March 2019 by Minnesota Parent

March 2019

Olivia, 5, of St. Paul

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MARCH

Unplugged

These two sleepaway camps don’t allow digital devices, but the kids are too busy with activities to notice.

Dance for all

The nonprofit St. Paul Ballet offers summer camps — plus affordable sampler classes all year long for ages 2½ and up.

Code Ninjas

With a slew of new ‘dojos’ in the Twin Cities, kids as young as 7 can learn computer programming over the summer.

March 2019 • mnparent.com

VOLUME 34 /// ISSUE 3

Make great art!

Kidcreate Studio locations in the Twin Cities inspire kids to discover their inner artists.

Nature skills

AuSM and the Three Rivers Park District have teamed up to offer an autism-friendly outdoor adventure camp for teens.

About our cover kid Name: Olivia City: St. Paul Age: 5

More online!

Mom: Claire Miller

Read an online-exclusive story about the beloved camp that is Tanadoona on Lake Minnewashta in Excelsior, Minnesota, featuring day camps, resident camps and even destination trips for ages 5–7. Plus, browse all our past camp stories and search our newly updated camp listings database and

Personality: Funny, fierce, sweet

See mnparent.com/camp.

Sibling: Gabe, 9 Favorite toys: Stuffed animal cat Favorite books: Tickle Monster Favorite activities: Dancing, reading, tickling, coloring Favorite foods: Grandma’s potatoes, mac and cheese, mangoes Photos by Jessica Mealey Photography / jessicamealey.com

8 FROM THE EDITOR

Mix it up

Create a dream summer for your kid, but make sure it also works for you. 10 CHATTER

Girls on the Run

This fab local group needs 850 volunteer coaches.

12 BUMP, BIRTH AND BABY

Take it easy

Leaving your baby with someone else needn’t cause you trauma. 14 THE UNCENSORED TODDLER

A village of sorts

Sometimes real mom friends aren’t all that easy to find.

TICKETS ONLY $8–$13! “THIS IS THE PERFECT KID EXPERIENCE.” –Family Fun Twin Cities

16 SCHOOL DAYS

Wired for joy

Follow these steps to focus your brain on the positive. 18 WORLD’S OKAYEST MOM

Hang in there?

A parent’s ‘survival mode’ begins at birth, but when does it end?

UN 1

1–J AY 3

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20 ASK THE OBGYN

On point

Are acupuncture treatments safe during pregnancy? 22 IN THE KITCHEN

Chocolate fix

This new brownie recipe features classic Muddy Buddy flavors. 24 BOOKSHELF

Crack them up

These stories have one goal: Make kids (and parents) laugh. 66 FROM OUR READERS

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Wow, your kids love pasta. And we’ve got pics to prove it!

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This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

mnparent.com • March 2019

FROM THE EDITOR

Summer is coming A

mnparent.com

PUBLISHER

Janis Hall • jhall@mnparent.com

SALES MANAGER AND CO-PUBLISHER Terry Gahan • tgahan@mnparent.com

GENERAL MANAGER

Zoe Gahan • zgahan@mnparent.com

EDITOR

Sarah Jackson • editor@mnparent.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Megan Devine, Abby Doeden, Katie Dohman Ed Dykhuizen, Dr. Tara Gustilo, Jessica Mealey Shannon Keough, Jodie Tweed, Jen Wittes

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Valerie Moe • vmoe@mnparent.com

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Micah Edel

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brenda Taylor

CLIENT SERVICES

Delaney Patterson 612-436-5070 • dpatterson@mnparent.com

CIRCULATION

Marlo Johnson 612-436-4388 • distribution@mnparent.com

ADVERTISING

612-436-4360 • sales@mnparent.com

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Minnesota Parent (ISSN 0740 3437) is published monthly by Minnesota Premier Publications. POSTMASTER send address changes to: MINNESOTA PARENT, 1115 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55403. Minnesota Parent is copyright 2019 by Minnesota Premier Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Address all material to address above.

March 2019 • mnparent.com

s I write this, the Twin Cities is yet again under siege — the snowy kind — with an inch or more falling per hour. Roads are only just passable. Schools, of course, are cancelled. My son is parked in front of his device, playing Fortnite with his other school friends, who are (thank goodness for me) doing the same. Right now, it feels as though we will reside in our Sorels, shovels in hand, forever more. And yet now is precisely the time we need to be thinking about summer! In fact, some of the best summer camps for kids are already booked. Crazy, right? Yep, add it to the list of Things to Do Like Right Now. Gone, it seems, are the days when you can just send the kids into the backyard with nothing to do for three months straight. Why are those days gone? Well, they aren’t really. You can do that. (Good luck keeping them off their screens, though.) Also, it would be a shame, I’d argue, to not at least check out some of the awesome (yes, awe-inspiring) educational options our kids can access in the summer. In this issue, we’re spotlighting five summer camps, including a sleepaway camp up north (with zero mobile devices allowed!) as well as day camps for ballet, coding and art and a survival-skills camp for teens with special needs. And this is just the tip of the iceberg of what’s out there. This summer my son, age 10-going-on-15, will attend a multi-faceted day camp through school (featuring tons of different field trips), one week of Adventures in Cardboard camp and, well, I’m not sure what else just yet. Honestly, there are camps for everything — horseback riding, languages, math, coding, theater (so many good ones in our theater-loving cities), art, writing/storytelling, animal care, faith/spirituality, science/engineering, sports, military skills, wilderness, sailing, rowing, glass-blowing and more. Somebody stop me! Don’t get me wrong. I know the power of unstructured play. That was my childhood. And I must say: Hands down, the best part of my winter so far has been seeing my kid go outside to play in the snow (pictured above) without being forced. I have loved watching him — just putzing around, throwing a plastic sword in the snow and retrieving it over and over; falling down on purpose; using gardening tools to destroy a previously made snowman; lying on his back, ingesting snowflakes, just breathing in the cold air, even when it was 17 below. Utterly free and unplugged. That, right there, is as good as it gets for me. But, alas, I work full-time and so does his dad. So camp it is. Rest assured, however, my son will find his own brand of joy (and lots of learning) all summer long. And we’ll still make time for puttering in the yard, amongst the flowers and under the sun. Sarah Jackson, Editor

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CHATTER

Coaches needed!

girls in third through eighth grade to be joyful, healthy and confident. Girls also learn critical life skills, team building and community service. “No running or coaching experience is required,” said GOTR Executive Director Mary Uran. “We bring the training and support, you bring life experiences, enthusiasm and fun.” Volunteer coaches facilitate research-based lessons to small

Girls on the Run Twin Cities started seven years ago with just

teams of girls, who typically meet after school twice a week for

24 girls, six coaches and two sites.

90 minutes. The program culminates with all teams participating

Today — due to high demand for physical-activity-based youth development for girls — GOTR has grown to more than 3,000 girls at 200 Minnesota sites. And that means the program is in need of more volunteer coaches — 850 to be exact.

GOTR’s 10-week program uses running as a medium to inspire

March 2019 • mnparent.com

in a celebratory 5K event on June 1. Individuals must be 18 years old to serve as assistant coaches or 21 to serve as a head coaches; men and women are encouraged to apply. Programming starts in mid-March. Learn more at gotrtwincities.org.

Bowling for a cause Brain tumors, malignant or benign, can strike anyone at any age without reason, and there are really no precautions people can take to prevent them. That’s the strange and frustrating thing about brain tumors, said Stacy Zwerdling of Lakeville who was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor (when her son was 10 months old) and miraculously survived. “More needs to be done,” said Zwerdling, who eight years ago founded Bowling for Brains, an annual event to raise funds for local and national brain tumor patient care and research, the American Brain Tumor Association and Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s Givens Brain Tumor Center in Minneapolis. This year’s event — which includes a ton of activities for kids — will be from 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Sunday, April 14 at Bowlero Lakeville. Festivities will include a social hour, silent auction, a Faces of Gray display, an honoree booth, bowling, food and drink, a game room, an arcade, laser tag (new!), a heads-and-tails game, awards, prizes and a closing ceremony. Bowling costs $30 for adults, $35 after March 23; $22 for ages 4–10, $25 after March 23. Admission for non-bowlers will be $15–$25. Laser tag only costs $25. Learn more at bowlingforbrainsmn.org.

Jen Wittes

BUMP, BIRTH AND BABY

Your first time I

t’s the hardest little baby step in learning to care for your baby … letting someone else care for her! Whether it happens seven days or seven months after birth, moms in particular often experience more separation anxiety than their babies during the first time apart. It’s completely natural. Moms — and dads, too — are biologically driven to be near, respond to and care for Baby. The good news? You don’t have to take this step until, well, you have to. Here are a few tips to help you navigate your first time away from your child.

1: Date to celebrate your New Normal. Not feeling like doing a date night out for two? A newer baby will likely sleep through

a lunch outing or short movie. You can also light some candles in the living room and order in. Think of it as a dry run of enjoying an activity without your baby, without leaving your baby behind.

2: Practice before your first day back. Going back to work? Take a trial separation period before the big day. If you’re breastfeeding, learn to pump before you have to do it in the break room, and reenter the workforce with confidence.

3: Use friends/family for the first time. Sitters, nannies and childcare professionals are wonderful resources — usually highly trained and full of baby-soothing tricks. However, your first Target run or yoga class may run a little smoother for you if

you hand your babe over to unconditionally loving arms. Grandma or a baby-experienced best friend are good bets.

4: Wear nursing pads. Even if you’re bottle-feeding, a baby crying across a crowded store can trigger leakage. Thanks, hormones.

5: Call, text, FaceTime. Engage in all of the above with your on-duty caregiver as much as your heart desires. Your husband, mom, best friend or sitter will get it. You love your baby and can only enjoy your newfound freedom if you have the knowledge that your baby is alive and well and happy — and still so dang cute.

6: Enjoy it! You’ll be nervous, maybe even be weepy. But do your best to find a little joy beneath the anxiety. Grab a cocoa with extra whipped cream, stop to hear the birds and feel the sun on your face. Parenting is hard. Give yourself a break.

7: Prepare an exit plan. There’s no shame in leaving spinning class halfway through or ditching your sister’s birthday party before dessert. If you try, if you put on shoes, if you get out of the house and have five minutes of adult conversation — you will have succeeded. This is a first. It will get easier.

If you get out of the house and have five minutes of adult conversation — you will have succeeded. 12

March 2019 • mnparent.com

EXERCISE PREGNANCY STUDY The University of Minnesota is seeking women who are currently less than 20 weeks pregnant to participate in a research study examining the effect of exercise and wellness on mood following childbirth. • 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 BABY STUFF

Baby gates

Fusion Gate systems can help you protect kids — and corral pets — without the typical caged look of other gates, all thanks to an interchangeable art screen system that accommodates numerous styles in widths ranging from 32 to 74 inches. fusiongates.com • $199–$429

8: Interview the caregiver. Whether finally trying out the teenager from down the street, inviting a nanny into your home or vetting a licensed childcare center, you need to ask the tough questions! This is 100 percent for your own peace of mind and will help immensely when you finally brave your first goodbye: ⊲⊲How many years of experience do you have? Teenagers should have at least two years’ experience sitting for older children before caring for a newborn, unless they have younger siblings. ⊲⊲Have you worked with newborns before? ⊲⊲Are you infant and child CPR and First Aid certified? ⊲⊲What other classes and certifications have you taken? ⊲⊲What do you love about your job? ⊲⊲What is the hardest part about your job? ⊲⊲What if … ? Consider three scenarios that are important to you. ⊲⊲What questions do you have for me? Jen Wittes is a marketing director, writer, certified postpartum doula and mom of two living in St. Paul.

• You will receive $100 & a FitBit for your time (you will be allowed to keep the FitBit after the study is over) • Program can be delivered in English or Spanish • Must be considered low-income, defined as: - Enrollment in any government assisted program (e.g., WIC, SNAP) - AND/OR Annual income that is considered low (less than $45,510 for a family of four, less than $30,044 for a family of two, and less than $22,311 if single). Call or TEXT to 612-345-0325 or mompro@umn.edu to see if you qualify for this research study.

ESTUDIO SOBRE EL EJERCICIO DURANTE EL EMBARAZO La Universidad de Minnesota está buscando mujeres con menos de 20 semanas de embarazo para participar en el estudio de investigación que examina los efectos del ejercicio y la salud del estado de ánimo posterior al parto. • Programa ejecutado vía correo o teléfono • Debe ser mayor o igual a 18 años de edad • No debe hacer ejercicio regularmente • No debe tomar antidepresivos • Usted recibirá $100 y un FitBit por su tiempo (será permitido quedarse con el FitBit después de la culminación del estudio) • Debe considerarse de bajos ingresos, lo cual se define como: - Inscripta en cualquier programa asistencial del gobierno (por ejemplo, WIC, SNAP) - Y/O Ingresos anuales considerados como bajos (menos de $ 45,510 para una familia de cuatro, menos de $ 30,044 para una familia de dos y menos de $ 22,311 si es soltera). Llamada o TEXTO 612-237-1004 o mompro@umn.edu para ver si califica para éste estudio.

Shannon Keough

THE UNCENSORED TODDLER

I definitely have friends “S

hannon, is that you?!” I was at a south Minneapolis playground, zoning out on a bench while my young children cavorted in the sand. I looked up expectantly at my recognizer. “Samara?!” Wow, I hadn’t seen her in ages! We hugged like old friends suddenly reunited, excitedly inquiring about the latest happenings in each other’s lives. So, who was this great friend of mine? An old pal from high school, perhaps? A fellow parent from that ECFE class I took two years ago? No, I’m afraid not. Samara, as it so happened, was my favorite cashier at Lake Wine & Spirits, a short jaunt from my home in the Lyn-Lake area of Minneapolis. Until she left for a new job I saw her at least a couple times a week — far more often than I saw any of my “real” friends.

Meet my new friends Lest this come across as a boozy cry for help, let me point out that Samara was just one member of my carefully curated clique of retail BFFs. At that point in my “parenting journey” (mother to a toddler and a baby), I found myself in a troubling state of existential alienation. Estranged from my childfree friends and fundamentally unable to connect with the seemingly like-minded parents in my “family friendly” new neighborhood, I turned my attention to that previously unnoticed gold mine of friendship — the sympathetic providers of goods and services at my preferred local retailers. My new group of “friends” included, but was not limited to:

March 2019 • mnparent.com

⊲⊲A clerk in the adjoining cheese shop at Lake Wine & Spirits; ⊲⊲A server at Lucia’s To Go (RIP, Lucia’s); ⊲⊲Select members of the Uptown Pizza Luce “slice line.”

