WNC Parent March 2012 by Stacey

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contents This month’s features 5

Affordable camps

Learn to ride

Special camps

Several day camps give working parents inexpensive, full-day options.

Kids interested in horses have many options in WNC. Traditional activities are put within reach of nontraditional campers.

All in the family

Mom and Dad can join their campers for a weekend at several camps.

Day Camp Guide

18 43

Our comprehensive listings of spring break and summer day camps in the Asheville area.

Strengthening ties

Parents offer advice on how to build a better relationship with your older child.

The princess culture

Are all of those princesses good for little girls?

Best books for kids

A team of editors ranks the top 100 books for children.

Easter events

A list of what’s going on in Asheville for families to celebrate Easter.

In every issue

On the cover

Story Times ......................54

Camp Tekoa in Hendersonville, by John Fletcher, jfletcher@ citizen-times.com

Librarian's Picks................54 Kids' Voices ......................56 Home-School Happenings..60 Dad's View .......................64 Artist's Muse ....................66 Divorced Families .............68 F.E.A.S.T. ...........................70 Puzzles.............................78 Nature Center Notes .........79 Calendar ..........................80

.com Are you a member? Join the conversation, post photos and connect with other parents at WNCParent.com. Look for WNC Parent on Facebook and Twitter.

Finding the best camp Katie Wadington, editor

When my kids were smaller, choosing camps was easy. I looked for the day camps that sounded the most interesting, were nearby and in the right price range. I may have told them, “Oh, I signed you up for camp at (blank).” They’d say, “OK.” That was it. This year, it’s a bit more complicated. First, my son declared he wasn’t spending a week at overnight camp as we’d expected. (But you were supposed to go! At the same time as your sister! Giving your dad and I a week of peace!) And, he said he wants to go to a day camp that has archery and BB shooting (Cub Scout camp to the rescue!). And horses. All at the same camp. So as I compiled this year’s Camp Guide, I was camp shopping as much as editing. If you’re looking for a day camp this summer, consider this magazine your ultimate resource. The Camp Guide lists summer fun for all ages and interests. It starts on Page 18 and can also be found online at www.wncparent.com. WNC is home to camps of all kinds. This year, we decided to look at a couple of specialties. For kids interested in horses, families have their choice of many camps, both day and residential. Our story on Page 8 delves into detail on these. And several camps in the area focus on children with special needs, such as diabetes, dyslexia, attention deficit disorders and the autism spectrum. Read about these camps on Page 11. Outside of camping, we have a story on Page 38 that looks at the relationships parents have with older children. They can be sometimes ... ahem ... strained. To ease the tension, take some advice from area experts on how to talk and interact with tweens and teens. Another talker of a story is the one on Page 43 about girls and the princess craze. Does it send the wrong message to little girls? I’d love to hear what you think. Until next time!

P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 828-232-5845 | www.wncparent.com PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Randy Hammer WNC PARENT EDITOR Katie Wadington — 232-5829 kwadington@citizen-times.com

FEATURES EDITOR Bruce Steele bsteele@citizen-times.com

ADVERTISING/CIRCULATION Tim (Bo) Head — 232-5860, thead@gannett.com CALENDAR CONTENT Due by March 10. E-mail calendar@wncparent.com ADVERTISING DEADLINE Advertising deadline for the April issue is March 13.

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2012 CAMP GUIDE

Campers at the YWCA of Asheville’s summer programs experience swimming, gardening and more. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Paying for Camp101 Finding affordable summer fun is possible

By Paul Clark WNC Parent contributor

inding a camp that you can afford may not be as hard as you think. There are several day camps in Western North Carolina that charge less than $200 a week. And nearly every overnight camp in the area has what they call “camperships,” which are scholarships, in total or in part, for qualifying campers.

“Every camp that I’ve ever come in contact with has a ‘campership’ program,” said Jane Cox Murray, executive director of the N.C. Youth Camp Association, based in Black Mountain. “My advice is find a camp that’s a good match for your child and then look for a way to find the resources.” Scholarship information is usually listed on a camp website’s application page. For many people, day camps are more

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affordable. The YWCA summer camp in Asheville is licensed for 150 kids. Parents drop off their children at the South French Broad Avenue campus anytime after 7 a.m. and pick them up by 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost is $140 a week for YWCA members and $160 a week for nonmembers. Continues on Page 6

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Paying for Camp Continued from Page 5

On campus, the children garden and take swimming lessons. Their arts and crafts are sometimes guided by visiting artists. Field trips include travels to Chimney Rock State Park, Max Patch and swimming pools. Once a week, campers travel outside the city to places that have included Discovery Place in Charlotte and Catawba Science Center in Hickory. “They really enjoy it,” said camp director CiCi Weston, also the YWCA’s schoolage programs director. “When the parents come to pick their children up early, sometimes the children are crying because they don’t want to go home yet.” The YMCA of Western North Carolina continues to operate its Kiddie and Explorer camps at its newly renovated 10-acre property in North Asheville’s Beaverdam section. Weekly sessions are $155, plus a registration fee of $35 child/$50 family. It also operates Discovery camps at Estes, Bell and Hominy Valley elementary schools, as well as Black Mountain Primary School. The cost is the same as for Kiddie and Explorer camps. In Asheville, there are also swim and “mild” and “wild” adventure camps. The Y also operates day camps in McDowell and Henderson counties, as well as sports, football and cheer camps at the Reuter Family YMCA in Biltmore Park. Families can apply through county social

YMCA of WNC operates full-day summer camps at several locations, from three Buncombe County elementary schools to its Beaverdam facility in North Asheville. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

workers for vouchers that provide state assistance with costs. If they don’t qualify, the YMCA has its own subsidy program. Register for the Buncombe and Henderson county camps by March 31, and the

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registration fee is waived. The same is true for the first 30 registrations in McDowell County. Hahn’s Gymnastics in Arden has halfday camps ($85 per week) and full-day camps ($165 per week). Full-day camp is for children 5-12, and half-day camp is for those 3 (toilet trained) to 12. Campers get two to three hours of gymnastics training, including bars, trampoline, tumbling, balance beam and parachute. They also get arts and crafts and daily snacks. Parents are expected to provide lunch and a water bottle each day. The full-day experience add activities and field trips related to the theme of the week, which last year included Mad Scientist, Super Soakin’, Artful Antics and Wacky Week. The afternoon activities include hiking, swimming and movies. “We’re more of a theme-based activity camp with gymnastics as one of the activities,” Vicki Hahn, the camp owner, said. Hahn’s has supervised extended care for parents who need to drop children off at 8 a.m. (half an hour before regular opening) or pick them up by 6 p.m. (half an hour after regular closing). The cost is an additional $15 a week. Fletcher Parks and Recreation is offering two five-week sessions of summer day camp at Fletcher Community Park that will be affordable for many people. The cost per week is $100 for Fletcher residents and $125 for everyone else. The sessions, for children 5-12 years old, are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday from June 11 to Aug. 17 (there is no camp on

2012 CAMP GUIDE

Camp counselor Andrew Johnson helps a camper practice target shooting at the Swannanoa 4-H Center camp. The camp offers weeklong day camps with adventurous activities like riflery, a climbing tower, archery and more. JOHN FLETCHER/JFLETCHER@ CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

July 4). Registration at Fletcher Town Hall is 8:30 a.m.-noon. March 10. There’s an additional $25 per camper registration fee. Each week, counselors will take campers on two field trips to area outdoor recreation areas such as the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah Forest. The children will go swimming twice a week at Cane Creek pool in Fletcher, play active games daily and create arts and crafts weekly. New this

year is scholarship assistance for qualifying families. “We wanted to make it accessible and affordable to everyone,” Fletcher Parks & Recreation director Greg Walker said. “We sell out just about every week.” Swannanoa 4-H Center, one of five 4-H camps and centers owned and operated by N.C. State University, has weekly half-day summer camps for children ages 4-9. The

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cost is $80 per week for one- or two-week sessions. Children are expected to bring their own lunch. Weeks have themes such as “Holiday in July,” “Pioneer Pastimes,” and “Behind Scenes.” Activities include climbing tower, archery, rifle range and swimming, as well as camping skills, Native American history, stream ecology and arts and crafts. Your daughter doesn’t have to be a Girl Scout to attend Camp Pisgah, an overnight Girl Scout camp in Brevard. Any girl entering grades 1 through 12 can attend, though nonscouts pay a $50 fee. Through March 15, a one-week session costs $295 “in comparison to other camps around us at $800 to $2,000 a week,” said camp director Christine Le Clair. Scouts are eligible for financial aid, she said. After March 15, the weekly rate is $395. Most beds are filled by March 15, Le Clair said. (To get the $295 rate, buy immediately or put down a $50 deposit and pay by the end of May.) The camp has one- and two-week sessions, as well as a three-day, two-night “starter” session. Activities include horseback riding, swimming, boating, archery, overnight campouts and trips to places like the Biltmore Estate. Providing money for “at-risk” campers is the Raleigh-based organization ScottFree. Recommendations come from teachers, principals and counselors from N.C. elementary and middle schools. With its help, some four dozen children have been able to attend summer camps, according to founder and executive director Deborrah Jeffreys Gruder.

2012 CAMP GUIDE

SUMMER ON

HORSEBACK

Camps cater to young riders, from beginners on up 8

By Betty Lynne Leary, WNC Parent contributor

Nothing says summer like spending a week at camp making new friends, being outdoors and trying new activities. And while it’s difficult to think about swimming, archery and canoeing when frost is still sparkling outside the window, March is the time when summer camp registries start filling up. Horseback riding is one of summer camp’s most popular activities and is often the first place a kid gets the chance to develop a working relationship with such a large animal. Many camps offer horseback riding as one of dozens of activities while others offer riding exclusively. Here’s a look at some of both.

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Gwynn Valley campers learn hunt seat riding. The Brevard camp works with beginning and intermediate riders. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

2012 CAMP GUIDE

Sophia Jacobelly practices horseback riding techniques at Hickory Nut Gap Farm’s summer camp. The day camp offers campers ring and trail riding each day. JOHN FLETCHER/ JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

Hickory Nut Gap Farm In Fairview, sisters Annie Ager and Susie Hamilton host a day camp program for boys and girls ages 6-13 at Hickory Nut Gap Farm. The camp focuses on horseback riding but also offers activities like swimming, art, pottery, and drama. “We give instruction in English riding, and the kids ride in the ring and on the trail every day,” Ager says. “It’s definitely a confidence builder for kids being around such a big animal.” The camp runs for five weeks throughout June and July, and each week is limited to about 40 campers. For this summer’s camp dates, visit www.hickorynutgapfarm.com .

Gwynn Valley

Over in Brevard, nestled on 320 acres, is Gwynn Valley, a coed camp that was created in 1935 by Mary Gwynn, who wanted a camp where children could thrive in a noncompetitive atmosphere. The Gwynn Valley horseback riding program accommodates beginners to intermediates in hunt seat instruction. For Continues on Page 10

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ON HORSEBACK

just as important.” Riding requires athleticism, subtlety, communication and intuition. When these things come together, a partnership forms between rider and horse. “This relationship is what our campers most enjoy,” Boyd says, “but it is the girl’s place in that partnership, as a leader, not a follower, that fosters growth outside the ring.” For more information on Camp MerriMac, visit www.merri-mac.com.

Continued from Page 9

more experienced riders, advanced trail rides are offered. Ring instruction and lessons in horse care are offered during the morning, then children may choose to go on a trail ride in the afternoon. “We cater our program to each camper’s ability,” explains camp director Anne Bullard. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for a child to gain a relationship with a horse. Because kids often have a fear of horses because of their size, we help them overcome the fear and focus on building that relationship which in turn creates confidence.” For more information, visit www.gwynnvalley.com.

Keystone Camp

Also located in Brevard is Keystone Camp, the oldest private summer camp in the Southeast. A long-standing, family run organization, the current director, Paige Lemel, is the fourth-generation director of the camp that was begun by her greatgreat-aunt in 1916. The horseback riding program at Keystone is offered every session, and there is no extra charge to add riding to a camper’s activities. A full-time barn staff includes a barn director, four full-time instructors and two barn managers. “We all share a common opinion that when a girl takes horseback riding and horsemanship classes at camp, it teaches her valuable lessons about self-motivation, organized thinking and emotional control,” says Jessica Page, director of horseback riding. Girls ride six days a week and work their way through a system of levels with a different set of skills for each level. Once they pass through all four levels, additional challenges are offered based on their personal goals of riding. “There is an old saying — the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a girl,” Page says. “Some girls come in timid and scared, but by the end of a session, it is usually those same girls begging to have an extra activity period at the barn.” For 2012 session information, go to www.keystonecamp.com.

Rockbrook Camp for Girls

At Rockbrook Camp for Girls, the focus is not on competition but learning just for

Biltmore Equestrian Center Camp Merri-Mac aims for its riding instruction to be as good as that at any specialty camp, says barn director Adam Boyd. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT fun. At this Brevard camp, girls ride and care for horses for the sheer joy of it. “We’ve found that being exposed to horses is especially important for young girls because it provides such a powerful boost to their confidence, trust, and emotional well-being,” says Jeff Carter, owner and director at Rockbrook. “There’s something special about the bond between a horse and a girl, and the joy the girls feel when their horses accept them.” The staff at Rockbrook is well-trained, experienced at teaching different levels, and dedicated to helping campers have a great time. “We spend a good amount of time matching campers and horses,” Carter says, “hoping to find the right personalities, abilities and experience levels.” Girls learn that dedicated practice and persistence builds their knowledge and skills, making riding even more enjoyable. Learn more about Rockbrook at www.rockbrookcamp.com.

Camp Merri-Mac

Camp Merri-Mac, a Christian camp for girls, is one of about 60 traditional camps in Western North Carolina. Horseback riding is offered in every session at MerriMac, and as barn director Adam Boyd explains, “We want the quality of instruction in each activity to be as strong as a specialty camp, and this is especially true in riding.” Each girl gets to ride three days a week for more than an hour each day. “We are a skills-based program and we want our girls to see growth,” adds Boyd. “We have a remarkable group of instructors, although the quality of the horses is

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For two area camps, it’s all horses, all the time. At the Biltmore Equestrian Center, riders as young as 5 are welcome for a mini-camp while weeklong camps are held for ages 8 and up. All camps run from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and focus on natural horsemanship skills, both on the ground and in the saddle. Elizabeth Bush, assistant manager of the program, says campers learn to walk, trot and canter their horse, and instruction may also include jumping depending on the individual skill level of each camper. For specific dates and more information, visit www.biltmore.com/visit/equestrian/ events.asp.

Whole Horse Journeys

Catherine Hunter, head instructor at Whole Horse Journeys just north of Asheville, draws on more than 50 years of experience with horses including 38 years of teaching, training and riding as a professional. “Our camp sessions, which are offered to ages 7 through 16, are limited to a total of six participants in order to provide individual instruction,” Hunter says. “Each child receives a total of six hours of riding instruction, six hours of riding theory, and four hours handling horses.” Campers are immersed in an integrative experience that includes building core strength, balance and coordination, patience, teamwork and, of course, fun. “We combine positive reenforcement with fun, interactive games that help campers gain a deeper understanding of riding theory and equine behavior,” Hunter says. “Through this deep connection, horses and riders become empowered as equal partners, making riding safer and more fun for both.” For more information, go to www.wholehorsejourneys.com.

