiences — sailing, wakeboarding, tubing, fishing, kayaking, swimming and much more on its more than 4,000 feet of lakeshore.

Each day, four cabins of campers get to travel — by pontoon — from camp to the nearby town of Crosslake where they’re able to enjoy ice cream cones from a locally owned ice cream shop.

It’s a fun adventure that allows campers to get a taste of lake country living on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes.

Ella Green, 10, of Blaine, a three-year camp veteran, encouraged her friend, Arianna Cimbura, 10, also of Blaine, to go to camp last summer.

Green was finally old enough to take on The Blob, a massive air-filled cushion tied up next to a diving platform on Trout Lake.

Campers take turns jumping onto the blob, and then move to the side so the next camper can jump on it, catapulting them into the lake. Participants wear life jackets, and “blobbing,” as it’s

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↑ Laser tag is a popular game at Trout Lake Camps, where immersive games are part of daily life.

known at camp, is strictly supervised by camp staff.

“I’m enjoying all the activities and it gives me a new look at God,” Green said during her stay last summer at camp.

“I’m definitely looking forward to The Blob and tubing, and I’m doing the zipline today, which is cool.”

Scooters, self-confidence Kellen McLaughlin, 12, of Isanti, and his cousin, Cameron Sundstrom, 12, of Elk River, had already gone down a zipline earlier that day last summer.

Four campers can descend at one time down the 36-foot-high, quarter-mile-long ziplines located next to the scenic tubing hill and the back door of Timber Ridge, the camp’s dining hall.

Nearby, campers also may take mountain scooters out to challenge themselves on a mountain-bike course, or they can stop by the stables to go horseback riding.

“It’s a chance to learn about God — and there are so many fun things to do,” McLaughlin said.

Trout Lake Camps What: Trout Lake Camps is a multi-site Christian camp for all ages in the Brainerd Lakes area of central Minnesota.

Ages: First graders and older Dates: Early June through late August Hours: Sunday drop-off hours are 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday pick-up hours are 10 to 11 a.m.

June 8– August 21

Register Today! Pre-K–High School

Location: 10173 Trout Lake Drive, Pine River Cost: $245 to $455, depending on the week and the age of the camper.

Summer Theatre Camps

www.steppingstonetheatre.org

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Info: troutlakecamps.org or 218-543-4565

The camp also offers family camp weekends.

Ryan Bostrom, 18, of Hudson, Wis., said his parents met as counselors at camp while playing Frisbee in the courtyard.

They continued to go to camp as a family each summer.

Last summer was Bostrom’s fifth summer as a member of the camp staff.

He started as a volunteer and was later hired as a paid counselor.

“The campers are so much fun, but when you meet the team of staff for the first time, you feel you’ve known them your whole life,” he said.

While Bostrom was unsure whether last summer would be his final year at Trout Lake Camp or not, he said he has no regrets about spending his summers along the shores of Trout Lake.

“This is our little slice of paradise,” Bostrom said as he supervised campers at the swimming beach. “Campers don’t need to be concerned about issues at home or popularity at school. It’s just yourself and your 10 campers in your cabin. No matter who you are, you are accepted here.”

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Summer Art Camps

for ages 5 and up 651-699-1573 Ryan Sarafolean, Age 14

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Jodie Tweed is a freelance writer living in Pequot Lakes. As a fourth-grader she attended Trout Lake Camps for a week with her childhood best friend, Stephanie.

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SMALL

Kids as young as age 4 can ease into traditional camp with YMCA day camps, thanks to specialized programming and — yay! — busing from city sites.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY AMY SU TTON

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SMALL M

any of us fondly remember our summer-camp experiences: Days of hiking, swimming and kickball. Nights of s’mores, sleeping bags and spooky stories around the campfire.

You can’t wait for your kids to make the same kinds of memories, right?

But what if your child isn’t quite ready for an overnight camp?

You might consider a day camp.

Numerous YMCA day camps serving the Twin Cities — and beyond — offer traditional camp programming for children as young as 4 or 5 without the stress of sleeping over. And — bonus — these programs also offer busing from city schools and other sites, so urbanarea parents don’t have to commute to get their kids to camp.

We visited the YMCA’s DayCroix and St. Croix camps in Hudson, Wis., last summer, to get a feel for the programs, which build gradually, starting with day programming for little ones, eventually preparing them to transition to big-kid overnight camps when they’re ready.

Camp St. Croix, about 30 miles east of St. Paul, started in 1909. And though the camp’s day-camp programming isn’t new — it’s been running for 32 years — the camp’s evolved over the years.

WEE BACKPACKERS DayCroix’s Wee Backpackers program is for campers ages 4 to 5 entering kindergarten in the fall.

www.SkyrockFarm.com • Ride horses every day (ages 6 and up) • Learn horse care

• Make new friends • All-weather birthday parties

• Arts and crafts

Friday is Horse Show Day! Horse show followed by root beer floats and train ride for the whole family!

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Grades 2–8, June 15 to July 10

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STARTING SMALL

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↑↑At the YMCA’s DayCroix camp, campers “Wee Backpackers are the happiest ages 4 to 5 are put into Wee Backpackers campers because they’ve never done groups. Elementary-age kids are separated any of it,” said DayCroix camp director into groups, including Chickadees (first or Stephanie Lentz. “They have a backsecond grade), Cardinals (third or fourth grade) and Eagles (fifth or sixth grade). pack, and their lunch box and they get to ride the big-kid bus. They get to have some independence. Everything we do, they get to try, too, but we adapt it to their little selves and their little attention spans.”

Elementary-age kids are separated into other groups, including Chickadees (first or second grade), Cardinals (third or fourth grade) and Eagles (fifth or sixth grade). Kids get to try more than a dozen different activities, including cooperative and team games, scavenger hunts, lake swimming, hiking, archery and arts and crafts. Sound familiar?

Campers also learn about the importance of environmental preservation and education, and take part in a pioneer village, where they can learn to make candles, use looms and even create their own ice cream.

Campers take their fun pretty seriously.

We met Jackson, a Chickadee, during his archery lesson. He was quick to explain how to fire an arrow correctly, using all the new terminology he’d learned that day: “You have to push in the nock or it won’t go where you want it,” he said. “And if you want it to go far or super fast, you pull the string back really far, near your cheek.”

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Wee Backpackers are the happiest campers because they’ve never done any of it. They have a backpack, and their lunch box and they get to ride the big-kid bus. They get to have some independence. Everything we do, they get to try, too.

— Stephanie Lentz, DayCroix camp director

CAMP FOR GIRLS

Let Your True Colors Shine!

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SPECIALTY CAMPS Does your child have a special passion or an urge to try something new?

Specialty day camps for first graders and older — and in some cases for fourth to sixth grades — cater to kids who want to focus on a particular activity for part of each day, while also taking part in the traditional camp activities for the remainder of the day.

DayCroix offers a wide variety of outdoor sports specialty camps including climbing, archery, fishing, sailing, canoeing, log-rolling, sports-sampler and water-adventure camps.

Creative arts camps include theater; arts and crafts; and dragons, fairies and princesses. Among the nature and science camps are outdoor cooking, farm and garden, nature, science, pioneering, outdoor living skills and, new for 2015, a “Jr. Ranger Camp,” offered in collaboration with the National Park Service.

DayCroix also offers specialty horse camps and teen-focused camps, too.

It seems camp isn’t just about spending a week in the woods anymore. Now it’s an experience that flows and evolves year after year, allowing children to build upon their prior camp experiences with different camp specialties.

For example, a first-grader can pick up a bow and first experience archery during general DayCroix camps, then build on those skills during his or her Chickadee mnparent.com • March 2015

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years. Kids can further expand on their skills by signing up for specialty archery camp a few years later and then a teen specialty archery camp a few years after that.

↑↑DayCroix’s specialty nature and science camps include farm and garden, outdoor cooking, pioneering and outdoor living skills, among others.

SLEEPOVER TRIAL The YMCA offers all the above camps as day-camp options, but what if your child wants to try an overnight camp, but isn’t quite sure?

DayCroix allows day-camp kids in fourth grade and up to try sleeping at camp at the end of every Thursday session.

Curious kids get to test the waters and see what traditional St. Croix overnight camp is all about — and assure nervous parents, too.

From the youngest and shyest Wee Backpacker (or Wee Bees as they’re called) — to the most confident camp veteran teen, everywhere you look at Camp DayCroix — and the on-site overnight camp, St. Croix — children are learning, playing, making friends and enjoying nature.

Whether it’s excited reunions during the bus ride each morning, skits and singing at the morning rallies, tie-dying shirts during arts and crafts, finally hitting the target during archery, bonding with a horse, boisterous camp lunches or even their first camp crush, these campers will return home from day camp — in time for supper — with experiences they’ll surely remember for a long time.

Amy Sutton is a St. Paul-based freelance writer who will finish her degree in professional writing at Metropolitan State University this spring.

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YMCA DayCroix What: DayCroix is one of 10 day camps offered by the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, featuring traditional summercamp activities — such as swimming, fort building, farm and garden, archery, canoeing, bouldering, camp crafts and more — without the commitment of staying overnight.

Ages: Day camps are geared toward kids age 4 to 15. Overnight camps are offered for ages 7 to 18.

Dates: June 8 through Sept. 4 Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Transportation: Busing to DayCroix is available from nearly a dozen sites in the east-metro area for $45 per week. Buses leave as early as 8 a.m. and return as late as 5 p.m. depending on the stop.

Bracket care: Before-and-after care is offered for DayCroix campers at two sites including Camp St. Croix (from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. for $35 a week), and at the St. Croix Preparatory Academy in Stillwater (from 6:30 to 8:40 a.m. and 4:20 to 6 p.m. for $60 a week, which includes busing).

Location: 532 County Road F, Hudson, Wis. Cost: DayCroix rates start at $205 a week ($180 for Y members). Financial aid is available.

Info: tinyurl.com/daycroix or 651-436-8428

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Right kid, right camp Choosing a summer camp this year? Though making a decision can feel daunting, fear not: There’s a camp that’s ideally suited for every child, providing opportunities for growth and fun whether your child attends day or overnight, specialized or traditional, camp.

