Quick, name that movie quote! If you guessed Meatballs, you guessed my all-time favorite summer comedy (as well as the correct answer. Yay, you!).
Speaking of summer and camp and movies about summer camp, it’s that time again. Time to think about registering the kids for summer fun and frolic. You don’t want them hanging around the house, playing video games all day, right? Here are some inexpensive options we discussed this morning on Fox 9’s Morning Buzz – Where to go to get the little ones outside and just as importantly, out of your hair.*
*By the way, for the woman who took umbrage with my teasing about how parents just want to get rid of their kids during the summer, I am sorry. It was a joke. Next time, I’ll remember to hold up my ‘I’m Joking” sign.
*By the way, by the WAY, this segment/post is a continuation of one I did last year at around this time. I’ve expanded the program offerings, and even managed to find TWO inexpensive camp activities in St. Paul. You’ll find that post here.
Playground/Local Park programs:
1. Playground Program, Edina Park and Rec., June 21 through July 28, Mondays and Wednesdays or June 22 to July 29, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 to 11:30 or 1 to 4 pm, $35 per session. www.ci.edina.mn.us
2. Summer Adventure Playgrounds, Bloomington Park and Rec., June 21-August 20, Monday/Tuesday/Thursday each week, 9 to 4, $55 if you register before May 31. The program will be cancelled for the day if there is bad weather.
- Bloomington also offers a combination program of Adventure Playgrounds and the Galaxy Youth Center. Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities (including swimming) from 9 to 4, Monday through Friday. Just $90 if you register before May 31. Kids will play indoors if the weather turns foul. www.ci.bloomington.mn.us
3. Kids of Summer, City of Burnsville, June 14 to August 3 (tentatively), 9:30 to noon or 1:30 to 4, Monday through Thursday, $60 per child. www.burnsville.org
Specific Activities:
1. Edina Park and Rec, most programs under $100 a child, some as low as $50, activities like soccer, cheerleading, fishing, even firearm safety training for kids 11 and up (only $15). www.ci.edina.mn.us
2. Minneapolis Park and Rec (where my godkids go), still showing spring activities on their Activity and Program Finder like arts, ceramics, field games (lawn bowling, Frisbee golf), cooking classes, knitting, even acting. Most start at the beginning of April, and most are $25 or less. www.minneapolisparks.org
Day Camps:
1. Camp Kota in Bloomington. $160 week for Day Camp, 8:30 am to 3 pm, plus one overnight stay. However, it’s right in Bloomington, so your kids are never far away! There’s also a Kota Kids program for children 5 and 6, for just $130 a week (times are the same). www.ci.bloomington.mn.us
2. Camp Sacajawea in Eagan. $100 a week for Day Camp, 9 am to 3 pm, with an overnight stay on Thursday night. August 2-6 for kids 9 to 12. Held at the Lebanon Hills Regional Park. http://parkandrec.cityofeagan.com
3. Camp Como in St. Paul, half day summer camps from 9 to noon or 1 to 4, most are $115 for one week (Monday through Friday), the “behind the scenes” camps are $135. Range in ages from preschool to 8th grade. Discounted rates available for Friends of Como Park. www.comozooconservatory.org
Ah, camp. It brings back fond memories, doesn’t it? What do YOU remember about your summer camp adventures?
3 Comments
Those are good options for children camps at affordable prices. However, I think that the best option for continuity is for children to be enrolled in a day camp program that spans most of the summer weeks (8-10 weeks). This way kids have ample time to get to know each other, make friendships and bond with their counselors and directors. It brings people together more to further expand comradeship and engage in more activities and events.
Those are some fab summer camp ideas. Alas, I am just an auntie. Maybe my nieces or nephews may partake of some of those summer opps for fun. Growing up, we could never afford to go to summer camp. But I was ok with that, as I was a book fanatic (still am), and often holed up on the porch and read all day. It wasn’t horse riding, games, or craft making, whatever. But I was cool with that. Even as a kid, I understood and accepted our financial situation.
Check out Bill Murray’s nice legs in that picture. Who knew?