Despite my new-parent sleep deprivation, I was aware on some level that these people weren’t my “real” friends. Or was I? Like the guy who sincerely believes, “That stripper really liked me,” perhaps I, too, was mistaking someone who was just doing his or her job for someone who was actually taking an interest in me. I’ve had my share of service-related jobs in which I suspected that a certain customer or two was stopping by my coffee shop or bagel store not simply to get a beverage or a meal but to connect. I generally found this sad at best, tragic at worst. “Doesn’t he have any real friends?” I’d ask myself as “Carpet Installation Guy” plodded out the door of the coffee shop

with his mocha after a lengthy chat that interfered significantly with my dishwashing duties.

Assembling the ‘village’ We all know it “takes a village” to raise a child. We also know that villages as such are basically obsolete, and therefore we’re instructed by the masters of parenting knowledge that it’s up to us to find our “tribe.” (Let’s acknowledge the problematic use of the word “tribe” to more often than not describe a group of privileged moms swapping paleo recipes and cloth diapering advice.) Why a lifelong loner like me who was nicknamed “Aloof Shannon” by my so-called friends in college ever thought she’d naturally fall in with a posse of “warrior mamas” (or however we’re spinning the drudgery today) is beyond my comprehension. I see women I vaguely know posting

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for ages 5 and up

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pictures of their kids in their “play groups” and praising the fellow mothers in their group who have “held me up through so many trials.” Hashtag BLESSED. I wish I could relate, but I can’t. Still, I like to think I’ve come to terms with my way of being in the world. My support system has changed a bit since I moved to St. Paul, but I like to think it’s stronger than ever. And these people deserve a shout out, too. So, Woman Who Hands Out Skates at the Downtown St. Paul Skating Rink — thank you for remembering my size. Tom, owner of Brunson’s Pub — thank you for comping that meal when my husband, Nick, was going through cancer treatment. And cashier at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store — thank you for looking the other way when my son attempts to scale the bookshelves like a bunk bed ladder. I don’t know if I’m #blessed, but I think I’m #finefornow. Shannon Keough lives in St. Paul with her husband and two children. Send questions or comments to skeough@mnparent.com.

651-699-1573 Ryan Sarafolean, Age 14

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mnparent.com • March 2019

Hardwiring happiness I

n the midst of the full and crazy life of being a busy parent, it’s easy to get bogged down by negative experiences. I’m totally guilty of this in those moments when I find myself dwelling on … ⊲⊲The one bit of critical feedback I’ve received, instead of many positive ones. ⊲⊲The batch of burnt cookies I made, instead of all of the other dozens that turned out just fine. ⊲⊲The instances in which my children were fighting or misbehaving, instead of all the times they’ve made me proud with their choices. ⊲⊲The one thing my husband didn’t remember to do, instead of the many things he’s done for our family.

The science behind negativity I know I’m not alone. In fact, our brains are actually wired to think like this! In his book, Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength and Happiness, psychologist Rick Hanson explains that scientists believe our brains

have what’s called a “negativity bias.” This phenomenon goes back to our prehistoric brains, which needed to be highly attuned to danger and adept at making concrete connections — to avoid bad things — for survival. “The brain is like Velcro for negative experiences and Teflon for positive ones,” Hanson said. According to Hanson, our brains have specialized circuits that register negative experiences immediately in our emotional memory. Most positive experiences, meanwhile, don’t register as anything beyond standard-issue events, so most positive experiences “flow through the brain like water through a sieve, while negative ones are caught every time.” What I found especially interesting is that if we keep a positive experience in our awareness for several seconds in a row, the positive experience has the potential to transfer from our short-term memory and into long-term memory. Hanson encourages us to work to overcome, or at least offset, our negativity

bias through mindful awareness and taking time focus on positive experiences. Here are some strategies from the book that we can use to wire our brains for positivity:

Seek out the positive Make a conscious effort to look for positive aspects of everyday experiences. Be intentional with your efforts to notice the good in both the world and in yourself. As you do this, pay attention to any resistance you encounter within yourself and acknowledge any instinctual attempts to dismiss or deny these positive feelings — but make a conscious effort to not focus on them. Hanson recommends practicing this at least a half dozen times a day to turn it into a habit.

Soak it in! Attend to positive experiences. Give yourself ample time — at least 20 to 30 seconds — to fully enjoy that moment. I’ve been experimenting with these tips and practicing with different situations, such as savoring my morning cup of coffee as well as soaking in similar simple, yet positive, experiences with my children and spouse. I also take a lot of pictures. I take photos of my children, sunrises and sunsets, good food, dewdrops on leaves and flowers. I photograph anything that I see through the lens of my camera that hints at simplicity, abundance and overall goodness. I take these images and habitually upload them to my computer, and often post them on my blog (see below) or Instagram (@megtdevine). When I need a positive boost or reminder of the happiest moments in my life, I look at the images. I smile, I laugh and yes, sometimes I cry, reflecting on all the good in my life.

Watch the TED talk! Check out psychologist Dr. Rick Hanson’s TED Talk about happiness at tinyurl.com/hardwiring-happy or see rickhanson.net to sign up for Hanson’s Just One Thing weekly newsletter, which offers a simple practice each week designed to bring you more joy, more fulfilling relationships and more peace of mind and heart.

Continue taking charge Hanson explains that by elongating our our positive sensations, we allow more neurons to fire and wire together in response to the stimulus. This solidifies the experience in our memory. As we fill our memory with more positive experiences, through this kind of savoring, we can become less reliant on external positive stimuli to make us feel happiness. Hanson emphasizes the importance of accepting that negativity is an inherent part of the human experience. But he adds that — with a greater understanding of how our brain works and application of mindful strategies — we all have the potential to hardwire our brain for happiness. Megan Devine is an elementary school teacher who lives with her husband and four school-age children in Northeastern Minnesota. Follow her blog — Kids, Lakes, Loons and Pines — at megdevine.com. mnparent.com • March 2019

Katie Dohman

WORLD’S OKAYEST MOM

Long-term ‘survival mode’ S

o, on the night Ruby came home, I nursed her, and then I rocked her, sang my first lullaby, with tears streaming down my face — happy, surreal moments mixed with massive hormone shifts — and then I caaaarefullllllly laid her down in the packand-play, which was right next to my bed. The second her tiny, dark-haired head deigned to touch the mattress, her eyes flew open and she began screaming. I don’t know how, at 48 hours old, she really knew the difference between that mattress and my own, but let me tell you something: I tried all the tricks — warming it up, putting my shirt in there, et cetera, ad nauseam. This is when I discovered you can read all the message boards, all the books, but your baby hasn’t read any of them and definitely signed no agreements to follow any of the information contained therein.

We very quickly discovered Ruby was Not Interested in sleeping in any of the fancy vehicles for sleeping that we had carefully scanned with a Target ray gun. As in zero of them. Ever. I owned up to this at an early pediatrician visit. My pediatrician responded: You’re just in survival mode. Do whatever you have to do. I’m sure she meant survival mode, as in “give yourself grace in the first couple of weeks as a first-time mom,” but I didn’t ask for clarification. That was six years ago. Full confession: I typed out the beginnings of this column idea with my left thumb, in the dark, with my phone high over my face, hoping not to accidentally drop it on my 2-year-old’s head as he nursed in his sleep, on his belly, draped across my chest, fighting a fever and a nasty cough.

You’d think as a mom of three, with six years of experience, I’d have this figured out. That photo there? You can see the me-shaped spot where my two youngest, both sick, fell asleep on either side of me with feverish red cheeks. You’d think as a mom of three, with six years of experience, I’d have this figured out. But when my baby’s temp hits nearly 105 and all sorts of alarm bells are clanging in the middle of the night and I’m debating a trip to the ER, that’s survival mode, too. And when I take my kids to a restaurant and pray they don’t act like hooligans, that’s survival mode. When my kid poses an unexpected question about death and the afterlife — and I hardly have that clarified for myself, let alone a small human with a lot of frontal-lobe development yet to go — that’s survival mode. I told my husband recently, while making espresso after a night of “sleep,” that I really thought that by 6, 4 and 2, we’d be getting more sleep. At least a little more. He looked at me as if I were crazy, because what other than my own survival instinct would have led me to believe that would be the case? How had my mind somewhere decided that by now I’d have the bed to myself again most of the time? Instead it’s just a revolving door for anyone who needs some extra snuggles, sickness TLC or reassurance after a bad dream.

MOM STUFF

Micro journal

This is the closest I come to making baby books: Modern One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book encourages you to pen just a few sentences a day. Mine’s filled with the magical and the mundane — when I manage to fill it in. When I look back on it, I’m flooded with memories that might not have otherwise made the highlight reel.

Celebrate this spring with fresh, local foods. Asparagus

3 SAINT PAUL LOCATIONS | msmarket.coop

amazon.com • $9.99 and up

And yet, the research shows: The more you hug your kids, the better off they are. Why do we need scientific research to show us what we already know — both parents and children — by instinct? I don’t know. Here is what I do know: When new parents ask me, “Does this [insert topic here] get better?” my stock response has become: “Probably not. But YOU do.” And I mean it. Parenting IS survival mode. This is not to suggest that if your kids stay put all night that they aren’t getting hugged enough; it’s simply apparently how much my kids seem to crave it. If your children sleep all night, in their own beds, you are SO lucky. Your magic is welcome over here. Katie Dohman is currently living in the midst of a total full-house renovation with her three kids, two pets and one husband. Follow her adventures at instagram.com/dohmicile. University Relations MNP 0219 S3.indd 1

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mnparent.com • March 2019

Dr. Tara Gustilo

Should I try acupuncture? Q: What is it? A: Acupuncture is a healing art believed to have originated in China more than 2,500 years ago. It’s based on an understanding of health that’s somewhat different than that of Western (allopathic) medicine. Broadly, in acupuncture, if you’re a healthy person, you’ll have a healthy body. In Western medicine, if you have a healthy body, you’ll be a healthy person. This distinction is important because it translates into radically different approaches to how to achieve health. In acupuncture, there’s an explicit understanding of how the mind, body and spirit interact and addressing all three is essential for creating the optimum environment for healing. In Western medicine, the primary focus is on correcting the dysfunctions of the body, and the roles that the mind and spirit play in health is less defined. Acupuncture is based on the anatomy of the flow of qi or chi. Webster defines qi as “the vital energy that is held to animate the body internally.” It’s the life force. Qi flows in distinct patterns called meridians. One can think of the meridians as the highways and roads through which qi travels through the body, nourishing it with vitality. The root of illness is when qi is not flowing smoothly, correctly or is depleted. Acupuncture is the healing art of using very fine needles in points along the meridians to facilitate the correct flow of qi. There are some 2,000 acupuncture points and each is distinct due to its location and meridian connections. Combining different points allows the

March 2019 • mnparent.com

acupuncturist to achieve different effects and allows for a variety of fine-tuned treatments.

Q: Can it be used during pregnancy? A: Pregnancy is a time when the general rule is to avoid any unnecessary chemical exposures, including medicines. This fact makes acupuncture an especially attractive therapy during this time. Classically, acupuncture has been used in pregnancy and there’s data to support it’s helpful for many conditions. Moreover, acupuncture is extremely safe: The estimated risk for significant adverse effects are rarer than 1 in 60,000, making it a reasonable alternative for many conditions. There’s evidence that acupuncture may be helpful for pelvic and low back pain in pregnancy, depression, infertility, labor pain, cervical ripening, shortening labor and turning a breech baby. For conditions not directly related to pregnancy, data suggest acupuncture may

During acupuncture, very fine needles are inserted into the body and left in place for 10 to 60 minutes. have utility for treating headaches/ migraines, neck and back pain, mood (premenstrual syndrome, depression), dental pain, osteoarthritis of the knee, seasonal allergies, TMJ pain, post-operative nausea/vomiting and addiction.

Q: What’s involved in a treatment? A: During acupuncture, very fine needles are inserted into the body and left in place for 10 to 60 minutes. While the placement of the needles or the activation of qi can sometimes be mildly uncomfortable, most people find treatments to be relaxing overall. Sometimes the needles are stimulated manually or with electricity, which creates a tapping or buzzing in the needles. Although most people notice improvement sooner, I recommend four to six weekly treatments before assessing for eﬃcacy. After this time, treatment intervals are determined by how a person is responding.

Q: How well does it work? A: There’s been much research into acupuncture. However, a clear Western-medicine explanation of how it works remains elusive. There’s good evidence, however, that acupuncture affects many important neurotransmitters and hormones in the body — and also affects blood flow to the central nervous system. Depending on the criteria used, the specific ailments for which acupuncture has been “proven” to be effective will vary. Dr. Tara Gustilo is the chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis. She’s also an acupuncturist who treats a variety of conditions, including chronic and acute pain, mood disorders, fatigue and fibromyalgia. She’s also a North American Menopause Society certified practitioner. mnparent.com • March 2019

Brenda Taylor

IN THE KITCHEN

NEXT-LEVEL

BROWNIES

If you love the chocolatey, powdered-sugar-coated snack known as Muddy Buddies, then you need to try these moist and ﬂavorful brownies, topped with a thick, peanut butter layer that’s ﬁlled with crushed graham crackers and dusted with powdered sugar.

Reprinted with permission from Untraditional Desserts by Allison Miller, Page Street Publishing Co. 2018. Photo credit: Allison Miller. Brenda Taylor is a graphic designer for Minnesota Parent, and serves as our resident recipe tester.

March 2019 • mnparent.com

MUDDY BUDDY BROWNIES BROWNIE LAYER 1 cup unsalted butter 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 cup sugar 1 cup brown sugar 4 eggs 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup flour ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking powder Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Melt 1 cup butter in the microwave, about 1 minute. Stir in cocoa powder and whisk in both sugars. Whisk in eggs one at a time, then add in the vanilla. Mix together the flour, salt and baking powder in another small bowl, then whisk it into the chocolate mixture. Spread into the prepared pan, and bake for 35 minutes or until the center is set. Cool completely. You can speed this up in the fridge or freezer; just make sure the pan is uncovered to prevent condensation.

