There are many inexpensive and even free educational opportunities for kids ages 3 through eighth grade this summer.

Austin Public Schools is offering dozens of classes and activities through Community Education, from cooking and drawing to Girl Scouts and foreign languages. Financial assistance is available for qualified families.

Classes are underway, but some are one-time only or held for a few consecutive days.

Register for Summer 2009 Enrichment Classes at the Community Learning Center, 912 First Ave. N.E., from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; by calling 433-0928; or visiting http:// austin.revtrak.net.

Some upcoming classes include:

Preschool Parent/Child Activities with Laura Beckel

All classes are $10 and held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Community Learning Center, Room 117. Classes are geared for kids ages 3-5 and their parents. Registration is required.

Dinosaur Fun — Learn about dinosaurs through stories, activities and play on July 14.

Welcome to the Beach — Explore the beach and ocean and all life forms in it on July 21.

We Love Ice Cream — Make ice cream in a baggy that you can toss back and forth with your child and make other fun food creations on July 28.

Summer Cooking with Jen Haugen and Chef Michael Coffman

Littlest Chef’s Cooking Camp — This class combines reading and cooking geared toward 4- to 6-year-olds. Students will eat what they create or take it home. Parents or guardians are required to stay for the class, held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 7-9 in the Ellis Middle School Home Ec Room; the fee is $22. All participants will receive an apron.

A second class for 7- to 11-year-olds will focus on Italian cooking, appetizers and desserts. It will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon July 14-16; the fee is $37.

Learning with Legos

Introduction to Junior Lego Engineering — Kids ages 5-7 will use very advanced Lego parts in this course, which covers levers, wheels, axles, forces, simple machines and more. The class will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 13-17 at Ellis Middle School. The fee is $90.

Lego Battle Bots — Children ages 8 and older will learn to design and built motorized battle cars and other vehicles. The class will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. July 13-17; the fee is also $90.

Science Explorers with Stacy Spitzack

Rainforest Journey — Travel with science explorers to investigate the rainforest. Learn how it works and what animals live there. Create art, play games and hear stories in this class, appropriate for 4- to 6-year-olds. This class will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 3 and 5. at Ellis Middle School. The fee is $35.

Chemical Concoctions — Kids in grades 1-5 will learn about gases, solids and liquids. The class will be held from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Aug. 3 and 5. The fee is $40.

Watch Me Draw for K-5th Graders

Monster Quest —Learn about crypto zoology and the science of hidden animals. Draw creatures that remain mysteries to science with watercolors and oil pastels. Encounter the Loch Ness Monster, Yeti and the Giant Squid on your quest. This class will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. July 22-23 at the Austin Area Art Center in Oak Park Mall. The fee is $38.

Summer Workshop— Learn the tricks, tips and secrets that artists use to create masterpieces using watercolor, chalk and oil pastels. This class is held from 1 to 3 p.m. July 27-28 and 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 3-4 at the Ellis Middle School art room. The fee is $57.

4-H/University of Minnesota workshops

Are You Smarter Than a Cheeseburger? — This free class is also an interactive game for kids in grades K-6. Learn how it’s important to be smart about food choices. The class will be held from 11 a.m. to noon and noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, July 7-28 in the Sumner Elementary cafeteria. No registration is required.

Junior Gardeners — Plant, weed, water and grow in this free class in the 4-H Building at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Master gardeners will supervise outdoor work, and 4-H teen and adult volunteers will lead games and activities. Free lunches will be provided on Thursdays. Suitable for children ages 3 and up. No registration is required. The class will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Thursdays, June 4 through Aug. 27, and 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays, June 8 through Aug. 24.

Girl Scouts

Brownie Blast on Manners — Girls entering second through fourth grades are invited to summer fun at the Hormel Historic Home. Dress up if you wish in a special costume, bring a favorite stuffed animal and enjoy time on the lawn. Try old-time games and activities and enjoy refreshments while learning tips about manners. Girls will earn a “Manners Try-It” patch. Brownies can earn a “Bring-A-Friend” patch. This class, held from 1 to 3 p.m. July 9, is $5 for Girl Scouts and $10 for non-Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts, It’s for You —See what Girl Scouting is like in these free sessions. No prior experience or registration required. The sessions will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 8 at Sumner Elementary School and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 1 and 15 at Ellis Middle School.

Kids’ College

Austin Community Education and Riverland Community College are partnering for Kids’ College, a program designed for kids entering fourth through sixth grades. Classes will stimulate and encourage creativity, develop thinking and problem-solving skills and bring together kids who love to learn.

Classes are $75 and will be held from July 27-31 at the Riverland East Campus. A limited number of scholarships are available based on financial need. Programs start at 8:30 a.m. each day with a large group gathering. Students will take two classes: One meets from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m., the second from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Each student will receive a T-shirt, refreshments and certificate.

The program is also seeking adult volunteers.

Classes include: Amusement Park Physics, Animation Station, Around the World, Become a Rocket Engineer, Claymation, Explore Spanish, Friends are Fun, Fun with Adobe Photoshop, Fun with French, Future Astronauts in Training, Harry Potter, I Am an Author, Paper Crafting, Powered Up, Radio Daze, Riverland CSI, Scrapbooking Through the Seasons, Shake and Learn Science, Survivor: Higher Level Thinking, Television Production 101, Things That Go Bump in the Night and What’s Weather Got to Do With It?