Minneapolis Public Schools

Learn a Japanese method of braiding and leave class with your very own keychain! Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese technique used to make beautiful cords. Learn a little bit of history about how the braids have been used, then make your own braided keychain. Students will learn how to braid on a kumihimo disk. At the end of class students will have the tools and knowledge to make more kumihimo cords on their own for use as jewelry, straps, or any other decorative or functional use you can dream up! This class is taught by Chiaki O'Brien. Hailing from Japan, Chiaki’s focus when working with students is to encourage students to flex their creative muscles, making up their own design if they'd like. She loves the moment of surprise as students admire their finished projects. She feels like a child excited to open an unexpected gift and hopes that everyone is able to share in these moments, experiencing excitement and happiness from the unexpected!

All your Broadway favorites packed into one week! Learn a short scene, a song, and dance from a different musical each day, and have a performance for friends/family on the final day! Come ready to move! Register your child for a morning class and an afternoon class and we will provide lunch and supervision free of charge from 12-1 pm. When signing up for the morning class, you will be able to choose the option “Stay for free lunch and recess from 12:00 – 1:00 pm” as you complete your registration. To ensure that our high-quality enrichment classes are accessible to all families, Minneapolis Community Education offers fees on a sliding scale. The class fee is the average cost of offering a class. Families are asked to pick the class fee or the price that they are able to pay. When families participate as they are able, at all levels of our sliding scale, the whole program becomes self-sustaining. Thank you for your consideration as you sign up for summer programs!

Don’t be afraid to get messy as you finger paint, make paper mache masterpieces and create all sorts of ooey, gooey artwork. Register your child for a morning class and an afternoon class and we will provide lunch and supervision free of charge from 12-1 pm. When signing up for the morning class, you will be able to choose the option “Stay for free lunch and recess from 12:00 – 1:00 pm” as you complete your registration. To ensure that our high-quality enrichment classes are accessible to all families, Minneapolis Community Education offers fees on a sliding scale. The class fee is the average cost of offering a class. Families are asked to pick the class fee or the price that they are able to pay. When families participate as they are able, at all levels of our sliding scale, the whole program becomes self-sustaining. Thank you for your consideration as you sign up for summer programs!

Don’t be afraid to get messy as you finger paint, make paper mache masterpieces and create all sorts of ooey, gooey artwork. Register your child for a morning class and an afternoon class and we will provide lunch and supervision free of charge from 12-1 pm. When signing up for the morning class, you will be able to choose the option “Stay for free lunch and recess from 12:00 – 1:00 pm” as you complete your registration. To ensure that our high-quality enrichment classes are accessible to all families, Minneapolis Community Education offers fees on a sliding scale. The class fee is the average cost of offering a class. Families are asked to pick the class fee or the price that they are able to pay. When families participate as they are able, at all levels of our sliding scale, the whole program becomes self-sustaining. Thank you for your consideration as you sign up for summer programs!