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Camp Spring Creek in Bakersville offers programming for children with dyslexia. Campers will show one to two years’ progress, depending on the number of weeks they spend at camp. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Special camps serve up traditional fun to special people By Paul Clark WNC Parent contributor

ucked into the mountains amid the dozens of traditional summer camps are programs that have a special focus — campers with special needs. Western North Carolina has several camps for children and young adults (as well as older adults) with physical and cognitive challenges that include asthma, autism, diabetes, Asperger’s syndrome and attention deficit disorders. Though each camp is geared toward serving a particular population, special needs summer camps are remarkably similar to other camps in WNC. “We’re trying to teach the same things — relationships, making friends and learning how to live together,” said Mary Canniff-Kuhn, program director at Camp SummerShine at Lutherridge Conference Continues on Page 12

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Special camps Continued from Page 11

Center in Arden. “We’re hoping to teach campers to be more independent and to challenge themselves in ways that they can grow individually and as part of a team. We want to help them learn to give help and to receive help. And to have a whole lot of fun.” SOAR operates camps around the country for children with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders. There’s one in Balsam, near Waynesville, that offers backpacking, llama trekking, horseback riding and other activities. “The activities are fairly typical for a camp, but the way that we deal with the students is a little different,” said admissions director Kylie Cyr. “We give our campers structure and consistency.” A day at camp might start with the team of campers and counselors cooking breakfast before going into the woods. The day ends around a fire back at camp with campers and counselors talking about the successes and struggles of the day and how they enjoyed and overcame them. “We end the evening with something we call ‘pre-loading,’ which is giving kids the schedule for the next day,” Cyr said. “That helps alleviate high anxiety issues, and our kids always know what to expect.” Camp Lakey Gap, a camp for people with autism, is in Black Mountain at Christmount Christian Assembly. In operation since the early 1970s, the camp has a one-to-one or one-to-two ratio of staff to campers. With the support of their counselors, campers are encouraged to try activities such as hiking, swimming, canoeing, as well as arts and crafts, creek games and lake play. “I teach the counselors to give the campers a minute to see if they can get going (on an activity) on their own,” said camp director Elsa Berndt. “If not, we give them a visual cue. We do all the typical activities you find at any other camps, but we adapt them in a visual way. “I try to recruit college and grad students who are studying autism or related fields and are really excited and motivated to learn about autism.” Camp Coqui, run and staffed by Mission Children’s Hospital, is for children and teens with Type 1 or 2 diabetes. Located at Bob Campbell Youth Campus at

Camp Lakey Gap, in Black Mountain, serves children on the autism spectrum. The camp offers traditional activities that are adapted to offer visual cues. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT Camp Kanuga near Hendersonville, the camp is about fun and learning more about managing diabetes. All the typical camp activities are here — hiking, swimming, boating and climbing tower, among them. Children learn respect for each other, for

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the environment and for their own medical care. The camper-to-counselor ratio is 4:1, and some of the counselors themselves have diabetes. Talisman Programs are camps in Zirconia for children and young adults with

2012 CAMP GUIDE learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, Asperger’s and mild behavior issues. Participants live in cabins and participate in a wide variety of activities designed to promote better communication and cooperation skills, as well as anger management. The staff-to-camper ratio is 3-to-8. Talisman limits its groups of campers to eight so that “instead of figuring out how to make new friends every hour, they’re learning to increase the depth of their friendships,” said Linda Tatsapaugh, executive director. Counselors help build self-esteem through activities such as backpacking, rock and tree climbing, whitewater rafting, high ropes course, swimming, nature studies, and arts and crafts. For older campers, there are goals-oriented overnight wilderness experiences, some lasting two weeks. “We have a lot of structure, so that any time they move from one activity to another, from chores to free time, there’s structure involved,” Tatsapaugh said. “We aren’t leaving the kids to figure out the

steps in multiple step chores.” Camp Spring Creek in Bakersville offers four-, six- and eight-week sessions for children with dyslexia. The four-week session is designed for children who have never been away for camp and those who want to maintain the gains they’ve made through immersive schools and programs. The longer camps are for children who may not be in programs. Generally, children who take part in the longer camps show two years’ progress in reading, writing and spelling, said camp director and co-founder Susie van der Vorst said, while those in the four-week camps improve by one year. “Whenever possible, we intermingle the academics with swimming, arts, woodshop, paintball, archery, rock-climbing,” she said. “And generally, dyslexics are talented in balance sports, so we offer water skiing. It’s a huge confidence builder. Eighty percent of our kids learn to water ski.” Camp SummerShine at Lutheridge is for anyone 15 years and older with developmental delays. Though there are often

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many middle-aged campers, younger ones in the teens are typically grouped together, Canniff-Kuhn said. “The strength of our program is that we really incorporate the SummerShine campers into the overall camp life,” she said. They’re part of the experience of other campers on campus. The third-grade campers may invite SummerShine campers to play kickball. The high school campers may make supper for people in SummerShine. “We have the same philosophy for our special needs camp as for our other camps — we’re looking always to grow, mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, Christcentered,” Canniff-Kuhn said. All teaching aside, one of the most valuable lessons campers at SummerShine — and at special needs camps in general — comes from living together in cabins. “When I grew up, all my friends shared bedrooms, and now kids don’t,” CanniffKuhn said. “Sharing a room teaches you so many things about respect, taking care of people and how to get along in the world.”

CAMP GUIDE

EXPERIENCE A BIT OF SUMMER CAMP

AS A FAMILY By Paul Clark, WNC Parent contributor

estern North Carolina has the highest concentration of summer camps in the state (and the nation, some people say), and there are plenty of different types to choose from — boys camps, girls camps, coed camps and adventure treks among them. Many of those camps also offer family getaways for mothers and daughters, fathers and sons and entire families. “Anytime you put a family outdoors, communication improves and people get along better,” said John Dockendorf, exec-

utive director of Camp Pinnacle in Flat Rock. “Nowadays, families are in such a rush. This is a quiet setting,” office manager Lori Coggins said of Camp Glen Arden in Tuxedo. But she could really be speaking about all family camp experiences. “Families get to spend quality time talking and doing things together,” she said. “I think they make a lot of memories.” The family camps also help children (and parents) decide if summer camp is right for them. The sessions, which are

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typically short, offer not only the opportunity to snoop around but also, in their three- or four-day format, require just the amount of time that many parents have to spare. The North Carolina Youth Camp Association, headquartered in Black Mountain, lists boys, girls and coed camps, as well as adventure trekking experiences, on its website. Here are a few camps listed that offer special family adventures. All proContinues on Page 15

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Fathers and sons enjoy a little hang time at Camp Rockmont during a father-and-son weekend. /SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

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Camp as a family Continued from Page 15

vide cabins, linens and meals. Keystone Camp, a girls camp in Brevard, has a mother-daughter weekend May 18-20 ($425 for one daughter, $125 each additional daughter). Designed to give prospective campers a taste of the Keystone experience, the weekend offers mothers the chance to enjoy activities they loved as girls. Just as important, if not more important, it presents mothers and daughters with opportunities for personal growth on an equal level. “To know that your mom is willing to give that rock climbing wall a try or get up on that horse, that just shows some really strong modeling that we need in our lives,” camp director Paige Lemel said. And as important as being there is for girls who have never been to overnight camp, it’s as equally emotionally comforting for mothers who

have never placed their children in sleep-away camps, she said. “It just gives mothers a great opportunity to explore the camp experience so that when their daughters are writing to them over the summer (from camp), the mother can say yes, that is exactly what we did when we were there,” Lemel said. “To see the daily routine of what your girls do when they’re at camp, it makes it all the more familiar and desirable,” said Maureen Santoli, an Atlanta-area mother who participated with her two daughters. “When we dropped off our girls for (regular summer) camp, we knew other moms. “It was great to get away from the grind and get back to basics. As a 40something-year-old, (being at camp) brings back some things that you thought you weren’t going to get again, like being a kid again.” The father-and-son weekend at Camp Rockmont last year was so successful, with 150 participants, that the Black Mountain camp is offering two

Family camps are an opportunity for kids and their parents to not only experience new activities but to help a potential camper decide if camp is right for him or her. /SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

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CAMP GUIDE such weekends this year, both in May ($375 for one son, $100 each additional son). Through skills such as blacksmithing and archery and activities like canoeing and ziplining, fathers and sons share experiences that tend to draw them closer, said associate director Jon Brooks. “In one session last year, the counselors met with the campers and had them think through things they appreciated about their fathers,” Brooks said. “And at fire ring that evening, the sons spoke those words to their dads. There are so many distractions with jobs and school and other responsibilities that these weekends give us a chance to pull away and share that appreciation.” “As part of a family, we have cello practice and saxophone practice and hockey and a lot of distractions,” said Steve Markel, a Jupiter, Fla., resident who will be attending a father-and-son weekend at Camp Highlander in Mills River. “My hope is to get 72 straight hours of interacting with my son and experience new things he hasn’t done before. And watch him grow.”

“When . . .you’re able to share time outdoors, when you get to pursue activities you want and cheer each other through . . . it’s guaranteed to bring a family together.” JOHN DOCKENDORF

executive director of Camp Pinnacle in Flat Rock

Camp Glen Arden, a girls camp in Tuxedo, has a family camp Aug. 3-6 ($300 per person for the first three family members and $100 for each additional person). Families can swim, hike, ride horses, go rock climbing — or do nothing except rock on the porch. Families can select the structured activities they want to participate in, such as riflery, kayaking and tennis. Or they can opt out and do what they want.

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“Most of the people we have here are not people who have the opportunity to go camping as a family, maybe because they lack the equipment or they live in a city,” said camp office manager Lori Coggins. “Here you basically park your car and stay until you drive away. You don’t have to drive to a lot of different locations to do these activities.” Camp Pinnacle has a four-day family camp Aug. 9-12 ($495 per person). Families can take field trips to the Blue Ridge Parkway or to whitewater raft. And they can hike and bike throughout the 126-acre camp. “It’s a rustic resort for families,” Dockendorf said. “When as a family you’re able to share time outdoors, when you get to pursue activities you want and cheer each other through light challenges, it’s guaranteed to bring a family together,” he said. “It’s not like you’re locked up in a motel room together and driving around getting lost. You meet other families, and kids play with other kids. Here, it’s simple.”

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L L U F R E A SUMM OF By Katie Wadington WNC Parent editor

N U F

or kids not ready, willing or able to spend a week or more away from home, day camp gives them the best of both worlds — adventure during the day, a good night’s rest in their own bed. On the following pages, we’ve gathered information on day camps (with a handful of overnight options) at more than 75 locations around Asheville. No two of them are alike. Whether you have a child in pre-K or high school, you’ll find a summer’s worth of entertainment, learning and fun for them. Looking for our overnight camp listings? They appeared in our February issue, but you can find them online all year at www.wncparent.com.

N.C. Arboretum's Discovery Camps get kids out into nature through adventure activities on site and at area destinations. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

WNC PARENT’S CAMP EXPO WNC Parent is hosting dozens of area camps at our second-annual Camp Expo. When: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 10

FINDING THE BEST CAMP FOR YOUR CHILD

Where: Wilma M. Sherrill Center on the UNC Asheville campus What: Meet representatives from area camps. Bring the kids and enjoy live entertainment,

✓

bounce houses, face painting, giveaways and more!

For more details: See the ads on Pages 32-33.

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Finding the right summer camp for your child can be difficult, with so many to choose from. To make your selections easier, consider these tips offered by North Carolina Youth Camp Association. All can be applied to overnight camp, and many to day camps. » Determine what kind of program — sports, computer, nature, etc. — your child is interested in. » Review a camp’s mission to make sure it offers what your child is interested in. » Include your child in the selection, since he or she is the one who is going to camp. » Ask for financial assistance if the cost of the camp is more than you can afford. » For overnight camps, decide how far you can afford to travel and how far your child is willing to be away from you. » If the camp is large, make sure each group of campers gets to experience all the camp has to offer. » Consider the ratio of staff members to campers, as well as the training and experience the staff has. » Check out the camp’s accreditations and/or evaluations. » If the camp provides a list of references, check them out. If they don’t, ask why. » Take a tour of the camp, if you can. Most camps will be happy to have you.

2012 CAMP GUIDE / SPRING BREAK Camps are April 2-6 unless noted.

ABYSA, FUNdamentals Camp

» abysa.org; 299-7277, ext. 304; shane@abysa.org » Ages 5-14. Games-centered teaching approach to soccer education. Campers organized by age group. Camp runs 9 a.m.-noon for ages 5-6 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for ages 7-14 at John B. Lewis Soccer Complex at Azalea Park in East Asheville. All campers get participation award and T-shirt. Early drop-off available. $115 for half-day and $195 for full day.

Asheville JCC’s Just Kids Program

» jcc-asheville.org; 253-0701; seth@jcc-asheville.org » 1st-5th grades. Just Kids Spring Break Camp is 8 a.m.-6 p.m. April 2-5 and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. April 6. Field trips, arts and crafts, cooking projects, community service work expand children’s knowledge through hands-on experience. With special guests and Camp Ruach Day. For children not enrolled in Just Kids afterschool, full days are $33 for JCC members, $42 for community. At Asheville Jewish Community Center, 236 Charlotte St.

Asheville Gymnastics

» ashevillegymnastics.com; 490-1496; info@ashevillegymnastics.com » Ages 5-13. Indoor gymnastics, climbing wall, arts and crafts. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At 50 Coxe Ave., Asheville. $5 per hour with parents (all ages welcome with parents), $10 per hour without parents, $40 per day (4 or more hours) or $175 full week. Minimum 10 children required to run program. Call ahead to confirm.

Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts

» Spring Break Camp: Kindergarners to age 11. Supervised recreation program at Asheville-area community centers. Activities include games, crafts, cultural arts and field trips. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Contact your local community center or Randy Shaw at 259-5483 and rshaw@ashevillenc.gov. » Spring Break Enrichment Camp: Inclusive recreation program for youth ages 6-13 with or without mild to moderate cognitive or developmental delays and/or physical disabilities, who meet eligibility requirements. One-on-one workers may come with participants, free of charge. Activities include arts and crafts, music, sports, exercise, nature exploration, group games. At West Asheville Community Center, 970 Haywood Road. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Registration held March 1-23. $60 Asheville residents; $65 nonresidents. Contact Lori Long at 259-5483 or trprogram@ashevillenc.gov.

Camp Whatchamacallit

» campwhatchamacallit.com; 203-885-6840; campwhatchamacallit@gmail.com » Ages 4 1/2-13. Family run coed camp exposing kids

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2012 CAMP GUIDE / SPRING BREAK Continued from Page 19 to a variety of sports including soccer, lacrosse, softball, baseball, tennis and more. Also includes arts and crafts, hip-hop, visits to WNC Nature Center and group games. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at John B. Lewis Soccer Complex Field No. 3, off Azalea Road in East Asheville. Early and late care available. $175 week ($150 each for additional siblings), $40 per day.

Colburn Earth Science Museum

» colburnmuseum.org; 254-7162; sconcannon@colburnmuseum.org » K-5th grade. Afternoon sessions, 2-5 p.m. April 2, 4 and 6, that will feature science lessons, experiments, crafts, snacks and games. Themes are “Land Before Time” (April 2), “Surf’s Up” (April 4) and “Fly Me to the Moon” (April 6). $15 each day. At museum, 2 S. Pack Square, downtown Asheville.

Outdoor Family Fun Center

» outdoorfamilyfuncenter.com; 698-1234; parxlent@aol.com » Ages 8-15. Fun with Golf camps have professional staff incorporate cross-training techniques approved by the PGA to teach golf skills and enhance fun and recreation. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 2-6 and April 9-13. Extended hours available. $275, lunch included. Three-day option available, $175. At 485 Brookside Camp Road, Hendersonville.

Playball

DAY CAMPS Airborne Gymnastics

» maxyplayball@gmail.com; 575-3000 » Ages 3-5. Developmental sports and movement program that gives children a noncompetitive place to learn about their bodies and gross motor movements in relation to team sports. Coordination games, relay races, obstacle courses and age appropriate sport skills teach teamwork, communication, imagination, flexibility, sensory integration, spatial awareness and more. 9 a.m.-noon at St. Paul’s Preschool, 223 Hillside St., Asheville. $100 week, $25 per day.

» Summer Explorers, June 4 - Aug. 17 » airbornegym@att.net; 697-0084 » Ages 3-12. (Preschoolers must be potty-trained.) Arts and crafts, games and gymnastics. Full-day campers go swimming and on weekly field trips. Themes include Mad Scientist; Pirates and Princesses; Messy, Messy, Messy; Super Soakin’, Artful Antics, more. Half-day (8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and full-day (until 5:30 p.m.) programs. $150 full-day; $75 half-day. At 85 PEM Drive, Hendersonville.

Roots + Wings School of Art

Appalachian Institute for Creative Learning

» rootsandwingsarts.com; 545-4827; info@rootsandwingsarts.com » K–3rd grades. At Colorful Spring! Art Camp, kids explore colors of flowers, food and animals while expressing themselves using a variety of visual art mediums including (but not limited to) clay, paint, printmaking and paper mache. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $150. At The Cathedral of All Souls in the Biltmore Village.

YWCA

» ywcaofasheville.org; 254-7206, ext. 111; cici.weston@ywcaofasheville.org » Grades K-6th. Field trips, outdoor recreation, sports, hiking, gardening. 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. $25 per day or $90 for week. At 185 S. French Broad Ave.

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» Summer Enrichment Camp, July 15-21 and 22-28 » appalachianinstitute.org; 800-951-7442; info@appalachianinstitute.org » Rising 3rd-graders to age 12. Campers are called “motivated learners,” figuring that anyone who shows up to take biology, math or art in July is motivated. Classes include science and math, history, society and culture, visual arts, drama, more. At Warren Wilson College. $325. Overnight camp available for up to rising 12th-graders.

Art Buzz Camp

» June 4-9 and July 19-14 » paintpartiesstudios.com/asheville/; Ece Okar, 255-2442; wineanddesignasheville@gmail.com

2012 CAMP GUIDE / DAY CAMPS » Ages 4-7 (June) and 8-12 (July). Kids create a canvas art project every day, along with other arts and crafts. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Saturday at Wine and Design, 640 Merrimon Ave. $150.

Asheville Art Museum

» June 11-July 30 » ashevilleart.org; 253-3227, ext. 122; smcrorie@ashevilleart.org » Rising kindergarten to 12th-graders. Sessions offered in museum’s newly expanded WNC Art Resource Center. Each session will explore variety of art mediums, like drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and mixed-media. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:30-5 p.m. and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. sessions. $90 members, $100 nonmembers for half-day; $155/$175 for full-day.

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

» June-July » abtech.edu » Ages 8 and up. Camps in pottery, cooking and cosmetology. Times and costs vary by camp.

Asheville Community Theatre

» Tanglewood Summer Camp, June 18-July 20 » ashevilletheatre.org, 254-2939; summercamp@ashevilletheatre.org

Asheville Performing Arts Academy offers camps, including musical productions, for kids as young as 3. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT » Ages 5-15. From acting to dancing, campers create theater from scratch guided by theater professionals. Session I, June 18-29, offers camp for ages 8-15 and Advanced Camp for ages 13-17, both 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Session II, July 9-20, for ages 5-7 is 9 a.m.-12:30

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p.m. and for ages 8-15 is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Elective classes available for ages 8-15 to extend day. $250$500. At 35 E. Walnut St., Asheville.

