Kids' University

Ready to jump off the screen and build your own adventure? Explore diverse biomes, gather resources to craft tools, build epic shelters, and defend against imaginary monsters. We’ll practice survival skills and teamwork while fostering a love of the great outdoors at the Nature Center.

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Cook up some outdoor fun at the Nature Center! From mastering the perfect s'more to gourmet campfire 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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Discover the wild world of “ologies” in this interactive and hands-on camp! Each day we will try out a new ology – like ornithology (birds), mammalogy (mammals), phytology (plants) and, of course, grossology (things that make you go eww!) – and discover how we use it here at Como Zoo. 

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All aboard the fastest water vessel in LEGO® city! Power up your engineering skills to construct boats that actually float. Apply real-world concepts to physics and mechanical engineering as you work with different propulsion systems; from paddles to propellers and much more. You’ll be using LEGO® Technic pieces and electric motors to build the fastest boat to race against your friends.

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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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Dive into a week of culinary exploration at the Nature Center! Unleash your inner chef as we figure out what makes food look and taste the way it does. Every day is full of interactive experiments, delicious tastings, and hands-on cooking.

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Join us for a thrilling week of Pokémon-themed STEAM activities. Learn coding, animation, and more while creating your own Pokémon-themed stop-motion film. Build imaginative sets and props, and participate in a variety of STEAM-based challenges. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to unleash your creativity and become a Pokémon Master of coding and STEAM!

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Giant sloths, ancient cycads, and 6-foot penguins! Put on your paleontologist hat to uncover amazing prehistoric plants and animals from the fossil record. We’ll meet some of their living relatives as we explore the Como Zoo and Conservatory and make comparisons on how these creatures have changed over time!

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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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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 bridge building challenges where they will design, create, and test their own ideas in a real laboratory. 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 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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In the tradition of Hogwarts, discover potions, herbology, transfiguration and the care of magical creatures. What do raptors have to do with dragons? Which magical house will you end up in? What magical properties will your wand be made out of? Find answers to these questions and uncover the secrets of Minnesota’s Hedwig and other interesting animals at the Raptor Center.

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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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