Summer Choice Fair
Families are invited to the Summer Choice Fair, your one-stop-shop to learn about exciting summer programs offered by organizations all across Saint Paul. With representatives from various programs all at one place, families can explore their options, choose programs they are interested in, and sign-up right on site, with many of the confirmed vendors offering free programs or scholarships.
In addition to providing information about summer activities, the Summer Choice Fair will also feature fun activities for children and families. This event is free to attend, and attendees can stop by Oxford Community Center anytime between 12 – 3 p.m. All are welcome.
Spanish and Karen translators will be on-site.
Where: Oxford Community Center, 270 Lexington Pkwy N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
When: Sunday, April 28, 2024, 12pm-3pm
Cost: Free
Getting to the event
Free Metro Transit bus passes are available to those attending the event.
Help us spread the word
Who's going to be there?
Take a look at the list for our confirmed vendors (this list is subject to change). Are you a vendor that wants to attend? Scroll down for our vendor application form.
| Organization | About |
|---|---|
| 30,000 feet | 6 week arts and literacy camp |
| Area Youth Ministry | Volleyball camp and Flag Football for 4 days |
| Badwolf Adventure Studios | D&D Summer Camps for kids ages 9 to 17. |
| Be SMART for kids | We are NOT a summer program, but a secure gun storage education program for gun violence prevention. We have partnered with SPPD, Parks and Rec, and SPPS among many other organizations in Saint Paul and across the state and nation. We would love the opportunity to table at the event and spread the word about how safely storing guns is the #1 thing we can all do to prevent childhood firearm injury and death, as well as gun suicides across all age groups. Please see our program info highlighted on the DPS Make MN Safe and Secure page:https://dps.mn.gov/safe-secure/Pages/kids-and-guns.aspx |
| Saint Paul Parks and Recreation | We offer a wide range of programs for all ages, both free and fee based. |
| Saint Paul Parks and Recreation: Recreation for Preschoolers | Recreation for Preschoolers encourages children to play, socialize, and grow from daily lesson plans that prioritize educational experiences and recreation. The program's objective is to provide a quality environment for the total development of the child with special emphasis on the development of a positive self-image. Emphasis is placed on encouraging early literacy, enhancing social skills, building self-esteem, and improving motor skills. program and environment is designed to encourage children to freely choose activities and interact with other children. Our daily activities includes free time, academic discovery areas, creative areas, circle time, art projects and large motor movement in the gym or outdoors. Children participating in this program will have fun, be encouraged to play with others, feel good about themselves, learn problem solving skills, and be valued and respected by other children & teachers. |
| Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties | We offer wraparound support services for families including Head Start early childhood support, energy assistance, financial opportunities, SNAP assistance, and more. |
| ComMUSICation | Music programs for grades 3-12 |
| Dept of Indian Work | Indigenous culture lessons taught by indigenous leaders, games, field trips, speakers and games. Last day ends with a Pow Wow. |
| Discovery Club | Summer Day Camp offering a variety or activities and weekly field trips. Shifts are available for up to 8hrs. |
| East Side Arts Council | This summer we will be offering free art drop in classes at a variety of community centers around Saint Paul. With our Rec Check and Artmobile programs, youth can explore painting, sculpture and other visual arts, with professional working artists from the area! |
| East Side Neighborhood Development Company (ESNDC) | Dedicated to serving the east side, our mission is to foster a safe, diverse and thriving neighborhood by engaging the community to create healthy, affordable housing and support commercial development. |
| Esperanza United | Youth Leadership Training, Girls Camp, Boy's Camp, Soccer Camps. |
| Family Values For Life | Summer Reading Academy is a FREE 6 week reading day camp for incoming K-5th graders, where we work on student literacy skills to avoid the summer melt (often with an arts or STEM lens)! ChatterBox is our 9th-12th grade program, geared towards student leadership and academic and post-secondary readiness. It's a space for students to give voice to what they want to do, and to work on projects that interest them. |
| HAP Academy OIC | Summer school programming at Community School of Excellence supporting career exploration and training for High School students. |
| Irreducible Grace Foundation/ Black Youth Healing Art Center | Our summer program aims to provide a diverse and engaging experience for community members of all ages. The program includes a range of activities such as open mic nights in the outdoor garden, community yoga for all levels, Bomba drumming and dance circles, summer gardening lessons on herbs for healing, and healthy cookouts. Additionally, we offer art classes to promote self-care, sewing workshops, community clean-up events, and guest artist and healer workshops. Our program also features Afro-fusion dance classes and family-centered events, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy. Come join us for a fun-filled summer of learning, creativity, and community! |