This educational tour is completely different from any other trip you may 4 seen to Chicago. Small intimate neighborhoods, rich in culture and history will be emphasized. Learn about Chicago’s world-class architecture, it’s famous landmarks and parks. On our trip to Chicago we will make a stop in Madison, Wisconsin and tour the city and have some free time on the famous State Street. Some of the sites we will be touring in Chicago: * Pullman Neighborhood-an acclaimed model neighborhood that George Pullman establish to house his manufacturing company and its workers. * Dreyfus Museum, one of the grandest residential buildings in 19th century Chicago from the Gilded Age. * Frank Lloyd Wright Studio and Home in Oak Park. * Robie House one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s best examples of prairie school architecture on the campus of Chicago University * Historic churches of Chicago will be visited including Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, the oldest church in Chicago * Historic and ethnic restaurants are included. * Walking tour of downtown Chicago, including the magical Millennial Park, the oldest skyscraper in the world the Monadnock Building, the famous Louis Sullivan Rookery. * Architectural cruise along the Chicago River between monumental skyscrapers, and interesting riverfront buildings with an architectural historian. * The ethnic neighborhoods of Wicker Park, Pilsen, Old Town plus many more. * See the home of Al Capone, Emmett Till and Barack Obama, and other famous Chicago people. -We will tour one of the great art museums of the world, the Chicago Art Museum, and also spend time in Chicago’s famous Mexican American Museum. After 3 1/2 days of exploring Chicago, we will leave in late afternoon from the historic Chicago, Union Station and travel to Saint Paul’s Union Station on the Empire builder. The trip will be a wonderful ride pass cities and beautiful scenic areas such as the Wisconsin Dells area and the Mississippi River Valley to bring us back to Saint Paul. When we arrive in Saint Paul at approximately 11 PM, we will have our motorcoach bus waiting for us to take us back to our cars. Cost includes Lodging at Marriott Oak Brook, three dinners, three breakfasts, two bakery stops, Motorcoach bus, Amtrak tickets, Boat Ride, and all Chicago admissions to museums. TIME: Thursday, Oct 16: @ 7:45 am Board Bus @ 8:00 am Bus Departs Southwest High School Oct 19: @ 1:00 am early (Monday, Oct 20) Return to Southwest High School from Union Depot in St. Paul Pick-Up & Drop Off Location: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 Deposit of $400 due with registration. NOTE: Final payment due August 16th. Final Payment Due: 60 Days Prior to Departure Overnight Tour Cancelation Policy: 60 Days Prior to Departure: 100% Refund of Trip Fee less $5 Processing Fee - 59-45 Days Prior to Departure: 90% Refund of Trip Fee OR $50 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 44-16 Days Prior to Departure: 50% of Trip Fee OR $100 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 14 Days or Less: We will work to get you a return for some recoverable costs. This will vary by tour and date of cancelation. No guarantees. If tour is full, please enroll for the waitlist. we will let you know if space becomes available.

In the spring of 1861, writer/philosopher/poet/naturalist Henry David Thoreau traveled to Minnesota for the first and only time. Seven years prior, Thoreau published his landmark book “Walden,” which championed nature, the woods, and the act of staring at a body of water for internal and spiritual self-awareness. The next year, Thoreau would die from his lifelong bout with tuberculosis, at 44 years old. Other than botanical notes, Thoreau never had a chance to write about his Minnesota visit. What would he have had to say about our great lakes and big river? Thoreau fan and writer/songwriter/author Jim Walsh has long wondered as much; now in the spring of 2025, join Walsh as he leads a tour of Twin Cities landmarks visited by naturalist/writer/poet Henry David Thoreau during his trek to Minnesota in the spring of 1861. Stops include Nicollet and Hennepin Islands and Bde Maka Ska. 12:45 pm Board Coach Bus 1:00 pm Bus Departs 4:00 pm Return to Southwest High School PICK UP LOCATION: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 Park & meet in the Chowen Ave. lot on the West side of the school between 46th & 47th Streets. If tour is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will let you know if space becomes available.

NOTE: Details are still being finalized so itinerary may change slightly. Join us for a fun-filled day touring the Minneapolis Fire Department's Training Tower, Rosenbauer Motors, Inc.- the world’s largest manufacturer of custom fire trucks and a guided tour of the Hinkley Fire Museum. At the Minneapolis Fire Department’s training tower, you’ll get an up close look at where new recruits go through their academy training and where veteran firefighters hone their skills too. From EMS, high-angle, confined-space, roof and arial operations, see how firefighters train using real props to prepare for any type of emergency. You’ll also get a look at specific rigs and equipment not kept at fire houses. At Rosenbauer, learn how an order for a new fire apparatus is taken, the design and model process, and manufacturing. Did you know it can often take 2 years or more for a new fire engine and they cost upwards of a million dollars? Also, learn about how Rosenbauer is a leader in developing and producing electric fire trucks that Minnesota Departments are beginning to use. Creating firetrucks for all over the world, this gem of a factory is on our own backyard and you’ll get to see fire trucks in all stages from bare aluminum all the way to completed units. We'll visit The Great Hinkley Fire Monument and climb the Fire Tower at St. Croix State Park Price includes Motorcoach transportation, rolls on the bus, admission to all tours. Ages 10+. NOTE: Lunch is on your own in Hinkley. You can bring a bag lunch. There will also be a stop near Tobies Express and several fast food options. Our coach bus will leave from Southwest High School's Chowen Ave. parking lot located at 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 BOARD COACH BUS: 8:00 am BUS DEPARTS: 8:15 am APPROX. RETURN: 5:30 pm. If event is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. We will let you know if tickets become available. Thank you!