Here’s some advice from the American Camp Association to help parents sort through the many options.

IS YOUR CHILD READY?

PROXIMITY

Children are ready for new experiences at different stages. Parents know their children best and these questions can help gauge if this is the summer your child should start camp:

Camp can last for just a few days or stretch all summer long. Where do you want your child to go to camp? Locally or far away? While every camp has something special to offer your child, this is an opportunity for families to assess what they value.

Benefits of nearby camps include:

Benefits of far-away camps include:

⊲⊲What’s your child’s age, and what’s your perception of his or her readiness level?

Children younger than 7 who haven’t had other overnight experiences may do better with a day camp as their first camp experience.

⊲⊲Minimal travel costs

⊲⊲More choices

⊲⊲Easier to evaluate and visit

⊲⊲Different experiences, geography, maybe even different languages

⊲⊲Has your child had positive overnight experiences away from home? Visiting relatives or friends? Were these separations easy or difficult? ⊲⊲How did your child become interested in camp? Does your child talk about camp on a regular basis? How much persuasion is necessary from you?

⊲⊲Likely contact with classmates or children from the same region

⊲⊲Promotes independence, particularly for early and late-adolescent campers

⊲⊲Friends and family are more likely to be familiar with the camp.

⊲⊲Offers a chance for family to visit and/or vacation nearby at the end of camp.

HOW LONG SHOULD THEY GO? Camps offer widely varying options to help parents and children reach their goals of summer fun and exploration.

⊲⊲What does your child expect to do at camp? Learning about the camp experience ahead of time allows you to create positive expectations.

Benefits of short sessions (one to three weeks):

Benefits of longer sessions (four or more weeks):

⊲⊲First-time or younger campers have a chance to learn new skills

⊲⊲Strong sense of belonging to a camp community

⊲⊲Are you able to share consistent and positive messages about camp? Your confidence in a positive experience can be contagious.

⊲⊲Bonds develop with other campers and staff

⊲⊲Development of specialized skills

⊲⊲Offers exposure to camp experience with less expense ⊲⊲Minimizes homesickness.

⊲⊲Multiple opportunities for learning and enrichment ⊲⊲Can contribute to camp culture ⊲⊲Lifelong friendships.

SHOULD THEY GO CO-ED? It’s important to explore the choices and benefits of all-boys, all-girls and co-ed camps.

Benefits of single-sex camps:

Benefits of co-ed camps:

⊲⊲Breaking gender stereotypes: Girls interact with women in positions of authority and boys interact with men who act as nurturers.

⊲⊲Prepares campers for everyday living in a co-ed world

⊲⊲More opportunities to “be yourself” without impressing or competing with the opposite sex.

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⊲⊲Allows families with a boy and a girl to attend the same camp ⊲⊲Offers diverse points of view.

• Workshops • Summer Camps • Registration for Weekly Classes • Preschoolers, Beginners and Adults

SPECIALTY CAMPS Choices abound when it comes to camp programs. One may highlight a wide variety of activities geared to campers of all ages and skill levels, while others, because of their setting and expertise, may concentrate on one or two activities while providing traditional activities as well. Parents of children with special needs are often pleased to learn about the range of camp activities available to help kids just be kids.

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ONLY AT CAMP INVENTION.

Benefits of traditional camps: ⊲ Wide variety of activities ⊲ Chance for campers to try many new things ⊲ Exposure to more campers and staff in various activities.

Benefits of specialty camps: ⊲ One or two specialized activities (often combined with traditional offerings) ⊲ Expectation for increased proficiency during each camp session ⊲ Deepens knowledge and skill in a particular area of interest or ability.

Benefits of special-needs camps: ⊲ Activities geared to campers’ abilities ⊲ Knowledgeable staff have more expertise to understand campers’ strengths and challenges ⊲ Supportive and fun atmosphere to share with others.

This article originally appeared in CAMP Magazine. It was reprinted with permission from the American Camp Association (acacamps.org).

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Photos by Camp Oz

Camp Oz for kids with epilepsy offers all the fun of a traditional summer camp, plus on-call medical care 24 hours a day.

By Amy Sutton

←←Camp Oz in Hudson, Wis., combines traditional camp experiences with the security of 24-7 medical staff to provide a safe, fun environment for kids with epilepsy.

Kids cooling off with a swim in a lake, testing their knowledge of nature on an afternoon hike, scoring a goal during an intense game of soccer, talking with new friends around a bonfire and riding a horse for the first time: This is what Camp Oz is all about — traditional camp experiences kids will remember into adulthood.

So what makes this summer camp so special?

Its campers happen to be children with epilepsy.

Bringing kids together from throughout the Midwest and from as far away as Idaho and Georgia, Camp Oz is focused on allowing kids from age 9 to 17 to have fun, build friendships and discover a community of more than 100 kids coping with the challenges of epilepsy.

Another special feature? Families pay only $200 for the entire week of overnight camp, including meals, lodging, activities and medical staff, thanks to grants and fundraising by the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota.

Kids at Camp Oz get a chance to bond with other kids who have epilepsy just like them, said Camp Oz director mnparent.com • March 2015

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The Love of Taiwan —

Nostalgia and the Four Seasons What: Free Family Concert When: March 21st, 1:00–3:00pm Where: Roseville Lutheran Church

For more information go to tolib.org/event

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Nikki Baker, who works for the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, which runs Camp Oz. “For many of these kids, they don’t know anyone else their age who has seizures,” Baker said.

Not only are the kids just like them, but the camp is also just like any other camp.

It’s not slowed down or low key, Baker said. In fact, Camp Oz is housed on the grounds of a traditional camp — YMCA’s Camp St. Croix, just across the Minnesota border near Hudson, Wis. Oz also utilizes counselors from Camp St. Croix’s camp staff who’ve had special training in seizure recognition and response. Siblings who don’t have epilepsy are also welcome.

Camp Oz is a camp for youth with the primary diagnosis of epilepsy or seizures. Oz staffs 12 nurses who are on site 24 hours a day.

In addition, there are pharmacists, neurologists and psychologists — plus a pediatric epileptologist — on site from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Through a camper’s eyes Fourteen-year-old Alex Fischer of Plymouth, a three-summer veteran of Camp Oz, described a typical day at

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↑ Camp Oz combines traditional camp activities such as volleyball, arts and crafts and nature exploration with on-site, on-call medical care for boys and girls ages 9 to 17 with epilepsy.

camp: “We get up around 8 and eat breakfast with the entire camp. Then you have your three or four main activities of the day, swimming, team building, arts and crafts, all the good usual camp stuff.”

Alex’s favorite activity? Swimming in the lake.

Thinking back on his first day of camp, Alex admits he was nervous.

“It was my first stay-away camp, and it was for a week,” he said. “But I was excited because I’d meet new people living with the same disease as me, and I thought that’d be a cool experience.”

Before going to Camp Oz, Alex hadn’t known anyone else who’d had seizures.

He had even attempted to hide his diagnosis.

“I thought that would be safer to keep it inside,” he said. At Camp Oz, he didn’t feel he needed to do that and he found it easy to make friends at camp because, “Hey, they’re just like me.”

Alex also has admiration for the staff.

“The counselors are a really funny group of people,” he said. “And they’re

honestly good, responsible camp leaders. They’re always making sure that everyone’s on task and part of the group. No one’s left out. They make sure everyone has a good time.”

Camp Oz

Keeping costs low

Dates: June 14–19

Camp Oz’s $200 weekly fee is far lower than the actual overnight camp cost of $1,600 per camper. How does the Epilepsy Foundation do it?

“Years ago, we used to charge families what the YMCA charged us,” Baker said.

But about 10 years ago, the foundation was offered a grant that allowed the group to drop the cost to $200 per child.

Camper numbers soared.

“Even though we’ve always offered financial assistance, it was a pride thing. People don’t want to ask,” Baker said.

When that grant dried up, Camp Oz refused to raise their prices, Baker said, adding: “We work hard to fundraise year round so that camp is an option for people.”

WHAT IS In 2014, Camp Oz received an EPILEPSY? especially meaningful financial boost: University of Minnesota head Epilepsy is a group of neurological football coach Jerry Kill and his wife, disorders Rebecca, announced the creation of characterized by the Chasing Dreams Coach Kill a tendency for Epilepsy Fund. A portion of the fund recurrent seizures will be designated for Camp Oz, or convulsions. allowing the camp to maintain its Epilepsy can’t be cured, but in exceptionally low price point and many cases the expand its capacity. seizures can be “It’s allowing brand-new kids to controlled through camp that we otherwise couldn’t medication. have had,” Baker said.

Learn more at epilepsy.com.

Coach Kill, one of more than 3 million people in the U.S. diagnosed with epilepsy, is also actively involved in Camp Oz, often stopping by and talking to the kids about how he manages his epilepsy with his high-stress job.

Location: YMCA Camp St. Croix, 532 County Road F, Hudson, Wis.

Easing parent concerns Sending a child with epilepsy to any camp, even one that specializes in epilepsy, can be an emotional challenge for many parents, said Dr. Michael Frost, a pediatric neurologist who’s been involved with Camp Oz since 1992 and has served as its medical director since 1998.

What: This Epilepsy Foundation-run camp combines traditional camp experiences with the security of 24-7 medical staff. Siblings who don’t have epilepsy are also welcome.

Ages: 9–17 Cost: $200 for the week; financial assistant is available.

Info: tinyurl.com/camp-oz-2015 or contact camp director Nikki Baker at nbaker@efmn.org or 651-287-2308

“Sometimes it’s harder to convince the parents to let the kids come than it is to convince the kids,” he said.

To alleviate parent concerns, Frost emphasizes that each child can access multiple medical professionals 24 hours a day. He also said seizures haven’t been a major issue at Camp Oz. “In the past five years, I don’t think we’ve sent anyone home because of seizures,” he said. The most common health complaints? “Scrapes and bruises or poison ivy, all those things that make camp fun,” Frost said.