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Performance, for intermediate and advanced youth vocalists and instrumentalists, ages 7-17. Learn solo and group performance skills in several styles. Placement audition and interview is April 21. Placement based on skill level. Music Exploration and Family Music Workshops allow all ages to try out a variety of wind, string, percussion and keyboard instruments. Beginners welcome. Half-day workshops run one day per week for six weeks. $300 with discounts for multiple family members and early registration. Some scholarships available.

ABYSA

» June 4-Aug. 10 » abysa.org; 299-7277; shane@abysa.org » Ages 5-14. At the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex at Azalea Park near the WNC Nature Center. FUNdamentals Soccer Camps offer a games-centered teaching approach designed to enrich children’s passion for soccer while teaching them the proper techniques such as dribbling, passing, receiving, shielding and shooting. Campers divided into groups by age. Campers age 11-14 will receive individual and small-group tactical instruction. Full-day campers go swimming. Half-day camps (9 a.m.noon) for ages 5-6 for $115; full-day (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) for ages 7-14 for $195.

Asheville Parks and Recreation

Asheville Christian Academy

» June-July » acacademy.org; 581-2200 » Rising 1st- to 8th-graders. Camps offered include Camp Invention (9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. July 16-20), girls basketball (full day, June 18-22), boys basketball (half day, June 25-29), soccer (evenings, July 16-19) and girls volleyball (half day, July 23-27). Age range varies by camp. At 74 Riverwood Road, Swannanoa.

Asheville Gymnastics

» June 11-Aug. 10 » ashevillegymnastics.com; 490-1496; info@ashevillegymnastics.com » Ages 5-13. Structured gymnastics activities, crafts, free time, daily field trips, weekly pool day and movie day. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with early drop-off available. Weekly themes include Super Hero, Splish Splash, Pirate Week, Olympic Games and more. $175 per week, $40 per day (full day is 4 or more hours), $10 per hour ($5 with parent). At 50 Coxe Ave., Asheville.

Asheville Jewish Community Center

» June 11-Aug. 3 » jcc-asheville.org; 253-0701; seth@jcc-asheville.org » Camp Ruach: Rising 1st- to 8th-graders. In valuesbased weeklong sessions, campers learn about caring for each other, the importance of environmental stewardship, and their role in making the world a better place. With swimming instruction in outdoor pool, sports, cooking, crafts, nature expeditions, gardening, Israeli dance, music, teambuilding, field trips and Camp Ruach traditions, including Maccabiah Games, Wacky Water Olympics, Seth Olson “You Can Make A Difference Day” and Ruach Relay! New “design your summer” options include weekly activity choices, horseback riding add-on, and more. For rising 1st-5th grades, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., $190 members/$220 community. For rising 6th-8th grades, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., $230/$260. Extended care available. At 236 Charlotte St., Asheville. » Camp Tikvah: Two sessions of a unique, highly structured program for rising 1st- to 3rd-graders on the autism spectrum. Sensory issues, communication

Learn to play a musical instrument this summer at one of Asheville Music School’s Music Exploration workshops. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

goals, socialization and having fun, will be the prioritized focus throughout all activities. Campers will be included in as many Camp Ruach activities as is appropriate for each individual. Due to limited space, families will go through an interview process to ensure that Camp Tikvah is the right setting for your child.

Asheville Lightning Jr. Olympics

» Youth track and field, April 23-July » ashevillelightning.org; Bill Agrella, 242-0404; Lee Pantas, 779-1569 » Ages 6-18. Youth track and field program, sponsored by U.S. Track and Field. Practice is 6:15-8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, rain or shine, at Reynolds High School. $125 full membership; $100 practice-only membership.

Asheville Music School

» June 11-July 29 » ashevillemusicschool.org; 252-6244 » Youth, adult and family music workshops. Music

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Contact information for each camp included in listings. Look for Adventure Program listings in the April issue. » Summer Playground Program, June 11-Aug. 10: Rising 1st-graders to age 11. At Asheville area community centers. Games, crafts, cultural art and field trips. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Contact your community center or Allison Dains, 350-2058 or adains@ashevillenc.gov. » Summer Teen Leadership Program, June 11-Aug. 10: Ages 12-15. The Temp-Teen Enrichment Program offers an alternative to traditional teen summer camps with creative activities, diverse projects, field trips, more. Contact Allison Dains, 350-2058 or adains@ashevillenc.gov. » Therapeutic Recreation Summer Enrichment Camp, June 11-Aug. 10: Ages 6-13, with or without mild to moderate cognitive or developmental delays who meet eligibility requirements. Inclusive program with group games, arts and crafts, nature exploration, more. One-on-one workers may come free with participants. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. MondayFriday. Randy Shaw, LRT/CTRS, 350-2048 or rshaw@ashevillenc.gov. » Therapeutic Recreation Teen Summer Camp: Middle and high schoolers with or without mild to moderate cognitive or developmental delays, who meet eligibility requirements. Eight-week inclusive camp with games, arts and crafts, nature exploration, special events and field trips. Offered in cooperation with F.I.R.S.T. Camp size is limited. Contact Randy Shaw, LRT/CTRS, 350-2048 or rshaw@ashevillenc.gov. » Food Lion Skate Park, June-July: Ages 6-15. Sharpen skateboarding skills. 9 a.m.-noon MondayFriday. $75 per session. Corner of Flint and Cherry streets, downtown Asheville. Call 225-7184 for dates and to register. » Outdoor Adventure Programs: For details on this summer’s program, contact Christen McNamara at 251-4029 or email outdoorprograms@ ashevillenc.gov. Brochure available in March. » Tennis Program: Eight-week sessions for youth, beginners and intermediates starting in June at Malvern Hills and Aston parks; Reynolds and Roberson high schools; Enka and North Buncombe middle schools. Weekly 90-minute practices in early evening. $20. Registration ongoing. Call 251-4074 or e-mail lloftis@ashevillenc.gov.

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Asheville Performing Arts Academy

» June 11-Aug. 3 » ashevilleperformingartsacademy.com; 253-4000; theapaa@gmail.com » Ages 3-14. Camps include: Superheroes to the Rescue; Princess Camp with royal ball; “Winnie the Pooh, Kids!”, a musical put on in two weeks for ages 3-8, and “Mulan Jr.,” a two-week musical for ages 6-14. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., except “Mulan Jr.,” which is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. At 193 Charlotte St., Asheville. $150-400.

Asheville Physical Therapy

» Speed camp, June-August » ashevillephysicaltherapy.com; 277-7547; brianlawlerpt@gmail.com » Ages 10-18+. Increase your child’s speed, agility and quickness. Correct inefficient movement patterns and weaknesses. Coached by national presenter and speed expert Brian Lawler. 9-10:30 a.m. for younger campers, 4-5:30 p.m. for older campers, Monday-Thursday. $69.

Asheville Racquet Club

» Tennis, sports and soccer camps, June-August » ashevilleracquetclub.com; 274-3361 » Sports camps: Little Sneakers Camp introduces tennis fundamentals to ages 4-7. 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday. All Day Sports Camp for ages 7-14 teaches tennis and lets campers participate in other activities like racquetball, soccer, sports performance training and swimming. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Club membership not required. At South location, 200 Racquet Club Road, off Hendersonville Road. » Soccer camps: British Soccer Camp, June 25-29. Hourlong session for ages 3-5, half or full day for ages 6-9. TetraBrazil Futsal Camp, July 16-20. Half and full day for ages 9-14. Visit ashevillearenasports.com.

Ballet Conservatory of Asheville

» Dance and theater workshops, June-August » balletconservatoryofasheville.com; 255-5777 » Ages 5-10. Weeklong workshops in ballet, jazz, tap and modern. Theater workshop (June 18-22 only) includes acting, voice for actor/singer, improvisation, and choreography. End of week performances. Fullday options. Classes divided by age, experience. Dance workshops are 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Theater is 1-4 p.m. $155 each ($290 for dance plus theater) with discounts available. At Five Points Studio, 6 E. Chestnut St. » Summer Intensive, June 25-July 21: Intermediate and Advanced programs for ages 10-12, 13 and up. Rehearsals and classes in ballet, modern, jazz, Pilates, ballet history, nutrition from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, plus excursions. Audition required.

Biltmore Equestrian Center

» June 11-Aug. 3 » biltmore.com/visit/equestrian/; 225-1454; ebush@biltmore.com » Ages 5 and up. Horseback riding camps focus on

Kids can learn to horseback ride and experience breathtaking views of the Biltmore Estate at the Biltmore Equestrian Center. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT natural horsemanship skills, on the ground and in the saddle, as well as equitation on the flat through walk, trot and canter. May include jumping. Instructor to camper ratio is 1:5 or better. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Two-day mini-camps for ages 5-7, $200. Five-day camps for ages 8 and up, $400.

Black Mountain Center for the Arts

» June 25-29 » blackmountainarts.org; 669-0930; admin@blackmountainarts.org. » K-3rd grade. Daily activities in visual arts, music and creative movement, with presentation at end of week. Teachers are trained professionals with classroom experience. 9 a.m.-noon. At 225 W. State St., Black Mountain. $95.

Bullington Center

» June 25-29 » bullingtoncenter.org; 698-6104 » Rising 4th- to 6th-graders. In Nature Explorers Camp, learn about the world of plants and wildlife found in forests, streams, gardens and fields. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. At Bullington Center, 33 Upper Red Oak Trail in Hendersonville. $130.

British Soccer Camp

British coaching staff teaches skills and team tactics. Free ball and jersey if you register 45 days before camp. Visit challengersports.com for details and to register for all camps. » Henderson County Soccer Association, June 11-15: Ages 3-16. Camps range from one hour for ages 3-4 up to full day for ages 9-16. At Jackson Park. $75$170. » Buncombe County Parks and Recreation, Karpen Soccer Fields in Weaverville, June 18-22: Ages 3-16. Hourlong camp for ages 3-4 up to half day (8:30-11:30 a.m. or 5:30-8:30 p.m.) for ages 6-16. $83-$135.

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» Buncombe County Parks and Recreation, Sports Park, Candler, June 25-29: Ages 3-16. Hourlong camp for ages 3-4 up to half day (8:30-11:30 a.m. or 5:308:30 p.m.) for ages 6-16. $83-$135. » Waynesville Parks and Recreation, Rec Center Soccer Fields, July 23-27: Ages 3-16. Hourlong camp for ages 3-4 up to full day (9 am.-4 p.m.) for ages 8-16. $75-170.

Camp Amiguitos

» July 2-20 » Kari, rosasmom@gmail.com and 301-7502; Caroline, carolinepieters@yahoo.com, 242-2688 » Ages 4-10. Authentic Latin American crafts, cooking and cultural activities including music, dance, games and more. No previous Spanish required. Instructors have been teaching Spanish for more than 15 years to children from pre-K to high school. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Evergreen Community Charter School. July 2-5 for ages 4-6; July 9-13 for ages 5-8; July 16-20 for ages 7-10. $170.

Camp Cedar Cliff

» June 18-July 27 » campcedarcliff.org; 450-3331; camp@campcedarcliff.org » Rising K-6th grade. Weekly full-day sessions (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.). Fun and adventure geared to help children succeed and grow, and to point them to God. Activities include archery, BBs, zip line, Bible studies, swimming, crafts and more. At the Billy Graham Training Center in East Asheville. $205.

Camp Funshine, Toe River Campground

» June 18-21 » Lucy Wilson, 682-6561; luwilson@maxhealth.com » All ages. Day camp running 9 a.m.-3 p.m. MondayWednesday with family night starting at 3 p.m. Thursday. Open to all ages and all special needs. Campers must be accompanied by an adult, staff

DAY CAMPS person or family member. Variety of activities and games that are developmentally appropriate Free.

Camp Lakey Gap

» July 4-6 » christmount.org/camplakeygap; 669-8977; elsa.berndt@yahoo.com » Ages 4-17. Camp for children with autism at Christmount in Black Mountain. Campers will have a 1:1 or 1:2 staff ratio to provide support while participating in hiking, swimming, outdoor games, art, music, canoeing and more. Activities are adapted using visual structure so campers with autism can participate as independently as possible. 8:15 a.m.-5 p.m. $900. Scholarships may be available.

Camp Rockmont

» Coed day camp, June 11-Aug. 10 » rockmont.com/day-camp; 686-3885; info@rockmont.com » Ages 6-10. Coed Christian day camp incorporates many aspects of the camp’s overall mission of growth: discovering new skills, exploring the natural world and building a community that values each child. Activities include waterfront play, rock climbing, horseback riding, crafts, outdoor adventure, group games and creative learning. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $295 with sibling discounts. Transportation available from Oakley Plaza on Fairview Road.

Camp Tekoa

» June 11-Aug. 10 » camptekoa.org; 692-6516 » Ages 5-8 (elementary) and 9-11 (adventure). Nature hikes, scavenger hunts, devotions, challenge course, swimming, paddle boating, hayrides, arts and crafts, games, songs, zip line, more. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. $180 elementary day camp, $190 adventure day camp. » Special needs day camp: Ages 8-12 with developmental disabilities. Campers have full participation in activities alongside other elementary day campers. $200. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Carolina Day School

» June 18-Aug. 10 » cdschool.org; Libby Roland, lroland@cdschool.org; 274-0758, ext. 305 » Rising pre-K to 5th grade for Summer Quest; rising middle schoolers for Summer Explorations; rising high schoolers for Summer Workshops. Summer Quest offers a variety of academic and quest camps including science, ecology, Pokemon, chemistry, ocean exploring, candy making, dinosaur discovering, messy art, acting, sports, hiking and more. Summer Explorations offer an in-depth examination on a subject such as astrobiology, app creation, robotics, mythbusters experiments, duct tape creations and more. Summer Workshops are directed toward high school students. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. with early and late options available. At 1345 Hendersonville Road. Starts at $155; discount before March 31.

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Casa dei Bambini Bilingual Village School

» June 13-Aug. 10 » 254-CASA » Ages 3-8. Dynamic bilingual play camp with games, dramatic play, water and sensory exploration, cooking, preliteracy activities, arts and crafts and more, all within a dual-language immersion environment with English and Spanish. Starts and 9 a.m. and runs until noon, 2:30 or 5:30 p.m. At 818 Haywood Road, West Asheville.

Center Stage Dance Studio

» June 11-Aug. 10 » centerstage1.com; 654-7010 » Ages 3-5 and 6-9. Daily dance classes, dress up, crafts, games, more. Themed weeks include: Dancy Nancy, Fashion Week, Queen of Pop, American Girl, Junior Dance Camp and more. Week culminates in performance. $150 before May 20 ($175 after). At 38 Rosscraggon Road, Asheville.

Climbmax Climbing Center

» June-August » climbmaxnc.com » Ages 6-16. Programs start at indoor rock climbing facility and progress outdoors to climbing location

Carolina Day School’s campers can choose from a wide range of academic and quest camps that include science and the arts, as well as adventure camps and sports options. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

in a national forest. Introduction to rock climbing for ages 6-13 also includes crafts, tumbling and more. Advanced camp for ages 12-16 is more intensive and directed climbing program with two

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days on real rock and two days paddling the French Broad River. Includes two nights camping. $385-675.

2012 CAMP GUIDE / DAY CAMPS Colburn Earth Science Museum

» June 11-Aug. 5 » colburnmuseum.org; 254-7162; sconcannon@colburnmuseum.org » Rising K to 5th-graders. Ignite the wonder of science in kids with hands-on lessons, experiments, crafts, outings and games. Five one-week sessions and two weeks of individual Fun Days. Full day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, $150 members/$175 nonmembers. Half days, 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m., $80 members/$95 nonmembers. Fun Days, $30 each.

Crossfire Ministry

» June 11-29 and July 9-19 » crossfireministry.com; 255-9111 » Ages 6-17. Half-day, full-day and overnight coed basketball camps that teach fundamentals, with fun competitions. Testimonies and share time. At these locations: Asheville Christian Academy (1-4:30 p.m. June 11-15, ages 6-12, and July 9-13, ages 6-17); Waynesville Recreation Center (1-4:30 p.m. June 18-22, ages 6-12); Hendersonville First Baptist Church (1-4:30 p.m. June 25-29, ages 6-12); Mars Hill College (8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. July 16-19, ages 9-17; and July 15-19 overnight for ages 9-17).

Cub Scout Camp

» Camp Stephens, June 18-22 » danielboonecouncil.org; Babette Thompson,

273-3598, babettethompson11@gmail.com; or Trina Stewart, 380-1386, tstewart_trina@yahoo.com; » Ages 7-10. Boys can register as Cub Scouts during Day Camp registration period. SoQua District Cub Scout camp, with the theme Cub-O-Motion, offers archery, BB riflery, crafts, games, sports, nature and more. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Camp Stephens, Clayton Road in Arden. $90. Register by June 1.

Earth Path Education

» June-July » earthpatheducation.com; 502-396-6408; earthpatheducation@gmail.com All camps at Herb Mountain Farm, 87 Maney Branch Road, Weaverville. » Roots Day Camp, June 4-8 and 25-29: Ages 7-14. Nature awareness, ancestral skills, Appalachian folk wisdom, plant lore and more. Craft focus is on basketry, natural paints, cordage and clay vessels. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. $200 with discount before March 15. » Roots Backpacking, June 18-20: Ages 10-14. Overnight backpacking trip and summer solstice celebration. $250 (includes meals). » Growing Goddess Camp, June 11-15 and July 9-13 and 23-27: Girls, ages 10-16. Overnight camp rooted in Earth traditions. Centered on self-care through listening to our bodies and honoring the connection to the Earth. Explore plant wisdom, ceremony, songs, primitive skills, storytelling and

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initiation rites. $450 with discount before March 15.

