<p class="ql-block">Thank you for your patience—our 2025 Summer Camp recap has finally arrived! 😂</p><p class="ql-block">With so many memorable moments, photos, and videos, it took some careful selection and editing to bring everything together into this highlight-filled recap.</p><p class="ql-block">Without further ado, let’s dive in!</p> <p class="ql-block">2025 marked a landmark decade for MinnSea Little Masters. To celebrate this milestone, we curated eight weeks of immersive "Guochao" programming—a vibrant fusion of heritage and modern creativity. Through exquisite Hanfu and traditional styling, our students didn’t just learn about Chinese culture; they lived it, embodying the elegance of a timeless tradition.</p> <p class="ql-block">We also produced our own classical-style music video, Sheng Sheng Man, as part of the camp experience.</p> <p class="ql-block">Our teaching structure features a rare level of academic differentiation among summer programs. To ensure a focused learning environment, we combine only two grade levels per class: Junior (G1-2), Intermediate (G3-4), Advanced (G5-6), and Senior (G7-8). This allows us to deliver a subject-specific curriculum that is precisely tailored to the developmental needs of each age group.</p> <p class="ql-block">Our flagship Chinese curriculum anchors the MinnSea experience. Our dedicated educators meticulously plan each session, integrating weekly themes into a sophisticated learning journey that emphasizes both linguistic mastery and deep cultural engagement.</p> <p class="ql-block">Our mathematics curriculum is built on precision and engagement. While younger students master core operations and logical reasoning, our intermediate learners explore solid geometry through hands-on construction. For our advanced and senior classes, specialized building tools transform complex spatial geometry into an intuitive, high-energy experience, often sparking spirited and friendly competition among peers.</p> <p class="ql-block">Our signature abacus program offers a unique synthesis of ancient wisdom and modern cognitive development. By mastering this traditional Eastern tool, campers refine their hand-eye coordination and mental agility. The integration of mental abacus training further enhances the curriculum, challenging students to achieve new levels of focus and computational depth.</p> <p class="ql-block">The following images offer a glimpse into the boundless creativity of our classrooms, beginning with the wonders of our Science program.</p> <p class="ql-block">Our LEGO science course, which we had introduced the year before, already covered all grade levels. Younger students began with playful building projects designed to spark curiosity and scientific thinking. Even the youngest participants used official educational LEGO sets, with one complete set for each student.</p> <p class="ql-block">We are honored to host many outstanding students each year, supported by a team of high-achieving volunteers and young instructors. For these talented individuals, we offer advanced, custom-tailored courses and invite professors and industry specialists to share their expertise through guest lectures and hands-on workshops.</p> <p class="ql-block">A high-quality summer camp built with heart is not only loved by children but also strongly supported by their parents. Every year, parents proactively reach out to me, sharing how much their children enjoy our camp. These parents, who are also professors and industry specialists, are happy to volunteer their time to benefit our Little Masters. I am truly grateful for every sincere connection. It strengthens our original mission and inspires us to work our hardest to honor such touching trust and support!</p> <p class="ql-block">As part of our Guochao-themed summer camp, students also took traditional music classes featuring both the hulusi and the Chinese bamboo flute. These classes gave them the opportunity to experience the beauty and charm of traditional Chinese instruments.</p> <p class="ql-block">One of our creative cultural classes was Poetry in Painting, which combined visual art with classical Chinese poetry.</p> <p class="ql-block">Another course, Battle for the Realm, explored ancient Chinese military formations and strategies.</p> <p class="ql-block">Our Sing and Learn Chinese class became one of my personal favorite creative Chinese support courses in the past two years. It not only helped students overcome the challenge of speaking Chinese aloud, but also allowed us to create music videos that became treasured memories students could revisit again and again.</p> <p class="ql-block">Chess</p> <p class="ql-block">Psychology </p> <p class="ql-block">Baking</p> <p class="ql-block">Yoga </p> <p class="ql-block">Chinese Culture in National Treasures.</p><p class="ql-block">Everyone received a Mahjong building set; once finished, they had a complete set of mini Mahjong.</p> <p class="ql-block">DIY Ocarina</p> <p class="ql-block">The Raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) products this week were extremely exquisite, but they required great patience and precision. Everyone showed maximum focus and successfully produced beautiful Raden brooches.</p> <p class="ql-block">DIY Wormwood Massage Hammer</p> <p class="ql-block">Handmade Abacuses. The children loved this craft; the finished products are compact and portable, making it easy to practice at home.</p> <p class="ql-block">During Three Kingdoms Week, everyone received a Huarong Path puzzle toy and learned the basic moves during lunch. The next day, as soon as I stepped into camp, I was surrounded by students who had practiced hard at home. Everyone proudly showed off their skills to me in person—mostly because I, the principal, have never been able to learn or remember the moves. This kind of blatant showing off—well, I have to admit I'm impressed!</p> <p class="ql-block">Our physical activities included martial arts, K-pop dance, and outdoor games.</p> <p class="ql-block">One of the most memorable highlights of last year’s camp was the Escape Classroom challenge, held every Friday during Weeks 5–7. Teachers transformed key concepts from each week’s lessons into an immersive adventure filled with puzzles, cultural clues, and team challenges. With volunteers acting as live NPC characters, students worked together to “unlock” each stage of the quest. The experience combined learning, teamwork, and excitement—allowing students to review what they had learned while enjoying the thrill of an escape-room style game.</p> <p class="ql-block">Our signature delicious and generous lunch spread.</p> <p class="ql-block">We introduced customized tableware last year to support our commitment to environmental sustainability. The durable, reusable set helped reduce waste while fitting perfectly with our eco-friendly values.</p> <p class="ql-block">A positive environment is the cornerstone of growth. Our teachers and students collaborate to maintain the exceptional standards of our camp’s learning and living experience.</p> <p class="ql-block">We would like to extend our special thanks to Ziran, a prominent environmental organization in Minnesota, for their years of guidance. Last year, we jointly launched an Environmental Leadership program where Ziran’s leaders taught classes and connected us with other environmental groups for guest lectures and activities.</p> <p class="ql-block">The talented young founders of "Eartha," featured in local media, also brought their eco-entrepreneurship project to our camp. Through their eco-fashion beadwork, they shared a message of creativity and kindness toward the Earth. These inspiring role models spent two weeks with us, volunteering and leading activities that our campers loved.</p> <p class="ql-block">We close this chapter by revealing our 2026 vision. Following a landmark 10th anniversary, this year’s MinnSea Little Masters program introduces a deeper cultural immersion and an unprecedented evolution of our summer experience.</p><p class="ql-block">Registration is now open. As capacity is limited, we invite you to secure your spot early to be part of another extraordinary summer at MinnSea.</p><p class="ql-block">https://www.minnsea.org</p>