MN Landscape Arboretum

Kids

DAY CAMPS & PROGRAMS SUMMER 2016

WWW.ARBORETUM.UMN.EDU/SUMMERKIDS.ASPX Photo: Michael Bish/Flikr

PeaPods for Preschoolers PEAPODS FOR PRESCHOOLERS SUMMER SERIES 2016 Summer Thursdays, June 16, 23, 30, July 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18, 25, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

OR Summer Fridays, June 17, 24, July 1, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, 19, 26, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Instructor: Eleta Donaldson Arboretum Early Childhood Educator and Programmer Kindle a sense of wonder in the natural world with your photo: Luminaimages/Shutterstock preschool child as you reawaken it in yourself! Pea Pods for Preschoolers provides the opportunity for you and your special little one to be enchanted by the plant world. Each weekly theme helps spark your child’s appreciation for nature’s beauty through planting, art, sensory and science, discovery zones, action and music, story time, Green Play Yard adventures, greenhouse exploration and snack. Come play and learn about nature!

Pea Pods for Preschoolers registration is by seasonal series of 10 weekly classes for 3-5 year olds with an adult. For late registrants, remaining class sessions are available for purchase at a prorated price by calling 612-301-1210.

In order to honor the abilities and interests of preschoolers, please only bring registered participants. The Arboretum has many areas of interest for children of all ages. Ask us for ideas for your older children.

Dandy Dandelion

June 16 or 17

Mud Pies

June 23 or 24

Flutter by, Butterfly

June 30 or July 1

Catch Me if You Can

July 14 or 15

Weedy Seedy

July 21 or 22

Tops and Bottoms

July 28 or 29

Little Hummers

August 4 or 5

Fanciful Fruits

August 11 or 1

Waterific

August 18 or 19

Great Garden Gala

August 25 or 26

Limit 65 children and 65 adults, Learning Center $120.00 member/$140.00 non-member, includes Arboretum admission for child and one adult, snacks, project, planting supplies.

To register, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/preschoolprograms.aspx or call 612-301-1210.

One-Hour Enrichment Experience SAVAGE PLANTS AND BIG BUGS OH MY! Suggested ages: 6 -13 year olds

Spend an action-packed hour at the Arboretum getting to know bugs...and the amazing plants that eat them! This larger than life field trip takes you to the hands-on microscopic workings of savage plants and big bugs! Find out how and why insectivorous plants (like the Venus Fly Trap!) attract, trap, and digest insects, then encounter an up close plant-vs-bug experience in the Learning Center greenhouse. Explore and understand the vital connections between insects and plants. TAKE HOME A BIG BUG-FRIENDLY (not insectivorous) PLANT! Adults are encouraged to attend with their child.

INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATIONS $8 Child + $no charge for each adult member/$8 Child + $12 gate fee for each adult nonmember fees include a take-home bug-friendly plant to create habitat where you live.

Choose from the following dates/times Friday, June 24, noon-1:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Friday, July 1, noon-1:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Friday, July 22, noon-1:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Friday, July 29, noon-1:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Friday, August 12, noon-1:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

GROUP REGISTRATIONS (12-50 KIDS)

only $5.50 per child! $no charge for each adult chaperones member $12 gate fee for each adult chaperone non-member Choose from the following dates/times Mondays 10 a.m.-11 a.m. or 12 noon-1 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Tuesdays 10 a.m.-11 a.m. or 12 noon- p.m. or 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Wednesdays 10 a.m.-11 a.m. or 12 noon-1 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Thursdays 12 noon-1 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

TO REGISTER, VISIT

photo: Chris/Flikr

www.arboretum.umn.edu/onehourprogram.aspx or call 612-301-1210 Summer 2016 Big Bugs and Savage Gardens sponsored by

Children’s Garden Instructor Melinda Hooker, experienced Children’s Garden Program Manager and fun Arboretum Field Trip Educator The Children’s Garden is THE place where kids can grow and learn with hands-on discovery all summer long. Week by week we will explore the changes and surprises taking place as our gardens come to life. We will celebrate the bees and butterflies, investigate the soil, and taste-test from the garden. We will dig for earthworms, search for sow bugs, tend our plants, and make delicious snacks fresh from the bounty of our harvest. Pairs of gardeners will tend kid-sized plots of vegetables and flowers throughout the summer. Sign up with a friend or make a new friend.

All Children’s Garden participants and their families are invited to The Children’s Garden Harvest Celebration and Graduation on Wednesday, August 10 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.!

