Ahoy Minnetonka. I'm Jackie Getty, executive director of communications and your host of AOY Minnotonka season 3. Thank you for joining us. School is out soon and summer's on the horizon. Our school district offers hundreds of opportunities for students, families, and residents to get involved and enjoy
the summer months with a wide variety of classes, events, and programs through Minnetonka Community Education. Joining us today, our executive director of community education, Kim Carlson, and program manager for community education, Anna Oheim. Thank you both for being
here. Thanks so much. So, please tell us a little bit about yourselves, your roles, your connections to the district. Kim, why don't we start with you? >> Sure. Yes. My name is Kim Carlson, executive director for community education as you said and I have been here two years now coming up in August. So
>> that went fast. >> It did. I know enough to be dangerous right now and and Anna will have to correct me if I start throwing out uh facts that are off. But we um I am a part of Rotary now um in Excelsier. So that's been a great uh fun thing to get
uh into the community going to the concerts and helping there. And um also I moved here now so I'm a resident. >> Oh, fantastic. >> So yes, >> for all of the things that community education covers, I imagine it's different for every single district. I know there's a lot here in Minnotonka.
>> We do offer a lot. Everything from early childhood, we have youth wreck and enrichment. We have adults with disabilities. We have adult basic education if people are coming back to get their GED. Um all kinds of just we
say it's um from cradle to adults. So um >> so everything from >> everything >> events to >> yeah we run some big events here in Minnetonka which I think we'll get into a little bit later too. So that's been really exciting to be a part of and we have such a great leadership team here
with Jenny Baderka as the community ad director and then Molly Bonaman with early childhood. >> So Anna tell us about you. >> Well uh I was a Minnotonka alum. Well am a Minnotonka alum. I went to Groveland. >> Go skippers. >> Go skippers. Always a skipper. Skipper
for life. Um, I went to Groveland and MME. I walked to school at MME and then did uh all my classes here at the high school, graduated from here and now I'm back. Um, I've been in my role for five going on six years now with community ed
and I'm the youth enrichment program manager. >> So, what does that mean? >> Anything that's not in a gym or on a field is what I like to say. So, anything STEM related, art, culinary. I'm not the music person, but we do theater. So, that's some of what I do and anything under the sun truly,
whatever anyone wants to do. >> So, is it all students, like all student programming, or is it adult programming you cover, too? >> I don't oversee adult, just in uh just youth. And I oversee anyone between the ages of three and a half up to 18. So, I do driver's ed as well.
>> Oh, wow. You got your hands full. >> I do. So, as I said, community ed has such robust programming and opportunities and many are available in the summer months. So, let's start by talking about classes. Who wants to talk about what kinds of classes that both adults and students can take in the summer? >> Start out with some of our adult
classes. So, we have just an array and there's so many that we couldn't touch them all, but I wanted to talk about some of the more popular ones. Ma Jang has been popular as you've probably heard and so we have a great beginners class that meets and the instructor is incredible. she I think is a good draw for our um adults that come in. And then
we have tennis and pickle ball. I know pickle ball has become wildly popular as well. So those are some great summer activities. We have a women's hiking group that meets and they are going to be hiking trails out in the southwest metro. So that's been a fun group that's
uh connected and just nice way to build friendships and and to get out in the community. And then we have some kind of careerbased classes as well like um marketing, how to use chat GPT, maybe um looking to get published. And so those
kind of classes as well. And we also have classes for pets. So for pet lovers out there, we have dog obedience classes. And is there a cat obedience class? >> You can check into it. >> We can make anything happen in community. >> Are there classes for senior citizens?
