Orono Community Education

Animals are located almost everywhere in the world. Be a zoologist and learn about different animal groups and what makes each group so special. Then, journey around the globe to explore the animal groups in each continent and climate.

Swimming lessons, open swim, aquatic fitness programs, Metro Marlins swim team & more!

Join us in this camp that combines art and yoga. Start the day with yoga poses followed by art projects where we’ll draw, paint, collage, and sculpt. Each day we’ll play yoga games, use breathing and mindfulness techniques, and unleash our creativity!

Calling all art lovers! Explore a variety of materials including watercolors, pastels, clay, and canvas as we draw, paint, sculpt, and collage amazing projects. From animals to landscapes, cupcakes to funny characters, this camp is bursting with artistic fun!

Prepare yourself to stay home on your own safely and responsibly. You will learn about first aid, safety procedures, what to do during severe weather, and how to handle other emergencies. We will review phone skills, explore fun snack ideas, and review basic babysitting skills through fun games and activities.

Explore logic, pattern recognition and math concepts as you are challenged to build awesome robots. Develop basic programming techniques using custom-made programming blocks in PCs. Get hands-on experience using gears, axles and connector blocks in robotic challenges.

Non-separating: Parents stay with babies the entire class. A typical ECFE Class includes… Parent-Child Activity Time: time for families to explore a classroom filled with developmentally appropriate play and learning activities planned by a licensed early childhood teacher. Parent-Child Circle Time: time for parents to help their children with their first experiences in a large group activity at school. ECFE teachers are famous for the fun and creative ways they encourage language, music and your imagination. Parent Discussion Time: time for parents to meet with a licensed parent educator to share support, experiences and information about child development and parenting techniques. Children’s Activity Time: time for children to learn with the licensed early childhood teachers/staff and practice social skills as they interact with each other.

Non-separating: Parents stay with babies the entire class. A typical ECFE Class includes… Parent-Child Activity Time: time for families to explore a classroom filled with developmentally appropriate play and learning activities planned by a licensed early childhood teacher. Parent-Child Circle Time: time for parents to help their children with their first experiences in a large group activity at school. ECFE teachers are famous for the fun and creative ways they encourage language, music and your imagination. Parent Discussion Time: time for parents to meet with a licensed parent educator to share support, experiences and information about child development and parenting techniques. Children’s Activity Time: time for children to learn with the licensed early childhood teachers/staff and practice social skills as they interact with each other.

Invite budding naturalists to head outside for a walk to spot feathered friends - in the woods, a park, or right in their backyard. Backyard Explorer: Bird Watch leads kids through the basics of birding, from identifying common birds to learning about habitat and listening for bird songs. Includes activity ideas such as building a bird nest, matching games, and simple discovery about food chains/life cycle of birds. Build a wooden birdhouse, gelatin bird feeders and observe the wonders of the world outside with clipboard and working binoculars. Kit available to order through August 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning May 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Can bubbles be different shapes? Why do bubbles pop? Head outside and get bubbling as you explore surface tension with hands-on science, 16 ounces of bubble solution and reusable bubble straws/connectors to make unlimited 2D and 3D geometric wands. Then delight your bubble explorer with giant bubbles big enough to fit in! Kit available to order through August 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning May 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Head outside and get the buzz on bugs! This kit is packed with educational prompts and activities to encourage junior naturalists to spot insects while on a walk in the woods, playing in a park, or searching right outside their front door. Interactive field guides help young seekers identify fliers, crawlers, and pollinators. Project ideas such as Weave a Web or Make a Bug Hotel, and cool bug facts, boost the insect intrigue. Includes a one-handed bug catcher with thumb operated trapping slider and 5x magnification, a perfect companion to catch the fastest specimens in a safe and humane way. Kit available to order through August 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning May 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Explore the fascinating world of honey bees! This kit targets a deeper understanding and appreciation for these remarkable insects and their impact on our ecosystem. National Geographic Kids book with beautiful, engaging, and authentic photos, natural honeycomb, authentic bee pollen, and more support learning and captivate childrens’ intrigue. Kit available to order through August 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning May 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Come and learn the games of summer! We will play new games each day, with activities including cornhole, badminton, ladder toss and frisbee golf. Bring a water bottle and sunscreen.

Dancers will learn the basics of cheer, learn a short dance using music from Barbie, make a Barbie themed craft, and have fun with friends! Please wear clean- soled sneakers (not worn outdoors) and comfortable dance attire. Friends and family are welcome to join us for the last 15 minutes of the last class to see what we’ve learned! Fee includes snacks, pom poms, and Lake Minnetonka Dance Academy shirt.