PEANUT BUTTER LAYER 1 cup unsalted butter, melted 2 cups coarse graham cracker crumbs ¼ cup brown sugar 1¾ cups powdered sugar, plus more for garnish 1 cup peanut butter ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Mix together all the peanut butter layer ingredients. Spread the mixture over the cooled brownies. Cover and refrigerate until the peanut butter is set. Dust evenly with powdered sugar and serve.

Ed Dykhuizen

BOOKSHELF

Crack up the kids

Children’s books can be wonderful tools for teaching all sorts of important lessons — or they can just be funny. Here are a few that will send your little ones (and maybe even you!) into hysterics.

Underwear will always be hilarious to kids — sometimes you just have to lean into it. The little furry guy in this book expresses his strong feelings about undergarments in clever rhymes that make liberal use of words like “tush” and “buns.” It’s innocent and silly enough to avoid being all-out naughty. Ages 3–5 • $16.99

The joke book is a rite of passage for most kids. So why not make it a large, beautifully illustrated one? Wee Society’s contribution to the genre (measuring a whopping 11-by-15 inches) includes not only pun-filled gags — “What’s a cat’s favorite color? Purrrr-ple.” — but also a primer on joke-telling techniques, plus pages for registering people’s reactions. Ages 5–9 • $22

As with superstar kid-lit characters like Olivia and the Pigeon (you know, the one who shouldn’t drive the bus), Max’s charm comes from writing that keenly observes the funny ways real children think and behave. Parents and littles will both laugh with recognition at Max’s (terrible, but confidently stated) pointers on how to use your puppy-dog eyes to get cookies, how to fake an injury to avoid going to the store and more. Ages 4–8 • $16.99

March 2019 • mnparent.com

This one’s for the kids who are just too cool for books about cute bunnies and furry kitties. A group of animals who never end up in such tales — a yeti crab, a star-nosed mole, a babirusa and a giraffenecked weevil— collaborate on a story in which they battle evil grapes with lasershooting carrots. When a cute bunny wants to join in the fun, the pals discover than anyone can embrace weirdness.

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Ages 4–8 • $17.99

Food puns burst from the pages of this silly adventure, as our titular heroes tangle with an evil asparagus and an enigmatic, monocle-wearing waﬄe. Vibrant, detailed illustrations and jaunty rhyming couplets drive home the laughs.

Multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area!

Save $25 using promo code: INNOVATE25RPRINT at invent.org/camp

Ages 5–9 • $16.95 mnparent.com • March 2019

Photos courtesy of Camp Lake Hubert / Camp Lincoln

Heading north Camp Lake Hubert and Camp Lincoln offer traditional sleepaway camp experiences in Minnesota’s lake country

By Jodie Tweed

hile many of her friends back in her hometown of Edina, Minnesota, are busy with sports or other summer activities, Erin Duggan, 13, is unplugged — without her cell phone or Internet access — for four weeks at Camp Lake Hubert near Nisswa, Minnesota. No cell phones, no screens, no problem for Duggan. “Without your phone, you really connect with people. I’m on it 24/7 when I’m at home, but when I’m at camp, it’s so healthy here without my phone,” she said. Duggan said she’s developed lasting friendships and has gained confidence by learning a variety of life skills, such as horseback riding, riflery and sailing. And she feels less stressed. Last year was her fifth year at Camp Lake Hubert. “I feel so at home here,” Duggan said last summer as she sat back in an Adirondack chair among the exceptionally tall pines that line the lakeside camp. “I feel like I can be myself here.” The toughest part of camp? “The goodbyes become so much harder,” said Duggan, especially after five summers at camp.

A long history Camp Lake Hubert, a 120-acre camp for girls, and its brother camp, Camp Lincoln, a 400-acre camp located across the lake, are two of the best-kept secrets in the Brainerd Lakes Area. But the history of the twin camps is actually intertwined with the well-known historic resort Grand View Lodge, located about five miles away. Camp Lincoln was built in 1909, opened by William Blake of The Blake School in Minneapolis, who named it The Blake Camp. In 1923, a former camp staffer, Reynolds Frederick Brownlee Cote, affectionally known as Brownie, bought the camp and changed the name to Camp Lincoln for Boys. In 1927, Cote opened Camp Lake Hubert for Girls across the lake. After a decade of running both camps, Cote wanted to find a site for housing the parents of campers who attended his camps, so in 1937 he bought Grand View Lodge, which included the main lodge, its shoreline and 320 acres of property. Today, the camps and resort are still owned by the Cote family. Brownie’s son, Sam Cote, manages the camps. Cote Family Destinations also includes a ranch vacation destination in Tucson, Arizona.

An international draw Today the camps offer kids more than 40 different land and water activities. Each summer about 1,400 boys and girls attend the camps. Surprisingly, only about 25 percent are from Minnesota. Campers arrive from 42 different states and 13 different countries and stay for anywhere from four days to eight weeks. Over the past century, more than 30,000 children have spent their summers on the shores of Lake Hubert. And many of the camp’s staff were once campers themselves. Meanwhile, both camps have a strong alumni association with 22,000 active members. Anniversary weekends are held every five years. Family camp is offered at the end of each summer season, and many of those multi-generational campers are second- and third-generation alumni. Ava Beverly, 10, of Oceanside, Calif., along with her twin sister, Kyla, have spent two weeks of the past four summers at Camp Lake Hubert. Their grandfather went to Camp Lincoln and their mother and her siblings attended camp here, too. “I tell my friends from San Diego all about camp, like how pretty it is in the woods,” Beverly said. “Some people don’t get to see a forest like this.”

mnparent.com • March 2019

Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert

Charles Adams, 12, of suburban Philadelphia, spends four weeks each summer at Camp Lincoln, along with his 11-year-old brother, Grady. He’s been going to camp since he was 8. Adams said he’s discovered a passion for archery — a sport he learned at camp — and has even won several awards. He’s also learned how to build fires and other wilderness skills, which he likely wouldn’t have otherwise acquired. “If I were home, it would probably be a boring summer,” Adams said. “Here you are always doing something.”

Attractions and amenities Camp Lincoln boasts a 53-foot outdoor climbing wall, an impressive structure surrounded by majestic pines. It’s wide enough to accommodate three climbers on each side at the same time. Six years ago, a bouldering wall was added, which is 10 feet

March 2019 • mnparent.com

high with a 76-foot climbing length. Girls from Camp Lake Hubert come over to use the climbing wall, and the boys from Camp Lincoln travel to Camp Lake Hubert to enjoy the high and low ropes courses as well as horseback riding. Campers stay in touch with family by participating in biweekly Camper Writes. Families can send emails to camp, which are printed and distributed to campers. Once a week, the staff plan Special Days, featuring multiple planned activities, such as dances for older campers at both camps and Color Wars competitions. Both camps celebrate birthdays as well as the Fourth of July, including spectacular fireworks shot off from shore. A sibling lunch is offered for siblings attending the camps. They get a chance to hang out together, play games with staff and share a picnic lunch.

These historic camps — Camp Lincoln for boys and Camp Lake Hubert for girls — offer traditional camp experiences with 1930s-style log cabins with a bathroom in each cabin. Campers eat together in a dining hall and can participate in more than 40 activities, including horseback riding, sailing, waterskiing, tennis, trap shooting, a climbing wall, ropes courses, archery, golf, riflery, mountain biking and crew. Long-standing camp traditions include a daily flag raising, campfire songs and an annual 1.5-mile swim from the boys’ camp to the girls’ camp. Both camps require kids to relinquish their digital devices upon arrival. Ages: Kindergarten through 9th grade (based on grade most recently completed); family camp is open to all ages Aug. 11–16. Dates: June 14–Aug. 21 Location: Nisswa, Minnesota, north of Brainerd, about 21/2 hours north of the Twin Cities Cost: $725 for a four-day introductory camp (for kindergarteners through thirdgraders), $3,250 for two weeks, $4,200 for three weeks, $5,550 for four weeks and $9,775 for eight weeks. Specialty co-ed and family camps are also available. Info: lincoln-lakehubert.com

This is a unique and positive community. This is magical. — Chris Anderson, staff member at Camp Lincoln

Both camps will offer some new improvements for the coming summer season, including a new rec center and weight room for Camp Lincoln and an expanded Senior Dining Hall and updated kitchen at Camp Lake Hubert.

Lessons learned Both camps aim to foster leadership and independence, but also core values and relationship building. “We want to teach kids how to positively deal with challenges and issues that come up their entire life,” said Chris Anderson, of Amherst, Mass. Anderson served as senior camp division director at Camp Lincoln last summer, his fourth year on staff. He was a camper himself for eight years, starting when he was 9. “There’s something special about Camp Lincoln,” he said. “This is a unique and positive community. This is magical.” Brent Taylor, a high school English teacher in Oklahoma City, Okla., who served on staff last year as a division director, added that campers aren’t simply pushed to be good at a sport or activity. They’re encouraged to try new things, even if they fail. If they fail, they’re encouraged to try again. “We have so many people who are encouraging them,” Taylor said. “You don’t get that kind of energy outside of camp. I wish every kid could go to camp. It’s such an amazing place where kids learn to be good people.” Jodie Tweed is a freelance writer living in Pequot Lakes. mnparent.com • March 2019

Art smart! W

hen Lara Olson realized the limited amount of art education her son was getting in school, she felt she had to do something about it. So the Minnesota mother started looking for art classes, hoping to find a studio designed just for kids that offered quality art education in a fun environment. But she couldn’t find anything that featured quite the mix she wanted. And that’s when Olson’s idea for Kidcreate was born.

March 2019 • mnparent.com

A DOEBBY DEN

Photo courtesy of Kidcreate Studio

Now, more than 10 years later, Kidcreate Studio is a national art-education franchise for children with three locations in Minnesota — Eden Prairie, Savage and Woodbury — plus studios up and running, or in the works, in nine other states. Specializing in children’s art classes, camps and parties, Kidcreate Studio caters to kids up to 12 years old. Karen Hansen, Kidcreate’s training director, has been with the company since the beginning, 12 years ago. For her, the decision to move from teaching preschool to Kidcreate wasn’t hard after learning the mission of the company.

mnparent.com • March 2019

“The concept behind it is just so inspiring,” Hansen said, adding that she feels like schools simply aren’t doing enough art education. “Being able to still provide that for kids — and going out to different locations to offer that option — touched my heart.”

Making a day of it Throughout the summer, Kidcreate holds dozens of different camps with themes that cater to kids’ interests, such as Paw Patrol, Sing With Me and Art Zoo for ages 3–6, and Fortnite Fanatic, 3D Pop-Out and Choc-alicious for ages 5–12. I Heart Sparkles and Mega Mess Making are ideal for ages 4–9. “We take pride in our curriculum,” Hansen said of the studios’ unique programming that takes inspiration from things that are the most popular with kids during any given summer. Most summer camps last three hours, but families can mix and match morning and afternoon sessions and — by adding a Lunch and Doodle session to bridge the gap — create a full day of activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A typical Kidcreate camp starts with some free doodle time before the campers come together as a class to learn about the “Kidbit,” the main educational focus of the day. Then campers make their first art project based on the camp’s theme.

Ta-Dah! time Next comes what Hansen says is one of the kids’ favorite parts of camp — “messy time.” “[Campers] love messy time so much because they’re not ever truly allowed to spread out and do those kinds of things at home, like putting shaving cream or slime on the table — and it can get all over the place,” Hansen said. One camper, named Violet, concurred: “My favorite part is that I get to make art — and I like messy time a lot. Yesterday we painted the whole table.” After a snack and another group time, campers get to make their second project

March 2019 • mnparent.com

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of the camp, concluding with “Ta-Dah” time to show parents what they worked on that day — what Kidcreate likes to call “fridge-worthy” masterpieces.

An art mindset But the Kidcreate curriculum isn’t just about creating those big-reveal moments. It’s also about helping kids discover a different kind of thinking. “Art allows kids to be open-minded and creative, and that applies to so many different areas of life,” said Kendra Kallevig, an assistant manager at the Eden Prairie location. “It’s not just, ‘Can I draw a horse?’, but, ‘Am I willing to try new things and attempt to splatter paint and get messy while doing it?’” Additionally, campers use math and science techniques to create their art, along with other skills that address school and life challenges.

Kidcreate Studio This art education franchise offers dozens of day camps each summer with kidfriendly themes, plus classes, parties, on-the-go art services, non-school-day mini camps, date nights, Mommy’s Time Off drop-off sessions and open studio time. Ages: Camps cater to ages 3–12 with age groupings such as 3–6, 4–9 and 5–12. Year-round classes are offered for ages 18 months and up. Dates: Most camps are Monday–Thursday, though there are some full-day mini camps offered on Fridays, such as Choco-a-licious from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Aug. 23. Times: Morning sessions are 9 a.m.–noon; afternoon sessions are 1–4 p.m.; Lunch and Doodle add-on sessions bridge the gap from noon–1 p.m. Cost: About $150 for four days of half-day camp or about $300 for four full days of camp, plus $23 for Lunch and Doodle supervision for the week. (Parents are asked to send lunches from home.) Locations: Eden Prairie, Savage and Woodbury, plus studios in nine other states Info: kidcreatestudio.com

CRAYON RECYCLE!

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT SUMMER CAMPS Preparing today’s kids for a successful future

Do you have a bin of smashed-up crayons at home? Don’t throw them in the trash. Instead, drop them oﬀ at a Kidcreate Studio for recycling.

Find full information at kidcreatestudio.com

JAUM.ORG/JA-SUMMER-CAMPS

While all the camps at Kidcreate are built for all skill levels, Hansen said kids can sometimes be hard on themselves if they feel they can’t do something — or if they don’t think they can make a certain project. Campers, however, are always encouraged to do their best, no matter how their art turns out. “It can be intimidating for them to see what they have to make,” Hansen said. “But then they realize that we’re there to teach them — and help them along every step of the way.”

Staying focused Kidcreate’s structured environment helps keep campers centered so teachers can stay on track with lesson plans while also assisting campers. Younger kids get an opportunity to learn how to follow the rules and stay on schedule, while having fun at the same time. “It’s all about those elements of what they are learning in the classroom,” Hansen said, “and they don’t even realize they’re learning it.” For Kallevig, the best part of the program is being able to watch the progress of the campers, especially those who become regulars and build their confidence as artists and learn social skills, too. “It really helps prepare them for school,” she said. “It’s really cool to see the Kidcreate culture as kids come back and you see them again.”

