LakeStreet
Youth Labs
Welcome to LakeStreet Youth Labs!
Our student-centered programming is designed by a team of experienced educators, community partners, and GMCC staff. The core beliefs driving the program design process are: every young person has genius; all youth deserve access to high-quality educational methods and the latest technologies; and the well-being of the whole child (mental, physical, spiritual, intellectual) is critical to fostering youth development.
We focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) programming, tutoring and homework help, digital access, career exploration, and meeting the immediate needs of the youth and families in our neighborhood.
LakeStreet Youth Labs is officially I-SAC Accredited!
We’re proud to announce that our program has officially achieved I-SAC Accreditation through Ignite Afterschool! This milestone reflects months of hard work, collaboration, and a deep commitment to quality — including meeting 92 rigorous benchmarks focused on Continuous Program Improvement. From coaching sessions to guided data reflection, our team leaned into the process with purpose and heart.
A huge thank-you to our staff, families, and community for supporting this journey. Here’s to raising the bar for youth programs across Minnesota! Learn more about the accreditation in this blog post.
Spring 2026 Programming
STEAM Saturdays
Saturdays, 10 AM-12 PM, January 31 to March 14
1st-5th graders are invited to join us every Saturday from 10 AM-12 PM to participate in STEAM projects and activities with visitors such as createMPLS, Ney Nature Center, Northern Clay Center, and more! This is a FREE program and snack will be included!
UPCOMING:
Spring Break Camp
Late March-early April (exact dates TBD)
A NO-COST, multi-day Spring Break Camp for 1st-6th graders! Join us for STEAM activities, outdoor play, and a field trip! Lunch & snack will be provided all days. Registration opens in February!
Career & Leadership Development
A PAID opportunity for 9th-12th graders! From January 12 to April 30, our 10-student cohort will meet weekly to engage in job shadowing, mock interviews, resume building, and other workforce readiness activities. Students will receive a $500 completion award and a $500 education stipend upon completing 70% of sessions.
Registration for the 2025-2026 cohort is closed due to capacity.
Classes in partnership with Andersen United Middle School, Beacons Afterschool, & MPS Community Education:
Monday: 3D Printing II
On Mondays, students will learn how to create & print their own 3D designs, and leave with cool projects to take home!
Tuesday: Art & Jams II
On Tuesdays, students will learn about different genres of music around the globe while painting, drawing, sculpting, and even music-making!
Wednesday: Improv
On Wednesdays, students will flex their acting skills by taking part in improvisation games & exercises!
Questions? Contact us:
Meghann Gordon, Director of Youth Initatives: mgordon@gmcc.org or 612-588-4655
Mohamed Salad, Youth Program Manager: msalad@gmcc.org or 612-276-1579 (Fluent in Somali/Soomaali)
Rashad Nins, Youth Program Manager – Career Exploration: rnins@gmcc.org or 612-286-8406
Juan Davila, Bilingual Program Coordinator: jdavila@gmcc.org or 612-286-8408 (Fluent in Spanish/Español)
Previous Programming
2025 STEAM Summer
During the month of August, we held a third year of our NO-COST, full-day summer camp for students entering 1st-8th grade. Campers participated in STEAM activities with visiting instructors, outdoor play, games, reading, and weekly field trips.
Each week had a different theme; click below to read blog posts about each week:
Week 1: Community Creators
Week 2: Flora & Fauna
Week 3: Outdoor Adventures
Week 4: Extraordinary Engineering
Week 5: Fun in the Sun
Stay tuned for our STEAM Summer Yearbook with photos, art, & stories from camp!
2024 STEAM Summer
Our second year of LYL STEAM Summer Camp was in August 2024!
Each week had a different theme; click below to read blog posts about each week and read the 2024 STEAM Summer yearbook below!
Week 1: Fun with Friends
Week 2: Robots Rule!
Week 3: Wild Wilderness
Week 4: Art Adventures
Week 5: Summer Sun
2023 LYL Summer Camp
(formerly called Genius Labs)
To read more about the 2023 LakeStreet Youth Labs Summer Camp, click the link below or scroll to check out a digital version of our yearbook, which compiles photos, art, quotes, and stories from the summer:
Tech Teens
Tech Teens was a Saturday out-of-school experience that focused on the development of digital technology skills through hands-on, challenge-based activities that foster creativity, independence, critical thinking, and self-awareness. The goal of Tech Teens was to spark an interest in technology, expose students to the many areas of the tech field, and position them for careers in technology or those that require use of technology.
Tech Teens continues through the teen segment of STEAM Saturdays, focusing on topics such as coding and robotics.
