The Minnesota Historical Society offers a wide variety of summer camps, including weeklong and 1-day camps, and the popular "Little House in the Big Fort" and "Huck Finn" camps at Historic Fort Snelling, named "Best Camps for Kids" by Nickelodeon.com in 2008. Online registration for all Society camps is available at www.mnhs.org/summercamps.

ALEXANDER RAMSEY HOUSE, 265 S. Exchange St., St. Paul, 651-296-8760

Finishing School for Young Ladies
Session 1: June 17–19, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., girls ages 9 – 12
Session 2: July 15–17, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., girls ages 9 – 12
Cost: $220 / $200 MHS members

In today’s fast paced world the art of social graces can get lost along the way. Victorian girls, like the Ramsey granddaughters Anita and Laura Furness, were expected to attend finishing school where they learned the arts of personal interaction and good manners. In this one-of-a kind day camp, young ladies will dress up in Victorian outfits and learn about Victorian fashion, etiquette, dancing and poise – culminating with a tea on the porch and a dance recital for families. Limit 12 per session.

Ramsey House History Detectives Camp
Session 1: June 24–26, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., boys and girls ages 11 – 13
Session 2: July 22–24, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., boys and girls ages 11 – 13
Cost: $210 / $190 MHS members

Become a super-sleuth and use clues to solve a mystery at the Ramsey House. During this 3-day camp, kids will explore primary source materials like the Ramsey House itself, artifacts inside the home, letters, journals and recipes. Campers will comb through the evidence to reveal the mystery. A new mystery is presented each day. At the end of camp, each child will be certified a Ramsey House History Detective. Limit 12 per session.

HISTORIC FORESTVILLE, 21899 County Road 118, Preston, 507-765-2785

19th Century Homestead Day Camp
Session 1: June 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ages 8 – 12
Session 2: June 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ages 8 – 12
Session 3: June 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ages 8 – 12
Session 4: July 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ages 8 – 12
Session 5: July 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ages 8 – 12
Cost: $50 / $45 MHS members, full scholarships available

Campers will don a shopkeeper's apron to work in a 19th century general store. They will price goods, candle eggs and compound medicines. Outdoors, they'll gather eggs and tend to the chickens. In the parlor, they’ll participate in songs, music, games and storytelling from the 1800s and experience the aromas and activities of cooking on a wood burning stove in the kitchen. The homestead includes the original 1856 home, attached store and farm of Thomas Meighen, a businessman, farmer and politician. Campers should dress for outdoor activities and bring a bag lunch.

Scholarship Information: A grant from the Peyton Education Fund provides for a limited number of full scholarships. To request a scholarship, prospective campers should write a brief letter describing their interest in history and why they would like to attend the camp. Please include name, address, telephone and date of camp. Mail letter to: Historic Forestville, 19th Century Homestead Camp, Scholarship Request, 21899 County 118, Preston, MN 55965. For additional information please call 507-765-2785.

HISTORIC FORT SNELLING, 200 Tower Avenue, St. Paul, 612-726-1171
Fort Snelling’s Summer Camps were selected as "Best Camps for Kids" by Nickelodeon.com in 2008.

Little House in the Big Fort Day Camp, Books 1-4
Session 1: June 18 – 21, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ages 7 – 11
Session 2: July 9 – 12, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ages 7 – 11
Session 3: July 23 – 26, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ages 7 – 11
Cost: $235 / $220 MHS members

Experience the life described in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s "Little House" books. Campers will sing the songs, play the games, and make the food and crafts that Wilder learned while growing up on the western frontier in the 19th century. This camp focuses on the first four books in the series: "Little House in the Big Woods," "Little House on the Prairie," "Farmer Boy" and "On the Banks of Plum Creek." Limit 14 per session.

Little House in the Big Fort Day Camp, Books 5-8
Session 1: July 30 – Aug. 2, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ages 7 – 11
Session 2: Aug. 13 – 16, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ages 7 – 11
Cost: $235 / $220 MHS members

Experience the life described in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s "Little House" books. Campers will sing the songs, play the games, and make the food and crafts that Wilder learned while growing up on the western frontier in the 19th century. This camp focuses on the second four of the books in the series: "By the Shores of Silver Lake," "The Long Winter," "Little Town on the Prairie" and "These Happy Golden Years." Limit 14 per session.

Davy Crockett Day Camp
June 25-28, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ages 9 – 12
Cost: $235 / $220 MHS members.

Davy Crockett was a living legend during the early 1800s and tales of his adventures spread across the world. Campers will learn the skills Crockett and others like him used on the frontier including tracking animals, using flint and steel and 1800s soldiering. Campers will also learn about American Indian history and more. Limit 14 per session.