The perfect summer quest Pre-k Camps

Monday–Wednesday 1p–4p Wednesday + Friday 9:30a–12:30p

Grade School Camps

Thursday 1:00p–4:00p

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

Abby Doeden is a journalism student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a local freelance writer. mnparent.com • March 2019

t e ll a B for all Photos courtesy of the St. Paul Ballet

The nonprofit St. Paul Ballet offers summer camps and year-round instruction, plus drop-in classes at surprisingly affordable rates ($9 per class)! By Abby Doeden

allet should be made available to anyone who wants to try it. That’s the philosophy of the St. Paul Ballet school, a nonprofit organization with a mission to reduce barriers to the art of ballet. “There can be a financial commitment to train in ballet year-round, and initially parents aren’t sure if their child wants to commit or not,” said ballet instructor Laura C.C. Greenwell. To address this, the ballet offers drop-in classes for $9 per class for kids and senior citizens, and $15 for teens and other adults. “That’s really rare to find,” Greenwell said of the school, which is housed in an expansive warehouse in the Midway neighborhood in St. Paul, not far from the Metro Transit Green Line. In keeping with the ballet-for-all mission, the St. Paul Ballet has partnered with Project Plié, a program based out of the American Ballet Theatre in New York City, which brings awareness to the lack of racial diversity in ballet and offers scholarships to eligible dancers. In 2018 alone, the St. Paul Ballet offered more than $15,000 in scholarships to dancers in need. If you’ve ever attended the free Ballet Tuesdays events for kids at Landmark Center in St. Paul or Toddler Tuesdays at the Mall of America, then you may have seen some of the ballet’s top dancers at work. This past December, the ballet put on its most recent large-scale performance — A Nutcracker Story at the O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine Univerity in St. Paul, including regional-Emmy-winning actor, vocalist, arts educator and community organizer T. Mychael Rambo as Uncle D.

• CAMPS • CLASSES • BIRTHDAYS • EVENTS

www.artrageousadventures.com 612-423-7554 • 2121 W. 21st Street • Minneapolis, MN 55405 ARTrageous Adventures MNP 0319 H6.indd 1

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ENGINEERING & DESIGN CAMPS Pre K • Robotics • Building • Coding • LEGO Engineering • and more!

Summer camps Another way kids can sample the art of dance is the St. Paul Ballet’s summer camps for kids, offered four days each week for boys and girls. Campers learn the basics of ballet while focusing on spatial awareness and the ability to count music.

theworks.org

mnparent.com • March 2019

7 Metro Locations

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Engaging camp themes are geared toward some of the most popular interest areas in kid pop culture. “We just finalized our summer schedule, and it is amazing,” said interim director of operations Liz Heffernan. This year’s camp themes include Mary Poppins, Ballet Fairy Tales, Peter and the Wolf, Moving With Dance: Art and Yoga, Nutcracker Story, Musical Theater Adventures, and Intro to Modern and Contemporary Dance (for middle schoolers and high schoolers). Camps typically run two hours each day with breaks for snacks and other icebreaker activities. Greenwell said campers don’t just learn steps and techniques. They learn to express themselves creatively through dance. “The kids get to explore and navigate dance with where they are in their stage of development,” Greenwell said, adding that kids are encouraged to use their imaginations. “When they start to get a little bit older, going into ballet classes, they can bring that with them.”

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Focusing on artistry Spreading Hope to Families of Micro-Preemie Babies, One Potato at a Time. thepotatoheadproject.org

March 2019 • mnparent.com

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While there are many ballet centers around the Twin Cities that offer summer programming, St. Paul Ballet camps are special in that they focus on the body-mind connection, rather than perfecting a final performance, said instructor Mary Coats. “We’re trying to develop their sense of art, and their experience in the world,” Coats said. “The holistic way of looking at a child’s dance process, not just developing their skills, is what makes us unique.” Coats believes the artistry found within ballet is exactly what makes kids want to come back to camps every year. Campers learn how to connect with the music and how to move their body with it. In the process, they develop a love for dance. It’s not always easy to keep young kids focused and engaged, of course. “One child might have a preference for learning skills, one child might want to

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play, one child might really want to be with friends,” said Coats, who tries each day to include something to appeal to every type of child. Coats begins with the energetic and exciting work in the beginning of camp, and later follows up with more of the artistic part of the class, when campers are relaxed and more likely to work independently.

Ballet for boys, too While the St. Paul Ballet camps are gender-neutral, there is a special Boys Club for ages 7–11 offered in partnership with Element Gym, which is on site. Boys can come by for a free drop-in Saturday class to learn ballet and strength-training exercises.

St. Paul Ballet This nonprofit dance school for all ages offers year-round instruction, drop-in classes and summer camps that teach ballet with a focus on musicality and the mind-body connections of dance.

Ages: Camps are geared toward ages 4 and up. Year-round classes are offered for all ages, including senior citizens and former professionals. Parent and Me classes are open to ages as young as 2½. Dates: June 17–Aug. 22; Ballet Fairytales Camp (June 17–20 and Aug. 5–8); Intro to Modern/Contemporary Dance (June 24–27 and Aug 5–8); Peter and the Wolf (July 8–11); Musical Theater Adventures (July 29–Aug. 1); Moving with Dance Art and Yoga (Aug. 5–8); Mary Poppins Dance Camp (Aug. 12–15); and Nutcracker Story Camp (Aug. 19–22) Cost: $45–$90 for four days of camps, which last 1 to 2 hours each day, typically Mondays through Thursdays. A variety of drop-in classes all year long allow all ages to sample ballet for $9–$15 — or less if you buy a package of four or more classes. Location: 655 Fairview Ave. N., in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood Info: spballet.org, 651-690-1588

Greenwell said it’s a great opportunity for them to learn something new and interact with many other boys their age. “We have seen many of our boys go into the pre-professional division,” Greenwell said of the ballet’s year-round curriculumbased program.

A deeper lesson When it comes to finding the ideal educational activity for kids, ballet pretty much has it all, Greenwell said. “It has art and athleticism; it empowers children to be expressive, be their own leader; it teaches musicality, working with the others in their class and following instructions from positive role models,” she said. Dance teaches kids how to be expressive while still being controlled and structured. It’s also, of course, device-free. “Screens are a huge concern for child development, but when a child is training as a dancer, they are not in front of technology,” Greenwell said. “When you are dancing, you are unplugged.” Dance allows many kids to just be themselves. But it also can provide an opportunity for kids to develop a fulfilling long-term creative outlet. In fact, many of the campers go on to take classical ballet classes for ages 7–18. “We hope the children gain a broad knowledge base of dance in the youngdancer programming,” Greenwell said. “This includes musical rhythms, spacial awareness, who is next to them and what direction they are facing — and especially how the music makes them feel.” Ballet, unlike many other activities, Greenwell said, has the power to be an international language that children can appreciate and carry with them their entire lives. She said: “It may not be for everyone, but it is global and really expressive.”

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Summer Theatre Workshops

Abby Doeden is a journalism student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has been dancing for 14 years. mnparent.com • March 2019

Many campers say their favorite part of Outdoor Adventure Skills camp is getting to meet and learn all about a new animal each day. Photo courtesy of Three Rivers Park District

NATURE TIME Teens on the autism spectrum learn basic outdoor survival skills at this one-of-a-kind adventure camp BY ABBY DOEDEN

March 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ mnparent.com

etermined, Ben, a 17-year-old National Summer camper, hit two pieces of flint and Transportation steel together. Institute Drowning out the sound of other Students in grades 7–9 will campers, it was just him, the woods and explore transportation, the rhythm of rock hitting metal. engineering, science, and On his fifth hit, he barely missed the technology in this free day camp at the University of steel rod, landing the flint on his finger Minnesota from July 15–26. and cutting a small slit. He calmly wiped cts.umn.edu/summercamp away a spot of blood and continued to strike the two together. After a few more tries, Ben made his first spark! His face lit up. “Building a fire is fun,” he said. “It’s Center for Transportation Studies MNP 0319 .indd very interesting to be outside, and get to know all the things that you wouldn’t know about nature.” Within 10 minutes, Ben had burnt a few pieces of paper using the flint and steel, while other kids were tending flames using other methods. Ben was attending the fourth-annual Outdoor Adventure Skills camp last summer, in which kids learn how to create a shelter, geocache in the forest, explore nature and, yes, even build fires. Hosting kids ages 13–18, this camp — created through a partnership between the Three Rivers Park District and the Autism Society of Minnesota — is special because it’s tailored to kids on the autism spectrum. “Getting [kids] outside begins the appreciation of nature,” said Cristina Palmisano, an interpretive naturalist and leader of the camp. “It’s the beginning of environmental awareness to be out in the resource and appreciate it, which later on down the line will lead to decisions that are pro-environment and people who will become stewards of the environment, especially if they have early experiences in nature.”

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A DAY AT CAMP At this four-day mornings-only day camp — which will be offered to a limited number of kids this coming June and July at Three Rivers nature centers — campers learn one new adventure skill each day and take part in activities to complement it. Kidcreate Studio MNP 0319 H4.indd 1

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During fire building, campers went into the forest, where they learned how to make a fire with a match. Later, they learned ways to start a fire with flint and steel, a battery and steel wool and a even a bow drill. At the end of each day, campers get to meet and hold an animal that lives in the Real art | Real fun! nature center, learning about its habitat, Ages 5 to 15 June 10-August 23 what it eats and how the animal functions. Half or full days, Monday-Friday Palmisano said the animals appear to be Registration opens mid-February the kids’ favorite part of camp. minnetonkaARTS.org “It’s such a big part of the experience, they really love it,” she said. “And then, being able Minnetonka Center for the Arts MNP 0319 12.indd 1 Camps 1/31/19 12:40 PM Summer Engineering to hold the animals — which you don’t often (Itasca Community College – Grand Rapids, MN) get to do at the nature centers — is a big hit.”

Minnetonka Center for the Arts

summer arts camp

Hands-on engineering design projects • Industry tours and visiting engineers • Recreational and traditional camp activities

Senior High Engineering Camp July 8–13 (entering grades 10–12, fall 2019)

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

To cater to kids on the autism spectrum, the Junior High Engineering Camp Autism Society of Minnesota sends staff July 17–20 (entering grades 7–9, fall 2019) ICC camps are residential experiences; a nurse is on-site daily members to help with various autism-friendly camps to offer expertise and guidance. Call Kim Damiani at 218-322-2370 kimberly.damiani @ itascacc.edu | itascacc.edu/engineeringcamp To make the camp more effective for campers, there are only 12 openings, assuring more individual attention. 1851 East Hwy. 169, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 Participants must be able to demonstrate self-care skills without assistance, Itasca Community College MNP 0319 12.indd 1 1/2/19 10:10 AM independently follow adult direction and safety rules and show readiness for large group participation, including remaining with the group at all times. Palmisano said not all kids respond the same way to the activities. “It’s hard because you’re used to getting feedback from students,” she said. Normally, she can tell kids are learning merely by noticing that they’re engaged in the various activities. “But if they are in the corner or not responding, you don’t know if they like the activity,” Palmisano said, adding that she’s moved to using more visual communication with pictures. These “social narratives” allow campers to gain a sense of what they’ll be doing and imagine themselves participating. Additionally, Palmisano has found that going outside is one of the kids’ favorite activities, as it can have a calming effect. Autism Society of Minnesota staff Itasca Community College is an equal opportunity employer and educator.

March 2019 • mnparent.com

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member Jessica Koolick, who works with kids during the camp, said keeping campers engaged in the traditional sense needn’t be an absolute priority the way it might be with other kids. If a child would rather throw around sticks than build a fire, Koolick said, it’s OK as long as that kid isn’t disrupting the activity for the others. “One thing I have learned is that none of it is personal,” she said. “And you can’t tell by looking at a kid’s face if they like an activity.” You just have to ask. “They will tell you if they hate it,” Koolick said. “They will tell you if they love it.”

CAMPS FOR ALL The Three Rivers Park District actually offers an enormous variety of camps — more than 150 for kids of all ages and interests. (See threeriversparks.org.) With more than 27,000 acres of parks and trails, the 61-year-old district is focused on promoting environmental stewardship through recreation and education. Outdoor education supervisor Allison Neaton said it’s especially important for kids to get outdoors during the summer, given the increasing amount of work that

Outdoor Adventure Skills Designed in partnership with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM), this morning day camp allows kids on the spectrum to learn about nature and practice outdoor survival skills with a naturalist. The Three Rivers Park District is an expansive park system offering more than 150 camps each summer to kids of all ages and abilities. Ages: 13–18 When and where: Lowry Nature Center, Victoria (9 a.m.–noon June 18-21) or Eastman Nature Center, Osseo (9 a.m.–noon July 16-19) Cost: $115; the Lowry registration deadline is June 11; Eastman is July 9. Info: ausm.org, threeriversparks.org

Getting kids outside begins the appreciation of nature. — Cristina Palmisano, an interpretive naturalist with the Three Rivers Park District now requires screen time during the school year. “It’s just great to see these kids get immersed into experiences where they are using their imagination and critical thinking skills to enjoy spending time outside,” she said. It can also encourage a lifelong relationship with the natural world. “Ultimately, [kids will] want to be good stewards of the planet and make choices that honor the planet to help sustain the same environment, parks and resources we have now into the future,” Neaton said.

ONE OF A KIND As for the Outdoor Adventure Skills camp, Palmisano said she’s loved every part of it, especially seeing it grow in the four years since she started it. Kids get to explore forest, pond and prairie habitats; build a survival shelter with other campers; and gain skills to navigate — and overcome obstacles — in the forest. Other benefits include making friends and practicing communication skills during safe, off-trail adventures away from the comforts of home. She hopes campers walk away with experiences they normally wouldn’t get in school — and that they have fun along the way. “There are not many camps like this,” Palmisano said. “To be outdoors — and especially for older kids on the autism spectrum — it’s unique.” Abby Doeden is a journalism student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a local freelance writer. She’s volunteered and worked for the Three Rivers Parks District for the past 10 years.

