Community Education plays a key role in supporting youth through focused programs and opportunities. We provide more than just education and enrichment, we help contribute to a sound and thriving community by providing young people with engaging activities that help them grow.
Scroll down to view our latest enrichment and athletic activities for youth. Or click a program below to learn more.
Providing fun activities and learning opportunities for children year-round; after-school, in the evenings and on the weekends; to enhance your child's academic and social experiences while out of school.
Elementary and middle school athletic programs are supervised and led by certified coaches, licensed teachers or knowledgeable staff who emphasize skill development, participation, teamwork, and respect for others. Community Education also offers camps and clinics to help students gear up for the athletic programs offered at South Washington County high schools.
Kids Club (grades K-3) and Upgrade (grades 4-5) is the school district school-age child care program, open to all South Washington County Schools students and provided at all elementary school sites throughout the district. Out-of-School Time (OST) care is available before and after school and all day on school release days, including winter, spring and summer breaks.
Swimming and water safety is a skill that your children will use for life! SoWashCo Schools Community Education offers swimming lessons to support youth with a wide range of skill levels.
South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) offers activities and classes for youth through SoWashCo Community Education. Activities and classes are conveniently offered at your child's school, partner locations within our community and online.
Click on the course title to view more information including times, dates and locations. Select a tab to view courses appropriate for your child's current grade level.
To see our full list of current offerings visit sowashco.ce.eleyo.com. Course offerings vary per session.
Join us for taste-safe sensory activities where your little ones can explore and play while new parents connect and engage in a fun, messy environment!
Child must be able to sit on their own. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Age 6 months-2 years
Learn cartooning basics like features, characteristics, exaggeration, action and personification to create your own original cartoon characters.
Grades K-5
It is time for some science! Veteran teacher and STEM specialist Crazy Colin Kilbane will take you on a tour through some of your favorite fields of science.
Grades K-5
Learn the ins and out of 3D Design and with Tinkercad. Students will design a custom Minecraft tool. Prints will be printed and mailed home.
Grades 3-7
Gain a competitive edge on your opponents! This program will develop athletes’ speed, power, strength, mobility, agility and conditioning.
Grades 6-8
Focus on skill development and team play while learning the fundamentals of basketball. Participate in games within the SoWashCo Schools district. Transportation is not provided.
Grades 7-8
Beginner, Ages 4-9: Athletes will focus on the fundamental positions, movements, and a select few moves from each position in wrestling.
Intermediate and Advanced, Grades 1-6: Athletes will focus on intermediate-to-advanced techniques, conditioning, and live wrestling needed for youth wrestling competitions.
Learn leadership, safety, basic care, the business of babysitting, and first aid for breathing and bleeding emergencies from a certified instructor.
Students must attend all 6 hours of instruction.
Ages 10.5+
Dig deeper into Minecraft with this Minecraft Modding class! Create a new custom biome for this exciting new class! MCreator is an excellent tool for learning Minecraft Modding and software programming concepts.
Grades 2-6
Students will be introduced to object-oriented programming and elements of the Java language while learning to code their text-based RPG (Roleplaying Game).
Grades 4-8
Please join us for snuggly winter story time as we read The Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson & illustrated by Jane Chapman, along with pretend play, flannel board games, a painting sensory experience and craft. Please bring your favorite Teddy Bear or stuffed animal for story time and dress in old clothes for painting.
Ages 3-5
Explore programming and engineering concepts such as centrifugal force, momentum, cantilever principle and other.
Grades 1-6
Explore programming and engineering concepts such as angular momentum, inertia, friction and gravity.
Grades 1-6
Build six motorized engineering models using patented kits, including Stand Mixer, Laundry Machine, Drill Machine and also learning about gravity, renewable energy, and mechanical transmissions.
Grades 1-5
Learn to create an interactive 2D video game using your FAVORITE Minecraft characters. Scratch is a drag-and-drop creative coding platform developed by MIT. Basic computer skills needed (basic keyboarding and using a mouse).
