'S' is for Summer Camps

Whether it be Art, The Bible, or Camping in the great outdoors, the A, B, Cs of summer enrichment programs for children are filled with endless opportunities.  In this post, I attempt to round up as many summer camps and resources as I can, but it is not as comprehensive as I would hope. I encourage readers to let us all know of other summer programs by using the comment section.  I will also include additional resources as I stumble upon them in my weekly “F is for Free and Frugal Family Fun” blog.

Mark your calendars!  The Minnesota Parent Camp Fair -on Saturday, February 25, 10 AM – 2 PM, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, this event is FREE! Now is the best time to get a head start on planning for summer camps. Meet camp representatives from day and overnight, music, science, computer, art, performance programs and more! Go to http://www.mnparent.com/campfair/ for more information.

Disclosure and warning: The intent of this post is to gather as many summer resources as possible and because I have had little if not any personal exposure to the majority of these programs and therefore, do not assume that simply because I am posting about them here that I fully endorse them. Because these programs are intended for children, YOUR children, and some cost A LOT of money, I HIGHLY encourage you to seek as much information as possible about these programs and gather feedback and references from trusted sources before you even sign up your children for these activities. Also, take note, some of these organization do not yet have their summer programs posted on their website. I have provided the link I believe will be the connection to those programs as soon as they are available. Do not hesitate to email or call the organization now and ask for their summer information.

ACADEMIC
Concordia Language Village

ART & DRAMA
The Art Academy in St. Paul-http://www.theartacademy.net/summerschedule.html
Children’s Theatre Company-http://www.childrenstheatre.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=475&Itemid=623
Edina Art Center
Richfield ELCA drama camp-http://www.richfield-lutheran.org/index.php?q=youththeater
Stages Theatre in Hopkins

COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Edina Community Education-http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/community/
Minneapolis Community Education
Richfield Bloomington Community Education
Richfield Recreation

CRAFTS
Guthrie Theatre

HORSES
Circle R Ranch in Long Pairie - http://www.circlerranch.com/schedule.html#anchor756026
Newhorse.com

NATURE
Children’s Country Day School in Mendota Heights -http://www.childrenscountryday.org/summer-camp-enrollment/
Swift Nature Camp-http://www.swiftnaturecamp.com/minnesota.htm
Three Rivers Park-http://www.threeriversparks.org/events/Groups/summer-camps.aspx
Woodlake Nature Center

SCIENCE
Science Museum of Minnesota
Wise Swim School Science Camps - http://www.wiseswim.com/camps.php

SPORTS
Wise Swim School - http://www.wiseswim.com/camps.php
YMCA
Elite Gymnastics
Volleyball

SCOUTS
Boy Scouts of America
Girl Scouts

SPECIALTY PROGRAMS
Autism Society
Struggling Teens

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Christ Prespyterian  Church VBS in Edina - http://www.cpconline.org/index.php?content=kids
Oak Grove Lutheran VBS in Richfield - http://www.oakgrovelutheran.org/youth.htm
St. Richard’s Catholic Church VBS in Richfield
Richfield ELCA VBS

ADDITIONAL CAMP RESOURCES Camp Channel
Camp Resource
Kids Camp
Minnehaha  Academy
Minnesota Parent - http://www.mnparent.com/index.php?section=67&publication=mn_parent&direc...
My Summer Camps