For the kids, the emotional benefits can be significant.

Alex Fischer said: “Camp has made me a better person by showing me to not be afraid of having epilepsy, meaning that I shouldn’t be ashamed of having it.

Coach Kill, he does a great job of showing how he lives with his epilepsy and deals with it. So I can live my life great and deal with it great.”

Alex’s father, Marcus Fischer, said his fears about letting his son attend camp were eased when he checked him into camp, which also involved checking in medications.

“I wanted to make sure the camp had enough precautions, but at the same time I wanted it to be a regular camp. And it’s 100 percent a regular camp,” he said. “All the safety precautions are there. As a parent, it’s an immediate feeling of ‘This is being taken care of. I can relax and focus on him just having a good time.’”

Alex agrees: Parents needn’t be nervous.

“This is one of the safest places for your kids to go,” he said.

“Everyone is kind and loving to each other.”

His father, nodding, in agreement, said: “Look at it. Do your research. But bottom line: It is a wonderful experience.”

Amy Sutton is a St. Paul-based freelance writer who will finish her degree in professional writing at Metropolitan State University this spring. mnparent.com • March 2015

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F

eats of

By Cali Owings

clay

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March 2015 • mnparent.com

Photos courtesy of Northern Clay Center

Kids make functional, fun creations at Northern Clay Center camps.

W

hat’s the best part of a summer camp at the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis?

If you ask the Keefe kids — who’ve been going to camp there for nearly a decade — the best part of camp actually occurs after the weeklong program ends.

The Bloomington siblings, ages 8, 11 and 18, all said their favorite part is returning to camp after their projects have been fired in the studio’s kilns. It’s when they get to collect their work and see other students’ projects, too.

“It makes me feel kind of proud of myself,” said Lydia Keefe, 11.

Her favorite project so far is a jug shaped like a turtle that she made in a camp called Jugheads.

← Many classes at Northern Clay Center are designed for beginners, but there’s room for experienced kids to use more advanced techniques, too.

More than bowls, vases This summer, Northern Clay will offer more than 40 half- and full-day camps to introduce kids of all ages to a variety of clay techniques.

Topics dreamed up by the center’s instructors are wildly diverse: I Scream, You Scream is dedicated to ice cream dishes and includes a trip to the Franklin Freeze ice cream shop.

Perfect Pairs challenges students to create pairs of cups, bowls and plates.

In Monsters and Minions, kids use sculpture skills to make monsters of any shape and size. (Of course, you can make vases if you’d like in It’s All About That Vase.)

Northern Clay, which boasts a gallery, studios for artists and classes for all ages in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis, expects about 400 kids to take part in its camp programming this summer.

Some of this summer’s camp themes are built around popular movie and game franchises such as Minecraft to capture kids’ most pressing interests, said Dustin Yager, the center’s head of education programs.

The Keefes got their start at Northern Clay thanks to their great-aunt Sheila Keefe, who started giving trips to the camp as birthday and Christmas gifts.

The retired teacher who lives in Washington, D.C., travels to Minnesota in the summer to work alongside them as a teacher’s aide in their classes.

“They have so much structure in their life,” she said. “To know the beauty of art is a gift.”

Clay has the power to draw all sorts of kids into art, she said, even those who aren’t “artistically bent.”

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Lessons * Horse Camp * Birthday Parties Public Trail Riding by Appointment

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mnparent.com • March 2015

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Feats of clay

All skill levels welcome

NORTHERN CLAY CENTER

Northern Clay campers have access to the same equipment, materials and even some of the same instructors as adults who take classes there.

This summer, camps will cater to students age 6 and older with a variety of skill sets.

Introductory classes start with hand building and sculpture. More advanced classes move on to pottery wheels.

Most classes are designed for beginners, but, Yager said, there’s room for experienced kids to use more advanced techniques. Instructors work one-on-one with students to make sure their ideas come to life. Classes include 10 to 12 kids with one teacher and at least one other assistant teacher, Yager said.

During a typical half-day camp, students work for the first hour and half and then take a break for snack, followed by another hour of work and clean-up time.

Northern Clay also partners with other art centers to offer full-day camps that expose students to several different types of media.

This year they’re offering a new all-day camp in partnership with the nearby Seward Community Co-op called Three Square Meals. At the clay center, students will work on projects designed for food and other crafts. At the co-op, they’ll learn about food and take cooking classes.

For confident campers who want a special challenge, Northern Clay always ends the summer with a class called I Can Do That Blindfolded in which students practice throwing pots at the wheel without their eyesight.

While students will work on a number of projects throughout a week of camp, by the end, they’ll take home only 10 or 12 pieces of their best work.

What: Summer Clay Camps cover a variety of clay techniques and myriad themes — from teapots and dog bowls to Minecraft and minions — in small class settings with plenty of individual instruction.

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Ages: 6 and older Dates: June 15-Aug. 21 Hours: Full-day classes run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Morning sessions go from 9 a.m. to noon. Afternoon sessions go from 1 to 4 p.m.

Location: 2424 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis Cost: $170 for a week of half-day camp, $305 for a week of all-day camp.

Scholarships are available. Online registration begins March 3. Popular camps fill up early. Some seats are usually still available in July and August for students who want to add a camp late in summer or for early-season campers who want to come back for a second round.

Info: northernclaycenter.org or 612-339-8007

←←Kids age 9 and older are allowed to use a potter’s wheel in camps at the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis.

All of the ceramics are food-safe, too, so they can be put to use.

Bloomington dad Ben Keefe said he recently found a box of his kids’ projects while rearranging the basement. After dozens of classes, he said there’s not enough room in their house to display everything.

“There’s pots and artwork all over the house. That’s for sure,” he said. “We kind of put them away because we have so many.”

Sticking with clay Northern Clay students reach a major milestone when they turn 9 and are able to take classes on the pottery wheel.

Sam Keefe, 8, said he’s especially excited for camp this summer because he’ll be old enough take his first wheel class.

“I thought it was really cool when I saw this one kid making a huge octopus on the wheel,” he said.

Sam said another highlight is when campers get to tour the artists’ studios and see what they’re working on.

Lydia, an animal lover who likes to replicate her favorite creatures in clay, loves getting to occasionally see the studio cat, Milo.

She’ll return to the wheel again this summer. Her goal is to learn to center her clay faster so she can begin forming her pots and other work more quickly. She said she hopes to stick with the camp until she’s too old.

“It’s a really great experience to get ready for what you want to do in the future — and a really good way to let your imagination run free,” she said.

Cali Owings is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer and a frequent contributor to Minnesota Parent. mnparent.com • March 2015

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Photos by Engineering for Kids

Inspiring

STEM stars

By Cali Owings

S

ummer camps that focus on STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Math — aren’t exactly new.

But this year, Twin Cities families will have even more choices for kids interested in STEM activities.

Engineering for Kids opened up its first Minnesota franchise in Minneapolis in December and will be offering its first day camps this spring and summer by partnering with private and public schools and community centers.

Virginia-based Engineering for Kids — founded in 2009 by a science teacher who was frustrated with the STEM offerings for her two kids — now has locations around the world and offers

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not just camps, but also workshops, clubs and birthday parties for ages 4 to 14.

Programming includes instruction in many areas of engineering, including aerospace, electrical, mechanical, environmental, chemical, industrial, civil and marine, plus LEGO robotics and electronic game-design classes.

Engineering for Kids Minneapolis owners Armando and Ria Mojica opened their local franchise after they returned to Minnesota with their three kids after living in the Philippines.

They noticed that the typical art, sports and outdoors summer camps didn’t seem appealing to their children.

“There wasn’t a lot of super-technical stuff that was interesting or fun for them,” Armando Mojica said.

He and his wife had been exploring the idea of starting a home-based business when they discovered the fast-growing Engineering for Kids program.

More experimenting What initially struck Armando Mojica about the Engineering for Kids program was how fun the lessons were. The Minnesota native studied engineering in college, but found it too teachercentric and formula-based to be enjoyable. (He got an economics degree instead.)

But the Engineering for Kids model is different, Mojica said.

Only about 10 percent of the time in any given unit is spent

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Lights or power out

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Storm damage

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Emergency service

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Fuse to circuit breaker panel upgrades

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763-544-3300 • Harrison-Electric.com

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on instruction. The rest of the time, kids are testing out ideas and solving problems on their own — all in a fun environment designed to encourage interest in STEM fields.

“If you introduce engineering to kids and make it fun for them, it inspires the next generation of engineers,” he said.

Mojica said the Engineering for Kids programming can also help bridge the gap between boys and girls in STEM education.

Not enough young girls are exposed to engineering through clubs or at school, Mojica said.

He hopes introducing them to engineering at a young age might help increase the ratio of female engineers in the workforce.

Many of the girls in the program find they’re just as capable as the boys.

At a recent workshop in Maple Grove, a team of 8- and 9-year-old girls went head to head in a LEGO robotics challenge against a team of boys two years older.

Their goal was to build a robot using LEGO robotics materials that could knock their competitor’s robot to the ground — like a sumo wrestling match.

The boys tricked out their robot with spinning arms and a scorpion tail. The girls chose a simple design with a bulldozer arm on the front. It took them only about three seconds to knock the boys’ robot flat.

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Inspiring STEM stars

In December, a Minneapolis couple established Minnesota’s first Engineering for Kids franchise. At a recent workshop in Maple Grove, a team of 8- and 9-year-old girls went head to head in a LEGO robotics challenge against a team of boys two years older.

A national reputation Engineering for Kids, so far, has franchises in 32 different states and a dozen countries. The company’s first national franchise opened in Portland, Ore., in 2012. Today there are 117 locations.

This year, the popular program will add at least 50 new locations, said Mike Cavanaugh, vice president of marketing for Engineering for Kids.

Cavanaugh said even students who have a hard time with STEM concepts in the school are getting excited about STEM fields thanks to Engineering for Kids’ hands-on instructional techniques.

“Where they may, in the classroom, struggle or, in testing, think they’re not good at math, they may excel in our programs,” he said.

