March 2014

The importance of creative play

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ild
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Learning
beyond
class
Divide and
conquer
parenting
too much
divide?
Raheem,
4, and
Ronak, 1, of
Woodbury
R
o
c
k
o
n

Pure fun at Camp Kesem iCamp
Big imagination on the small stage
Bakken brainstorm Spanish immersion
STARTING ON PAGE 31
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the
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Lutsen Mountains MNP 1113 FP with bleed.indd 1 10/24/13 10:42 AM MN Historical Society MNP 0314 FP with bleed.indd 1 2/17/14 9:11 AM
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the
CONTENTS
Minnesota Parent
March 2014
Departments
Out&About
On the cover
Raheem and Ronak, sons of Sameera
and Ravi Soni.
PHOTO BY MANDY DWYER, GLIMPSES OF SOUL
PHOTOGRAPHY GLIMPSESOFSOUL.COM
10 CHATTER
12 BABY ON BOARD
The general weirdness of
divide and conquer parenting.
14 TODDLER TIME
Sometimes you just have to let
your child paint in the bathtub.
16 ASK THE PEDIATRICIAN
How to select a new pediatrician.
18 IN THE KITCHEN
So its not really spring, but you
can start cooking like it is.
20 TWEENS & TEENS
Using out-of-school time
for learning.
22 HOT STUFF
Great products for the great
outdoors.
24 GROWS ON TREES
Make tax time a little less painful.
26 BOOK SHELF
Stories for Our Fragile Planet and
other books about nature.
28 RELATIONSHIPS
How to focus on whats working
in your relationship.
82 REAL LIFE
Chemical crusader Sara McLoone.
Page 63
ALL ABOUT PURE FUN
At Camp Kesem, a normal
camp experience is the goal.
By Cali Owings
31
SMALL STAGE, BIG
CREATIVITY
An experience in building
miniature theater productions.
By Zoe Gahan
41
BRAINSTORMING
AT THE BAKKEN
Science camps help kids
brainstorm inventions.
By Emily Mongan
49
A CONSERVATION ETHIC
Deep Portage ofers camps for
young explorers, hunters and
wilderness enthusiasts.
By Cali Owings
60
APPLE CAMP
Apple Camps give kids the
tools to bring their visions to
life.
By Emily Mongan
37
IS YOUR CHILD READY
FOR SLEEPAWAY CAMP?
Factors to consider.
By Julie Kendrick
44
CULTURAL CONTEXT
Camp at Joyce Preschool
ofers life skills, cultural
lessons.
By Zoe Gahan
54
CAMP
RESOURCES
Page 71
6 March 2014
9
8
I
t was like we had our daughter back.
When I read those words while editing this issue, I
think I had my rst glimpse of what summer camp is
really all about.
Camp is a big deal at Minnesota Parent because its a big
deal to our readers. But unfortunately I never actually went to
camp myself.
Working here for seven years has meant Ive worked on a lot of
camp content, so I thought I had a pretty good understanding of
the camp thing. Until I read the story with the daughter who was
truly back when she returned from camp.
The girl is nine-year-old Autumn, and she attended Camp
Kesem, which is featured in this issue beginning on page 31.
And Camp Kesem is a camp for kids with a parent who has battled
cancer. And its a pretty great example of the power of camp.
Theres a quote from the camp co-director a little further along
in the story: We want to make sure that camp is one week of
pure fun.
Maybe that quote isnt as dramatic as the rst one. Or maybe it
is. The idea that a group of kids facing such a challenge could get
together with the goal of pure fun is pretty powerful.
Camp Kesem isnt about therapy, nor is it about providing an
escape. Camp Kesem is about the same thing that all camps are
about: A group of kids with something in common be it an
interest, a talent, a challenge or whatever put together to have
some fun.
Throw in a little shared anxiety, newfound independence, and
some new responsibilities and a funny thing happens. Kids gain
condence. Here Ill give you a third quote from the feature.
If it werent for Camp Kesem I would probably still be like a
turtle hiding in its shell.
That one, from Autumn herself, sums it all up.
I never went to camp myself, but now I do think Im starting to
understand what its really about.
What camp is
really all about
From the editor
Co-Publishers
Janis Hall
jhall@mnpubs.com
Terry Gahan
tgahan@mnpubs.com
General Manager
Chris Damlo
612-436-4376 cdamlo@mnpubs.com
Contributing Writers/Photographers
Shannon Keough
Jen Wittes
Peter Dehnel
Joy Riggs
Kara McGuire
Sean Toren
Cali Owings
Emily Mongan
Zoe Gahan
Julie Kendrick
Creative Director
Dana Croatt
dcroatt@mnpubs.com
Senior Graphic Designer
Valerie Moe
Graphic Designer
Amanda Wadeson
Sales Administrator
Kate Manson
612-436-5085 kmanson@mnpubs.com
Circulation
Marlo Johnson
612-436-4388 distribution@mnpubs.com
Advertising
612-825-9205 sales@mnpubs.com
Printing
Brown Printing
60,000 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 Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55403.
Minnesota Parent is copyright 2014 by Minnesota Premier
Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole
or part without written permission is prohibited.
Address all material to address above.
Vol. 29 Issue 3
Dana Croatt, Interim Editor
March 2014 9 8 March 2014
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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
Call 612-625-9753 or email mompro@umn.edu to see if you qualify
for this research study
Are you currently pregnant or had a baby
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11
10
Thin Mints and Tagalongs and Samoas, oh my! March is your
last chance to get Girl Scout cookies! Girls Scouts in Minnesota
and Wisconsin will be selling their tasty treats until Sunday,
March 23. Use their convenient cookie locator at girlscoutsrv.org
to nd cookies nearest you. The program is about much more
than just cookies and helps teach girls business skills, nancial
competence, goal setting, and people skills. Prots raised
through the Cookie Program help to fund troop activities and
community service projects. Find out more, and learn how your
daughter could become a Girl Scout, at girlscoutsrv.org.
Allergies or medical conditions can create a unique challenge for children on the go
or heading of to summer camps. To that end, Hope Paige had created a set of medical
ID bracelets that are discreet enough in everyday wear so as not to draw attention,
but will instantly provide necessary information to any camp counselor or medical
professional if the need arises. They are customizable and available in a wide variety of
colors. Check them out at hopepaige.com.
Good food habits, early on: The
Minnesota born LANA Nutrition
Program helps introduce young children
to healthy foods at their childcare
or preschool, providing hands-on
experiences to cook and taste a variety
of fruits and vegetables. Many children
who participate in the program have
been shown to increase the amounts
of these foods they eat in and out of
school. The program, which stands
for Learning About Nutrition through
Activities, is the outgrowth of a
successful 24-week program designed
by the Minnesota Department of
Health and the University of Minnesota.
And speaking of eating well, March
is recognized as National Nutrition
Month by the Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics, so it may be a perfect
time to open the door to conversations
about healthy eating with your young
ones. Learn more and see a video of the
program in action at lananutrition.com.
MINNESOTA PARENT LIKES
MINNESOTA PARENT SAFETY
Dont let packing for an overnight summer camp
become a source of stress. Check with the camp to see
what kind of storage space will be available, and have
your child pack early to avoid problems. It might be
tempting to over-pack just to cover your bases, but an
over-full suitcase can lead to frustration for a kid or
counselor as they dig to nd the right items when they
need them. Check the list created by The American
Camp Association for a starting point of necessary
items at campparents.org/travellight. And remember to
break in any new shoes or sandals before camp to avoid
blisters that can interrupt camp fun. Be sure to check out
Hot Stuf on page 22 for some snazzy outdoor items.
Camp season is fast approaching! Get a jump on your summer planning and enjoy a
day at Como Zoo in St. Paul with the help of Minnesota Parents Camp Fair. You and
your child can meet representatives from over 50 diferent camps and summer activity
coordinators to nd the best t for everyone. Meet a Como Zoo animal up-close, get
your face painted and enjoy live entertainment and music. The Fair will be held March
8th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visit mnparent.com/camp-fair for more information.
See you there!
A recall has been issued that covers
11 models of Graco child carseats sold
between 2009 and 2013. The buckles of
the seat often needed excessive force to
be unlatched, occasionally to the point
of needing to be cut to free children. To
see afected models visit mprnews.org/
story/2014/02/11/graco-recalls-car-seats
If you have a budding artist on your
hands, get this: The Guthrie Theater has
announced a Shakespeare art contest
for children grades 412 in association
with The Acting Companys production
of Hamlet. The winners artwork will
be reprinted as the cover image of the
Shakespeare Classic program an event
designed to introduce Shakespeare to a
younger audience and their school will
receive 50 free tickets to see the play.
The deadline for submissions is April
4th. More details at guthrietheater.org/
artcontest.
10 March 2014
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12
more. Since she suddenly refused to sleep
alone in her crib, Nick shacked up with her
in another room, staying awake all night
long while Lydia coughed and moaned
beside him. Meanwhile, the relentless,
24-hour newborn schedule started to
seriously take its toll on me. And then, of
course, we all came down with Lydias illness
in the days that followed.
Many parents of two have described the
aforementioned divide and conquer
coping strategy for handling two kids, and it
made logical sense to me. I was expecting to
fall into that dynamic, at least at the
beginning.
What I wasnt expecting was how weird
this would seem in practice. Its like weve
split off into two new couples, said Nick,
and scarily, he was right. Instead of Nick and
Shannon, it was now Nick and Lydia and
Shannon and Felix. One day I heard Nick
saying something to Lydia about mama and
Felixs room. I was reminded of a quote
from the movie Before Sunset: I feel like Im
running a small nursery with someone I
used to date.
That said, Im writing this while only a
month into our new family situation, so
were bound to get a babysitter and go out
for dinner one of these days. And I have
faith that Felix will eventually learn to sleep
and move into his very own room, just like
his sister before him. The newborn phase is
a dire, but temporary, condition.
Meanwhile, Ive generally found that the
transition from one to two kids isnt quite as
rough for me as the switch from none to
one. Like my friend Jen said, With the rst
one, theres this existential crisis who am
I now? Whats happened to my old life?
Whereas with the arrival of a second, its all
about the logistics can we wedge another
car seat into our 20-year-old Honda? How
will I mix this mac and cheese while
simultaneously bouncing a screaming baby?
Is there time to watch another episode of
Boardwalk Empire before the baby wakes up
howling?
Shannon Keough lives in south
Minneapolis with her husband, Nick, and
daughter, Lydia. She can be reached at
editor@ mnparent.com.
Shannon
Keough
And then there were two
T
he idea of having two kids (or more) has always scared me a
little. Im an only child, so the prospect of having just one baby
has never seemed lonely or selsh to me things Ive
heard applied to the only child situation just normal.
And since I have no personal experience with sibling dynamics, I was
concerned about how that might impact my ability to parent two kids.
My husband often credits my inability to understand playful ghting or
competitive banter to my only-child status. If I were to witness my two
theoretical children in some standard-issue sibling argument, would I
just stare at them in confusion, unable to comprehend it and respond
appropriately?
But then I became pregnant with a second child and I thought, Well,
why not? Our daughter Lydia was almost a year and a half old when we
found out, so the newborn days were well behind us. Lydia was sleeping
well, generally jolly of temperament and had seemed like an actual little
person (instead of a perplexing baby) for quite some time. Although in
some ways it seemed too soon, and I could denitely remember the
trials of the newborn period, I gured I could handle another child.
My rst surprise came with the onset of the rst trimester. Although
my rst pregnancy was relatively easy, the second one was much more
difcult. (See my November column, What to expect when youre
expectingagain, for more about that.) Add to that the fact of having to
care for my active toddler, and I basically felt done-in before the
contractions even started.
Of course, the real surprises surfaced when we brought little baby
Felix back from the hospital. At rst, things at home seemed relatively
calm. Lydia had been in a months-long daddy phase, so my
husband Nick was able to seamlessly take on most of the toddler care
with little drama. I, on the other hand, took on baby duty, dutifully
getting up with Felix every three hours or so to address his hunger,
diapers and so on. This went on with little incident for a day or two.
Then Lydia became signicantly ill for the rst time in her
young life. Throwing up, a fever, coughing, and so much
Instead of Nick and Shannon,
it was now Nick and Lydia
and Shannon and Felix.
12 March 2014
15
14
Rock on wild child!
TODDLER TIP
Ive always thought that parents and
teachers are like the architects, setting up
structure, materials, and opportunity for
open-ended play. After these opportunities
are created, its time to get out of the way,
says Breen.
She also encourages a yes mentality
and an acceptance of some level of mess.
This means allowing for materials to be
used in a way you wouldnt have predicted
rather than immediately saying no.
Again, this is within the structure
initially created and does not require
Mom or Dad to swallow frustration as
they embrace a little Jackson Pollack on
the duvet cover in the name of free expres-
sion. The structuring is merely trying
something slightly closer to the parental
comfort level while still honoring a little
come what may, rock on wild child that
accompanies our sweet toddlers.
For example, I have occasionally set up
a bathroom studio in which I put a
variety of brushes and washable paints in
the bathtub. The guidelines are: paint
what you want, how you want, but only
on the tub and tile. The beyond paper
scenario allows for creative rebellion
while falling a few steps short of painting
on the walls. And by the way, if youre cool
with paint on the walls go for it!
Of course, not all art requires mess. Not
in the mood for clay? Put on some music
and pull out the rhythm instruments.
(These can look an awful lot like pots and
pans!) Find things around the house and
use them in your living room band. Dont
be alarmed if your toddler decides to name
the band Cookie Drum. Just go with it.
There are so many wonderful ways to
spark the imagination of your toddler.
Beyond the desired developmental
progress, you reap the benet of together-
ness, fun, a little mess, and occasionally a
nished project for the fridge.
Ah, a nger paint masterpiece on the
fridge. Yes, Toddler Parent, that means
youve arrived.
Jen Wittes is the mother of two young
children. Questions? She can be reached
at editor@mnparent.com.
T
here is a sweet duality in the developing
toddler brain boundless imagination
alongside a tendency to be extremely
literal.
We ask them not to actually eat the dusty, colorful
fallen leaves on the ground and later make a garden
salad. Or we watch as they stare perplexed at
the dark sky, after the announcement that its raining
cats and dogs.
On the ip side play a game of cloud-watching
with a toddler and be blown away by what they come
up with.
That cloud looks like a duck, you say.
Your two year old replies, I think it looks like a
turtle with an ice cream cone. Helping Grandpa mow
the lawn. With Elmo.
Her budding minds creativity is incredible, and is
in a sense sprouted from the same seed that makes a
toddler paradoxically literal belief in the impos-
sible, everything new, glitter as pixy dust, and a chat
with the man in the moon. She doesnt quite under-
stand the world yet and the possibilities are limitless.
The time is ripe for exploration and creativity.
I recently chatted with Molly Breen, a St. Paul
native who taught music and dance to young children
for years before becoming the director of Saint
Anthony Park United Methodist Church Community
Nursery School. She also leads a choir of get this
children aged newborn to three. In her spare time?
Shes working toward a Masters in Education,
specializing in the early childhood years. As a mother
herself, small, creative, ever-changing minds are kind
of her thing. She enthusiastically talked with me
about the importance of art, creative freedom, and
imaginative play in a toddlers development.
Current research shows evidence that the
Toddler Time
development of creativity and intelligence go hand in
hand Breen says. Creative play makes kids smarter,
thats the bottom line. Actually, play makes everyone
smarter!
This is good news for parents playing with your
toddler is one of the ner perks of the job!
But how do we guide exploration without
squelching the very nature of creativity with our rules
and pre-conceived notions? How do we encourage
freedom of expression with little people who are
limited in their abilities and possess an independence
level that is constantly in ux? And what if were not
crafty? Is there any hope for the not-so-creative parent
trying to help their child explore their artsy side?
Worry not. You dont need to know how to make a
craft-show worthy reindeer out of a bag of pipe
cleaners and a stick of glue, nor do you ever in your
life have to use the word decoupage.
Jen
Wittes
Embrace
and
Explore
Go crazy with our.
Ask your child to
describe the stars
and record her
observations.
Let a toe be a
paint brush.
Share your favorite
song.
Build a fort and
call it a castle.
Ask What if?
Dance!
Take a walk and
guess the names
of passing dogs.
Let the child tell
the bedtime story.
Delight in your
own rediscovery
of crayons.
The importance of creative play
March 2014 15 14 March 2014
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home already, a new baby will require an
adjustment by everyone. An important
principle is to reinforce that there is an
abundance of love, care and concern for
everyone and that this new arrival is a
very positive addition to everyones life.
We are soon going on a family vacation
to a warm climate soon. What items
should we bring?
Family vacations can be a great experience.
A warm weather vacation after a very cold
Minnesota winter will be welcome by your
kids as much as you. Much of what you
need to know and bring would also apply to
a family going on vacation up north in
mid-July. You denitely need to pack the sun
screen (SPF 50 or higher for most kids) and
insect repellent if you will likely be exposed
to mosquitoes or other biting insects.
Sunglasses and hats will help many kids and
adults alike, with the intensity of southern
sunlight. Rugged sandals are often over-
looked, but work well for beaches, climbing
and walking. Lots of hydration is important
even before they start to feel thirsty because
they will have a lot of insensible water losses
that they are not used to having under ve
layers of winter clothing. Also, dont forget
long sleeves during the day to shield you
from the suns rays or at night to keep you
warm as the temperature dips.
As always, safety is key to a successful
family vacation. Safety in an automobile is
as important while traveling as it is here.
Water safety may present new challenges if
your kids are just at the age of really wanting
to be in the pool or ocean several hours
of the day. NEVER leave a child alone in any
water, for any reason. Finally, practicing
overload safety, not trying to pack too
much into each day, will lead to a better
family experience for everyone.
This column is intended to provide
general information and guidance only
and not specic medical advice. If you
have specic questions about your
child, please consult your health care
professional. Dr. Peter Dehnel is a board
certied pediatrician and medical director
with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Have a question for Dr. Dehnel? Email
editor@ mnparent.com.
Many parents are often faced with
choosing a new pediatrician for their
children, whether due to a move to a new
area or a change in clinics with new
insurance coverage. Depending on your
personal preference, wants, comfort level
and style, you are highly likely to nd
someone that you and your children
are comfortable seeing on a regular basis.
One of the rst considerations for many
families is to determine which physicians
and clinics are covered by your insurance
policy. It may be easiest to select a
pediatrician that is considered in
network for your health plan, as this is
often the most cost efcient. You will want
to check your insurance coverage for
specics about your in-network and
out-of-network providers.
Another item to contemplate in
selecting a pediatrician is size of the clinic,
and if it is a stand alone facility or a part
of a larger clinic system. This matters for
things such as after hours (evenings,
weekends and holidays) availability,
alternative care options, etc. Ease of
setting appointments and ease of getting
through on the telephone to talk live with
a nurse or doctor is another important
factor to consider when you think about
clinic size. Also, nd out the likelihood of
seeing your chosen pediatrician for well
visits and/or sick visits and how the clinic
addresses those issues.
