Orono Community Education

In this patriotic class, we will learn about the history of events leading up to the Fourth of July – our nation’s great summer celebration! We will learn about the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers and other patriots. Discover daily lifestyles of the 1700’s. Did George Washington sign the Declaration of Independence? Did he really have wooden teeth? We will also create some fun craft projects – perfect decorations for your Fourth of July party! Sign up to be there in the “Room Where it Happens!”

This class is beyond “Please” and “Thank You!” Sign up to learn a skill-set that will influence your life more than anything else will. Mannerly Manners® teaches you to polish social skills with fun interactive activities. We will help you navigate life by teaching communication skills, table manners, how to take a phone message, write an impressive thank you note and more. Discussion format and fun role-play help you understand how to use manners to your advantage. Parents are invited to participate at no additional cost.

Travel in time with Doctor Who in the Tardis. During our travels, we will visit a few episodes from this popular British television show. Explore history and learn about people, aliens and times – from Stonehenge to the present and beyond! We will create small craft projects reflecting our journeys and will keep a record of our travels with a passport. 

Join us for a fun week at the beach! Enjoy games, playground time, swimming and a picnic lunch with friends. We may even spend some time fishing. A certified lifeguard will be on staff. Bring a bag lunch. More details will be sent out prior to the first day of camp. If it is raining in the morning before camp begins, we will cancel for the day. If steady rain begins or severe weather is expected after we have started for the day, parents will be contacted to come pick up students. 

We will start our day at Elm Creek Park and enjoy one of the biggest play areas in the state. After a picnic lunch at the park, we will head to Conquer Ninja to experience being a Ninja Warrior! Try the obstacles with coach guidance, explore through free time and then compete against your friends. Bring a bag lunch. Friday, July 19 Rainbow Park     Leave - 9:30 am      Return - 3:40 pm  Holbrook Park     Leave - 9:50 am      Return - 4:00 pm  Important Field Trip Information • Departure locations: Rainbow Park, 1500 Rainbow Avenue, Maple Plain Holbrook Park, 310 Harrington Drive, Long Lake * Trips are chaperoned by playground program staff with a ratio of 6:1 or less.  * No refunds will be given after the trip has occurred.  * In case of inclement weather, we will notify you if the trip has been cancelled.  * Lunch - details listed with each trip destination.  * Bus departure times are exact...BE EARLY!  * REGISTRATION DEADLINE is Monday the week of the trip. Registrations will NOT be taken at the bus departure locations.  * Trip Appropriate Attire & Planning: No flip flops on walking/amusement park trips. Swimsuit, towel and water bottle required for swimming trips. Apply sunscreen before leaving home and send extra. Each child is responsible for all personal belongings.

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played by adventure seekers using GPS devices. Locate hidden containers outdoors, called geocaches. Treasure hunters will be equipped with GPS devices and ride their bikes to search for the caches. We will bike from the school to Baker Park in Independence. Bikes can be kept secure at school for the week. Before class we recommend bike tune-ups (air in tires, chains tightened and greased). We also recommend bikes with gears. STUDENTS MUST HAVE: a bike, helmet, long pants, sunscreen, bug spray and water each day in order to participate.

Explore the world of baking from scratch, and create delicious treats along the way. Have you tried edible cookie dough? Baking is a fun hands-on activity and a great way to reinforce math skills. We will learn the fundamentals of baking and share a showstopper dessert with friends and family on the last day of class. Bring an apron and get ready for delicious fun!

Love the outdoors? Well, then lace up those hiking boots and grab your backpack! Little campers will experience the simple skills and joys of being outdoors. Experience camp life through adventures like “I SPY” nature hikes, tent/shelter building skills, camp songs and skits, wood chip creations and simple outdoor cooking recipes.

Students will expand their knowledge of chess and develop their understanding of strategy through a variety of dynamic lessons. Included are: pins; forks; fried liver attack; queen sacrifices; basics of positional play; opening, middle and end game strategies; in-class tournament and more. We will also have time to get our pulse pounding with outdoor time.

Grades K - 6Spend the afternoon outside! Our energetic staff will guide your children through games and activities each day. The playground program is an opportunity to explore new interests, gain new skills and meet new kids all in a safe and constructive environment. Attendance is not required, but once you sign up, you can come any day. Join us for active games, sports, occasional art projects and special event days. Bring a water bottle and sunscreen.*NOTES: PLAYGROUND PROGRAM Program Locations:Holbrook Park - 310 Harrington Drive, Long Lake, MN 55356Rainbow Park - 1500 Rainbow Avenue, Maple Plain, MN 55359 Weather:  In the event of inclement weather, the programs at the parks will be cancelled. Participants may join us at the Orono Middle School on those days for indoor activities. If severe weather starts during the afternoon, we will keep children in the park’s shelter, and you should come pick them up as soon as possible. Transportation: Free bus transportation is available to Holbrook and Rainbow parks from the school campus for those registered for morning camps before the playground program. No registration required for bus.Lunch: If your child is attending both a morning camp and the playground program, send a bag lunch to be eaten at the park between the time of bus drop-off and 1 pm. Lunch time is supervised, but is intended only for students using bus transportation. No need to register for Lunch Bunch.

Grades K - 6Spend the afternoon outside! Our energetic staff will guide your children through games and activities each day. The playground program is an opportunity to explore new interests, gain new skills and meet new kids all in a safe and constructive environment. Attendance is not required, but once you sign up, you can come any day. Join us for active games, sports, occasional art projects and special event days. Bring a water bottle and sunscreen.*NOTES: PLAYGROUND PROGRAM Program Locations:Holbrook Park - 310 Harrington Drive, Long Lake, MN 55356Rainbow Park - 1500 Rainbow Avenue, Maple Plain, MN 55359 Weather:  In the event of inclement weather, the programs at the parks will be cancelled. Participants may join us at the Orono Middle School on those days for indoor activities. If severe weather starts during the afternoon, we will keep children in the park’s shelter, and you should come pick them up as soon as possible. Transportation: Free bus transportation is available to Holbrook and Rainbow parks from the school campus for those registered for morning camps before the playground program. No registration required for bus.Lunch: If your child is attending both a morning camp and the playground program, send a bag lunch to be eaten at the park between the time of bus drop-off and 1 pm. Lunch time is supervised, but is intended only for students using bus transportation. No need to register for Lunch Bunch.