Real-life and imaginative skills Camp offerings will vary at different locations this summer, but Engineering for Kids has dozens of unique programs that focus different aspects of engineering tailored to different age groups: Junior engineers are ages 4-6, apprentice engineers are ages 7-11 and master engineers are ages 12-14.

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Campers learn to apply engineering principles in real-life settings as well as more imaginative environments.

In one camp, young engineers will program a robot to perform intricate surgeries using simulated organs and tissue. They’ll dress up in scrubs to perform the surgery.

In another camp called Medieval Defense, kids will learn how basic engineering principles helped in the design of fortresses, cannons and catapults in the Middle Ages.

They’ll defend their fortresses from attack while using marine, civil and mechanical engineering skills.

College students and recent graduates who have studied education — plus university students who have pursued STEM fields and have an interest in teaching — will lead the classes. So far, Mojica’s recruited camp leaders from the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas.

Not boxed in In all classes, kids learn to use engineering-design processes to solve problems. They’re encouraged to test and re-test ideas — and go back to the drawing board if something doesn’t work.

This gives kids space to solve problems rather than simply

Engineering for Kids What: Engineering For Kids offers hands-on STEM programming (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) with classes, camps, clubs and parties.

Ages: 4-14. Some camps are for ages 7-14 only.

Dates: Summer camps are June through August. After school, weekend programs and parties are available year-round.

Hours: Hours vary, but sessions are typically 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with full-day coverage available.

Location: At press time, locations include Plymouth Creek Elementary School (through Wayzata’s WISHES program), Plymouth Creek Center (City of Plymouth Parks & Rec), Providence Academy in Plymouth, Benilde-St. Margaret’s in St. Louis Park and Holy Name of Jesus in Wayzata. More camps are currently being added in the west metro area.

Cost: $115 to $175 for four- or five-day camps Info: engineeringforkids.com/mpls

memorizing formulas and answers, Mojica said.

“They are not boxed into one way of doing something,” he said.

Even if kids don’t continue their interest in engineering, they’ve got problemsolving skills they can put to use in the classroom and their lives.

“If anything else, it teaches them to think,” Mojica said. “We are not giving them a class where they have to memorize stuff. We’re giving them a problem, giving them the means to determine the solution and it’s up to them to actually determine it.”

Cali Owings is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer and a frequent contributor to Minnesota Parent.

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R E M M U S R E DISCOV SUMMER RALLY DAYS FRIDAY, MARCH 6 – SUNDAY, MARCH 8

GET SPECIAL DEALS

SAVE $50 on registration fee now through March 8

at ymcadiscoversummer.org

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YMCA SUMMER PROGRAMS FAIR

SAVE $15 per session fee March 6 – March 8

SUMMER SPORTS Grades 1-6 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.

SAVE $50 on registration fee now through March 8

SUMMER UPROAR Grades 6-8

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ymcadiscoversummer.org Membership not required.

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Summer Preschool SP Kindergarten Summer Power Summer Sports Summer Uproar 15-SP03_MP

Specialty Programs

YMCA CAMPS YMCA OVERNIGHT CAMPS CAMP ST. CROIX

Ages 7-17. 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.

CAMP ICAGHOWAN 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, river canoeing and skateboard camp.

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

CAMP IHDUHAPI Ages 7-16. 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.

CAMP WARREN 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.

YMCA FAMILY CAMP CAMP DU NORD

SAVE $25

per session March 6 - March 8

YMCA TEEN WILDERNESS ADVENTURES CAMP MENOGYN 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 WIDJIWAGAN Ages 12-18. 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.

YMCA DAY CAMP AGES 4 - 14 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.

YMCA DAY CAMPS: SPECIALTY CAMPS 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.

TWIN CITIES DAY CAMPS Christmas Tree DayCroix @ Camp St. Croix Guy Robinson Heritage Ihduhapi Kici Yapi Kumalya Manitou Spring Lake Streefland

We eBa ckp ack ers (a

ges 4-5 )

All Ages. Located on the 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.

YMCA Overnight Camp

YMCA Day Camp SAVE $15 per session March 6 – March 8

DAY CAMPS Camp Christmas Tree 6365 Game Farm Rd., Minnetrista, MN 55364, 952-544-7708.

Traditional day camp is located on 45 acres at Dutch Lake near Mound, 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 St. Croix River.

Camp Guy Robinson 3100 217th Ave NW, Oak Grove, MN, 763-785-7882. Traditional day camp is located at Lake George Regional Park.

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

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 Kumalya 1515 Keats Ave. N., Lake Elmo, MN, 651-731-9507. Traditional day camp held at Lake Elmo Park Reserve in Lake Elmo.

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. Camp Spring Lake 13690 Pine Bend Trail Rosemount, MN 55068, 651-456-9622.

Traditional day camp held at Dakota County Spring Lake Park Reserve in Rosemount.

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

For more information:

612-230-9622

ymcadiscoversummer.org Membership not required.

Financial assistance available.

CAMP RESOURCES Advertiser listings mnparent.com/camp

Academic 191 Community Ed Summer Programs ISD 191 Community Education offers activities and camps for your K–6 student. Art, sports, swimming, dance, theater, and technology classes are offered throughout the summer at an affordable cost. #191community Burnsville-Eagan-Savage 200 W Burnsville Pkwy, Ste 100 Burnsville 952-707-4150 communityed191.org

Bell Museum Science Discovery Day Camps Unearth unforgettable camp experiences at the Bell Museum. Weeklong Science Discovery camps include outdoor adventure, space exploration, lab activities, real scientific specimens, University research, and lots of fun!

June 8–August 28, grades K–6, and half-day preschool camps!

Minneapolis 612-626-9660 bellmuseum.org

Owatonna 504-214-2200 camppillsbury.com

Gifted & Talented Institute (GTI) Find your challenge south of the river. A partnership of south metro school districts, managed by ISD 191 Community Education.

GTI provides gifted and talented youth in grades K–9 opportunities for challenge and exploration. Classes run late June–July. Halfand full-day, weeklong course options in a variety of core disciplines.

952-707-4150 giftedtalented.org

Groves Academy Summer Programs Groves Academy Summer Programs are for students with learning and attention challenges. The programs are open to students from any school. There are small class sizes and personalized instruction. Grades 2–8, June 15–July 10: Reading, writing, and math, optional enrichment classes. Grades 9–12, July 27– August 7: Algebra, study skills, and writing.

3200 Hwy 100 S St. Louis Park 952-920-6377 grovesacademy.org

Camp Invention Camp Invention is where BIG ideas become the next BIG thing! Local educators lead a week of hands-on activities created especially for rising 1st–6th grade students. Boys and girls spend time taking apart electronics to assemble something new, pushing the limits during high-energy games, and so much more.

Lessons explore connections between science, technology, engineering, and innovation.

Discounts are available, so secure a spot soon!

Locations throughout Minnesota 800-968-4332 campinvention.org

ICC Summer Engineering Camp Explore the world of engineering through project work, industry tours, and design challenges; live and work at Wenger Engineering Center, Itasca Community College.

Sr. High Camp Session 1: grades 10–12, July 6–11; Jr. High Camp: grades 7–9, July 15–18; Sr. High Camp Session 2: grades 11–12, July 20–25.

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

Camp Pillsbury

Junior Achievement Summer Camp

Camp Pillsbury offers academics so kids can have fun at camp, plus get their summer school classes or tutoring done to excel. We offer over 100 summer academic classes during our 5 two-week sessions. Co-ed ages 6–17.

JA BizTown Summer Camp takes place at Junior Achievement’s fully interactive, simulated city. This camp teaches 4th–8th graders how to run a successful business through fun, hands-on activities. June session focuses on STEM careers; July session will appeal to the young entrepreneur.

314 S Grove Ave

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Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest 1800 White Bear Ave N Maplewood 651-255-0037 jaum.org

Lake Area Discovery Center Summer World of Wonder Camps A high-quality, NAEYC accredited preschool/ childcare serving families at nine metro locations, offering affordable/flexible schedules for children ages 6 weeks–5 years. Four-yeardegreed teachers engage the “whole-child” in welcoming, stimulating classrooms designed to meet the needs of young children. Fun summer themes: Now enrolling!

Metro-wide 651-762-7884 ladcfamilies.org

Mathnasium At Mathnasium, we make math make sense for students in grades 1–12. Our expert math instructors give individualized instruction using the proprietary Mathnasium Method in a challenging, encouraging, and fun environment, helping students catch up and get ahead!

9724 Schreiber Terrace N, Brooklyn Park 763-269-6969 1960 Cliff Lake Rd Ste 112, Eagan 651-815-0303 16378 Wagner Way, Eden Prairie 952-500-2138 17581 Glasgow Ave, Lakeville 952-891-1100 5315 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis 763-269-6969 13720 83rd Way N, Maple Grove 763-269-6969 4785 County Rd 101, Minnetonka 952-500-2139 3505 Vicksburg Ln N Ste 900, Plymouth 763-567-8143 14043 S Highway 13, Savage 952-226-3000 1140 Vierling Drive E, Shakopee 952-236-1699 4590 Excelsior Blvd, St. Louis Park-Edina 763-269-6969 649 S. Snelling Ave, St. Paul 651-698-6284 5871 Neal Ave N, Stillwater 651-300-2252

5111 West 98th St, West Bloomington 952-886-4382 2645 West 78th St, West Chanhassen 952-474-6284 4711 Highway 61 N, White Bear Lake 651-888-2541 7060 Valley Creek Plaza, Woodbury 651-330-4184 mathnasium.com

Minnetonka Community Education Minnetonka Community Education offers more than 300 summer enrichment, recreation, and academic summer camps for children ages 18 months–18 years. From art to archery, STEM to soccer, and everything in between—there’s a camp that appeals to every child’s interests and passions.

5621 Cty Rd 101 Minnetonka 952-401-6800 minnetonkacommunityed.org

Providence Academy Summer Activities Building on academic excellence and strong Christian values, Providence Academy offers a variety of academic, enriching, and fun summer experiences! We offer activities from architect design and driver’s education, to sewing and basketball, as well as a full-day camp.

