Kids' University

Cook up some outdoor fun at the Nature Center! From campfire basics to gourmet cuisine, we'll have a blast cooking and tasting, while also practicing safe fire skills. Plus, engage in classic camp activities like games and crafts. Spark your creativity and join us for a flavorful journey under the open sky. 

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Want to learn all about the birds of prey called raptors? This eye-opening learning experience is designed to inspire young learners to protect raptors and the environment we share. Find out what characteristics all raptors have in common and the difference between owls, falcons, hawks and other raptors. Learn all about the impact humans have on our environment and about some of our greatest environmental success stories, such as those of the peregrine falcon and the bald eagle. Take part in activities at the Raptor Center, and see live raptors up close!

*No camp on June 19th due to the Juneteenth Holiday

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Have you ever wondered where the food you eat every day comes from? How is it grown? How do we calculate its nutrition content, and how do we breed more nutritious and tastier varieties? Can we adapt the plants we eat so they can survive the changing climate? This camp will take you behind-the-scenes to gain hands-on experience with these issues working with scientists.

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Complete challenges, earn stamps, and unlock the title of Nature Navigator! From tracking wildlife to plant scavenger hunts, every day is full of fun and discovery at the Nature Center. Learn to identify our local flora and fauna and become a true champion of the environment. Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

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What makes Minnesota’s climate and landscape so good for growing food? Find out as we discover some of Minnesota’s top crops at the Nature Center. Each day will feature a different recipe and a different locally-grown food with plenty of hands-on cooking and delicious tastings.

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From little lichens to petite pollinators, this camp is all about the small things in nature. Peer into microhabitats, dissect a seed, watch water life under a microscope, mold your own miniature model, and build a tiny nature collection throughout the week at the Nature Center.

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Calling all young wildlife enthusiasts! Join us for a paws-itively wild week exploring the fascinating world of mammals at the Nature Center. Campers will embark on hands-on adventures, including building beaver dams, creating their own mammal mash-ups, and playing predator-prey games.

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What do talons have to do with non-slip shoes, or vultures with solar energy? How do feathers and eggs inspire insulators and camouflage? Explore nature’s designs and how humans can be inspired by them! Spend the week designing and engineering using raptor adaptations and live birds as your muse at the Raptor Center!

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Discover the magic in the natural world and meet the fantastical creatures known as raptors. Raptors have inspired myths and legends throughout human history, from well-known Greek tales of the Phoenix and griffin, to the ancient Egyptian god Ra, to the Thunderbird of indigenous North American myth. Learn about the incredible powers of raptors and their adaptations that allow them to survive the trials and tribulations of life in a changing world. Spend the week at the Raptor Center and find out what we can do to protect these magical creatures. 

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Learn the basics of game design in this camp with the popular game, Roblox! Join us as we explore the different possibilities Roblox has to offer and code and design 3D games in Roblox Studio.

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Journey into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) with Root & STEM Mentoring Program! This immersive experience nurtures scientific curiosity through engaging hands-on activities led by dedicated female STEM students at the University of Minnesota. Campers will test their engineering prowess with egg drop parachutes and tower building challenges where they will design, create, and test their own ideas. The fun continues as they explore chemical reactions/properties in crystals, slime and their very own DIY lava lamps. They will also explore real world applications of STEM, focusing on renewable energy as they build wind turbine pinwheels and tour a rooftop solar array. This camp is crafted to inspire critical thinking and scientific inquiry, and will provide a fun and educational experience for young minds!

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Are you ready to touch a turtle, croak like a bullfrog and find your place in a marsh ecosystem? This camp is for all animal-lovers. Dive into the fascinating world of cold-blooded creatures with crafts, exciting games, and up-close encounters with our scaly friends at the Nature Center.

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Have you ever stopped to think when you bite into a warm, fluffy slice of fresh bread, how it was made? Did you know that bread is one of the key foundations of modern society, first prepared over 5,000 years ago? And that the characteristic fluffiness is due to the work of helpful bacteria and yeasts? Come join us for 4 days of exploration where you will use modern scientific techniques to experiment with dough using different types of flour under different environmental conditions, and shape, bake and eat your own bread products!

*No camp on June 19th due to the Juneteenth Holiday

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Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a raptor? Soar the world with them through the seasons! Learn what it takes to migrate, survive the winter cold, nest in the spring, and swap in a new set of feathers as you get up close and personal with the birds at the Raptor Center.

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A thrilling adventure awaits at the Nature Center! Embark on quests, solve puzzles, and discover nature’s secrets. We’ll use explorer tools like maps and compasses, weave through forest obstacle courses, apprehend plant trespassers, and make friends along the way.

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What’s it like to work with wildlife? Come find out and explore careers in veterinary medicine, animal care, animal training, field biology, scientific illustrations and art! Participate in hands-on activities and get up close and personal with the Raptor Center’s live education birds. A fun way to learn about the exciting science of working with wildlife.

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