Minneapolis and St. Paul are separated by a river and a world with a host of traits that make them distinct from one another. However, the twins have plenty in common when it comes to the unexpected history of crime that shaped both cities long before the dawn of the prohibition era. Ride along with gangster moll Marie Comforti on a bus tour that spans both sides of the river. You’ll learn how each city created covert criminal structures that shaped the culture and economy of the “evil twins” in the first half of the twentieth century. Includes lunch. Board Bus: 9:45 am Bus Departs: 10:00 am Bus Returns: @ 2:00 pm Meet bus at Ella Baker Elementary School - 1200 W 26th St, Minneapolis, MN 55405 Please enroll on the waitlist if the tour is full. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

Hundreds of skilled artists and architects have created the Saint Paul cityscape. In the 1880s, new buildings and art flourished in the growing city. Join us, along with historian Dave Bredemus, to learn about Saint Paul’s most acclaimed artists and architects and a sample of those lesser known. View historical buildings and parks, see famous architectural styles, and detailed interiors made of marble, granite, onyx, and steel. Paintings, murals, stained glass, and interior designs will be the emphasis of our day. Learn about architects who left their mark on St. Paul: Clarence Wigington, Charles Hausler, Leroy Buffington, Edward Basswood, Cass Gilbert, Emmanuel Masqueray, Clarence Johnston, and many others. See the work of artists who brighten our urban landscape. Learn about the WPA, the State Capitol Mall sculptures, public art, and those who created bold new sculpture park locations, from Haupers, Eastman, Brewer, and Capecchi to the much more recent Charles Schultz, Gordon Parks, and Anthony Caponi. Walking will be @ one block in length at a couple stops. NOTE: Includes Motorcoach Bus, Guide on the Bus and Bakery stop. Lunch will be on your own. TIME: 9:45 am Board Bus 10:00 am Bus Departs Southwest High School 4:00 pm @ Return to Southwest High School Pick-Up & Drop Off Location: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after March 26th. If tour is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. We will let you know if space becomes available.

In the middle of North America exists a beautiful and mysterious land, left untouched by glaciers, a rugged landscape home to fascinating geology, and physical features unique to the world. We will spend the day traveling through the Driftless Region of Wisconsin enjoying its unique geography. We will visit Amish and Norwegian rural areas and have an opportunity to buy goods from local farmers at a local farm products auction. One of the highlights will be touring Norskadlen a Norwegian cultural site, dedicated to preserving Norwegian history in the heart of the Driftless Area of Wisconsin. On this 40 acre site, we will explore Norwegian buildings and enjoy a special Norwegian dinner. We also will learn about this special part of rural America that is the center of organic farming. Historian Dave Bredemus will tell us the history of many small towns in this area of Wisconsin and make a special stop and visit Viroqua Wisconsin.Viroqua is famous for it, tobacco warehouses, historic downtown-district and many shops that support organic farming. Includes Motorcoach, Bakery Stop, Museums, and Dinner TIME: 7:15 am Board Bus 7:30 am Bus Departs Southwest High School 9:00 pm @ Return to Southwest High School Pick-Up & Drop Off Location: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after September 8th. If tour is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. We will let you know if spots become available.

