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By Maura Keller Sitting around the campfire, roasting marshmallows, hiking through the woods—all are images evoked by the word “camp.” At a traditional summer camp, campers enjoy the gamut of summer experiences, from swimming and hiking to crafts and camp shows. Like their traditional counterparts, specialty camps come in all shapes and sizes—from camps for art, music and theater to language camps, military camps, community service programs and studies focused on the environment. While traditional sports and arts and crafts still hold sway among the hundreds of summer camps in Minnesota, more and more specialty programs are making a significant impact on Minnesota camp-goers each summer. Here is a taste of the many offerings available as you begin the search for a special camp that is just right for your child. Concordia Language Villages Big, well known and highly respected, Concordia Language Villages is an internationally recognized and respected world-language and culture-education program. Begun in 1961, the Language Villages annually serves 9,500 young people from all 50 states, Canada and 40 other countries. It has long been a model of quality and innovative programming in immersion education and offers sessions in 15 languages, including Arabic, Russian and Chinese. Located in northern Minnesota near Bemidji, the Concordia Language Villages operates in year-round, culturally authentic facilities. Camps are available for all ages – preschool through adult – and include day camps held both in Bemidji and the Twin Cities area. Residential programs run between one to four weeks in length with the option of a four-week high school credit session, which can be the equivalent of one full year of high school language. www.concordialanguagevillages.org. The Audubon Center of the North Woods Located on 535 acres in Pine County, Minnesota – 90 miles north of the Twin Cities, the Audubon Center of the North Woods offers a residential environmental learning center for thousands of children, grades K-12. The center is comprised of Audubon staff educators and international instructors who bring years of experience and skill in environmental and outdoor education that children can experience throughout a variety of learning environments, including a formal science classroom and wildlife barn. Old growth white and red pines, a beaver stream, mixed forest, field, and wetlands provide the on-site resources and additional adventures. www.audubon-center.org. Minnesota National Guard Summer Camp Each August, young military enthusiasts who are related to current or former Minnesota Guard members can participate in a youth education program at Camp Ripley. The camps give youth and teens, ages 10-15, a first-hand understanding of the environment of this renowned military base and the Minnesota National Guard program. www.mngyc.com. Camp Amanda For children who have lost a loved one or a significant person in their life, Camp Amanda is a grief camp offered by the Minnesota Foundation for Children. This free two-day camp is geared to help children and teens meet other children to share their grief experiences. Activities include traditional camp games and activities, as well as memorializing activities for their loved one, including candle lighting and balloon releases. The camps, held in January, April and October, also give children a chance to talk with grief counselors and other professionals about their experience. www.campamandaminn.com. Way-Cool Cooking School Camp It’s true—kids can cook! For those young cooking aficionados looking for the next great meal idea, check out the Way-Cool Cooking School Camp in Eden Prairie. Camp topics vary each session and typically last three hours, with a full day option available for kids age 10 and older. Kids, ages 7-16, can learn everything from brunch ideas to cooking gifts to Webkinz-themed cooking ideas and even try their hand at an Iron Chef challenge. www.waycoolcookingschool.com. Leadership Camp St. John’s Preparatory School in Collegeville is home to residential leadership camps for both boys and girls. For ages 10-15, each leadership camp is geared toward teaching youth the important leadership attributes that are required to make an impact on society. The concepts of service for others, community responsibility, good citizenship, and respect of multiple viewpoints are taught. In addition to leadership-development activities, campers engage in several recreational camping activities. www.sjprep.net/pages/camps1. Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center Located in Finland, Minnesota, the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center features ecology camps and specialty camps that provide a unique outdoor experience for participants. Kids enjoy learning in the outdoors in a safe environment. The center’s specialty camps include explorer’s wilderness trips, academic credit camp, a variety of age-appropriate naturalist camps, as well as a day camp for grades 1 to 8. www.wolf-ridge.org. The Works Half-day and all-day camps are offered at The Works in Edina, where campers can receive hands-on experience designing and building a variety of science, technology, and engineering projects. From kaleidoscopes and robots to super aeroracers and solar ovens, 5- to 12-year-olds can experience a fun-filled week of exciting projects and unique experiments. www.theworks.org. 10K Wakes Camp Wakeboarding is proving to be a fun and healthy sport for many kids. Each summer wakeboarding lovers of all ages participate in weekly day camps for several hours each day. Held at a variety of Twin Cities area lakes, campers can sign up for 2, 3, or 4-day wakeboarding camps. For overnight camping enthusiasts, each summer 10K Wakes hosts an overnight camp at Eagles Nest Resort in the Grand Rapids area for ages 10 and up. www.10kwakes.com. First Act Kids Summer Camp Chanhassen Dinner Theatres has been entertaining Minnesotans through its award-winning theatrical productions for decades. And each summer, hundreds of children can enjoy Chanhassen’s First Act Theatre Camp. In addition to teaching the fundamentals of theatrical productions, campers get a “behind-the-scenes” look at auditioning, acting, voice, costumes, and scenery. The week-long, half-day camps are geared toward kids ages 8 to 18. There is also a special all-day session for teens. www.chanhassentheatres.com. Circle R Ranch Horse Camp Horse lovers unite! More than 200 horses and a variety of ranch animals greet campers each summer at Circle R Ranch, situated on more than 800 acres in central Minnesota. This working ranch features horseback riding aplenty, a horse show, an overnight horseback ride and camping experience and a wealth of other ranch-related activities. www.circlerranch.com. Animal Humane Society Summer Camp Animal lovers entering grades 3-12 can spend a week of fun at this camp learning about all different types of animals and their care. Campers participate in animal-related educational activities, service projects, visits from special guests, field trips, and get up close and personal with furry friends. Kids in grades 8-12 can also try out Critter Careers Week to learn more about various animal related careers. Camps are held all five area shelters. www.animalhumanesociety.org/unleashed.
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