Eliada Home for Children

» June 4-Aug. 15 » eliada.org; 210-0224 » Ages 5-13 (must have completed kindergarten). Campus of 200+ acres with heated swimming pool, mountain hiking trails, mini-bike lessons, riding trails (ages 10-13), gymnasium, golf driving range, playground. Two air-conditioned spaces let children escape heat or rain to socialize, create arts and crafts, play games and more. 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $138. Child care vouchers accepted. At 2 Compton Drive, Asheville.

Emmanuel Lutheran School

» Summer Rocks, June 11-Aug. 10 » emmanuellutheranschool.org; 281-8182 » Rising 1st-9th grades. Variety of programs with field trips, arts and crafts, tae kwon do, sports, more. Two camps per week to choose from. 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday, with extended day of 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. available. In drama camp, 4th- to 8th-graders can participate in the production of “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.” Auditions are 6-8 p.m. May 30-31. At 51 Wilburn Place, Asheville.

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Fine Arts League of the Carolinas

» June 11-15 and 18-22 » fineartsleague.org; 252-5050; holt@fineartsleague.org » Weeklong camps with focuses on fundamental drawing, basic sculpture, basic mosaics and landscape drawing. Full-day workshops run 9 a.m.-noon and 1:15-4:15 p.m. for $275, or take morning session only for $150. Plus $45 nonrefundable registration fee. At 362 Depot St., Asheville.

Fired Up! Creative Lounge

» June 11-July 20 » fireduplounge.com; 253-8181 (Asheville) or 6989960 (Hendersonville) » Ages 5-12. Weekly or daily camps include arts and crafts like painting pottery, mosaics, glass fusing, tie-dye and more. 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday. At 26 Wall St., Asheville, or 321 N.Main St., Hendersonville. $125 per week or $25 per day, with discounts before May 15 or for multiple children.

First Baptist Church of Asheville

» fbca.net; 252-4781; lsills@fbca.net » Explorer Camp, July 12 and 19: Rising 1st-3rd grades. Go gem mining at an area mine on July 12 or spend a day in Montreat on July 19. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $20 per day, which includes lunch and snacks. Call or email to register by July 6. » Mega Camp, July 26-29: Rising 4th-7th grades. Overnight camp experience with fun and challenging activities for children walking together on a faith journey. $250, with $75 deposit due by May 31.

Flat Rock Playhouse YouTheatre

» June 4-Aug. 10 » ytrocks.com; 693-3517 » Pre-K to rising 12th grade. Sessions offered in musical theater, dance (ballet, theater dance and hip-hop), drama, improvisation, voice, visual arts (claymation, painting), stage combat, audition techniques, a traveling drama tour and more. Halfday (9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.) and full-day (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) camps available in 1- and 2-week sessions. Full- and half-day workshops and classes also offered throughout summer. Starting at $40. » Summer Theatre Arts Intensive, Aug. 5-10: Rising 6th-9th grades. Residential coed camp at Green River Preserve. Morning hikes with GRP mentors, concentrated acting and vocal workshops, along with dance and movement led by YouTheatre staff in the afternoon. GRP camp activities such as music, campfires, storytelling, noncompetitive games. Visit greenriverpreserve.org/base-camp/ theatre-arts-intensive-camp/ or call 698-8828.

Fletcher Parks and Recreation

» June 11-Aug. 17 » fletcherparks.org; 687-0751; g.walker@fletchernc.org » Ages 5-12. Week includes games, arts and crafts,

Hanger Hall School for Girls offers a weeklong camp with arts, outdoor activities and more for rising 5th- to 9th-grade girls. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT swimming, two field trips to outdoor recreation locales. $100 residents ($125 nonresidents). Scholarships available for families on financial assistance. Registration day is March 10, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Camp runs 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Fletcher Community Park, 85 Howard Gap Road.

Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa

» Summer Fun Camp: Ages 5-12. Activities include swimming, active games, sports, ping pong, billiards, tennis, racquetball, arts and crafts and movies. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with early drop-off, June 18-22 and 25-29, July 16-20 and July 30-Aug. 3. $275, includes snack and lunch. 252-2711, ext. 1046, or tporter@groveparkinn.com » Tennis Fun Camp: Ages 5-12. Tennis instruction and drills and swimming. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 18-22 and 25-29, July 16-20 and July 30-Aug. 3. $275, lunch and snack included. Stewart Atkins, satkins@groveparkinn.com or 252-2711, ext. 1046.

Gwynn Valley Camp

» June 11-July 20 » gwynnvalley.com; 885-2900; » Ages 5-11. Coed day camp is based on the tradition of its residential camp, founded in 1935. With nature exploration, crafts, drama, music, swimming, group games, working farm, horseback riding, grist mill. Noncompetitive philosophy. 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. $400 per week.

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Hahn’s Gymnastics

» Summer Adventures, June 4-Aug. 17 » hahnsgymnastics.com; 684-8832; hahnsgymnastics@hotmail.com » Ages 3-12. (Preschoolers must be potty-trained.) Half-day (8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and full-day (until 5:30 p.m.) programs. Arts and crafts, games and gymnastics. Full-day campers go swimming and on weekly field trips. Themes include Mad Scientist; Pirates and Princesses; Messy, Messy, Messy; Super Soakin’, Artful Antics, more. $165 full-day; $85 half-day. At 18 Legend Drive in Arden.

Hanger Hall

» Aug. 6-10 » hangerhall.org; 258-3600; info@hangerhall.org » Girls, rising 5th- to 9th-graders. A fun-filled week of crafts, hiking, swimming, blueberry picking, games and traditional mountain dancing. At Hanger Hall School for Girls, 30 Ben Lippen School Road. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $235.

Hickory Nut Gap Farm

» June 18-July 20 » hickorynutgapfarmcamp.com; 628-2616 or 6283546 » Ages 6-13. Experience horseback riding, art, drama, swimming and more. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. MondayFriday. $350 per week plus $25 registration fee.

DAY CAMPS Joyful Noise Community Music & Arts Center

» July 23-27 » joyfulnoisecenter.org; joyfulnoisecamp@ yahoo.com » For string players (ages 6-18) of all skill levels, from early intermediate to advanced. Camp offers orchestra, chamber music and masterclass instruction, as well as a variety of electives including dance, visual arts, drama, chorus, jazz and world music. End-ofweek performance. Faculty will include nationally renowned string educator Dean Angeles as well as members of the Asheville Symphony. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $245. Scholarships and discounts available. At First Presbyterian Church of Weaverville.

Lutheridge

» Kinder Camp, June 11-15 and July 16-20 » lutheridge.com; kridenhour@llmi.net or 684-2361, ext. 304 » Ages 4-7. Campers will learn about Jesus and how he calls them to new adventures every day. Traditional activities like crafts, games, songs, skits, stories and outdoor adventure on 160 acres of woods and trails. Campers grouped by age. On Hendersonville Road, south of Airport Road. $120, with discounts before March 13, April 12 and May 12.

Molly Angel’s Art Camps

» June 18-22 (Arden) and July 30-Aug. 3 (Weaverville) » mollyangel.com; 681-0106; mollyangelart@gmail.com » 1st-6th grades. Weeklong art camps feature drawing, painting, clay and collage offering students a wide range of media to explore and exciting projects to ignite their creativity. 10 a.m.-noon or 2-4 p.m. Limited to nine students per class. $95, includes all supplies.

Ninja Kids Camp

» July 9-13 and 16-20 » ashevilleninjas.com » Rising 1st to 6th grades. Study martial arts through nature. Structured classes and nature walks weave in with games and free play outdoors. Guest instructors teach special topic classes each week. 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. with early care available. Snack provided. Location TBD. $170 with discount before April 15.

N.C. Arboretum

» June 4-Aug. 15 » ncarboretumregistration.org; 665-2492; jmarchal@ncarboretum.org » Pre-K to rising 8th-graders. Every child deserves a chance to enjoy and explore the natural world. Camps for younger children include wildlife safaris, creek explorations, nature crafts and fort building. Older students engage in adventure activities both on campus and at other local destinations. Camps

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2012 CAMP GUIDE / DAY CAMPS Continued from Page 31 include rafting, hiking, geocaching, camping, mountain biking, fishing, more. Pre-K camps are 9:3011:30 a.m.; school-aged camps are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with some overnight stays. Early care available. $90-$335. At N.C. 191 and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts

» June 11-Aug. 10 » highwaterclays.com; 285-0210; odyssey@highwaterclays.com » Ages 4-12. Clay camps include making pots on the pottery wheel, clay games, giant sculptures, clay animals, puppets and more. 9 a.m.-noon or 2-5 p.m. $140 with sibling discounts. At 236 Clingman Ave.

Odyssey Community School

» June 4-Aug. 17 » odysseysummercamp.com; 259-3653; tking@odysseycommunity.org » Ages 5-12 and 13-17. Summer Adventure Camps for ages 5-12 include percussion, pottery, robotics, cooking, messy science, daily swimming. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $200. Teen Intensives for ages 12-17 include digital photography and Photoshop, animation and filmmaking, fly-fishing, more. Noon-3:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. $225. At 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville.

Outdoor Family Fun Center

» June-August » outdoorfamilyfuncenter.com; 698-1234; parxlent@aol.com » Ages 8-15. Fun with Golf camps have professional staff incorporate cross-training techniques approved by the PGA to teach golf skills and enhance fun and recreation. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 18-22, July 16-20 and Aug. 13-17. Extended hours available. $275, lunch included. Three-day option available, $175. At 485 Brookside Camp Road, Hendersonville.

Richmond’s Studio

» June 11-Aug. 3 » richmonds-studio.com/summercamp.html; 7773345; admin@richmonds-studio.com » Rising K-12th grades. Half-day weeklong fine arts classes in drawing, painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture taught by local contemporary artists including Richmond Smith, James Cassara, Celia Barbieri, Amanda Gaebel and Bridget Conn. 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. At Richmond’s Studio, in Phil Mechanic Studios in the River Arts District. $150.

RiverLink

» June-July » riverlink.org; 252-8474, ext. 18; education@riverlink.org » Rising 3rd- to 5th-graders (June 11-15 and July 9-13) and rising 6th- to 8th-graders (June 18-22 and July 16-20). Start at French Broad River Park and take field trips to different sites in the French Broad River Watershed. Activities include Kids in the Creek

Richmond's Studio in the River Arts District offers art camps for kids going into kindergarten to 12th grade. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT water quality testing, river games, nature journals, service learning project, rafting or tubing trip, and arts and crafts. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $250.

Rock Academy

» June-July » rockacademync.com; 252-1888 » Ages 9-17. Live your rock ’n’ roll dreams at Rock Academy in weeklong sessions with performance on Friday. Musical/instrument experience is recommended but not required. Students hone performance and ensemble expertise and learn music industry-related skills. Campers must be interested in music and have willingness to try different instruments. Camps include music theory, rock music appreciation, a crash course in live performance skills, elements of songwriting, composition and arrangement, and clinics in guitar, bass, keyboards and vocals. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday. Runs June 11-15 and 25-29 and July 9-13 and 23-27. $175. At Asheville Music School West, 1408 Patton Ave., Suite E, Asheville.

Roots + Wings School of Art

» June 11-July 23 » rootsandwingsarts.com; 545-4827; info@rootsandwingsarts.com » Age 3-rising 12th-graders. Art camps explore drawing, comics, painting, collage, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media. Design lab will explore the many dimensions of visual art, desgin and architecture as well as collaborate with The Asheville Design Center’s summer design-build studio. At the Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village and The Orange Peel in downtown Asheville. Monday-Friday. Cost varies.

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The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club

» June 4-Aug. 3 (may vary with school calendar) » 255-0266, ext. 200; Elizabeth.Shuman@ uss.salvationarmy.org or Kim.Miller@ uss.salvationarmy.org » Ages 6-13, with teen center for ages 14-18. Arts and crafts, games, swimming, sports, field trips, music, and Vacation Bible School, with hot lunch and snacks. 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. At 750 Haywood Road. Child care vouchers accepted. $60 registration fee; $125, with scholarships available. Teen center is $50 per week, plus registration fee. Register 3-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, starting April 9.

Skyland Camp for Girls

» June 25-29 » skylandcamp.com; 627-2470 » Rising 1st- to 4th-grade girls. Experience a week at this girls camp in Clyde, established in 1917. Activities may include horseback riding, archery, arts and crafts, drama, games, swimming and more. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. $300.

Smith-McDowell House Museum

» July 23-27 » wnchistory.org; 253-9231; education@ wnchistory.org » Rising 2nd- to 5th-graders. Hands-On History camp theme is Victorian Life. Campers will have hands-on programs and crafts based on history and culture from 1837-1901, including dressing in period costumes, games, songs, toys, interpretive play, cooking and more. Each day centers on specific question such as “Who are the Victorians?” or “What events

DAY CAMPS happened during this time period?” 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $180.

Swannanoa 4-H Camp

» June 4-Aug. 10 » swan4h.com; 686-3196; swan4h@yahoo.com » Ages 4-13. Camp includes arts and crafts, hiking, archery, ropes courses, climbing tower, air rifles with weekly themes like Animal Instincts, Wild West, Stream Ecology, CSI, Forestry and more. One-week sessions.

The Health Adventure

» June 18-July 27 » thehealthadventure.org; 665-2217 » Rising 1st- to 8th-graders. Young Adventurers’ Camps focus on building and design, and art and science. Discovery Science Camps include Gooey Science, Design Challenge, Surfin’ Safari and more. G.I.R.L.S. Quest for middle school girls looks at science in real life. There’s also a Family Robotics Workshop for rising 4th-graders to adults. Sessions are mornings or afternoons, except G.I.R.L.S. Quest, which is full day. Starts at $135 members/$150 nonmembers. Family Robotics is $33 members/$37 nonmembers. At Biltmore Square Mall, Asheville.

The Little Gym

» June 9-Aug. 17 » tlgashevillenc.com; 667-9588 » Ages 3-10. Themed camps include gymnastics, crafts and more. Offered 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. MondayThursday and 2-5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Pick as many or few days as fits your schedule. Cost varies. At 1000 Brevard Road, Suite 168.

The Orange Peel

» Art and music camps, June 11-July 9 » rootsandwingsarts.com; 545-4827; info@rootsandwingsarts.com » Rising 1st-6th graders. Roots of Wings School of Art and Orange Blossom Music Camp offer chance to explore either music or art on location at The Orange Peel. Themes include In the Sky, Life’s a Zoo, Love and Peace and On the Go! Music camps will take place in the Pulp Lounge, with students learning two songs on their instruments as well as music theory, rhythm exercises and more. Art camps will be held in the main performance space and will involve many art mediums including drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, sculpture and mixedmedia. Both camps will end with a finale on the stage each Friday. Monday-Friday.

Transylvania Community Arts Center

» Summer Art Camp, June 25-29: Ages 5-12. Explore visual arts, music, dance and pottery. 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. $75. At T.C. Arts Council, 349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard. tcarts.org, 884-2787, tcarts@comporium.net

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2012 CAMP GUIDE / DAY CAMPS Continued from Page 35 » Mountain Roots Pottery Camp, July 9-13 or 16-20: Ages 10-15. Learn and practice basic handbuilding skills including pinch, coil and slab techniques, and paint with glasses. 9 a.m.-noon or 1:30-4:30 p.m. at T.C. Arts Council, 349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard. $225. Call 884-2787 to register. Visit mountainroots.org or email ali@mountainroots for more information.

Trinity Presbyterian Church

» June 5-21 and July 10-Aug. 24 » trinityasheville.com; 299-3433, ext. 308 » Infants-5th grade. Themed weeks with water play days, service projects, bike rodeos, special visitors, field trips, arts and crafts, sports, more. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Late care available. Registration starts March 1. Starts at $45 for one day per week. Discount before May 17.

True Ink

» June 11-Aug. 10 » true-ink.org; 215-9002; janet@true-ink.org » Elementary-high school. Weeklong creative writing programs include Writing and Cartooning/Illustration, Writing and Stop-Action Animation (film), Writing for Radio and Podcasts, Spoken Word Performance Poetry, Puppet Play and more. Week-long programs for elementary, middle school and high school age with highlyqualified professional writers and artists. Locations vary by program and include Thomas Wolfe Memorial site in downtown Asheville. Starting at $135.

