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Twin Cities Mom Collective

The Ultimate Guide to Summer Camps in the Twin Cities

2014 Twin Cities Summer Camp Guide | Twin Cities Moms Blog

This past Sunday, men all across the Twin Cities participated in ‘Selection Sunday’ —the day to pick who will win the Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship. This year has high stakes with Warren Buffet pledging to give 1 billion dollars to anyone who creates perfect brackets.

Meanwhile, moms across the metro (me included) stayed up late to manage their own ‘selections’ of a different sort I would venture to say we have high stakes too…I want my kids to have the idyllic summer experiences that I had growing up. Lazy days frolicking in the backyard with the neighbor kids, playing Star Wars on the Rainbow Play System old school swingset with water balloon fights until the sun went down. My memory of summer lies somewhere between magical and euphoria. But luckily my mom was a teacher with her summers free and while I love everything about my career, the one thing I struggle with is not having summers off to indulge my children.

Enter Plan B:  Summer Camps

It’s hard to think about signing your kid up for summer camp when it feels like summer will NEVER get here. I mean schools are still busy negotiating when to schedule the record SIX MAKEUP DAYS we’ve had so far this winter.  At this rate our kids will be in school until July anyway, so we don’t have to worry about June, right?  But alas, better days with warmer temps and ice cream treats ARE right around the corner.  Just imagine, soon you will be sipping fresh squeezed lemonade while reading your new romance novel poolside.  A hot cabana boy will be at your disposal with whatever food or beverage you desire. Your leisure summer day will linger into the evening where you and your girlfriends take in a fun concert on the patio of your favorite restaurant overlooking beautiful Lake Minnetonka. Wonderful vision, huh?

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Well, back to reality. Summer WILL be wonderful, but I have 2 little munchkins to find activities for during the day while I am at work.  They are too old for daycare, too wild for for a teenaged nanny, and too young to stay home alone (never mind illegal, too). So while my husband was hanging out with his buddies making basketball predictions and dreaming of wining a billion dollars, I was finalizing our summer calendar and signing my kids up for summer camps.

We are fortunate to live in the midst of an arts, culture, sports and music mecca with multiple opportunities for our children. Even if you are a SAHM or WAHM and are just looking for a few camp experiences for summer enrichment, what follows is your Go-To Guide for some of my favorite kids camps in the metro, and a few we hope to try in the future.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, and ZOO CAMPS

The Minnesota Zoo  Luckily we live close to the zoo and have participated in several of their well run, and organized educational offerings. Here children engage in activities and experiences about the diversity of life in specific theme-based camps. Last year, my boys especially enjoyed the ‘Down on the Farm’ camp where they were immersed in Farm Life for a week.  The Zoo also collaborates with Stepping Stones Theatre (see below) to offer a popular camp called Theater in the Wild. Extended care is available and camps are offered half day and full day in June, July, and August.

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The Bakken  Put your problem solving skills to work while managing an assortment of tools and materials to complete projects and inventions. Kids participate in games, work on group problem solving challenges, and learn about electricity and circuits with the tools in the workshop.  Each child is encouraged to engage in activities to inspire creativity and will put together a science-based magic trick to take home. All day, week-long camps are offered for kids aged 7-14 in June, July and August.

iD Tech  Calling all future Bill Gates and Marissa Mayer’s of the world for these technology based camps that are offered all across the country and here in the Twin Cities at Macalaster College. These camps offer an array of experiences from developing software for video games to working with brand name products from industry leaders like Adobe®, Apple®, Autodesk®, Google, and Microsoft®. Full day, week-long camps for all ages are offered. This camp fulfills a niche for the teenage crowd that is sometimes hard to find.

Leonardo’s Basement  This place is a hidden gem in the Twin Cities. This unique summer camp experience offers one-of-a-kind building classes for boys and girls of all ages that integrate engineering, art and technology.  There are camps that will expose your kids to the art of animation, sewing, laser engraving, metal and woodworking. Week-long, half day camps are offered in Minneapolis and St. Paul in June, July and August.

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Science Museum of Minnesota  Another favorite, we love the Science Museum camps as much for content as for the wonderful staff that my kids grow to adore due to the low staff to child ratios. There are a variety of option from the ‘all about chocolate’ Wonka Week to Animation Runway where kids design the fashions, choose the models and have them walk down the runway to music they compose. Extended care is available for half day and full day camps in June, July and August.

The Works Museum  Another hidden gem in the Twin Cities, their motto is ‘Dreams need Doing’ and they are committed to giving kids the power to make stuff, break stuff and make it better!  Classes are designed to address the challenges of our modern world through persistence and problem solving.  Camps expose kids to topics like engineering, architecture, and robotics.  There is a special ‘girls only’ camp as well as one for amusement park design. Classes are offered Monday through Thursday with the option to add a Friday or just register for Friday. Half day and full day options available in June, July and August with extended care available.

