2026 LakeStreet Youth Labs STEAM Summer kicked off on Monday, August 3rd! A total of 45 campers showed up for Week 1, from grades 1-3 (Explorers) to grades 4-6 (Investigators). We hired two new Summer Guides, and had three staff return, including two of our Apprentice Guides. Here’s a snapshot of our first week of camp!
Week 1’s theme was Community Creators
For our first week’s theme of “Community Creators” we learned all about the three C’s (Care for Yourself, Care for Others, and Care for the Space). We got to know new and old friends through team-building games and collaborative art projects. During free time, we relaxed with meditation/yoga videos, made slime, and created lots of art including self portraits, name tags, & kaleidoscopes.
White board with examples of the three C’s
Curiosity Studio spent time with us every day this week, facilitating activities with both the Explorers and Investigators.
Explorers creating puzzles
Explorers started the week making their own puzzles with Curiosity Studio. They drew maps, soccer balls, flags, animals, their favorite characters, and self-portraits, then cut them up into puzzles and tried to solve each other’s.
Explorers’ puzzles before they cut them up
Explorers also made crafts out of recycled materials like toilet paper tubes and cardboard.
An Explorer posing with his cardboard creations
“We’re showing our creativity!” – Explorer during Curiosity Studio session
Explorers and Investigators both had art sessions with GMCC staff member Len.
They created their own trading cards inspired by their favorite Pokémon cards.
Investigators spent the week with Curiosity Studio creating their own games. They worked in groups to practice teamwork.
Investigators planning their games in groups
Investigators working on their projects
At the end of the week, Investigators presented their finished games to the group. Everybody got a chance to play each game!
Investigators showing the group their games
Investigator trying someone’s basketball game
On Friday, we took our first field trip to Mess Hall Arts in Hopkins!
Explorers making splatter paintings at Mess Hall Arts
Investigators channeling Jackson Pollock
Campers had a blast splatter painting with different brushes and getting messy.
Explorers posing with their finished paintings
“I’m admiring my art!” – Investigator after finishing his painting
Investigator with her finished painting
Explorers and Investigators took turns making slime with Mess Hall Arts’ slime expert.
Explorers making slime
“My favorite part was the slime!” – Investigator at the end of the field trip
Investigators mixing color into their slime
Due to the rain, Mess Hall Arts kindly accommodated our group for longer.
Campers working on the group murals
“Being mad is hard but being happy is not” – mural drawing by an Investigator
We worked on group murals about our summer and made spin paintings!
Campers making spin paintings
Finished spin paintings turned into cards
Thank you to our partners for this week!
Thank you to Youthprise for providing free breakfast & lunch every day of camp!
And thank you so much to our youth funders for supporting our program!
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