Five Community Ed Courses You Shouldn't Miss

From pickle canning to rock climbing, the TriDistrict Community Education program is offering dozens of different summer classes and programs this year. Here's a sampling of their offerings, taken directly from the Community Ed summer course catalog. For more class listings, click here. To register, call 651-306-3633 or visit this website.

• Glee Show Choir Camp
  Ages: Grades 3-7
  Cost: $56 for five sessions
  Description: Based on songs performed by the popular TV show, Glee. We will use warm-ups, singing and acting techniques, and fun choreography, there will be small group solos and solos. It will culminate with a short performance on the last day of camp! July 11-15.

• ImpactLives Transformational Service Camp
  Ages: Grades 5-8
  Cost: $58 for three sessions
  Description: This unique training experience will create the conditions for participants to identify and develop their unique strengths and skills. Students will leave knowing “this is what I am good at,” “this is what I care about” and “this is what I am going to do in my community.”  This camp offers a community-building experience that will make a difference in both the lives of the people and students they will be serving as well as in the lives of the student campers. The Camp will be held at ImpactLives, 6981 Oxford Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55426. Drop off and pick up will be at the Inver Grove Heights Middle School. June 27-30.

• Kumdo — Way of the Sword
  Ages: Grades 3-8
  Cost: $60 for eight sessions
  Description: Are you ready to get serious? Kumdo is very effective in teaching focus and building upper body strength. All classes are held at Gotham Martial Arts. A wooden sword (not included in the class fee) is required and can be purchased from the instructor for $15. To order the sword in advance, call 651-455-0011. June 28 to Aug. 16.

• Introduction to Calligraphy
  Ages: Adults
  Cost: $65 for five sessions, plus a $35 materials fee
  Description: Use a pen and ink, watercolors and calligraphy pens or brushes to make the beautiful lettering and drawings of calligraphy. During the first half of class, begin to learn calligraphy lettering. During the second half of class, begin to learn to illustrate decorative borders around or under calligraphy. Aug. 2-30.

• Mediterranean Favorites: Kibbeh, Grape Leaves and Baklava
  Ages: Adults
  Cost: $29 plus a $12 materials fee
  Description: Create your own Mediterranean feast! Start with kibbeh, the national dish of many Middle Eastern countries that is a mixture of ground meat, wheat and spices. Then stuff grape leaves with a rice and spice mixture of your choosing. Round out the meal with baklava, the wonderfully sweet concoction of phyllo dough, nuts and honey. June 21.