MIGHTY MITES FOR 5 - 7 YEAR OLDS Monday Series (971-05-14-16) Planting Saturdays: May 14 & June 4, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Summer Mondays: June 13, 20, 27 July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

OR Wednesday Series (971-05-21-16) THIS SESSION IS SOLD OUT Planting Saturdays: May 21 & June 11, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Summer Wednesdays: June 15, 22, 29, July 13, 20, 27, August 3, 10 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

This introductory experience has a focus on fun! Mighty Mites is the perfect place to start growing a love of gardening. Throughout the summer, we will dig, plant, weed, water, harvest, investigate, tastetest, explore, participate in scientific discovery, learn the value of teamwork, and marvel at what we create! Join us as we grow a garden full of vegetables and flowers, and take our harvest to the kitchen to create delicious snacks. Each week, we will receive new and great rewards from a small garden space.

Limit 16, Learning Center $160 member/$175 non-member includes Arboretum admission, planting and project supplies, weekly snack, fresh from the garden produce, a Children’s Garden t-shirt, and Children’s Garden recipe book.

SEED SOWERS FOR 7 - 10 YEAR OLDS (972-05-14-16) Planting Saturdays: May 14 & June 4, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Summer Mondays: June 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Dig in and get ready for a summer of growing adventures! This summer’s crop of Seed Sowers will be busy tending our living garden laboratory, investigating plant science and making garden fresh snacks. From seed sprouting, photosynthesis, and pollination to mixing, measuring and baking, we will have a hands-on adventure in the garden and kitchen. What discoveries will we make? Join us to find out!

Limit 22, Learning Center $200 member/$220 non-member includes Arboretum admission, planting and project supplies, weekly snack, fresh from the garden produce, a Children’s Garden t-shirt, and Children’s Garden recipe book.

GARDEN CHEFS FOR 9 - 13 YEAR OLDS (973-05-21-16) Planting Saturdays: May 21 & June 11, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Summer Wednesdays: June 15, 22, 29, July 13, 20, 27 August 3, 10, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Cook up some fun this summer as we create the perfect snacking garden. In pairs, plant and tend your very own garden plot, discover and explore, and transform our bounty into magnificent bites in the kitchen. Try out your new garden-to-table skills on your family and friends with the extra harvest you take home each week!

Limit 22, Learning Center $200 member/$220 non-member includes Arboretum admission, planting and project supplies, weekly snack, fresh from the garden produce, a Children’s Garden t-shirt, and Children’s Garden recipe book.

To register, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/childrensgarden.aspx or call 612-301-1210.

Family Favorites Free and open to visit with Arboretum admission.

MAZE GARDEN Can you find your way through it? – Three-Mile Drive PLANT-MAKER STUDIO Free hands-on activities, new theme seasonal – Learning Center GREEN PLAY YARD Especially for 5 and under – Learning Center UNDER THE OAK NATURE PLAY AREA All ages welcome to create – Learning Center SHADE TREE EXHIBIT Central climb area, two small play houses – Three-Mile Drive FRUIT & VEGGIE GARDEN Look for what’s growing – Home Demo Gardens BOG BOARDWALK Walk on the water across the wetland – Green Heron Trail WALKING AREA GARDENS Close-by gardens of all kinds

The Maze Garden

EXPLORE MORE FUN PLACES AT

www.arboretum.umn.edu/selfguidedforkids.aspx

CALENDAR FOR SUMMER DAY CAMPS 2016

DAY CAMPS CALENDAR – SUMMER 2016 MONDAY

TUESDAY 13

WEDNESDAY 14

THURSDAY 15

FRIDAY 16

17

June

Arboretum Eco-Adventures Day Camp: Big Bugs and Carnivorous Plants (ages 7-12), 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

20

21

22

23

24

30

July 1

Sun Catchers Day Camp (ages 5-7), 9 a.m. - noon LEGO® Bricks in the Garden Day Camp (ages 7-10), 1–4 p.m.

27

28

29

Sun Catchers Day Camp (ages 5-7), 9 a.m. - noon PINECRAFT Day Camp: Take the World of Minecraft™ Outdoors! (ages 7-10), 1–4 p.m.

11

12

13

14

15

Arboretum Eco-Adventures Day Camp: Earth! Air! Fire! Water! (ages 7-12), 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

19

July

18

20

21

22

28

29

Petals and Pollen Day Camp (ages 5-7), 9 a.m.- noon

Eco-Inventors Day Camp (ages 11-14), 1–4 p.m.

25

26

27

Petals and Pollen Day Camp (ages 5-7), 9 a.m.- noon PINECRAFT Day Camp: Take the World of Minecraft™ Outdoors! (ages 7-10), 1–4 p.m.