Campers practice survival skills, including fire making with various techniques. Photos courtesy of Three Rivers Park District

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s the final day closed on his Game Builders’ Club camp, Desi, a 7-year-old Code Ninjas camper, quickly added one more graphic to his Cat in the City game. He raised his hand, ready to share what he had been working on all week. When he presented his game to the other campers, they oohed and aahed in excitement as the cat moved on the screen. “The cat has to eat all the food,” Desi explained. “Then, when I’m done, I like to watch [the cat] bounce around.” Desi had been using a program called Scratch, a visual-programming language and online community geared toward kids. It’s just one of the programs kids use at Code Ninjas, a fast-growing Texas-based education franchise with four new Minnesota locations, offering an array of summer camps as well as year-round programming using a games-based curriculum for ages 7 to 14. While coding might not sound all that exciting to some grownups, many digital-native kids find it incredibly fun and rewarding. After all, some of kids’ favorite games — Scratch, Minecraft and Roblox — are built right into the Code Ninjas curriculum. Camps this year at the Edina location, for example, will include the aforementioned Game Builders’ Club, Beginning JavaScript, Minecraft Create, Code Drones, Roblox Create and, new this year, Snap It Together (using Snap Circuits) and App Builders’ Club, plus four other new offerings. Weeklong summer camps — offered in the morning or afternoon Monday–Friday — last 3.5 hours. Parents can sign up kids for two different sessions to create a full day of camp, which includes lunch. Early drop-offs and late pick-ups are available for an extra charge. On select days year-round, full-day camps are offered and include a variety of coding and STEM activities, plus lunch.

Serving people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, HOBT collaborates with SCHOOLS and COMMUNITIES on unique, interactive ART RESIDENCIES that nurture the creative spirit and encourage a sense of joy and wonder.

If you are interested in an art residency for your school or organization, visit hobt.org or call 612.721.2535 for more information. In the Heart of the Beast MNP 2016 H4 filler.indd 1

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Dojos plus sensei At Code Ninjas’ coding centers, coding happens year-round in each center’s “dojo” with teachers (“sensei”) serving as mentors, who guide children through established curricula. As kids become proficient in certain levels of coding, they gain higher belts. When kids reach black belt, they get to post their own games on an app store. “And we help them do that,” said Jon Blood, Code Ninjas’ Twin Cities Area Developer and Owner. “All the way from building that app — to the marketing and individual content that follows — we will help them.” Sensei — high school or college students or other adults — are STEM focused, proficient in coding and work well with kids. “Our sensei build a relationship with our students and mentor those kids,” Blood said. “Our model is not self-taught, it’s self-guided, so we’re here to help them at any stage. What we really see is a lot of collaboration going on with the kids and sensei.” Sensei Audrey Mitchell said coding can be tricky at first for kids who have never tried it. “Some of these kids may not have anything that they are good at in school,” Mitchell said. “But then they come here, and coding is something they are good at and helps them come out of their shell.”

Learning a language According to Blood, the fact that coding isn’t offered as an ongoing class in school — or is only minimally addressed due to funding — is what’s made the company’s reach expand so quickly.

Coding, according to some, is fast becoming the new literacy as important to kids as a second language. 44

March 2019 • mnparent.com

During its first 12 months, more than 100 franchises opened, with the Edina location becoming Minnesota’s first in May 2018. Other local coding centers are in Eagan, Chanhassen and Prior Lake/ Savage. Eight more locations are listed as coming soon to the Twin Cities, and there are plans for 339 centers in 38 states. While camps are a large part of Code Ninjas’ focus during the summer, the company was actually built with a yearround drop-off model in mind: Parents can drop their kids off after school or on weekends for up to two hours a week of coding while they either leave or stay on site in a parents’ lounge. “It’s the fastest-growing educational franchise right now in the U.S,” Blood said. “And what better way to learn how to code than by building and playing their very own video games.”

Code Ninjas This new, fast-growing educational franchise helps kids to learn to code through games, robotics, drones and more. Code Ninjas also offers a year-round curriculum for kids, including after-school and weekend drop-off options, summer camps, Parents Night Out events and birthday parties. Ages: 7–14 Dates: June 10–Aug. 30 Cost: Summer camps — offered in the morning or afternoon Monday–Friday — last 3.5 hours and cost $189.99–$199.99. Parents can sign up kids for two different sessions to create a full day of camp, which includes lunch. Early drop-offs and late pick-ups are available for an extra charge. On select days year-round, full-day camps are offered and include a variety of coding and STEM activities and a lunch (prices vary by location). Locations: Chanhassen, Eagan, Edina/ Minneapolis and Prior Lake/Savage with more locations opening soon in the Twin Cities Info: codeninjas.com, 952-206-7836, jon.blood@codeninjas.com

← At Code Ninjas’ Coding Drones camp, kids learn how to code a drone to make it fly. Photo courtesy of Code Ninjas

The idea for Code Ninjas started when Texas-based computer programmer and entrepreneur David Graham decided he wanted to equip his two children with the important skills needed for an increasingly digital future. (Previously, Graham was the founder of Coder Camps, a program that teaches adults to be successful software developers.)

Graham believes the problem-solving, math, resourcefulness, patience and confidence that coding requires can help kids, no matter what careers they go into as adults. Coding, according to some, is fast becoming “the new literacy” — as important to kids as a second language.

Coding as a calling Mitchell said Code Ninjas helps kids learn perseverance and independent thinking, too. “Working through problems on their own, figuring out how to troubleshoot when things aren’t working and how to be creative with games on their own is one of the most important lessons in Code Ninjas,” Mitchell said. Mitchell also believes the technology skills Code Ninjas offers can become invaluable to students as technology continues to boom. With a huge gap in the number of tech jobs available and the number of people who are qualified, Code Ninjas is creating workers who will be able to use and create modern technology, she said. “If students learn the basics of coding now,” Mitchell said, “it will be so much easier for them in the future and will open up so many more opportunities for them.” Abby Doeden is a journalism student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a local freelance writer.

mnparent.com • March 2019

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Summer Power is your answer to quality care and exciting adventures. We offer flexible 3-, 4-, and 5-day options. No two weeks are alike! Weekly themes and weekly field trips.

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.

Uproar provides an exciting combination of spirited adventure and growth. Teens get their first taste of leadership as they help to plan their summer activities and participate in weekly field trips.

YMCA Programs & Camps YMCA OVERNIGHT CAMPS CAMP ST. CROIX / Hudson, WI Ages 7-17 Campers participate in a wide variety of traditional camp activities or select a specialty camp such as horseback riding, rock climbing, sailing and canoeing. Threeday, one-week or two-week sessions.

CAMP ICAGHOWAN / Lake Wapogasset Ages 7-17. Icaghowan offers traditional camp and a variety of unique specialty camps focused on activities such as horseback riding, and canoeing. Three-day, one-week or two-week sessions. CAMP IHDUHAPI / Lake Independence Ages 7-17 Ihduhapi offers youth a traditional experience or specialty camps such as horseback riding and climbing. Threeday, one-week or two-week sessions. CAMP WARREN / Half Moon Lake Ages 7-17 Camp Warren offers girls-only sessions the first part of the summer and boys-only sessions later in the summer. Camp Warren has a strong tradition of progressive activities including sailing, archery, tennis, photography and horseback riding.

YMCA FAMILY CAMPS CAMP DU NORD / Ely, Mn CAMP NORTHERN LIGHTS / Babbit, Mn All Ages Our family camps offer a totally unique 3-day, 4-day and week long camping experiences for families. Cozy cabins range from rustic to upscale. Tent camping sites are also available. Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, nature and arts programs are offered as family activities and for children’s age groups. Relax at days end with a sauna.

YMCA TEEN WILDERNESS ADVENTURES CAMP MENOGYN / Gunflint Trail Ages 12-18 There are no roads leading to Menogyn, so all campers cross West Bearskin Lake by boat to arrive at this beautiful wilderness setting. Our focus is on the small group guided wilderness canoeing, backpacking and rock climbing trips that are safe, fun and enriching.

CAMP WIDJIWAGAN / Burntside Lake, Ely Ages 11-18 Widji offers high-quality canoe and backpacking adventures in the BWCAW 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 CAMPS: Ages 4 - 14 With camps located at 10 accessible sites throughout the metro area, YMCA Day Camps provide a week full of exciting camp activities like canoeing, archery, fishing, camp crafts, cookouts, swimming and more! Day camps facilitate a great introduction to camping in a safe environment. Kids are home each night. Bus transportation is available.

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.

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CAMP RESOURCES ADVERTISER LISTINGS

Academic

Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) AuSM Social Skills summer classes for youth and adults with autism offer low-stress, accepting environments that encourage learning and growth while participants develop social skills and confidence. Classes centered on special interests including the great outdoors, community outings, improv, zoos, art, drama, and more are offered in locations throughout the metro area. St. Paul • 651-647-1083 ausm.org

The Bakken Museum Explore the exciting world of innovation and creativity through hands-on activities like magic tricks and team-building challenges. Campers learn the invention process by designing and building their own take home project using real tools and materials in the museum makerspace. Spaces fill fast, so register early! Minneapolis • 651-926-3878 thebakken.org

Brain Balance Summer Camp This is your child’s time to shine! Our camp will help each child reach their full potential in academics, self-confidence, behavior and nutritional health. For ages 4–17 struggling

March 2019 • mnparent.com

with academics, ADHD, anxiety and selfconfidence. $500 OFF enrollment. Woodbury • 651-731-6172 brainbalance.com

Camp Invention Unmask your child’s creativity this summer in the all-new Camp Invention® program, Supercharged™, where children transform their wild imaginations into epic creations. Campers in grades K–6 will code robots and use collaboration and creative problem solving during hands-on, STEM activities. Use promo code INNOVATE25L to save $25 (expires 3/22) or PLAY15LISTING to save $15 (expires 5/10). Multiple locations • 800-968-4332 invent.org/camp

Code Ninjas Code Ninjas provides STEM-based learning for ages 7–14. Kids learn and have fun while building and coding games, robotics, and drones. Beginning JavaScript, Game & APP Builders' Club, Roblox & Minecraft Create, Snap-It-Together and Code Drones are just a few of 11 summer camp offerings. Where kids have fun! Parents see results! Edina/Minneapolis, Prior Lake/Savage, Eagan, Chanhassen • 952-206-7836 codeninjas.com

GoSolar! Kidz (GSK) GoSolar! Kidz is the #1 green energy educator for youth. GoSolar! Kidz taught more youth about green energy than any other organization in the world. GSK offers afterschool classes, summer camps, and in-school workshop on renewable energy and gardening. Bloomington • 1-800-SOLAR-01 gosolarkidz.com

Groves Academy Summer Programs Groves Academy offers summer programs for students entering grades 2–11 from the community with learning and attention challenges. Taught by Groves trained teachers, our small class sizes and specialized instruction build success and confidence. Both academic and enrichment programs are available. St. Louis Park • 952-920-6377 grovesacademy.org

Hill-Murray School There is something for everyone at HillMurray School this summer, grades 2–12! Samples of our Academic offerings include: Virtual Reality, Intro to Coding, Intro to Aviation, Jump Start & Study Skills, Summer Slide Math & Reading, ACT Prep, Driver’s Ed. Register today—space is limited!

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Maplewood • 651-777-1376 hill-murray.org/summer

ICC Summer Engineering Camp Explore the world of engineering through hands-on project work, industry tours, and engineering design challenges. Live and work at Wenger Engineering Center; enjoy campus life and recreational activities while learning about a great career field. Sr. High Camp: grades 10–12, July 8–13; Jr. High Camp: grades 7–9, July 17–20. Grand Rapids • 218-322-2370 engineering.itascacc.edu

The International School of Minnesota (ISM) We believe that education can change the world! ISM is a private, non-sectarian school for age 3–grade 12. In addition to a rigorous curriculum, students experience an international learning community where cultural diversity is embraced and celebrated. Come for a tour! Eden Prairie • 952-918-1800 internationalschoolmn.com admissions@ism-sabis.net

Junior Achievement Students in grades 4–8 will learn how to run a successful business through a variety of

fun, interactive activities. Held at JA BizTown, our unique kid-sized city. June session explores STEM careers; July session will appeal to the young entrepreneur. St. Paul • 651-255-0455 jaum.org/ja-summer-camps

Snapology Explore the world of STEM with Snapology by using LEGO® bricks and similar building tools to learn about video game design, animation, robotics, programming, engineering, and physics through a handson approach that promotes playful learning. Minneapolis • 612-440-7627 minneapolis.snapology.com

The Works Engineering & design camps for kids in pre-K–grade 7. Coding, LEGO engineering, robotics, carpentry, design, architecture, and more! Half and full-day options. June–August 2019. The Works Museum: inspiring the next generation of innovators, engineers, and creative problem solvers. Bloomington • 952-888-4262 theworks.org

Zoo Camp Minnesota Zoo offers half-day to weeklong

adventures for toddlers–12th graders (and adults!) to meet animals, make new friends, and have fun learning about the natural world. Check out our popular Horse Camps and our new Llama Camps for grades 1–9! Apple Valley • 952-431-9390 mnzoo.org/zoocamp

Arts

Adventures in Cardboard Mythic Play in Summer Wildlands! Be initiated into an esteemed House of The Realm and jump into live-action adventure gaming! Build your own armor, create castles to defend your land, battle on trails, fields and shorelines! Swords, bows, catapults, magic and monsters! Full days spent in beautiful parks across the metro region. Monday–Friday, ages 8–16 and several TEEN ONLY weeks! June 10–August 23. Minneapolis adventuresincardboard.com

The Art Academy Give your child the opportunity to explore their creative side and develop their skills by illustrating their own children's book and learning the principles of drawing and painting at the Art Academy's Summer

mnparent.com • March 2019

CAMP RESOURCES ADVERTISER LISTINGS kids the opportunity to explore glass as a medium. From blowing glass, to cutting and fusing glass, to solid sculptures with poured molten glass. Give your children an experience they will never forget. Minneapolis • 612-623-3624 mnglassart.org

Hill-Murray School There is something for everyone at HillMurray School this summer, grades 2–12! Samples of our Arts/Activities offerings include: exploring visual arts through Painting, Creative Artwork, or Drawing Bootcamp, explore art through Digital Photography, Film & Visual Storytelling, or Virtual Reality. Register today—space is limited! Maplewood • 651-777-1376 hill-murray.org/summer

Kidcreate Studio

Camp program. Classes and camps, with exceptional student/teacher ratios, are available for students ages 5–18. St. Paul • 651-699-1573 theartacademy.net

Art Camps at Studio Seven One week painting and drawing camps for students ages 7–18. Compositional elements will be explored through landscape and figure studies. Students will paint and draw both in the studio and outside. Trips to galleries and museums included. Camps are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. $595 per week, all materials included. Minneapolis • 612-376-0381 kahlowcurtis@gmail.com studio7artmn.com

1–9! Artistry campers will explore art forms including pottery, fused glass, theater arts, drawing, painting, crafting, and more! $135–$165/half-day. Combine for full-day experience. New this year: before and aftercare! Scholarships available. Bloomington • 952-563-8575 artistrymn.org/education/camps.html

ARTrageous Adventures Fun, creative weekly camp themes, parties and events throughout the year! Paint, reARTcycle, sculpt and collage in our handson studio right in the heART of Kenwood, Minneapolis. Check us out on Facebook for fun events, craft ideas and camp info! Minneapolis • 612-423-7554 ARTrageousAdventures.com

Articulture Art Camps

Fiber Works MPLS, LLC

Articulture art camps are a fun and educational way to explore a variety of media that emphasizes personal creativity. Camp themes include art and science, hands-on art history, comics and animation, and more!

