The school year is almost over, and that means summer vacation.

 

Kids will be looking for things to do, and the Sherburne County extension office has lots of fun activities that also provide a learning experience.

 

The first event of the season is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program at the Government Center June 6 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Kids will spend the evening making their own robot. No prior experience required.

 

The extension office holds summer day camps each year, and this year’s camps have been split for different age groups.

 

“Last year it was kindergarten through sixth grade,” says 4-H Program Coordinator Kristen Gustafson. “This way we’re hoping the curriculum we’re developing is more age-appropriate and the kids will be able to learn better because the curriculum is for their age level.”

 

The first day camp is  Wilderness Adventure Tuesday, June 13 at Sand Dunes State Forest for levels K-2. Kids will experience nature and the great outdoors.

 

“We’ll teach campfire cooking, hiking and basics of wilderness survival,” says 4-H Summer Intern Blake Bromberg.

 

June 13 is Learning Through the Lens, a program on photography for grades three and older at Sand Dunes State Park.

 

“We’ll go on a scavenger hunt and take pictures of nature,” says Bromberg. Kids will learn all about photography and photo editing.

 

A guest speaker will talk about what it takes to make a good photo.

 

Gustafson says photography has the biggest participation at county fairs.

 

“We’re hoping to improve the quality of photography projects,”she says. “No matter what device you’re taking images on, you can still have a good photo.”

 

June 20 is Explore & Create for K-2 at the Sherburne County Fairgrounds.

 

 “Kids will learn all the different project groups they can do for the county fair - crafts, shop, fine arts, food, plants...” says Gustafson. “It’s a way for them to get exposure to different things they can do as projects.”

 

June 22 is Fun & Fitness at the fairgrounds for grades three and older. Kids will learn about different sports, activities and nutrition.

 

June 27 is all about Science! A program at the fairgrounds where kids K-2 will learn through hands-on activities.

 

“They’ll see that science can be fun and it’s not just for boys,” says Gustafson.

 

One focus will be the different uses for plastics and polymers, and how they fit into our daily life.

 

June 29 is Robots & Rollercoasters where kids grades three and older can create cool machines, build rollercoasters and fly drones. The program takes place at the fairgrounds.

 

In a program separate from the day camps, Marv Ziner from the Sherburne County Master Gardeners will hold two evening workshops.

 

The first is about entomology, where kids will learn to identify, catch, mount and display insects. That takes place at the fairgrounds June 19 for all age groups.

 

The second is a geology workshop June 20 at Steve’s Nursery on Hwy. 10.

 

Kids will learn to identify rocks and minerals and prepare an exhibit for the fair. Everyone is invited to bring their own rocks to identify.

 

Both workshops run from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

 

All programs are open to 4-H and non 4-H members.

 

For more information, or to register, contact Gustafson at kgustafs@umn.edu or call 763-765-3077.