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Summer fun for youth

2008 summer camp programs at the U now taking registrations

Children looking into microscopes.
Summer at the U means fun learning for children. The University of Minnesota hosts numerous youth camps over the summer on its campuses across the state.

Photo by Amy Berg

February 20, 2008; updated April 24

The University of Minnesota offers one of the most comprehensive line-ups of summer camps for youth in Minnesota. From understanding bugs in the back yard for young children to fencing and cyber camps for high school students, you're bound to find a University-affiliated camp that will inspire your child's mind.

Here's a partial list of University-related summer camps. If you know of another camp at a U location, please send the name of the camp, a sentence-long description, sponsorship information, participant age range, and camp contact information to brief@umn.edu.

TWIN CITIES

Ando-Giikendaasowin: Native American Math and Science Summer Camp

Students interact with native role models and peers who share common interests in mathematics and science. They experience life at a major research institution and/or a small rural tribal college (Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Cloquet). Students must be an enrolled member of a recognized Native American nation, have Native American ancestry, or have experience and appreciation of Native American cultures, as well as have a strong interest in or aptitude for math and science. July 11 - 22.

Age: Entering grades 9-11; some exceptions are made for experience and age.

Sponsor: College of Education and Human Development, Office for Access and Equity, National Center for Earth-Surface Dynamics, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Contact: education.umn.edu/projects/anams

Architecture, the Weisman, and You!

In this five-day, hands-on workshop at the Weisman Art Museum, teens study architecture and design a scale model with professional architect Josh Weinstein and students from the U's College of Design. August 4-8.

Age: Entering grades 10-12

Sponsor: U of M Weisman Art Museum

Contact: 612-625-9623, petka001@umn.edu

Bell Museum Summer Discovery Day Camps

The weeklong day camps on the Twin Cities campus include walking trips and hands-on projects that encourage children to explore the fields of science, art, and technology. Registration begins Feb. 26 (early bird registration for museum members begins Feb. 19). Cost varies depending on number of sessions. June 9-August 29.

Ages: Kindergarten to grade 7

Sponsored by: U of M Bell Museum of Natural History

Contact: www.bellmuseum.org/camp_brochure.html or 612-624-9050

BRAVO 2008 Summer String and Keyboard Institute

This program for young musicians who choose to spend part of each summer focusing on their development as musicians and instrumentalists provides--each week--a one-hour private lesson, one technique class, and two chamber music coaching sessions. June 15-July 12.

Ages: All ages

Sponsored by: School of Music

Contact: www.music.umn.edu/bravo or 612-624-5740

Exploring Careers in Engineering and Physical Sciences

The U's Institute of Technology (IT) is seeking a talented, enthusiastic, and culturally diverse group of 80-100 high school students to work with small groups of University scientists, engineers and students, as well as peers from across the metro area who have similar interests in engineering and physical science. If selected for this program, students will engage in demonstrations, lectures, tours, and lab experiences that will make engineering, science and math come alive as viable careers. Campus tours with IT students, panel discussions and informal lunches with career advisors and faculty, and presentations by IT staff will help high school students experience campus life, learn more about academic programs, and explore potential careers. June 9-August 3.

Ages: Entering 10th-12th grade

Sponsored by: IT Center for Educational Programs and 3M

Contact:www.itcep.umn.edu/sumenrich/career.php

Gopher Sports Summer Camps

Links to information about summer camps staffed by coaches of more than a dozen University of Minnesota sports: baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, football, golf, hockey, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, wrestling, and volleyball.

Ages: Vary

Sponsored by: Various organizations; most are independent of the U

Contact: www.gophersports.com

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Summer Day Camps

These one-, two-, and three-day camps for ages 4-14 offer many ways to experience the wonders of the arboretum. New this year are expanded offerings for fifth- through eighth-grade graduates and more art-intensive programs. The camps provide an engaging mix of hands-on gardening activities, art, food and science adventures, imaginative play, and explorations. (There's even a camp for budding stilt-walkers!) A partnership with local growers and Lakewinds Co-op provides local, sustainable, and organic food in daily snacks and in cooking camps.

Ages: Entering kindergarten through grade 8 grads; camps for families also available

Sponsored by: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Contact: www.arboretum.umn.edu/daycamps.aspx or 952-443-1422.

STAGE ELEMENTS Summer Theatre Institute

This summer camp introduces students to the unique opportunities offered by the University of Minnesota BA Theatre Program and the University of Minnesota/Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program, engaging them in acting, voice, movement, puppetry, clowning, and other performance styles. Past instructors have included artists from Jeune Leune, Guthrie Theater, Children's Theatre, Open Eye Figure Theatre, and Margolis Brown Company. Priority deadline is April 15; all applications must be submitted by May 1. Cost is $450 (includes dormitory and meals), and scholarships are available. June16-26

Ages: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors

Sponsored by: Department of Theatre Arts

Contact: www.theatre.umn.edu/elements or 612-625-6699

Children in at a Bell Museum camp

Technology Day Camp

Interested middle school students from underprivileged backgrounds get to explore the wonders of technology and robotics. Program a

computer, solder together a circuit board, make a robot dance, and experience the beautiful University of Minnesota campus in this once-in-a-lifetime summer experience. August 18-22.

Ages: 11-14

Sponsored by: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Vision Laboratory and the Digital Technology Center.