Fiber Works MPLS is a fiber arts studio in NE Minneapolis. Our project-based Summer Kids Camps offer week-long opportunities to explore the arts of sewing and knitting. Focus is on fundamental techniques, creativity, and fun.

Minneapolis • 612-729-5151 articulture.org

Minneapolis • 612-720-3657 fiberworksmpls.com

Artistry

Foci Glass

Over 45 week-long arts camps for grades

Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts offers

March 2019 • mnparent.com

Kidcreate’s award winning summer camps are designed to inspire and educate young artists, ages 3–12, in an environment where giggles and grins are encouraged. Camps combine art education with an atmosphere full of fun. This summer’s camps include Art Academy, Beyond Pinch Pots, Candy Shop, Fortnite Fanatic, Glowin-the-Dark Art, I Heart Sparkles, Let's Draw, Magical Unicorns, Marvelous Master on Canvas, Mega Mess Making, Pajama Party, Paw Patrol and more! Making a mess is the best at Kidcreate! Eden Prairie • 952-974-3438 Savage • 952-226-2200 Woodbury • 651-735-0880 kidcreatestudio.com

The Loft’s Young Writers’ Program The Loft’s Young Writers’ Program offers numerous classes throughout the summer that foster creativity, enrich talents, and create friendships. Classes run for ages 6–17 at all skill levels. Minneapolis • 612-215-2575 loft.org

Minneapolis College of Art and Design Join the Minneapolis College of Art and Design for a series of innovative, handson, and engaging visual art and design camps and classes for kids and teens ages 6–18! Weeklong and multi-week options. Scholarships available. Minneapolis • 612-874-3765 mcad.edu/youth

Minnetonka Center for the Arts Summer Camp (MCFTA) Since 1952, MCFTA’s mission is to make the visual arts available and accessible to people of all ages, interests and abilities. Art not only transforms materials, it transforms

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lives. We see it every day. Wayzata • 952-473-7361 x160 minnetonkaARTS.org/summer-arts-camp

The Phipps Summer Art Camp Partial-day and full-day classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, pottery, art & nature, fiber arts, stained glass, jewelry, as well as theater productions and dance. For ages 4–teens. Taught by experienced art educators. June 17–August 9. Hudson, WI • 715-386-2305 thephipps.org

Potekglass This engaging glass arts camp offers everything a kid wants: fire, color, science, creativity, smushing clay, and melting glass. With nearly 20 years working with kids, local artist Malcom Potek provides an enriching learning experience that can spark new ways of seeing, new skills, and new friendships. Minneapolis • 612-281-7243 potekglass.com/classes/youthclasses

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

Textile Center Small classes taught by skilled artists. Create a handmade hammock to lounge in, weave on a loom, stitch a quilt to enter in the Fair, or become a fashion designer and machine

sew a fabulous outfit! Ages 6–16. Half and full-day options. Minneapolis • 612-436-0464 textilecentermn.org/sc2019

Dance, Music, Performance

Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs Day Camp For Elementary & Middle School boys & girls who love to SING! Join us for a week with music games, singing, & fun! Singers will explore their vocal potential & increase their confidence. Grades K–1, 2–5 & 6–9. See website for dates, times & fees. Bloomington • 952-563-8572 angelicacantanti.org

Bach to Rock Bach to Rock is a new and innovative music school whose philosophy is all about making learning music fun. We provide our students with a diverse music education and give them the tools they need for a life in music. Plymouth • 763-208-7847 plymouth.b2rmusic.com

Ballet Co.Laboratory Ballet Co.Laboratory is a professional ballet School and Company offering ballet classes and performances to the Twin Cities community. Our mission for this organization is to create, develop and inspire artists and communities through collaboration with the art of ballet. St. Paul • 303-249-1039 balletcolaboratory.org

The Center for Irish Music Center for Irish Music offers private and group instruction to students ages 2 to 102 on traditional Irish instruments including singing, harp, whistle flute, bodhrán, piano and fiddle. Drop by to meet our team of 20 wonderful instructors and learn a tune! St. Paul • 651-815-0083 centerforirishmusic.org

Chan DT Musical Theatre Camp Chanhassen Dinner Theatres offers summertime theatre camps for kids and teens (ages 5–18). It’s a fantastic week of full and half-day sessions focusing on musical theatre fundamentals taught by Chanhassen professionals throughout the summer. Sessions begin June 10th. Registration opens Feb. 4th! Chanhassen • 952-934-1525 Camp.ChanhassenDT.com

Circus Juventas Travel the globe from Canada to Russia without ever leaving our big top! Explore a vast array of international circus arts in our half- and full-day Sampler, weeklong Performance and Teen High Flying Adventure Camps. Reserve your spot today in one of the most unique summer experiences anywhere! St. Paul • 651-699-8229 circusjuventas.org

Girls Rock n' Roll Retreat Girls Rock ‘n’ Roll Retreat is a five-day camp for girls, trans and nonbinary youth, ages 9–18. Participants will learn an instrument, form a band, write original songs, and

mnparent.com • March 2019

CAMP RESOURCES ADVERTISER LISTINGS perform in two shows. No prior experience is necessary! Scholarships available! Minneapolis • 844-743-7625 sherocksherock.org

Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS) Summer Programs Two engaging summer programs in Minneapolis and St. Paul provide fun and challenging orchestral experiences for string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students of all abilities, ages 8–18. No auditions required. Need-based scholarships available. St.Paul • 651-602-6800 gtcys.org

The Guthrie Theater Designed to spark imagination in youth ages 8–19, the Guthrie’s summer camps and intensives are led by theater professionals who help participants develop their skills as creative thinkers and artists—all while having fun. June 17–August 9. Minneapolis • 612-225-6134 guthrietheater.org

Hill-Murray School There is something for everyone at Hill-Murray School this summer, grades 2–12! Samples of our Arts/Activities offerings include: Summer Pops Orchestra, Summer Band, Theatre Camp, Film & Visual Storytelling, Radio Broadcasting, Digital Photography. Register today—space is limited! Maplewood • 651-777-1376 hill-murray.org/summer

MacPhail Center for Music MacPhail’s 38 Summer Camps for ages 3–adult provide fun, unique learning opportunities to explore music and develop creative skills. Offerings range from Sing, Play, Act! for ages 4–6 to instrumental camps for piano, percussion, brass, woodwind and strings; from Summer Sampler to Composing for Video Games. Minneapolis, Apple Valley, Chanhassen 612-321-0100 macphail.org/summer-camps

Minnesota Dance Theatre & School Minnesota Dance Theatre is a professional dance company and school founded in 1962 by Loyce Houlton. The school has classes for ages 3.5 through adult, and the company presents multiple concerts throughout the year, including Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy. Minneapolis • 612-338-0627 mndance.org

O’Shea Irish Dance Classes Director Cormac O’Se, original member

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of Riverdance. Professional Irish Dance training for preschoolers through adults; for competition, for fun, and for fitness! Weekly Classes: Mondays–Saturdays. Beginners Classes registering now! Summer camps June, July, August. St. Paul • 612-722-7000 osheairishdance.com

St. Paul Ballet Summer is a great time to try dance! This nonprofit, community and pre-professional dance school offers Dance Camps for ages 2–8, drop-in Creative Dance for ages 4–6, Intro to Ballet for ages 7–12, and Summer Intensive sessions for the serious ballet student ages 10–22. Gymnasts, skaters and athletes may supplement their training. All income levels and abilities welcome! St. Paul • 651-690-1588 spballet.org

Stages Theatre Stages' Summer Theatre Workshops focus on creativity, confidence, and character through the lens of acting and musical theatre skills. Every week is different as our wonderful teaching artists customize to who's in the room. June 17–August 19 for ages 4–17. Hopkins • 952-979-1111 Option 4 stagestheatre.org

Theatre Arts Training at Children’s Theatre Company June 10–August 16, ages 4–18. Theatre Arts Training offers camps for all levels in acting, musical theatre, improv, and more, making it easy to find the perfect fit for the young actor in your life. Be Curious. Be Creative. Be Confident. Registration now open. Minneapolis • 612-874-0400 childrenstheatre.org/summer

Walker West Music Academy Walker West creates a music learning community rooted in the African American cultural experience. Our summer camp is an opportunity for students ages 5–12 to learn five different instruments. The program culminates with a performance for parents. July 8–26 from 8 a.m.–12 p.m.Registration begins March 1. St. Paul • 651-224-2929 walkerwest.org

Youth Performance Company (YPC) Full- and half-day theatre workshops for grades K–12. Opportunities for beginning and advanced students. Topics include acting, musical theatre, improv and more! We also offer a residential theatre camp at Bay Lake Camp. Get your groove on at YPC! Minneapolis • 612-623-9180 x102 youthperformanceco.org/classes

mnparent.com/camp

Day

Academy for Sciences & Agriculture N.E.R.D. Camp (AFSA) N.E.R.D. (Nature, Environment, Resources, Discovery) Camp is packed with hands-on experiences in a variety of STEM fields. Campers, grades K–8, can mix and match options that create a fulfilling experience unique to their interests! Session 1: June 17–21, Session 2: June 24–28. Full and half day options available. Vadnais Heights • 612-260-2662 afsahighschool.com stephanieforliti@afsahighschool.com

American Swedish Institute (ASI) Have fun at ASI’s Summer Day Camps! Vikings, Pippi Longstocking and Nordic Cooking/Culture themes run Thursdays July 11–August 8. Try four-day camps: Swedish Immersion (June 24–27) or Youth Handcraft (August 12–15). Viking Voyagers Preschool Camp set for July 10,17, 24, 31. Minneapolis • 612-871-4907 asimn.org

Circus Arts & Flying Trapeze Empowerment Camps A fun, empowering circus camp, set on a lake in beautiful countryside only 35 minutes from the Cites, that builds confidence, courage,

and perseverance in children, teens & adults. Professionally trained staff teaches to all levels and provides safe support. Marine On Saint Croix • 651-321-3013 flyingcolorstrapeze.com

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Awarded "Best Day Camp" by Nickelodeon’s Parent’s Picks. Camp Como enhances your child’s appreciation for the natural world with enthusiastic instructors, zookeepers and gardeners, and behind-the-scenes adventures. Campers will get closer to plants and animals than ever before. Preschool through 8th grade. St. Paul • 651-487-8201 comozooconservatory.org

Friends School of Minnesota Summer Camp at Friends School of Minnesota is a four-week, full-day, multicamp program that allows children to play and learn at the same time. Camps can range from Bike & Soccer to Crafts & Harry Potter and more! St. Paul • 651-917-0636 fsmn.org/summer-camp

Gibbs Farm Day Camps We’ve created the perfect mix of day camps for your kids! Family-friendly pricing, fun for kids ages 4–15. Choose between Pioneer PeeWees, ages 4–5; one of our three-day camps for ages 6–10 including Pioneer Kid, Life of a Gibbs Girl, and Dakota Day Camp; or our middle school, full-day camps for ages 11–15, Victorian Ladies and Pioneer Survivor. Camps offered June 12–August 30. Pioneer PeeWees: $19/day. Pioneer Kid, Life of a Gibbs Girl, Dakota Day Camp: $99/week. Victorian Ladies and Pioneer Survivor: $149/week. Falcon Heights • 651-646-8629 rchs.com

Hill-Murray School There is something for everyone at HillMurray School this summer, grades 2–12! Hill-Murray School offers opportunities for you to fill your child’s day throughout the entire summer; June, July & August! We have opportunities to enjoy Academic, Arts/ Activities and Athletic Camps. Our offerings engage students of all ages and skill sets. Register today—space is limited! Maplewood • 651-777-1376 hill-murray.org/summer

Kroening Interpretive Center at North Mississippi Regional Park Explore, get messy and learn by doing! Build forts in the woods, catch bugs in the prairie, explore the river shore, enjoy campfire cooking and more. Kids ages 6–12 can

spend the summer outside with weeklong nature themed camps. Half or full day option. Minneapolis • 612-370-4844 minneapolisparks.org

Life of a Gibbs Girl Three days, three experiences! For children ages 6–10. This craft-rich camp explores the lives of girls in Minnesota during the 1800s: life as a Pioneer girl, Dakota girl, and Victorian girl. Tuesdays–Thursdays, June 25–27, July 23–25, August 20–22 and 27–29, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. each day. $99/week. Falcon Heights • 651-646-8629 rchs.com

Minnehaha Academy Summer Programs Jump into summer fun with more than 60 half- and full-day athletic, enrichment and academic camps for grades pre-K through 12. Minneapolis • 612-728-7745 minnehahaacademy.net

Minnesota Waldorf School Summer Day Camp Old fashioned summer fun on our 8 acre campus! A relaxed schedule of crafts, nature play, games, music, gardening, and more. Preschool through 6th grade. Flexible weekly scheduling. St. Paul • 651-487-6700 x202 mnwaldorf.org/summercamp