UNC Asheville

» Eddie Biedenbach Basketball Camp, June 11-14 and June 18-21: For boys ages 6-16. 8:30 a.m.-noon for $185 or 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. for $330. Discount before June 1. Call 251-6935 or e-mail nmcdevit@unca.edu. » Nike Smoky Mountain Running Camp, July 8-27: Ages 12-18. Weeklong sessions led by high school and college-level coaches. Advanced Placement Cross Country Class for elite runners with college-level instruction about art and science of running. Daily runs in the national forest. Video taping with personal form analysis. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Overnight, $655. Visit unca.edu/ oaci. » Betsy Blose Girls Basketball Camps, June 23-30: K-12th grades. UNCA women’s basketball coach Betsy Blose offers two basketball camps for girls. Elite Camp (June 23-24) is for rising high schoolers who want to play at the collegiate level with two days of intense competition and skill development. $165. Fundamental Day Camp (June 25-28) is for rising K-8th grades and teaches fundamentals in a challenging and fun environment. Full-day (9 a.m.-5 p.m., $225) and half-day (9 a.m.-1 p.m., $150). Varsity Team Shootout (June 29-30) is $325 per team. Contact Curtis Metten at cmetten@unca.edu or 251-6350.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley

» July 16-20 » Sybil Argintar, 230-3773 or sybil.argintar@yahoo.com » Rising 1st-4th grades. Journey for the Earth: Daily Travel Adventures has an environmental focus with daily themes such as solar energy, water, animals, sustainable gardening and recycling. Activities include field trips, hands-on experiments, building recycled creatures and take-home games. $150 with sibling discount. At 500 Montreat Road, Black Mountain.

Vance Elementary’s Camp Invention

» June 18-22 » campinvention.org; 800-968-4332; Robyn Dowers, 350-6640 » Program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation for rising 1st- to 6th-graders in Asheville City Schools. Campers build their own invention and will add principles of flight to it. They will use magnetic principles and chart a course to the island of Magnetville. Using the Rube Goldberg design model, campers will create an invention to burst a balloon. And more. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $215; register by March 30 for $25 off.

Veritas Christian Academy

» June 4-Aug. 3 » veritasnc.org; 681-0546 » Rising kindergarten to 12th grade. Half-day camps include art, sign language, puppet making, basketball, soccer, Spanish, more. $55-105. Schedules vary. At 17 Cane Creek Road, Fletcher.

Waynesville Parks and Recreation

» Starts June 11 » 465-2030; recathletics@townofwaynesville.org » Ages 5-12. Weekly field trips, swimming, arts and crafts, more. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $75 per week for Waynesville Recreation Center members, $95 nonmembers.

Warren Wilson College

» July 9-21 » warrenwilsonowls.com; 771-3738; kwalden@warrenwilson.edu » Rising 4th- to 12th-graders. Improve basketball skills with WWC coach Kevin Walden. Two weeklong morning camps, 9 a.m.-noon, and a one-day shooting camp (July 21) at DeVries Gymnasium at Warren Wilson College. $80 for weeklong sessions, $35 for shooting camp.

Western Carolina University

» Rocket to Creativity camp, June 25-29: Rising 2nd- to 9th-graders. Activities that promote creative thinking and problem solving with interest groups campers can choose such as Crime Scene Investigation, The Inventors Club, Robotics, Spy and Espionage, Clown Around with Animation and Fashion through

the Ages. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Killian Building on WCU campus. Registration opens March 1. $125, includes lunch. Visit www.wcu.edu/13177.asp or call 227-7108. » Basketball Camp: Coach Karen Middleton and Catamounts players help raise your game to a new level. Individual Camp, June 22-24, for 3rd- to 11thgraders, is structured to improve court skills at all ability levels ($175, commuter/$225 overnight). Advanced division for advanced players. Position Camp, June 17, is for 7th- to 11th-graders ($40). Team Camp, June 16-17, is for high school level teams (starts at $75 plus $50 per player). Contact Hillary Beck at 227-2994, or hhbeck@wcu.edu. At Ramsey Center on WCU campus. » Soccer Day Camp, July 16-20 for boys and girls ages 6-12. Technical training using small sided games adn small group instruction. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. MondayThursday and 9 a.m.-noon Friday. $90-$175. Email tcherman@email.wcu.edu or visit westerncarolinasoccercamp.com. » Volleyball Camp: Team camp (July 22-24 and 27-29) and individual skills camp (July 24-26) for rising 7th-graders through high schoolers. Camps have six 2.5-hour sessions. Team camps have an additional outdoors session that includes whitewater rafting. $250-$300, depending on camp. Email jpbrannon@email.wcu.edu.

WNC Nature Center

» June 11-Aug. 3 wncnaturecenter.com; 298-5600, ext. 305 » Pee Wee Camp: Preschool and kindergarten-age children with parents. Animal topics include stories, crafts, games, songs, snacks and some live animal encounters. 9 a.m.-noon. $75 for one child and one adult, $25 each for additional siblings or adults. » Wild Week Camps: 1st-5th grades. Get kids involved in wonders of the natural world with activities in arts, sciences and social studies. Held in classroom and throughout Nature Center. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. starting June 18 with themes like Rhythms of the Earth, Forest of Lilliput, Reptiles and Amphibians and more. After care available, 3-5 p.m. Registration open March 1 for Friends of the WNC Nature Center only; opens to public on March 2. $150 members/$175 nonmembers.

YWCA of Asheville

» Starts June 11 » ywcaofasheville.org; 254-7206, ext. 111; cici.weston@ywcaofasheville.org » Grades K-6 (must have attended kindergarten). Weekly field trips and enrichment activities including swimming, art, music, organic gardening and sports. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, extended care available. $140 members/$155 nonmembers, with $35 individual or $50 family registration fee. At 185 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville.

YMCA of Western North Carolina

» YMCA Explorer Camp at Beaverdam, June 4-Aug. 10: Rising 1st grade to age 12. Environmental/ traditional day camp at the YMCA Youth Center in North Asheville. Campers participate in nature, woodworking, team building, crafts, archery, ecol-

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2012 CAMP GUIDE / DAY CAMPS ogy, outdoor cooking, camp songs, drama, Native American history, group games, hiking, swimming, field trips, horse riding options, science, rocketry, weekly campouts, a 3-day/2-night campout option at our new resident camp (ages 8-12), more. 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday–Friday. $155 per week, plus one-time registration fee ($35 child/$50 family). Call 210-2273. » YMCA Kiddie Camp at Beaverdam, June 4-Aug. 10: Ages 4-5. Kiddie Camp is special part of Explorer Camp with smaller groups and additional staff. Activities include nature, camp crafts, ecology, sports, camp songs, dramatic play, swimming, field trips, more. Story time and a rest/nap time each day. 7 a.m.– 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. $155 per week, plus one-time registration fee ($35 child/$50 family). Call 210-2273. » YMCA Buncombe County School Camps, June 4-Aug. 15: Rising 1st-graders to 12 years old. Day camps based at Estes, Bell, Hominy Valley elementary schools and Black Mountain Primary School. Weeklong sessions, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Themed weeks with field trips, swimming/watersports, hiking, science/rocketry, crafts, songs, group games, a 3-day/2-night campout option at the Y’s new resident camp (ages 8-12), summer family nights, more. $155 per week with one-time $35 child/$50 family registration fee. State child care subsidy vouchers accepted at this camp only. Call 210-2273. » YMCA Swim Camp, June 11-15 and July 16-20: Ages 8-12. Campers placed in groups according to skill levels. Groups will work on intensive skills and

drills, junior lifeguard training, proper safety, and participate in daily competitions to introduce and acclimate children to the culture of swim teams. Must already have swim skills and be comfortable swimming in the water without flotation devices. $110. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. plus one-time registration fee ($35 child/$50 family). Extended camp available at Beaverdam or county camps between 7 a.m.-6 p.m. (transportation provided). State Child Care Subsidy Vouchers are accepted for Swim Camp only if child is also already signed up for YMCA Discovery Camp during the same week. Call 210-2273. » Henderson County Family YMCA Day Camp, June 11-Aug. 17: Ages 6-12. Themed weeks with field trips, swimming, group games, camp songs, outdoor exploration, nature walks, team sports, arts and crafts, more. $95 members/$110 nonmembers plus one-time $35 child/$50 family registration fee. 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 693-7669. » Reuter Family YMCA sports camps: Several camps offered in June, July and August for rising 2nd- to 5th-graders. All Sports Camp focuses on basic fundamentals of a variety of sports including flag football, soccer and basketball. Youth All Sports Camp includes popular and nontraditional sports like rock climbing, cycling, hiking and more. Pop Warner Football and Cheer Camp focuses on flag football and cheerleading, with scrimmages, routines adn one-on-one training. And Little All-Star Camp focuses on fundamentals of soccer, basketball and T-ball. All camps run 9 a.m.-noon and cost $95

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member/$115 nonmember. Call 651-9622. » Mild Adventure Camp, weeks of June 11 and 25, July 9 and 23, and Aug. 6: Ages 9-14. For kids who like the outdoors and physical activity. Field trips, hiking, swimming, games, outdoor skills challenge, more. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday with extended care available. At YMCA Youth Center at Beaverdam in North Asheville. $170 members/$190 nonmembers, plus one-time registration fee ($35 child/$50 family). Call 210-9622. » Wild Adventure Camp, weeks of June 4 and 18, July 2, 16 and 30: Ages 10-17. For tweens and teens with extreme adventure on their minds. Includes hikes, rock climbing, bouldering, etc. With one special trip each week such as whitewater rafting, paintball, zip lines, more. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. MondayFriday with extended care available. At YMCA Youth Center at Beaverdam in North Asheville. $190 members/$210 nonmembers, plus one-time registration fee ($35 child/$50 family). Call 210-9622. » Corpening Memorial YMCA Day Camp, June 11-Aug. 24: Rising K to 12th grade. Children will participate in nature hikes, camp songs, group games, arts and crafts, swimming, outdoor exploration, water play, drama and music, sports, field trips and more. Camp Discovery for K-5th grade; Leaders in Training for 6th-8th grade; Counselors In Training for 9th-12th grades. Weeklong camps, 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. $70 members/$90 nonmembers (McDowell County only) plus one-time registration fee ($35 child/$50 family). Call 659-9622, ext. 115.

Staying close with your

tweens teens

By Pam J. Hecht, WNC Parent contributor

hen kids become tweens or teens, it can sometimes feel like they’ve morphed into entirely different people. But not to worry — it’s likely not a split personality disorder they’ve developed — they’re just growing up. “Tweens and teens can feel as if no one understands them and sometimes we don’t — but they appreciate it when we do,” says Wendy Cuellar, a school counselor at North Windy Ridge Intermediate School in Weaverville. One minute, kids can think and behave maturely, Cuellar adds, “and the next, they might cry because they can’t find a

stuffed animal or their hair isn’t right.” So, take a deep breath and remember that when your tween or teen is being difficult, it’s likely a coping mechanism and not a permanent state, Cuellar says. Meanwhile, here are a few ways to stay close to your older child, keeping that relationship you’ve nurtured through the early years, on solid ground.

Find ways to connect

Spend time together daily, even if it’s just a cup of tea at bedtime or a quick round of basketball, and try to have dinner together nightly, says online parenting expert Dr. Laura Markham of Aha! Parenting. Although not every interaction involves an “intimate connection, this regular time establishes the trust for those times when your child needs to talk.” Cuellar regularly asked her teenage stepson, Chris Shulby, now 25, to tell her what he saw on the news,

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Staying close Continued from Page 38

keeping her up-to-date while fostering regular conversations, she says. Keep searching for common ground, says Ann Oakes, of Asheville, whose family plays music together. They also enjoy playing games, hiking, camping and cooking together, she says. And because her daughters, Aimee, 13, and Jade, 16, were reading “The Hunger Games,” she and husband, Bob, decided to read them, too, and will see the movie together. Do whatever you can “to get a conversation going,” Oakes adds. Talk while shopping at the mall or driving to school, says Oakes, who one day offered to clean up after dinner if her daughters would take a walk with her.

Let go a little

Establishing distance from parents is a natural, developmental process and for parents of older kids, it can mean big changes that are challenging, says Syd Speer, MA, LPC, an Asheville therapist who works with adolescents and parents. Parents should change roles as their kids grow, he says, moving from manager to Continues on Page 42

Wendy Cuellar is a counselor at North Windy Ridge School where her daughter, Catherine Shulby, 12, also attends school. ERIN BRETHAUER/EBRETHAU@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

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Staying close Continued from Page 40

coach to consultant. Respect your child’s emerging independence and don’t try to make decisions for them, like picking out their friends or activities, but offer help in figuring things out if they need it, says Speers. If they “feel like you won’t be intrusive, they’ll come to you” for assistance. With issues like getting behind in homework, kids need to experience the consequences of their mistakes, Speers says. “They may need to fail and feel that you’ll be there to help them get up.” “Kids need to separate and you’ve got to give them space,” says Oakes. “They’re learning to become independent, make their own decisions and be away from their parents.” For Oakes’ younger daughter, Aimee, that means sometimes saying no to playing music with the family and spending more time on her own. When Oakes’ older daughter, Jade, makes her own transportation arrangements, telling Oakes to “just trust me,” Oakes says, “I know she’s being independent and doing what she’s supposed to — she’s growing up.”

Talk less, listen more

Instead of lecturing, “pick out salient points and ask them to tell you what they heard,” Cuellar says. “Explain how you feel and why you’re worried.” If your child asks a question, don’t answer more than what they asked — they may get overwhelmed and won’t want to ask anything again, says Speers. “Don’t rush in to solve problems and offer advice,” says Markham. “Instead, ask questions to help them clarify their feelings and options.” But avoid excessive questioning, which may feel like an interrogation, and actively listen to what they have to say.

Highlight the positive

Rather than focusing on what they don’t do, like not cleaning their rooms, notice what they do right, says Cuellar. “When they’re little, we praise their baby steps, then they turn into teenagers and we’re apt to focus on the negative,” she says.

Keep your cool

When they seem to be acting “belligerent,” don’t jump to conclusions or make judgments, says Cuellar. Their minds may be elsewhere, they may be looking for your

Ann Oakes and her daughters Aimee, 13, left, and Jade, 16, often play music together. JOHN COUTLAKIS/JCOUTLAKIS@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

reaction, or peer pressure may be the motivating factor, she explains. Don’t overreact or take things personally. Keep emotions in check, and “accept that they may need to push against your rules to test things out and feel their own strength,” adds Speers.

Avoid power struggles

Try to provide opportunities for experiences that may benefit them but remember that “pushing is a mistake,” Cuellar says. When her daughter, Catherine Shulby, 12, refused to go to camp, Cuellar asked her to just go take a look at one, and she decided to go. With older kids, buy-in is important so explain why you need them to do something and how it helps, she adds. “The biggest danger for parents is trying to parent through power instead of through relationship,” says Markham, which can affect their bond and influence. “Never stop listening and trying to work out a way for (kids) to get what they want, while you get what you need to keep them safe and healthy,” says Markham.

Respect their ideas

When Cuellar’s stepson was a teenager,

he “listened to horrible music that was very dark,” she says. So, she made a date with him to listen to it together. “I still didn’t like his music, but he appreciated that I tried to understand it,” she says.

Keep communication lines open

“Tell them you’re available but don’t pry,” says Oakes. “They know that I’ll talk with them about anything and answer any questions, even about the intimate things.” Be honest and up front with your kids — avoid hidden agendas or they’ll feel like they’re being set up and as a result, shut down, says Speers. If you make a mistake, be willing to admit it and apologize. To build trust and confidence, always keep your word, adds Speers. Counter a negative interaction with five positive ones, which can be as little as a smile or pat on the shoulder, says Markham. Although it may not always feel like it, your tween or teen wants to be close. Offer “respect, consideration, and authenticity,” Markham adds, and that’s what you'll receive in return. Pam J. Hecht is a freelance writer and editor based in Asheville. E-mail her at pamjh8@gmail.com.