| Keystone Community Services | 1) Community Kids Summer Day Camp - Helping youth (entering grades 1-9) build successful futures through a range of activities including reading, math, STEM, social skills, sports, field trips and more! June 20 - August 11, Monday - Friday, 12:00 - 6:00pm at West 7th Community Center, 265 Oneida St., St. Paul, MN 2) Keystone Teen Tech Center - A technology-rich makerspace for teens to build tech skills, pursue creative and career-related projects, and meet new people. Open year-round, Monday - Friday from 2-6pm for open hours. Additional workshops on specific tech topics also offered. Located at 1150 Selby Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104. |
| Lake Phalen Rowing | Lake Phalen Rowing is for students in grades 6-12 who want to learn a new sport, have fun, and spend time outdoors on the water. |
| Network for the Development of Children of African Descent | Sankofa (Reading Intervention Program) and Summer Camp with (drums, art, community circle, etc.) |
| Restoration for All Inc. | Project FUSON is a program in Ramsey County aimed at helping girls with African roots succeed in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Its goal is to break down the barriers these girls face and guide them toward being financially independent. |
| Rise Academy | We are a small learning community that prepares scholars to success in college, career, and life. www.riseacademymn.org |
| Saint Paul Public Library | Every summer SPPL offers a summer learning program, Summer Spark. Between June-August, families visit libraries for fun events including creative drop-in activities and performances. And families keep track of their summer learning through an activity log, tracking their reading and learning all summer long! |
| Saint Paul Public Schools | Flipside has 6 weeks of summer camp for youth entering grades 6-8. |
| Saint Paul Public Schools: Department of Alternative Education | SPPS offers a variety of free summer programs for students in grades PreK - 12. Summer learning incorporates hands-on, experiential activities to support academic enrichment for grades PreK - 8 and provide credit recovery options for students in high school. Visit spps.org/summer for more information. |
| Sol of the Cities | SOL of the Cities – the Nation’s First Serve-to-Play Youth Futsal League returns June 29th, 2024 for a 4th season of community service, cost-free youth futsal league, and fun! Sol Of The Cities is a youth development organization that uses a social-currency model to teach, mentor, empower, and change the narratives and outcomes for youth marginalized and economically disenfranchised. Our flagship program connects communities and bridges the financial barrier of pay-to-play athletics. |
| Saint Paul Public Schools: Community Education | Youth Enrichment Mini - Camps |
| Saint Paul Police Department | Junior Police Academies, Safe Summer Nights, Explorers |
| St.Catherine University | STEM Academy - Summer Camp For Middle Schools 2024 |
| St. Paul Urban Tennis | We have summer tennis lessons for kids ages 5-18 (daytime and evening), Junior Team Tennis for more advanced 12U, 14U, and 18U players, and tennis combination camps for kids ages 5-12 (ex. tennis/reading, tennis/art, tennis/science, etc.) |
| The Free Book Buggie | Free books for the event |
| The JK Movenment | Welcome to The JKM Works Summer Programming, where middle and high school interns-in-training dive into the dynamic worlds of entrepreneurship and trade with a healing-centered approach! This isn't your average internship – it's an immersive experience where young minds get hands-on exposure to the entrepreneurial and trade landscapes. Our program is designed to nurture creativity, foster leadership, and instill a sense of well-being in every participant. Through real-world projects and mentorship, interns will develop practical skills while embracing a healing-centered mindset. Join us for a summer of growth, discovery, and the building of a foundation that extends far beyond the realms of business. The JKM Works – where summer dreams turn into lifelong skills! Program dates: June 24th – Aug 16th; 430pm-; Middle & High school students Registration Opens- May 6, 2024 – June 6 ,2024 |
| The Sanneh Foundation | Summer Splash our summer camp for youth ages 5-12 years old at Conway Park and Summer Sport Camps (basketball, soccer, pickleball,etc) |
| Theater Mu | Mu Explorations is a theater summer camp for young artists entering grades 3-8! Choose the morning camp, afternoon camp, or both for a full-day option. Each day, we’ll be exploring aspects of theater with professional artists, celebrating Asian American history, and—of course—having plenty of fun along the way. |
| ThreeSixty Journalism | Immersive multimedia and journalism opportunities for high school youth. June: Radio Camp at MPR; July: 3-week Multimedia Storytelling Institute; August: College Essay Workshop and other special advanced opportunities |
| Walker|West Music Academy | Various music camps for grades K - 12, skill levels include beginner to advanced, camps have different prerequisites, tuition assistance available |
| Youth and Family Circle | Summer Camp, Field Trips, Weekly education and fun activities. |
| Youth Performance Company | Youth Performance Company offers theatre classes and workshops for students in grades K-12. From beginners to experienced- explore your potential and fuel your passion at YPC! www.youthperformanceco.org/classes/ |
Vendor Application
Interested in becoming a vendor? If your Saint Paul organization would like to table at this event, please fill out the application form by Thursday, April 25.
Please note, this event is for highlighting summer youth programs and registering participants. Merchandise sales are not allowed. If you are a craft vendor, please contact Edgcumbe Recreation Center at 651-695-3711 for information about upcoming craft fairs.