Pioneer PeeWees Perfect for younger children ages 4–5. Each camp covers one pioneer, Dakota, or nature-related topic and includes plenty of hands-on activities and a craft to take home. A snack is included. This camp is offered Wednesdays and Fridays, June 12–August 30, 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. $19/day. Falcon Heights • 651-646-8629 rchs.com

Playworks 2019 Summer Camp Sign up for Playworks Summer Camp, full of learning, adventure, and fun! With loads of field trips, plenty of outdoor activities, and entertaining educational programs, Playworks’ Summer Camp will provide your child with an unforgettable summer. Open to children 6–12 years of age. Daily meals are included. Parttime and full-time options are available. Prior Lake • 952-445-PLAY (7529) playworksfun.com

Providence Academy Providence Academy’s Summer Activities offer a variety of programs for students age 5 through grade 12. Enjoy activities that promote experiential learning, creative

mnparent.com • March 2019

CAMP RESOURCES ADVERTISER LISTINGS

and academic growth, and unique summer experiences. Full-day sessions for students age 5 through grade 6. Plymouth • 763-258-2500 providenceacademy.org/summer

School Chess Association Summer Day Chess Camp All levels of chess instruction, professional educators tailored to the student’s individual needs. Fun activities include swimming, water slides, field ball, Magic the Gathering, soccer, tennis, roller skating, bowling, fishing, sign language, and role-playing games. Programs: June 24–27, July 8–11, July 15–18, July 22–25, July 29–Aug 1, Aug 5–8, Aug 12–15. St. Louis Park • 763-593-1168 schoolchess.org

Shoreview Parks & Recreation Camps Three-day to eleven-week with half and full-day sessions including summer childcare, playground programs, specialized sports, art

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camps, dance, and more! Ages 3–15. Camps available June 10–August 23. Visit our website or call for more info. Shoreview • 651-490-4750 shoreviewcommunitycenter.com

Spring Break & Summer at Blake From robots to art projects and the classroom to the athletic field, Blake challenges students to creatively express themselves in an array of disciplines. Sports, academics, arts and day camps are open to pre-K–12 students throughout the Twin Cities. Hopkins, Minneapolis, Wayzata 952-988-3463 blakeschool.org/summer

St. Croix Lutheran Academy (SCL) Basketball, band, bowling, computer science, football, soccer, speak & play theatre, volleyball, and wrestling camps led by SCL faculty, varsity coaches, and players. Space is limited. Register early. June 10–August 9

(dates vary). Starting at $75/week! West St. Paul • 651-455-1521 stcroixlutheran.org/camps

St. Croix Montessori School Join us for 12 weeks of outdoor adventure at our Nature Pavillion and 15-acre farm campus. Spending time in nature has positive effects on a child's social, emotional, intellectual and physical well-being, and we provide that in abundance. For ages 3–9. Stillwater • 651-436-2603 stcroixmontessori.org

Tanadoona | Camp Fire Minnesota Explore Tanadoona’s Big Woods and zig-zag by canoe across Lake Minnewashta! With 103 acres, outdoor adventures are endless with new friends and local and international counselors. ACA accredited. Open Houses: 3/9 & 4/27. Excelsior • 612-235-7284 tanadoona.org

mnparent.com/camp Totino-Grace High School Totino-Grace High School offers academic, athletic, and performing arts summer camps for grades K–12. Campers will explore new activities, expand current interests, discover talents, and develop emerging skills. Fridley • 763-571-9116 totinograce.org

University of Minnesota Summer Transportation Camp Students in grades 7–9 will explore transportation, engineering, science, and technology in this free day camp at the University of Minnesota from July 17–28. Activities include field trips, lab activities, and presentations designed to help students learn more about all aspects of transportation. Minneapolis • 612-625-5608 cts.umn.edu/summercamp

University of Wisconsin-Stout STEAM Camp (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) invites students in grades 8–12 to explore career paths with UW-Stout faculty experts while in a handson setting and to gain the experience of campus life. Day Camp $300, Overnight Camp $450. June 16–20. Menomonie, WI • 715-232-2793 uwstout.edu/steam

Urban Air Adventure Park This 40,000+ sq. ft. adventure park includes an indoor zipline (known as the Sky Rider), a ropes course, climbing walls, a warrior-style obstacle course and so much more. Famous for birthday parties. Come check us out today! Coon Rapids • 1-800-960-4778 UrbanAirCoonRapids.com

Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights We offer several summer camps from June– August, that entertain, engage and teach kids new activities and skills! All camps operate during the weekday, which can last one day to several days or multiple weeks. Kids R.O.C.K. is our summer long program. Registration is required for all camps. Inver Grove Heights • 651-450-2585 invergroveheights.org/summercamps

YWCA Minneapolis Summer Day Camps Promote healthy attitudes and lifestyles through safe, respectful, fun and diverse learning experiences. Our programs feature fitness, swimming, sports, Triathlon training, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), poetry, dinosaurs and more. For ages 5–15. Explore more at: ywcampls.org/summer. Multiple locations • 612-215-4189 ywcampls.org/summer

Language

Bilingual Learning Center Spanish Summer Camp—field trips, reading, arts & crafts, sports, dance, science & nature, cultural activities. Beginners welcome; ages 5–12. June 17–July 26, closed week of July 4th. Part-time and full-time options. Located in Kenny School in South Minneapolis. Minneapolis • 612-668-3384 blcenter.org

Concordia Language Villages We are the premier language and cultural immersion program in the U.S. Since 1961, we have provided an authentic experience with programs for all ages offered in 15 different languages. Day camps, residential youth camps and family camps offered. Bemidji • 1-800-222-4750 concordialanguagevillages.org

German Language Camps Kids explore themes including the environment, STEM, cooking & baking, and arts & crafts, while learning some German. Several weeks of “Intro to German” are also offered. For ages 5 to 13. Half-day, full-day, and extended care are available. St. Paul • 651-222-2979 gai-mn.org

Overnight

Audubon Center of the North Woods Youth summer camps with a focus on wildlife, nature, challenge and outdoor skills. Wild About Animals (entering grades 4–6); Outdoor Explorers (entering grades 5–7); Rocks, Ropes & Rafts (entering grades 6–8). June–July. Sandstone • 888-404-7743 info@audubon-center.org audubon-center.org/summer-camps

Camp Birchwood for Boys Set on the edge of the amazing Boundary Waters Canoe Area, campers choose their own adventures every week. They can pick from hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, or rock-climbing. Between adventures, campers choose daily activities including archery, riflery, waterpark, crafts, tubing, fishing, and more. Boundary Waters • 612-355-0708 info@birchwoodforboys.com campbirchwoodforboys.com

Camp Bovey Play hard, make friends, eat well! Spend a week away from technology in the north woods of Wisconsin. Roll out your sleeping bag in a rustic cabin, swim in a lake, choose

activities that interest you, and try something new. Experiences for 2nd–12th grades. ACA accredited and dedicated to making every camper feel included, appreciated, safe, and respected. All are welcome here. Free transportation. Sliding scale fees. Northwestern WI • 612-787-4030 esns.org/campbovey

Camp Chetek Camp Chetek is a Bible camp in northern Wisconsin on Lake Chetek. All staff undergo rigorous training and background checks. Horses, boats, basketball court, pedal carts, archery and shooting range, Bible lessons. Campers grades 3–12. Monday–Saturday. Chetek • 715-924-3236 campchetek.org

Camp Chippewa for Boys We develop character through adventure, inspired by over 80 years of tradition. Your son will receive individual attention as he learns life skills and makes lifelong friends in our wilderness environment. He will return more confident, self-aware and resilient. Cass Lake • 218-335-8807 campchippewa.com

Camp Foley Grow Grit. Investigate Independence. At Camp Foley, kids from all over the world put aside their phones to work on face to face social skills all the while trying new activities and taking risks in a safe, kid focused environment. Pine River • 218-543-6161 campfoley.com

Camp Lebanon Looking for a safe & fun summer highlight for your son/daughter? Kids love camp! From kindergarten grads to high schoolers, our camp's upbeat Christian environment is designed to give campers the time of their lives while growing physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. Burtrum • 1-800-816-1502 camplebanon.org/summer2019

Camp Lincoln for Boys & Camp Lake Hubert for Girls Camp Lincoln for Boys and Camp Lake Hubert for Girls are separate, traditional sleepaway camps that focus on skill and character development for ages 5–17. Off the shores of Lake Hubert, we offer over 40 land, water and adventure activities. Lake Hubert • 800-242-1909 lincoln-lakehubert.com

mnparent.com • March 2019

CAMP RESOURCES ADVERTISER LISTINGS 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, mountain biking, and leadership development. Longville • 218-363-2207 campolson.org

Camp Pillsbury Camp Pillsbury, recently named “coolest camp in Minnesota,” is a unique, safe, fun summer camp that offers over 100 exciting activities! Have fun with trapeze, musical theater, sports, magic, gymnastics, dance, instruments, and watersports—all in the same day! Owatonna • 507-214-2200 CampPillsbury.com

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

chooses. Campers from around the world. Exceptional staff! At the heart of WeHaKee is relationship. Just three hours from Minneapolis in Northern Wisconsin! Winter • 800-582-2267 wehakeecampforgirls.com

Girl Scouts River Valleys With programs from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. We offer family, 4, 6, and 13-day resident camps. Girls explore adventure, leadership, horses, STEM, water sports, and more in a girl-led, all-girl environment. Multiple locations • 800-845-0787 Camp.GirlScoutsRV.org

Laketrails Base Camp Since 1952, Laketrails has been guiding teens and middle school youth on wilderness canoeing and camping adventures through the islands of Lake of the Woods. Campers are immersed in Nature, learn outdoor skills, learn to care for the environment, and accept

and appreciate themselves and others. Oak Island • 218-223-8281 laketrails.org

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy Camp St. John's offers camps for boys and girls who are looking for a high-energy summer camp experience that offers many challenging and fun activities designed to build confidence and self-esteem. Such as SCUBA and Hunter Safety. Delafield, WI • 800-752-2338 sjnma.org

Tamahay Camp for Girls Tamahay Camp for Girls is an overnight camp for girls ages 7–16, held in June and July. Tamahay offers the opportunity to make friends and learn new skills in a technology free environment. Come ride horses, swim, sail, and more! Akeley • 218-652-3033 tamahay.com

Tanadoona | Camp Fire Minnesota Unroll your sleeping bag in a rustic cabin for a week with new friends and local and international counselors. 103 acres along Lake Minnewashta, adventure awaits with activities like archery, canoeing, and agility and high/low ropes courses. ACA accredited. Open Houses: 3/9 & 4/27. Excelsior • 612-235-7284 tanadoona.org

Wilderness Inquiry Wilderness Inquiry Family Adventures are specifically designed for families of all ages. Each adventure offers new opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, learn about nature, and create lifelong memories. These intergenerational experiences explore some of the best outdoor recreation areas in the country. Minneapolis • 612-676-9400 wildernessinquiry.org

Wolf Ridge Summer Camp Kids grades 2–12 will find outdoor adventures to match their curiosity at Wolf Ridge. Share nature up-close every day with lifelong friends at our 2000-acre campus near Lake Superior and the BWCA. Learning is the greatest adventure there is! Choose yours at wolf-ridge.org. Finland • 218-353-7414 wolf-ridge.org

YMCA Camp Pepin Camp Pepin is an ACA-accredited resident camp located on the shore of Lake Pepin

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in Stockholm, Wisconsin. Kids enjoy paddle and water activities, ropes course, climbing, soccer, and more under the supervision of well-trained staff from around the world. Stockholm, WI • 651-388-4724 redwingymca.org

Special Needs

Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) Summer Camps AuSM's summer camps are tailored for youth and adults with autism and feature options including 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4 staff to camper ratios. Parents and caregivers can rest assured knowing that their campers are being cared for by highly trained, experienced staff, while campers make memories that last a lifetime. Camps for AuSM members include Hand in Hand (residential, 1:1); Wahode (day, 1:2); and Discovery (residential, 1:4). St. Paul • 651-647-1083 camp@ausm.org ausm.org

Bridge the Gap Summer Camp We offer a range of academic and recreational programs for grades 3–12 with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related learning differences. Our flexible scheduling allows campers to choose a variety of programs, each ranging from 1–3 weeks over the course of our 8-week summer. Minnetonka • 952-737-6900 aowl.org/bridgethegap

Specialty

Aris Clinic Summer Therapeutic Program This half-day program, usually covered by health insurance, helps kids ages 5–18 to heal and still have time for summer fun. Professional staff provide a safe, structured weekday experience of psychiatry sessions/ medication management and group therapy. Kids learn social, psycho-educational, mindfulness and coping skills. Woodbury • 651-259-9750 aris-clinic.com

Camp Victory Ministries Camp Victory is a non-affiliated Christian Camp twenty minutes north of Rochester, MN. Choose between day camps and overnight camps; enjoy over 14 different specialty camps such as Drone Camp, Creative Arts Camp, Drama Camp, High Adrenaline Camp, and more. Zumbro Falls • 507-843-2329 campvictory.com

Cooks of Crocus Hill Attention young chefs in training! Cooks of Crocus Hill has both kids and teen cooking classes you're looking for. Each camp is a three-day, hands on series where students learn culinary tips and techniques. For full descriptions and dates, visit cooksofcrocushill.com. St. Paul, Stillwater, Minneapolis 651-228-1333 cooksofcrocushill.com cookie@cooksofcrocushill.com

Sports and Fitness Active Kids Association of Sport (AKASPORT)

The AKA All Sports Camp provides a new sport and ultimate field trip each week during the summer for grades 1–10. We focus on specific sport instruction combined with plenty of free play. Register for the full summer or individual weeks. Multiple locations • 651-447-2454 akasport.org

The Alpine Factory The Alpine Factory offers a variety of day camps for ages 6–18, with offerings for beginners through advanced ability levels. Learn new skills, get in lots of practice time and have fun sliding on The Alpine Factory’s infinite slopes. Arden Hills • 651-330-1121 thealpinefactory.com

mnparent.com • March 2019

CAMP RESOURCES ADVERTISER LISTINGS Minneapolis Bouldering Project Minneapolis Bouldering Project camps are for all skill level climbers ages 5–12. Day camps involve: climbing, games, more climbing, snacks, projects, and more climbing! Our goal is to create an inclusive space with a strong growth mindset on and off the walls. Minneapolis • 612-308-2800 minneapolisboulderingproject.com