1

2

3

4

5

Arboretum Eco-Adventures Day Camp: Pollinator Super Power! (ages 7-12), 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

August

8

9

10

11

12

18

19

Harvest Hoopla Day Camp (ages 5-7), 9 a.m.- noon LEGO® Bricks in the Garden Day Camp (ages 7-10), 1–4 p.m.

15

16

17

SPECIAL OFFERING: All About Raptors: Head to Talons Day Camp (ages 5-9), 9 a.m.- noon SOLD OUT

SPECIAL OFFERING: All About Raptors: Head to Talons Day Camp (ages 5-9), 1–4 p.m.

KEY FOR AGE GROUPS BY COLOR

AGES 5 - 7

AGES 5 - 9

AGES 7 - 10

AGES 7 - 12

Look inside for Summer Day Camps!

AGES 11 - 14

Summer Day Camps “I love how a fresh garden radish makes my nose tingle” – Harvest Hoopla Camper

Half-Day Camps FOR AGES 5 TO 7

Instructors Beth Gelino and Jackie Williams, licensed elementary teachers and experienced Arboretum day camp instructors SUN CATCHERS DAY CAMP Tuesday - Thursday, June 21 - 23, 9 a.m. - noon (980-06-21-16-01) OR Tuesday - Thursday, June 28 - 30, 9 a.m. - noon (980-06-28-16-02)

Start the summer off with an adventure full of variety, fun, and nature-play! Meet new friends, explore Arboretum gardens while on the lookout photo: Pexel for tadpoles and fairies. Discover and experiment with scratch ‘n sniff plants, design and create a sun catcher, build a fantastical fairy garden and play in the squishy mud! Each day will include a short circle time, snack, planting project, themed activities, and time for nature-play.

Limit 16, Learning Center $90 members/$99 non-members, includes Arboretum admission, snacks and any project supplies PETALS AND POLLEN DAY CAMP Tuesday - Thursday, July 19-21, 9 a.m.- noon. (980-07-19-16-01) OR Tuesday - Thursday, July 26-28, 9 a.m.- noon. (980-07-26-16-02)

Make new discoveries together while hunting for bugs, butterflies and bees in the Arboretum’s gardens! Learn to think like a pollinator, looking at the shape and color of petals to decide if it is an “open-house” flower or a “by-invitation-only” flower. Investigate amazing items in the natural world using microscopes and plant special takehome gardens for nectar and pollen lovers. Each day will include a short circle time, snack, a planting project, themed activities, and time for natureplay.

Limit 16, Learning Center $90 members/$99 non-members, includes Arboretum admission, snacks and any project supplies photo: Vienna Volante

HARVEST HOOPLA DAY CAMP (980-08-09-16) Tuesday - Thursday, August 9 - 11, 9 a.m. - noon

It’s harvest time in the gardens -- join in on the excitement! Collect garden-licious produce like herbs, vegetables and flowers, then use the harvested goodies to transform a friend into a veggie creature, make homemade flour, mix up tasty snacks and create works of art. Investigate garden ecosystems to learn whether the bug crawling under that leaf is a pest or valued guest. Plant take-home flowers for pollinators and a surprising plant for yourself. Each day will include a short circle time, snack, themed activities, garden time, and nature play.

Limit 16, Learning Center $90 members/$99 non-members, includes Arboretum admission, snacks and any project supplies

photo: Michael Bish/Flikr

COUPON REGISTER FOR ALL THREE SUMMER 2016 CAMPS FOR 5-7 YEAR OLDS AND SAVE $20!

USE COUPON CODE 3CAMPS AT CHECKOUT Camper must be registered for one session of each camp in order to receive discount. Not valid on previous purchases, not valid with other discounts or offers. Limit (1) per household. No cash value. Expires 7/1/2016.

To register, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/daycamps.aspx or call 612-301-1210.

Half-Day Camps FOR AGES 7 TO 10 Instructor Kjersten Swanson, experienced Arboretum field trip and day camp instructor LEGO® BRICKS IN THE GARDEN DAY CAMP Tuesday - Thursday, June 21 - 23, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (990-06-21-16-01) OR Tuesday - Thursday, August 9 - 11, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m (990-08-09-16-02)

LEGO® Bricks building at garden-level: Last year’s popular exhibit has moved on, but the love of LEGO® Bricks lives on at the Arboretum! Start with a hike in the woods to investigate nature’s ingenious designs, then bring observations of plants and animals back to the garden as inspiration for new LEGO® Bricks creations. Take part in team challenges, explore concepts in structural engineering and landscape architecture. Explore hidden places in the Arboretum and build a nature-themed LEGO® Bricks project to take home.