Finally, and, perhaps the most impor-
tant in terms of care for your child(ren), is
determining if a particular pediatrician is
within a practice. Some additional
considerations include if she or he has a
particular area of interest within pediat-
rics (sports medicine, attention decit/
hyperactivity disorder, allergies, asthma,
etc.). Board certication in pediatrics is
generally a highly positive credential to

We are new in town
and wondering how to
best select a pediatrician.
Peter
Dehnel, MD
hold. Some families will prefer a female
pediatrician and some will prefer a male
pediatrician, although this generally
becomes more of a concern as kids reach
their pre-teen years and often prefer a
same-sex pediatrician. Many clinics
provide websites with physician history,
which can also be helpful as you select a
pediatrician.
We are expecting a new baby in three
months. How do we get our toddler
ready for the arrival of her baby
brother or sister?
In spite of the great joy that it brings to
parents and grandparents, the birth of a
new brother or sister can be very disrup-
tive to the future older sibling, especially
if the older sibling is a rst-born. Even
under the best and most skillful of
circumstances, it will likely take at least
two or three months for your older child
to get used to the idea of another child
being in their territory and adjust to the
fact that a new person is getting way too
much attention from their perspective.
Starting to prepare your child months
ahead of time is a good idea. Trying to
impart some notion of ownership by the
older brother or sister can be very helpful,
as well. For example, the phrase your baby
brother/sister can go a long way to help
them gain acceptance. Having the older
sibling participate in caring for their new
sibling in age-appropriate jobs can also
help ease the transition. Having a grand-
parent, aunt or uncle around to give lots of
extra attention to the older sibling has been
key for an easier transition in some
families. Finally, lots of reassurance from
mom and dad that there is plenty of love to
go around is a good principle to have.
Regardless of the age of the children in
your home, there can be unexpected
surprises at any age. A six-year-old who
previously was an only child can be
much more challenging than a two-year-
old. Adoptive children will add another
dimension of transition if the adoptive
child is a little older than the sibling and
is ahead of them in milestones, too.
Even if there are three children in your
16 March 2014
19
18
RECIPES
Think spring!
Preheat oven to 450.
Grease a large baking sheet.
Mix the rst 4 ingredients in a bowl.
Make an assembly line with bowls of whisked egg, our, and
the panko mixture. Dip the asparagus rst into the our, then
the egg and then into the panko mixture, coating evenly and
repeating with all the sticks.
Place all of the coated sticks on the baking sheet. Arrange
so theyre not touching, spray lightly with oil and bake for 30-
35 minutes or until the bread crumbs are golden brown.
Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.
Preheat oven to 450.
Cook and crumble bacon.
Place crust on an ungreased pizza pan, pizza stone or
baking sheet. Brush top with 4 teaspoons oil.
Top crust with shredded cheese, asparagus, and bacon.
Drop spreadable cheese by teaspoonfuls over pizza.
Sprinkle with pepper akes. Drizzle with remaining oil.
Bake 12-15 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.
Preheat oven to 350.
Grease a 1.5-quart baking dish.
Steam asparagus until just tender, 5 to 8
minutes.
Saute mushrooms and chopped onion in
olive oil until the mushrooms have given
of their liquid, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the
asparagus, tossing vegetables just until
hot. Remove from heat.
Crush saltine cracker crumbs and mix with
cheddar and black pepper. Spread half the
mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
Spoon the asparagus mixture over the
crumb mixture.
Whisk the cream of mushroom soup
and milk until smooth, and pour over the
asparagus mixture.
Spread the remaining crumb-cheese
mixture over the casserole and sprinkle
with pecans.
Bake in the preheated oven until the
casserole is bubbling, about 30 minutes.
1 cup panko
1 Tbsp Italian herbs
tsp salt
tsp garlic powder
2 large eggs
cup our
1 bunch asparagus,
trimmed
Marinara sauce
1 prebaked 12-inch pizza crust
6 tsp olive oil, divided
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups asparagus
8 bacon strips
cup garlic-herb spreadable cheese
tsp crushed red pepper akes
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into
1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh
mushrooms
onion
1 (4 ounce) packet saltine crackers
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of
mushroom soup
cup milk
cup coarsely chopped pecans
Italian asparagus sticks
Asparagus and bacon pizza
Asparagus and
mushroom hotdish
Asparagus is the vegetable that most says
spring. Get yourself in the spirit of the season
with these recipes or save them until local
asparagus is available.
March 2014 19 18 March 2014
Childrens Music Classes
Also oering private lessons, Suzuki
and traditional for all ages &levels;
All instruments &voice
Ages 0-7
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21
20
Joy
Riggs
M
y kids generally enjoy school,
but there are times
Monday mornings, for
instance when they
complain that school takes up too much of
their lives. I can understand the sentiment,
even though I dont believe its true. If you
account for holidays, breaks and weekends,
the total number of hours they spend in a
classroom is much smaller per year than
the hours they spend exploring and
experiencing the world outside of school.
Finding positive ways to use that
out-of-school time isnt a problem for them
because they have multiple and varied
interests, and they live in a family that has
the ability to support their participation in
summer and afterschool activities. But
thats not the case for many tweens and
teens in Minnesota.
According to Youthprise, a Minneapolis-
based organization that works to increase
and improve opportunities for learning
beyond the classroom, 32 percent of
Minnesota students in grades K-12 are
responsible for taking care of themselves
after school, and only 12 percent participate
in afterschool programs. Youthprise
estimates that more than half of Minnesota
parents struggle to nd things for their
children to do when theyre not in school.
How kids spend that out-of-school time is
important for both their social and academic
development. Research shows that youth
who participate in quality out-of-school
programs acquire important life, social and
communications skills, do better in school,
and are healthier and happier. Thats why
Im glad to see that a growing number of
schools, communities and organizations like
Youthprise are working together to improve
out-of-school-time activities for kids and
make them more available to everyone.
Leading the effort in St. Paul is Sprockets,
a citywide network of more than 170
afterschool and summer programs.
Sprockets was launched in 2011 by Mayor
Chris Coleman, Superintendent Valeria
Silva, and the Second Shift Commission
community advisory group. It provides
training, professional development,
coaching and data sharing for 50 organiza-
tions that serve more than 7,000 youth
throughout the city.
The Sprockets network is a network of
support. The organizations feel that they are
a cohesive entity, even if they are located in
different parts of town, because of the
shared language about how to provide
quality programming, says Sprockets
Director Eyenga Bokamba.
The programs cover a wide variety of
interests, from ne arts to sports to civic
engagement. What they have in common is
that all the program providers agree to
undergo assessments of what they do well
and where they could improve in four
general areas: welcoming staff, spark (youth
having fun), belonging, and safety.
Parents can think of it as a stamp of
approval that they are undergoing these
trainings and looking at ways to improve,
Bokamba says. They are happy to have
interactions and answer questions that, to
me, is an indicator of a dynamic system, and
thats exciting.
Learning beyond
the classroom
Sprockets St. Paul
sprocketssaintpaul.org
Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board
ycb.org
Youthprise
youthprise.org
RESOURCES
Teens&Tweens
How to identify a quality afterschool or summer program
Follow these tips from Sprockets (for more information, go to sprocketsstpaul.org)
A welcoming staf. Look for upbeat staf members who
encourage young people to learn new skills by helping
the youth take on tasks that build self-condence. Ask:
What are the stafs qualications? How far in advance
are activities planned?
Spark. Look for young people having fun. Participants
should be energized, focused, eager and on task. Ask:
Are the activities hands-on? Do the youth help choose or
plan the activities?

Belonging. Look for welcoming sociable interactions
among all the participants. Smiles, eye contact and
friendly conversation are good indicators of positive peer
relationships. Ask: How are conicts addressed? How is
communication maintained between participants, parents
or guardians and staf?
Safety. Look for a clean space with drinking fountains
and bathrooms nearby, safety equipment like re
extinguishers and a rst aid kit readily available, and
enough room to safely conduct the activities. Ask: Is
there an emergency plan? Are background checks
conducted on all staf and others who have access to the
space? Are staf CPR certied?
MORE INFO
The programs serve kids from pre-
kindergarten age through high school.
Bokamba says about 42 percent of
participants are ages 1014, and about 14
percent are ages 1517.
Parents can go to the program nder on
the Sprockets website and plug in details
like the type of program theyre looking for,
the time of day, the area of town they live in,
and the age of their child, and it will show
them a list of different programs that t
those criteria. They can also nd out
whether theres a fee, if scholarships are
available, and if the program has bilingual
staff members.
Bokamba says the organizations work
collaboratively and communicate with each
other regularly. If it turns out that a
particular program isnt the right t for a
youth, he or she will be referred to another
program.
Their feeling is, were going to do the
homework to nd the right t because
ultimately thats what were about, she says.
Skills the youth learn through these
out-of-school programs like how to
navigate disagreements, how to articulate
an opinion, and how to show leadership
are skills that will serve them well in
their adult lives.
Bokamba says its exciting to be part of an
organization that is helping the city
reevaluate how it invests in youth, and what
opportunities it provides for them to become
involved, engaged citizens.
Its nothing but positive the
potential it has to reshape the entire way
that we interact, and what we expect
from young people in terms of their
participation, she said.
Joy Riggs is the mother of one
tween and two teens. Questions?
Contact her at editor@mnparent.com.
Eyenga
Bokamba
March 2014 21 20 March 2014
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OUTDOOR FUN
SwimZip
Long sleeves may seem counter-intuitive, but the intense UV-blocking power of this
fabric means less hassle with slimy sunscreen. These zip-up suits, many of which have
long sleeves, make it easy to run quick to the bathroom and to remove a wet suit when
swim time is over. Additionally, the zipper is covered in the back so it wont irritate
sensitive skin, and the absence of tags and thick seams means the fabric is soft and itch-
free and chlorine-resistant to prevent thinning and unnecessary wear.
swimzip.com $29.99
DuluthPack
Made right here in Minnesota, these
backpacks are known for their
durability you can tell by their
lifetime warranty and wont let a
little (or a lot) of dirt or water wear
them down. Let your little camper head
out in style with the rustic envelope
backpack perfect for shorter overnight
stays or day trips, or with a box-style
pack for older children or longer
outings. Available in a range of colors.
duluthpack.com $90
Frogglez Goggles
If youve ever had to struggle with
traditional swim goggles, only to have
them slide down your childs head,
pinch their ears or pull their hair, heres
a solution: An inventive dad created
these non-slip, easy to use childrens
googles that eliminate the frustration
and discomfort normally associated with
goggles. The unique shape of Frogglez
Goggles mean smaller hands can put
them on and take them of without much
assistance, and the soft wide straps stay
put throughout activities. And, as icing on
the cake, they oat! A great camp-ready
item for those upcoming summer months.
frogglezgoggles.com $24.95
Name Bubbles
Its always wise to mark your childs
belongings before they head to camp, but
this time use Name Bubbles and theres no
risk of it washing away or rubbing of, as
these are laundry and dishwasher-safe. Kids
can choose a customized style and pattern
that might make them more inclined to
accept the labels over Moms old-fashioned
marker. Beyond just name labels for all their
items, you can buy alert labels to warn of
an allergy or medical concern with easy-to-
read directions and phone number in case
of emergency.
namebubbles.com
$19.88 for a set
LED Mini Camping
Lanterns
A small lantern with serious power. The
narrow beam of a ashlight can restrict
activities in low-light camping situations,
but set one of these little guys up and
youre good to go with 360 degrees of light
over 15 feet. Small enough and lightweight
to send of to summer camp using just 4
AA batteries and equipped with a hook
perfect for hanging it from a bunk.
dorcydirect.com $9.99
LunchSkins
If your child is heading of to day camp
and bringing along a lunch, all those
sandwich baggies each day can add up.
Skip the plastic and get these reusable,
toxin-free lunch sacks, with varying
sizes for items from tiny snacks to fully-
loaded sandwiches and full lunch totes
with durable handles. Pop them in the
dishwasher at night and theyre ready
to go again tomorrow. A great range of
patterns keeps lunch-time exciting, and
who knows might just get the kids
excited about broccoli!
lunchskins.com $7.85 and up
March 2014 23 22 March 2014
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25
24
Kara
McGuire
on your taxes. Actually, you can do both, so
long as you dont double dip, or take
advantage of both programs with the same
dollars. Since childcare is so pricey, my
family has always used both to make the
bite less painful. Remember summer
camps and other activities that provide
childcare while you work qualify as
dependent care. Minnesota has its own
special tax breaks for education-related
camps. Some school supplies too.
Revenue.state.mn.us has the details.
Kids in college? For your college student,
there are several tax benets worth up to a
few thousand dollars. Unfortunately,
deciding which of the many programs you
qualify for is tougher than it should be. The
IRS tax assistant, housed in the Tax
Benets for Education section online, can
help make sense of the credit mess in a few
minutes. Any tax professional can also
guide you. The important thing here is that
you know they exist.
Think forward. Yes, tax planning is
important too.
Owe too much? Big refund on the way?
Then it might be time to readjust how much
tax is withheld from your paycheck. Before
T
ax time. If youre like many
Americans, you want to rush
through them, or outsource
them and be done. That is, until
next year.
But rushing through your taxes or failing
to plan can mean costly mistakes, added
hassle, or tax breaks left on the table.
For parents with kids at home or in
college, there are provisions in the tax
code just for you that can add up to
signicant savings.
Before you turn in those tax forms,
double check the following:
Is your name spelled right? Is your
address correct? Do you have accurate and
complete Social Security numbers for you
and your kids. These are common
mistakes. Im not kidding. Last fall, the IRS
was sitting on $153 million in undeliver-
able refunds because the agency couldnt
locate taxpayers.
Have you entered the 21st century?
E-ling your taxes and setting up direct
deposit for your refund is the fastest,
least-error-prone way to get your taxes off
your plate and your money in your hands.
Free e-ling is available for some taxpayers.
Free llable forms are available for
everyone. Learn more at freele.irs.gov.
Even if you pay for online tax prep, its not
expensive. I use TaxAct and am charged less
than $25 to prepare and le both Federal
and state returns. Better than slaving away
with paper forms and a calculator.
Any big life events? Signicant life
changes getting married, moving,
sending a child to college alter tax
circumstances. Kiplingers.com has a good
series on tax planning by life event.
Following are some of the key kid-related
tax benets.
New addition to the family? Each child
under 17 qualies for the $1,000 child tax
credit. That phases out at higher tax
brackets, but is a welcome benet for
families who earn less. Parents who adopt
qualify for an adoption credit of nearly
$13,000 per child. It also has a phase-out
for higher incomes. Check out Tax Topic
607 for the skinny.
Kids in daycare? If you require daycare,
there is a little help. You can contribute to
a pre-tax exible spending dependent care
account or take the dependent care credit
getting down to the nitty gritty tax calcula-
tion, though, think about your refund
personality. While receiving a big refund
technically means youve given Uncle Sam
an interest free loan, some people swear by
refund-as-forced-savings. And in this
next-to-no interest rate environment, youre
not really losing much by way of forgone
earnings. However, if youre disciplined,
changing your withholding so you receive
bigger paychecks gives you ultimate
nancial exibility.
Have you made donations? Think back to
all of the charitable donations youve made
or the Goodwill runs youve taken for some
additional tax savings. This will only work if
you itemize your taxes. And you have to be
somewhat organized because receipts are
required. If tax year 2013 is a lost cause, get
it together in 2014 with use of Turbo Taxs
free Its Deductible tool, available online
or as an app.
Dont forget about the future. As your
income grows, youll be looking for all sorts
of ways to reduce your tax burden. One of
the smartest is to take advantage of pre-tax
workplace retirement plans. Its a double
benet because you are saving for your
future plus your taxable income falls today.
Better yet, many employers offer matching
funds, free money you dont want to leave
on the table.
Prior to April 15, you also have the
option to fully fund IRAs for the previous
tax year. Its a funky rule, but dont
question it. Rather, take advantage of the
extra time you have to open or fund an IRA
or Roth IRA account. Roth IRAs wont give
you a tax break today, but you will be able
to take the money out tax-free at retire-
ment. Plus there are ways to tap the
principal now without penalty, making it
so versatile that I think of it as the little
black dress of personal nance.
Kara McGuire is a personal nance
expert and St. Paul mom of three. Send
comments, questions and story ideas to
kara@karamcguire.com.
How to make
tax time
less taxing
24 March 2014
You can get there. We can help.
Visit www.MN529today.com
or call 1-877-338-4646
MN College Savings Plan MNP 0913 2-3page with bleed.indd 1 8/5/13 12:04 PM
27
26
NATURE &
OUR PLANET
Natures Patchwork Quilt
Build a web of knowledge of important habitats and
ecosystems, from the desert to rainforest and everywhere
in between. The pages are lled with mosaics of rich
watercolor paintings, prompting the recognition of the
interdependence of all creatures in their own habitats.
With mentions of topics such as the food chain,
biodiversity, and environmentalism, the book
introduces children to complex concepts in a
manageable way.
By Mary Mich
Illustrated by Consie Powell
$8.95
Stories for a Fragile Planet
Diverse, expansive and thoughtful, this book
of traditional stories from around the globe
is richly illustrated and tenderly poignant.
Ten stories weave a narrative that highlights
the importance of our stewardship of the
earth, and a history of ideas that can teach
young readers to look with kindness
toward all humans and creatures on
our planet.
By Kenneth Steven
Illustrated by Jane Ray
$10.99
Geography: A Visual
Encyclopedia
The shear volume of information
between these covers is astonishing.
Keep an inquisitive young mind
buzzing with this volume detailing
Earths physical processes, its cultures
and continents, and our own human
impact on the planet. Children can
explore the comprehensive sections
Planet Earth, Rocks & Minerals, Life
On Earth, Climate & Weather, and
a Country Factle to name a few
which are rich with photos, maps, and
diagrams to illustrate concepts.
$29.99
My Nature Book: A Journal
and Activity Book for Kids
A fully hands-on, inspiring journal for
children to ll with their own unique
experiences. With activity pages, blank
pages for drawing or writing, and activity
suggestions, My Nature Book is a tool to
build a life-long fascination with nature and
the world around us. Prompts encourage
in-depth exploration and consideration
beyond merely observation, and facts and
quotes reward curious minds.
By Linda Kranz
$12.95
It Cant Be True!
This book of incredible visual comparisons will
prompt wide eyes and fascination, as readers see the
true scale and diversity of the world around them in
tangible and relevant illustrations. See 1,320
Earths piled inside Jupiter, learn how far
certain birds can y, discover the age
of the oldest tree and nd out how
many Empire State Buildings it takes
to reach the bottom of the ocean.