15100 Schmidt Lake Rd Plymouth 763-258-2500 providenceacademy.org/summer

School Chess Association Summer Day Chess Camp All levels of chess instruction, professional educators tailored to the student’s individual needs. Fun activities include swimming, water

slides, field ball, Magic the Gathering, soccer, tennis, roller skating, bowling, fishing, sign language, and role-playing games. Program Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. June 22–25, July 6–9, 13–16, 20–23, 27–30, August 3–6, 10–13. Registration forms online or call Lorene 763-593-1168.

St. Louis Park Recreation Center 3700 Monterey Dr St. Louis Park schoolchess.org

Science & Engineering Camps, Works Museum Creative camps for girls and boys, ages 5–12, who love to explore, design, and build! Kids experience how things work through fun, hands-on science and engineering projects.

Discover code camp, Lego robotics, electricity, architecture, and more! Camps run June– August 2015.

9740 Grand Ave S Bloomington 952-888-4262 theworks.org

Summer at Blake Love of learning and courage are central to Blake’s mission and summer offerings, spanning pre-K–12, are open to students throughout the Twin Cities. Students investigate topics and skills with time to delve deeply and take risks. No grades, just growth.

Hopkins, Minneapolis, Wayzata 952-988-3463 blakeschool.org/summer

University of Minnesota Summer Transportation Camp

Students in grades 7–9 will explore transportation, engineering, science, and technology in this free day camp at the University of Minnesota from July 13–24.

Activities include field trips, lab activities, and presentations designed to help students learn more about all aspects of transportation.

511 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis 612-625-5608 cts.umn.edu/summercamp

Arts Adventures in Cardboard Summer Arts & Creative Play, Outdoors Build your own arms and armor, create giant castles to defend, battle along trails, fields, and shorelines. Plan invasions from land and sea.

Bows, swords, catapults, magic, and monsters!

Full days spent in beautiful parks across the metro region.

Arden Hills, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minneapolis & Plymouth 612-532-6764 julianmcfaul.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.

651 Snelling Ave S, St. Paul 651-699-1573 theartacademy.net

CAMP RESOURCES Art Camps at Studio Seven

One week painting and drawing camps for students ages 7–18. 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–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. $495 per week, all materials are included. kahlowcurtis@gmail.com.

708 N 1st St Minneapolis 612-376-0381 studio7artmn.com

ArtiCulture Art Camp ArtiCulture Art Camp encourages kids to explore a variety of media, and emphasizes personal creativity — fun and educational!

Themes range from claymation to food as art.

Runs June 8–September 4 for ages 4 and up.

Full and half day options. $115–$260.

2613 E Franklin Ave Minneapolis 612-729-5151 articulture.org/content/summer-art-camps

beARTrageous Connecting kids to themselves, community, and diversity of the world through camps, parties, classes, and events! Varying camp themes June 6–August 28. Sample themes: Rock the 80s; Galaxy Far, Far Away; Mythical Creatures; Global Art Rocks; Art on Stage; Project Runway.

Kenwood, Minneapolis 612-423-7554 be-artrageous.com

Edina Art Center Since 1977, the Edina Art Center has been your home for art and culture in Edina, specializing in fine art education including pottery, drawing and painting, jewelry, and 83 children’s summer art camps. Edina — Every Day I Need Art. 4701 W 64th St Edina 952-903-5780 edinaartcenter.com

Hamline Young Writers Workshop This creative writing day camp is a chance for high school students, ages 15–18, who are passionate about creative writing to explore the craft, connect with other young writers, and work closely with Hamline’s Creative Writing faculty and published authors.

Hamline University, St. Paul 651-523-2479 hamline.edu/youngwriters

Kidcreate Studio

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mnparent.com/camp

Advertiser listings

Kidcreate Studio’s art camps are designed to inspire and educate young artists, ages 3–12, in an environment where giggles and grins are encouraged. Camps focus on art principles and introduce students to many types of art materials. Campers get to explore, make a mess, and have fun. This year’s camps include: Frozen, Lego Dino World, Happily Ever After, Marvelously Messy, Fabulously Fancy Art, Simply Silly Stuff, Candy Crafts, Art-tastic, Masters on Canvas, Let’s Draw, Star Wars, and many more. At Kidcreate, making a mess is the best!

7918 Mitchell Rd Eden Prairie 952-974-3438 kidcreatestudio.com/eden-prairie 1785 Radio Dr, Ste F Woodbury 651-735-0880 kidcreatestudio.com/woodbury

Loft’s Young Writers’ Program, The The Loft’s Young Writers’ Program offers more than 100 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

Minneapolis College of Art & Design (MCAD) Join us at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design for a series of innovative, hands-on, and engaging visual art and design camps and classes for kids and teens ages 5–18! Weeklong and multi-week options. Scholarships available.

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

Northern Clay Center Northern Clay Center facilitates summer camps for kids ages 6 and up. We offer 40+ pottery and sculpture camps for all skill levels with themes like Monster Rally, Flower Power, and more. Class size is limited to ensure individual instruction. Registration begins March 3.

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, art & science, fiber arts, jewelry-making, and mixed media, as well as creative dramatics, musical theater, and

magic, for preschool through teens, taught by experienced artists, June 22–August 14, 2015.

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

Summer at Blake Blake’s visual and performing arts challenge students to creatively express themselves in an array of disciplines and materials from the kiln to the stage! These programs, spanning pre-K–12, are open to students throughout the greater Twin Cities area.

Hopkins, Minneapolis, Wayzata 952-988-3463 blakeschool.org/summer

Dance/Music/ Performance Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs Summer Day Camp Calling all boys and girls who love to sing!

Join us for a week (July 20–24) filled with singing, music games, and arts activities.

Singers will explore their vocal potential and increase their confidence in singing.

Grades 2–5. Cost: $88. 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. angelicayouthchoirs@gmail.com.

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

Camp Pillsbury Camp Pillsbury is a premier camp with programs offered in acting, singing, dancing, music, circus, visual arts, technology, water sports, sports, horseback, and so much more!

We offer 5 two-week sessions. Co-ed ages 6–17. Boarding School available.

314 S Grove Ave Owatonna 504-214-2200 camppillsbury.com

Center for Irish Music, The (CIM) All ages and abilities will explore and grow musically within the context of the Irish tradition. CIM offers half-day camps, private and group lessons on whistle, song, fiddle, harp, and drumming as well children and teen programs at the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend, June 12–14.

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

mnparent.com/camp

Advertiser listings

CAMP RESOURCES

The Celtic Junction 836 Prior Ave N St. Paul 612-722-7000 osheairishdance.com

Rock & Pop Band Camp Young musicians learn to play in a contemporary rock/pop band which culminates in a public performance! Supportive professional musicians lead groups ages 10–18.

All instruments, abilities. Co-ed Rock and Pop Band Camps: June 15–19 or June 22–26. Rock & Pop Band Camp for Girls Only: July 13–17.

Private instruction is also available.

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

Saint Paul Conservatory of Music, The Chan DT Musical Theatre Camp Chanhassen Dinner Theatres offers summertime theater camps for kids and teens (ages 5–18).

It’s a fantastic week of 1/2 day sessions focusing on musical theater fundamentals taught by Chanhassen professionals throughout the summer. Register now!

PO Box 100 Chanhassen 952-934-1525 chanhassendt.com

Circus Juventas Travel the globe without ever leaving our Big Top! Our full-day, weeklong camps explore a vast array of circus arts from Morocco to Mongolia, China to Russia. Reserve your spot now to be a part of one of the most talked-about and unique summer camps in the Twin Cities.

1270 Montreal Ave St. Paul 651-699-8229 circusjuventas.org

Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS) Summer Programs Two unique summer programs in Edina and St. Paul provide fun and challenging orchestral experiences for string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students of all abilities, ages 8–18.

No auditions required; scholarships available.

Details and registration at gtcys.org, or call 651-602-6800.

The Historic Hamm Building 408 St. Peter St St. Paul

651-602-6800 gtcys.org

Lundstrum Center for the Performing Arts Become a triple threat at Lundstrum Center’s musical theater camps! All camp intensives taught by Broadway veterans and include level appropriate training in dance, voice, and drama, which students apply to full musical productions. June 8–19: Camp 1, ages 4–12; June 22–August 2: Camp 2, ages 13 and up.

1617 N 2nd St Minneapolis 612-521-2600 lundstrumcenter.org

Minnesota Youth Symphonies (MYS) Summer Program Develop your musical skills and feed your imagination this summer with MYS! We offer two classes for young orchestral musicians in a fun and relaxed setting. No audition required.

Receive a 10 percent tuition discount if you register by April 24.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 700 S Snelling Ave St. Paul 651-699-5811 mnyouthsymphonies.org/summer

O’Shea Irish Dance Camp Director Cormac O’Se original member of Riverdance. Highly skilled technical training for preschoolers through adults; for competition, for fun, and for fitness! Weekly Classes: Mondays–Thursdays. Beginners Spring and Summer Camps — registering now!

Offers high quality music education.

Students of all ages and abilities experience a commitment to excellence through creative expression, disciplined training, and performance opportunities. Our motto is “Enriching lives through the joy of music.” July 6–17, Monday–Friday.

26 E Exchange St, Ste 500 St. Paul 651-224-2205 thespcm.org

Shell Lake Arts Center With programs in jazz, rock band, show choir, art, theater, 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 715-468-2414 shelllakeartscenter.org

Sing Minnesota August 10–14, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sing Minnesota is a weeklong day camp for girls and boys, ages 8–12 sponsored by the Minnesota Boychoir. While focusing on choral singing, campers also participate in other creative arts — drama and movement, visual arts, and outdoor fun and games! $325, scholarships available.

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

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CAMP RESOURCES Stages Theatre Company

Summer Theater Workshops: June 15–August 24. Calling all actors, singers, and dancers: Have fun learning about theater from some of the area’s finest teaching artists. Stages Theatre Company offers a variety of age appropriate workshops for students ranging from ages 4–17.