Limit 16, Sensory Garden Shelter $90 members/$99 non-members, includes Arboretum admission, snacks and any project supplies PINECRAFT DAY CAMP: TAKE THE WORLD OF MINECRAFT™ OUTDOORS!

Instructors Willis Bowman, experienced Arboretum day camp instructor, engineer, artist, and co-designer/builder of the Arboretum’s “Under the Oak” nature play area Malia Brandt, Day Camp Coordinator; experienced Arboretum and Montessori educator Tuesday - Thursday, June 28 - 30, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (990-06-28-16-01)

OR Tuesday - Thursday, July 26 - 28, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (990-07-26-16-02)

Get away from the screen and into the wild, learning about nature through real outdoor Minecraft™photo: WoodlandClassroom.com themed adventures! Survive a hostile environment, build an epic house, craft a bow and arrow, forage for food, mine for materials and fend off wandering monsters through a series of puzzles and challenges. “Creative mode” also allows time for take-home planting projects and nature exploration.

NOTE: Not an official Minecraft™ product. Not approved by or associated with Mojang.

Limit 16, Learning Center $90 members/$99 non-members, includes Arboretum admission, snacks and any project supplies

“I feel good about sending my kids to the Arboretum and my kids adore the instructors. It’s important to me that my kids experience nature and gardens. Being a kid should still be about getting dirt under your fingernails.”

– Day Camp Parent

Half-Day Camps FOR AGES 11 TO 14 ECO-INVENTORS DAY CAMP (995-07-19-16) Tuesday - Thursday, July 19-21, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Instructor Willis Bowman, experienced Arboretum day camp instructor, engineer, artist, and co-designer/builder of the Arboretum’s “Under the Oak” nature play area Join the maker movement! Learn to safely use woodworking tools, hand saws, and cordless drills...then let your imagination run wild as you learn quick, clever ways of joining found natural materials into amazing inventions, sculptures and structures. Venture to the far corners of the Arboretum to gather materials, explore unique ecosystems and make unexpected discoveries! The creative possibilities of combining tools with the natural resources of 1,200 acres of Arboretum lands are endless. Host a maker fair on the last day to showcase creations.

Limit 14, Learning Center $86 members/$95 non-members, includes Arboretum admission, snacks, project supplies.

To register, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/daycamps.aspx or call 612-301-1210.

Full-Day Camps FOR AGES 7 TO 12 ARBORETUM ECO-ADVENTURES Instructor Malia Brandt, Day Camp Coordinator; experienced Arboretum and Montessori educator Arboretum Eco-Adventures are filled with nature exploration, new discoveries, non-stop activities, making friends and having fun! With a new theme each week, scientific concepts come to life as special guests facilitate hands-on, unique, and interactive experiences. All Eco-Adventure camps divide into groups with age-specific activities that include experiments, scavenger hunts, art, games, cooking, building, planting, and time to get our hands dirty!

ARBORETUM ECO-ADVENTURES DAY CAMP: BIG BUGS AND CARNIVOROUS PLANTS (990-06-13-16) Monday - Friday, June 13 - 17, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Special Guest: Bruce the Bug Guy, an “ento-taining” entomologist with over 25 years of buggy knowledge

photo: Houston Museum of Natural Science/Flikr

Five full days of eco-fun! Explore fascinating Arboretum exhibits featuring the secret lives of carnivorous plants and the insects they feed on.

Learn about how and why these mysterious plants capture and digest their prey, their amazing adaptations, and the ecosystems they are a part of.

Get “bugged out” with a visit from

Bruce the Bug Guy, who will bring amazing bugs of all sizes from all over the world for a hands-on, multi-legged experience! Join an insect safari, and investigate the miraculous world of bugs through touch, sight, smell, sound and taste (yes, taste)!