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THINKSTOCK

THE POWER OF

PRINCESS Themed businesses bloom, but some worry about the message it sends By Krista Jahnke Gannett

he princess craze is major, from parties, dolls, play castles and books to tiaras, play gowns, play slippers, princess wigs and everything in between. But what message does this booming culture — which centers on pristine appearances, happy endings and finding a prince to love — have for little girls? Most experts and parents agree that the princess culture can be a minefield of good and bad. “The age girls are expected to be conscious of their appearance has gotten younger and younger,” says Peggy Orenstein, author of “Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Frontlines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture” (Harper Paperbacks, 2012, $14.99). “Girls putting on a crown? Big deal,” she says. “But she’s going from her Disney princess (doll) to her Disney princess lipstick to her Bratz doll to the Kardashians.” Continues on Page 44

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Orenstein says it’s not that she believes all girls who play princess at a young age will grow up to have issues. But she is concerned that princesses are “the only game in town” for girls. Today’s little girls don’t just love princesses, they go through a noticeable developmental “princess phase,” says Orenstein, who first wrote about the princess phenomena for the New York Times Magazine in late 2006. While kids have always engaged in “royal play,” she contends, something has changed. “It’s 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Orenstein says. “It’s not just play princess but be a princess. It’s often scripted play, based on the Disney movies. And it’s playing with the 26,000 princess products, most of which are really geared toward appearance and an emphasis on defining the self outside-in rather than inside-out.” Al Neal, of Romulus, Mich., says it just comes down to good parenting. Neal recently took his two daughters, Continues on Page 46

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Julienne Manansala, 3, left, and Gradee Reboya, 5, enjoy themselves at My Girly Party. The location is a spot girls can have play dates, birthday parties or just a themed party celebrating pretending to be a princess, diva , or a rock star. REGINA H. BOONE/GANNETT

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7-year-old Sydney and 5-year-old Kelsey, to a playdate at My Girly Party, a venue outside Detroit providing costumes, makeup, a fashion show and more. They also have each had a birthday party there, and often dress up like princesses at home. “As long as they have proper direction at home and keep it in perspective, I’m fine with it,” he says. In 2000, Disney lumped all its princesses together into a brand called “the Disney Princess,” which has accounted for more than $4 billion in retail sales, according to a 2011 Disney release. Several Detroit-area business people have discovered that even in tough economic times, anything you touch with a princess wand can turn to gold. My Girly Party, which opened four years ago in Farmington Hills, Mich., is just one business that caters to budding princesses. Sweet and Sassy

in Novi, Mich., a chain with locations in 13 states, offers princess pampering services such as manicures and pedicures as well as themed parties. Many princess lovers note that the princess culture has adopted a more modern posture. The newer princesses boast stories that are not much like Cinderella, who only got her wishes fulfilled because of a fairy godmother. “I have to say, if you look at the princess brand, it has modernized a bit,” says Mikki Frank, owner of Singing Princess, based in Bloomfield Township, Mich. “If you look now to Rapunzel and Tiana, they are becoming little more feminist; they have their own voice. “Certainly at the end, a man came and rescued them. But I think it helps. I want my daughters to believe both are true — you can be beautiful and you can be strong. That is a message that doesn’t hurt.” The princess movement might get another boost. “Sophie the First” debuted in January on Disney Jr., a channel aimed at preschoolers and young elementary kids. Sophie is a child princess, which

Maui Williams, 4, eats a pink cupcake at My Girly Party, while pretending to be a princess at a private venue that specializes in these types of themed parties for girls. REGINA H. BOONE/GANNETT

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Disney points out makes her different from its lineup of princess superstars, who are teens or older. But the notion that Disney can reach an ever-younger crop of girls worries Orenstein. “Kids’ brains are at their most rigid on gender stereotypes at this age, but their brains are also most flexible overall,” says Orenstein, who has written other books about childhood culture. “And they’re forming ideas and standards about how to treat themselves and the other sex. These are tracks they’re laying that will stay with them the rest of their lives. It’s stratified when all girls are princesses and all boys are superheros. That is going to have implications for them down the line.” Robert Thompson, the director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, says the idea of dressing up little girls like princesses would have been politically incorrect in the late ’60s and the 1970s. But adults who grew up in the past three decades, when gender equality was more assumed, lack the same urgency in pointing out their flaws. Thompson points to the reality show

“The Bachelor” as a cautionary tale: modern women believing they’ll enter into a continent-hopping catfight and emerge with the glass slipper of love. “You can’t go very long on the show without hearing someone say, ‘It was like a fairy tale,’ or, ‘I felt like I was Cinderella,’ or ‘I think I will find Prince Charming.’ Then ABC sends them out on dates with a horse-drawn carriage. The whole show is created under the idea that there is a Prince Charming who will try a slipper on 25 women and it will fit one.”

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Until the bubble bursts. The ABC franchise doesn’t have a great track record for producing lasting relationships. Still, Thompson says he doesn’t think playing princess is a sure precursor to problematic behaviors in adulthood. It’s just a confusing ideal that parents are going to have to combat sooner or later. “There is value to fairy tales and a value to fantasy,” he says. “It is not all completely a bad thing. But there is a cloud hanging over this idea of princesses. We’re conflicted about it.”

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TIPS FOR HEALTHIER EATING

Carrot-orange souffle This sweet, light almost mousse-like vegetable dish is an easy one for kids to like and an elegant classic side for the bigger kids-at-heart.

2 1/2 pounds carrots, about 12 medium, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces 2/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons plain low-fat yogurt 3 eggs 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground mace or nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon orange extract

Steam the carrots until very soft, about 30 minutes. You can do this in an electric steamer. Alternatively, fill a large pot with a couple of inches of water, set a steaming basket in it, and bring to a boil. Set the carrots in the basket, cover, and let steam. Let cool completely. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit Place the carrots in a food processor

foods they were eating and where they were coming from. They had joined a community supported agriculture network which entitled them to a “shar” of a local farmer’s harvest, and were filling their fridge with vegetables they had never so much as blanched before: beets in their raw form, kale, turnips, kohlrabi. So she began her research — reading books about food, brushing up her own cooking, and launching a blog — never realizing it would become “The Cleaner Plate Club.” “The Cleaner Plate Club” is a busy mom’s guide to food that reveals how to select, store and prepare whole foods. The book also includes recipes for 100 or more tasty dishes that have been given the thumbs-up by both kids and adults. But perhaps most important is the fact that they were written and tested by moms who made these recipes as the book notes, “in our real kitchens, in the middle of real life — as phones rang and dogs barked and small children clung to our legs.” The book’s divided into five easy-toread chapters — and by “easy to read” we mean easy for a mom to digest after a

or blender, and pulse until pureed. Add the other ingredients separately in order, from the sugar through the extracts, pulsing as you go. Run the food processor until all the ingredients are well mixed. Spray a souffle dish with cooking spray. Pour in the souffle batter. Bake for about 50 minutes, until the sides are puffed up and just golden on the edges and the center is set. Serves 8 to 10. Source: “The Cleaner Plate Club” (2010, Storey Publishing)

full day of work, carpooling, errands, laundry and anything else you have on your list. There are charts, pull-out boxes with fun facts, (i.e. “Eighty percent of candy purchased at the supermarket is bought on impulse.” Who knew?), and whole pages devoted to specific veggies with photos, illustrations, and sections starting with “Good for Your Family Because.” You’ll learn how to effectively navigate the grocery store , why farmers markets are worth the trip, and how to make quick go-to dinners that still offer nutritional value . But most of all, you’ll learn that any and every effort you make counts and even when you try and fail — and Benjamin is the first to admit, we all do — there’s nothing to feel guilty about. “Food is such a loaded thing,” she says. “So many parents are busy judging one another. ... It’s like what your kid is chewing at any given moment reflects whether you’re a good person or a horrible one, June Cleaver or Joan Crawford. Combine that with a busy life that includes working parents, kids’ busy schedules, and the afternoon hungries, and you can see why so many parents just don’t want to deal.”

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“The Cleaner Plate Club” author Ali Benjamin tells you how to get your kids on the road to healthy eating: » Eat a family dinner now and then. Even eating together as a family just a few times each week can make a big health impact. For example, there was a study published in May that found that kids who ate meals with other family members on a regular basis were 24 percent more likely to eat healthy foods than kids who were likely to eat alone. Most of us aren’t able to eat family dinners every single night; that’s OK. Even doing it a few times a week makes a big difference. » Quit cajoling. Research is pretty clear: the more you cajole kids to eat something, the less likely they are to like it. Serve up a variety of foods, make sure there’s something they enjoy eat at each meal, and make sure you enjoy the food yourself — over time, they’ll take their cues from you. » Remember kids don’t have to like everything. It’s not a character flaw — in you, or in them — if they don’t care for a particular vegetable. We don’t all need to like everything. My older daughter likes all kinds of vegetables, but she just isn’t a fan of winter squash. I don’t force the issue. It still appears on the table now and then — I figure, you never know. » Eat outside the box. Join a CSA. Shop a farmers market. Visit a farm. Garden. Get out of the big-box supermarket once in a while — you might find the whole dynamic of your conversation changing. » Put on a thick skin. Don’t take it personally if your efforts are rebuffed. Sure, it can be frustrating to spend time preparing something and then have it be rejected by a small human who can’t even be counted on to put on his own socks. But like any other aspect of parenting, it’s not an overnight process. » Forget about the Joneses. Know a family that eats only steamed vegetables for breakfast, lunch and dinner? And the kids love it? Whatever. That’s not most of us. Or, maybe your kids might speak wistfully about the families that eat wings and pizza at every meal. None of that matters. Your family is different — you have your own rhythms, stresses, joys and taste buds. Parenting is never about trying to do what other families think is right. You’ve got to figure out what works for you.

Magazine ranks top kids’ books Are your favorites on the list? By Bob Minzesheimer USA TODAY

What are the “greatest” books for kids? The rankings, released last month by Scholastic Parent & Child magazine, are aimed at “generating controversy and conversation,” says Nick Friedman, the magazine’s editor-in-chief. In that spirit, why is J.K. “Rowling’s groundbreaking debut, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, only No. “6, chosen to represent the entire series? It’s “undoubtedly one of the greatest in history,” Friedman says, but “it is only 15 years old and hasn’t had time to be as firmly established.” Beyond literary merit and popularity, he says, the list was chosen to include a variety of genres for different ages — from infants to middle schoolers — and to be “culturally representative.” A team of literacy experts and “mom bloggers” nominated nearly 500 titles. “Friedman and four other editors at the magazine made the final decisions. Their toughest choice, he says, was between “Charlotte’s Web” and “Goodnight Moon,” the 1947 picture book by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd, as No. 1. “Charlotte’s Web” emerged as “a bit more sophisticated.” Friedman welcomes “comments and complaints.” The list includes Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham” (No. 7), but not “The Cat in the Hat.” It omits classics such as Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series and J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling “Twilight” series was considered “too mature.” Scholastic, which publish books as well as the magazine, has 14 titles on the list, including No. 33, Suzanne Collins’ best seller, “The Hunger Games.” Fried-

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100 “GREATEST BOOKS FOR KIDS” Ranked by Scholastic Parent & Child magazine 1. “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White 2. “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown 3. “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle 4. “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jacks Keats 5. “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak 6. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling 7. “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss 8. “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank 9. “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein 10. “Frog and Toad Are Friends” by Arnold Lobel 11. “Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery 12. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle 13. “Madeline” by Ludwig Bemelmans 14. “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame 15. “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds 16. “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt 17. “Pat the Bunny” by Dorothy Kunhardt 18. “When Marian Sang” by Pam Munoz Ryan 19. “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale” by Mo Willems 20. “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein 21. “Bud, Not Buddy” by Christopher Paul Curtis Continues on Page 53

man says the judges looked at the books, not their publishers. Also named are 10 “superlative award” winners, including (overall rankings in the top 100 in parentheses): » Best Read-Aloud: Mo Willems’ “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” (28). » Most Beautifully Illustrated: Jerry Pinkney’s “The Lion and the Mouse” (61). » Most Relatable Character: Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” (38). » Most Side-Splitting Hilarious: Dav Pilkey’s “The Adventures of Captain Underpants” (97).

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100 “GREATEST BOOKS FOR KIDS” Continued from Page 51 22. “Corduroy” by Don Freeman 23. “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster 24. “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper 25. “The Giver” by Lois Lowry 26. “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” by Grace Lin 27. “Black on White” by Tana Hoban 28. “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” by Mo Willems 29. “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” by Judy Blume 30. “My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother” by Patricia Polacco 31. “The Mitten” by Jan Brett 32. “The Runaway Bunny” by Margaret Wise Brown 33. “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins 34. “Swimmy” by Leo Lionni 35. “Freight Train” by Donald Crews 36. “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett 37. “The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear” by Don and Audrey Wood 38. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney 39. “Zen Shorts” by John J. “Muth 40. “Moo, Baa, La La La!” by Sandra Boynton 41. “Matilda” by Roald Dahl 42. “What Do People Do All Day?” by Richard Scarry 43. “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C.S. “Lewis 44. “Good Night, Gorilla” by Peggy Rathmann 45. “The Composition” by Antonio Skarmeta 46. “Not a Box” by Antoinette Portis 47. “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle 48. “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen 49. “Martin’s Big Words” by Doreen Rappaport 50. “Sarah, Plain and Tall” by Patricia MacLachlan 51. “Sylvia Long’s Mother Goose” by Sylvia Long 52. “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan 53. “The House at Pooh Corner” by A.A. “Milne 54. “Through My Eyes” by Ruby Bridges 55. “Smile!” by Roberta Grobel Intrater 56. “Living Sunlight” by Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm 57. “The Bad Beginning” by Lemony Snicket 58. “Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez” by Kathleen Krull 59. “Dear Juno” by Soyung Pak

60. “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes…” by Annie Kubler 61. “The Lion and the Mouse” by Jerry Pinkney 62. “Diary of a Worm” by Doreen Cronin 63. “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick 64. “My Truck Is Stuck!” by Kevin Lewis 65. “Birds” by Kevin Henkes 66. “The Maze of Bones” by Rick Riordan 67. “Esperanza Rising” by Pam Munoz Ryan 68. “Counting Kisses: A Kiss & Read Book” by Karen Katz 69. “The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks” by Joanna Cole 70. “Blackout” by John Rocco 71. “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson 72. “Are You My Mother?” by P.D. “Eastman 73. “Tea With Milk” by Allen Say 74. “Owl Moon” by Jane Yolen 75. “Holes” by Louis Sachar 76. “Peek-a Who?” by Nina Laden 77. “Hi! Fly Guy” by Tedd Arnold 78. “Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH” by Robert C. O’Brien 79. “Llama Llama Red Pajama” by Anna Dewdney 80. “What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?” by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page 81. “Lincoln: A Photobiography” by Russell Freedman 82. “Ivy + Bean” by Annie Barrows 83. “Yoko” by Rosemary Wells 84. “No No Yes Yes” by Leslie Patricelli 85. “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” by Judy Blume 86. “Interrupting Chicken” by David Ezra Stein 87. “Rules” by Cynthia Lord 88. “Grumpy Bird” by Jeremy Tankard 89. “An Egg Is Quiet” by Dianna Hutts Aston 90. “Puss in Boots” by Charles Perrault 91. “Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon” by Catherine Thimmesh 92. “What Shall We Do With the Boo Hoo Baby?” by Cressida Cowell 93. “We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States” by David Catrow 94. “I Took the Moon for a Walk” by Carolyn Curtis 95. “A Single Shard” by Linda Sue Park 96. “Gossie” by Olivier Dunrea 97. “The Adventures of Captain Underpants” by Dav Pilkey 98. “First Words” by Roger Priddy 99. “Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices” by Paul Fleischman 100. “Animalia” by Graeme Base

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librarian’s pick

Cartoonists put a fresh spin on timeless nursery rhymes Jennifer Prince Buncombe County Public Libraries

Nursery rhymes have been around for centuries. They have been condensed, expanded, dissected, annotated and modernized. They have been sung, acted and made into animated shorts. Bouncy rhythms, coupled with delightful if sometimes puzzling verses, encourage generation after generation to memorize and extemporize the motley lines. With so much amusement to be had with the rhymes, it is little wonder that kids love them. For a new collection of nursery rhymes, a group of artists took some favorite rhymes and paired them with another childhood favorite — comics. The resulting achievement is “Nursery Rhyme Comics” from Roaring Book Press. In the collection, 50 popular cartoonists put their individual spin on 50 well-known rhymes. Each artist’s style complements their chosen rhyme perfectly. For instance, Nick Bruel, author and illustrator of the brightly colored, catcentric “Bad Kitty” books, illustrates the rhyme “Three Little Kittens.” David Macaulay, author and illustrator of the impeccably detailed “Castle” and “Pyramid,”

area story times Buncombe County Libraries Visit buncombecounty.org Black Mountain, 250-4756 Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Mother Goose: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday Toddler: 10:30 a.m. Thursday East Asheville, 250-4738 Preschool: 11 a.m. Wednesday and Saturday

illustrates the rhyme, “London Bridge is Falling Down.” Illustrating a nursery rhyme might seem like straightforward business. The diverse portraits these artists present show that it is not. Each rhyme is up for interpretation. The rhymes themselves are presented verbatim. The illustrations read between the lines. For instance, it is well-known that the little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead could be very, very good or horrid, but under what circumstances? Artist Vera Brosgol depicts the girl helping her mother prepare for her, the girl’s, birthday party. Cheerful and obliging, the girl sweeps the floor, sets the table for guests and greets her company. However, when the birthday cake is served, the little girl grabs the birthday cake and chomps on it, refusing to share with her guests. Brosgol’s illustrations have a style that is similar to that of ads from the 1950s. Neat, stylish women and girls smile as

Enka-Candler, 250-4758 Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Toddler: 10:30 a.m. Thursday Fairview, 250-6484 Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Thursday Leicester, 250-6480 Mother Goose: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday North Asheville, 250-4752 School Age: 3:15 p.m. Thursday Preschool: 11 a.m. Wednesday Toddler: 10 a.m. Wednesday

they do chores and entertain. The style complements the domestic nature of the rhyme perfectly. Some of the most interesting interpretations have to do with the rhymes that, for all of their kid appeal, have distressing elements of violence. Consider the old woman in the shoe. That “whipped them all soundly” line is disturbing. Artist Lucy Knisley imagines it like this. Ruth, the old woman, runs “Rock and Roll Babysitting” out of her shoeshaped house. Parents from everywhere bring their kids for the day. There are so many of the kids, Ruth does not know what to do. So, she starts a rock band — The Whips — with the kids. After playing music all day, they take a nap and then go home. Prior familiarity with the rhymes is not necessary to enjoy this new edition, but familiarity does give these versions dimension. This book is available in the Buncombe County Public Libraries. To learn more, visit www.buncombecounty.org/library.