1111 Mainstreet Hopkins 952-979-1111, option 4 stagestheatre.org

SteppingStone Theatre Camps & Classes!

SteppingStone Theatre explores creativity year-round with youth grades pre-K–high school. Check out our summer camps as a unique way for students to build confidence, theater skills, and community! Have fun this summer at SteppingStone Theatre!

Scholarship/Membership pricing available.

55 Victoria St N St. Paul 651-225-9265 steppingstonetheatre.org

Summer at Blake Blake sports camps offer opportunities to try new activities, enhance skills and deepen physical fitness. Campers are guided by Blake’s award winning coaches and championship athletes. These programs, pre-K–12, are open to students throughout the Twin Cities.

Hopkins, Minneapolis, Wayzata 952-988-3463 blakeschool.org/summer

Theatre Arts Training at Children’s Theatre Company June 8–August 14, ages 4–18. Theatre Arts Training offers camps for all levels in acting, musical theater, improv, and more, making it easy to find the perfect fit for the young actor in your life. Be Curious. Be Creative. Be Confident. Registration now open.

2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis 612-874-0400 childrenstheatre.org/education/classes-andcamps

Triple Threat Training An intensive in musical theater connects young people with instructors to hone their vocal, acting, and dance technique, and enhance audition skills! Audition required for admission.

Contact apost@ordway.org for info. August 3–7, $450. NEW! Rising Star, open to all skill levels.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts 345 Washington St

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mnparent.com/camp

Advertiser listings

St. Paul 651-282-3163 ordway.org/education

Young Fiddlers Association of Minnesota July Fiddle Camp July 20, 21, 22, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Folk fiddling taught by ear, plus folk dance and craft. $245

by March 31, add $20 per month until $305 after June 30. Wednesday pizza lunch and evening performance. Contact director, Mary Allen, at youngfiddlers@yahoo.com.

Roseville Covenant Church, Roseville 651-323-4106 youngfiddlers.com

Youth Performance Company Our classes serve a wide range of skills from dancing, scene work, and puppetry with plenty of musical theater. Options for everyone K–12.

We encourage process and life skills as well as final performances. Half- and full-day sessions.

3338 University Ave SE Minneapolis 612-623-9180 youthperformanceco.org/classes

Z Puppets Rosenschnoz/ Stillwater Public Library FREE! Youth of all abilities mix arts with science.

Junior High STEM of Puppetry: Create cell science shadow shows, June 9–11th, 16–18th, 1–4 p.m. Monkey Mind Pirates (ages 7 and up): Dip into puppets, music, yoga, July 13–18, 1–4 p.m.

224 Third St N Stillwater 651-275-4338 stillwaterlibrary.org

Zenon Dance Company & School Summer Camps Weeklong dance camps for ages 6–14. Each day will include technique and choreography classes. Participants will perform for family and friends on the last day! Hip Hop Camps: June 22–26, August 3–7. Youth Dance Sampler Camp: July 20–24.

528 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis 612-338-1101 zenondance.org

Day American Swedish Institute Have fun exploring a different Swedish or Nordic theme each week including Pippi Longstocking, Vikings, or cooking through

dance, studio arts, music, imaginative play, and outdoor games. Perfect for kids entering grades 1–5! Thursdays, July 9–August 13. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $50 per session.

2600 Park Ave S Minneapolis 612-871-4907 asimn.org

Animal Humane Society’s Unleashed Camp Fun, educational animal-themed summer day camp for students entering grades 3–10 at Animal Humane Society. Camp may include special guests, field trips, service projects, interactions with animals, and more. Register online today.

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

Archaeology for Kids One-Day Camp Ages 10–14. Archeologists and historians help campers do archeological work, including research, digging, and sifting at a re-created dig site, and working with scientific equipment in a lab. July 18 & August 1. $65/$60 MNHS members.

Historic Fort Snelling 200 Tower Ave St. Paul 612-726-1171 mnhs.org/summercamps

Arts on the River Day Camp Ages 9–11. Children enjoy a new experience each day at four top arts centers, including Mill City Museum, the Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and MacPhail Center for Music. June 29–July 2. $250/$225 MNHS members.

Mill City Museum 704 S 2nd St Minneapolis 612-341-7555 mnhs.org/summercamps

Camp Tanadoona Explore 103 acres of forest and prairie along Lake Minnewashta in the southwest metro.

Campers ages 5–17 enjoy water and nature activities, archery, adventure course, 90-yearold traditions, and more! International and local staff! Day, mini-resident, and resident camps.

Open House: May 2.

3300 Tanadoona Dr Excelsior 612-235-7284 camptanadoona.org

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Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Como is an experimental learning center that engages visitors in a multitude of encounters with animals, plants and cultures. Home to 9 of the 10 animal species that visitors most want to see, in habitats that allow visitors to observe them at close proximity.

1225 Estabrook Dr St. Paul 651-487-8201 comozooconservatory.org

Crazy for Math and Science Are your kids CRAZY for math and science?

Peace of Mind and Trailblazers’ interactive, fun-filled summer camp engages children ages preschool–9th grade in experiential learning this summer. Field trips, themed weeks, structured curriculum. Come for a day, a week, or the entire summer.

9025 Tamarack Rd Woodbury 651-731-2608 peaceofminddaycare.com

Davy Crockett Day Camp Ages 9–12. Campers will learn the skills Davy Crockett and others like him used on the frontier, including tracking animals, using flint and steel, and 1800s soldiering. Two sessions: July 7–10 & 21–24. $250/$225 MNHS members.

Historic Fort Snelling 200 Tower Ave St. Paul 612-726-1171 mnhs.org/summercamps

Finishing School for Young Ladies Ages 9–12. In this one-of-a kind day camp, young ladies will dress up in Victorian-inspired costumes, enjoy a tea party, and learn popular dances and etiquette. Two sessions: June 22–24 & July 20–22. $220/$200 MNHS members.

Alexander Ramsey House 265 S Exchange St St. Paul 651-296-8760 mnhs.org/summercamps

Gaia Camps Gaia Democratic School’s Summer Camps offer youth age 6–16 action-packed fun in a unique, empowered, freedom-based learning environment. Gaia Camps include exciting​field ​ trips, time in nature, and hands-on projects like art, building, cooking, and gardening.

900 Mount Curve Ave Minneapolis 612-823-0154

Advertiser listings

gaiademocratic.org

History Detective Camp Ages 11–13. Become a super-sleuth. Explore the home and comb through the evidence to solve mysteries of the past in this three-day camp.

Two sessions: June 22–24 & July 20–22. $220/$200 MNHS members.

Alexander Ramsey House 265 S Exchange St St. Paul 651-296-8760 mnhs.org/summercamps

Hopkins Camp Royal Summer Rocks A camp for youth K–6. Add the sizzle to your child’s summer! Full- and half-day camps — build your own schedule. Art, sports, dance, legos, pottery, cooking, theater, music, chess, STEM, crafts, plus more!

Eisenhower Community Center 1001 Hwy 7 Hopkins 952-988-4070 hopkinssummer.org

Huck Finn Day Camp Ages 9–12. Campers explore the book “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and go fishing, hiking, cooking, canoeing, and much more. Three sessions: June 16–19, July 14–17, & August 4–7. $250/$225 MNHS members.

Historic Fort Snelling 200 Tower Ave St. Paul 612-726-1171 mnhs.org/summercamps

Little House in the Big Fort Day Camp Ages 7–11. Campers will sing the songs, play the games, and make the food and crafts that Laura Ingalls Wilder learned while growing up on the western frontier. Six sessions: June 16–19 & 23–26, July 7–10, 14–17, & 28–31, and August 4–7. $250/$225 MNHS members.

Historic Fort Snelling 200 Tower Ave St. Paul 612-726-1171 mnhs.org/summercamps

Minnesota Waldorf School Summer Day Camp MN Waldorf day camps offer age-appropriate activities including outdoor games, natural crafts, water play, gardening, caring for the school’s chickens, field trips, and more! Our specialty camp will focus on engaging campers

CAMP RESOURCES

in creative culinary arts from farm to table.

70 E County Rd B St. Paul 651-487-6700 mnwaldorf.org/summercamp

Playworks Summer Camp 2015 Enter our Trail of Dreams! June 8–August 28.

Open to grades 1–6. Children explore their world through field trips, crafts, and science projects. Enroll by March 31, fee is waived. Full time or part time. Daily. Meals included.

2200 Trail of Dreams Prior Lake 952-445-PLAY (7529) playworksfun.com

Roseville Parks & Recreation Have an awesome summer by attending these camps in Roseville. Includes day camps; theater camps; sport camps such as basketball, football, cheerleading, golf, track and field, volleyball, lacrosse; and nature camps. Online registration available.

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

Shoreview Parks & Recreation Camps Three-day to eight-week, half and full day sessions including playground programs, specialized sports, art camps, dance and more. Ages 3–15. Camps available June 8– September 1. Visit our website or call for more info.

4580 Victoria St N Shoreview 651-490-4750 shoreviewcommunitycenter.com

Soldier One-Day Camp Ages 8–12. “New recruits” will learn about the lives of soldiers during the 1820s at Fort Snelling. Campers will learn to march and drill, watch musket and cannon firings, and more.

June 27, July 11, July 25, & August 8. $50/$45 MNHS members.

Historic Fort Snelling 200 Tower Ave St. Paul 612-726-1171 mnhs.org/summercamps

St. Croix Lutheran 6–12, WSP Academic & Sports Camps Art, basketball, bowling, football, golf,

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CAMP RESOURCES

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Advertiser listings

science, soccer, softball, volleyball, and wrestling camps led by varsity coaches and professional faculty June, July, and early August. As low as $50/week. Grades 4–9 for most camps.

1200 Oakdale Ave West St. Paul stcroixlutheran.org/camps

Summer Adventure Camp The International School of Minnesota offers full- and half-day camp from June 15–August 14 for ages 3.5 to those entering grade 8.

Camp activities include Spanish or American Sign Language, swimming, arts & crafts, nature hikes, outside play, and beach Friday.

