Skip to Content
Local News

A Prologue to the Kids’ Issue

Kids Newspaper Camp 2

Newspaper Camp at ARTrageous Adventures (Photos by Tim Sheridan)

This month, we decided to go "old school" with the Kids' Issue. That's right — back to the basics — with paper, scissors, paste and whiteout.

Our editor, Craig Wilson, and I were inspired to do this after we were invited to sit around the kitchen table with Susan Lenfestey and review old Kids' Issues from the '70s and '80s. They were so original, organic and unconstrained by digital software.

When the opportunity presented itself to partner with ARTrageous Adventures, an art studio in Kenwood that focuses on extracurricular art education for kids, Craig officially decided to drop the usual digitally laid-out format.

This approach gave the kids a more holistic education in what it takes to put a newspaper together: curating stories, making decisions around spatial constraints, editing, reserving space for advertisers, and more.

Unlike in the past, kids nowadays are less familiar with print, and we had to help them understand how to "read" a newspaper and work in analog. ARTrageous made the whole process much easier with their expertise in inspiring kids to creatively problem-solve during "newspaper camp."

Hill & Lake Press staff members, including columnist Susan Lenfestey, advertising manager Barb Davis, photographer Tim Sheridan and editor Craig Wilson, visited the camp and spoke with the kids about their roles in putting the paper together every month.

We received our Kids' Issue submissions from our local drop site at Sebastian Joe's, digitally and the ARTrageous journalism camp. Our Kids' Issue would not be possible without this broad community effort, incredible talent and time.

We couldn't be happier with the results! Special thanks to Amanda Vallone and her staff at ARTrageous, Hill & Lake Press contributor Karin Olson, Hill & Lake Press Board Member Brian Lucas, Sebastian Joe's, the Uptown UPS Store, and Hill & Lake kids and parents for their hard work, creativity and passion.

We hope you enjoy this very special edition of the Hill & Lake Press highlighting the talent of our local kids!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Hill & Lake Press

The Feds Say the Surge Is Over. Minneapolis Isn’t So Sure.

Operation Metro Surge may be winding down, but families are still in hiding, businesses are still recovering and Minneapolis is only beginning to reckon with the human and economic toll.

March 1, 2026

Dear Neighbors: It’s Time for Boring, Unsexy Work

The ICE raids may have left the headlines, but families are still sheltering, parents are still delivering groceries and teachers are still absorbing the trauma. The unglamorous work is only beginning.

March 1, 2026

Letters to the Editor

Readers share their perspectives on recent Hill & Lake Press coverage, local politics, community events and neighborhood initiatives across Minneapolis.

March 1, 2026

Kenilworth and Cedar Trails Reopen After Six Years of Light Rail Construction

Earlier this winter, the remaining sections of the Kenilworth and Cedar Lake trails reopened after nearly seven years of closure for construction of the Southwest Light Rail project.

March 1, 2026

A City Remembers in Ice

Mogren is one of the organizers of the North Side Luminary Light Up, an annual event held at the Old Highland Peace Garden at 18th Avenue and Emerson Avenues North. This year’s gathering, held Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, was billed as a celebration of light, love and community.

March 1, 2026

Time for a Minneapolis Flag That Unites & Inspires

Minneapolis deserves a bold, modern city flag that reflects its creativity, diversity and civic spirit. A thoughtful redesign process could create a unifying symbol for the city’s future.

March 1, 2026
See all posts