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• Jul 2, 2007 12:11 am US/Central
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  Finding Minnesota: Curiosity Camps

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Finding Minnesota: Curiosity Camps

Minneapolis (WCCO) ― Remember when you were a kid and summertime meant summer camps in the great outdoors, making new friends, and learning about where you live through activities and hands-on lessons?

The University of Minnesota now has a way for adults to continue reveling in that summertime tradition.

Curiosity Camps run from June through August, and allows those who enroll the opportunity to take a one-day course in topics ranging as widely as beekeeping and bird watching.

"Most people can find at least a day that they can take off and really enjoy the company of other life-long learners and curious adults," said Susan Thurston Hamerski, associate program director of Curiosity Camps.

No need to back a week's worth of clothing. Curiosity Camps offer a quick break for those who too often let life get in the way of learning, allowing them to immerse themselves in a topic they've always secretly wanted to know more about.

There are 21 different camps. Each runs for one day only, each one covers a different subject, and each offer the opportunity to learn from the experts. For instance, the bird watching camp is overseen by Bruce Fall, a member of the U's biology program.

According to Thurston Hamerski, the camps are "a way to bring some of the best, brightest and dynamic of U of M faculty and experts together with people who are mature experienced adults."

Carolyn Serrano is usually teaching elementary students. She will get continuing education credit for coming to Curiosity Camps, but got much more than that out of the experience.

"The abundance of different birds ... I had no idea," she said. "To be with an expert in the field on a perfect gorgeous day, it was just a great way to spend the day."

If you don't need the continuing education credits, there still remains a bonus incentive. If you complete three Curiosity Camps, you will earn a merit badge.

So if you've ever thought of going back to school, you may want to check out the course list for Curiosity Camps. It's like showing up in class on field trip day.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)