Join us on this beautiful summer adventure from Minnesota through Wisconsin to Michigan. Day 1 - Travel through Northern Wisconsin and hear stories of small Wisconsin towns by historian Dave Bredemus. We will visit the Menominee Indian Reservation and Peshtigo Fire Museum – this area is home to one of the largest forest fires in North American history. We will tour the towns of Marinette, Wisconsin and Menominee, Michigan, and visit a local museum. Our destination tonight is Escanaba Michigan, where we will have a special Scandinavian dinner included. Day 2 - Today we travel along the northern coastline of Lake Michigan and travel to Mackinac City, Michigan, where we will stay for two nights. Some some of the highlights today include Big Springs State Park where we will travel out onto the spring on a floating device to the center of the lake and see one of the largest springs in North America. Fayette Historic Town Site, an old mining town, will also be visited. Today’s trip through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan will take us to many lighthouses and historic bridges and the most famous of them all the Mackinac Bridge. We will visit the burial site of Father Marquette and tour the Museum of Ojibwa Culture. We will also tour Manistique, St Ignace and Mackinac City Michigan. The highlight could be a visit to Sand Dunes Beach which looks like a beach along the Pacific Coast Highway in California with it fine and beautiful white sand on the northern shores of Lake Michigan. Day 3 - Today we spend the whole day on one of the most interesting islands in North America because of the lifestyle, history and architecture. We start our day traveling by boat under the Mackinac Bridge to Mackinac Island. We will take a two-hour tour narrated by local guides-on small carriages pulled by horses around the island. We will tour and have lunch at one of the most famous hotels in America the Grand Hotel. Buffet lunch at the hotel will be a once in a lifetime experience. After lunch, we’ll have a short walk down to the downtown area and you will have the rest of the afternoon and early evening to explore the shops and historical sites on the island. If you’re interested, bikes can be rented to ride on the streets of Mackinac Island. Day 4 - Today we follow the beautiful east shore of Lake Michigan south to Petoskey and Charlevoix, Michigan, both quaint harbor towns, eager to show you the charm of living on the water. We will tour both towns and see the unique and magical, Earl Young hobbit of mushroom houses. We will tour neighborhoods and admire the lake homes of some of Chicago’s wealthiest families. The towns of Traverse City and Glen Arbor, the cherry capital of the nation, are included for a little shopping and taste testing. The final destination today will be Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. Dinner (included) will be in Manistee, Michigan, and our final destination today will be the historic town of Ludington Michigan, where we will be staying overnight. Day 5 - Today we board the Great Lakes cruise ship the S.S. Badger and travel from Ludington, Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin -- a four-hour ride with plenty of things to do on the boat. After departing the boat in Manitowoc Wisconsin, we will tour the city and make a stop at one of the oldest and most interesting candy/confectionary stores in America. Lunch on your own and then we start traveling back to Minneapolis. We will travel through Appleton and Wisconsin Rapids and make a stop at the High Ground Veterans Memorial Park. This park will give you the opportunity to view half million acres of incredible Wisconsin woodlands and glacier moraine landforms. Our last stop will be at one of the best supper clubs in Wisconsin for a final dinner included before continuing on to our final destination at 10 PM. Includes motorcoach, 4 nights lodging, 4 breakfasts, Grand Hotel buffet, 3 dinners, horse drawn carriage ride, ferries, admissions & bakery stop. TIME: July 28: 7:45 am Board Bus 8:00 am Bus Departs Southwest High School Aug 1: 10:00 pm @ Return to Southwest High School Pick-Up & Drop Off Location: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 Deposit of $400 due with registration. NOTE: Final payment due May 28th. Final Payment Due: 60 Days Prior to Departure Overnight Tour Cancelation Policy: - 60 Days Prior to Departure: 100% Refund of Trip Fee less $5 Processing Fee - 59-45 Days Prior to Departure: 90% Refund of Trip Fee OR $50 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 44-16 Days Prior to Departure: 50% of Trip Fee OR $100 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot) - 14 Days or Less: We will work to get you a return for some recoverable costs. This will vary by tour and date of cancelation. No guarantees. If tour is full, please enroll for the waitlist. we will let you know if space becomes available.