The comparisons made here give
kids the tools to help comprehend our
fascinating and extreme planet.
$19.99
The Book of Minnesota Skills
A guide to living fully and taking
advantage of the beautiful natural
resources in our great state. Whether its
down-right outdated or actually practical,
this lighthearted book explores the true
skills and know-how of living in our great
state, from growing your own wheat
(did we mention out-dated?) to exiting
a chairlift gracefully, (now thats one we
could use!). While some of the skills may
be beyond the average persons expertise,
its the rich history lessons from local
experts that make this book worthwhile
for any Minnesotan.
By Chris Niskanen
$19.95
26 March 2014
MELSA MNP 0314 2-3page with bleed.indd 1 2/13/14 9:57 AM
29
28
was good.
In any case, I learned my lesson, and
when my present partner (and wife) Edna
came cruising by I made sure we drove
slowly even though we didnt have all our
shared relationship cylinders ring
equally. I decided that the cylinders that
were ring should get an awful lot of
attention. I tell her when shes looking
good, and when her food is delicious, and
how much I appreciate her smart,
well-considered opinions and what a
loving mother she is to our son.
To make sure your own shared cylin-
ders are ring right and to give and get
the best of each other, ask yourself
these questions:
Are your past relationships coloring your
present one?
Do you begrudge your partner some
parts of you that they deserve? Is there
something that youre withholding?
If there are some cylinders in your
relationship that arent ring right, decide
if you should ght for them or let them
go. Sometimes, if youre getting enough
torque off those cylinders that are there,
the other cylinders (like remembering
birthdays or putting gas in the car) arent
so important anymore.
Finally, ask yourself if you are getting the
best of your partner. Are they holding back?
Can you draw them out? Thats what I had
to do with Edna, when I demanded that she
give me more attention through the mild
lashing of last years post-Valentines Day
column. Since then, shes shared more of
her love and care for me even urging me
to get that pesky prostate exam.
Come to think of it, though, she did
grin rather impishly when I thanked her
for pushing me to make the appointment,
and then mumbled just making sure you
really are getting the best of my love, as
she mimed the snapping of a examination
glove. Hmm.
Sean Toren loves living the full catastrophe
in Minneapolis with his wife and son. He
can be contacted at editor@mnparent.com
with thoughts or suggestions.
The best of my love
V
alentines Day has come and gone. Did my
partner Edna forget it again, as chroni-
cled in last years column? You might be
surprised to read that it didnt matter to
me. Reason One is because I really got her attention
last year.
Reason Two is that Im also seeing the bigger
picture as evidenced by an upcoming prostate
exam (which, for some reason, has become very
important for Edna, whos been showing more
concern for my well being). I was on hold the other
day, waiting to make the appointment and listening to
the canned 70s music when I realized I was
tapping my toes to the Best of My Love.
Was it The Eagles version, you may wonder, with
its lost-love lament? Or maybe Olivia Newton-Johns
sugar pop? Neither. It was The Emotions joyous,
booty-shakin R&B romp with the heavily-repeated
chorus: Whoa, whoa, you got the best of my love!
Sean
Toren
Hearing the chorus over and over got me to
thinking. Ive had a few relationships that fell on
The Eagles side of the fence, and a few on The
Emotions side, and it has something to do with
cylinders such as in a big, fat 12-cylinder engine.
I used to think that I had to share all 12 relation-
ship cylinders with my partner romance,
intelligence, sexiness, good parenting, nancial
security, knowing where the keys are, ne cooking,
caring, communication, kindness, friendship and
desire to have (or not have) kids.
I had a few relationships where the cylinders
werent all ring and I had good reasons for not
giving the best of my love, like the fellow climber
who was in love with a married man while she dated
me. And the Peace Corps volunteer who was just
about to leave for 10 months.
This was much less the case with a fellow writer I
met in grad school, the smart, beautiful Kitty, who
also had a venomous sense of humor and a tongue
wicked enough to wield it. I lured her back to
Minnesota where she got a curator job at one of our
big art museums.
We started out revving at pretty high-RPMs, and I
gave her more of the best of me than Id given the
others, but she also had me at my worst. Id had a
mountain bike injury and ruptured some disks in my
neck, then blew out my rock-climbing elbows so badly
I couldnt climb. I was in pain and grumpy all the time
and needed someone to care for me more. Plus I
was myopically nishing a novel and couldnt broaden
my focus to include her interests which frustrated
Kitty, who wanted to be all-in together.
Maybe we just needed to accept that, although we
were ring on most cylinders, we werent ring on a
few that really mattered. I found it hard to tell her
how awesome she was when she had so much going
for her. I begrudged her this and ultimately
deprived myself of greater happiness with her. Or,
heck, maybe we both just got out while the gettin
Sometimes, if youre
getting enough torque
of those cylinders that
are there, the other
cylinders arent
so important
anymore.
March 2014 29 28 March 2014 Special Olympics MNP 0314 S3.indd 1 2/12/14 4:49 PM
31 30
the
camp
isue
2014
W
hen Jay and Penny Olson dropped their nine-year-
old daughter Autumn off at Camp Kesem two
summers ago, she was withdrawn not her usual
bright and bubbly self.
Autumn shut down when her mom was diagnosed with cancer
earlier that year.
It was like we had lost our little girl, Jay Olson said.
When they picked her up a week later, things were different.
She gave us a great big hug. It was like we had our daughter
back, he said.
Camp Kesem is a free University of Minnesota student-run
summer camp for kids and teens whose parents have or have had
cancer.
If it werent for Camp Kesem I would probably still be like a
turtle hiding in its shell, said Autumn, now 11 and preparing for
her third summer at the camp.
Youre not only worrying about your parents and their cancer,
youre worrying like every kid does how am I going to make
friends? How is this going to work? she said.
Now in its third year, Camp Kesem is poised to help even more
children like Autumn whose lives have been affected by their
parents battles with the disease.
The Kesem experience
Camp Kesem Minnesota started in 2012 when a group of
University of Minnesota students raised nearly $30,000 to
A TYPICAL
SUMMER
CAMP
By Cali Owings
At Camp Kesem, a normal
camp experience is the goal
Campers and counselors having fun at Camp Kesem.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
March 2014 31
E ARLY CHI LDHOOD FAMI LY EDUCATI ON
Celebrating 40 Years
of Educating Minnesotas Families
ECFE.info
This ad was made possible by the generosity of the
Minnesota College Savings Plan. For more information,
please visit www.MN529today.com
Educating and supporting
parents as their childrens rst
and most important teachers
ECFE MNP 0314 FP with bleed.indd 1 2/19/14 1:37 PM
33
32
send 35 campers, including Autumn, to
camp in Paynesville.
Its part of a nationwide network of
college students across the country who
raise funds throughout the year and
volunteer to bring the camp experience to
their communities.
Today, there are 54 Camp Kesem
chapters at colleges throughout the U.S.
Kesem is Hebrew for magic and the
camps strive to bring magic to families
coping with cancer.
Alek Tomich, a University of Minnesota
senior and one of the co-directors for this
years camp, said Camp Kesem prides
itself on not being too different from other
summer camps.
Campers can expect a pretty typical
array of activities like arts and crafts,
campres, canoeing, hiking, shing
and games.
When youre a kid and youre dealing
with a parent who has a cancer, you dont
have a lot of opportunities to have fun
because you have so much on your plate,
he said. We want to make sure that camp
is one week of pure fun.
On the way to Camp Kesem for the rst
time last year, Melissa Reynolds said her
son and daughter werent that excited.
There were no smiles during camp
registration and only one-word answers.
They were like Why do we have to go
to a camp and deal with cancer all over
again, Reynolds said.
It was a night and day difference when
she and her husband picked them up.
Ashlynn and Myca, known as Alfredo and
7evens at camp, talked nonstop and
taught their little sister Amelia who
was too young to go last summer all of
the camp songs during the ride home to
Pequot Lakes.
This year, all three Reynolds kids plan
to attend the camp and theyre all
excited.
The University of Minnesota student
group is working to raise $70,000 to send
85 campers to Camp Heartland in Willow
River.
Last year, about $50,000 sent 65 kids
ages six to 16 to camp in Hayward, Wis.
Camp Kesem Minnesota, which more
than doubled in size since its inaugural
year, has outgrown the camps that have
hosted the group in previous years. The
camp boasts a 3-to-1 camper to counselor
ratio, Tomich said. So when the number
of kids increases year over year, so does
the groups all-volunteer counselor count.
To accommodate this years large group,
Camp Heartland is bigger than any other
camp weve been to before, Tomich said.
The Big C
While Camp Kesem has a non-thera-
peutic approach, the camp is uniquely
designed to help address the kids
experiences with cancer.
During one night early in the week,
campers participate in an empowerment
ceremony where theyre invited to share
their story and tell everyone what brought
them to Camp Kesem. Kids arent
required to participate, but many
Autumn Olson and
counselor "Seashell."
SUBMITTED PHOTO
32 March 2014
Lundstrum Center MNP 0214 V3.indd 1 1/17/14 1:34 PM
Think your child cant draw
like this? Think again.
Call or go online for
Summer Camp and Class Information
Chosen by WCCO 2013 Best Places for Summer Art Activities
Winner: City Pages Best of the Twin Cities
Jacob Smith, Age 7
State Fair Winner! Maggie Enestvedt, Age 7
Ryan Sarafolean, Age 14
State Fair Winner! Izzy Wexler-Mann, Age 14
651-699-1573
theartacademy.net
Art Academy MNP 0314 2-3page with bleed.indd 2 2/6/14 11:12 AM
35
34
choose to open up about their fears and
vent their frustrations with campers and
counselors whove had similar experi-
ences.
Tomich said its really the only time
they address cancer head-on.
You have to talk about it at some
point, he said. Its like the elephant in
the room.
The emotional ceremony helps tie
everyone together like a family. They usually
hold it earlier in the week to make everyone
more comfortable with each other so they
can focus on having fun, he said.
We share our stories about our parents
and what happened to us in our lives,
Autumn said. All of the rest of the time
its like youre at a regular camp.
Most of the counselors can relate to the
campers because theyve had experience
with the disease in their families.
[The counselors] were looking for
something like this when they were a kid
and its kind of like paying it forward
now, said Tomich, who lost his dad to
cancer at age 8.
Penny Olson was surprised when she
learned so many of the counselors had
experience with cancer.
Theyve been down a similar trail
which gives them a direct connection with
many of the kids, she said.
Counselors personal experience
combined with specialized training
helps them to tackle some big issues
that other camps might not have to deal
with like a camper who says theyre
not sure if their mom or dad will be
alive when they get home.
It takes some practice to take their
mind off that situation, Tomich said.
The camp experience helped Autumn
open up to her parents about her feelings.
I was afraid to be by my mom, like if I
was looking at her or talking to her and
shed die, she said. But I was afraid to
be away from her because I was afraid she
would die while I was gone.
After camp, she knew it was safe to talk
to her parents.
She was afraid to tell me how she was
feeling because she was afraid of hurting
me, Penny Olson said.
Beyond summer camp
Camp Kesems inuence extends beyond a
week of summer fun to reunions
throughout the year and a network of
support for campers and their families.
When Melissa Reynolds husband
passed away from cancer in December, a
dozen counselors made the three-hour
trip to Pequot Lakes for the visitation
service and funeral. It was just after nals
week at the University of Minnesota and
they delayed trips home to their families
to spend time with Ashlynn, Myca and
Amelia, Reynolds said.
It was such a testimony. Just look at
the commitment and dedication these
college students have to these little kids,
she said.
The counselors that couldnt make it
sent a care package, referring to them by
their camp names. Even Amelia, who
hasnt yet attended camp, was included
and given her own camp shirt.
Reynolds said the camp counselors
have had a huge impact on her family.
Its encouraging to look at them as
mentors, as older kids, that have gone
through it and are successful, she said.
Theyre still happy and doing something
positive out of something negative.
Even though the camp is free, the
Olsons donate each year to Camp Kesem
to give the opportunity to another child.
It meant so much to us to have our
daughter back so we decided to sponsor
another kid so that another child could
become whole again, Jay Olson said
He said he hopes to send Autumn to
Camp Kesem as long as she can and
maybe shell have the opportunity to be a
counselor when shes older.
They say Once youre in the Kesem
family, youre in, he said.
Myca and
Ashlynn Reynolds.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
CAMP SNAPSHOT
Dates: Aug. 1723, 2014
Location: Camp Heartland in Willow River
Ages: 616
Application info: Interested campers
should apply online at www.campkesem.
org/camper-application
Capacity: The camp is currently at 65
percent capacity for this year, Tomich
said. If spots run out, prospective
campers can put their names on a
waiting list. In previous years, donors
have come through to fund the camp
experience for wait-listed kids.
Give: You can help bring the Camp Kesem
experience to a child afected by cancer.
For donation information visit
campkesem.org/minnesota/donate
34 March 2014
MacPhail Center for Music MNP 0314 2-3page with bleed.indd 1 2/20/14 3:46 PM
37 36
Apple Camps give kids the tools to bring their visions to life
By Emily Mongan
n Apple store, with its neatly
organized displays of high-tech
gadgets and funky piped-in
music, hardly seems like the type of place
a typical summer camp would be held.
There are no tents, no smores, no
campre sing-alongs (dont worry about
the lack of bonre...theres an app for
that). But here, among the iPads and
MacBooks, camp is in session.
From mid-July to early August, Apples
retail stores across the globe serve as
camps for kids ages eight to 12 with an
interest in lmmaking and learning more
about Apples range of products and
software. Over the span of three
90-minute classes, Apple store employees
teach campers how to use Apple programs
like iMovie and GarageBand to create
short movies that they write, lm, edit,
score, and sometimes even star in
themselves. The camps are short and free,
a welcome addition to any hectic summer
activity schedule. But dont let their
brevity fool you; like the camps slogan
says, the kids are there to get down to
business and make movie magic.
iCamp
a
the
camp isue
2014
PHOTO
BY LYON
KEASLER
March 2014 37
GET SPECIAL DEALS
FEBRUARY 28 MARCH 2
& APRIL 11 13
Learn more at
ymcadiscoversummer.org
ymcadiscoversummer.org
DISCOVER SUMMER
call: 612-822-2267
14-SP05MNPar
Membership is not required for participation.
REGISTER NOW programs ll up fast!
YMCA DAY CAMPAges 4-14
Memorable camping by day; kids come home at night!
Amazing outdoor experiences, exciting traditional camp activities: archery, canoeing,
crafts, and cookouts.
Specialty Camps: horses, climbing, water sports and more! 10 convenient locations.
YMCA OVERNIGHT CAMP Ages 7-17
Camping as you fondly remember it, and then some!
Transformational experiences and lasting memories for every child. Campers
enjoy action-packed days lled with land and water activities and lodge in cabins
with well-trained, college-age staff.
4 outstanding camps!
CAMP ST. CROIX on St. Croix River near Hudson, WI campstcroix.org
CAMP IHDUHAPI on Lake Independence in Loretto, MN campihduhapi.org
CAMP ICAGHOWAN on Lake Wapogasset near Amery, WI campicaghowan.org
CAMP WARREN on Half Moon Lake, girls camp & boys camp, near Eveleth, MN
campwarren.org
YMCA TEEN WILDERNESS ADVENTURE
Ages 12-18
Unforgettable experiences that build lifelong skills and memories!
High-quality outdoor adventures in the BWCAW and throughout
North America: wilderness canoeing, backpacking, environmental education
and rock climbing. Focus is on lifetime skills and personal development.
2 great camps!
CAMP MENOGYN on West Bearskin Lake off the Gunint Trail near
Grand Marais, MN campmenogyn.org
CAMP WIDJIWAGAN on Burntside Lake near Ely, MN widji.org
YMCA FAMILY CAMP All Ages
A time away, a time together, a treasured pleasure.
CAMP DU NORD on the edge of the BWCAW. Develop the
closeness that comes with sharing quality time and family
adventures in a pristine outdoor setting. Year-round hiking,
canoeing, nature, and specialty programs for adults and families.
Cozy cabins with kitchens. dunord.org
SUMMER POWER Y School Age Care/Grades K 6
Power up your summer with fun and friendships. Exciting weekly theme,
coordinated activities and eld trips. Over 60 locations.
SUMMER UPROAR Preteens and Teens/Grades 6-9
Character development through leadership activities, super fun eld
trips, outings and team building activities. 17 locations.
Accredited by the
American Camp Association.
GET SPECIAL DEALS
FEBRUARY 28 MARCH 2
& APRIL 11 13
Learn more at
ymcadiscoversummer.org
ymcadiscoversummer.org
DISCOVER SUMMER
call: 612-822-2267
14-SP05MNPar
Membership is not required for participation.
REGISTER NOW programs ll up fast!
YMCA DAY CAMPAges 4-14
Memorable camping by day; kids come home at night!
Amazing outdoor experiences, exciting traditional camp activities: archery, canoeing,
crafts, and cookouts.
Specialty Camps: horses, climbing, water sports and more! 10 convenient locations.
YMCA OVERNIGHT CAMP Ages 7-17
Camping as you fondly remember it, and then some!
Transformational experiences and lasting memories for every child. Campers
enjoy action-packed days lled with land and water activities and lodge in cabins
with well-trained, college-age staff.
4 outstanding camps!
CAMP ST. CROIX on St. Croix River near Hudson, WI campstcroix.org
CAMP IHDUHAPI on Lake Independence in Loretto, MN campihduhapi.org
CAMP ICAGHOWAN on Lake Wapogasset near Amery, WI campicaghowan.org
CAMP WARREN on Half Moon Lake, girls camp & boys camp, near Eveleth, MN
campwarren.org
YMCA TEEN WILDERNESS ADVENTURE
Ages 12-18
Unforgettable experiences that build lifelong skills and memories!
High-quality outdoor adventures in the BWCAW and throughout
North America: wilderness canoeing, backpacking, environmental education
and rock climbing. Focus is on lifetime skills and personal development.
2 great camps!
CAMP MENOGYN on West Bearskin Lake off the Gunint Trail near
Grand Marais, MN campmenogyn.org
CAMP WIDJIWAGAN on Burntside Lake near Ely, MN widji.org
YMCA FAMILY CAMP All Ages
A time away, a time together, a treasured pleasure.
CAMP DU NORD on the edge of the BWCAW. Develop the
closeness that comes with sharing quality time and family
adventures in a pristine outdoor setting. Year-round hiking,
canoeing, nature, and specialty programs for adults and families.
Cozy cabins with kitchens. dunord.org
SUMMER POWER Y School Age Care/Grades K 6
Power up your summer with fun and friendships. Exciting weekly theme,
coordinated activities and eld trips. Over 60 locations.
SUMMER UPROAR Preteens and Teens/Grades 6-9
Character development through leadership activities, super fun eld
trips, outings and team building activities. 17 locations.
Accredited by the
American Camp Association.
