Summer Camp fun!

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN

Imagine you are a zookeeper, junior sleuth or engineer. Get lost in a colossal cardboard maze. Learn how to make a Rube Goldberg machine, ice cream, fused glass, and Lego movie. Hone your soccer and German skills. Rollerski, canoe, and dance.

That’s just the start of the youth camp options available in the Twin Cities area. Browse below for more information on some of the camps offered locally.

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

ART START

Pre-school children ages 4-5 years register for “A Start with the Arts”. Youth ages 13 years and older register for “Camp CREATE.” Youth select classes taught by professional artists from multiple arts disciplines— music, creative movement/dance, and visual arts. As a result of participating in this 5-day immersion experience, youth gain artistic knowledge and skills, learn about the people, geography and environment of a place and create art works and performances inspired by the culture. Week 1, Galapogos; Week 2, Cuba. Includes options in drawing/painting, mosaics, puppetry, construction arts, movement/dance, weaving, clay jewelry, music and mixed media. Cost: $140-$270. 651-698-2787. http://www.artstart.org/summer-immersion

BLACKHAWKS OF ST. PAUL

Blackhawks offer several exciting half- and full-day soccer camps for players ages 5-18 that encompass a wide variety of activities and skills. Specialty camps focus on specific skills such as ball control, shooting, and goalkeeping. Cost: $75-175. 651-894-3527. http://blackhawksoccer.org

CAMP COMO

Spend some time Monkeying Around with your primate pals; discover your creative side with Adventures in Art; take an African Adventure right at Como; or, try on the hat of a zookeeper or gardener in Behind-the-Scenes! Como’s camps include “behind-the-scenes” experiences and meeting Como’s plant and animal ambassadors up-close! Five-day, half-day sessions. Extended care available. In partnership with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM), Como also offers summer camp opportunities for youth, ages 8-18, with autism. Cost: $117-150. 651-487-8272. http://www.tinyurl.com/p3u4lqv

CREATE SOMETHING GREAT AT FRIENDS SCHOOL

From junior sleuths to budding lawyers to young artists, there are seven weeks of adventures and summer fun planned for ages 4-14 at the Friends School of Minnesota (photo at right provided). Weekdays, half- and full-day. Cost: $100 to $440. 651-621-8941. https://fsmn.org/summer-camp/overview

GIBBS FARM: PIONEER AND DAKOTA LIFE CAMPS

Travel back in time and learn about life in the 1800s. Explore seasonal Dakota activities including the maple sugar camp, wild rice village, life in the tipi, hunting games, methods of travel, language and song during the Say It In Dakota Camp. Three-day, half-day camps. Two-hour day sessions for ages 6-13 only $19. Cost: $99. 651-646-8629. http://www.rchs.com

HAMLINE YOUNG WRITERS

High school students ages 15-18 can explore the craft, prepare for college, and connect with other young writers in the Twin Cities while working closely with Hamline Creative Writing faculty and published authors. Cost: $400. 651-523-2476. http://www.hamline.edu/gls/youngwriters

MINNESOTA WALDORF SCHOOL    

Join them for good, old-fashioned summer fun at Minnesota Waldorf School summer camp. Outdoor games, natural crafts, water play, gardening, caring for the school’s chickens, and much more, all on their beautiful 8 acre campus. 70 East County Road B, St. Paul. For children ages 3.5 to (rising) 5th grade. Cost: $150/wk (half-day); $270/wk (full-day). 651-487-6700 x202. http://mnwaldorf.org/summercamp

ST. PAUL ACADEMY

Make Rube Goldberg machines. Take a writing workshop entitled: “A Week at Hogwarts.” Learn about 3D printing and movie-making. Debate, play chess, take competitive math, debate, or learn how to be a better leader. Twelve options at SPA cover a wide range of academic, arts, and enrichment activities for grades 2-12. The Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth offers the ExplorSchool for students in grades 4-6. Cost: $169-425. 651-698-2451. http://www.spa.edu/about_spa/summer_programs_2015/

