After a long Minnesota winter, summer can seem like a distant memory. Remember those warm days when we could go outdoors without ten layers? Summer might seem far away right now, but it will be back before you know it. And believe it or not, registration for many popular summer camps opens this month (or soon), so it’s time to get out the family calendar and start making plans. The Woodbury area offers a great selection of summer camp options, from the traditional to the unusual. Here’s our guide to making the most of your family’s warm months (they’ll be here soon—we promise!).
DAY CAMP KUMALYA
This YMCA camp has all of the best parts of camp, rolled into one neat package. Day Camp Kumalya offers traditional camp and specialty camps. The former includes classic ventures like crafts and swimming, while the latter offers topic-specific activities—arts and crafts, archery, learn-to-swim, biking and more; and leaders-in-training camps are on the menu. Camps meet each weekday for the whole summer at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Ages 4-15. Prices from $195 to $390 depending on camp and length of attendance. Register online. Greater Twin Cities YMCA senior director of communications and marketing Joan Schimml advises parents to register early. “Programs can fill, so don’t delay,” she says.
1515 Keats Ave. N., Lake Elmo
651.707.2540
STEPPING STONES SUMMER CAMP
Especially for the younger members of your family, Stepping Stones Summer Camp takes more of an educational approach to the dog days than a traditional summer camp might. The early learning center offers a new theme, like water day or park day, for each week the camp is held to keep young campers entertained. Campers will even have the chance to go on little adventures and field trips around town, depending on the day’s theme. Ages 5-12. Families can choose from three-, four- and five-days-a-week options. $200-$245, plus $100 registration fee.
11253 Eagle View Blvd.
651.998.1661
WOODBURY SPORTS CAMPS
Ever a sports-loving city, Woodbury has lots of options for athletes looking to improve (or even just maintain) their skills over the summer. Woodbury High School, in particular, hosts popular summer basketball camps for boys and girls in elementary, middle and high school. As of this writing, elementary girls’ camp is planned for grades K-6; middle and high school girls’ camp for grades 7-12; boys’ camp for grades 1-6; and advanced skills camp for grades 7-9. Register via the South Washington County Schools community education site. Prices vary based on participant age and level.
2665 Woodlane Drive
651.425.6600
Courtesy of South Washington County Schools
SOUTH WASHINGTON COUNTY SCHOOLS COMMUNITY EDUCATION CAMPS
For a one-stop-shop of camps, South Washington County Schools’ Community Education branch is the place to look. Camps cover all sorts of topics, from recreational camps involving sports and theater, to aquatic camps focused on swimming, to creative classes involving different art mediums, to STEM classes featuring science and engineering projects.
“Camps are held mainly in our schools or the surrounding fields,” explains Sue McKeown, youth programs coordinator at South Washington County Schools Community Education. “Prices vary depending on the activity.” For all camps, register online ; by mail; or by dropping off payment and forms in-person at the office (8400 East Point Douglas Road S., Cottage Grove). Here’s just a sampling of some of the great camps coming up this summer.
In Middle School Theatre Production Camp, kids in grades 5-8 can get a taste of what it’s like to be in a musical. From learning lines to singing songs, each camper will come out knowing a little more about the world of theater. $135; meets each week at Park High School in Cottage Grove, 8040 80th St. S., Cottage Grove.
LEGO Engineering STEM and Sports Camp teaches campers age 6-12 about all kinds of cool science stuff: space, animals, and inventions. And to keep campers’ bodies in shape along with their noggins, campers participate in sports and physical activities, too. $199; meets weekdays at Woodbury Middle School, 1425 School Drive.
Dinomania Art Camp is perfect for younger children who love dinosaurs. This four-session camp will teach kids ages 3-6 new facts about dinosaurs, as well as offer a great outlet to craft all sorts of dinosaur-related knickknacks and gifts. $112; meets four times at Cottage Grove Middle School, 9775 Indian Blvd. S., Cottage Grove.
Masters in Clay camp will teach campers about famous artists like Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet, as well as work on improving their sculpting skills. Campers ages 5-12 can join this camp to jumpstart their journey with a skill that will keep rewarding them for years to come. $112; meets four times at East Ridge High School, 4200 Pioneer Drive