Join Maddy Bartsch, natural dye farmer, educator and organizer of decentralized textile economies, as we visit these three unique farms near Northfield. Maddy, who has worked closely with all three farms, will be on the bus with us to share insights and answer questions throughout the t LITTLE HILL BERRY FARM: From owners Aaron and Molly Wills: Our farm grows certified organic, delicious blueberries, strawberries and raspberries south of the Twin Cities in beautiful Northfield. Over the last 10 years, we've slowly transformed the gentle, rolling terrain of our farm from a field of corn and soybeans into a luscious, fruitful landscape. Our farm is blanketed with rows of organic blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries - along with cherries, grapes, and native prairie strips - to provide you with both amazing tasting fruit and a beautiful and peaceful landscape to enjoy with your friends and family. We look forward to seeing you soon out on the Little Hill.. After a farm tour, we'll have opportunity to pick berries and shop in their gift store. GET BENTZ FARM AND FIBER PROCESSING MILL: Theresa Bentz raises Icelandic and Icelandic cross sheep on her beautiful farm which overlooks the Cannon River Valley. Here you can find a variety of products from our sheep including yarn, meat, and sheepskins. They also have a woolen mill which is home to Badgerface Fiber. They source local fibers, paying a fair wage for their raw materials, and turn them into beautiful roving, yarn, and rug yarn. KEEPSAKE CIDERY: Join orchardist and cidermaker Nate Watters and his partner and Tasting Room Manager Tracy for this exclusive deep dive into natural ciders and wines from regional fruit. Keepsake is one of a small group of Cideries nationally to utilize spontaneous fermentation in 100% of their ciders and wines. Take a tour of the orchards, fermentation area and tasting room with the owners and then sit down for a guided tour through select Keepsake ciders. Go home with bottles to enjoy in addition to having an eye-opening experience in what cider can truly be! You'll have an opportunity to shop at all the farms, returning home with berries, jams. yarn and cider. Includes: Motorcoach, 3 farm tours, berry picking experience at Little Hill Berry Farm, fiber project at Get Bentz Farm and lunch at Keepsake Cidery which includes a Toastie (choice of , chips & cider tastings. TIME: 7:30 am Board Bus 7:45 am Bus Departs Southwest High School @ 4:30 pm @ Return to Southwest High School PICK UP LOCATION: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after July 8th. No refunds. If tour is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will notify you is a spot becomes available.

Step back in time and explore the vibrant history and cultural richness of Rondo, St. Paul's historic African American neighborhood, on our immersive bus tour. Led by Dr. Artika R. Tyner (award-winning author, civil rights attorney, and Rondo native), this tour takes you on a journey through the heart of Rondo, where you'll learn about its history as a bustling community filled with thriving businesses, arts, culture, and close-knit families. As we wind through the streets, you'll hear captivating stories of resilience, creativity, and community engagement, from the challenges faced during the construction of Interstate 94 to the vibrant cultural scene that once flourished here. Alongside its rich history, Rondo was also a hub of arts and culture, nurturing talented musicians, artists, and writers who left an indelible mark on the city's cultural landscape. You'll visit significant landmarks, including historic churches, schools, and businesses, each with its own fascinating tale to tell. Along the way, you'll also have the opportunity to meet local residents and community leaders, gaining insight into the ongoing efforts to preserve Rondo's legacy and build a brighter future. Whether you're a history buff, a cultural enthusiast, or simply curious about this important chapter in St. Paul's past, our Rondo bus tour offers a unique and memorable experience for all. Join us as we celebrate the past, present, and future of this beloved neighborhood, steeped in history, creativity, and community. - 9:45 am Board Motorcoach at Hallie Q Brown Community Center located at 270 N Kent St, St Paul, MN 55102 - 10:00 am Bus Departs - 1:00 pm @ Return to Hallie Q Brown OPTION: Support the "Planting People Growing Justice" Literacy Program by ordering a copy of Dr. Tyner’s book “Joey and Grandpa Johnson’s Day in Rondo". Fee includes coach bus, guides & light refreshments, A portion of tour proceeds will support participating Rondo businesses. Note: Only transfer of registration after April 17th. No refunds. If the tour is full, please add your name to the waitist. We will let you know if spots become available.

