Best Sleep Away Summer Camps For Kids In Minnesota
It hardly seems possible, but it is already time to start enrolling kids in summer camp. Sleep-away camps range from the traditional outdoor camping to non-traditional indoor computer camps and sports camps. Minnesota a variety of different summer camp opportunities for making new friends and developing new skills in whichever area of interest the child or teen may have. Here are the five best sleep-away summer camps for kids in Minnesota.
Camp Quest Minnesota
P.O. Box 270651
St. Paul, MN 55127
(631) 300-2267
www.cqminnesota.org
Camp Quest Minnesota is a non-profit organization which was founded in 2003, located in Mound, Minnesota. This sleep-away camp is a secular camp, designed specifically for secular-minded girls and boys, ages eight to 17, with a counselor-in-training program for 16 and 17 year olds. Traditional camping activities take place along with activities such as philosophical discussion, debate, myth and folklore, yarn crafting and smoothie making. Learning programs include ethics, archeology, astronomy and skepticism. The goal of the Camp Quest is to encourage critical thinking and free thinking.
Internal Drive Tech Camps
Macalester College
1600 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
(888) 709-8324
www.internaldrive.com
Internal Drive hosts a number of day camps and overnight sleep-away camps around the country. In Minnesota, the camps are held at Macalester College. Although not a traditional camp involving tents or outdoor activities, tech camps focus on computer programming, iPhone app development, web design and video game design. Other off-computer activities such as sports, life skills and games are also part of tech camp. Programs are available for children and teens ages seven to 17.
Bethel University Summer Athletic Camps
3900 Bethel Drive
St. Paul, MN 55112
(651) 638-6400
www.athletics.bethel.edu
For athletes and sports fans, Bethel University holds day and overnight sports camps for all ages. Children and teens can choose from football, basketball, volleyball, cross country and soccer camps. Co-ed tennis day camp is available for ages seven to 15 as well as Royal Football Passing School which is available for all ages and includes quarterback and receiver development and training.
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Camp Lincoln/Camp Lake Hubert
P.O. Box 1308
Lake Hubert, MN 56459
(218) 963-2447
www.lincoln-lakehubert.com
Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert are considered brother-sister camps, designed with separate camps and facilities for boys and girls with Camp Lincoln being the boys' camp and Camp Lake Hubert, the girls. The two camps are located across the lake from each other and allow children and teens the opportunity to experience either traditional camp sessions or specialty camps such as golf, tennis, family or co-ed camping. Campers can choose from over 30 land and water activities and special adventure trips, all while developing new skills.
Science Museum of Minnesota Overnight Camp-Ins
120 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 221-4511 (Saturday Overnights)
(651) 221-4748 (Thursday School Overnights)
www.smm.org
Camp-Ins at the Science Museum are not only non-traditional because the sleepover involves the Science Museum, but also because they are not long term sleep-away camps. The Science Museum offers overnight camping on Saturday nights or Thursday nights and includes high-tech exhibits and live theatre performances (as well as an opportunity to sleep next to a dinosaur, if the camper chooses). There is also an Explore Science workshop as well as many hands-on science activities, a pizza dinner, late-night snack and a continental breakfast.
Related: Best Summertime Theatre Activities for Kids in Minnesota
Christina Majaski is a full-time legal assistant and freelance writer for online and print publications. She has an obsession for all things related to social media and invites you to follow along with her on Twitter @cmajaski. She currently resides with her daughter in central Minnesota. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
