Science Summer Camps at U of M Crookston

CROOKSTON, Minn. – Learn how to answer questions using science, develop questions in an area of interest, conduct an experiment, or learn to interpret results of an experiment during Science Summer Camp. The Science Summer Camps will be held at the University of Minnesota Crookston on Monday, August 1 through Friday, August 5 and is designed for young scientists in grades 6-9 and another running at the same time for those in grades 10-12 as well as science teachers. Registration for the camps is $90 before July 15 and $100 after July 15. Register at www.umcrookston.edu/camps

Housing is available on campus for $170 for the week and includes evening activities, supervision, along with room and board. Daily sessions begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. except for Friday which includes poster and oral presentations and concludes at noon. For every five student registrations, one teacher registration is free. Parents and teachers may attend all week but are encouraged to attend the final day.

Studies show that participation in science fair projects increases standardized test scores in the sciences. Participation in a regional science fair can result in trips to the state fair and the international fair along with awards and recognition. For more information on the Science Summer Camps at the U of M Crookston, contact Katy Smith, Ph.D., 218-281-8262.

2013 Robotics Camps at the UMC Aug 6-8

The University of Minnesota Crookston will hold its annual summer robotics camp Tuesday through Thursday, August 6 – 8, 2013. The camp will be three days filled with educational fun intended for students between the ages 9 to 14.

The cost of camp is $80 per person, however there is a $10 discount per participant from the same household. Students should arrive at 8:45 a.m. for check-in at Evergreen Hall each day and be picked up at 4:30 p.m. from Evergreen Hall. Students should bring a bag lunch for the first two days. Lunch will be provided for participants on the third day.

Robotics camps at the U of M Crookston will teach 4th -8th graders about math, science, and technology associated with robotics. It will be a fun and challenging experience for boys and girls interested in learning more about robots. Students will work in teams to design, build, and program robots. Each student will be issued a complete Lego MINDStorm Nxt 2.0 robotic kit and a laptop to be used during the camp.

Each camp session is limited to 30 participants and robotics camp only happens once every year. For more information Go To the website.  For questions, contact Mark Gill at 218-281-8258.

Today the University of Minnesota Crookston delivers 28 bachelor’s degree programs, 20 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 11 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology. With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree. “Small Campus. Big Degree.” To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

BBQ Boot Camps

Grilling season finally is here. If you are looking for new ways to grill your favorite meat, want to learn about different meat cuts or need some tips on handling food safely, the BBQ Boot Camp can help.

North Dakota State University's Animal Sciences Department and the NDSU Extension Service have teamed up to hold three BBQ Boot Camps this year. The dates and locations are:

* June 26 at Bonanzaville in West Fargo, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

* July 2 at the city park in Fullerton, 5 to 8 p.m.

* Aug. 15 at the Harold Schafer Heritage Center in Medora, 5 to 8 p.m.

BBQ Boot Camp instructors introduce participants to grilling methods, including smoking and cooking with gas and charcoal; describe the merits of various meat cuts; and explain how cooking temperatures, humidity and the composition of the meat from different animal species can affect the barbecuing process. Participants also learn about:

* Nutrition

* Food safety issues such as the proper cooking temperatures for meat and how to
handle raw meat safely

* Techniques such as using rubs, marinades and seasonings

* Current topics in the pork, beef and lamb industries

* Related research, teaching and Extension activities at NDSU

"The program highlights many different aspects of agriculture from meat cookery to the importance that producers place on meeting high product quality standards," says David Newman, NDSU Extension swine specialist and one of the BBQ Boot Camp organizers.

The camps wrap up with a full meal, including traditional barbecue side dishes. Participants will be able to fill their plates with a large variety of barbecued meat.

"You definitely won't leave hungry," says Eric Berg, a professor in the Animal Sciences Department and a BBQ Boot Camp instructor.

Animal Sciences Department and Extension faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate students are the instructors for the camps.

The cost is $40 per person. For more information about the BBQ Boot Camp or to register for the July 2 and Aug. 15 camps, go to http://www.ndsu.edu/bbqbootcamp. To register for the June 26 camp, go to http://tinyurl.com/BBQBootCamp.