YMCA MNP 0314 FP with bleed.indd 1 2/11/14 2:19 PM
39
38
The Apple Store in Uptown Minneapolis
has held camp each year since it opened
in 2010. The store operates as usual while
camp in session, with campers grouped
around one of the massive display tables
to work on their projects and learn that
days lesson. Apple Camps encourage kids
to bring their own Apple devices with
them, if they own any. If they dont, the
store offers iMac and iPads for the kids to
use in the store.
Siblings Wyatt and Bria Budziszewski
were already plugged in and intently
focused on their iPads before the session
even began, playing around with apps and
games. They were both rst time lm-
makers, but like many of the other
campers they were certainly no strangers
to using Apple products.
Day one of each camp session begins
with the fundamentals of lmmaking,
like the basic parts of a story and popular
movie genres. To spark inspiration, the
instructors asked what good movies the
kids had recently seen. Answers ranged
from Despicable Me 2 to Star Wars, which
the campers then broke down into
genres. The instructors explained that
genres like action, sports, and how-to
videos were popular with young lm-
makers at past camp sessions, but that
had been sketched out on the campers
storyboarding sheets. Wyatt planned an
instructional video explaining how to
build an underwater observatory on the
popular building block-based computer
game Minecraft, while his sister had
sketched out an adventure story that she
would animate with Legos. Siblings
Kaitlyn, Eric, and Briana Terry would be
teaming up to create a bowling movie, to
be lmed that afternoon when the family
used their pass to a local bowling alley.
All of the camera work for the lms
happens outside of the store, between the
rst and second sessions. Campers are
encouraged to use their iPads, iPhones,
and digital cameras to shoot video, and
gather old photos and video that can be
edited in if their story revolves around a
past event. The editing happens during
the second session, using iMovie and the
iMacs available in the Apple store.
After planning out their stories,
campers are shown how to create songs
using the music program GarageBand.
They use the touch screen on the iPads to
play a variety of virtual drums, guitars,
and pianos to create a looping track that
would serve as the score to their lm. The
Terry siblings each had their own ideas
for the score, which they hoped would
mesh later in the lmmaking process.
I have lots of drums, kind of hip-hop,
Briana said. [Eric] has jazz, so well try to
put it all together.
After two sessions of working on their
lms, the campers returned to the Apple
Store the next Saturday morning with
their families in tow. But this time, there
would be no brainstorming or editing.
The kids walked past the giant table
where they had brought their ideas to life,
and headed towards three giant built-in
screens at the front of the store.
Apple Camps culminate on Day 3 with a
short lm festival, a chance for campers
to show off their creations to family and
friends. Unlike the rst two sessions, the
lm festival takes place before regular
store hours, giving campers a place thats
solely dedicated to showing off their work.
Up rst is Bria, whose Lego action ick
expertly utilized sound effects to bring its
jungle setting to life. The counselors
admitted that one sequence involving a
Apple campers Joel DuBay and Bria Budziszewski score their lms using iPads, while
Brias mom Heidi Ripplinger checks in on their progress. PHOTO BY LYON KEASLER
kids were free to create their lm about
whatever inspired them.
Each camper then received a piece of
paper to use as their storyboard, where
each scene would be sketched out into a
cohesive story with a beginning, middle,
and end. Pen and paper in hand, the
campers began drawing.
On the rst day of Apple Camp, parents
are invited to stick around while their kids
work for a free parents workshop. There,
they can learn how to set time limits and
parental controls on Apple products. In
addition to attending the parent work-
shop, many parents stayed in the store
during the camp session to lend their kids
a hand with the brainstorming process.
Steve Kinny, dad of rst time campers
Dylan and Maddie, watched as Maddie
sketched out a story about the familys
pets texting each other. Dylan had
previous experience making videos in his
fth grade class, but Maddies tale of
texting pets was her rst foray into
lmmaking.
It will be fun to see what she does with
it, Kinny said.
Lights, camera, action!
Within minutes, several distinct stories
boat chase and clever use of shing line
had them stumped when they rst viewed
it. Her brother Wyatt was next, with his
how-to Minecraft guide that used text
subtitles to explain each step of the project.
Between each lm, the counselors
pointed out cool tips and tricks that the
kids had learned during camps and put to
practice in their projects, like adding text,
sparkly special effects, or title screens
throughout the lm.
The lms continued, ranging from one
about horseback riding to an intense
movie trailer-style lm about one
campers promising baseball season. The
lmmaking team of Briana, Eric, and
Kaitlyn Terry did agree on a cohesive
soundtrack in the end, with instant
replay shots of their bowling games set to
jazzy, upbeat music.
Maddie and Dylan Kinnys lm
became a family affair, not only starring
the familys pets but their parents and
grandmother as well. In it, the familys
dog and cat appear to be texting back
and forth (on iPhones, naturally) about
their humans crazy party lifestyles. The
texting looked so realistic, one counselor
couldnt help but ask Maddies special
effects secret.
We put gravy on the screen, she said.
When the last of the credits rolled,
Apple Camp ofcially came to an end. As
the campers left with their families, the
counselors encouraged them to return to
the store with any questions they have
about future projects, which may come in
handy; some campers had already made
more lms in the time between the camp
sessions and the festival, inspired by what
they had learned in store.
Apple Camps are denitely not your
typical summer camp. Theyre free, short,
and take place in a space thats usually
reserved for shopping or camping out for
the latest Apple product. But in just two
short days, Apple campers had created
something awesome that was entirely
their own. They left the store with not just
a basic knowledge of lmmaking, but the
skills to use their Apple devices to bring
any story they can imagine to life.
March 2014 39 38 March 2014
shell lake arts center
master teachers. magic setting.
music art dance theatre
WWW.SHELLLAKEARTSCENTER.ORG
for a complete camp schedule, please visit:
Go Big or
Go Home!
Shell Lake Arts MNP 0313 12.indd 3 2/13/13 10:55 AM
Tech Camps held at
Macalester, Stanford,
and 80+ Universities
Ages 7-18
iDTech.com
1-888-709-TECH (8324)
41 40
BIG CREATIVITY
SMALL STAGE
Campers get an immersive experience
building miniature theater productions
By Zoe Gahan
A camper gets some hands-on puppet experience at In The Heart of the Beast Theater. PHOTO BY BRUCE SILCOX
the
camp
isue
2014
March 2014 41
43
42
A long tradition
Toy theater, as In The Heart of the Beasts
Education Director Bart Buch explains,
is a unique and intimate combination of
art and performance that allows artists
complete control of the production.
Originally sold as kits of popular plays in
the 19th century, a typical toy theater sits
about a foot or two tall and looks just
like a miniature stage. Inside the theater,
puppets cut from cardstock and paper,
and suspended by strings or small sticks,
dance and twirl at the whim of the
puppeteers.
Its a little like pre-TV, or primitive TV.
Thats how we explain it, says Buch.
In the Heart of the Beast Theater
(HOBT) prides itself on repurposing old
materials, and discarded cardboard boxes
provide the perfect frame for a make-it-
yourself toy theater, upon which endless
sets, paints, tiny curtains, and ornaments
may be placed.
[Toy theater] gives the kids an over-
view. They can create an entire theatrical
production, including the set, the
costumes, and the puppets. It gives them
an immersive design and performance
experience in a way that they have control
of almost all the variables in a show.
Building skills
In a spacious though cluttered room,
edged with heaps of craft supplies, seven
children between the ages of nine and 11
immersed themselves in the process of
bringing their fractured fairy tales to life.
The campers clearly embrace the creative
freedom they are given, enthusiastically
warping traditional fairy tales to reect
Y
ouve heard of the Big, Bad Wolf, but how about the Big, Bad Pig? He wears a
bowler hat and suspenders, a monocle wedged in his pudgy pink face, and
runs a nuclear power plant on the side that is, according to campers at In
The Heart of the Beast Theaters Fractured Fairy Tales Toy Theater Camp. The camp is a
collaboration with the Loft Literary Center, inviting children to take traditional fairy
tales and fracture them in satirical and imaginative ways, before challenging them to
create a toy theater performance for family and friends at the end of the week.
delve into areas they already held an
interest in. Buch emphasizes the collabor-
ative element that goes into creating each
production. Theres a place for kids that
are shy, theres a place for kids that arent
shy, theres a place for kids who just want
to make, so youll see them take different
roles. [The counselors] split them up into
groups of two to three, and then a lot of
times one person takes a more theatrical
lead, and one person takes a design lead.
Evan, Elliot, and Oliver, the brains
behind The Big, Bad Pig, exemplied this
division of creative work. Elliot, who has a
propensity for taking things apart and
putting them back together, as he put it,
easily stepped into the roll of set designer,
deftly gluing and cutting to create build-
ings and props. Evan was busy drawing,
shading, and detailing the three little
wolves, and Oliver added the nishing
touches to the monstrous, pink pig.
What was really beautiful was when the
children started making their own stories
and ideas come to life by drawing the
characters, and then guring out their
voices and having it all happen and come to
life on stage, says Back McKay of watching
the campers throughout the week.
Future plans
As this collaborative camp was a new
endeavor for both The Loft and HOBT,
Buch recognized that the format of the
camp might change in the coming years
depending on what worked and what
needs adjustment. Though the element of
toy theater will remain the primary focus,
Buch looks forward to working with a
variety of literary forms and genres.
Weve done haikus with toy theater
before, which is a really great thing,
because it leaves a lot of room for
interpretation, says Buch.
their wry sense of adolescent humor, often
informed by surprising observations. No
longer does Jack dutifully climb the
beanstalk to steal golden eggs and provide
for his mother, but instead spends his
days nose-to-screen, playing video games
on his cell phone.
Campers Siri and Sanna, who together
wrote and built Jack and the Beanstalk
NOT!, featuring the lazy Jack, both
enjoyed imagining and creating the
characters. It can be kind of compli-
cated, says Sanna, referencing the
problem-solving involved in the whole
process, but said also that she has enjoyed
herself during the week. Her group
partner, Siri, nodded agreement.
The campers took the images they
wrote out, and gured out how to
represent them in artwork, says HOBT
counselor, Lynette LaRue. Then the
challenge is to make it 3D after that. They
had to recongure, scene-by-scene, what
the action is, and thats been a really fun
challenge for them to work through.
Watching the campers, it is evident that
creating a toy theater production requires
more than just the writing of a fun story.
Considerations of size, such that puppets
t properly in the small theater, was some-
thing each of the three small groups
worked through uniquely. Campers chose
instruments to create a range of sound
effects just what sound does a tele-
porter make? and did vocal exercises
throughout the week to perfect the
performance of each characters unique
voice. They also learned various literary
techniques to help in their writing.
Linda Back McKay, the counselor from
the Loft Literary Center who helped
primarily in the writing of the fairy tales
but could be seen assisting in the
construction of the characters and sets
spoke of the writing process: We had
each of them write their own ideas...and I
did some editing. We talked a lot about
similes, metaphors, and images and tried
to include some of those concepts in all of
the pieces we wrote.
Working on a production that spans
such a variety of art forms the children
wrote, sang, acted, painted, and drew
throughout the week allowed for the
campers to learn new skills, but as well
RESOURCES
In the Heart of the Beast Theater, known
for its beautiful, larger-than-life puppets
and plays that comment on themes of
community, spirituality, and nature, is
located in Minneapolis. The theater ofers a
range of camps each summer for a variety
of ages (preschool to adult) and interests.
See more camp information at hobt.org or
call 612-721-2535.
Campers practice their
toy theater production.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
March 2014 43 42 March 2014
Joyce Preschool MNP 0314 H6.indd 1 2/13/14 9:34 AM
45
44
By Julie Kendrick
When it comes to deciding whether or not
a child is ready for a sleepaway camp this
summer, many parents rely on the
successful completion of some major life
events, including getting through most
nights without wetting the bed, or happily
managing an overnight sleepover at a
friends house.
While those are excellent indicators,
there are some additional cues that a
savvy parent may want to consider. We
talked with parents whose kids are camp
veterans, longtime counselors, and child
mental health professionals to dig a little
deeper into helping you decide when your
little one is ready for a few days or even
a whole summer away at camp.
What happens after the parent drives
away and the kids get on the bus to camp
with their counselors is really different than
what you might expect, says longtime
Urban 4-H Camp at Bay Lake counselor
Nathalie Young. The southwest Minneapolis
resident, now a freshman at the Chicago
College of Performing Arts, says that she is
very familiar with the phenomenon of the
child who clamps onto the parents leg,
sobbing dont make me go! but who perks
up as soon as a parents brakelights
disappear in the driveway.
Drama queens and brave fronts
We try to get kids distracted, involved
and making friends right away, says
Young. Well start with name games, help
them meet new people, and talk about
how much fun well have when we arrive
at camp. While the drama-queen-turned-
happy-camper is certainly a category of
camper with whom most counselors are
familiar, Young also notes that this type
has its less well-known counterpart.
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46
Ive also seen kids who put on a brave
and cheery face, maybe because they
really wanted to go to camp right up until
that moment, or because they dont want
to worry a parent. Theyll be all-smiles
with mom or dad, but tears start as soon
parents leave. Never fear, says Young,
No matter what a kid is going through,
we nd ways to get them focused on fun
stuff as soon as possible.
Key indicator: go with the ow
Young does agree that the dry-bed and
successful-sleepover indicators are good
ones for determining if youve got a
camp-ready child this year, but she also
points to another factor. Sleeping over at
a friends house does show that a child
can be away from home overnight, but,
other than that, camp isnt really much
like a sleepover. She says that a more
important factor might be to consider
whether or not your child can readily and
easily participate in large-group activities,
and be exible enough to adapt their
desires to those of the group.
We have strict rules about the camper-
counselor ratio, so its not possible for a
child to stay alone in the arts and crafts
area, for example, nishing a project, if
its time for the group to go swimming. If
you have a child who can do community
activities and go with the ow, then
theyre more likely to be ready for a
positive camp experience, she says.
Mental health
professionals perspective
Youngs advice is reinforced by Beth
Dahline, a social worker and school-based
mental health program supervisor at
Washburn Center for Children in Minne-
apolis. Being able to participate in group
activities is important, she says, and
builds on that milestone with several
other practical questions that parents
could consider. Can they make decisions
for themselves, and understand them-
selves enough to enroll in activities that
are good ts for them? Can they know
when they need to use the restroom and
speak up about it? Are they able to be
responsible with their belongings?
Keeping track of both shoes is going to be
necessary, she says with a laugh. On a
more serious note, she suggests, Parents
should consider whether their child will
know when they are hurt or when they
need to shake it off. They also should
know to use their voice when its critically
needed, and to ask adults for help.
She notes that most parents begin
exploring sleepaway camps when children
are around ages eight through ten, but she
urges that developmental factors are much
more important considerations than age.
She also cautions parents to make sure
that kids have an accurate understanding
of what happens at camp. They might
have an idealized view of nature, and not
realize that bugs, heat and rain are also
part of the whole picture, she says.
Talk to the camp director
Dahline urges parents to visit camps in
advance, if possible, or at least to have a
conversation with the camp director. You
know your child better than anyone if
theyre a picky eater, cant fall asleep
easily, or wake up with the rst ray of sun.
You should directly ask the camp director,
How do you handle this situation? and
see if youre satised with their response.
Understanding the camps policies toward
bullying, for example, is something that
parents will want to explore in advance,
especially if their child might be a target.
RESOURCES
Urban 4-H Camp at Bay Lake
Open to non 4-H members
Grades 48
July 2125 and August 48
$350
z.umn.edu/summercamp
Contact: Alneida Madrigal, 612-624-7603
Washburn Center for Children
612.871.1454
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Ofces in Minneapolis, Minnetonka and
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March 2014 47 46 March 2014
49
48
Science Day Camps help kids dream up inventions
The saying
necessity is the mother of
invention very well could have
been said about the Summer
Science Day Camps at The
Bakken Museum in Minneapolis,
where kids are challenged to
dream up inventions of their own
and bring them to life.
At a recent camp session,
8-year-old camper Shifa was hard
at work on a light-up jewelry box
that hid a battery-operated circuit
of LED lights under its pink and
glittery exterior. When asked what
inspired her to create such a
ashy piece, Shifa said inspira-
tion came easy. My earrings had
no place to go.
The Bakken camps, which have
been held at the museum named
for Medtronic co-founder
Brainstorming
at The Bakken
By Emily Mongan
the
camp
isue
2014
The buddy system
pros and cons
Some parents seek to ease their childs
experience at sleepaway camp by having
them attend with a friend. While that
idea can be successful in alleviating
pre-camp anxiety, it can also be prone to
pitfalls, Dahline says. It really depends
on the personality and exibility of the
child. If you have a very shy kid who
wants to go to sleepaway camp with a
friend, you should spend some time
wondering out loud with them how they
might react if the friend makes a new
friend at camp, or goes to sit with
someone else. Its a good idea to have that
conversation with both kids, and with the
friends family, too.
Sometimes, Dahline says, hesitant
sleepaway campers may have more
success attending camp with a sibling.
Especially if they go to school together,
the child is already familiar with the idea
of the sibling doing their own thing
during class time, but being available if
support is needed.
What parents say
Nicole Celichowski, a St. Paul mother of
three, says that sleeping styles might be
one of the biggest factors to consider.
Will they get themselves to bed at a
civilized time, or will they be a train
wreck the next day? Still, that might be a
good learning experience all around, if
you think the kid can handle it, she says.
Julie Brown Price, of Eden Prairie,
found that easing into the sleepaway
experience worked best when her
daughter Hannah was younger. One
camp held a one-night sleepover in the
middle of the day camp session. The camp
staff got the kids excited about this one
special night, so it was highly antici-
pated, she recalls.
St. Paul parent Margaret Jones believes
that even a bit of homesickness can be a
good life lesson, too. Both our boys went
away to camp for two and four-week
sessions when they were young. They
were certainly lonesome at times, but they
were also very proud of themselves for
getting through it.
March 2014 49 48 March 2014
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50
and implantable pacemaker inventor Earl
Bakken for over a decade, operate on a
simple premise: think it, make it, improve
it, and show it. Early on in the weeklong
session, campers sketch out their
proposed designs, drawing on their
imaginations and personal experiences for
inspiration. This think it part of the
process can be daunting for many
campers, said Invention Program Coordi-
nator Andre Phillips.
The tricky thing with the word
invention is that its not always something
new, Phillips says. We have to stress that
invention can just be your version of
something that already exists, or a better
version of something that exists.
Try, try again
After their ideas are on paper and theyve
been trained to safely use the tools
available to them in the workshop, the
campers get to work. For a few hours
each day, they work alongside volunteers
and counselors to bring their creations to
life. This particular day, the campers were
focused on the improve it part of the
invention process, encouraged by the
counselors to think of how they could
make their project better with more
features or a revised design.
Like any good inventor, the campers
at The Bakken understand that there
are several trips back to the drawing
board between the original idea and
the nal product.