Huck Finn Day Camp
Session 1: June 18 – 21, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ages 9 – 12
Session 2: July 16 – 19, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ages 9 – 12
Session 3: July 23– 26, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ages 9 – 12
Session 4: Aug. 6 – 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ages 9 – 12
Cost: $235 / $220 MHS members. $10 discount for reservations made before Jan. 15, 2010.

The classic book "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" serves as the basis for this camp for the active kid. Campers will explore the book and its themes of adventure and childhood fun through hands-on activities including fishing, hiking, cooking outdoors, canoeing and much more. Limit 14 per session.

Huck Finn 2-Day Camp
Aug. 20–21, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ages 9 – 12
Cost: $150 / $140 MHS members

The classic book "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" serves as the basis for this exciting camp for the active kid. Campers will explore the book and its themes of adventure and fun through hands on activities in the unique setting of Historic Fort Snelling. Activities include fishing, hiking, cooking over an open fire, and more! Limit 14 per session.

Soldier One-Day Camps
Session 1: June 1, noon to 4 p.m., ages 8 – 12
Session 2: June 22, noon to 4 p.m., ages 8 – 12
Session 3: July 6, noon to 4 p.m., ages 8 – 12
Session 4: July 20, noon to 4 p.m., ages 8 – 12
Session 5: Aug. 3, noon to 4 p.m., ages 8 – 12
Cost: $50 / $45 MHS members



Attention all recruits! Enlist in the 5th Regiment for an afternoon of fun at Historic Fort Snelling. “New recruits” will learn about the lives of soldiers during the 1820s at Fort Snelling. Campers will learn to march and drill, watch musket and cannon firings, and much more. Limit 12 per session.

Archaeology for Kids One-Day Camp
Aug. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ages 10 – 14
Cost: $65 / $60 MHS members

Children are invited to grab a trowel and get ready for an archeological dig at Historic Fort Snelling. Campers will spend the day with archeologists and historians who will help them learn how to do archeological work including research, digging and sifting at a recreated dig site and working with scientific equipment in a lab. Limit 10 per session.

Fife and Drum One-Day Camp
July 27, noon to 4 p.m., ages 10 – 14
Cost: $50 / $45 MHS members



Campers will be issued instruments including tin whistles -- which they can take home -- and drums that they will use while learning to play military music from the 1800s. The afternoon ends with a special performance in the Historic Fort. No previous musical experience necessary. Limit 10 per session.

Bugler One-Day Camp
Aug. 24, noon to 4 p.m., ages 10 – 14
Cost: $50 / $45 MHS members

Spend an afternoon with the musicians of Historic Fort Snelling and learn how to play the bugle. Campers will be issued bugles so they can practice a variety of historic tunes, many of which are still used today. No previous musical experience necessary. Boy Scouts can use this class to work towards their Bugling Merit Badge. Limit 10 per session.

MILL CITY MUSEUM, 704 South Second St., Minneapolis, 612-341-7555

Arts on the River Day Camp
July 8–11, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., ages 9 – 11
Cost: $250 / $225 MHS members

Play music, create stories, bake bread and construct books while exploring the rich culture along the Minneapolis riverfront district. Enjoy a new experience each day at four top arts centers, including Mill City Museum, the Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Center for Book Arts and MacPhail Center for Music. Campers will start each day at Mill City Museum and will walk with camp leaders to each nearby art organization. Limit 24

MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, 651-296-2881

Civil War History Day Camp
July 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., ages 9 – 12
Cost: $60 / $50 MHS members

Explore the role Minnesota soldiers played in the Civil War during this one-day camp. Campers will create a newspaper front page that records stories from the Minnesota home front and the role state regiments played in the Civil War, visit with a costumed historical character, learn about Civil War flags and statues and go on a Capitol scavenger hunt and more. Each camper should bring a bag lunch. Snacks will be provided. Designed for children age. Limit 40.

Art History Day Camp
July 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., ages 9 – 12
Cost: $60 / $50 MHS members

Campers will learn about the unique artwork in the State Capitol and on the Capitol Mall through tours and a variety of hands-on activities. They will have the opportunity to create a new memorial for the Capitol Mall in clay and present their design ideas to the group, create a color wheel, pose for a Governor's portrait and design a Capitol-themed tee-shirt to take home. Limit 20.

About the Minnesota Historical Society

The Society’s calendar of events is posted online at www.mnhs.org/calendar. The website also has information about all of the Society’s programs, museums and historic sites.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, the Society preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history.

The Minnesota Historical Society is supported in part by its Premier Partners: Xcel Energy and Explore Minnesota Tourism.