Just For Fun

@FriendsSchoolMN

If you’re looking for summer activities that are low-key and high fun, if you want to explore fine and performing arts in a supportive atmosphere that celebrates everyone, look no further! JUST FOR FUN lets students learn something new in a relaxed environment. You can be with us mornings only, afternoons only or all day, for as many sessions as you like. Take a look at the courses we offer and design the program that’s just right for you! Class size is 12-14.

SESSION 1: June 18-June 22

SPORTS ABOUT TOWN. (ages 9-13) 9 a.m.-noon. Are you looking for
some great sporting adventures right here in the Twin Cities? Then sign up for Sports About Town!
You’ll arrive at Friends School and hop on the bus to go bowling, disc golfing and hiking at Minnehaha Falls. We’ll end the week on the beach at Lake Nokomis, so bring your swim suit and towel. For boys and girls, rain or shine. $195.

MAD SCIENTIST. (ages 7-10) 9 a.m.-noon. That's you! Put on your lab coat to make unbelievable things, thanks to science. Slime, glowing goo, bubbling blobs and green flubber, sure--but you'll also make a crystal tree, your own personal tornado, a lava lamp. . . well, join us for more surprises! $175.

TRASH TO TREASURES. (ages 10-13) 9 a.m.-noon. Got some old books, an empty box, a couple of empty picture frames? Bring them to this class and make them into works of art with the help of shells, metallic paper, feathers, candy wrappers—everything but the kitchen sink! $150.

DOLLS GO WEST. (ages 7-10) 9 a.m.-noon. Bring your 18-inch doll for a week of adventures from the American west. You’ll learn about several native cultures and make art inspired by their traditions. We’ll make a buffalo blanket, create felt moccasins, design a totem pole, cook with native herbs and more, all with our doll friends! $150.

INSIDE OUT. (ages 7-11) 1-3 p.m. If you’re the kind of person who likes to spend time outdoors and use what you find there to make art, this is the class for you. You’ll explore and map the neighborhood, learn some outdoor lore, create unique artwork and maybe even do some geocacheing. $100.

JEWELRY. (ages 9-13) 1-3 p.m. Start your own fashion trend with the earrings, necklaces, bracelets and pins you make from beads, felt, wire and—well just wait and see! You’ll use both professional jewelry materials and found objects to make one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art. For boys and girls. $125.

THEATER GAMES. (ages 9-13) 1-3 p.m. Fruit Salad, Wax Museum, Two Truths and A Lie, Whoosh! Those are just some of the games you’ll play in this fast-paced class for anybody who has ever wanted to be in a play—or not! Learn how much fun you can have with creative drama even if you never plan to set foot on stage. $100.

LOTSA LEGOS. (ages 7-10) 1-3 p.m. How many Legos are there in the world? We can’t answer that, but we know that a whole lot of them will be available for you to use in this class to build large-scale projects like you’ve never seen before. Bridges, houses, planes—the only limit is your imagination! $125.

SESSION 1: June 25-June 29

SUMMER BIKE CLUB. (ages 10-13) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Calling all bikers! In this class you’ll learn basics of bike safety and maintenance, then practice your skills biking as much as 20 miles along some of our beautiful city trails. Have bicycle (and helmet), will travel! $255.

REALLY ROBOTS. (ages 7-10) 9 a.m.-noon. The future is here and you’re helping to build it! That’s right. You’re going to make your own robot to take home. You’ll start with a paper ‘bot (that really goes) and graduate to gears and circuit boards that you’ll put together to make a robot that will move when you clap your hands and go into reverse when it bumps a wall. $175.

4-M ART. (ages 8-13) 9 a.m.-noon. Mobiles, mandalas, mosaics, and milagros. You’ll make beautiful examples of each all while learning new skills in metal working and mixed media. Make a masterpiece and have a monumental amount of fun! $155.

WACKY WARDROBE (AND ACCESSORIES) (ages 9-13) 9 a.m.-noon. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind wallet, belt, purse or shorts, look no further! In this class we’ll use duct tape in a rainbow of colors and patterns to make things you can wear. It’s easier than you think and more fun than you can imagine! $155.

GYM GAMES. (ages 7-11) 1-3 p.m. On your mark, get set, GO! Has anyone ever told you you're full of energy? Here's your chance to use it participating in your favorite playground games, learning some exciting new ones and maybe even scoring in Ultimate Frisbee. You won’t care if you win or lose, you’ll be having too much fun! $100.

WOVEN THREADS. (ages 10-13) 1-3 p.m. Come and learn one of the world’s oldest arts—weaving. Of course you’ll make a reed basket, but you’ll be amazed to discover that you can also make a loom with branches, add found objects to your project, and weave on a circular loom. $125.