Grades 2-4
Main Office
651-425-6600
communityeducation@sowashco.org
8400 E Point Douglas Rd. S.
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Office Hours
7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Get one-on-one instruction to improve your trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, or tuba-playing skills! 30-minute time slots are available 3 p.m. through 6 p.m. Register for the time slot that best fits your schedule.
Ages 8.5+
Personalized, private lessons for beginning to advanced guitar (acoustic or electric) and beginning banjo. 30-minute time slots are available from 3:30 p.m. through 7 p.m. Register for the time slot that best fits your schedule.
Grades 4-12
One-on-one instruction with an experienced musician. Register for the time slot that best fits your schedule. 30-min. time slots available between 3-7 p.m.,
Ages 9.5+
Learn 3D design and modeling skills using Tinkercad while creating a Deathly Hallow model, then creating you own magical pendant. Students will be able to pick one design to be printed and mailed home.
Grades 2-5
Learn the ins and out of 3D Design and with Tinkercad. Students will design a custom Minecraft tool. Prints will be printed and mailed home.
Grades 3-7
Learn 3D design and modeling skills using Tinkercad while creating your own Pokemon, which will be printed and mailed home.
Grades 2-7
Enjoy a fun “paint date” with a partner. Guided by a professional artist each partner will work on a different side of a canvas. At the end of class join the two sides to create one complete artwork.
Grade K-5 with an adult
Use a slab roller, extruder, electric pottery wheel and glaze to make a variety of projects.
Age 8+
Learn the basics of acting, singing and musical theater dance while playing theatre games, exploring stage skills and learning a song or scene from a Broadway musical. New and returning students are welcome!
Grades 1-5
Master the art of exaggeration and facial expressions, bring to life cuddly polar bears and craft hilarious stories through sequential art. Nurture your creativity and storytelling skills.
Grades K-5
Learn leadership, safety, basic care, the business of babysitting, and first aid for breathing and bleeding emergencies from a certified instructor.
Students must attend all 6 hours of instruction.
Ages 10.5+
Learn to decorate with frosting, gum paste and food coloring, play fun games and win prizes while decorating a delicious 6” cake to enjoy at home.
Age 8-18
Develop confidence, strength, endurance, balance, and friendships with a fun, unique sport! This course consists of 6 practices and 2 competitions.
Ages 6-13
It is time for some science! Veteran teacher and STEM specialist Crazy Colin Kilbane will take you on a tour through some of your favorite fields of science.
Grades K-5
Learn to sew, including basic sewing techniques, tools, a variety of stitches and practice with a sewing machine. Create new projects each month.
Ages 8-12
Main Office
651-425-6600
communityeducation@sowashco.org
8400 E Point Douglas Rd. S.
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Office Hours
7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Get one-on-one instruction to improve your trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, or tuba-playing skills! 30-minute time slots are available 3 p.m. through 6 p.m. Register for the time slot that best fits your schedule.
Ages 8.5+
Personalized, private lessons for beginning to advanced guitar (acoustic or electric) and beginning banjo. 30-minute time slots are available from 3:30 p.m. through 7 p.m. Register for the time slot that best fits your schedule.
Grades 4-12
One-on-one instruction with an experienced musician. Register for the time slot that best fits your schedule. 30-min. time slots available between 3-7 p.m.,
Ages 9.5+
Learn the ins and out of 3D Design and with Tinkercad. Students will design a custom Minecraft tool. Prints will be printed and mailed home.
Grades 3-7
Learn 3D design and modeling skills using Tinkercad while creating your own Pokemon, which will be printed and mailed home.
Grades 2-7
Use a slab roller, extruder, electric pottery wheel and glaze to make a variety of projects.
Age 8+
Learn leadership, safety, basic care, the business of babysitting, and first aid for breathing and bleeding emergencies from a certified instructor.
