The Best in Summer Camps & Classes

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS

Minnesota high school students interested in news reporting and writing are urged to apply for a two-week summer workshop at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul from June 17–29, according to Lynda McDonnell, executive director of ThreeSixty, a youth journalism program based at St. Thomas.

The free workshop includes food and lodging on the St. Thomas campus, with a stipend for students with financial need. Students completing grades nine through 12 this spring are eligible to apply for one of the 16 workshop spots. The workshop is targeted at students of color in hopes of encouraging greater diversity in the profession. No prior experience with journalism is necessary.

The workshop also includes an extra week for up to 10 of the students who want additional work in broadcast news. They will commute to campus each day during that week. Applications for the workshop are available at www.threesixtyjournalism.org or by calling 651-962-5282. Applications must be postmarked by April. 15.

Classes in writing, reporting, photography, layout and design are part of the curriculum. Each student has a professional reporter/writer as a mentor during the workshop.

“This camp really inspired me to write more and think more and explore the world,” said Brittany Kingbird, a 17-year-old senior at Red Lake High School who attended the camp last year.

In addition to the summer camp, ThreeSixty sponsors an annual career fair, Saturday workshops and after-school classes on writing and reporting and www.threesixtyjournalism.org, a website featuring student work. ThreeSixty also hosts several educational programs at Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools.

Students, parents and teachers with questions about the workshop are asked to contact Lynda McDonnell at 651-962-5282, lmmcdonnell@stthomas.edu, or David Nimmer at 651-962-5255, dhnimmer@stthomas.edu.

YMCA

So much of what we do today is indoors. YMCA Day Camps encourage old-fashioned outdoor play and help reacquaint kids with Mother Nature in a safe, cared for, fun environment away from TV, video games, and passive activities.
 

Photo courtesy of the YMCA

There are six Minneapolis and five St. Paul Day Camps for kids ages 4 to 14, with a typical camp day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with before and after care from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Traditional camp activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing, archery, games, hiking, outdoor cooking, songs, and skits are offered at all Day Camp locations. Bus stops are available at most locations each day.

Specialty Camps, available for kids ranging from 6-14, are available based on each site of location. For example, Camp Manitou in Monticello has 1,200 acres of property with four private lakes, and with the help of a donated boat, YMCA is able to offer water skiing and tubing, activities that are hugely popular with the campers. The St. Paul Northeast Day Camp in White Bear Lake has an ongoing relationship with a sailing school in White Bear, making it possible to offer a sailing specialty.

Another well-attended program is the Wee Backpacker program for 4 and 5-year-old campers.

“Sometimes their backpacks are bigger than their little bodies,” jokes Kathy Marker, Minneapolis Day Camp product manager. “Both of my girls started out as Wee Backpackers and did amazingly well. Tired babies by the end of the night, but what a great experience.”

YMCA Day Camps are unique in that most offer Leaders-in-Training for teens in grades seven through nine, learning confidence building skills, responsibility management, and group development through planned activities. If a LIT receives a reference from a camp counselor, then they may apply to be a Counselor-in-Training or Junior Counselor, some volunteer positions; some paid.

A second unique feature of YMCA Day Camps is available financial assistance. YMCA Day Camps welcome all who want to participate.

“The YMCA annually raises funds through our Y Partner campaign to help make funds possible for families that need a bit of assistance,” Marker says.

Registration is open now. For more information, visit www.ymcatwincities.org or visit a local YMCA branch on Rally Day March 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.