Contact: bird@cs.umn.edu or 612-625-8208

University of Minnesota Summer Youth Programs

From the tennis court to the pool and to a local park... No two days are alike as you discover the best the University and the surrounding area have to offer. The weekly programs feature caring adults, small group sizes, unique classes, and world-class facilities. University Youth Program works closely with a variety of University departments and colleges, as well as outside vendors, to provide you and your child with the most diverse class offering in the Twin Cites. June 9-August 22.

Ages: 5-15

Sponsored by: University of Minnesota Recreational Sports

Contact: www.recsports.umn.edu/youth, e-mail drsyouth@umn.edu

CROOKSTON

Game Design Camp

Learn about the math and physics behind simulating the natural world, fundamentals of how a game works, and how to program simple games. This program also features hands-on training of commercial game editors and overall game design. June 21-28.

Ages: Grades 9-12

Sponsored by: UMC Math, Science, and Technology Department

Contact: www.umcrookston.edu/camps/gamedesign.htm or 218-281-8380

Seventeenth Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camp at UMC

This residential camp is a week of intensive leadership training, a combination of challenging physical and mental activities. The Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) camp provides outstanding student leaders and potential leaders an opportunity to expand and hone their leadership skills. Prominent speakers from all over the region, discussion groups, and sessions with volunteer Rotarian staff members and facilitators are just a few of the sources for individual development. July 13-19.

Ages: 16-18

Sponsored by: Crookston Rotary Club; the University of Minnesota, Crookston; and Rotary International, District 5580

Contact: www.umcrookston.edu/camps/ryla.htm or 218-281-8585

DULUTH

Fun and Adventure Summer Day Camp

A fun weeklong camp to learn and enjoy rock climbing, swimming, canoeing, fishing, SCUBA diving, sky and star watching, and more.

Ages: Discovers must have completed grades 1-2; Explorers, grades 3-4; Adventurers, grades 5-6.

Sponsored by: UMD Recreational Sports Outdoor Program

Contact: rsop@d.umn.edu or 218-726-7128

UMD Fine Arts Academy

The following programs are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.

* Kindermusik offers early childhood music and movement. Classes begin in May and continue through the summer.

Ages: Infants to 7 years old

Contact: www.d.umn.edu/faa/kindermusik_page.htm or Lisa at 218-341-7587 or lzumhoff@d.umn.edu

* Community music offers (1) private lessons on a variety of instruments and in voice for all levels, from beginners to advanced, beginning in June and continuing through the summer, and (2) group fiddle class.

Ages: Private lessons for all ages; fiddle class for grades 6-8

Contact: www.d.umn.edu/faa/community_music_page.htm or Kathy at 218-726-7011 or klaplant@d.umn.edu

Music Department

* North Shore Summer Music Experience program offers specific areas for band, jazz band, choir, and string orchestra. Daily activities include large ensemble rehearsals, chamber groups, master class, recitals, and concerts. Campus housing available. June 22-28.

Ages: Entering grades 7-12

Contact: www.d.umn.edu/music/umdbands/nssme or Mark Whitlock at 218-726-6124 or mwhitloc@d.umn.edu

MORRIS

Summer Jazz Experience: Improvisation with the "V's"

Be a part of the first-ever summer jazz program at UMM with featured guest artists and jazz greats, Chris Vadala and Allen Vizzutti. This intensive, residential camp will focus on improvisation and cover areas such as call and response, chord construction, jazz theory, transcriptions of famous solos, internalizing licks, and American Jazz Styles. Individual lessons, small combos, and large group playing time. Open to musicians of all levels. June 8-10.

Ages: Grades 9-11 (coming year)

Sponsored by: UMM Continuing Education and Summer Session

Contact: www.morris.umn.edu/cerp/youth/summer_jazz or 800-842-0030 or 320-589-6463 or elliskj@morris.umn.edu

Henjum Creative Study Institute

Since 1974, more than 4,000 area students have participated in the Creative Study Institute at UMM. This year we will celebrate 35 years of art, music and technology for youth ages 12-17. Choose from courses in: robots and computers, creating digital media, drawing, painting, creative writing, junk sculpture, jazz ensemble, vocal music, computer music composition, and more. Sign up by April 20 to qualify for discounts and scholarships. Day and residential programs are available with one- and two-week course options. June 16-27 (resident check-in June 15 and June 20).

Ages: 12-17 (grades 6-11 completed)

Sponsored by: UMM Continuing Education and Summer Session

Contact: www.morris.umn.edu/cerp/youth or 800-842-0030 or 320-589-6456

Summer Scholars Program

Get a jump-start on college by attending this nationally recognized program for current high school sophomores and juniors who rank in the upper 20 percent of their class. This two-week program features three classes (students choose one): "Unleashing Your Creativity: Words, Movement and Images" (new course), "From Avian Flu to Ebola Zaire: The Reemerging Threat of Infectious Disease," and "Talking About a Revolution: Dissent and Freedom of Expression in Today's World." Participants earn two college credits and receive an introduction to the college classroom and campus life. July 13-25.

Ages: Grades 10-11 (completed)

Contact: www.morris.umn.edu/cerp/summer_scholars or 800-842-0030 or 320-589-6463 or elliskj@morris.umn.edu

ROCHESTER

Computer Programming Workshops

For the eighth year, University of Minnesota, Rochester and IBM will hold two computer programming workshops for high school students entering grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 this fall. The workshops will include a tour of IBM and in-class assistance from IBM volunteers. July 21-25