Obviously it doesnt always look like
how you want it to look like. Sometimes
its better, sometimes its not as good,
says third-time camper Miriam. But its
always really cool.
Each day at the Summer Science Day
Camps begins with a scientic challenge
that revolves around that days theme. On
improve it day, the campers gathered on
the roof of the Bakken for their challenge,
lined up behind rows of air compressors
equipped with empty plastic bottles. After
a round of test launches, the campers
broke into teams and set to work on a
common goal: turn the bottle into a rocket
that would y further than the rest.
Some campers added paper ns and
nose cones to their rockets, looking to
make their bottle as aerodynamic as
possible. Others chose a more aesthetic
route, wrapping their rocket in colored
electrical tape (one rocket was decorated
like a bee, but unfortunately didnt y like
one). If their design didnt perform as well
as they had hoped, they went back to the
drawing board before the next round,
bouncing ideas off of each other and the
counselors to settle on a new and
improved design.
This trial-and-error way of creating is at
the core of the Bakkens camp philosophy;
that campers shouldnt think of any
missteps in their project as a failure, but
rather as a chance for improvement.
Being the Bakken museum we often
fall back on the story of Earl and the
pacemaker, Phillips said. He
Invention Programs Coordinator Andre Phillips assists a camper with her invention in The Bakken
museums workshop. PHOTOS BY LYON KEASLER
A camper adjusts the wiring for the working
headlights of her miniature RV project.
Obviously it
doesnt always look
like how you want it to
look like. Sometimes
its better, sometimes
its not as good...But its
always really cool.
Miriam, camper
March 2014 51 50 March 2014
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52
didnt invent the pacemaker, but he
made a better pacemaker. He improved
the design.
After the morning challenge, the
campers headed back downstairs to
continue work on their projects. Second
year counselor Sandra Walton was on
hand in the workshop to offer words of
encouragement, and supervise campers as
they used tools like saws and soldering
irons. But aside from that, she said, the
students work was all their own.
A lot of them do fail, and we want to
teach them not to get upset, Walton said.
But you want to do it so that youre not
taking over their project or doing most of
it for them.
With only one day left before the show
it phase of their projects, the campers
left the workshop one by one to test their
inventions in the adjacent classroom.
One girl piloted a motorized paddleboat
in a tub of water, while another put the
nishing touches on a model RV with
working headlights. Nine-year-old
Miriam, now a pro in her third year of
The Bakken camps, led a mirror-plated
robot around the room on a small leash
that connected to its on/off switch.
Miriam explained that the skills she
learned in her previous years at The
Bakken had led up to this years invention,
which she lovingly nicknamed R.O.B.
(short for Remote Operated Bot).
I learned soldering when I rst came
here, and its always been my favorite.
Miriam said, showing how R.O.Bs wire
leash was soldered together. Ive learned
a lot of cool things here.
Girl power
Standing in the chaos of the workshop, its
easy to get overwhelmed by the sights and
sounds of two dozen campers hard at
work. But after spending enough time in
the workshop, one detail became obvious:
This particular week, there were no boys.
All of the Bakkens weeklong camp
sessions are co-ed, with the exception of
one. For ve days each summer the
Bakken camp goes girls-only, a tradition
that began eight years ago.
In this age group, its really easy for
boys to just take over and dominate the
small groups, Phillips said. But we like
to make the all-girls camp so they can feel
like theyre not competing with really
boisterous and loud boys.
Positive parent feedback has kept girls
week going strong, so much so that some
parents ask to sign their daughters up for
it even though theyre not within the
fourth, fth, or sixth grade age range.
Phillips explained that even he takes a
step back during girls only week, to allow
the female counselors to have more
one-on-one interaction with the campers.
We like to try to take down the image
of science and engineering as a boys
thing, Phillips said. We like to have an
all girls camp to show that yeah, there is
a place for women in this industry.
The boy-free atmosphere is something
that many of the campers appreciate,
including Miriam, whose rst two camp
experiences were during co-ed weeks.
Girls can be gossip queens, she
admitted. But once in awhile I do enjoy
this, a lot.
Between the morning challenges,
games, and afternoon magic tricks,
campers may have a hard time differenti-
ating between whats a game and whats
science at the Bakken day camps. Even
the time devoted to science projects
seemed like fun, with girls encouraging
one another and cheering when their
inventions worked.
This concept of learning through play is
exactly what the Bakken camps are
striving for. Though it may just seem like
fun and games to the campers, every
activity is structured to encourage creative
thinking and problem solving, which then
translates to their inventions and time in
the workshop.
They have all these good ideas, and
they get excited, Walton said. They just
play around with it, and then they learn
by having fun.
Campers work on
their inventions
in the workshop
alongside
volunteers and
counselors.
March 2014 53 52 March 2014 Camp Invention MNP 0313 H4.indd 1 2/13/13 1:45 PM
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55
54
Story by Zoe Gahan Photos by Lyon Keasler
A
n oft-expressed regret of adults is the missed opportunity to learn a second
language in those precious and eeting years when language acquisition is a
joyful task of exploration and acceptance for young minds, not the daunting
undertaking many older language-learners encounter. Beyond the practical benets for
living and working in a hyper-connected world, being bilingual is linked to improved
performance in cognitive tasks, and to retaining mental agility in later life. With these
benets, proven in study and after study, it is no wonder parents are opting to give their
children an upper hand by providing an immersion-based educational environment, like
the one offered at Joyce Preschool in Minneapolis.
Immersive learning
(Aprendizaje inmersivo)
Beyond its regular school-year calendar,
Joyce offers Spanish immersion camps
during the summer months, where
native Spanish-speakers lead children
through activities such as outside play,
songs, and small group activities
focused on giving a cultural context to
the language they are learning.
Our summer camp program is usually
focused around having things of different
Latin American countries and Spain and
focusing on introducing the kids to the
culture of those countries, says Sarah
Clyne, the executive director of the
preschool.
The camps host between 15 to 20
children, ages three to eight, each week.
With teachers from a range of Latin
American countries and with experience
in early childhood learning, as well as
assistants from a local high school, the
campers are welcomed to explore the
language through play, song, and dance.
While some campers may already have a
basis in Spanish, either through their own
immersion-based education or from
Muchas
culturas
Spanish immersion camp at Joyce Preschool
ofers life skills, cultural lessons
Counselor Carmen (left)
leads a Spanish song
and dance session at the
Joyce immersion camp.
the
camp
isue
2014
March 2014 55 54 March 2014
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56
speaking with their parents, children with little to no
experience in the language thrive just as well.
Kids are very open to observing language, and
catch on very quickly. We use a lot of strategies, like
repetition, visual support, singing songs, and having
really solid teams so the kids know what to expect.
Those are all ways that we make this a safe environ-
ment for children to play with language and also to
comprehend whats being said to them, says Clyne.
The environment for the camp is truly one of play
and exploration, a stark contrast to the rigid or
formal lessons many students in higher grades may
experience when learning a language. A gentle but
rm Cuidado! (Careful!) from camp counselor
Carmen Paucar prefaces the arc of a toy as it sails
across the room, which is brimming with small voices
and hands exploring books, toys, and ideas. The
children are excited for the end-of-camp Friday
Fiesta, where parents and family are invited to join
them for a pizza lunch, and get a rst-hand look at
their childs experience.
Community space
(Espacio de la comunidad)
During the 2013 summer camp season, Joyce
Preschool was nalizing its move from an Uptown,
Minneapolis location to the new, nearby building
where its main ofces and classrooms will be located.
Sarah Clyne noted, It is really nice to be in a space
that is reective of the quality of the program.
Though there were various unpacked boxes in a few
rooms, and the general energy of a large move
lingered, the hallways of the new space were lled
with songs and voices of children, creating a warm
and inviting community space, very much the goal
Joyce Preschool strives for.
Its about family, its about community, [and] its
about creating and building those relationships. Its
more than just a preschool, remarked Clyne. Indeed,
the tagline for the institution, Muchas culturas, one
community, only further her statement.
It should be noted that navigating the institution as
a non-Spanish speaking parent would not be a
problem, as almost all staff is bi-lingual.
Campers explore the
various toys and games
at Joyce before the
Friday Fiesta.
March 2014 57 56 March 2014
15100 Schmidt Lake Road, Plymouth, MN | 763-258-2502
SUMMER PROGRAMS
airs aruiirics acaoixics
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59
58
Teaching to learn (Ensear a aprender)
Those families that are involved in either the camps or the
preschool are diverse, some native Spanish speakers, some
bilingual, and many with no second language experience
themselves. It is again the drive to give children the opportu-
nity to acquire unique skills early on that has brought them all
here. Often times, the children strengthen their own skills by
teaching their parents or other students what theyve gained
during the camp.
Pat and Jill MacKenzie, parents of ve-year-old Sophia, said
they have friends who have sent their children to Spanish-immer-
sion preschools, and they thought the summer camp offered a
unique opportunity for their child to try it out for a short while
and see if it piqued her interest. She enjoys coming here,
everyday she wants to come here, said Pat. She sings us the
songs in Spanish at home that shes learning everyday. Pat
mentioned he had experience with Spanish as part of a job many
years back, and through his childs involvement in the camp has
worked on re-strengthening some of those skills. His experience
mirrors that of many other parents.
Michelle Peterson, parent of camper Harley, spoke of her past
experience with Spanish in high school and college, as well as in
a study abroad program. I think its important to learn multiple
languages, and we cant expect that everyone is going to speak
English.
The childrens excitement to show their parents all theyd
experienced in the week was evident, as rst-year camper Ida ran
to her mother Kelly Rikansrud and exclaimed, I learned a song!
Ida was attending the camp with her older sister, Nora, who had
attended the camp the previous year. As Kelly took a seat, Ida
sung portions of the songs they had learned, and told her mother
what different words meant.
Its no secret that teaching a subject strengthens those skills in
the teacher, and as the children educated their parents, it became
clear that the learning taking place
extends beyond the few hours a day the
campers spend at Joyce.
A universal word
(Una palabra universal)
As the camp wound to an end, after songs
and dance and conversations among the
adults, there was a moment of quiet in an
otherwise boisterous morning as lunch
was eaten. Quieres pizza? asked one
counselor of a parent, who responded with
an admittedly tentative gracias when
accepting the slice. These many families,
some native Spanish-speakers and many
hearing it for the rst time, were joined
together briey in a safe and welcoming
space around the ideals of education,
intercultural acceptance, community, and
the ever-universal pizza.
SUMMER CAMPS AT
JOYCE PRESCHOOL
These week-long day camps give kids
ages three to eight a chance to explore
Spanish language and Latin American
culture with native Spanish-speakers
through songs, dancing, crafts, and
outdoor play. No language experience is
necessary, and the counselors work to
accommodate every level of skill. Even
uent Spanish-speakers are encouraged to
join. Enrollment is rst-come, rst-served
and opens in spring of each year. See
joycepreschool.org/summercamp for more
information.
A counselor reads to
Joyce campers.
We use a lot of
strategies, like
repetition,
visual
support,
singing
songs, and
having really
solid teams
so the kids
know what to
expect. Those
are all ways
that we make
this a safe
environment
for children
to play with
language.
Sarah Clyne,
Executive Director,
Joyce Preschool
March 2014 59 58 March 2014
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Workshops
Summer Camps
Registration for
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Preschoolers,
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61
60
O
n a 6,300-acre wildlife preserve,
summer campers hunt, sh, hike
and swim throughout a diverse
northern Minnesota landscape of forest,
lakes, rivers and bogs.
Founded in 1973, the Deep Portage
Learning Center in Hackensack is a
nature preserve and conservation educa-
tion center that opens its expansive
grounds every summer to hundreds of
young explorers, hunters and wilderness
enthusiasts for camp.
While other summer camps focus on
youth growth and development, Deep
Portage Executive Director Dale Yerger
said the focus of their camps is conserva-
tion education with a woods, water and
wildlife theme.
Here we really promote wise use of
natural resources and that conservation
ethic, Yerger said.
Throughout the year, Deep Portage is
open to the public and hosts school groups
for mini-camps and learning opportunities.
Its accredited by the North Central Associa-
tion of Colleges and Schools as a center for
environmental education.
Deep Portage offers four different camps
throughout the summer that focus on
rearm safety and deer hunting; bird
hunting; and conservation.
Looking to kill two birds with one stone
so to speak? Campers can receive their
Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources rearms safety certicate as
part of the reserves popular Forkhorn I
camp sponsored by the Minnesota Deer
Hunters Association.
Kids who already have their rearms
certication can learn to hunt and cook
game birds or complete advanced deer
hunting camps.
Parents and grandparents can learn about
sustainability, invasive species and natural
resource planning alongside the kid campers
during the Izaak Walton League camp a
partnership with the Minnesota division of
the national conservation group.
For a taste of everything the memorial
forest and wildlife preserve have to offer,
Deep Portage hosts a condensed three-
day camp.
Deep Portage usually has 50-60 campers
for a session, Yerger said. Instead of small
sleeping cabins, campers share large
bedrooms in the main lodge like a bunch
of little cabins under one roof, Yerger said.
Between year-round staff and seasonal
camp counselors, he said the camper to
counselor ratio is about 3:1. The staff is
always 50 percent female to create a
comfortable environment for both boys
and girls.
Its a great role model for so many of our
instructors to be women for girls to feel
really good about what they are doing and
what theyre entering into, Yerger said.
Depending on the camp, children will
have about two hours of more structured
educational activities followed by time for
different recreational activities like
canoeing, shing, hiking or climbing the
indoor rock wall.
A new renewable focus
While the camp has always emphasized
wildlife and natural resource conservation,
Yerger said Deep Portage made a big
commitment to energy conservation about
ve years ago.
Since 2009, theyve installed wind
turbines, wood-red boilers and solar
systems to heat buildings and generate
electricity. After a nearly $870,000 invest-
ment, the preserve is now carbon neutral.
For campers who are used to traditional
energy sources at home, its yet another
learning experience.
When they come back to campus and
take a shower, they realize the shower
came from our solar hot water evacuated
tubes, Yerger said.
On a good day, the solar water system
produces about 700 gallons of hot water, or
80 percent of the camps need.
They really get to live with it, Yerger
said.
Hunting
Deep Portages most popular Forkhorn I
camp offers a unique opportunity for kids
to get their state rearm safety certication
and learn to be an ethical hunter.
[There are] not so many camps where
you can get an education on how to safely
and ethically use a bolt-action rie or a
shotgun, Yerger said.
The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association
partners with eight camps, including Deep
Portage, to offer the training. Last year,
about 60 percent of all campers throughout
the state received a full or partial scholar-
ship from local MDHA chapters.
Kim Nelson said the experience at the
Forkhorn I camp is above and beyond
typical rearm safety and education.
Its not just a normal rearms safety
camp, its the masters degree, Nelson said.
Instead of learning online or in the
classroom and being asked to apply
knowledge on a eld day with a DNR
instructor, Nelson said the camps offer a
more hands-on learning approach.
THAT
CONSERVATION
ETHIC
the
camp
isue
2014
Deep Portage ofers camps for young explorers,
hunters and wilderness enthusiasts By Cali Owings
March 2014 61 60 March 2014
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Out About
ONGOING
The Scarecrow
and His Servant
Based on the book by Philip Pullman,
The Scarecrow and His Servant follows a
scarecrow and his servant Jack on their
dangerous, comical and chaotic journey to
nd Spring Valley.
When: March 11th through April 6
Where: Childrens Theatre Company,
Minneapolis
Cost: $16; $10 lap passes for ages 3
and under
Info: childrenstheatre.org or
612-874-0400
Balloonacy
This tale of an unlikely friendship
between an isolated old man and a
gregarious balloon is sweet, often silly...
and will draw a big smile on your face.
For preschool age and up.
When: March 25th through May 4
Where: Childrens Theatre Company,
Minneapolis
Cost: $16; $10 lap passes for ages 3
and under
Info: childrenstheatre.org or
612-874-0400
Strumply Peter
A toy opera inspired by the cautionary
poems 19th century German physician
Heinrich Hofman composed to entertain his
children. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
When: Through March 9th,
ASL performance March 8th
Where: Open Eye Figure Theatre,
Minneapolis
Cost: $10 child; $13 student; $15 general;
pay as able option available,
$5 minimum
Info: openeyetheatre.org or 612-874-6338
Progression Course
for Teens
A 6-session course for teenagers
dealing with mental health issues. The
classes are designed to empower young
people to take charge of their lives and
PARENT PICK
Minnesotas premier Japanese taiko drumming ensemble takes to the stage with a
blend of music and choreography that explores the limitless possibilities of rhythm in
motion. Special family performance, see information March 8th.
When: March 79 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cowles Center for Dance, Minneapolis
Cost: $14$34
Info: thecowlescenter.org or 612-206-3600
Rhythm
in Motion:
Mu Daiko
at the
Cowles
SUBMITTED PHOTO BY AARON FENSTER
For example, students will be tested on
different carrying positions for different
types of weapons, she said.
[At camp] they will have the students
stand up and give them a stick thats
supposed to represent their gun, she said.
The children will have to real-time show
the teachers how that hold is on that gun.
Beyond rearm safety, campers develop a
deeper knowledge of their prey and hunting
practices like compass orienteering and
emergency procedures.
We set the standard for youth education
as far as hunting goes, Yerger said.
More than 10,000 kids have learned to
hunt at Deep Portage, he said. The Forkhorn
I camp is open to kids and teens ages 1116
and previous hunting experience is not
required.
Some kids have a chance through their
families to be exposed to all of these things,
but many kids do not have that opportu-
nity, Yerger said.
He said he hopes that young hunters go
on to set a good example and be ambassa-
dors for the sport.
Very importantly for young hunters that
we train, we want them to go out and
represent hunting really well, he said.

DEEP PORTAGE CAMPS
Forkhorn I
Dates: June 813, June 1520, July 2025
(all girls), Aug. 38
Ages: 11-16
Cost: $400, $375 for Minnesota Deer
Hunters Association members
Sponsorships available through local
MDHA chapters.
Mini Camp
Dates: June 30July 2
Ages: 916
Cost: $200
Isaak Walton League
Dates: July 27Aug. 1
Ages: 916
Cost: $400 per child, or $700 for
child and a guardian
Application info: Download a
camp registration form at
deep-portage.org/campreg.pdf or
call 218 682-2325.
March 2014 63 62 March 2014 Convent of the Visitation MNP 0314 H4.indd 1 2/19/14 2:55 PM
Located 5 miles NWof Lanesboro, Minnesota
1-888-800-9558 www.Eagle-Bluff.org
Summer Camps, Womens Events & Family Adventures
Eagle Bluff MNP 0314 H6.indd 1 2/14/14 11:52 AM
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Cost: $15
Info: stagestheatre.org or 952-979-1111
1 SATURDAY
Nature Rocks!