Options include sports, music, theater, kitchen chemistry, soccer, MN biology, catapults, and trebuchets.

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

Summer at Blake Looking for adventure, sports, arts and friendships? Blake’s Acoma camp has gathered children from the Twin Cities for 50 years.

Campers develop curiosity, creativity, and positive risk-taking skills. Unique themes provide opportunities for physical, social, and intellectual skills in a friendly, safe environment.

Hopkins, Wayzata 952-988-3463 blakeschool.org/summer

Three Rivers Park District More than 100 camps across the Metro.

Including: farm life, extreme fishing and hunting, survival, archery, pirate and fairy adventures, golf, sailing, photography, art, raft and kayaking, the Civil War, Laura Ingalls, nature and science exploration, more!

Scholarships available.

St. Anthony to Minnetrista, Maple Grove to Prior Lake 763-559-6700 threeriversparks.org

University of Minnesota Summer Youth Programs Explore more with exciting topics and new discoveries on the Twin Cities campus. Handson academics, arts, and sport instruction combine with quality recreation to create a summer like no other. Offering over 200 weeklong day camps for ages 5–15.

St. Paul Gymnasium 1536 Cleveland Ave N, St. Paul 612-625-2242 recwell.umn.edu/youth

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facebook.com/uofmyouthprograms

Victorian Tea & Tour Designed for generations of girls: grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters, and daughters alike.

You will learn about Victorian ways at this twohour mini-camp experience. Savor tea on the farmhouse porch; tour the Gibbs farmhouse and make a Victorian-style calling card. $19 per person.

Offered June 23, 24, 25; June 30, July 1 or 2.

Gibbs Museum of Pioneer & Dakota Life 2097 W Larpenteur Ave 651-646-8629 rchs.com

Wargo Nature Center Day Camps Wargo Nature Center Day Camps are about exploring our world, having fun, and getting dirty outside! Nature is our guide and we look forward to sharing an amazing world of wonder with your pre-K–7th grader. Register at anokacountyparks.com 7701 Main Street, Lino Lakes 651-429-8007 anokacountyparks.com

Your pathway to Dakota and Pioneer life: Experience. Understand. Grow.

We’ve created the perfect mix of camps.

Family-friendly pricing, fun for kids ages 3–13.

Choose Pioneer PeeWees for ages 3–5, $19 or one of our $99 three-day camps for ages 6–10 including Pioneer Kid, Gibbs Girl or Say It In

Dakota. Digging History, our newest $99 threeday camp, is for ages 11–13.

Gibbs Museum of Pioneer & Dakota Life 2097 W Larpenteur Ave 651-646-8629 rchs.com

Zoo Camp Week-long and single day adventures for toddlers to 12th graders at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. Campers will meet animals, make new friends, and have a ton of fun while learning about conservation and the environment. New this summer: Horse Camps!

Register today at mnzoo.org/zoocamp.

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

Horseback Riding Bunker Park Stable Dedicated to safe riding experiences for ages 5–18 in our modern facility, your child will enjoy the world of horses in fun, hands-on, factfilled sessions. Minutes from the Twin Cities, sessions are one to five days. Lots of riding!

550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW Andover 763-757-9445 bunkerparkstable.com

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Golden Ridge Stables Want to hug a horse? Our amazing summer day camps include a daily riding lesson and “handson” horsey fun. Year-round quality lessons for youth and ladies on well-mannered school horses. Conveniently located via Cedar Ave or I-35 South; just 15 minutes south of MOA. Visit our website for details!

8315 W 190th St W, Lakeville 952-469-4640 goldenridgestables.com

Lost Creek Ranch Lost Creek Ranch Camp Confidence is the best overnight camp for horse-crazy kids! Campers get their “own” horse. Ride a minimum of four hours every day! Individual attention. Make new friends and begin a lifelong passion for horses.

Less than one hour from the Twin Cities.

N6842 570th St Beldenville, WI 715-273-6070 lostcreekranch.info

Pine Ridge Stables Summer week-day horse education camps.

Ages 7 and up. Discount for multiple weeks.

Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Terminology, anatomy, demonstrations in vet, farrier, focused rides, clipping, bathing, feeding, cleaning stalls, trips to Canterbury Park backside, and trail rides. Come discover the joy of riding.

1716 Stagecoach Rd Shakopee 612-701-0056

Skyrock Farm Summer Horse Camp Learn basic horsemanship and make new friends! Clean, upscale facility located in Medina provides safe summer horse fun for your horse-crazy child (ages 6 and up). One hour instructional lesson per fun-filled day.

Friday is horse show day — Horse show followed by train rides and root beer floats!

Riding lessons, camp, birthdays.

Medina 612-408-2848 skyrockfarm.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

Advertiser listings

651-226-2027 sunnysidestables.org

Language Alliance Française Mpls/St Paul The Alliance Française Mpls/St Paul is a nonprofit organization. Our mission is to serve our community by promoting the use and appreciation of French language and cultures through language classes, cultural programs, social events and information resources.

113 N 1st St Minneapolis 612-332-0436 afmsp.org

Concordia Language Villages Concordia Language Villages is the premier language and culture immersion program in the United States. For over 50 years, we have provided an authentic experience with programs for all ages and levels of fluency in 15 different languages.

901 8th St S Moorhead 218-299-4544 800-222-4750 concordialanguagevillages.org

CAMP RESOURCES

everyone! Our camps have a focus on wildlife, nature, challenge, and outdoor skills. Experience the great outdoors and make memories that last a lifetime! June– September. info@audubon-center.org.

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

Camp Birchwood for Boys Hike, bike, fish, canoe, kayak, or rock-climb, it’s up to you. Campers choose their own adventures and activities. Between adventures campers choose from archery, riflery, waterpark, crafts, tubing, fishing, and more.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area 218-252-2641 campbirchwoodforboys.com

Camp Bovey A summer youth program of East Side Neighborhood Services. We provide a safe place for youth to have fun while participating in outdoor activities. Campers gain confidence in outdoor living skills. Our Visual and Performing Arts sessions are extremely popular.

Northwestern Wisconsin 612-787-4030 esns.org/campbovey

Summer at Blake

Camp Chippewa for Boys

Join the Blake School for Latin, Greek, Spanish, and Programming camps! Spanning grades 1–12, offerings are open to students throughout the Twin Cities area.

We develop character, through adventure, inspired by tradition. Your son will receive individual attention as they learn new skills, make new friends, in a wilderness environment.

They will come home more confident, self aware and resilient.

Hopkins, Wayzata 952-988-3463 blakeschool.org/summer

Other

7359 Niagara Lane North Maple Grove 218-335-8807 campchippewa.com

Minnesota Children’s Museum

Camp Choson

At Minnesota Children’s Museum, hands-on play builds lifelong learning. Each of our galleries is uniquely designed with a child’s busy brain in mind. Every visit is packed with experiences guaranteed to nurture creative thinking, fuel fun, and cater to the curious at heart.

Camp Choson is a dynamic, welcoming day and resident camp that offers youth ages 4–17 opportunities to explore Korean arts and culture. A camper’s experience includes Korean language and culture, traditional dance and drum, Taekwondo, music, self-respect, archery, and swimming.

10 W 7th St St. Paul 651-225-6000 mcm.org

Overnight Audubon Center of the North Woods A wide variety of youth, family, and adult camps and expeditions — something for

Camp Lakamaga 12300 Lakamaga Tr N Marine on St. Croix campchoson.org

Camp Lebanon Kids and families experience the “funnest fun!” on, in, and beside spring-fed, fish-filled mnparent.com • March 2015

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CAMP RESOURCES

Cedar Lake in central Minnesota. A popular Bible Camp offering nine youth camps (K–12) and four family events. Camp Lebanon is: gorgeous, well-staffed, clean, delicious, affordable, and super fun!

1205 Acord Rd, Burtrum 1-800-816-1502 camplebanon.org

Camp Pillsbury Camp Pillsbury is a premier American summer camp for co-ed ages 6–17. Unique programs include circus, theatre, sports, music, dance, extreme sports, water sports, equestrian, acting, singing, gymnastics, cheer, academics and so much more. Boarding school available.

314 S Grove Ave Owatonna 504-214-2200 camppillsbury.com

Camp Victory A Christian camp in southeastern Minnesota providing overnight, day and wilderness camps. Get active, connected and inspired to follow Jesus Christ! Nine Specialty Camps added this year including Survivor Camp, Spy Academy and Culinary Camp. Enter to win a week of camp at campvictory.com/index.php/ camps.

Zumbro Falls 20 miles N of Rochester 507-843-2329 campvictory.com

Camp WeHaKee Have fun, build friendships, be yourself! More than 40 activities that each girl chooses.

Campers from around the world. Exceptional staff! At the heart of WeHaKee is relationship.

Just three hours from Minneapolis in Northern Wisconsin!

N8104 Barker Lake Rd Winter, WI 800-582-2267 wehakeecampforgirls.com

Catholic Youth Camp Catholic Youth Camp gives children the opportunity to spend a week canoeing, fishing, doing arts and crafts and archery, swimming, in a faith-focused community! Week-long, co-ed sessions run June–August for youth ages 7–17.

19590 520th Ln McGregor 651-636-1645 cycamp.org

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Advertiser listings

Clearwater Camp for Girls The Northwoods of Wisconsin provide a spectacular backdrop for girls ages 8–16 to learn life skills, build confidence, adventurous spirits and make friends for a lifetime. Over 25 activities, including sailing, horseback riding, waterskiing, and camping trips. ACA accredited.

7490 Clearwater Rd Minocqua, WI 715-356-5030 clearwatercamp.org

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center Offering unique and adventurous camps for families and youth entering grades 3–10 in beautiful Lanesboro, Minnesota! Camps for 2015 include: Becoming an Outdoor Family, Wildlife Encounters, Junior Adventurers, Wet & Wild, Forkhorn I & II, Survival 101, Survival Extreme, Pedal & Paddle! Check out our website for more information!

28097 Goodview Dr Lanesboro 888-800-9558 eagle-bluff.org

Girl Scouts River Valleys’ Summer Camps All girls welcome, including non-Girl Scouts.

