It’s hard to believe, but we’re a few short weeks away from the full bloom of spring. Kids will be chomping at the bit to see the start of summer vacation… and you’ll be staring down a lot of looong, hot summer afternoons trying to keep everyone occupied. But Northlanders are lucky-ducks because we live in one of the most beautiful places in the country. Cultivate your kiddos’ love for the outdoors while simultaneously shifting the task of entertaining them onto one of the area’s many summer programs. There are plenty of camps with themes kids will love: STEM, sports, traditional overnights, adventure, music and theatre, arts and more. Let your littles pick their favorite and be sure to sign up early so so you can secure your spots!

Lake Superior Zoo summer day camps provide a fun and safe setting where youth can make both human and animal friends. Each camp features animal encounters, hands-on activities, crafts and games that focus on inspiring children to care about wildlife, conservation, and the natural world. From Cub Club to Zoo Troop to Eco-Explorers, each level of camp exposes children to different opportunities as their learning levels progress. When they reach their teen years, youth can participate in Zoo Crew to gain a real-world understanding of what it’s like to work with animals and visitors at a zoo.

Also Offers 

Positive Energy Outdoors offers 11 weeks of summer camp for grades K-8 (June 10-August 30, 2019) and 9 weeks of Summer Adventure Club at Lowell Elementary School for grades pre-K (ages 4 and 5) through 5th grade (June 17-August 23, 2019). Our popular camps and Adventure Club programs offer small group sizes, experienced professional staff, youth sized equipment, and exciting activities. Kids tell us they love Positive Energy Outdoors camps because of the supportive environment we create where they can try new skills, meet new friends and have tons of fun in the outdoors. Scholarships are available and we accept flex spending accounts.

All aboard for an international adventure this summer!  At Spirit of the Lake Community School’s weekly International Adventure Camps, children will have lots of fun learning about different countries, people and cultures of the world.  Each week will feature a specific continent or region, with children “visiting” a different country each day, collecting souvenirs and getting stamps in their passports as they go.  We will mark our travels on our world map and learn about the land, weather, animals, people and foods of each place.  Children will hear a folk story, nursery rhyme or fairy tale from each country, compare some common celebrations and traditions with their own, and experience the culture through a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, traditional games, music, dance and songs … including some in foreign languages.  This is a great way to introduce children to the beautiful diversity of our world and start them on the path to being conscientious global citizens.  Open to children ages 4-8.  Weekly camps offered June 10 through August 16 from 9:00-2:00.  View details and registration at slcsduluth.org.

Camp Esquagama believes in giving kids time to be kids. We offer a variety of camp programs and activities that allow each camper to have their own unique camp experience. Our Day Camp (ages 4-7) runs Monday through Friday. Our youngest of campers get to enjoy daily walks on the nature trail, swimming in the lake, and many of the same camp activities our overnight campers enjoy. Our residential Youth Campers (ages 8-11) enjoy sleeping in log cabins and a full day of activities that they get to choose daily. During the day they can choose a variety of activates from to challenging themselves on the climbing wall to reading a book in a hammock under the pine trees. Our Villager Campers (ages 12-15) are our older campers who want to experience the same fun camp they have always enjoyed as a youth camper. As for our older campers looking for a different experience, our Adventure & Explorer Camps (ages 12-15) offers our campers a more in depth learning experience with outdoor camp craft skills and canoeing on the Embarrass River. The Leadership Development Camp (ages 16-17) is for the eldest youth who are looking for a multiple week experience developing their communication skills, leadership skills, and teamwork. All overnight camps run Sunday through Friday except for our mini-week the first week of July. This min-week is a great opportunity for that first time overnight camper who may not be ready for a full week of camp. If you refer a new camper to Camp Esquagama both you and your friend will receive our Refer-A-Friend coupon. What makes it very popular with our camp families is that you can refer multiple new campers and receive it for every one that registers. Summer camp is an experience best shared with a friend. Whether you come to camp with a friend or by yourself, you will leave camp with lifelong friends and everlasting memories.

Wolf Ridge Summer Camp is the kind of place where living things can change before your eyes. Things like trees, animals, lakes, rivers and wetlands. Things like you. Because at Wolf Ridge, exploring with camp friends is the greatest adventure there is. Choose from over 2 dozen one-to-two week specialty camps, traditional camps, credit academies, and naturalist-guided wilderness trips created for adventurous spirits. Grades 2-12. Family camps are also available. Register before March 31st 2019 and receive an Early Bird discount, need-based scholarships are available. 

LSYC’s Summer Sing day camp is open to singers entering grades 2-5 in the fall. Any student who loves to sing is invited to participate in this fun-filled week of singing, music fundamentals, movement, and other activities. Summer Sing participants will receive an LSYC water bottle, t-shirt, and tote bag. Lunch and snacks provided daily. Registration: $150

Hand-picked summer programs to strengthen math, reading, handwriting or comprehension skills! Find the options that work best for you and your child. Come Explore! Register on-line here by April 20th and receive a $50 discount. 

Campus Rec is excited to offer summer camps for the youth of the UW-Superior and Twin Port communities. The Little Yellowjackets Summer Camps are safe, educational, and fun programs for children in grades K-6th grade. Full camps are 5-day sessions and mini-camps are 3-day sessions in length.

Covenant Park offers summer camping (entering grades 1-grad) and adventure camping (entering grades 4-grad) on Park Lake in Mahtowa, MN. With Christian based, relational programming and a variety of activities where campers are supported to learn and challenge themselves to new successes, we believe camp is the perfect environment for “friend to meet friend and both to meet God”. Our programs include day camps, half week and full week overnights, as well as a family weekend event.

Campers in our summer programs create lasting friendships, explore curiosity, develop lifelong skills, and most importantly have the best week of their life!  Participants are presented with fun, hands-on activities that encourage creative problem solving, teamwork, inclusion, and build confidence!  Camp programs are open to students entering grades K-8 from 9am-4pm with 3 camp options: STEM Camp, Theater/Arts Camp, and Outdoor Adventure Camp. 

Click  Summer Planning Printable   and then click on the image in the new window that opens in order to print!

Make sure you leave room for family time and school supply shopping while planning 🙂 Have a great summer! 

This is in no way intended to be a comprehensive guide for things to do in the Duluth area. We’ve pulled out a select number of events and activities for your family to enjoy throughout the summer months. If you have suggestions or additions, please leave a comment below!