Enjoy family-friendly activities such
as hiking, hands-on interaction with live
animals, craft projects and more.
When: 9:00 a.m. to noon
Where: Staring Lake Outdoor Center,
Eden Priaire
Cost: FREE
Info: edenprairie.org/outdoorcenter or
952-949-8479
Free First Saturday:
The Big Screen
Enjoy free gallery admission and family
activities, designed for children ages 612.
This month, screenings of childrens lms
from around the world start at 11:00 a.m.
When: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
Cost: FREE
Info: walkerart.org or 612-375-7600
Free Family Flicks:
Imagine That
Enjoy a free movie. First-come, rst-serve
to theater capacity.
When: 10:00 a.m.
Where: Theatres at Mall of America,
Bloomington
Cost: FREE
Info: theatresmoa.com
Animal Feeding at
Springbrook Nature Center
Watch the animals feed and learn about
the predator/prey relationship. Meet an
animal after the feeding.
When: 10:00 a.m.
Where: Springbrook Nature Center,
Fridley
Cost: FREE
Info: springbrooknaturecenter.org or
763-572-3588
PARENT PICK
A large-scale interactive exhibit
to experience the ferocious and
relatively unheard of dinosaurs
of ancient South America, Africa
and Madagascar who evolved in
isolation. Integrating technology
and fully articulated specimens,
the exhibit explores the how and
why of these dinos isolation, as
Pangea split and drifted apart so
many millions of years ago.
When: Opening March 1st
Where: Science Museum of
Minnesota, St. Paul
Cost: $12 kids/seniors; $21
adults
Info: smm.org or 651-221-9444
Ultimate
Dinosaurs
Out About
to handle difcult situations in healthy,
efective ways.
When: Tuesdays, March 18th to April 22nd
Where: Fuller Park Recreation Center,
Minneapolis
Cost: FREE, registration required
Info: namihelps.org or 651-645-2948
ext. 106
Mommy+Me Music Class
Explore music, rhythm and movement
with your children under 3 years old.
When: Every Thursday, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.
Where: Teeny Bee Boutique, St. Paul
Cost: FREE
Info: teenybeeboutique.com or
612-644-2540
Dinosaurs:
Land of Fire and Ice
Be transported back to the Cretaceous
Period of 14565 million years ago, when
dinosaurs roamed the terrain. Explore
what theyve left behind and learn about
how they lived, with a variety of activities
and research stations for children, plus
touchable dinos! Designed for ages 3 to 10.
When: Through May 26th
Where: Minnesota Childrens Museum,
St. Paul
Cost: $9.95 per person; FREE for
members
Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000
Tail Time!
Enjoy a story for babies through
preschoolers at the magical Wild Rumpus
Bookstore.
When: Every Monday, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis
Cost: FREE
Info: wildrumpusbooks.com or
612-920-5005
Alexander and the
Terrible, Horrible, No
Good, Very Bad Day
Poor Alexander is having a crummy day,
but audiences of all ages are sure to have
a wonderful time with this hilarious play.
When: March 7th through March 23rd
Where: Stages Theatre Company,
Hopkins
SUBMITTED PHOTO BY ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM
March 2014 65 64 March 2014
ALL ETHNICITIES NEEDED
2828 Chicago Ave #400, Minneapolis
For more information: 612-863-5390 or fill out an
application online www.ivfminnesota.com
Would You Consider Being an Egg Donor?
ATTENTION WOMEN 21-33: ATTENTION WOMEN 21-33:
Accredited by: Society for Assisted Reproductive
Technologies, American College of OB/GYNs and American
Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
The Center for Reproductive Medicine is seeking women between 21 and 33 years
of age to donate eggs for couples who cannot otherwise achieve pregnancy.
You will be compensated for your time and dedication.
N
EW
easy online
application
Center for Reproductive Medicine MNP 0114 H4.indd 2 12/12/13 12:16 PM
2 Couples Communicaton
Parentng Workshops:
Saturday, Feb 8
th
& Mar 1
st
Learn How to Fight Fair!
Saturday, Mar 15
th
Healthy Atachment,
Emotonal Intelligence
INFO: (612) 296-3800
REGISTER ONLINE NOW!
The Postpartum
Counseling Center
www.postpartumcounselingcenter.com
Postpartum Counseling Center MNP 0214 V6_#2.indd 1 1/21/14 3:33 PM
Como Zoo MNP 0213 V6.indd 1 1/11/13 3:30 PM
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Where: Childrens Theatre Company,
Minneapolis
Cost: TBD
Info: hobt.org, 612-721-2535 or
childrenstheatre.org, 612-874-0400
15 SATURDAY
Banelds Super
Pet Saturday
Read a book to a therapy dog!
Encourages reading and animal
interaction.
When: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m
Where: Minnesota Childrens Museum,
St. Paul
Cost: FREE
Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000
Saturday Live!
Magician Matt Dunn
An interactive, fast-paced magic show
for all ages.
When: 11:15 a.m.
Where: Central Library, St. Paul
Cost: FREE
Info: sppl.org or 651-266-7034
University of Minnesota
Toy Testing
Help rate new toy designs by the U of
Ms Toy Production Design Class. Learn
about the process, see sketch models
and come back on April 11 to see the nal
prototypes.
When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Minnesota Childrens Museum,
St. Paul
Cost: FREE
Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000
Why?: The Original
Pour-Quoi Tale
See description, Friday the 14th
When: 7:00 p.m.
Where: Childrens Theatre Company,
Minneapolis
Out About
2 SUNDAY
Free Family Fun Day:
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Explore a diferent topic each week
through hands-on activities that everyone
can enjoy at their own pace. Drop in
anytime throughout activities.
When: 1:00 p.m.
Where: Carl Kroening Interpretive
Center, Minneapolis
Cost: FREE
Info: threeriversparks.org or
763-694-2015
3 MONDAY
My Preschooler & Me:
Puppet Escapades:
Woolapolooza
Enjoy activities before the puppet
show, which features friendly farm animals.
Take a hike on the farm after the show.
Reservations recommended.
When: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Where: Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista
Cost: $4
Info: threeriversparks.org/events or
763-559-6700
6 THURSDAY
Animal Families
Como Zoos Lil Explorer Thursdays
include story time, activities, and plant or
animal guests for ages 13. The activities
are designed to improve skills such as
sorting, counting, naming and more.
When: 10:00 a.m to noon
When: Como Park Zoo, St. Paul
Cost: FREE
Info: comozooconservatory.org or
651-487-8201
8 SATURDAY
Live Animals
Meet a snake, salamander and toad,
and see turtle shells, snake skins and more.
Designed for children 310 years.
When: 10:00 a.m
Where: Maplewood Nature Center,
Maplewood
Cost: FREE
Info: ci.maplewood.mn.us or 651-249-2170
Free Family Flicks:
Ella Enchanted
Enjoy a free movie. First-come, rst-serve
to theater capacity.
When: 10:00 a.m.
Where: Theatres at Mall of America,
Bloomington
Cost: FREE
Info: theatresmoa.com
Copper Street
Brass Quintet
An interactive, musical experience for
families with children of all ages. Learn
about brass instruments and watch a
concert.
When: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota Childrens Museum,
St. Paul
Cost: FREE
Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000
Free Second Saturday:
Gadgets & Gizmos!
Enjoy free admission to the Bakken
Museum and explore electronics by
taking them apart and seeing their inner
workings.
When: 11:00 a.m.
Where: Bakken Museum, Minneapolis
Cost: FREE
Info: thebakken.org or 612-926-3878
Saturday Live! Woodland
Puppets present Ollies
Garden Day
Meet Ollie and his backyard neighbors,
and help protect his carrot patch from
rabbits.
When: 11:15 a.m.
Where: Central Library, St. Paul
Cost: FREE
Info: sppl.org or 651-266-7034
13 THURSDAY
Seeds & Sprouts
Como Zoos Lil Explorer Thursdays
include story time, activities, and plant or
animal guests for ages 13. The activities
are designed to improve skills such as
sorting, counting, naming and more.
When: 10:00 a.m to noon
When: Como Park Zoo, St. Paul
Cost: FREE
Info: comozooconservatory.org or
651-487-8201
Kids Class:
Tasty Irish Treats
Children can learn about traditional Irish
recipes such as soda bread, scones and
pastries. Intended for children 512, while
parents shop at the Market.
When: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mississippi Market, 1500 W. 7th
Street, St. Paul
Cost: $25/$22 co-op members
Info: msmarket.coop/events or
651-690-0507
14 FRIDAY
Beautiful Big Cats
Designed for preschool-aged children
accompanied by an adult, the class
encourages environmental awareness.
Beautiful Big Cats helps children explore
the world of big felines with artifacts,
songs and stories.
When: 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Where: Como Park Zoo and
Conservatory, St. Paul
Cost: $15/child, adults FREE
Info: comozooconservatory.org or
651-487-8201
Why?: The Original
Pour-Quoi Tale
Working in collaboration, The Childrens
Theatre Company and In The Heart of the
Beast Theatre will perform this original
script with experimental puppetry, theatre
and music. The French term por-quoi
story describes a ctional story that
explains how something came to be the
way it is, such as a legend or folk tale.
When: 7 p.m.
66 March 2014
MPR MNP 0314 2-3page with bleed.indd 1 2/3/14 2:49 PM
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22 SATURDAY
Primate Potluck
Family Class
Participants will prepare breakfast for
Comos primates and watch them enjoy
the food. Learn about primate behavior
and conservation of habitat.
When: 8:30 a.m.
Where: Como Zoo Park and
Conservatory, St. Paul
Cost: $15/person
Info: comozooconservatory.org or
651-487-8201
ECFE Nature Family Fun:
Sap Into Syrup
Learn about nature and make new
friendships at this class ofered by the
Nature Center and Early Childhood Family
Education. Parents and children stay
together for the whole class. Designed for
children 5 and under.
When: 10:00 a.m.
Where: Maplewood Nature Center,
Maplewood
Cost: FREE, registration required
Info: ci.maplewood.mn.us or 651-249-2170
Why?: The Original
Pour-Quoi Tale
See description, Friday the 14th
When: 7:00 p.m.
Where: In The Heart of the Beast
Theatre, Minneapolis
25 TUESDAY
Arty Pants:
Your Tuesday Playdate
Activities for adults and kids
ages 35 to spark creativity.
When: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
Cost: FREE with gallery admission
Info: walkerart.org or 612-375-7600
Out About
18 TUESDAY
Special Imagination Corner
Join MacPhail Early Childhood Music
Specialists in an interactive music program
focused on the seasons, movement and
instrument play.
When: 10:30 a.m.
Where: Minnesota Childrens Museum,
St. Paul
Cost: FREE
Info: mcm.org or 651-225-6000
19 WEDNESDAY
Star Watch Astronomy
Use a telescope looking through the
open roof in the observatory and ask an
astronomer questions about what you see. If
conditions are cloudy, a large screen inside
will provide visuals of the night sky. Children
must be accompanied by an adult.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Staring Lake Outdoor Center,
Eden Priaire
Cost: $12
Info: edenprairie.org/outdoorcenter or
952-949-8479
20 THURSDAY
Fantastic Frogs
Como Zoos Lil Explorer Thursdays
include story time, activities, and plant or
animal guests for ages 13. The activities
are designed to improve skills such as
sorting, counting, naming and more.
When: 10:00 a.m to noon
When: Como Park Zoo, St. Paul
Cost: FREE
Info: comozooconservatory.org or
651-487-8201
21 FRIDAY
Why?: The Original
Pour-Quoi Tale
See description, Friday the 14th
When: 7:00 p.m.
Where: In The Heart of the Beast
Theatre, Minneapolis
89.3 The Current and Childrens Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota present a day
full of interactive activities for parents and their children to experience music, art,
books, theater and community. Designed for children up to age 8.
When: March 2nd from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Arts and The Childrens Theatre Company,
Minneapolis
Cost: FREE
Info: thecurrent.org or 612-870-6337
PARENT PICK
Rock the Cradle
SUBMITTED PHOTO BY EAMON COYNE
March 2014 69 68 March 2014
TPT MNP 0214 V6.indd 1 1/16/14 10:03 AM
The Cremation Society

of Minnesota
We are Minnesotas Cremation Specialist
Serving the entire state of Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
Owned and Operated by the Waterston Family.
www.cremationsocietyofmn.com
Complete Cremation Services
Professional Dignified Economical
Minneapolis Chapel
4343 Nicollet Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 825-2435
Edina Chapel
7110 France Avenue South
Edina, MN 55435
(952) 924-4100
Cremation Society MNP 1113 NR2-Urn V6.indd 1 10/17/13 10:40 AM
one of a kind art projects courtesy
of ARTrageous Adventures
interactive booths!
face painting by Simply Jane!
For more information:
www.mnparent.com/camp-fair
or 612-825-9205
Comos animals unleashed!


F
R
E
E

A
D
M
I
S
S
I
O
N
SPEAK
FACE TO FACE
WITH DOZENS OF
CAMP INSTRUCTORS
PRESENTS THE
8TH ANNUAL
Door Prizes GooDie BaGs free aDmission
free ParkinG free entertainment
2014
SATURDAY
MARCH 8
2014
10AM-2PM
AT COMO PARK ZOO
& CONSERVATORY
SPONSORED BY:
Camp Fair 2014 MNP 0214 2-3page.indd 1 1/23/14 2:42 PM
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CAMP RESOURCE GUIDE
ADVERTISER LISTINGS
Academic
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 scientic specimens, University
researchand lots of fun! June 9-August
29, grades K-6. New this year: half-day
preschool camps!
Minneapolis
612-626-9660
bellmuseum.org
Camp Invention
Led by local educators, the weeklong Camp
Invention experience immerses elementary
children in hands-on activities that reinvent
summer fun. Children spend their time
building original prototypes, creating a
personalized motor-powered vehicle, and
taking apart electronics to construct a
pinball machine.
40+ locations in Minnesota, including:
Apple Valley, Bloomington, Chaska,
Eagan, Eden Prairie, Farmington,
Fridley, Lakeville, Maple Grove,
Mendota Heights, Minnetonka, New
Brighton, Robbinsdale, Shoreview, St.
Paul, Stillwater, Wayzata, White Bear
Lake, & more!
800-968-4332
campinvention.org
Ecology Credit Camp at Wolf Ridge
Have a passion for the outdoors? Ecology
Credit Camp means wilderness adventures
plus serious science. Create and present
your own research project. Work with
resource professionals. Travel the BWCAW
and Superior Hiking Trail. Earn college or
high school credit.
Finland, MN
218-353-7414
wolf-ridge.org
Gifted & Talented Summer Institute,
The (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-12 opportunities for challenge and
exploration. Classes run late June through
July. Half- and full-day, weeklong course
options in a variety of core disciplines.
Eagle Ridge Jr. High
13955 Glendale Rd, Savage
952-707-4150
giftedtalented.org
ICC Summer Engineering Camp
Explore the world of engineering through
hands-on project work, industry tours,
and team design challenges; live and work
at Wenger Engineering Center, Itasca
Community College, Grand Rapids, MN. Sr.
High (Science): grades 11-12, June 16-20; Sr.
High (Design): grades 10-12, July 6-12; Jr.
High: grades 7-9, July 16-19.
Itasca Community College, Grand Rapids
218-322-2370
engineering.itascacc.edu
iD Tech Camps at Macalester
Weeklong, day, and overnight summer
programs for ages 7-17. Students develop
iPhone and Android apps, program in C++
and Java, design video games, produce
lms, build robots, create websites, and
more. Small classes (8:1 ratios, guaranteed)
led by tech-savvy staf. Also two-week, pre-
college Academies for ages 13-18.
Macalester, Stanford, Yale, & over 80 top
universities nationwide
888-709-TECH (8324)
idtech.com
Junior Achievement Summer Camp
Campers will learn how to run a successful
business through a variety of fun, interactive
activities. Held at JAs unique kid-sized
city, this camp is the ultimate real-world
simulation. The June session focuses on
STEM careers; the July session will appeal
to the budding entrepreneur.
Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest
1800 White Bear Ave N, Maplewood
651-255-0037
jaum.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!
5111 W 98th St, Bloomington
952-886-4382
9724 Schreiber Terrace N, Brooklyn Park
763-2696969
1960 Clif Lake Rd, Ste 112, Eagan
651-8150303
16378 Wagner Way, Eden Prairie
952-5002138
17581 Glasgow Ave, Lakeville
952-891-1100
13720 83rd Way N, Maple Grove
763-2696969
4785 Cty Rd 101, Minnetonka
952-5002139
3505 Vicksburg Ln N, Ste 900, Plymouth
763-5678143
14043 S Hwy 13, Savage
952-2263000
1140 Vierling Dr E, Shakopee
952-236-1699
4590 Excelsior Blvd, St. Louis Park
763-2696969
649 S Snelling Ave, St. Paul
651-6986284
5871 Neal Ave N, Stillwater
651-3002252
4711 Hwy 61 N, White Bear Lake
651-8882541
7060 Valley Creek Plaza, Woodbury
651-330-4184
mathnasium.com
Minnehaha Academy
Summer Programs
Our high-quality program ofers more
than 60 half-day and full-day athletic,
enrichment, and academic classes for
grades pre-K-12, including courses for credit
for grades 9-12.
4200 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis
3100 W River Pkwy, Minneapolis
612-728-7745
minnehahaacademy.net/summer
Minnetonka Community Education
Ofering more than 500 camps and classes
for youth ages birth to 18. Language
immersion, computer coding, robotics,
theater, aquatics, leadership, cooking,
sports, and so much more.
5621 County Rd 101, Minnetonka
952-401-6800
minnetonkacommunityed.org
Providence Academy Summer
Programs
Building on academic excellence and strong
Christian values, Providence Academy's
summer programs ofers a variety of
academic, enriching, and fun experiences!
We ofer activities from architect design
and driver's education to clay molding 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 students
individual needs. Fun activities include
swimming, water slides, eld ball, Magic
the Gathering, soccer, tennis, roller skating,
bowling, shing, sign language, and role
playing games. Program Monday-Thursday
8 a.m.-5 p.m. June 23-26, July 7-10, 14-17,
21-24, 28-31, August 4-7, 11-14. 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, The
Camps for girls and boys in grades K-7 who
love to explore, design, and build! Kids learn
how things work through fun, hands-on
science and engineering projects. Discover
messy chemistry, Lego Robotics, electricity,
architecture, and more! Camps run June
August 2014.
9740 Grand Ave S, Bloomington
952-888-4262
theworks.org
Summer@MPA
Learn, Connect, Grow, Experience, and
Explore with Summer@MPA! Engaging
summer classes in Academics, Athletics,
and the Arts for ages 418. Also featuring
Middle School Adventure Weeks and
Panther Campfull daycare in a camp
setting. Learn more online!
