2019 Southwest Minneapolis & Edina Summer Camp Planning Guide
For many of us, the changing over of the New Year signifies the scramble to begin planning our summers. For some, it’s a solution to our childcare woes and for others, it’s an effort to combat the incessant fighting that will soon play like the soundtrack of an unscheduled summer. Finding the right balance of structured vs unstructured time for our kids seems to be the key note to a summer spent in harmony. My philosophy for a successful summer comes down to a cocktail of camps, travel, memberships and free play. I’m breaking down my top picks in each category below.
Minneapolis Summer Camps
Camp Kici Yapi
Every year without fail, this full-day, week-long day camp ranks top of my kids’ list. With transportation included and sound sleepers returning each day, you can feel confident watching your camper board the bus each morning. Older kids should consider volunteering and can earn service hours for those whose schools require it. Registration is open!
Camp Kota
Held at Bloomington’s East Bush Lake Park, this day camp…or overnight camp (depending on your camper’s desire) is a great option for kids looking to learn outdoor skills while making friends, playing games and 'singing crazy songs.' Registration opens March 19th.
Loppet Adventure Camps
The Loppet Adventure Camps are geared toward campers age 9-13 and include a full day of outdoor fun in Theodore Wirth Park. Activities range from roller-skiing and mountain biking to orienteering and adventure racing. Registration is open!
Adventures in Cardboard
Cut your creative campers loose at Adventures in Cardboard camp. Kids will spend the week building castles, creating armor and generally diving into an imaginative state of art and play. Hurry, registration is nearly full!
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd’s Summer Musical Theater Camp
You have likely heard of this camp if you live in the area because of its incredible value. It runs 2 weeks from 9am-3pm and costs a total of $250! They also offer optional extended care for those who need it. The camp offers instruction in singing, dancing, drumming, juggling and prop making – all in a creative, artistic and challenging environment. Registration is filling up!
See Kitty Sew
This in-home sewing studio offers fabulous camps for kids through teens and adults interested in sewing. From the very beginner to the most advanced sewers, everyone can improve and have fun honing this lifelong skill. The best part, no last-minute scrambling – supplies are all included! Registration opens February 25th!
The Bakken Museum
One of my daughter's favorite field trips this year was to the Bakken Museum, located just off Lake Calhoun. Camp Innovation is the perfect week long camp for the STEM lover in your life. They offer half and full day camps for kids in grades 2 through 9. Registration is open!
Way Cool Cooking School
Cut your kids loose in the kitchen at Eden Prairie's Way Cool Cooking School. From Cupcake Wars to Nailed It to Kids Baking Championships, your kids can live out their Food Network dreams while gaining lifelong skills. Registration is open!
Simply Jane Studio
Simply Jane is an art studio here in Southwest Minneapolis welcoming artists of all abilities and disabilities. From Mosaics and Clay Creations to Paint the Greats and Fairyland Furniture, Simply Jane Studio is the place for your artist to exercise their creativity this summer. Registration for full and half day camps is open!
Southwest Super Summer
Southwest Super Summer is the hub of Southwest Minneapolis summer fun. Camps are held at Southwest High School and offer a range of programs from fishing, cooking and tumbling to Minecraft, theater, horses and everything in between. Before and after camp childcare is available for those needing full day programs. Registration opens March 3rd at 5pm!
Edina & Minneapolis Realtor
Black Hills, South Dakota
Visiting the Black Hills is one of my favorite trips with my kids. From the rustic towns of Deadwood and Keystone to the beautiful sites of Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park, the Black Hills makes for a trip that will be remembered for years to come. Looking for lodging that's centrally located? Pull a camper or book a room at the Palmer Gulch KOA. With a water slide, on property restaurants, a stable, nightly movies and more - it's your one stop shop for all the family fun you can handle.
Break the drive up by camping in a covered wagon at the Ingalls Homestead in De Smet, SD (about 4 hours from the Twin Cities). If you have an extra day or two, take the additional drive out to Devil’s Tower, Wyoming. It’s worth spending a day hiking and taking in the incredible scenery.
Bayfield, Wisconsin
About 240 miles from Edina is Bayfield, Wisconsin – a quaint little town perched on the edge of Lake Superior. While Bayfield’s charmed streets are lined with shops and eating establishments galore, a quick 25-minute ferry ride will have you exploring the renowned Apostle Islands. Stay at the Bayfield Inn, bring your bikes and plan to check out the many restaurants and coffee shops that gather rave reviews.
Highway 61
There is an enormous amount of hidden landscape to discover North of Duluth along the shores of Lake Superior. A lovely weekend getaway would be following this itinerary along Highway 61 as it weaves and winds its way through some of Minnesota’s most breathtaking scenery. Charming Northern towns offer plenty of local food and beverage as well as notable galleries and shops for your souvenir search.
Grand View Lodge
If you are looking for a quintessential Minnesota summer getaway, head to Grand View Lodge to soak up everything our 10,000 lakes have to offer. Boating and barbecuing, it’s what we do best and Grand View has everything you need to make the weekend seamless and stress free. Rent one of their larger cabins and coordinate a weekend away with friends. Nothing beats taking in a great Northern sunset after a hot summer day on the lake.
Southwest Minneapolis Summer Camps
Edina Aquatic Center
The hub of summer socialization, purchase your summer pass for the Edina Aquatic Center here! 4300 West 66th Street, Edina
InnerActive
For those rainy summer days when the kids need to get out and play, hit up Minnetonka’s 18,000 square foot indoor play zone, InnerActive. From a soccer field and basketball court to a state of the art play structure, there’s a way for kids of all ages to burn off a little steam. NEW this Fall, InnerActive opened their Mounds View location. Annual and monthly memberships to both are available here. 131 Cheshire Lane, Minnetonka - 2240 Woodale Drive, Mounds View
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
One of my most favorite ways to spend a beautiful summer day is at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Pack a picnic lunch and make the 20-mile trek West to wander the tranquil gardens and explore the natural playground. Children age 15 and under are free! Memberships are available for adults starting at $60/year. 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska
Edina Summer Camps
Edina Parks & Rec Playground Program
If you are looking for an inexpensive, flexible option for breaking up some of those long summer days, consider registering for one of Edina Parks & Rec’s youth playground programs. Sign ups are for 2 days a week, 3 hours at a time for 7 weeks of the summer. At $65, this one is a no brainer! Registration for Edina residents opens February 19th.
Round Lake Park
Splash pad, playground, beach and lake all within a stone’s throw. Tennis courts, walking trails, shade structures and picnic tables make it enjoyable for parents too! More information here. 16691 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie
Nicollet Commons Park
Just out front of Burnsville’s Ames Center is an expansive water feature actually meant for playing in. Cascading waterfalls and fountains make for ideal splashing while super shallow wading pools are geared toward even the youngest splashers. More information here. 12550 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville
Bryant Lake Regional Park
The super sandy sprawling beach at Bryant Lake Regional Park makes it a destination on our summer to-do list. The roped swimming area is huge and shallow for a pretty great distance making for plenty of room to accommodate the summer crowds. Details here. 6800 Rowland Road, Eden Prairie
You can find more local fun like how to spend a day at Lake Harriet right here. Watch for updated posts about Minneapolis Music and Movies in the Park and our local Farmer’s Market guides coming soon. Summer...it isn't as far off as we think!