This is the fifth year BBQ Boot Camps have been held across the state.

UMC to host Third Annual Robotics Camp

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota, Crookston campus will hold its third annual summer Robotics Camp from Monday through Wednesday, August 6-8, 2012. The three day camp is geared for students between the ages of 9-14 and runs from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The cost for the camp is $80 and it will take place in Evergreen Hall on the Crookston campus. Students should bring a bag lunch for the first two days. Lunch will be provided for them on the last day. The camp is limited to 30 participants.

Learning about robotics is a fun and challenging way for students to experiment, learn the skills needed to program a robot and work as a team. Students will learn about the math, science, and technologies that go into making a robot. Each student will be issued a complete Lego MINDStorm Nxt 2.0 robotic kit and a laptop to be used during the camp. At the end of the session, participating students may purchase a Lego MINDStorm kit.

For more information go to www.UMCrookston.edu/camps or download the registration form.

Today the University of Minnesota, Crookston delivers 26 bachelor’s degree programs, 18 minors, and 36 concentrations, including 10 online degrees, in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology.  With an enrollment of 1,600 undergraduates from 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree.  “Small Campus. Big Degree.”  To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.

Lake Bemidji State Park to host program on camping basics

Learn to camp or refresh rusty outdoor skills during a two-night I Can Camp! program being offered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks and Trails Division, June 8-10, at Lake Bemidji State Park.

Experienced instructors from Conservation Corps Minnesota will teach participants basic camping and outdoor skills, including how to set up a tent, how to build a campfire and camp cooking. All camping equipment is provided (including tents, air mattresses and cook stoves). Participants just bring their own food and bedding (sleeping bags or blankets and pillows).

As part of Saturday's program events, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., I Can Camp! participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a private pontoon tour down the Mississippi River. A complimentary park ranger tour to preview the new camper cabins, yet to be open to the public, will also be offered during the weekend.

The program costs $50 for a tent accommodating up to six people. A vehicle pass will be included as part of the program fee or participants may buy a year-round Minnesota state parks permit for an additional $20.

For more information, visit mndnr.gov (dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/can_camp.html); for reservations, call 866-857-2757 (TTY: 952-936-4008) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily.

The I Can Camp! programs are part of an ongoing effort by the DNR Parks and Trails Division to connect people with the outdoors. They also offer skill-building programs that introduce fishing, paddling, climbing and archery to beginners. These programs were created in response to research that indicated declining participation in outdoor recreation by young families.

Funding for the I Can Camp! programs is from the Parks and Trails Fund, created after voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in November 2008. The Parks and Trails Fund receives 14.25 percent of the sales tax revenue and may only be spent to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance.

BBQ Boot Camps Dish Out Knowledge

If you're looking for a new way to grill your favorite meat or want to learn about different meat cuts, the BBQ Boot Camp can help.

Faculty from North Dakota State University's Animal Sciences Department and the NDSU Extension Service have teamed up to hold BBQ Boot Camps throughout the state this year. The first will be from 3 to 7 p.m. April 30 at the Fargodome.

The BBQ Boot Camps introduce participants to grilling methods, including smoking and cooking with gas and charcoal; describe the merits of various meat cuts; and explain how cooking temperatures, humidity and the composition of the meat from different animal species can affect barbecuing success.

Participants also learn about nutrition, food safety and techniques such as using rubs, marinades and seasonings.

Plus, faculty share information on current topics in the pork, beef and lamb industries and report on related research, teaching and Extension activities at
NDSU.

"Our goal is to close the gap of knowledge between producers and consumers," says BBQ Boot Camp coordinator David Newman, an assistant professor in NDSU's Animal Sciences Department and the Extension swine specialist.

The sessions wrap up with a full meal that gives participants a chance to sample a large variety of barbecued meat.