Yeah, not specifically, but we do aim to uh inspire and have classes that would attract uh seniors as well. Um but it's open for all adults and all levels. One of the programs that I think I mentioned was our adults with disabilities program and that's called Soore and we have an
amazing um uh program manager that puts that together and we have classes that really just >> bring people together again. So, we have bowling, we'll we have an improv night, we have Songbird choir program, and they are actually going to be at the St. Paul Saints game in June to sing the national
anthem. So, we're excited about that. >> Mark your calendar. >> Yeah. And they do trips. We have a canoe trip and we also have a trip to the Minnesota Transportation Museum. So, we just do some fantastic things for um adults with disabilities in our communities. And we also work with Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Weisetta
schools. It's a consortium. So, great program for our community. So, what are the like does it run a certain number of weeks? Are there two summer sessions for adult classes or is it all summer long? >> All summer long. Just rolling classes whenever people can take them. They sign up for them and um we have a catalog
that goes out to our families. And of course, all of this is on our website, too. So, we're going to go through some of this so fast that you'll just want to go back to our website and check them out. We have >> Are there still openings for this summer? >> All kinds of openings. >> Exciting. Have you tried ma jang yet? >> I have not. >> Oh, I'm excited to learn it. I've heard
so much about it. >> It looks bizarre to me. The I It doesn't make sense, but it's really popular. >> But I'm way behind. I haven't learned pickle ball either. I tried it at my parents' place when I went to their retirement place about a year and a half ago, and yeah, I I was like, I'm not
sure I'm learning this, but >> it's confusing, but it's fun. >> Fascinating. I'm like, I want to learn this. So, so Anna, tell us about youth programming. What are we offering this summer that's exciting? >> So much. Um, the first thing that jumps off the page to me is our storybook theater program. Uh, we have two weeks,
Peter Pan and Little Mermaid, and students put together a full show in four days and do two full performances on a Friday and a Saturday. So there you memorize your lines, there's songs, there's dance, it's a full show. Um, so
those are the weeks of July 13th and August 3rd. So look check your calendars for that because it's an amazing um, program. We also have Boundary Waters, so if you're looking to go up north and it's mostly teens, um, middle school up
to high school, um, and you can get out and off your phone and experience the Boundary Waters. I've never gotten to go, so I wish I would be able to go on that trip. >> Do families go along or is it a group of teens with volunteers? >> It's teens and then we have um, teachers
who would go and instructors that lead that. So, super amazing. And I mean, we've got endless things. We have swimming lessons, music lessons, swim lessons you can do weekly or a week long all summer. Um, we have high school partnerships. We partner with flag
football and do that. And we have pole vaultting clinic and skipperetses and cheer and all the things. So, it's endless. Check out our catalog because there's honestly too many things to mention. >> What are the most popular classes over the years? You mentioned maong. You know, there are other ones. I'm sure
that just it's boy, we can't we can't offer enough of this one thing. >> For summer, culinary classes. >> Oh, >> super fun. We get to be in the fax labs both at the high school and in the middle schools. So, those are super fun. >> And we're excited because I think we're going to do some adult cooking classes
this year uh at the Vantage uh site in our kitchen. Beautiful. Really looking forward to to that. We had a a community member asked if we if she could teach some classes with us. So that's how oftentimes we get our instructors as well. >> I was going to ask that. How do classes come about? Like have some you've just
traditionally run and if they're popular, you keep going. How do you look at what's trending? You talk to other >> community ed programs or you just keep your eyes out? >> Yeah, we do all of all of the above really. If you can dream it, we can do it. And we do get together and talk
about new program ideas as a as a program manager team. Mhm. >> I would say a lot of my >> ideas for classes come from parents being like, "Well, I think this would be really cool." And I'm like, "Okay, I can look into it and see what we have." I have a set of parents that teach a
Rubik's cube for beginners class, and they do they've done that for the past few years now, and it has just done amazing. So, they wanted to teach it and bring it to the community. How much lead time do you need if you hear about something you might want to do and then to explore it, offer it, put it in a
catalog and and get people to it? >> Yeah, that's the tricky part, isn't it? Because we plan way in advance of these things. So, um like summer or fall is already >> planned >> planned and out. So, we're we're getting that all squared away. But I would say
some classes could have a turnaround time of less than a month if you know you've got interested people and you meet your minimum enrollment numbers. You certainly could run it with less time. Um but I think our biggest hurdle is making sure we get the minimum number
that we need to run it and have have everyone have fun in the class. >> What are the benefits of participating in a community ed class? Like what are things that your participants will say? I loved this because ABC. >> Oh, well, I think about early childhood
in particular. When you first start out as a parent, you're just unsure and you meet other parents and they become oftentimes your lifelong friends throughout uh as you're watching your kids grow. So, that's been a great connection there with the early childhood programs. And then, as I mentioned with adults with disabilities,