MAKE-UP AND MASKS. (ages 7-13) 1-3 p.m. Whether you want to create a character for a play or for next Halloween, we’ll teach you how to use stage make-up, face paint and a variety of mask-making materials to transform yourself into anything you can imagine being—a lion, an alien, a wizard? The choice is yours! $125.

SESSION 2: July 2-July 6 (no class July 4)

PERFECT PUPPETS. (ages 7-13) 9 a.m.-noon. The puppeteer who created Elmo started out making puppets when he was just about your age. Now you can learn the secret of turning anything you can think of into your very own puppet. When you’re all done, you’ll learn how to create a unique character inspired by the materials you chose. $125.

PAINT YOUR WAGON. (ages 9-13) 9 a.m.-noon. A little bookcase. An old step-stool. A plain rocker. Any ordinary piece of furniture can be transformed into a work of art with a careful plan and some paint! Bring your furniture to class and we’ll show you how to turn it into something you’ll always treasure. $125.

GUITAR CRAFT. (ages 7-13) 9 a.m.-noon. You’ve always wanted a guitar of your own? Why not make one! You’ll work with an experienced bluegrass musician who will show you how to use simple materials to make a real guitar that you can actually play. It’s not as hard as it sounds—and you’ll discover it sounds fine! $175.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER. (ages 7-13) 9 a.m.-noon. Travel to the islands off Panama and learn about molas, the colorful textile designs made by Kuna women, and worry dolls made by Guatemalan children. You’ll use fabric to make a unique mola that tells your own story. Then pick out a clothespin, yarn and more colorful fabric to make a doll that will help chase your worries away! $125.

STUFFIES . . . AND STUFF. (ages 8-13) 1-3 p.m. There’s nothing better than a unique stuffed animal you produce yourself, and this is the place to make it happen. You’ll design and sew a stuffed toy of your very own, make clothing for it and sew a carry bag to hold it all. Make one for yourself and one for a friend! $125.

MAKE-A-SPORT. (ages 7-13) 1-3 p.m. The world is full of strange sports that we seldom hear about—except in this class. You’ll learn—and play—some new sports, then use them as inspiration to create a brand new sport of your own. Invent the rules, decide how to referee and who knows?—you might just create the new American pastime! $100.

YOU CAN BUILD IT. (ages 8-13) 1-3 p.m. Be inspired by the work of famous sculptors we’ll explore to create amazing work of your own. We’ll use boxes, paper, wire, metal, foam, wood, cardboard and cork to build free-standing and relief sculpture pieces of all sizes and kinds. $100.

SESSION 2: July 9-July 13

MOVIE MAKERS. (ages 8-10) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. You have a story to tell. We have the video camera to help you record it. Sign up for this workshop and you’ll get the information you need to create your own video, then learn how to use iMovie to edit your film. We provide all of the equipment—just bring your energy and great ideas! $280.

PRINTMAKING. (ages 8-13) 9 a.m.-noon. Have you ever drawn something so beautiful you’d like everyone to have a copy? In this class you’ll make that happen through monoprints, block prints, tempera silk-screening and found object prints. You’ll turn your creations into a handmade book, postcards or even mail art! $160.

BAKER’S DOZEN. (ages 9-13) 9 a.m.-noon. Sign up for this class and learn how to make cookie jar classics. Chocolate chip, sugar cookies, peanut butter blossoms, shortbread—if you can eat it, you can bake it. You'll go home with a recipe packet and samples to share. $160.

STORY THEATER. (ages 7-11) 9 a.m.-noon. So if the Three Bears met Cinderella, what would happen next? Sign up for this class and you get to decide! You’ll take stories everybody knows and use them to create an original play that you’ll perform for an audience on the last day. $150.

WEE GARDEN. (ages 7-13) 1-3 p.m. This class is perfect for budding landscape designers. Create your own miniature portable garden complete with a clay cottage, garden furniture, stone paths and real plants. Your garden can become a home for any wee creature you like—insects, fairies, even an elf or two! $125.

SECOND HAND ROSE. (ages 7-13) 1-3 p.m. You’ve got a bunch of old stuff like broken jewelry, chipped picture frames and dented lampshades lying around the house, and so do we. Let’s bring everything to class and transform it into new works of art with paint, glitter and glue! $100.

TEEN IMPROV. (ages 11-13) 1-3 p.m. It’s all about saying yes! We’ll start with simple improv games that build teamwork and move to more complex scenes and characters. By the end of the week, you’ll be an improv troupe ready to put on a show that uses suggestions from your audience. ComedySportz, watch out! $100.

SESSION 3: July 16-July 20

MOVIE MASTERS (ages 10-13) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. If you have some experience using a video camera, you’re ready for more. In this class you’ll work independently and in groups to create short films or even a music video, and practice editing with iMovie. We provide the equipment, you bring your genius. Screening on the last day of class! $280.