HISTORY CAMPS

The Minnesota Historical Society. Pretend to be a soldier for one day or go back in time with Huck Finn and Laura Ingalls Wilder for a week. Older girls can register for Finishing School for Young Ladies to learn about Victorian art, music and etiquette. Most camps are all day with 1, 2 and 5 day offerings in June, July and August.

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Bell Museum of Natural History  You can count on these Discovery Day Camps to deliver science and history to kids in a fun and enriching environment. Individual week-long camps provide opportunities to explore 
specific passions or learn about new subjects. All camps include hands-on, inquiry-based classroom and laboratory activities, ExploraDome planetarium visits, and outdoor exploration, activities and recreation. Campers will take field trips to University of Minnesota learning centers such as the Raptor Center, Insect Museum, research greenhouses, and more. Campers also get to swim in the world class University Aquatic Center. New this year is a half day preschool camp option; all other camps are week-long, full days in June, July and August.

Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life  Travel back in time and learn about life in the 1800’s.  Time is spent in a one room schoolhouse and kids will play pioneer games like marbles and horseshoes. There’s even a PeeWee class for kids age 3-5, a rarity among summer camp offerings.  These affordable camps are half day with 1, 2 and 5 day offerings in June, July and August.

ART, MUSIC, THEATER and COOKING CAMPS

The Art Academy  Learn the basic elements of painting, drawing and design in classes with low student to teacher ratios.  The Art Academy consistently high praise from kids who have taken their classes. All summer camps are offered in the mornings for a full week in June, July and August.

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Minneapolis College of Art and Design  You can’t go wrong with summer camps names like ‘Getting Art-SEA’, ‘Itty Bitty Interiors’ and ‘Sculptural Forest’.  This is the place to indulge in your child’s creative side with studio-style art classes that teaches students about technical concepts such as color, line, composition, form, and texture. These camp classes are done in collaboration with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Half day and Full day week long camps are offered in June, July and August. Extended care and scholarships available.

MacPhail Center for Music  Immerse yourself in multiple musical genres including jazz, orchestra and even hip hop or enhance your skills through camps for individual instruments like flute, piano, woodwinds or percussion. If summer camp is a quarter of the quality as their weekly classes offered during  the school year, you child is in for a real treat.  Week-long, 2-4 hour camps for younger kids with all day camps for teenagers in June, July and August in multiple locations across the metro.

Stepping Stones Theatre  Last summer both of my boys did a weeklong camp here, and we are already signed up for this summer. The Stepping Stones staff was able to instill a spark for the theatrical arts in my sports loving youngest son. Their programs foster creativity, self-expression and self-confidence while teaching youth about history, diverse cultures and literature. These week-long camps culminate in a Friday afternoon performance for friends and family. Half day and full day options are available for June, July and August.

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Guthrie Theater  Explore the performing and creative arts at week-long camps for kids in grades 2-12. Classes are designed to spark the imagination through theater games, creative movement and good ol’ fun. Camps are led by creative and talented Guthrie artists. All camps are full day, Monday through Friday in July and August.

Children’s Theatre Company   We have never seen a peformance here that our family didn’t love so I can imagine these summer camps are very high quality. The Theatre Arts Training (TAT) program is designed to mold the next generation of theatre professionals in a guided, dynamic, studio-style program that is tailored to the needs of each individual student. Scholarships are available for these half day or all day week-long camps in June, July and August. Extended care is offered for an extra fee.

Way Cool Cooking School  Inspired by Pioneer Woman, my oldest son is really into cooking these days and is SO excited to take a class here. In a time where fast food has seemingly taken over the world, I hope WCCS can bring back scratch-cooking by empowering kids with the tools to create wholesome foods in the modern kitchen. Classes range from ‘Global Grub’ and ‘Show me the Dough’ to regional cuisine like ‘Momma Mia That’s Italian’. They also offer kid friendly competition with classes like Master Chef Junior, Chopped for Kids and Restaurant Wars. Located in the south metro, these week-long half and full day camps are available in June, July and August.

OUTDOOR and NATURE – THEMED CAMPS

Dodge Nature Center  Another favorite of ours partly because it is simple and back to the basics. It still amazes me that in the middle of a bustling big city lies a special retreat where kids can get in touch with nature. Dodge strives to inspire a sense of wonder, excitement and appreciation in all who experience their programs. Last year my kids participated in Camp Get Muddy, and they LOVED it (what boy wouldn’t). Kudos to Dodge for offering camps for kids on the autism spectrum as well. Scholarships are available for camps for kids of all ages that run all day from Monday-Thursday or all day on Fridays in June, July and August.

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The Landing and Gale Woods Farms  These camps, run by Three Rivers Park District, are an affordable way to introduce your child to nature exploration, outdoor recreation, golf, fishing and farming. Campers will gain an appreciation for nature while making new friends and memories. Multiple options are available in June, July and August.