it's just getting out, making those connections, and building friendships. Mhm. >> I mean, for me, community ed is all about that social emotional learning for kids and being put in situations where you might not get along with that one kid as well as you would have hoped. And you know what? That's life. And we have
to learn how to maneuver through those situations and you're not going to know how to do it if you don't practice it. So, I find that our classes allow for a safe place to learn how to get through those situations sometimes. And oftentimes we can offer niche programs and things that maybe the district or
the high school is unable to and they'll come to us and say, "Do you think we can do this too?" So really helping people find their place. >> Um they talk about third spaces. I don't know if you've heard of that concept, but just a place where they can feel at home and be a part of something. So
>> love that. You mentioned um ECF. Uh talk a little bit about our ECF and our preschool programming and what makes that exceptional and unique. Yeah, I think um first and foremost it's our staff. You know, our staff are amazing. We have amazing teachers that really
care and um also, you know, for our preschool programs in particular, we are Minnetonka and we are part of the big school district and it's just a seamless transition for kids into kindergarten as well. Um >> do a lot of families do that? They start
in preschool or they start in ECF. We've been having some fun kind of following them through the through the years and uh seeing how they're doing and touching base. But we and the fun thing is in Minnetonka we have a a Spanish immersion preschool. We have a steam science,
>> technology, engineering, arts, and math. And then we also have a nature-based preschool. So we have lots of options for families for preschool in Minnetonka. >> So it's nature all year long. Like they're outside for part of the year even when it's cold. >> Even when it's cold. Yep. We do take them in for a little break, but gosh,
it's an amazing thing. If you're ever up um on Vine Hill Road and see our community education building, you'll see it off to the side. And the kids are playing year round in their snow. >> Yep. >> They wear these little like rain jumpsuits and they get zipped up and it's full and they got little mud boots
and they go play in the outside all year round. >> I bet that for some kids that is absolutely what they need, >> right up their alley. And that's the main thing I think of having that choice as a parent to see where your kids where they are best fit for them. And so we have lots of options for that. >> So what are the age levels for
preschool? How does that work? When can they start in preschool? And how long does a day length change by year? >> It sure does. And parents can choose that as well. So three and four year olds, three, fours, and fives. And we have three-year-olds that meet two days, three days. Same with fours. You can
pick two, three, four days, whatever you need for your schedule. So, or what your child needs, of course. Right. >> What is a I mean, maybe there's not one typical day in a preschool classroom, but what are some of the things that they're doing in preschool? >> Oh, yes. It's really fun to come in and
check it out. But, um, usually there's a morning time, they get outside, there's a circle time, they have projects, they do table time. Um, just a busy busy atmosphere. Uh this year they um presented to the leadership team, preschoolers did down at Junior
Explorers to get hermit crabs. They wanted permission to have a hermit crabs in their classroom. So it was really fun. It worked. They're here. >> They're here. >> So um so talk a little bit about um Explorers for the school year. Are there
still openings? Is it application time? Where are things at with that? >> Yes, applications have closed and we're full and we have some weight lists. Um, summer, um, is, like I said, has some openings still, but fall is full for the school year. And, um, we do also look
need some staff. So, if anyone's out there that's interested in working with children, has a love and passion for working with students. We are looking to hire in the fall for our explorers program, but we serve about 1,200 students. >> Oh my goodness. >> In the school year. >> So, what is the shift like for students
or for people that want to work in explorers? Is it early morning and afternoon? Could they do one or the other? >> They can do one or the other or all of it. There's split shifts in there. So really, um, and there's six different sites during the school year, so if there's one particular site, um, oftentimes people travel around to
whatever we need, but we try to assign them to a site and so that kids have consistency. But yeah, you can work mornings or afternoons and um, at a particular site that might work best for you, too. >> What are the requirements to work in explorers? Like what what kind of background do you have to have or should
you have? Well, uh, education is always wonderful if they have something in to do with an early childhood or uh, education background, but certainly just a love and an interest of working with children. There's no, uh, degree required. It's just an interest and a love and patience and working with kids.
So, >> So, do they go through a training or do they how does it >> We do have um trainings that they have to attend and we get them um onboarded and through all the trainings that they need. We have uh quite a process of getting people onboarded so they can be
successful in their role. But um we apply through the website. So our jobs will be listed on the website. If they're interested to apply, we'll have them there and they can just pop on and if they have any questions, just give us a call. >> Do you get people of all ages like high school students, senior citizens?
