Best Summer Day Camps In Minnesota
Before you know it, school will be out again and parents all over Minnesota will be looking for ways to occupy their kids during the summer break. No matter what you child's age or areas of interest, Minnesota is teeming with options for summer fun. Check out these choices for some of the best 2014 summer camps in the Twin Cities area. For more camp ideas, don't miss last year's list of Best Sleep Away Summer Camps For Kids In Minnesota.
Camp Como
1225 Estabrook Drive
St. Paul, MN 55103
(651) 487-8200
www.comozooconservatory.org
Children preschool-age through 8th grade can learn more about animals and plants this summer at Camp Como during its week-long camps throughout June, July and August. Camp options include experiencing Como Zoo with the actual gardeners and zookeepers at "Behind-the-Scenes," testing out new art techniques at "Adventures in Art" or spending time with the monkeys of the zoo at "Monkeying Around." Classes are in half-day sessions but by booking a morning and afternoon camp, your child can enjoy a full-day at Camp Como. Supervised lunches are included for those who book back-to-back sessions and extended care is even available for those parents who need to drop off their child before or after the scheduled camp times.
International Kids Camp
6385 Beach Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
(952) 918-1828
www.internationalschoolmn.com
Imagine your child spending the summer learning about new cultures and languages from around the world. The International School of Minnesota brings the customs, crafts, music and foods of the world to kids ages three and a half to 6th grade with weekly programs throughout June, July and August. The International Kids Camp is located on a 55-acre wooded campus right next to the Three Rivers Park District's Bryant Lake Park and beach, and every Friday is beach day for the campers. Full-, half- and extended-day camp options are available.
Tamarack Nature Center Day Camp
5287 Otter Lake Road
White Bear Township, MN 55110
(651) 407-5350
www.co.ramsey.mn.us/parks/tamarack
Tamarack Nature Center is a great place for youth to enjoy and learn about the outdoors. This summer, kids can experience the 320-acre preserve with camp classes focused around nature, art and animals. The popular Discovery Hollow and Garden serves as the center for camp activities, including building tree forts, growing vegetables and making dams. Day camp is available to kids ages three to 8th grade. Extended-care options are available on weekdays throughout the summer as early as 7:30 a.m. and as late as 5:30 p.m.
JJ's Jam Summer Camp
11870 Ulysses St. N.E.
Blaine, MN 55434
(763) 784-1451
www.jjsjam.com
JJ's Jam provides fun age-specific activities for children entering kindergarten through 6th grade. Throughout the summer, younger kids learn the basics of bus safety, expressing themselves creatively through art and how to play classic board games. Older kids take part in crafts like scrapbooking and origami, and field trips to water parks. Camp-goers of all ages will take weekly trips to the local library with a chance to win prizes for meeting summer reading goals. JJ's Jam also has a summer camp location in the Roseville area.
Steppingstone Theatre Summer Camp
55 Victoria St. N.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 225-9265
www.steppingstonetheatre.org
Budding actors can step into the limelight at the Steppingstone Theatre Summer Camp. Here, kids will learn the essentials of theatre, with a final production at the end of camp. One-, two- and three-week camps are available with both half- and full-day options. Pre-K through 10th grade students are welcome with extended-day open to 1st through 6th graders.
Related: Best Summer Camps Or Workshops For Teens In Minnesota
Cortney Mohnk is a freelance writer covering all things Minnesota. She is also a public relations and event planning professional. Her most important job is mother to her young daughter, who is her partner-in-crime when checking out the family entertainment scene in the Twin Cities. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