Mounds Park Academy
2051 Larpenteur Ave E, Maplewood
651-777-2555
moundsparkacademy.org/summer@mpa
Arts
Adventures in Cardboard
Summer Arts & Creative Play,
Outdoors
Summer outdoor mythic play near the
Twin Cities! Weeklong, full-day programs.
Construct a giant castle, get lost in colossal
mazes, build suits of armor, outdoor
live-action games of arms and armor,
and swimming. For more info or online
registration visit: julianmcfaul.com
Fort Snelling State Park, Minneapolis
Lake Valentine, Arden Hills
Bryant Lake Regional Park, Eden Prairie
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 ofered. See
samples of student artwork; visit our
website. Call for a brochure.
651 Snelling Ave S, St. Paul
651-699-1573
theartacademy.net
Art Camps at Studio Seven
One week painting and drawing camps for
students ages 718. Compositional elements
will be explored through landscape and
gure 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. $485 per
week, all materials are included. kahlow-
curtis@hotmail.com.
708 N 1st St, Minneapolis
612-376-0381
studio7mn.com
beARTrageous
beARTrageous is all about creating
happiness and unleashing creative power.
Our camps encourage kids to explore
themselves, their community, and the
world through art. We cherish the unique
perspective of each child.
Kenwood, Minneapolis
612-423-7554
be-artrageous.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 Hamlines Creative
Writing faculty and published authors.
Hamline University, St. Paul
651-523-2479
hamline.edu/hyww
Kidcreate Studio
Kidcreate ofers art camps for young artists
ages 3-12. Camps are designed to inspire
and educate in an environment lled with
fun. Camp themes include Ballerina, Dolls,
Messy Art, Legos, Star Wars, Glow-in-the-
Dark, Masters on Canvas, Clay, and many
more. EdenPrairieMN@kidcreatestudio.com,
WoodburyMN@kidcreatestudio.com.
7918 Mitchell Rd, Eden Prairie
952-974-3438
kidcreatestudio.com/eden-prairie-art-
studio
1785 Radio Dr, Ste F, Woodbury
651-735-0880
kidcreatestudio.com/woodbury-art-studio
Lofts Young Writers Program, The
The Lofts Young Writers Program ofers
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
Phipps Summer Art Camp, The
Partial-day and full-day classes in drawing,
painting, sculpture, pottery, animation, ber
arts, jewelry-making, and mixed media, as
well as creative dramatics, musical theater,
and magic, for preschool through teens,
taught by experienced artists, June 16
August 15.
Phipps Center for the Arts, The
109 Locust St, Hudson, WI
715-386-2305
thephipps.org
Camp Resources
Minnesota Parents Camp Fair
March 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Summers here! Or, at least it will be when
you attend Minnesota Parents 8th annual
Camp Fair. Get a jumpstart on planning
for day or overnight summer camps,
be it music, art, technology, sports, and
everything in between.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
1225 Eastbrook Dr, St. Paul
612-825-9205
mnparent.com/camp-fair
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 2125) lled with
singing, music games, and arts activities.
Singers will explore their vocal potential and
increase their condence in singing. Age
range: grades 2-5. Cost: $88. 9:45 a.m.12:15
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 fully elective with
strong programs and activities ofered
in Performing Arts, Music, Circus, Visual
Arts, Technology, Water Sports, Sports,
Horseback, and so much more! We ofer 2,
4, 6, 8, and 10 week sessions for boys and
girls ages 6-17.
314 S Grove Ave, Owatonna
844-800-CAMP (2267)
camppillsbury.com
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Center for Irish Music, The
All ages and abilities will explore and grow
musically within the context of the Irish
tradition. CIM ofers creative and active
introductory and intermediate camps on
whistle, song, ddle, harp, and drumming
as well as mythology, travel-themed, and
performance camps.
836 Prior Ave N, St. Paul
651-815-0083
centerforirishmusic.org
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
Concordia University
Musical Theatre Camp
Take center stage at Concordias overnight
musical theatre camp June 22-27! Students
will explore musical theatre performance
and technique with a faculty of theatre,
dance, and music professionals in a state-
of-the art theatre facility. Room and board
included. For grades 7-12.
1282 Concordia Ave, St. Paul
651-603-6209
csp.edu/musicaltheatrecamp
Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies
(GTCYS) Summer Programs
Two unique summer programs in
Minneapolis and St. Paul provide fun and
challenging orchestral experiences for
string, woodwind, brass, and percussion
students of all abilities, ages 818. 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
Lucys Outdoor Dance Camp
Lucy's Outdoor Dance Camp in year 10 at
Lake Harriet! This summer, learn original
choreography from shows on Broadway
NOW, make a dance camp movie, and all of
the usual fun~ theater, games, swimming,
nature, art and dance. Reserve your spot
today at lucysdancecamp.com or contact
Lucy: lucys.dancecamp@gmail.com.
Lake Harriet, Minneapolis
612-720-1517
lucysdancecamp.com
Lundstrum Center for the
Performing Arts
Become a triple threat at Lundstrum Centers
musical theatre 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 9-20: Camp 1, ages 4-12;
June 23-August 3: Camp 2, ages 13+.
1617 N 2nd St, Minneapolis
612-521-2600
lundstrumcenter.org
Lyric Arts Main Street Stage
Lyric Arts students explore and grow
with high-quality learning and performing
opportunities for students of all ages. Our
popular half- and full-day camps ofer a
variety of ways for students to develop
performing skills and build self-condence
through exercises in stage movement, voice
projection, acting technique, improvisation,
and more.
420 E Main St, Anoka
763-233-0804
lyricarts.org/workshops
Northland Youth Music Program
(N.Y.M.P.)
The Northland Youth Music Program has
been providing summer music education
experience at an afordable price with
concert and jazz band programs for over 15
years. Students in grades 6-12 are invited to
attend starting July 13, 2014.
Program Ofce:
9670 E Elm Rd, Poplar, WI
Summer Program:
Superior Senior High School, Superior, WI
Dorms at University of Minnesota Duluth
715-364-2234
218-340-0512
nymp.net
OShea Irish Dance Camp
Director Cormac OSe original member
of Riverdance. Highly skilled technical
training for preschoolers through adults;
for competition, for fun, and for tness!
Weekly Classes: Mondays-Thursdays.
Beginners Spring and Summer Camps
registering now!
The Celtic Junction
836 Prior Ave N, St. Paul
612-722-7000
osheairishdance.com
Shell Lake Arts Center
With programs in jazz, rock band, show
choir, art, theatre, dance, and more, the Shell
Lake Arts Center is like nowhere else! Just
two hours northeast of the Twin Cities in the
beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin. Come
join us for the experience of a lifetime!
802 1st St, Shell Lake, WI
715-468-2414
shelllakeartscenter.org
Sing Minnesota
August 11-15, 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
StageCoach Theatre Arts
StageCoach Summer Camps give equal
emphasis to the three main Performing Arts
elements of dance, acting, and singing. Age
appropriate camps for ages 6-16 provide
real musical theatre experiences for your
child, culminating in a fully staged musical.
Edina & Minnetonka: 952-300-5893
St. Paul: 651-775-2849
St. Louis Park: 952-367-6032
stagecoachschools.com
SteppingStone Theatre School for
Young Actors
This spring and summer youth ages 2-17
will spark their creativity at SteppingStone
Theatre. Young actors tap into their
potential in unique waysbuilding
condence and acting skills while having
tons of fun! Scholarships/membership
pricing available.
55 Victoria St N, St. Paul
651-225-9265
steppingstonetheatre.org
Theatre Arts Training (TAT)
Children's Theatre Company
TAT is a comprehensive program that ofers
a nurturing environment in which each
individual child will nd his or her unique
voice while having fun and exploring the
creative process within a community of
their peers. (Ages 4-18).
MIA
2400 Third Ave S, Minneapolis
612-874-0400
childrenstheatre.org/education/
classes-and-camps
Triple Threat Training
Ordways Professional Musical
Theater Intensive
This two-week intensive in musical theater
connects young people with experienced
instructors to hone their vocal, acting,
and dance technique, as well as enhance
their audition skills! Audition required for
admission. Auditions February-March. July
14-18 & July 21-25, 2014. $750 Tuition for
two-week session (scholarships available)
for ages 13-18.
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
345 Washington St, St. Paul
651-282-3115
ordway.org/education/triplethreat
Young Fiddlers Association of
Minnesota July Fiddle Camp
July 21, 22, 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. American
and Swedish ddling 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. Mary Allen, director
youngddlers@yahoo.com.
Roseville Covenant Church
651-323-4106
youngddlers.com
Zenon Dance Company
& School Summer Camps
Weeklong camps for ages 6-14. Each day of
camp includes two technique classes and a
choreography class where participants will
work together to create a dance performed
on the last day! Hip Hop camps: July 21-25
and August 4-8. Interdisciplinary Camp: July
28-August 1.
528 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis
612-338-1101
zenondance.org
Day
American Swedish Institute
Have fun exploring a diferent 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
10-August 21. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $50 per session.
2600 Park Ave S, Minneapolis
612-871-4907
asimn.org
Animal Humane Societys
Unleashed Camp
An animal-themed summer day camp
at Animal Humane Society for students
entering grades 3-10. Camp includes
animal-related educational activities, animal
interactions, special guests, eld trips, and
more. Register online today.
Bufalo, Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, St.
Paul, & Woodbury
763-489-2220
animalhumanesociety.org/camps
Archaeology for Kids One-Day Camp
Get ready for an archeological dig at
Historic Fort Snelling. Campers, ages 10-
14, will spend the day with archeologists
and historians who will help them
learn how to do archeological work
including research, digging and sifting
at a recreated dig site, and working with
scientic equipment in a lab.
Historic Fort Snelling
200 Tower Ave, St. Paul
612-726-1171
mnhs.org/summercamps
Arts on the River Day Camp
Campers, ages 9-11, play music, create
stories, build books, and bake bread all
while exploring how the riverfront district
was built, rebuilt and is now a rich cultural
area. Children experience four top arts
centers: Mill City Museum, the Guthrie
Theater, Minnesota Center for Book Arts,
and MacPhail Center for Music.
Mill City Museum
704 S Second St, Minneapolis
612-341-7555
mnhs.org/summercamps
Davy Crockett Summer Camp
Campers will learn the skills Davy Crockett
and others like him used on the frontier
including tracking animals, using int and
steel, and 1800s soldiering. Campers, ages
9-12, will also learn about American Indian
history and much more.
Historic Fort Snelling
200 Tower Ave, St. Paul
612-726-1171
mnhs.org/summercamps
Finishing School for Young Ladies
In this one-of-a kind day camp, young ladies
will dress up in Victorian outts and learn
about Victorian fashion, etiquette, dancing,
and poise. Open to girls 9-12. Session I: June
16-18, Session II: July 14-16. $220/$200 for
MNHS members.
Alexander Ramsey House
265 S Exchange St, St. Paul
651-296-8760
mnhs.org/summercamps
Gibbs Museum of Pioneer &
Dakotah Life Pioneer Days:
School, Work, & Play
Children travel back in time to experience
1800s life at school, work, and play in
this three-day pioneer camp. Tuesdays-
Thursdays in July; 9 a.m.1 p.m. $99. Just
one of our four great camps fun for kids
ages 3-10; family-friendly pricing.
2097 W Larpenteur Ave, Falcon Heights
651-646-8629
rchs.com
Gibbs Museum of Pioneer &
Dakotah Life Pioneer PeeWees
The perfect camp for younger children
ages 3-5. Each camp covers one pioneer
or Dakota-related topic and includes an
activity and craft to make and take home.
Full list of topics on RCHS website in March.
Wednesdays, July 9August 20; 9:30
a.m.11:30 p.m. $19 per class. Just one of our
four great camps options for kids ages
3-10; family-friendly pricing.
2097 W Larpenteur Ave, Falcon Heights
651-646-8629
rchs.com
Half Pint Mini Horse Camp
5-12 year-olds join Half Pint Horse
Foundation and our miniature horses
to learn how to groom, lead, bathe, and
care for horses! A very safe alternative to
horse camp as the minis are all under 30
inches tall!
High View Stables, Chaska
612-802-6209
halfpinthorsefoundation.com
History Detective Camp
Become a super-sleuth and use clues to
solve a mystery at the Ramsey House. Kids
will explore the Ramsey House, artifacts
inside the home, letters, journals, and
recipes. Campers, ages 11-13, will comb
through the evidence to reveal the mystery.
A new mystery will be presented each day.
Alexander Ramsey House
265 S Exchange St, St. Paul
651-296-8760
mnhs.org/summercamps
Huck Finn Summer Camp
Campers, ages 9-12, will explore the book
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and
its themes of adventure and childhood fun
through hands-on activities in the unique
setting of Historic Fort Snelling. Activities
include shing, hiking, cooking outdoors,
canoeing, and more.
Historic Fort Snelling
200 Tower Ave, St. Paul
612-726-1171
mnhs.org/summercamps
ISD 191 Community Education
Summer Programs
ISD 191 Community Education ofers
activities and camps for your K-6 student.
Drawing, Chess, Sports, Swimming, Dance,
Theater, and Recreation classes are ofered
throughout the summer at an afordable
cost. We focus on fun!
Various district locations in Burnsville,
Eagan, Savage
952-707-4150
communityed191.org
CAMP RESOURCE GUIDE
ADVERTISER LISTINGS
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Summer Preschool
SP Kindergarten
Summer Power
Summer Sports
Summer Uproar
Specialty Programs
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ymcadiscoversummer.org
Register Online
Membership not required.
Financial assistance available.
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.
SUMMER UPROAR
Grades 6-8
Uproar provides an exciting combination of
spirited adventure and growth. Participants
get their rst taste of leadership as
they help to plan their summer activities.
Participate in weekly eld trips.
SUMMER POWER
Grades K-5
Summer Power is your answer to quality
care and exciting adventures. We offer
exible 3-, 4-, and 5-day options. Kids
enjoy their day in small age appropriate
groups and participate in activities such
as rafts, group games, sports and weekly
eld trips.
SUMMER RALLY DAYS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 SUNDAY, MARCH 2
GET SPECIAL DEALS
at ymcadiscoversummer.org
Need more information? Attend the
YMCA SUMMER PROGRAMS FAIR
Saturday, March 1 9 a.m. Noon
Christmas Tree
DayCroix @Camp St. Croix
Guy Robinson
Heritage
Ihduhapi
Kici Yapi
Kumalya
Manitou
Spring Lake
Streefland
TWIN CITIES
DAY CAMPS W
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YM
CA CAM
PS
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, rock climbing, river canoeing, shing,
technical tree climbing 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 rst 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
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 childrens
age groups. Relax at days end with an
authentic Finnish sauna.
YMCA TEEN WILDERNESS
ADVENTURES
CAMP MENOGYN
Ages 12-18. Camp Menogyn is located on the
Gunint 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,
shing, 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.
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 Streeand 11490 Klamath Trail, Lakeville,
MN 55044, 952-898-9622. Traditional day camp
is located on Lake Kingsley in Lakeville.
ymcadiscoversummer.org
For more information:
612-230-9622
Membership not required.
Financial assistance available.
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Kids R.O.C.K. Summer Program
Kids R.O.C.K. is the place to be for a
summer to remember! Each week follows a
fantastic theme along with swimming, ice
skating, group games, and eld trips! Pay
only the weeks you come!
Veterans Memorial Community Center
8055 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights
651-450-2585
funatthegrove.com
Little House in the
Big Fort Summer Camp
Experience the life described in Laura
Ingalls Wilders "Little House" books.
Campers, ages 7-11, will sing the songs,
play the games, and make the food and
crafts that Wilder learned while growing
up on the western frontier in the 19th
century.
Historic Fort Snelling
200 Tower Ave, St. Paul
612-726-1171
mnhs.org/summercamps
Playworks Summer Camp 2014
Discover Minnesota! June 9August 29.
Open to kids entering grades 16. Children
explore their world through eld trips
to zoos, museums, beaches, parks, and
more. Plus, arts & crafts, science, playtime
with friends. Enroll by March 31st and $65
registration fee is waived. FT or PT. Daily.
Meals Included.
2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake
952-496-6811
playworksfun.com
Roseville Parks & Recreation
Have an awesome summer by attending
these camps in Roseville. Includes day
camps; theatre camps; sport camps such
as basketball, football, cheerleading, golf,
tennis, track and eld, volleyball, lacrosse;
and nature camps. Online registration
available.
2660 Civic Center Dr, Roseville
651-792-7110
cityofroseville.com/parks
Soldier One-Day Camp
"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 rings, and
more. For ages 8-12. June 7, June 28, July
12, July 26, August 9.
Historic Fort Snelling
200 Tower Ave, St. Paul
612-726-1171
mnhs.org/summercamps
St. Croix Lutheran Grades 6-12
Academic & Sports Camps
Art, basketball, bowling, football, golf,
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
Textiles & T-Shirts: Fashion Design
with a Historic Accent
Campers, ages 12-16, use 21st century
technology to create their own designs
inspired by historic textiles. Campers look
at historic textiles, talk to design pros,
then create an original, wearable T-shirt
incorporating historic inspiration and
your textile ideas. Funding by Best Buy
Children's Foundation.
Minnesota History Center
345 Kellogg Blvd, W St. Paul
651-259-3015
mnhs.org/summercamps
University of Minnesota Summer
Youth Programs
Explore more with exciting topics and
new discoveries on the Twin Cities
campus. Hands on academics, arts, and
sport instruction combine with quality
recreation to create a summer like no
other. Ofering over 200 weeklong
day camps for ages 5-15. https://www.
facebook.com/UofMYouthPrograms.
St. Paul Gymnasium
1536 Cleveland Ave N, St. Paul
612-625-2242
http://recwell.umn.edu/youth
YWCA of Minneapolis
Camp in the City
YWCA of Minneapolis ofers a full-day
summer option, exploring our urban
environment. Weekly eld trips, cultural
events, swimming lessons, and many other
active, creative, and enriching activities
await. Parents tell us that kids in our
program are never bored!
Childrens Center at Downtown:
1130 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
612-215-4189
Childrens Center at Midtown:
2121 E Lake St, Minneapolis
612-215-4328
Childrens Center at Abbott
Northwestern Hospital:
800 E 28th St, #15103, Minneapolis
612-863-0971
Childrens Center at Travelers:
80 W 7th St, St. Paul
651-310-7779
ywcampls.org/ece
Zoo Camp
Join our summer Zoo Camps where
specially trained naturalists guide your
child in discovering the natural world.
We have hands-on camps for toddlers
through 12th grade. Our weeklong (or
single day) camps explore oceans,
rainforests, farm animals, and even
Zoo careers.
Minnesota Zoo
13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley
952-431-9320
mnzoo.org
Horseback Riding
Golden Ridge Stables
Want to Hug A Horse? Our amazing
summer day camps include a daily riding
lesson and hands on horsey fun. Year
round quality lessons for youth and
ladies on well-mannered school horses.