>> We do. We have a great group of uh high schoolers that come in and help us. A lot of summertime we have the college kids coming back and wanting to work with kids again, which is always fun. And then yeah, maybe retired teachers have come back. Uh we've had all kinds of We have students that were explorer
students that are that are teaching for us now, too. So that's kind of fun. >> That's so neat. >> Yeah. >> Are you one of them? >> I am not. >> Were you an explorer kid? >> I was not an explorers kid. I always thought explorers kids were the coolest. I was like, I want to stay after school. That looks way more fun. >> They're doing something fun and I have
to get on the bus. >> You have to get on the bus. >> Move. >> So let's talk about events. I know that one of the things about summertime is that it becomes big event season. So, what are some of the biggest upcoming events? >> Well, our first one for the summer is our Tonka Chase and that's at Deep Haven
Elementary on June 25th. >> I haven't heard of that one. What is it? >> It's a parent child amazing race style event. Uh so you it's parent and child um where you go through a variety of different tasks um on site at Deep
Haven. some inside, some outside, and they're all themed to the events theme, which I don't have right now. Um, >> in development >> in development, and you're timed, and you try to finish as fast as you possibly can. And some of them in previous years we've done, uh, you make
a volcano in a like in a fun way or you have to find certain things on the playground in a certain amount of time. >> Elementary kids. >> Yeah, it's typically elementary kids. Um, yeah. So, it's super fun and we always end the event with a sweet treat. So, I will say that. So, if you're
looking for something fun to do, >> sweet treat. What might that be? >> Something good, it sounds like. So, how do they sign up for that kid? Is it open to everybody? >> Yes. Yep. Open to everybody. You do not even need to be in district to be able to sign up for any of our classes, actually.
>> Um, but yeah, it's parent child. Sign up. You can also sign up on I think you can sign up on the day. Don't quote me on that one though. >> So, what are some of the other big events? >> Yeah. So, another one we have is the Minawasha mud run and that's July 11th and that is super fun, too. It's a mud
run. So, it's dirty mud. Yep. We run through mud. We have We partner with the fire department and they come and hose. They create the mud. The kids have a blast. It's really fun to see and uh so that's we've been doing that. >> Is it just kids or are the parents in the mud? >> Kids and parents. It's Yeah, we get a
good crew, a good group. It's really fun. >> Are you guys getting in the mud? >> I will be there. And I'm not saying if I'll be clean or dirty by the end. Usually we're all a little muddy, but it was really fun to watch. And like I said, the the fire hosing down the kids and the and the fun.
>> That's just at the Minowasha Regional Park, right? >> Yes. Yeah. So, super close, easy to get to, super fun. >> You guys have such such great partnerships. There are so many times where it's an outside group that is coming in, like you mentioned, the fire department, and just creating this amazing experience. We've got great
community support through the Minnitonka Police Department, Fire Department, other other um organizations too and partnerships. We do it. It's just a a welcoming community that wants to be a part of it and offer something for the community. Um >> and I know one of the biggest events
coming up has lots and lots of partners. So tell us about Tour to Tanka. >> I also wanted to Yeah. Tour to Tonka. We need volunteers too. So I'll put that right out there. August 1st, it's a amazing day. We have so much fun. There's going to be four routes this
year. We have added cheer zones, so and then a kid-friendly zone at the start and finish. So, we're excited about having that. And um we need people to help us uh steer people going in the right direction. Help a big pointer
finger. >> You get a pointer, you get a foam finger. >> Um >> it's just super fun. >> There's a good onboarding for that. I've been a part of that. I just sit at the registration table, which I I can handle that the rest of it. I think I'd be a little nervous about directing a whole group of bikes, but people love it and
they do it year after year. >> They do. And we have so much fun going out into the communities and just seeing people. But we Yeah, you can stand on a corner. You can help with registration as you said, um packet pickup where you're just delivering. Um >> if you don't want to ride in it, you can
volunteer. And there's lots of riders already signed up or not yet? Oh, I think we're over uh well, by Yeah, I'm sure we're going to hit a thousand in no time. And we anticipate a couple thousands um by the end. By the end, y Oh my gosh. >> Yeah, we're excited. And the community really steps up for us, too. And um
people come out of their houses and cheer people along their routes. >> So, there's a lot of prep for it, right? Like you go out, you talk to city councils, you they have volunteers, you This is a big process. >> It's a big process. I think it starts uh the day after August 2nd every year. We
as soon as it's over, we're in planning mode again. So, but yes, we go out to all the communities and talk at their city council meetings letting them know we're coming and thanking them for being a part of it. And yeah, permits and uh safety is our number one concern. So, that's why we need our volunteers too.