We will follow the route of world-famous composer Antonin Dvorak, who, in 1893, spent the summer in the beautiful Spillville, Iowa area composing music and visiting Saint Paul. Dvorak started life as a son of a peasant in the provinces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and ended it as one of the most renowned musicians in the world. Spend the day retracing his steps and see what might have inspired him to write so prolifically about America. The local Czech community greeted Dvorak in St. Paul at the Czech and Slovak Sokol Hall on West Seventh Street. We will learn about the early Czechs of Saint Paul and see the very same CSPS Hall. We will also tour Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church, originally a Czech church. Then, we will travel through many beautiful small towns to Spillville, in Northeast Iowa. We will visit historical and cultural sites in this heavily Czech-influenced town, including Saint Wenceslas Church and Cemetery, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bandstand, and the Bily Clock Museum & Antonin Dvorak Exhibit. The Bily Clock Museum has some of the most beautiful carved clocks in the world and is a virtual treasure chest full of Spillville and Dvorak history items. Includes Motorcoach, Bakery stop, museum and church admissions. Lunch is on your own. TIME:- 8:30 am Board Bus 8:45 am Bus Departs Southwest High School 7:30 pm @ Return to Southwest High School Pick-Up & Drop Off Location: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after May 7th. No refunds. If tour is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. We will let you know if tickets become available.

Join the Metro Food Justice Network on a tour of Twin Cities metro area urban farms. From youth-led growing and a deep winter greenhouse, to market gardens and those geared towards building capacity, there's a little something for everyone. See these growing sites, learn more about the farmers who work the land, and sample delicious, local foods grown right in your proverbial backyard! Your fee helps support the farms on our tour! Bring a bag lunch. TIME: 9:45 am Board Bus 10:00 am Bus Departs Southwest High School 4:00 pm @ Return to Southwest High School PICK UP LOCATION: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after July 23rd. If tour is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will notify you is a spot becomes available.

Discover the magical landscape of bluffs, water, and quaint villages while experiencing history, food, and spectacular scenery along the Mississippi River. Learn the history presented by Dave Bredemus as we explore the villages of Prescott, Stockholm, Pepin, Nelson, Diamond Bluff, Maiden Rock, Alma, Wisconsin. We will tour one of Dave’s favorite museums, the Great River Road Museum, and have a special tour. Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and Park are part of our agenda, along with a walking tour of Stockholm, Wisconsin, as well as Riecks Lake along the Mississippi River with its migrating birds, especially tundra swans. Bring your binoculars for a closer look! One of the day’s highlights will be driving to the scenic overlook in Alma, Wisconsin, to view the Mississippi River Valley in all its splendor. For some of us, the highlight may be lunch, where we will eat at Twin Bluffs Café in the shadow of a beautiful Mississippi River Valley Bluff. Includes Motorcoach, Lunch, Pie, Museums, and the Riecks Wildlife viewing area. TIME: 9:00 am Board Bus 9:15 am Bus Departs Southwest High School 6:30 pm @ Return to Southwest High School Pick-Up & Drop Off Location: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after May 7th. If tour is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. IWe will let you know if spots become available.

Use your writing to present a solid, cohesive message to your target audience. Understand how marketing principles can be applied to written communication to make you and your copy come alive. Complete your registration online: ed2go.com/mplscommed. New class sessions begin monthly.