Students must attend all 6 hours of instruction.
Ages 10.5+
Learn to decorate with frosting, gum paste and food coloring, play fun games and win prizes while decorating a delicious 6” cake to enjoy at home.
Age 8-18
Develop confidence, strength, endurance, balance, and friendships with a fun, unique sport! This course consists of 6 practices and 2 competitions.
Ages 6-13
Learn to sew, including basic sewing techniques, tools, a variety of stitches and practice with a sewing machine. Create new projects each month.
Ages 8-12
Elementary and secondary chess players are invited to participate in the “District Open”. All are welcome, whether you participated in chess club or not.
Grades 1-12
Beginner, Ages 5-7: Athletes will focus on the fundamental positions, movements, and a select few moves from each position in wrestling.
Intermediate and Advanced, Grades 3-6: Wrestlers will learn intermediate and advanced techniques from a former college wrestler and will have opportunities to compete in weekend tournaments.
Create a chatbot, Rock Paper Scissors game and more! Explore computer science concepts, including augmented reality, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Grades 3-6
Use Scratch, a drag-and-drop creative coding platform, to create Mario Kart-style game. Then pick custom characters and track to personalize your game.
Grades 3-6
We offer classes for girls and boys ages 18 months-18 years old.
Main Office
651-425-6600
communityeducation@sowashco.org
8400 E Point Douglas Rd. S.
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Office Hours
7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
The Penguin Corps is a tech club where kids learn the basics of Linux and Open Source software. Learn about Free and Open Source software, tinker with hardware and gain an introduction to an "in demand" field of computing. Learn how to use Linux to make old computers work again.
Grades 6-8
This course is an excellent alternative for any student unable to attend in-school classes or a student preferring to prepare for the ACT exam on their own and at their desired pace. Once enrolled, students are sent an access code for their class via email.
Grades 10-12
Elementary and secondary chess players are invited to participate in the “District Open”. All are welcome, whether you participated in chess club or not.
Grades 1-12
Learn to decorate with frosting, gum paste and food coloring, play fun games and win prizes while decorating a delicious 6” cake to enjoy at home.
Age 8-18
An excellent alternative for any student unable to attend an in-person class, but still prefers interaction with an experienced instructor. Instructors teach live via virtual classroom and can answer questions when needed.
Grades 9-12
Take strategy gaming to the next level! Develop analysis, problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills while playing challenging and popular games like Catan, Pandemic, 7 Wonders, Splendor, Evolution, and Godsforge.
Grades 6-12
Improve test-taking skills and overall ACT scores. Including an introduction to ACT format, subject ara instruction, test strategies, overcoming test anxiety and time management.
Grades 9-12
Use a slab roller, extruder, electric pottery wheel and glaze to make a variety of projects.
Age 8+
Swimming lessons, specialty classes, fitness and recreational opportunities for adults and children as young as 12 months.
We offer classes for girls and boys ages 18 months-18 years old.
Learn the skills needed to become a triple threat while performing pieces from some of your favorite musicals! Then put them together to create an amazing performance!
Grades 6-12
Community Education offers teen driver’s education in partnership with Safeway Driving School. Learn to be a safe and skillful driver.
Ages 14.5-18
A distance learning option with the same content as our in-person course. Classroom instruction is conducted through a secure Zoom platform.
Ages 14.5-18
Personalized, private lessons for beginning to advanced guitar (acoustic or electric) and beginning banjo. 30-minute time slots are available from 3:30 p.m. through 7 p.m. Register for the time slot that best fits your schedule.
Grades 4-12
Get one-on-one instruction to improve your trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, or tuba-playing skills! 30-minute time slots are available 3 p.m. through 6 p.m. Register for the time slot that best fits your schedule.
Ages 8.5+
Main Office
651-425-6600
communityeducation@sowashco.org
8400 E Point Douglas Rd. S.
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Office Hours
7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.