Patch Picks: 5 Summer Camps

Minnesota Zoo Camps

There are many different animal adventures—and much more—planned for Minnesota Zoo campers this summer. Even toddlers can participate in fun "camp" sessions like "Rainbows and Rain Forests" with a favorite adult. Preschoolers will enjoy single day events like "Dynamic Dolphins;"  there are many options for grade school and middle school students like "ZSI - Zoo Scene Investigation." For kids in grades 7-9, spend time as part of the "Farm Crew" or look behind the scenes at a "Zoo Design" camp.

For registration information, visit www.mnzoo.org.

Eastview High School Athletics Camps

For kids who can't sit still, or want to get a jump on learning skills in the sports they love before their next season starts, Eastview High School is holding youth summer athletics camps in just about every sport your student-athlete . Check out the list of sports camps on the school's website, where you'll also find out more information about which types of camps are available, dates, registration and costs.

SteppingStone Theatre Camp

If you have a budding Broadway star on your hands, consider the SteppingStone Theatre Summer Camp in St. Paul.  There are programs available for kids ages 3 1/2 to 17 years old, including such creative options as the "Actors' Playground" and "Produce It! - Jr.," a camp focusing on all aspects of play production for kids ages 9-12.

Registration is now available online at www.steppingstonetheatre.org.

Dodge Nature Center Camps

At Dodge, kids (and adults) can explore and experience daily life at a nature center. Day camps for first- and second-graders include "Nature Detectives" and "Earth, Air, Fire and Water."  Third- through fifth-graders can spend a week "Down on the Farm" and middle schoolers in grades 6-8 can be "Eco Explorers."

Dodge Nature Center also offers a weeklong day camp called "All Around Dodge" for children ages 8-12 who are on the autism spectrum.

Hey parents, you can have fun at camp, too.  Three-day Family Camp sessions are held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Bonfires and s'mores included!

Registration forms can be downloaded from www.dodgenaturecenter.org.  Scholarships are also available.

Visitation Summer Camps and Summer School

A whole host of fun learning and enrichment opportunities are just waiting for kids who will be entering kindergarten through sixth grade in the fall. There are sports camps, a science and creativity camp called Camp Invention, geocaching, art, etiquette, theatre and much more. 

Summer school classes will focus on reading, writing, math, study skills and test taking help and are available for students through 12th grade.

The Summer School and Summer Camp brochure is available online at www.visitation.net. Contact Julia Dale, coordinator, at 651-683-1751 for more information.