And um police department's been great uh support for that as well. So we have a beautiful um flag flying in front of our thing and we get national anthem and we have uh entertainment at each rest stop and food and it's just a really well-run
program. But we do need those volunteers. So go on our website, check it out. Um and you can find um touranka and sign up there >> and there are a lot of volunteer opportunities throughout the year through community. >> Absolutely. >> Yes. Constant need of volunteers
honestly. So, is it mostly in events where you use volunteers or is it also programs or >> I would say it's mostly events. Um, but I run a really cool program called Holiday Family Giving and that's >> I love that program volunteer based. >> Oh, give just a little 30 second
synopsis of what is that for people that don't know. >> Yeah, it's a gift giving program. So, families in need in the district sign up um through a an anonymous process through me um and then I pair them with a donor family. So that is volunteering
your time and your money to donate gifts to those families and you go out and buy gifts of from the wish list that the family in need. >> So we'll be talking more about that. Maybe that probably comes up in like what October, November. >> Yeah, I start putting things together in October, November. So it's a quick turnaround process.
>> One of the things I wanted to mention about summer classes and programs and um we heard from our parents that there's just so much they they it's hard to figure out how to plan what to do. Louise, we are our marketing specialist, put this together. It's fantastic. It's
on our website as well, but it goes week by week. >> So, so for those who aren't seeing it, what is this? >> It goes It's a It's a planning guide that, like I said, is online. It also came into your mailboxes if you're a resident. And it just is a weekby- week guide of what you can sign up for. Neat.
>> And the cool thing, Anna, you could share too about our lunch bunch that's at uh our summer sites. >> Yeah. So, uh, lunch bunch is a way to make your child's day full day, um, without explorers. So, if you want, um,
to take a fun engineering class or a soccer class and then have a class in the afternoon that's art or something else, you can add lunch bunch in the middle. So, most classes run until noon and then the next set of classes start at 1:00. What are you going to do with
that 1 hour time period? In the past, we haven't had anything. Now, we have lunch bunch. Sure. You have lunch with the other families or other kids. >> Yeah. Other kids. Yeah. So, we have a staff person that goes around and picks up all the kids that are signed up for lunch bunch for that day and then they all have lunch together. They go
outside. Maybe it's a little bit of free play, get to draw, whatever, and then they get dropped off at their next class. >> Super fun. >> Yeah. And the planning guide has just been a great way for families to look through there and, you know, maybe they have grandparents coming in and they want them to do something. Here, here we have it all laid out for them. So, we're
excited to have that out for families. >> So, we are just about out of time. First, was there anything I didn't ask about that you want to share? >> Did we hit most of the summer stuff? >> I think we hit most of it. >> Like I said, there's so much to share and you know, >> too much, honestly. Yeah,
>> we could go on and on. >> You know, one um thing that I was thinking about is try something new. I mean, we have so much fun activities. like you said, you haven't tried pickle ball yet, you know, >> and uh maybe I need to sign up for my own majong class, but yeah, there's a
lot going on. So, yeah, I think we covered it there. I just invite people to explore our website, look, get those public, go to the publication area, and you'll see all of the different publications that we mail out for summer activities. >> Super fun. Well, I think that would be your word of advice for people. What
would be your word of advice for people about summer programming? >> I would have to say sign up even if there's a wait list. It's important for us to know if something is super interesting to you because we can always add another section of it. Um I do that a lot
actually is oh a class has 20 people on a wait list. I should probably add another section of that. So I can and do that all the time. So it's good to know what people are interested in and the only way for me to know that is if you sign up on. >> Fantastic. Well, thank you both so much
for being here. It was great discussion and lots to learn about community ed. Lots going on in the summer. >> And thanks to those who have been listening and watching. We'll see you next time here on Ahoy Minnotonka for our final episode of the school year.