It’s ice skating season! And whether your kids plan to spend time at the rink or on the pond, you want to make sure they know how to skate well in order to stay safe and have fun!
Here are some places in our community where they can sign up to take ice skating lessons.
Learn to Skate courses (ISD 728 Community Ed)
Rogers Activity Center — Ages 3.5+
Sessions beginning January 20 or March 3
More info: isd728.org/skate
Register: enrole.com/isd728/jsp/index.jsp?categoryId=10043
Buffalo Figure Skating Club
Buffalo Civic Center — Ages 3+
Winter session begins January 9 (Registration deadline: December 29)
More info: buffalofigureskating.com
Tiny treasures are popping up all over St. Michael–Albertville, but you have to look down—they could be hiding right under your feet!
It’s being called STMA Rocks, and they are just that—rocks, hand-painted by kids and parents and hidden all around the STMA area. My kids found their first rocks earlier this week hidden on the grounds of the St. Michael library.
If you have a young dance-lover in your house, this summer may be a great time to check out the local dance studios and find out which one is right for your family.
A number of studios in the area are offering free sample classes, open houses, and other special events that let you and your little one step inside and give dance a try before deciding whether to commit to a full season.
Some of the classes and events begin as early as next week, so take a look at the offerings below and make sure your little dancer doesn’t miss his or her chance!
If you recommend one of these companies, please let us know in the comments!
Bravo Dance Company – Albertville (www.bravo.dance)
- Open Houses beginning May 23
- Princess Class $15 (ages 2–5) – 45 min class featuring ballet fundamentals and fun, wear your favorite princess dress
- Trolls Camp $35 (ages 4–10) – fun dance class with games, craft, and a Trolls-themed lunch
- 6-Week Recreational Classes $50 (ages 3–12) – ballet, tap, and jazz
- Toddler Thursdays $40 (age 2) – 4 weeks of creative movement and dance basics
KMC Dance – Albertville (kmcdancealbertville.com)
- Free sample classes – class consists of ballet and tap, attendees will receive a gift
- Ballerina Boutique $35 (ages 3–8) – 2 hours, attendees will pick out a tutu and get their hair done then enjoy a ballet class, craft, story, snack, and goody bag
- 4-Week Sessions $35-$40 (ages 3–9) – age-appropriate combinations of ballet, tap, and jazz offered
The weather may still be doing that crazy snow-in-spring thing outside today, but it’s already time to be thinking about warm weather and swimming. Registration for summer swim lessons is taking place at programs around our area, and the time slots are known to fill up quickly!
There are a variety of options for lessons in and around St. Michael–Albertville, and each one offers something a little different from the next. Here is a list of the most popular programs in our area, loosely sorted by distance, popularity, and price.
If you have experience with any of these programs,
please share about it in the comments below!
STMA Community Education*
Lessons are available for kids starting at 18 months with a parent, or 4 years without, and they are offered at various times throughout the summer. All lessons take place at Middle School East.
See the listings under “Aquatics” in the community education brochure: http://stmamom.com/the-summer-activities-brochure-is-here | Register online at stma.ce.eleyo.com.
(Afternoon open swim hours are also listed in the brochure)
Monticello Community Education
Kids can start lessons at 16 months in this program (age 4 without a parent), and there are five different blocks of the summer to choose from, versus STMA’s four. Lessons take place at Monticello Middle School.
More info and register: monticello.ce.eleyo.com/courses/category/65/aquatics
Ahhhhh, springtime! Spring is hands-down my favorite time of the year. Maybe it’s because winter in Minnesota is just so long, but everything about the coming of spring excites me!
And for our family, a sure sign of spring is when the Little Library boxes begin to appear around town.
The goal of the Little Free Libraries is to inspire a love of reading and build community through the free exchange of books. It’s very simple… take a book, leave a book! Or, borrow a book for awhile, and bring it back when you’re done.
Many of the boxes in our area were put in by the STMA Rotary and STMA School District, but a few were put up by individuals, Girl Scout troops, and even neighborhoods.
You’ll find lots to enjoy inside these literary treasure chests, including books for kids of all ages.
Here’s a list of some of the little library locations around town. (Click a location to view map)
- Highwoods Park (St. Michael)
- Gutzwiller Park (St. Michael)
- Walnut Park (St. Michael)
- 57th Street, across from the Albertville Fire Department
- Large Ave NE, by Travel Leaders (Albertville)
- Laketowne Drive neighborhood (Albertville)
- Berningwood neighborhood (St. Michael)
- 13655 50th St NE, near Big Woods (St. Michael)
- Quale Ave NE (St. Michael)
Which Little Free Library location do you love to visit? Share your favorite in the comments below.