Oakley/South Asheville, 2504754 Mother Goose: 11 a.m. Thursday Toddler: 11 a.m. Wednesday Preschool: 10 a.m. Wednesday Pack Memorial Library, 250-4700 Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Mondays Mother Goose: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays Toddler: 10:30 a.m. Thursdays School Age: 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays Skyland/South Buncombe, 250-6488

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Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Thursday Toddler: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Swannanoa, 250-6486 Preschool: 11 a.m. Thursday Toddler: 10 a.m. Thursday Weaverville, 250-6482 Mother Goose: 11 a.m. Wednesday Toddler: 11 a.m. Thursday Preschool: 11 a.m. Tuesday West Asheville, 250-4750 Mother Goose: 11 a.m. Monday

Continues on Page 55

area story times

Continued from Page 54 Toddler: 11 a.m. Wednesday Preschool: 11 a.m. Thursday

Haywood County Public Library

Visit www.haywoodlibrary.org. Waynesville, 356-2512 or 356-2511 Baby Rhyme Time: 9:30 a.m. Mondays Ready 4 Learning: 11 a.m. Tuesdays Family story time: 11 a.m. Wednesdays Movers and Shakers: 11 a.m. Thursdays Canton, 648-2924 Family story time: 11 a.m. Tuesdays Rompin’ Stompin’ Story Time: 10 a.m. Thursdays

Henderson County Public Library

Visit www.henderson.lib.nc.us. Main, 697-4725 Bouncing Babies: 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 O’Clock Craft Club: 4 p.m. Thursdays Edneyville, 685-0110 Family: 10 a.m. Mondays Etowah, 891-6577 Family: 11 a.m. Tuesdays Fletcher, 687-1218 Toddler Time: 10 a.m. Wednesdays Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays Bouncing Babies: 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays Green River, 697-4969 Family: 10 a.m. Thursdays Mills River, 890-1850 Familiy: 10 a.m. Mondays

Barnes & Noble

Asheville Mall, 296-7335 11 a.m. Mondays.

Blue Ridge Books

152 S. Main St., Waynesville, 456-6000 10:30 a.m. Mondays for ages 3 and under.

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kids’ voices

Welcome, spring!

Even though this winter hasn’t been too cold and snowy, it is still nice to dream about springtime. We asked fourth-graders at Oakley Elementary what they were looking forward to as the weather gets nicer. Here’s what they told us. “What I enjoy about spring is spending time with my mom and my brothers. I love to see my mom with a smile on her face every day when I get off the bus. I love to hear the fresh water in the spring and see the sunshine in the morning.” Trevon Tobe, 9

“In springtime, I look forward to enjoying the fresh air and green grass. I really love to see the animals in the warm sunshine. I like to go running with my family and walking at the park and feel the breezy air. We even go outside and eat ice cream. My brother and I play soccer. My favorite thing about animals is a bird chirping and singing.” Brenda Gutierrez, 9

“With a silent river roaring and newborn wildlife blooming, everybody knows it’s springtime. If you wait, you could feel the dewy moss under your feet. You could be able to see the warm, glowing sun rise above all the children playing happily. The scenery is beautiful and majestic. I will enjoy being able to feel the sun, play sports on earth’s playgrounds and grow with everything else. When the time comes, you will know it’s spring.” Alex Tillman, 10

“(I love) everything you can think of, even the rain, because you get to dance around in puddles and get wet, but not too long ’cause you’ll freeze! But when you’re in the springtime you can sell lemonade for maybe 50 cents or a dollar and go on a family road trip. Go for a good swim. You can do almost anything ... Don’t spend your time reading a book. Your real homework is to play outside!” Tiara Jones, 10 “What I like best about spring is hear-

“I hear the birds chirping, so I know spring is coming. I love seeing all the vivid, colorful flowers blooming and all the animals finally coming out. After being shut in our house all winter long, I’m so happy to be able to go outside and enjoy every second of spring. I enjoy being able to walk around outside and play with all our neighbors. Most of all, I love spring because everyone is out enjoying the wonderful weather, so most of the time it brings everyone closer together.” Kate Roe, 9

“In the spring, I look forward to spring break, just laying around and playing outside. I love to see the flowers bloom and the newborn animals. In the spring I love to hear the birds chirp. I love to feel the warm weather and enjoy my mom’s and my brother’s birthdays. However, my two favorite things about spring are having friends over and enjoying the holidays.” Krista Hendrick, 9

ing the lovely birds singing, looking for bright Easter eggs and best of all ... enjoying the whistle of the breeze! Spring is the time to enjoy outdoor time. I love to enjoy the fun of outdoor time by celebrating an amazing holiday, Easter! I love the smell of fresh cut grass and looking for beautiful Easter eggs. My favorite ones are the very vivid ones. I also love eating delicious ice cream, drinking frosty lemonade, enjoying the spring breeze and always waking up by the best music you could hear, the birds having fun chirping and singing.” Brijay Norris, 9

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growing together

A mother’s gratitude for sacrifice By Chris Worthy WNC Parent columnist

I am a hypocrite. The conversation makes this all too apparent. I love this country and try never to take for granted the immense privilege of my birth, knowing it is secured every day by the blood of men and women who fight to keep us safe. But as I talk to a fellow mother about her sweet boy, the kid who loved his dog and played Frisbee and football, I say a silent prayer that I never know what she is feeling. Her baby — a grown man, for sure, but her baby nonetheless — died in the desert when a bomb blew up his humvee. I want my boy to grow up and do something noble, but safe and here at home. Her boy’s brave heart grew up quickly as he left his home school for the classroom and then went on to train for the career he had always wanted. The Frisbee in his hands was traded for an M-16, his South Carolina home left behind for a tour of duty in Afghanistan. I catch my breath from the unfairness of it all. He was just a boy, really. I see his gangly teenaged smile and recognize it. I see it in the faces of my daughter’s friends and I see its beginnings in my own growing son. Someone far away — someone else’s baby — welled with hatred or fear enough to piece together metal and wires that ended his life. It was a deliberate, murderous, unjustified act. But this is war, boys. That’s what they say, right? This is war. If I live to be 100, there are some things I won’t ever be able to under-

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THINKSTOCK/SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

stand. Standing among row after row of white crosses on a green hillside in France, I saw the reminders of those who never made it home. I could not count them or even see them all at once. In Arlington National Cemetery, the scene is the same. The graves hold those who died in wars we read about in history books and in wars we hear about in each dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s news. God help us if we forget why we fight. And God help us if we have to keep doing it. This mamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart breaks for you and for every mother who bears the cross you do. Mere words can never begin to ease your pain but words and prayers are all I have to offer. Your son is a hero. He was brave and good and he made a difference in this world. When my children go to sleep at night, safe in their beds, I believe with my whole heart that he is part of what makes that possible. But oh my, how I know you wish things were different. The rest of us, those who have no concept of your pain, we owe you a debt of gratitude we can never, ever repay. Our thanks will never be enough. Chris Worthy is an attorney who took down her shingle to be a stay-at-home mom. Contact her at chris@worthyplace.com.

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home-school happenings

That little voice inside my head By Nicole McKeon WNC Parent columnist

Let me introduce you to my biggest enemy, the little voice in my head I like to call “doubt.” You might not notice him if you meet me. He’s really good at hiding, and he usually speaks in a small whisper, so it’d be hard for you to hear him, unless you were standing really close to me. Even then, you might only hear me whispering back to him,

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and maybe cursing. Do you have a small voice in your head, too? Does he whisper nasty things like “What if they’re falling behind?” or “You’re not very good at math, how do you expect to teach them?” Or “What if you forget something important?”, “You’re not qualified,” etc. ... Well, his name is doubt, and he’s a real pain in the you know what. It doesn’t help when you have other real live people around you who are saying the same things he is saying inside your head. Maybe your mother-in-law or your best friend whose kids are in school, people who might mean well but are really just expressing their own fears and

passing them on to you. So, how do I manage doubt? Well. I’ve gotten better at managing him over the years, as my confidence has grown and the “pudding of proof” has shown itself in my children’s lives. In the beginning, I managed my doubt by buying a lot of really expensive curricula, and spending hours planning and documenting, and reading and researching. That helped me feel better, but didn’t necessarily shut doubt up. Over time, as the expensive curricula got dusty on the shelf, and the time for documenting and planning got smaller and smaller as the time that we actually spent learning got larger and larger, and my reading and researching reassured me that there are many many different ways to home-school, I realized that doubt visited me less and less often. As the years have gone on, and I have watched my children blossom, I have come to trust their ability to not only learn all different kinds of information, but to also teach me some very valuable lessons. With this trust has come a new and better understanding and definition of words like education, learning, teaching and a more macro view of my goals for my children and their education. But, if I am going to be totally honest, I

I’ve gotten better at managing doubt over the years, as my confidence has grown and the “pudding of proof” has shown itself in my children’s lives. still have days filled with doubt’s voice. Usually it’s on a day when my kids are having a difficult time with loneliness, or when it’s rained too often, and we can’t go outside, or when I start getting ahead of the present, and pummeling myself with the SATs, which are just looming . The thing is, I truly believe in the importance of learning from my mistakes. In my life, I have spent a lot of time worrying over things that haven’t happened yet, or things that I had no personal control over. For example, when my elder child was 3 , she was still nursing. I spent

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so much time stressing over when she would wean, how would I wean her, what difficult plan was I going to have to come up with to “fix it.” I really worried, but I continued to nurse her because I knew deep in my soul that it was the right thing to do. One day, about one month before her 4th birthday, my daughter nursed before her nap for a short time, when she was done, she looked up at me and said, “Mommy, I am done with the baba, thank you.” And, that was it. She was weaned. This lesson has stuck with me, and when doubt starts whispering in my ear about the future, I refuse to participate. I will not ruin my now with his later. As it was with nursing, it is with home-schooling. Sure, I have doubts, but there is something deep inside my soul that tells me it’s the right thing to do. So I keep doing it, doubt be damned! Don’t ruin your now with later. Spend your days loving your children and learning together. And when doubt comes a whisperin’, send him packing. Or call me, and we’ll banish him together over a cup of tea! Nicole McKeon is a home-schooling mom and owner of Homeschool Station in Fairview. Email her at homeschoolstation@hotmail.com.

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dad’s view

Rethinking how we praise our children, Part II By Scott Tiernan WNC Parent columnist

Last month I wrote about what author Po Bronson refers to as the inverse power of praise: the notion that excess praise, particularly the nonspecific, hollow variety, can lead children to be less persistent. In January, I put Bronson’s research to the test with my 4-year-old daughter. My goal: to only offer praise that was justified, specific, or tied to effort. I wanted to see how reworking my praise would make me feel as a parent; as important, I wanted to see how Sophia would respond. My first opportunity came with school artwork; the drawing — a TRex. “Is this good?” she asked. The black eyes were menacing enough, but I observed that the rest of the T-Rex wasn’t scary enough. This led to a discussion of how and what a T-Rex eats. About 15 minutes later Sophia had produced T-Rex 2, fully equipped with super sharp teeth and claws. “Now he’s scary,” I said. “I wouldn’t want to come near him when he’s hungry.” Sophia grunted. “Me neither.” What I learned: Praise offers no room for reflection; it’s a conversation stopper. A better option is feedback, which can lead to evaluation and improvement. Second opportunity: shoe tying. A few weeks ago Sophia decided she was going to learn to tie her own shoes. She sat on the floor for forever, fiddling and clawing and pawing and scolding her sneakers until, finally, “I did it!”

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Man, did I want to praise this: improved dexterity, plus one less thing Dad or Mom had to do before school. Instead, I blurted out: “Of course you did. You should be able to tie your own shoes.” Sophia puffed out her cheeks and shouted: “You’re right!” What I learned: Developmental milestones differ from achievements; tying a shoe is different than inventing one. Third opportunity: lion costume making. One Saturday, Sophia set out to make a lion costume. She gathered supplies. She refused any assistance during the hourlong construction period. Finally, she emerged from her bedroom with a body suit and headdress that, amazingly, made her looked like a lion. Here was an opportunity for praise. The suit was stellar, but more stellar was how hard she had worked on it. “How long did it take you to become a lion?” I asked. “A long time,” Sophia said. “It takes a long time to work hard at something.” What I learned: Kids want to be recognized for effort more than product. Final opportunity: dance. Sophia loves to dance, and every night she puts on a ballet show. These shows are tricky territory because it’s really easy to praise dancing children . But I held back and said very little. After each “show” I asked Sophia how she thought she did. What surprised me was how hard she was on herself (a faulty pirouette never went unnoticed). She became so immersed in her own self-evaluation I knew she didn’t give a hoot what I had to say. Case in point: After one particularly weak performance she frowned and blurted out “I need to practice.” What I learned: Kids are their own best judges. Overall, I came away from Praise Month feeling empowered. Most surprising: I felt best when I abstained from praise . I think Sophia felt empowered as well. I’m coming to realize that she doesn’t need or want a lot of praise. Maybe other kids feel the same way? I imagine many kids are suspicious of praise. They can tell when it’s disingenuous, can tell when it’s doled out as feel-good dreck. Kids want to be pushed. They want the freedom to make mistakes, be creative and test the limits of their imagination and persistence. Too often, too much praise can hamstring this process. Scott Tiernan is an education and communications consultant and a freelance writer. Read more at http://scott-tiernan.blogspot.com.

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artist’s muse

Loosen up and unleash your inner artist

By Ginger Huebner, WNC Parent columnist We all express our creative energy in different ways. For some it may be making music, writing, constructing a building, sewing, performing a surgery, playing a sport and the list goes on. For me, it is creating visual artwork with my hands, and teaching others how to create their own artwork. I have worked with many ages, and there are some people who are not always convinced they can do anything creative, claiming to have the absence of “any creative bone in their body.” What I have come to realize is that regardless of your creative history, a lot is possible with a bit of patience and practice! Our hands are so very complex and talented on their own. And when you combine them with a tool as simple as a pencil, one can be blown away. Most recently at our Visual Arts Preschool, we did a still life-style drawing session inspired by Andy Warhol’s repetitive print work of soda and soup cans. We drew loose sketches of our can of soda or soup. Once happy with our sketches we took permanent marker and outlined our image. It was a simple task, but watching the children draw was such a wonderful moment. Many of them hadn’t done any sort of still life drawing before, and yet they jumped in head first. Below is a list of how we started our process. My chal-

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Start your still life by sketching an object lightly with a pencil, above top. Next, define the object’s outline with a darker line with the pencil or a marker, above. Finish your artwork by adding detail and color, left. GINGER HUEBNER/SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

lenge to you is to try this with your kids AND by yourself. Pick any object that is sitting nearby. The whole process will only take about 10-20 minutes tops. I bet you will surprise yourself! Freehand sketching tips: 1. Loosen up! Literally. Jump up and down, shake your hands out, etc. 2. Don’t try to draw the one line that will be there forever … draw over and over on the same line with a loose and lightweight hand. 3. Pull darker lines over your shapes once you have established them with lighter lines. You could press harder, get a darker pencil, or use a marker or pen. 4. Add details like lines and/or color. If you want to replicate an Andy Warhol-inspired work, you can make 20 copies of your completed drawing (you may need to shrink the image ). Once you have your 20 copies, play with color; use bright colors of different mediums to fill in your black-and-white images. Cut them out, line them up in a grid and glue them to a larger piece of paper. The process is fun, and the outcome is visually bold. Ginger Huebner is the director of Roots + Wings School of Art, which offers visual art classes for all ages. Email her at info@rootsandwingsarts.com or visit www.rootsandwingsarts.com.

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divorced families

Camp considerations during divorce By Trip Woodard WNC Parent columnist

In previous columns about camping, I have talked about my own experiences being sent to Camp Ton-O-Do-ToRid-A-Kid, where I learned such useful trades such as making clay ash trays and genuine fake leather wallets. This is no longer a viable criterion in choosing a camp for today’s child. As a matter of fact, genuine fake leather wallets are no longer made in this country, but are imported from overseas where parents are willing to pay even more money for their children to make them at their camps. If you are a family going through the transition of separation or divorce, attention to certain details should be paid (besides the absence of producing cheap crafts to compete with foreign camps). Let’s explore a few by theme:

» Timing. If you have just separated from your spouse, overnight camps may not be in your child’s best interest unless he or she has shown that a strong motivation to go (such as looking forward to being with friends) or the child is stable in a new arrangement with your former partner. You may consider a compromise such as day camps . » Expense. This can be a big one for families facing a reduction in income — a reality for families in transition to singleparent households. Fortunately, many excellent camps offer scholarships providing parents are willing to submit the paperwork in time. Now is the time. » Theme. There are several great camps that focus on specific themes. This can be very helpful if you have a child who is developing certain academic problems because of lack of interest in school topics. » Custody. It is critical that any camp has a copy of custody papers, if they exist. This helps the camp staff know whom they can legally contact concerning your child. The camp also needs to know if child custody is in

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the process of being decided by you or by the court system. » Child care. If a camp is used as child care , carefully consider all the factors on how this might impact your child. Strive to make the best fit as to what your child gets out of the experience with each camp option. » Input. Talk about camp options openly about with an older child. If his interest in avoiding the whole camp notion is to stay at home all day and play video games with his friends , explain that this is not acceptable, but be willing to explore the alternatives within reason. » Internet. If you don’t know of camps that focus on your child’s needs, use the Internet. This service is available at most public libraries for free. After all, what do you think I use as a primary source for getting genuine fake wallets in these days and times?

Trip Woodard is a licensed family and marriage therapist and a clinical member of the N.C. Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Contact him at 606-8607.