SPIRIT TAE KWON DO

Fun, exciting camps that combine physical fitness and education are offered throughout the summer for school-age kids. Register early for discounts. 651-428-6170, 651-428-6172. www.istkd.com

ST. PAUL BALLET

Summer at St. Paul Ballet (photo provided) is a time to try something new that you’ve always wanted to try. Programs include workshops and camps for ages 3-22. It’s a time to try out classical ballet, as well as other genres of dance such as flamenco, modern, and some surprises. Weekly and drop-in classes offered throughout the summer ($8.50 to $20). Cost: $75-1,800. 651-690-1588. www.spballet.org

ST. PAUL URBAN TENNIS

Located all over the St. Pauul map, with several locations in the Midway Como neighborhoods, St. Paul Urban Tennis offers summer camp programs for all age groups. In addition to tennis lessons, they offer SPUT Sampler Camps ($45) which offer a condensed version in 4 days of their acclaimed summer program, with a high dose of tennis instruction for players just starting out with the sport. Cost: wide range. http://stpaulurbantennis.org/2011-summer-program.php

IN THE TWIN CITIES

ADVENTURES IN CARDBOARD

Construct giant castles, get lost in colossal mazes, build suits of armor and more during these five-day, full-day sessions for ages 8-17. Eight weeks offered at five different parks. Cost: $320. 612-532-6764. http://julianmcfaul.com

ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY

Unleashed summer campers entering grades 3-10 spend a full week immersed in animal learning and fun. Camp sessions are held in St. Paul and Golden Valley (as well as three other locations). Cost: $300. 763-489-2220. http://www.animalhumanesociety.org/camps

ARTICULTURE

A variety of art disciplines and mediums with themes like Claymation, theater, art car, or food as art offered for ages 4-18. Five-day, half- and full-day sessions available. Cost: $117-270. 612-729-5151. http://www.articulture.org

ALEXANDER RAMSEY HOUSE

Solve mysteries of the past in this three-day History Detective Camp for ages 11-13. Or, young ladies ages 9-12 can step back in time in a unique Finishing School for Young Ladies day camp. Cost: $200-$220. 612-341-7555. http://www.mnhs.org/summercamps

CAMP SUNRISE

Camp and canoe while learning leadership and teamwork skills in a seven-day resident camp for youths age 13-18 who live within the city limits of Minneapolis or St. Paul. Held on the St. Croix River in Rush City and organized by YouthCARE. Cost: free. 612-338-1233. http://www.youthcaremn.org

CIRCUS JUVENTAS

Explore international circus arts at Circus Juventas. Five-day, full-day sessions offered for ages 6-18. Or make your own camp with Circus Sampler Days. Cost: $395. 651-699-8229. http://www.circusjuventas.org

CONCORDIA LANGUAGE  VILLAGES

Experience cultural and language immersion;15 languages to choose from. Resident camp for ages 6-18 and half-day programs offered. Cost: $240-$4,400. 1-800-222-4750. http://www.concordialanguagevillages.org

DODGE NATURE CENTER

Explore prairies, wetlands and woodland trails during full- and half-day, four-day camps offered for students entering 1-8 grades. Shorter sessions are available for ages 3-6. Cost: $42-255. 651-455-4531. http://www.dodgenaturecenter.org

FARM TO TABLE

Make butter, ice cream and bread while learning about science, agriculture, and history at the Bruentrup Heritage Farm in Maplewood. Plus, students will play old-time games like townball and do arts and crafts. Three four-day sessions offered in July and August. Cost: $150. 651-748-8645. http://tinyurl.com/bhf2016

FOCCI MN CENTER FOR GLASS

From fusing to casting to glass blowing, ages 9-18 are introduced to the mesmerizing medium of glass through immersive half-day, five-day experiences. Cost: $375-420. 612-623-3624. http://tinyurl.com/foci2016

FORT SNELLING

Be an adventurer like Davy Crockett. Explore like Huck Finn. Experience the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Be a soldier for a day. Or, try out what life as an archeologist is like. Camps range from one day to one week. $60-$250. 612-341-7555. http://www.mnhs.org/summercamps

GERMAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CAMPS

Speak, hear, sing, and create in German while exploring subjects ranging from history and art to science and music during five-day, half-, full- and extended-day sessions for grades K-2 at the Germanic American Institute. Cost: $130-270. 651-222-2979. http://gai-mn.org

JUGHEADS JUGGLING CAMP

Half-day, five-day sessions for beginners through experts ages 8-18 enhance hand-eye coordination, boost concentration, and build self-confidence. Cost: $110. 612-229-3348. http://jugheads.com

LEONARDO’S BASEMENT

Girls and boys ages 6 to 17 can design and build their creative ideas, mixing art, science and technology during partial-day, weekday camps. There are more than 88 classes available over ten weeks. New this summer: Star Wars week. Cost: $185-370, scholarships available. 612-824-4394. http://www.leonardosbasement.org

LOPPET ADVENTURE CAMPS

Roller ski, mountain bike, canoe and more during adventure camps for ages 9-13 at Theodore Wirth Park in MInneapolis. Equipment provided during the full-day, five-day sessions. Cost: $200. 612-604-5330. http://loppet.org

MINNEHAHA ACADEMY

A variety of athletic, academic and enrichment programs are offered, including woodworking, Lego robotics, puddle-stompers, geocaching, movie making, sailing, painting, rocket science, guitar, and more. Half- and full-day, one- to three-week weekday sessions. Camp Minnehaha (photo at right provided), a full day camp for pre-k to grade 8, includes daily devotions, games, indoor and outdoor activities, daily swimming lessons and a weekly off-campus activity. Cost: $36-500. 612-728-7745, ext. 1. http://www.minnehahaacademy.net

MILL CITY MUSEUM

Play music, get creative, bake bread and construct books while exploring the rich culture of the Minneapolis riverfront district. Campers aged 9-11 will explore a new experience each day at four arts centers, including Mill City Museum, the Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Center for Book Arts and MacPhail Center for Music. Cost: $225-$250. 612-341-7555. http://www.mnhs.org/summercamps

STEM CAMPS

Use LEGO bricks, gears and motors to construct and program robots, or produce their a LEGO movie using the latest Stop-Motion Animation software. Opt to learn to code or create your own video game. Math Addvantage offers five-day, half-day camps for grades 2-8. $215. http://mathaddvantage.com

STEPPING STONE THEATER

Learn about devised theater, music, and other performance art forms during these one- to two-week, half- and full-day sessions for those preK to grade 12. A sliding scale scholarship program is available for all on-site summer camps.Cost: $125-475. http://steppingstonetheatre.org

SCIENCE MUSEUM  OF MINNESOTA

Summer programs for youth ages 3 to 16 combine science, art, drama, and literature in ways that encourage kids to actively discover and examine concepts for themselves. Programs also offered at the Lee & Rose Warner Nature Center, the state’s oldest outdoor environmental education facility. Cost: $60-345. 651-221-4511, 651-433-2427. http://www.smm.org/classes

TEXTILE CENTER CAMPS

Sew, knit, felt, dye and more. Take home completed fiber items from three- and five-day, half-, full- and extended-day sessions for ages 6-18. Cost $87-370. 612-436-0464. http://textilecentermn.org/summer-camps

WHITE BEAR CENTER FOR THE ARTS

White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) is offering artist-led, fun-filled art classes this summer from June 14-August 18 for young people ages 6-14. Classes will be offered in painting, drawing, clay, theatre, writing, glass and much more. Call or email WBCA for more information or to get on the mailing list. Cost: $23-$69 Member Price. $29-$97 Non-Member. Scholarships Available. 651-407-0597. http://www.WhiteBearArts.org

YMCA

Explore the variety of Y Summer Programs at over 60 metro-area locations. Programs include flexible three-, four-, and five-day options. There’s something fun for everyone from preschool through grade nine. Cost: $80-350. http://www.ymcatwincities.org/child_care__preschool/summer_programs

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is by no means a comprehensive list of every camp in the Twin Cities. If you would like to be included in next year’s guide, please send us detailed information on the camp to editorial@deruyternelson.com.