The Spring Splash, held on Saturday, May 19th in downtown Wayzata, was put on by the Lake Effect Conservancy, in partnership with the city of Wayzata, to highlight the Lake Minnetonka Science Collaborative’s pilot summer programming. This programming has been developed into three weeks of Lake Exploration Camps. As part of the curriculum, these camps will utilize the lakefront at the home of the future Eco Park, which is part of the overall Lake Effective Project.
The curriculum for these Lake Exploration Camps was developed with input from many learning and lake focused partners. They include:
YMCA
Wayzata Community Sailing Center
Science Museum of Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources
Lake Minnesota Association
Interfaith Outreach
Wayzata Public Schools
Three Rivers Park District
Lake Minnetonka Conservation District
Wayzata Parks & Trails
All these partners had booths at the Spring Splash, where people could come and learn about the lake’s aquatic life, get a free sailboat ride, play in the Gaga pit or do fish art, just to name a few of the activities. There was also ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s and free hot dogs from McCormick’s Beachside. Even on a cooler Saturday afternoon, there were over 400 people that came down to experience the Spring Splash!
To learn more about the Lake Exploration Camps or to register, go to the YMCA’s website at ymcamn.org. Click on water exploration camps for grades 4-6 (camps held the week of June 18 and August 6) or click on teen and leadership camps for grades 7-9 (camp held the week of July 16).
