With summer right around the corner, the Finland Community Nature Childcare is busy getting ready for a second year of summer camp-style activities, planned for children aged 3 to 10! All summer long, children in the program will experience theme-based projects and games, weekly field trips, and plenty of free play in a large, creative yard and on walks to the nearby woods that surround them.
Last year’s program was a huge success, and included themes such as Wolves, Sun, Wind and Weather, and Farm and Food. Projects included wood-burning pendants, making and trying out kites, colorful animal mosaics and Cladybugs. “I realized that what we really needed for these kids was a loose summer camp-type program”, says Program Director Elli King. “So we set out to make it happen. It really worked well! The only thing I will change this year is to plan for less, because the kids just have so much fun that it is hard to get everything done.”
When asked about their favorite thing from last year, children were unanimous on field trips. Field trips to the Wolf Ridge Farm and Big Lake Microgreens are being planned, while new places are also in the works, such as the Magical Black Spruce Bog and the beach. Themes for this year include Rocks, Boats and Music, with projects such as stone-carving, stone-building, and making many kinds of toy boats to float down our nearby creek. Also exciting are new yard developments: a Sound Garden, a dock for our play boat, and water play infrastructure.
Childcare costs continue to be a challenge for both providers and families. This year, Finland Community Nature Childcare is in deep gratitude to the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, the Tracy Foundation, and the North Shore Collaborative Fund for their respective General Operating and Summer Program funding.
There is still room in the program, on Tuesdays and Fridays! Cost is $40/day for summer-long enrollment. Additionally, the program would like to offer to include families who may want to bring their school-aged child for just one week, as a more traditional summer camp experience. Email finlandchildcare@gmail.com or call 218-220-8997 to inquire.
The program also welcomes and values volunteers and donations! Please reach out if you would like to be a part of your local child care. And here is to hoping you have lots of great projects, games, and field trips this summer too!