Limit 27, Learning Center Picnic Shelter B $255 members/$280 non-members, includes Arboretum admission, snacks and project supplies Summer 2016 Big Bugs and Savage Gardens sponsored by

photo: Chris/Flikr

ARBORETUM ECO-ADVENTURES DAY CAMP: EARTH! AIR! FIRE! WATER! (990-07-11-16) Monday - Friday, July 11 - 15, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Special Guest: U of M Raptor Center, featuring a real-life assortment of fascinating birds of prey Discover earth’s basic elements in a full week of amazing experiments and exciting challenges that celebrate earth, air, fire and water. Build a campfire in nature and cook a tasty snack, explore the watery wonder of wetlands, become an earth-conscious dirt detective and encounter raptors up close to learn how they harness the power of air! An expert from the Raptor Center will visit the Arboretum on one day, along photo: Piers Nye/Flikr with some of the center’s amazing birds. Visiting birds could include a bald eagle, screech owl, a kestrel, or maybe even a turkey vulture! Team up with new friends to examine diverse ecosystems, go on a selfie scavenger hunt, build forts, and plant projects to take home. NOTE: Types of raptors cannot be guaranteed and are dependent on which are available for viewing

Limit 27, Learning Center Picnic Shelter B $255 members/$280 non-members, includes Arboretum admission, snacks and any project supplies

COUPON REGISTER FOR ALL THREE SUMMER 2016 ECO-ADVENTURE CAMPS FOR 7-12 YEAR OLDS AND SAVE $50!

USE COUPON CODE 3ADVENTURES AT CHECKOUT Camper must be registered for each camp in order to receive discount. Not valid on previous purchases, not valid with other discounts or offers. Limit (1) per household. No cash value. Expires 7/1/2016.

To register, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/daycamps.aspx or call 612-301-1210.

ARBORETUM ECO-ADVENTURES DAY CAMP: POLLINATOR SUPER POWER! (990-08-1-16) Monday - Friday, August 1 - 5, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Special Guest: Pollinate Minnesota, providing professional, safe, experiential education with real honeybees Examine the huge superpowers of earth’s tiny pollinators, and explore their vital influences on biodiversity and the food web. In this amazing five-day adventure, campers will explore the Arboretum’s brand new Pollinator Center, build a pollinator house to take home, wear a beekeeping suit, observe bee behavior, and learn about the variety of products that come from bees. Make seed bombs to help with the creation of pollinator pathways and honey balm to celebrate photo: Kingcraft/Shutterstock the health benefits of of honey! Learn about pollinator habitats, which local plants are best for pollinators, and how to make a difference for Minnesota pollinators.

Limit 27, Learning Center Picnic Shelter B $255 members/$280 non-members, includes Arboretum admission, snacks and any project supplies

photo: Pixabay

“They go home thinking they had a super fun time, but they are also picking up all these science facts and observations about the natural world, and I think that’s the best way to learn; by learning through passion and creativity and fun.”

– Arboretum Day Camp Instructor

SPECIAL OFFERING: FOR AGES 5 TO 9 ALL ABOUT RAPTORS: HEAD TO TALONS DAY CAMP Tuesday - Thursday, August 16 - 18, 9 a.m.- noon (995-08-16-16-01) THIS SESSION IS SOLD OUT OR Tuesday - Thursday, August 16 - 18, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m (995-08-16-16-02)

Dan Hnilicka, Interpretive naturalist and experienced day camp instructor with the University of Minnesota Raptor Center The Arboretum and The University of Minnesota Raptor Center are partnering to present an all-new camp experience that is all about birds of prey! Join in the fun over three days for an exhilarating chance to get up close and personal with live raptors. An expert from the Raptor Center will visit the Arboretum along with some of their amazing birds.

Visiting birds could include a mighty bald eagle, a wise greatphoto: Pixabay horned owl, an adorable screech owl, a sleek kestrel, or maybe even a gnarly turkey vulture! Safely discover what it’s like to be a raptor, and watch in amazement as one tears into a fish or swallows a mouse whole! Discover the trees and food chains that are key to raptors’ survival, and why conservation efforts are important to ensure the long-term survival of these magnificent birds. Explore scientific concepts such as adaptation, ecology, veterinary medicine, and animal training through hands-on activities and exciting investigations.

NOTE: Types of raptors cannot be guaranteed and are dependent on which are available for viewing Limit 16, Learning Center $90 members/$99 non-members, includes Arboretum admission, snacks and any project supplies

To register, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/daycamps.aspx or call 612-301-1210.

3675 Arboretum Drive Chaska, MN 55318

Free!

PLANT-MAKER STUDIO Saturdays and Sundays, year-round, noon – 4 p.m.

The PlantMaker Studio offers “make a plant” experiences for all ages. Our technology-loaded lives can leave anyone eager to dig into nature and get their hands on plants. Studio activities, staffed by trained volunteers, will feature specific plants, and take-homes for participants. Learn how to start cuttings, plant seeds, print leaves weave fibers and more; activities change by the season.

Learning Center Free for members. Free for non-members with paid Arboretum admission.

Includes supplies View PlantMaker Studio themes at www.arboretum.umn.edu/PlantMakerStudio.aspx