Springbrook Nature Center  Become a naturalist and explore 127 acres of diverse eco systems.  They offer a neat opportunity called Gramp Camp where grandparents attend with their grandchildren and a camp where kids can get up close and personal with animlas.  Located in Fridley, these camps are very affordable for kids of all ages with multiple options available in June, July and August.

SPORTS and ATHLETIC CAMPS

The Timberwolves Basketball Academy  Develop your basketball skills with some of the best coaches in the Twin Cities. These Basketball camps are for girls and boys of all ages and skill levels.  Fundamentals are taught alongside special defense and offense camps in various locations across the metro. Multiple scheduling options are available in June, July and August.

Lake Calhoun Sailing School  Nantucket meets Minneapolis at this summer camp where kids (and adults) of all ages can hone their sailing skills. From the novice to the expert sailor, Lake Calhoun is magical in the summer. The picture below is from my friend Kara whose son Jack has attended sailing camp for 2 summers and they both give it rave reviews. There are multiple class offerings from 2 hours to full day with evening options available in June, July and August.

2014 Twin Cities Summer Camp Guide | Twin Cities Moms Blog

TAGS Gymnastics  Fun, Fitness and Friends is the theme of this summer camp where kids as young as 3 can learn the fundamentals of gymnastics. Campers will get experience on bars, balance beam, trampoline, and more, while socializing with other kids their age. Most camps are 2-3 hours for 3-4 days in June, July and August with one 4 day camp offered August 18th-21st.

Vertical Endeavors  This unique rock climbing camp is great for all climbers whether your child is new to the sport or ready to take it to the next level. The fundamentals of rock climbing are covered including belaying techniques, rappelling, top-rope climbing and knot-tying.  Kids will participate in a variety of of exciting climbing games. Week-long half day and full day camps are available at both Minneapolis and St. Paul locations in June, July, and August.

And now, here is my selection for the #1 pick for best summer camp experience in the Twin Cities:

Circus Juventas  Erase everything you have ever thought about what a circus camp would entail…there are no clowns or circus animals here. Circus Juventas is dedicated to inspiring artistry and self confidence through a multi-cultural circus arts experience. Participating in this camp was a highlight for both of my boys last summer. I could see their confidence grow during the week they attended camp they beamed with pride at their final performance when they mastered the tightrope and trapeze.  All day, week-long camps are available in June and July.

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Now, there is just one last thing I have to tell you.  Does anyone else read magazines like InStyle or Vogue and while you are paging through you fall in love with a certain sweater or piece of jewelry…only to find out that it costs like $500! So then you have a little internal pity party because you are so sad. I mean even if you could afford it, you would never spend that kind of money. Well, let me tell you, some of these camps are pricey. It costs a lot of money to hire good quality staff who are enthusiastic and reliable.  Remember, they are responsible for your precious children.

Here are a few ideas that can help make these camps more affordable: Ask for help or put gift money towards the cost of camp. At Christmas, my boys were given a small amount of money from grandma that we used to cover the registration cost of theater camp, something she really had an appreciation for. Instead of having big elaborate and expensive birthday parties for our kids, we keep it simple and let our kids choose a summer camp experience instead. Many of these camps have grants or scholarships available that your child is deserving of.   A 2 or 4 hour day camp is considerably less expensive than a full day camp and sometimes buying a membership to the parent organization will save you money in the long run and allow you to enjoy educational opportunities all year long.

There are also less expensive options through Camp Invention, the YMCA of the Twin Cities, or your local Community Education and Parks and Recreation Department. Churches all over the metro host Vacation Bible School for a nominal fee and summer classes at county libraries are usually free.  Many high schools will offer sports camps with their coaching staff or drama camps through the theater department for a reasonable fee.

Another fun idea is to get together with your neighbors and start a neighborhood camp. A friend of mine gathered 5 moms in her ‘hood and created a FREE sports themed ‘summer camp’ experience where each mom took all the kids for 1 day a week. The kids rotated to the different houses and learned about and played a different sport each day and had a fabulous time. The one day that week she had all 12 kids was a little hectic, but then she had four days to herself!  Genuis.

Whatever you do, consider it an investment in your child and know that when they are older they will look back on these experiences with fond memories, just like we do.

Shine On-

Karri

{For even more summer camp opportunities, pick up the March Camp issue of Minnesota Parent Magazine, available at locations all over town including your local YMCA, Foss Swim School, Walgreens and Creative Kidstuff.}

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1 comment

mary timmers March 18, 2014 at 11:06 AM

Karri,

What a great blog!! Thanks for doing the hard work. Now no kid can say he’s BORED this summer with a list like this to choose from. Makes me wish I were a kid again. Or at least it makes me wish it were SUMMER!

Love,
Mary

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