Minneapolis Sailing Center Sailing camps for kids of all ages and abilities on Bde Maka Ska. Two-week camps with half or full-day options are available all summer. More than just learning how to sail, students learn teamwork, self-confidence, STEM principles, and environment stewardship. Minneapolis • 612-470-7245 sailmpls.org

Revolutionary Sports Instruction programs offered daytime, weeknights, and weekends. Kids, as young as AGE TWO, learn to play sports and improve their skills. The family friendly environment encourages parent involvement. Experienced, professional coaches are great with kids and use active, challenging, and non-competitive curriculum to teach sports and life skills. Multiple locations • 612-234-7782 RevolutionarySports.org

The Sanneh Foundation Hill-Murray School There is something for everyone at HillMurray School this summer, grades 2–12! Samples of our Sports/Fitness offerings include: Football, Baseball, Hockey, Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, Soccer— opportunities for students of all ages and skills! Register today—space is limited! Maplewood • 651-777-1376 hill-murray.org/summer

The Little Gym

Super Kids’ Quest Summer Camp is full of exciting, creative missions where kids ages 3–8 will be working together to complete a different Quest each day! Must be potty trained. Register early. June 10th–Aug 16th. $39 per camp. St. Louis Park • 952-924-0083 thelittlegym.com/edinamn

The Loppet Foundation Summer Camps Summer Adventure Camps offer kids ages 9–13 immersive experiences in the outdoors, with plenty of fun and adventure along the way. Based at The Trailhead, Adventure Camps take kids canoeing, orienteering,

March 2019 • mnparent.com

mountain biking, and more at these fun weeklong day camps. Scholarships available. Minneapolis • 612-604-5330 loppet.org/adventure-camps

The Loppet Foundation Winter Camps Winter Adventure Camps offer kids ages 9–13 immersive experiences in the outdoors, with plenty of fun and adventure along the way. Based at The Trailhead, Adventure Camps take kids snow tubing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and more at these fun weeklong day camps. Scholarships available. Minneapolis • 612-604-5330 loppet.org/adventure-camps

Mini Hops Gymnastics Campers get to develop and build gymnastics skills, get crafty, and make new friends with our awesome staff in small and large group activities. All gymnasts are welcome, from beginner to advanced. Space is limited. Register today! Plymouth • 952-933-2452 mini-hops.com

The Sanneh Foundation offers FREE weeklong sports camps throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul. The free sports offerings include soccer, basketball, football, and hockey. Youth learn not only athletic skills, but also social-emotional development. St. Paul, Minneapolis • 651-690-4855 thesannehfoundation.org

TAGS Gymnastics Camps Fun, fitness, friends! Gymnastics and tumbling camps for boys and girls ages 3–17 in June, July, and August. Kids work on fun, new skills while developing strength, flexibility, and coordination in a safe, positive atmosphere! Apple Valley • 952-431-6445 Eden Prairie • 952-920-5342 tagsgym.com

Twin Cities Youth Rowing Club Are you turning 12–18 this year and want to try rowing? Join us at our Jr/Sr High Summer Rowing Camps! Eden Prairie • 612-760-0575 tcyrc.org

Out & About

MARCH

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Owl Moon ⊲ This collaboration with Escalate Dance journeys into the wintery woods, where a father and child venture out, hoping to spot an owl. Adapted from the Caldecott Medal book, this production is for all ages. When: March 8–24 Where: Stages Theatre, Hopkins Cost: $14–$21 Info: stagestheatre.org

MARCH 1

Tomtebobarnen ⊲ Explore Swedish storytelling, music, art and more in a program designed for ages 3–5 and their important adults. When: 10–11:30 a.m. March 1 Where: American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis Cost: $20 per child/adult; adult attendance is required. Info: asimn.org

MARCH 2

Gaelynn Lea ⊲ In An Evening of Music and Dance with Gaelynn Lea and Young Dance, see a live performance from Duluthbased singer-songwriter, violinist and 2016 Tiny Desk Concert winner Lea, who will accompany improvisation and choreography by Young Dance

performers. Audience members will be invited to explore their own physical responses to the performance. When: 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. March 2 Where: The Cowles Center, Minneapolis Cost: $10–$20 suggested donation; seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Info: tinyurl.com/lea-dance

Kids’ Film Fair 2019 ⊲ Enjoy new animated shorts from around the globe and experiment with stop-motion animation through hands-on activities designed by local animators as part of this Free First Saturday event. When: March 2 Where: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Cost: FREE Info: walkerart.org/calendar

Camp Fair ⊲ Figure out what to do this summer at Minnesota Parent’s 13th-annual event, showcasing camp representatives sharing information about local adventures for kids, ranging from all-season sleep-away camps to day camps focusing on art and performance; science, technology and academics; sports, horseback riding and more. When: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. March 2 Where: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: mnparent.com/campfair

MARCH 3 AND 31, APRIL 14

Urban Expedition

⊲ Experience cultures from around the world through music, dance, food,

mnparent.com • March 2019

MARCH 6

Out & About pets, crafts and more at this annual international event series. When: 1 p.m. March 3 (Romania), March 31 (Great Britain) and April 14 (Vietnam) Where: Landmark Center, St. Paul Cost: FREE Info: landmarkcenter.org

MARCH 3

Steps for Autism ⊲ The Autism Society of Minnesota’s fundraising walk also features the state’s largest autism resource fair. When: March 3 Where: Southdale Center, Edina Cost: FREE to attend, $7 to participate in the FlashDash walk Info: ausm.org

MARCH 5

Planetarium Show ⊲ Musician Greg Byers will lead the audience through a tour of the heavens, accompanied by a live cello performance. The 5:30 p.m. performance will be geared toward younger children and the 7 p.m. performance will be best for school-age children. When: March 5 Where: Como Planetarium, St. Paul Cost: $5 Info: spps.org/planetarium

MARCH 6–17

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ⊲ Geared toward ages 6 and up, this colorful musical tells the story of Willy Wonka and his marvelous and mysterious chocolate factory. When: March 6–17 Where: Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: $39–$135 Info: hennepintheatretrust.org

March 2019 • mnparent.com

Disney’s DCappella ⊲ Deke Sharon of Pitch Perfect and The Sing Oﬀ presents modern a cappella versions of Disney hits. When: 7:30 p.m. March 6 Where: State Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: Tickets start at $43.50. Info: hennepintheatretrust.org

MARCH 8

Z Puppets Dance Party ⊲ Join a glow-in-the-dark dance jam, then get into a world groove with dance instructor and D.J. Mehdi Kennar of Mehdi Dance Unity. Costumes and fashion with flair are welcome at this 20th-anniversary all-ages event. When: March 8 Where: Walker Church, Minneapolis Cost: Pay what you can at the door or in advance. Info: tinyurl.com/z-puppets

MARCH 9

Women in Science ⊲ Engage with women working in the STEM fields through hands-on activities as part of a special Discovery Days event for all ages. When: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. March 9 Where: The Bakken Museum, Minneapolis Cost: Included with museum admission of $10 for adults, $8 for ages 13–24 and free for age 3 and younger; Girl Scouts in uniform get $2 off admission. Info: thebakken.org

Carnaval Brasileiro ⊲ More than 60 singers, musicians, samba dancers, actors and artisans will help participants learn Brazilian song and dance, make carnival masks, create and play percussion instruments and get their faces painted. When: March 9 with a family matinee from 3–5 p.m. and an all-ages evening show from 8 p.m.–midnight Where: Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis

Cost: $12–22 in advance, $15–30 at the door Info: brazilfest.org

MARCH 10

Carnival of the Animals ⊲ In this sensory-friendly family concert, Saint-Saens’ masterpiece for two pianos and orchestra will feature Young People’s Concerto Competition winner Emma Taggart and her brother, Jacob Taggart, as soloists. When: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. March 10 Where: Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis Cost: $12 Info: minnesotaorchestra.org

MARCH 12–APRIL 14

The Hobbit

⊲ Bilbo Baggins travels on an epic journey in this adaptation of the classic J.R.R. Tolkien tome. When: March 12–April 14 Where: Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis Cost: Tickets start at $15. Info: childrenstheatre.org

St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration ⊲ The Irish Music & Dance Association hosts regional and local Irish entertainment, dance and cuisine, plus Celtic vendors, pipe bands and children’s crafts on March 16. The March 17 program will be devoted entirely to dance performances. When: March 16–17 Where: Landmark Center, St. Paul Cost: $5–$7 Info: landmarkcenter.org

MARCH 14–17

Disney On Ice ⊲ In Mickey’s Search Party, help Mickey Mouse and his friends search for Tinker Bell through the worlds of Coco, Moana, Beauty and the Beast and Frozen. When: March 14–17 Where: Target Center, Minneapolis Cost: $28–$98 Info: targetcenter.com

MARCH 19

PJ Masks Live! ⊲ Catboy, Owlette, Gekko and their new friend PJ Robot try to outsmart sneaky villains such as Romeo, Night Ninja and Luna Girl. When: 6 p.m. March 19 Where: State Theatre, Minneapolis Cost: Tickets start at $49. Info: hennepintheatretrust.org

MARCH 19 OR 20

KidsJam

⊲ In this special performance — Latin American Percussion with Reinaldo Moya — ages 5–12 are invited to discover

traditional Venezuelan music, make their own maracas and even create their own Venezuelan-inspired songs. When: 10:30 a.m. March 19 or 20 Where: Schubert Club Museum, St. Paul Cost: $5 per child Info: schubert.org/events

MARCH 22–APRIL 7

The Last Fireﬂy

⊲ Experience the story of Boom, the son of Thunder, based on Japanese fairy tales and folklore. When: March 22–April 7 Where: Steppingstone Theatre, St. Paul Cost: $5–$50 Info: steppingstonetheatre.org

MARCH 22–APRIL 30

Farm Babies

⊲ Cuteness abounds at the zoo’s family farm with baby chicks, piglets, lambs, calves, goat kids and bunnies. Enrichment activities include special treats for the animals — colored Jell-O eggs, pinatas and hard-boiled eggs.

mnparent.com • March 2019

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Out & About

Tales and Music From West Africa ⊲⊲Experience traditional African drumming and dance with the Titambe West African Dance Ensemble. When: 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. March 29 • Where: Saint Anthony Park Lutheran Church, St. Paul Cost: $0–$5 per person • Info: schubert.org/events

When: March 22–April 30. Special weekend activities from 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. will include tram rides (11 a.m.–1 p.m.) and animal story times (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.); plus, on select days, metal smith demos and square dancing. Where: Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley Cost: Included with admission of $12 for ages 3–12 and $18 for ages 13–64 Info: mnzoo.org

MARCH 23

Sound Day ⊲⊲Make instruments and explore sound through a variety of activity stations throughout the museum. When: Noon–4 p.m. March 23 Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul Cost: Included with regular admission of $18.95 for adults and $12.95 for ages 4–12 Info: smm.org/sound-day

March 2019 • mnparent.com

Women of Mill City ⊲⊲Enjoy special Family Day performances by the Mill City Museum History Players, portraying the 19th and 20th-century women who contributed to Minnesota history. When: 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. March 23 Where: Mill City Museum, Minneapolis Cost: Included with museum admission of $6–12 Info: mnhs.org/event/6734

MARCH 30

Tales & Tunes 2019 ⊲⊲Little ones can make a craft, sing along to nursery rhymes and hear local author Nancy Carlson read some of her mostloved books. All ages are welcome. When: March 30 Where: Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis Cost: Children can attend for FREE with the purchase of a $15 adult ticket. Info: vocalessence.org

MARCH 30–31

Harlem Globetrotters ⊲⊲This year’s show features the largest female roster in the team’s showstopping history. After every game, players will remain on the court for autographs and photographs with fans. When: March 30–31 Where: Target Center, Minneapolis Cost: $21–$136 Info: targetcenter.com

MARCH 30–31, APRIL 7

Starch Madness Cookie Competition ⊲⊲A taste-off of the Fresh Four (decided by online bracket-style voting throughout March) will take place in the museum’s Baking Lab March 30–31. On April 7, see a live, high-stakes bake-off between the top two cookie bakers. When: March 30–31 and April 7 Where: Mill City Museum, Minneapolis

Cost: Included with museum admission of $6–12 Info: mnhs.org/event/6738

APRIL 5

Reese’s Final Four Friday ⊲ See NCAA Final Four players up close for free in their final open practices before the semifinals, followed by the Reese’s College All-Star Game in the afternoon. When: April 5 Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis Girl Scouts of MN WI MNP 0319 12.indd Cost: FREE Info: ncaa.com

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APRIL 5–7

March Madness Music Fest ⊲ Attend a free music series with multiple stages, including national acts such as Maroon 5, Imagine Dragons and Jason Aldean. When: April 5–7 Where: The Armory, Minneapolis Cost: FREE, but tickets will be required for admission. Info: ncaa.com

APRIL 5–8

Final Four Fan Fest ⊲ Celebrate a variety of sports with interactive games, special celebrity and athlete appearances, autograph signings, a home run derby, free cheer clinics, a climbing wall and a chance to snap a selfie with the Final Four championship trophy. When: April 5–8 Where: Minneapolis Convention Center Cost: $4–$10 for ages 13 and up, FREE for ages 12 and younger Info: ncaa.com/final-four

MORE ONLINE!

Find more events on the Minnesota Parent website at minnesotaparent.com/calendar.

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FROM OUR READERS

Nuts over noodles Getting down with a heaping helping of saucy, tasty, slurpable pasta: It’s a rite of passage!

↑ Reese, 9 months, of St. Louis Park

↑ Adrian, 8, of Minneapolis

↑ Laksh, 3, of New Brighton

WE HAVE A WINNER! Congrats to Rachel Duclos of St. Louis Park, who won a $100 gift card to the Broders’ family of restaurants in Minneapolis (for a photo of her daughter, Reese, top left). Thanks to everyone for entering our Win a Date Night giveaway!

↑ Sophia, 11, of Edina

↑ Grace, 10 months, of Maple Plain

Send your snapshots — with your child’s name, city and age in photo — to editor@mnparent.com with the subject line #mnpix

March 2019 • mnparent.com

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