Conveniently located via Cedar Avenue
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 Condence 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
Sunnyside Stables Horsemanship
Summer Camp
Sunnysides 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
651-226-2027
sunnysidestables.org
Woodloch Stable
Horseback riding weeklong day camps,
group and private lessons for 8 year-olds
and up. Two-day pony camps and private
lessons for 4-8 year-olds. Individualized
attention and structured lessons in
Western and English riding. We have a
professional, patient, and caring staf, as
well as safe horses in a clean, modern
facility. We are dedicated to giving your
child a safe and enjoyable riding experience
at an afordable price. Family owned!
5676 170th St, Hugo
651-429-1303
woodlochstable.com
Language
Berlitz Kids Summer Language Camp
Berlitz provides engaging programs year-
round for children and teens designed
to excite and motivate them to learn a
new language. Expect all the educational
advantages Berlitz is famous for Summer
Camps, After School programs, and Private
and Group Tutoring available.
Berlitz Minneapolis Learning Center
6800 France Ave S, Ste 180, Edina
952-920-4100
berlitz.us/summercamps
Joyce Spanish Immersion
Summer Camp
Joyce ofers weeklong Spanish Immersion
camps at its Park Avenue location a
fun, multicultural experience for ages 3-8!
Field trips, a weekly esta, and more! Three
sessions in August; visit our website for
details.
3400 Park Ave S, Minneapolis
612-823-2447
joycepreschool.org
Other
Minnesota Childrens Museum
At Minnesota Childrens Museum, hands-on
play builds lifelong learning. Each of our
seven galleries is uniquely designed with
a childs busy brain in mind. Every visit is
packed with experiences guaranteed to
nurture problem solving, fuel fun, and cater
to the curious at heart.
10 W Seventh St, Downtown St. Paul
651-225-6000
mcm.org
Totino-Grace Summer Camps
This summer, Totino-Grace can help your
child explore new activities, expand current
interests, discover talents, and develop
emerging skills. Totino-Grace ofers a variety
of ne art and athletic summer camp
experiences for students in elementary,
middle, and high school. Hockey and Swim
camps will be held of-site, please see
website for details.
1350 Gardena Ave NE, Fridley
763-571-9116
totinograce.org/summercamps
Venture Photography
At Venture we capture your precious
moments in time and beautifully present
them in our stunning hand-crafted
product. Our innovative photography,
exceptional quality, and rst class
customer service continues to redene
family photography, creating lasting
memories for generations to come.
6551 York Ave, Edina
952-345-3392
venturephotography.com/minneapolis
Visitation School
Visitations Summer Solution ofers a
variety of fun summer options, including
athletic activities, visual and performing
arts, science experiments, and academic
enrichment opportunities for children in
grades pre-K-12. Visit visitation.net/summer
for more information.
651-683-1751
visitation.net/summer
Overnight
Camp Agawak for Girls
Camp Agawak for Girls, est. 1921, is much
more than a traditional camp. Its an oasis
for growth, friendship, and self-discovery.
Quality instruction in over 40 activities.
Schedules tailored to camper interests.
Excitement, adventure, friendships, and
fun awaits each camper.
7851 Agawak Rd, Minocqua, WI
715-356-5383
agawak.com
Camp Birchwood
At Camp Birchwood the experience is about
lifelong skills, friendships, and memories
that develop at camp. We provide campers
with opportunities for making their own
choices, encourage them to challenge
themselves and to discover who they are
through a long list of available activities.
Northern Minnesota
800-451-5270
218-388-4402
Girls Camp: campbirchwood.com
Boys Camp: birchwoodforboys.com
Camp Bovey
Campers gain swimming skills by certied
instructors, engage in outdoor games,
experience outdoor living skills, and gain
hands-on experience shing, canoeing,
hiking, archery, etc. Nutritious meals and
snacks provided daily. New this year: Visual
Arts Studio Camp (photography, painting,
sculpture, etc) and Performing Arts Studio
Camp (theater, music, dance, etc).
Northwestern Wisconsin
612-787-4030
esns.org/campbovey
Camp Olson YMCA
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
Camp Quest of Minnesota
We combine traditional outdoor activities
with learning sessions on science, critical
thinking, and humanist ethics. Campers
also participate in a service project, and
our theme for this year is visual arts. Two
weeklong sessions: July 20-26 and July
27-August 2.
Voyageur Environmental Center
7000 County Rd 15, Minnetrista
651-300-2267
cqminnesota.org
Camp WeHaKee
Have fun, build friendships, be yourself!
More than 40 activities that each girl
chooses. Campers from around the world.
Exceptional staf! 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
Clearwater Camp for Girls
The Northwoods of Wisconsin provide a
spectacular backdrop for girls ages 8-16 to
build condence, adventurous spirits, and
friends for a lifetime while participating
in over 25 activities including sailing,
horseback riding, waterskiing, camping
trips, and more.
7490 Clearwater Rd, Minocqua, WI
715-356-5030
clearwatercamp.org
Girl Scouts River Valleys'
Summer Camps
All girls, including non-Girl Scouts. Four
locations with varied scenery and outdoor
opportunities. Traditional and horse camps,
wilderness experiences, swimming, boating,
biking, archery, arts and crafts, robotics, and
more. Day and residential sessions. Financial
assistance available.
Camp Elk River, Elk River
Camp Lakamaga, Forest Lake
Camp Northwoods, Mason, WI
Camp Singing Hills, Waterville
800-845-0787
girlscoutsrv.org/camp
CAMP RESOURCE GUIDE
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Tamahay Camp for Girls
Tamahay Camp for Girls is an overnight
camp for girls ages 7-16. Two and four week
sessions available. Tamahay is a unique
camp where skills are learned, friendships
are made, and a sense of responsibility is
gained. Our small sessions enable campers
to get to know everyone at camp. Come
ride horses, swim, sail, and much more at
Tamahay!
21566 County 84, Akeley
218-652-3033
tamahay.com
Wolf Ridge Summer Camp
At Wolf Ridge, learning is the greatest
adventure there is. The trees, animals, lakes,
rivers, wetlands, and sunsets will change
before your eyes. So will you. Camps and
wilderness trips last 4-28 days. Come
explore with us this summer!
Finland, MN
218-353-7414
wolf-ridge.org
YMCA Camp Miller
Unplug, connect, belong! The oldest Y
camp in the state of Minnesota ofers safe,
afordable adventure. Activities include
horseback, high ropes, climbing, boating,
archery, outdoor skills, and more. Just
two hours north of the Twin Cities. NEW
recruitment discount SAVES up to $300!
Sturgeon Lake
218-372-3188
ymcacampmiller.org
Specialty
Bricks 4 Kidz
High-energy, fast paced LEGO themed
camps where kids will discover, explore,
invent, and create. In these unique half-day
camps, 5-13 year-olds will build incredible
motorized creations, play games, and have
lots of fun using LEGO bricks.
West Metro:
612-758-0245
Locations at bricks4kidz.com/
tcwestmetro
Southeast Metro:
651-206-2701
Locations at bricks4kidz.com/semetro
Camp Odayin
For children with heart disease, Camp
Odayin provides day or residential
camping experiences with outdoor or
creative activities in a medically supervised
environment. Stafed with pediatric
cardiologists and nurses. Residential: July
14-18 (ages 13-15), July 21-25 (ages 16-17),
August 4-8 (ages 11-13), August 11-15 (ages
8-11). Day: July 28August 1 (ages 6-7).
Crosslake & West St. Paul
651-351-9185
campodayin.org
Computer Explorers Technology
Summer Camps
Nationally recognized technology camps
for ages 314. Where learning is fun,
innovative, challenging, and hands-on.
With over 300 camps in Minnesota,
we ofer exciting classes in Robotics,
Video Game Design, Movie Production,
Animation, Solar, Aerospace, Rollercoaster
Engineering, and more!
Throughout Minnesota
651-730-9910
computerexplorersmn.com
iD Tech Academies
Gain a competitive edge and learn how
programming, app development, game
design, lmmaking, or photography can
become a college degree and even a
rewarding career. Two-week, pre-college,
intensive summer programs for ages 13-18:
iD Programming Academy, iD Game Design
& Development Academy, and iD Film
Academy.
Stanford, Lake Forest, Princeton, & more
888-709-TECH (8324)
idtech.com
Mad Science of Minnesota
Mad Science camps get kids excited about
science with hands-on activities and take
home projects. A large variety of camps
are ofered throughout the Twin Cities area
including Rockets, Flight Academy, Robots
(Jr. and Sr.), Secret Agent, Eureka, Jr.
Scientist, Kids in the Lab, CHESS, and more.
519 Payne Ave, St. Paul
651-793-5721
mn.madscience.org
St Davids Centers Summer
Adventure
Summer Adventure is a therapeutic
recreation program for teens and young
adults with special needs. With a focus on
recreation and 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
Swift Nature Camp
Let your childs natural curiosity for nature
be discovered. Located just two hours
from Minneapolis, we are a traditional
co-ed camp, with focus on nature and
environment. A First Time Campers
Program is available for campers who have
not attended camp before.
W7471 Ernie Swift Rd, Minong, WI
630-654-8036
swiftnaturecamp.com
True Friends Camp
Courage & Camp Friendship
True Friends is the new parent company
of Camp Courage and Camp Friendship.
Ofering residential and day camp sessions
at ve MN locations. Specializing in
programs for people with developmental,
physical, or learning disabilities. Need-
based scholarships are available.
Camp Friendship:
10509 108th St NW, Annandale
Camp Courage:
8046 83rd St NW, Maple Lake
Camp Eden Wood:
6350 Indian Chief Rd, Eden Prairie
Camp Courage North:
37569 Courage N Dr, Lake George
Camp New Hope:
53035 Lake Ave, McGregor
800-450-8376
truefriends.org
Whole Learning School, The
For students with autism and intellectual
disabilities. Using a web-based curriculum,
as well as direct teacher instruction, The
Learning Cube provides additional or
maintenance learning in math and/or
literacy. The hands-on Learning Project
will focus on STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, & Math), project-based
learning, infused with art. June 16-August 7.
9400 Cedar Lake Rd Door #7
St. Louis Park
763-231-2700
twls.org
Sports and Fitness
Academy of Holy Angels Summer
Experience
Summer Experience ofers over 40 one-
week camp oferings in June ranging from
sports to art. Camps last two to four hours
per day so that participants may do two
camps in a week. Costs range from $40-
$90 for a weeklong camp.
6600 Nicollet Ave S, Richeld
612-798-2621
academyofholyangels.org
AKA All Sports Camp
AKASPORT, now in its 10th year, ofers
year-round multi-sports programming
with its afterschool classes and the highly
coveted AKA All Sports Camps which
include a multitude of sports (Archery,
Golf, Soccerendless), eld trips, nutrition,
and tness education.
Blaine, Long Lake/Orono, West St. Paul
651-447-2454
akasport.org
Bethel University
Overnight & Day Camps
Bethel University Christian Sports Camps
help athletes develop fundamentals and
build condence 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
651-638-6397
bethelroyals.com
Gleasons Gymnastic School
What better way to spend summer than
learning something new at Gleasons
Gymnastic School? Our fun facility and
our professional instructors combine to
make Gleasons 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
park locations across Minneapolis. Indoor
classes at InnerCity Tennis. Camps open to
boys and girls ages 4+ of all ability levels.
Scholarships available!
4005 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis
612-824-6099
innercitytennis.org
JOTP Soccer Day Camp
Innovative, fun, and unique, each JOTP
themed camp focuses on diferent soccer
skills. Designed to attend multiple camps.
Morning training and afternoon free play
soccer with Splash Court and Inatable
Fields. Lunch and snack provided.
Weekly fee of $99-$135. ADMIN@
JOYofthePEOPLE.org.
Joy of the People Soccer Center
890 Cromwell Ave, St. Paul
651-252-1775
Little Gym of Edina, The
Anytime Summertime Camp
For kids ages 3-12. The most exible
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
Loppet Adventure Camp
Experience a variety of outdoor
adventures, including rollerskiing, mountain
biking, orienteering, adventure racing,
swimming, canoeing, capture-the-ag,
ultimate frisbee, and more at Theodore
Wirth Park! All equipment is provided.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Ages 9-13.
Scholarships available.
Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis
612-604-5333
loppet.org
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!
West St. Paul, Rogers, Hastings,
Monticello, Eagan, Hudson, Crystal
763-231-9866
mnunitedfccamps.com
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 ofered during the second and
third session.
University of Minnesota
800-645-3226
ussportscamps.com/tennis
Revolutionary Sports
Provides weekly instructional classes and
camps that combine learning sports and
child development for a positive, sports
experience. Over 15 sports ofered. Classes
start at age 2. Camps start at age 4 and
ofered during spring break, no-school
days, weekends, evenings, and summer.
Half-day, full-day, early drop-of, late pick-
up.
Metrowide Locations
612-234-7782
revolutionarysports.org
Richeld Gymnastics
Club Summer Day Camps
Richeld Gymnastics Club ofers summer
day camps Monday through Thursday
mornings, throughout August. Fun, tness-
building, themed activities, and gymnastics
instruction. Camps are open to girls and
boys, ages 5+ of all ability levels. Packages
start at $70 per week.
Richeld High School
Gymnasium Entrance
7001 Harriet Ave S, Richeld
612-798-6386
richeldgymnasticsclub.org
Southwest Christian High School
Southwest Christian High School ofers
sports camps for students entering grades
6-8 including volleyball, girls and boys
basketball, and girls and boys soccer.
Camps run one week during the month of
July (see website for specic dates) and
cost is $99. Have fun and develop skills with
great coaches in a positive atmosphere!
1981 Bavaria Rd, Chaska
952-556-0040
swchs.org
Twin Cities Trapeze
Center Circus Camp
Circus camp! Students enrolled in our
weeklong, half-day camps will experience
a variety of circus disciplines (including
Flying Trapeze, Static Trapeze, Acrobatics,
Circus Bike, and more!), then showcase their
skills in a Circus Performance on Friday
afternoon!
719 E Minnehaha Ave, St. Paul
651-262-9477
twincitiestrapeze.com
Vertical Endeavors Indoor Rock
Climbing Summer Camps
Vertical Endeavors summer camp
program provides a fun-lled experience
for campers ages 6-17! Your child will have
the opportunity to learn proper climbing
techniques and theyll leave camp with a
sense of self-reliance and accomplishment.
VE St. Paul:
855 Phalen Blvd
651-776-1430
VE Minneapolis:
2540 Nicollet Ave S
612-436-1470
VE Duluth:
329 S Lake Ave
218-279-9980
verticalendeavors.com
West Lutheran Sports Camps
West Lutheran High School ofers a variety
of sports camps for grades 5-8 including
Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, and Football.
Camps run from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday
through Thursday and ofered throughout
the summer months.
West Lutheran High School
3350 Harbor Ln N, Plymouth
763-509-9378
wlhs.net/camps
CAMP RESOURCE GUIDE
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Sunnyside Stables, Inc.
Rosemount, MN
www.sunnysidestables.org
Not just on for the ridelearn
all the basics about horses.
(ALLAGES)
651-226-2027
Lessons * Horse Camp * Birthday Parties
Year Round
Riding Lessons
Indoor Arena
Public Guided Trail Rides by Appointment Only
Sunnyside Stables MNP 1112 2cx2.2.indd 1 10/25/12 11:07 AM
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or any event!
Easy & convenient for
Mom & Dad!
We come to you! Xbox360, Wii, PS3
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Minnesota
Sword Play
Fencing develops stamina,
quick reactions, speed,
accuracy of movement and
excellent coordination.
Nowover 20 metro
locations & Wisconsin
Get started today!
Classes available for kids,
teens and adults
minnesotaswordplay.com
(952) 435-6740
MN Swordplay MNP 0114 1cx2.2.indd 2 12/16/13 4:36 PM
Fun Birthday Parties
for children ages 3 and up!
Have a Wild
Birthday at
Como Zoo!
Call 651-487-8272 for more
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Como Zoo MNP 0214 1cx2.2.indd 1 1/9/14 4:01 PM
Magic Facepainting
Balloon Animals
Characters for Parties & Events
Half Pint Parties
www.halfpintparties.com
952.451.5430
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82
In October of 2013, Minneapolis mom Sara McLoone and her
young daughter Scout packed up their stroller and ew to the
countrys Capitol to participate in the Stroller Brigade. The
gatherings purpose? To demand a change to the outdated
laws overseeing toxic chemicals. While the Chemical Safety
Improvement Act hasnt yet had any major successes,
McLoone is encouraged
by Minnesotas actions to
ban certain chemicals, and
shares some of her history
and tactics in the ght to keep
ourselves and kids healthy.
Zoe Gahan
Sara McLoone
What spurred your interest in reform for
toxic chemical laws?
Absolutely it was the experience of
becoming a mother. I think a lot of new
parents relate to this sense that their job is
to protect their children. I was just kind of
bowled over by how prevalent toxic
chemicals were in so many products
already in our home, and I quickly became
frustrated at how common they were in
products intended for infants and children.
REAL MOM
Q&A
I think a lot of new parents relate to this
sense that their job is to protect their children.
Real Life
Has your family been afected
by toxic chemicals?
Unfortunately, we have. Our home is
located in Minneapolis Arsenic Triangle
in midtown, which is a Superfund site.
After purchasing our home, we discovered
that our soil samples exceeded safe levels
of arsenic and had to have the soil
remediated. And because our home is
almost 100 years old, it also contains a
fair amount of lead paint. So we must get
our childrens blood tested periodically to
check for lead exposure. Its maddening
that we are paying the price for toxic
chemicals from my parents generation.
How did you get involved in the
Stroller Brigade?
The Minnesota-based Healthy Legacy
Coalition sponsored my trip. Healthy Legacy
is a coalition of 37 Minnesota organizations
who came together in 2006 because of the
growing body of evidence linking rising
rates of disease and exposure to toxic
chemicals. Due to the work of Healthy
Legacy, Minnesota has been a leader in
protecting childrens health from toxic
chemical exposure by passing ground-
breaking policies that restrict toxic chemi-
cals in childrens products such as baby
bottles, food packing and body products.
How do you protect your family
from unhealthy items?
We try to keep things simple: eat simple
foods that are grown with either no or
minimal pesticides and avoid products
containing fragrance, especially synthetic
fragrance. Around the house and yard we
try to limit any exposure they could get to
paint chips and dust, particularly around
windows and thresholds. And we took the
extra precaution of putting in raised beds
for our vegetable garden.
What encourages your
activism in this area?
Im most encouraged by the successes
weve had here in Minnesota banning BPA
and formaldehyde in kids products. It
shows that the political will is there when
parents expect results from our legislators!
82 March 2014
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You can get there. We can help.
Visit www.MN529today.com or call 1-877-338-4646
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