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL. (ages 7-10) 9 a.m.-noon. Explore the wonderful world of animals, in the wild and in your lap. We’ll visit the Como Zoo and a very special animal shelter, see the Raptor Center, meet a therapy dog and create some art projects inspired by what you liked best. On the last day we’ll celebrate by going for a hayride and meeting the beautiful horses that pull the wagon. All animal lovers welcome! $175.

CRAZY COLLAGE. (ages 7-13) 9 a.m.-noon. Don’t throw away those old boxes and books, give them a fresh new look that is all your own! In this class you’ll learn about the fascinating art of collage. You’ll use paper scraps, magazine pictures, old photos, found and natural objects (and anything else we can make stick) to jazz up boxes, journal covers, artist trading cards and more. $150.

BROADWAY IN A DAY. (ages 9-13) 9 a.m.-noon. Okay, in five days. But you’ll amaze everyone when you join this workshop and find yourself performing Charlotte’s Web for an audience on the last day of class. You’ll learn your lines, build your costume and be ready for curtain in no time! $150.

BOOKMAKING. (ages 7-13) 1-3 p.m. Few things are as personal yet wonderful to share as handmade books. Join this class to learn clever ways to design and bind paper and other materials into unique and beautiful blank books ready to be filled with your thoughts and dreams. $125.

SHOW CHOIR. (ages 10-13) 1-3 p.m. Go to the top of the chart! In this class you will work with a singer and accompanist to learn pop songs and songs from the musical theater. You’ll learn dance moves to go with the music and perform it all for an audience on the last day of class. In Show Choir, everyone’s a star! $125.

COMPUTER GAMES TO GO. (ages 8-13) 1-3 p.m. So you don’t get to buy as many computer games as much as you’d like? Then how about creating one of your own! In this class you’ll use free software to learn how to design your own personal computer game which you can share with friends from all over the world. $100.

SESSION 3: July 23-July 27

ROCKET SCIENCE. (ages 7-10) 9 a.m.-noon. Not a rocket scientist? No problem! We’ll teach you what makes rockets run. You’ll start out small making a stomp rocket, move to a more complex water rocket and end by building a your own model rocket which you’ll launch on the last day. Every rocket you make is yours to keep! $175.

PAPER MACHE MAGIC. (ages 7-13) 9 a.m.-noon. Come and learn how a little bit of paper-mache combined with paper and cardstock can be transformed into decorative bowls, plates and book covers. You’ll even build a small animal from cardboard, apply paper-mache, then paint your beastie in wild and wonderful colors. $150.

SUMMER MUSICAL THEATER. (ages 8-13) 9 a.m.-noon. Singing! Dancing! Stage lights! Sound like fun? Then sign up for Summer Musical Theater and get ready to produce a masterpiece. Students in this class will create a mini-musical from their own original ideas and perform it for an audience on the last day of class. $155.

PLAIN AIR WATERCOLOR. (ages 9-13) 9 a.m.-noon. If you love the outdoors as much as you love art, this is the class for you. We’ll travel on foot to special places in our neighborhood to find perfect subjects for landscape painting. You’ll sketch and paint five pieces of art worthy of framing! $150.

REALLY BAD SNACKS. (ages 7-10) 1-3 p.m. Gummy worms, sour bites, soda pop, ice cream, bubble gum. . . yes, they’re junk food and in this class you’ll make them all! It will be okay. It’s really food science, and on the last day we’ll make toothpaste. $125.

KINGDOMS AND CASTLES. (ages 7-11) 1-3 p.m. What was life like in the Middle Ages? Take a trip back in time and learn all about it in this class that will show you how to build a castle, create a family crest and explore the long-ago world of knights and ladies. $125.

PHOTO PRO. (ages 8-11) 1-3 p.m. Learn the basics of how to use a digital camera and how to edit your pictures in a computer—and that’s where the real fun starts! Turn yourself into a cartoon, put your face on Mount Rushmore, make a poster out of your favorite shot. Students taking this class must bring their own digital camera. $125.

RADIO SHOW. (ages 9-13) 1-3 p.m. What’s more fun than creating your own radio show?! The format is up to you—news, commercials, morning program or mystery theater. We’ll teach you how to develop a radio voice, make sound effects and get ready to broadcast to your friends and family. $125.

SESSION 4: July 30-August 3

IN THE GOOD OLDE SUMMERTIME. (ages 6-13) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Summer is a time for running through the sprinkler, weaving potholders, learning a great new game of tag and making crafts that involve lots of glue. Sign up to do that and a lot more in this mellow, old-fashioned summer camp. We pace the day according to students’ interests and include plenty of free choice/play time. $255.

MOCK TRIAL. (ages 11-14) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. You don’t have to want to be a lawyer to have a great time in this exciting workshop led by an award-winning mock trial veteran. You do have to want to have fun researching a case, preparing a defense and learning how to present a great argument in front of a judge. When you’re ready to go to trial, you’ll be in a real courtroom at Hamline University for the experience of your life! $255.