Residential sessions at four locations, each with unique scenery and outdoor opportunities.

Classic camp experiences, with horse and wilderness opportunities, canoeing, kayaking, archery, swimming, biking, arts and crafts, and more. Financial assistance available.

Camp Elk River, Zimmerman Camp Lakamaga, Marine on St. Croix Camp Northwoods, Mason, WI Camp Singing Hills, Waterville 800-845-0787 girlscoutsrv.org/camp

Star Lake Wilderness Camp Star Lake Wilderness Camp provides life changing experiences for 3rd-12th grades.

Campers sleep in tents; swim in lakes; hike; canoe; cook on fires; and live in guided small groups. Some weeks have Christian programing. Pay only what you can afford.

10992 Star Lake Camp Dr, Pequot Lakes 651-263-0578 starlakewildernesscamp.com

Wolf Ridge Summer Camp Summer campers grades 2–12 will find outdoor adventures to match their curiosity. At our 2000-acre campus near Lake Superior and in the BWCA, share nature up-close every day with lifelong friends. Learning is the greatest adventure there is. Choose yours at wolf-ridge.org.

Finland, MN 218-353-7414 wolf-ridge.org

YMCA Camp Olson Since 1954, Camp Olson has been providing unforgettable and life changing experiences for youth and young leaders through quality camping 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

Specialty Academy of Whole Learning: Summer Academy Offers students from any school unique opportunities for enrichment, advancement, and fun in academics, social and life skills. Although we specialize in educating students with ASD or ID, Summer Academy is open to all students entering grades K–12. June 15–August 6.

9400 Cedar Lake Rd, Ste 7 St. Louis Park 952-737-6900 academyofwholelearning.org

Camp Odayin For children with heart disease in grades K–11.

Camp Odayin provides day and residential camping experiences where campers discover outdoor, athletic, and creative activities in a safe and medically supervised environment.

Residential Camp: July 13–17 (grades 1–5/6), July 20–24 (grades 6/7–8), July 27–31 (grades 9–11); Day Camp: August 10–14 (grades K–1).

Crosslake & St. Paul 651-351-9185 campodayin.org

Computer Explorers Technology Summer Camps Nationally recognized technology camps for ages 3–14. With over 300 camps in Minnesota, we offer exciting classes in robotics, video game design, Minecraft modding, Java coding, web design, engineering, movie production and more. Where learning is fun, innovative, challenging, and hands-on.

Throughout Minnesota 651-730-9910 computerexplorersmn.com

St David’s Center’s Summer Adventure Summer Adventure is a therapeutic recreation program for teens and young adults with special needs. With a focus on recreation and

mnparent.com/camp

socialization, participants develop positive peer relationships while they have fun! Sky Zone, Valleyfair, Twins Game, MN Zoo, and more!

Brooklyn Park, St. Louis Park, & Minneapolis 952-548-8700 stdavidscenter.org/adventure

Summer at Blake From robots to rockets, Summer at Blake challenges students to creatively express themselves in an array of disciplines. Sports, academics, arts, and day camp spanning pre-K–12, are open to students throughout the Twin Cities.

Hopkins, Minneapolis, Wayzata 952-988-3463 blakeschool.org/summer

True Friends’ Camp Courage & Camp Friendship True Friends is the new parent company of Camp Courage and Camp Friendship. Offering residential and day camp sessions at five Minnesota locations. Specializing in programs for people with developmental, physical, or learning disabilities. Need-based scholarships are available.

Camp Friendship, Annandale Camp Courage, Maple Lake Camp Eden Wood, Eden Prairie Camp Courage North, Lake George Camp New Hope, McGregor 800-450-8376 truefriends.org

Sports and Fitness AKA All Sports Camp (now in Coon Rapids) AKASPORT, now in its 11th year, offers yearround multi-sports programming with its afterschool classes and the highly coveted AKA All Sports Camps which include a multitude of sports (Archery, Golf, Soccer…endless), field trips, nutrition, and fitness education.

Blaine, Champlin, Coon Rapids 651-447-2454 akasport.org

Bethel University Overnight & Day Camps Bethel University Christian Sports Camps help athletes develop fundamentals and build confidence in their skills. We provide both challenge and encouragement, allowing campers to develop a positive attitude. Basketball, volleyball, soccer, x-country, tennis. All ages.

Bethel University 3900 Bethel Dr, St. Paul

Advertiser listings

651-638-6397 bethelroyals.com

Camp Pillsbury Camp Pillsbury provides excellent instructional lessons for all ability levels for baseball/softball, basketball, cheerleading, tumbling, stretching, zumba, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey/skating, mountain biking, skateboarding, rollerblading, scooter, soccer, tennis, volleyball, water sports, swimming and much more! Boarding school available.

314 S Grove Ave Owatonna 504-214-2200 camppillsbury.com

Gleason’s Gymnastic School What better way to spend summer than learning something new at Gleason’s Gymnastic School? Our fun facility and our professional instructors combine to make Gleason’s classes a tremendous learning experience for children of all ages and experience levels.

2015 Silver Bell Rd Eagan 9775 85th Ave N, Ste 500 Maple Grove 651-454-6203 gleasons.com

InnerCity Tennis Summer Camps Learn a sport you can play for a lifetime in a fun, group setting! Outdoor lessons at 23 park locations across Minneapolis. Indoor lessons at Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center — now with air conditioning in 2015! Camps open to boys and girls ages 6 and up of all ability levels.

Scholarships available!

4005 Nicollet Ave S Minneapolis 612-825-6844 innercitytennis.org

Joy of the People Soccer Center (JOTP) Soccer Day Camp Innovative, fun, and unique, each JOTP themed camp focuses on different soccer skills.

Designed to attend multiple camps. Morning training and afternoon free play soccer with Splash Court and Inflatable Fields. Lunch and snack provided. Weekly fee of $99–$135.

Now in three locations! St. Paul and NEW this summer in Edina and St. Louis Park!

Joy of the People Soccer Center 890 Cromwell Ave St. Paul 651-252-1775 joyofthepeople.org

CAMP RESOURCES

Lil Sluggers St. Paul Lil Sluggers is a nationwide company that offers baseball and softball camps for ages 2–7. Camps are based on a proven curriculum that teaches children skills needed to play the game of baseball or softball.

Multiple locations ranging from Coon Rapids to Cottage Grove 763-350-1644 lilsluggersstpaul.org

Little Gym of Edina, Anytime Summertime Camp For kids ages 3–12. The most flexible camp in town lets you pick one day or as many as you want! Each week has a fun new theme with games, art, physical activity, and a whole lot of fun.

8223 Hwy 7 St. Louis Park 952-924-0083 thelittlegym.com/edinamn

Minnesota United FC Minnesota United FC is a professional soccer team playing in the North American Soccer League. Our mission is to make professional soccer an accessible source of pride for people in Minnesota. The club is devoted to being a pillar in the local community. These new camps bring our level of professionalism and GREAT soccer to YOU! Coon Rapids, Maplewood, Rogers, Rosemount & St. Louis Park 763-231-9866 mnunitedfccamps.com

My Gym Children’s Fitness Center At My Gym, campsters participate in ageappropriate activities such as sports, games, relays, tumbling, special rides, adventures, story time, arts and crafts, music, and more!

Perfect for children ages 2–7, and children do not need to be potty trained! Weekly themed camps run Monday and Wednesday 9:30– noon, June 8–September 2.

6545 Flying Cloud Dr Eden Prairie 952-906-0028 mygym.com/edenprairie

Nike Tennis Camps Come join the fun and get better this summer at the University of Minnesota Nike Tennis Camp. Overnight and Day Camp options for boys and girls, ages 9–18 of all ability levels.

Special Tournament Training component offered during the second and third session.

University of Minnesota Minneapolis mnparent.com • March 2015

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FROM OUR READERS

↑ Sisters Elizabeth and Madelyne Yurecko of Edina, ages 6 months and 2 years, cozy up at home in their pajamas. ← Brody Willett, 2½, plunges his little brother, Bryce, 8 months, during some friendly playtime in Mankato.

WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE FAMILY WEEKEND GETAWAY? Rent a State Park cabin. There are quite a few that offer heating in the winter. It’s cozy in the evenings and great to get out and enjoy the snow and sunshine on snowshoes or cross-country skis.

Duluth. My husband, two boys and I love swimming in the hotel pool, walking along the rocky shore, watching the big boats come in, touring the museum, shopping in the local stores and dining at the quaint restaurants.

— Christina Johnson, Waconia

— Seirra Roemmermann, Minneapolis

The Wilderness Resort at Wisconsin Dells: We use the eBay travel section and get great deals for multi-room suites January through March, sometimes as low as $80 a night.

It’s a perfect distance from the cities, too.

— Ann Haag, Woodbury

Milwaukee: It is close enough to drive, but far enough away to feel like you’re on a mini vacation. Down-to-earth city, with a fun vibe.

Lots of wonderful restaurants and breweries, fun museums and things to do for kiddos.

— Jessica Thorsen, Mound

Grand View Lodge (Nisswa) anytime of year: Huge, clean beach for the kiddos to play, plus the restaurant and bar on the beach make it so easy to spend the whole day there. Plus there are boats for rent, kayaks, shuffleboard, beanbags, activities for kids and adults. During the winter, you have the indoor pool and water slide. Nearby, Nisswa’s town square is so fun for shopping, dining, coffee and scones.

— Rochelle Hargis, Prior Lake

Breezy Point Resort (Pequot Lakes) on a hot summer weekend!

— Heidi Baham, Eden Prairie

We just do short little day trips for getaways, as our daughter just turned 3. So far, we’ve been to Stillwater, New Ulm and Hastings.

— Shawn Egli, St. Anthony Village

The North Shore, especially skipping rocks on Lake Superior!

— Sarah Soucek, Minneapolis

Want to see your kid on this page? Send photos with your child’s first/last name, age and city to editor@mnparent.com.

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March 2015 • mnparent.com

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Visit www.MN529today.com or call Chris McLeod 952-830-3127