The dates and locations for this year's other BBQ Boot Camps are (these will run from 5 to 8 p.m.):

* May 17 -- Watford City

* May 19 - Mandan

* July 13 -- Devils Lake

* July 14 -- Grand Forks

* July 19 -- Fessenden

* July 21 -- Towner

The registration fee is $30 for individuals and $50 for couples. The fee includes a book with information and recipes, and a meat thermometer.

For more information or to register, go to http://www.ndsu.edu/bbqbootcamp. Preregistration is required.

To learn more about the April 30 camp, contact Corineah Williams in the Cass County Extension office at (701) 241-5700.

Operation: Military Kids Offers Summer Camps

The North Dakota Operation: Military Kids program will offer a variety of camp experiences this summer for military-connected youth.

"Youth of families with a member serving in any branch of the military can meet other kids from military families at these action-packed camps while
participating in fun, hands-on activities," says Diane Hahn, Operation: Military Kids (OMK) state program coordinator. "Families can choose the camp experience best suited for them."

Six day camps and three resident camps will be held.

BRAVO day camps are set for:

* Roosevelt Park, Minot, July 12
* Turtle River State Park, Arvilla, July 14
* Bagg Bonanza Farm, Mooreton, July 19
* Fort Lincoln State Park, Mandan, July 21
* Elmwood Park, West Fargo, July 26
* Prairie Outpost Park, Dickinson, July 29

The registration fee is $10.

Each day camp offers a core program designed to engage youth from military families in connecting with other kids who may share a similar experience. Each camp also will offer local learning resources such as archery, fishing or outdoor skills.

The BRAVO day camps will be hosted by the local county Extension office and led by state OMK Camp Team staff.

"This day is planned to be family friendly, have great food and offer families a stress-free drop-off and pickup of their kids," Hahn says.

The five-day resident camps will be held at the Western 4-H Camp near Washburn. The camp dates are:

* June 5-9, Outdoor Adventures for Military-connected Youth -- It will offer a traditional camp experience for youth 8 to 14 years old with sessions that focus on the life events youth face as a military family member.

* June 26-29, Military Youth Camp for youth 8 to 11 years old

* July 10-14, Military Youth Camp for youth 12 to 14 years old

Kids attending Military Youth Camp will experience components of military life, including a military-based obstacle course, an introduction to all branches of the military, formations, military equipment and deployment discussions.

All of the camps will use activities from the OMK resources to build communication and coping skills, and ability to deal with stress. The
registration fee is $75.

Register online at http://www.ndsu.edu/4h/.

The OMK camps are administered through the North Dakota 4-H program with a grant funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the National 4-H Military Partnership.

Youth visiting or moving to another state this summer can visit the national OMK website at http://www.operationmilitarykids.org to learn about OMK camps they could attend in those states. The national OMK program is hosting 233 camping experiences nationwide for youth this year.

Camp connects Military Youth, horses

Horses will help youth from military families discover the power of the human- animal connection during a day camp Dec. 4 at the Riding on Angels' Wings facility near Felton, Minn.

The Hang Out With Horses camp also will give the military youth some ways to cope with the stresses in their lives.

"The camp will help these youth become better team players, develop effective problem-solving skills, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve their
communication skills," says Diane Hahn, the North Dakota State University Extension Service's Operation: Military Kids (OMK) program coordinator. "These are skills they can use for the rest of their lives."

OMK is a collaborative outreach effort involving the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, NDSU's Center for 4-H Youth Development and local communities to support youth from military families impacted by the stress of deployment.

Riding on Angels' Wings is a nonprofit organization that provides a therapeutic horseback riding program.

Camp participants will learn to identify horses by color and markings, work with horses safely and interpret horses' body language, as well as study the anatomy of a horse and explore general horse behavior.

Camps will be held for two age groups: 6 to 12 and 13 and older. The cost of the camp is $10 per youth.

Both groups will leave from the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Fargo. The 6- to 12-year-old campers will depart at 8:30 a.m. and be back at the center at 1 p.m. The older campers will leave the center at 11:30 a.m. and arrive back at the center at 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Hahn at diane.f.hahn@ndsu.edu. To register, go to http://www.ndsu.edu/4h/programs_events/omk.