Loppet Adventure Camp - non-stop summer fun in Wirth Park!

One of Minneapolis’ most fun summer productions is about to hit the stage. The set: The trails of Wirth Park.  The players: kids from across North Minneapolis.  The plot: non-stop fun outside.  The title: LOPPET ADVENTURE CAMP!

This non-conventional sports camp introduces youth to the world of “silent sports” - the terminology that has come to define outdoor activities that are usually enjoyed in nature.  But the camp is anything but silent.  At Loppet Adventure Camp - kids are bombarded by a smorgasbord of activities including orienteering, ultimate frisbee, capture the flag, mountain biking, canoeing, roller skiing and new this year - swim lessons.  They work with equally enthusiastic counselors who move with them from one activity to another throughout the day.  “I wish they made Adventure Camp for adults” smiled one mother when picking up her youth.  Her son rolled his eyes.  “You’d be too scared mom.”

“You’d be hard pressed to find another spot in a city where you can mountain bike, canoe, orienteer, play ultimate frisbee, hike and roller ski all in the same day,” said Camp Director Allie Rykken who runs the camp in Theodore Wirth Park.  The Foundation began offering Adventure Camp three years ago as way to showcase the wide array of outdoor activities that take place in Wirth.  “Wirth is full of exciting trails and adventurous woods,” said Foundation Director John Munger.  “We wanted to facilitate that experience for kids: get them outside and active in the summer and give them new experiences that make the woods a fun and inviting place to be.”  

HeavenLee Anderson, attended camp for the first time last year.  Her first activity was roller skiing - an activity that simulates the motion of cross country skiing on wheels.  Despite beginning the day falling - she eventually fell... in love.  “It was hard and fun and very interesting,” she giggled. “But I’m excited for winter because I think skiing on real snow is going to be more fun.”

The Loppet Foundation - the organization that runs the camp - focuses on improving the year round trails experience in Minneapolis - especially among inner-city youth.  Through camps, middle school ski teams and facilitating elementary school cross country ski programs, the Foundation hopes to create passion and opportunities for year-round outdoor activities in the community.

“Caption - Leslie Vang has grown up with the Loppet Foundation.  She learned to ski in the Minne-Loppet program at Bryn Mawr, mountain biked for the first time at Adventure Camp, and is a current member of the Anwatin Ski Team.”

Nicole Randolph’s children attended Loppet Adventure Camp last year.  “Each day truly became an adventure for them, learning new things about themselves and developing new skills. My son Malcolm would wake up extra early telling me to “Get ready! It is time for camp.” I would smile and say, “it is only 6:30 a.m. son.”  

It’s not too early or too late - sign-up for Loppet Adventure Camp now!  Loppet Adventure Camp sessions run: June 10-14, June 17-21, July 15-19, July 29-August 2, August 12-16. You can register at www.loppetadventurecamps.com or call 612-604-5333.  Scholarships are available.