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SPRING MEANS

SALAD

By Kate Justen, WNC Parent columnist

am not sure if this happens for everyone at the turn of the seasons, but every fall I am excited to pull on my jeans and a sweatshirt and start making soups for dinner. Now it is March and I am ready for shorts, T-shirts and salads! One of my favorite spring salads is coleslaw. Traditional coleslaw is made with a creamy, sweetened dressing that has either a buttermilk or mayonnaise base. Now while some may love this, it adds a lot of fat and calories to an otherwise healthy side dish. As part of the FEAST classes we have lightened up the traditional recipe and added a touch of mustard, so it tastes more like mom’s, and played around with some variations. The great thing about slaw is you really can do so many things with it! Not only can you have a variation on the taste of coleslaw by making a different dressing, you can also change the greens and vegetables you are using to alter the taste and texture of the salad. You can chop or shred the vegetables, use vinegar or a warm dressing to wilt the greens, sauté or steam some or all of the vegetables, add nuts, seeds, meats or anything else you want. Now some will tell you this is not coleslaw anymore. But it is OK to forget all the rules and make a variation that tastes good to you. You will be surprised how many other people will like it and will ask for your recipe. Have fun with it, mix and match different ingredients to make the slaw that matches your meal. Kate Justen is the program director of FEAST — Fresh Easy Affordable Sustainable Tasty, a program of Slow Food Asheville. Contact her at feast.avl@gmail.com or visit www.slowfoodasheville.org.

KATE JUSTEN/SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Mexi-slaw 1 small head green cabbage, shredded 1 small bunch kale, shredded 3 carrots, grated 2 green onions, chopped 1/2 yellow bell pepper, julienned 2 cloves crushed garlic 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 2 tablespoons vinegar 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed

lime juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup Greek yogurt

Combine cabbage, kale, carrots and onion in a large mixing bowl. In a jar with a lid combine remaining ingredients. Cover jar tightly with lid and shake well for a few minutes. Pour dressing over salad, mix well, cover and let sit for 1 to 3 hours before serving. Top with fresh salsa and cumin dip.

PERSONALIZE IT Here are some ideas on how to mix up your coleslaw: » Dressings: Vinegar base Asian Chipotle Sweet

Mustard Citrus Pickled Pesto Creamy dill

» Cabbage/greens: Green, Kale purple or Collard Napa cab- greens bage Spinach

Swiss chard Savoy Brussels sprouts

» Other vegetables to add: Carrots Onions Broccoli Fresh parsley, Beets dill, oregano, Bell peppers basil, cilantro Hot peppers Celery Apples Cucumbers

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» Other ingredients: Flaxseed Peanuts, almonds, walnuts Bacon Sesame or sunflower seeds Parmesan or other hard cheese Tofu Toasted ramen noodles

Spicy salsa 3 medium sized fresh tomatoes diced or 1 can diced tomatoes 1 clove crushed garlic 1/2 to whole jalapeno, finely chopped (omit for mild salsa) 1/2 bell pepper, finely chopped 1/4 small onion, finely chopped 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, mix well and serve. Or put all ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse for a few seconds.

Cumin dip 2 tablespoons vinegar 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 clove garlic crushed 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon chili powder A few dashes of pepper

Combine all ingredients together in a bowl, let sit for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Coleslaw 1 small head green cabbage, shredded 1 small bunch kale, shredded 3 carrots, grated 2 green onions, chopped 2 cloves crushed garlic 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup chopped parsley 1/4 cup vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons honey

Combine cabbage, kale carrots and onion in a large mixing bowl. In a jar with a lid, combine remaining ingredients. Cover jar tightly with lid and shake well for a few minutes. Pour dressing over salad, mix well, cover and let sit for 1 to 3 hours before serving.

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Try parsley when making wintertime pesto By Susan M. Selasky Gannett

In the doldrums of winter, I always look for a bright spot. This recipe for pesto provides it. But making fresh pesto this time of year means using those small, pricey packages of fresh basil in the produce section, unless you have a stash in the freezer — or you use parsley instead. That’s what I did. Parsley is inexpensive — only about 90 cents for a good-size bunch — and hardy, lasting at least a week in the refrigerator. (Keep it in a quart canning jar with stems in water.) For this parsley pesto, pistachios replaced the typical pine nuts or walnuts because I had some stashed in the freezer.

Pistachios have come a long way from the days when their shells were dyed red to hide imperfections. Pistachios are naturally beige, and you can now buy them already shelled in many grocery stores. Research last summer reported by the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that pistachios may have fewer calories than originally thought, making them the lowest-calorie nut. The study found that 1 ounce of shelled pistachios has 160 calories. They do contain fat, but most of it is monounsaturated or polyunsaturated — the so-called good fats. And that 1-ounce serving (about 1/4 cup of shelled nuts) also provides 3 grams of fiber. You can refrigerate pistachios in their shells in an airtight container for up to a

Parsley pesto pairs well with lamb chops and is easy to make in the winter. JESSICA J. TREVINO/GANNETT

year. Or freeze shelled ones for up to a year. Just a few simple ingredients — parsley,

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Lamb chops with parsley pesto Try a salt-free lemon pepper seasoning mix, such as Mrs. Dash, on the chops. It will go well with the pesto and lamb.

Pesto: 2 cups fresh Italian (flatleaf) parsley leaves 1 clove garlic, peeled 1/3 cup shelled pistachios 1/3 cup olive oil 4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese Water as needed Salt and freshly ground black pepper Lamb: 8 lamb loin chops, about 1

to 1 1/2 inches thick Salt and black pepper to taste (or favorite all-purpose seasoning) 1 tablespoon olive oil

To make the pesto: In a food processor, combine the parsley leaves, garlic and pistachios; pulse to combine. With the motor on, add the olive oil and process until mixture is smooth. Add the cheese and pulse to combine. Add water as needed so the pesto has the consistency of thin, grainy mustard. Add freshly ground

pistachios, cheese, oil and garlic — make this a terrific topping for lamb chops. It’s a perfect match. Most loin lamb chops are small, weighing about 4 ounces each with the bone. They look like a miniature porterhouse or T-bone steaks, and their small size makes

black pepper to taste. Set aside until ready to use. To make the lamb: Remove the lamb from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before cooking. Trim any excess fat from the chops. Pat the lamb chops dry with paper towel. Season the lamb on both sides with salt and pepper or favorite all-purpose seasoning. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until just shimmering. Working in batches, place 4 lamb chops in the skillet and cook until nicely browned,

them ideal if you’re watching portions. The downside is that one chop yields only about 2 ounces or less of edible meat. Look for chops that are at least 1 1/2 inches thick with just a thin layer of fat. Trim any excess fat before cooking. I prefer to pan saut these little chops

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about 4 to 5 minutes on each side for a medium-rare that is more on the rare side. Remove lamb chops from the skillet and transfer to a plate; tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining 4 chops. Serve with the pesto on the side or place a dollop on each chop. Makes 4 servings. Preparation time: 15 minutes. Total time: 30 minutes. For 2 chops with pesto. 392 calories (71 percent from fat), 31 grams fat (6 grams saturated fat), 6 grams carbohydrates, 23 grams protein, 294 mg sodium, 74 mg cholesterol, 2 grams fiber.

because it doesn’t take long. But you also can broil or grill them; just don’t overcook them. They’re best medium-rare. For most meals, allow two loin chops per serving along with a vegetable and starch. Try couscous with today’s recipe. It cooks in minutes.

healthful seeds to eat

By Angelique Soenarie Gannett

Sometimes the most healthful foods come in small seeds. Packed with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, these plant-based foods help boost immunity and energy. Studies on various seeds show they help reduce heart disease, improve the digestive system and control weight. Eat them alone as a snack or use in a dish. “Seeds are great because just one serving is packed with protein, healthful fats, vitamins, minerals and fiber. They are easy to eat, requiring little to no prep work,” said Tiffiany Moore, of

Gilbert, a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant. “They can also enhance the immune system and help reduce the signs of aging.” Here are seven seeds to know:

Pumpkin seeds GANNETT PHOTOS

Pumpkin/squash seeds

Hemp seeds

Strength: High in protein, iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese that is good for prostate health. Weakness: High in fat if eaten in excessive amounts. Also, eating heavily salted seeds increases sodium levels, not good for high blood pressure. How to use: Eat them as a snack.

Strength: Hulled crunchy seeds are packed with protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, vitamin E and minerals that keep the heart healthy. Weakness: The seeds do not contain as many vitamins and minerals as other seeds. How to use: Eat as a snack, or sprinkle some on your salad or use in a smoothie or baking.

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Chia seeds Strength: Yes, these are the â&#x20AC;&#x153;cha-chacha chiaâ&#x20AC;? seeds from the commercials. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, protein, fiber and minerals that help maintain hydration and prevent some effects of aging. Weakness: There are no studies that show any effects after consumption of these seeds. How to use: Soak seeds in water for 30 minutes and they turn into a jellylike tapioca ball. Use in smoothies, yogurts and salads. Or grind the dried seed and use in baked goods.

Pomegranate seeds

Strength: Red and juicy, offer vitamins C and K and folate, antioxidants and potassium. All help fight heart disease, prostate disease and help control weight. Weakness: Generally available only from October to January. How to use: As a snack or atop salads, cereal or oatmeal. Juice for drinks or soup.

Flaxseeds

Strength: Offers fiber, thiamin, magnesium, manganese, omega-3 fatty acids that aid in keeping a healthy digestive system.

Sesame seeds Pomegranate seeds Also helps reduce cholesterol. Use a ground version to maximize benefits. Weakness: Offers vitamins and minerals, but not highly concentrated. Check with your physician before using to ensure you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have allergies. There are few studies at this time that show side effects to using flaxseed. How to use: The seeds can be used in hot cereal, smoothies, granola bars, baked goods and yogurt.

Sunflower seeds

Strength: Offer high concentrations of vitamin E, antioxidants, thiamin, magnesium, copper, niacin, selenium, manganese, vitamin B6, folate, phosphorus and fiber. Weakness: Though they offer healthy fats, they should be used in moderation.

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How to use: As snacks or as toppings for salads, smoothies and baked goods.

Sesame seeds

Strength: High in calcium, manganese, copper, iron, phosphorus and magnesium that can help protect the liver. Weakness: It is moderately high in fat, so moderation is advised. How to use: Use in baking, smoothies, soups, salads, noodles and meats. Source: Andrew Weil, medical doctor of Weil.com, Tiffiany Moore, certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant, Katherine Zeratsky, registered dietitian and specialty nutrition editor for the Mayo Clinic; SELF nutrition data; Global Healing Center; Mark Stibich, behavior change expert or About.com.

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Kids page

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puzzles for parents Across 1. Adherents of Sikhism 6. Before tac and toe 9. Chap or fella 13. Ivy progression 14. Richard Gere to Cindy Crawford: “_ __” in 1991 15. Kim Jong-il leads the north section of this region 16. Independent African ruler 17. No vote 18. Relating to ulna 19. South Africa’s first black president 21. Skier’s delight 23. Salt in Spanish 24. Hawaiian dance 25. Brown messenger 28. Garth of “Wayne’s World” 30. Mourner’s song 34. Stiff hair or bristle 36. ____ en scene 38. Swarms 40. “The Lion King” villain 41. Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” e.g. 43. It leads to flight? 44. “Three’s Company” landlord 46. “Will be,” according to Day 47. Evoke emotion 48. Cloak 50. Longest division of time, pl. 52. He played John Spartan in “Demolition Man”

53. Another spelling for #50 Across, sing. 55. As opposed to rent 57. Cursed 60. It featured Rachel and Monica, among others 64. “_____ in comparison,” past tense 65. Followed third Super Bowl 67. Not here

68. Swelling from fluid accumulation 69. Large coffee pot 70. Franjo Tudjman, e.g. 71. Site of showdown with Branch Davidians 72. “___ About You” 73. What Elmer Fudd does

Down 1. Ponzi scheme, e.g.

2. Shirley MacLaine’s 1963 character 3. “A ____ eye” 4. Minds or listens 5. Impressive display, as in food 6. She plays Liz on “30 Rock” 7. Civil rights advocate Wells 8. Aquatic South American rodent resembling

beaver 9. Dream Team’s reward 10. White-tailed sea eagle 11. Not far 12. Applied before feathers 15. Where U.S. intervened 20. Children’s book “Is Your Mama a _____?” 22. Days of ___ 24. Like one who’s washed-up 25. Country until 1991 26. Legendary cowboy Bill 27. Locker room infection? 29. Nadas 31. Fair-play watchdogs 32. Dineros or loots 33. Form of communication that took off

35. Length times width 37. New money 39. Nimble and quick 42. Lord’s estate 45. Hutu-Tutsi conflict site 49. Civil War general 51. “The wind began to ______, the house to pitch...” 54. Abomination 56. Jawaharlal _____ 57. Dad to a baby 58. Starred in “The Hunt For Red October” 59. Circulates in an office 60. Discover 61. Ne 62. Exclamation of annoyance 63. They make up a tennis match 64. Church seat 66. Roth ___

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nature center notes

Wildlife wakes up By Jill Sharp

Special to WNC Parent

Despite mixed signals this winter, from balmy afternoons to chilly, snowy mornings, spring is on the way. The days are getting longer , and it feels good to get outside. It’s not just the human residents of WNC who have noticed. March is approximately the end of hibernation for many species. Black bears vanish during the winter. You may now and then see one, especially during a warm winter like this one, because black bears are not true hibernators. Unlike species such as bats and rodents, bears settle into what is better called a “torpor.” Their body temperature drops, their metabolism requires less food, and they don’t do much outside of sleep. But come spring, everything returns to normal in their systems, and they come out hungry. There are other serious sleepers beginning to stir as well. Groundhogs, despite the legend of Feb. 2, are typically asleep in their burrows until March or April. Groundhogs are true hibernators, and do not leave their burrows until food sources are plentiful again. The turtles, too, will be appearing again soon. They have been burmating — the reptile version of hibernating — since fall. Box turtles burrow into leaves and earth, and water turtles such as yellow bellied sliders settle under the mud at the bottom of the water. Their burmating is so efficient, their hearts beat only a few times every minute! As the warmer weather gets your blood moving again, come visit your wildlife neighbors who are just waking up. Black bears Ursa and Uno, groundhog Nibbles and several species of turtles are all at the WNC Nature Center. Learn more about wildlife found in WNC at the WNC Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, and www.wncnaturecenter.com.

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calendar of events

Things to do

Feb. 27

MODEL APPROACH TO PARTNERSHIPS IN PARENTING: Orientation class for Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting—Group Preparation and Selection class that starts March 19. Buncombe County social workers will present information on foster care, needs of children in care and the role of foster parents. Learn whether becoming a foster parent is right for you and your family. Orientation class is strongly recommended but not required for 10-week class . 6-8 p.m. at 200 College St., Asheville. Class is free. Registration required. Contact Betsy Manning at 258-0031, ext. 401, or at familiesforkids@buncombecounty.org.

Feb. 28

WEE NATURALIST PROGRAM: N.C. Arboretum program for ages 2-5 with nature lessons including walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits from classroom animals. This week’s theme is “Totally Turtles.” Runs 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays (explore classroom starting at 9:30 a.m.). $6 per child ($5 if registered in advance online). Younger siblings and adults free when accompanied by paid participant. Free parking for registered participants. Visit www.ncarboretum.org to register. Contact Michelle

Bright Star Touring Theatre returns March 3 to Asheville Community Theatre with “African Folktales,” best for ages 3-10. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Pearce at 665-2492, ext. 243, or mpearce@ncarboretum.org.

Feb. 29

CRAZY CHEMISTS: Make volcanoes with crazy chemists at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery. At 10:30 a.m. for

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ages 3 and older. Call to register, 697-8333. At 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Visit www.handsonwnc.org. CRITTER TIME FOR TIKES AND TOTS: WNC Nature Center’s program for ages 3-5 and parents. With activities geared toward the basic understanding of animal life, forest ecology and conservation. Includes indoor fun and games, crafts and more. $7 per child/ adult combination (does not include admission to Nature Center); additional children or adults $3 each. (Friends of the WNCNC members, $5 per child/parent.) 2:30-3:30 p.m. Call 298-5600, ext. 305, to register. At 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville. Visit www.wncnaturecenter.com. WEE NATURALIST PROGRAM: N.C. Arboretum program for ages 2-5 with nature lessons including walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits from classroom animals. This week’s theme is “Totally Turtles.” 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays (explore classroom starting at 9:30 a.m.). $6 per child ($5 if registered in advance online). Younger siblings and adults free when accompanied by paid participant. Free parking. Visit www.ncarboretum.org to register. Contact Michelle Pearce at 665-2492, ext. 243, or mpearce@ncarboretum.org.

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Hunts, parades and more Easter fun

Get your basket ready for a host of Easter egg hunts and other events this month. Easter is April 8.

March 31

Zeugner Center Egg Hunt Annual Easter Egg hunt and indoor swim. Registration starts at noon, hunt begins at 12:15 p.m. After hunt, stay for party with crafts, face painting, games. Pool open 1-3 p.m. Bring basket and swimsuit. Hunt and party are free; swimming is $2 per person. Call 684-5072. At Zeugner Center, behind Roberson High School at 50 Springside Drive.

April 1

Smith-McDowell House Easter Egg Hunt Sing-along program, games, egg hunt on grounds on Smith-McDowell House Museum. Separate hunt for younger children. Bring your own basket. From 2-4 p.m. at 283 Victoria Road, Asheville. $5 per child, adults free; reservations recommended by calling 253-9231. www.wnchistory.org.

April 6-7

Peanuts Easter Beagle Express Great Smoky Mountain Railroad train departs the Bryson City depot at 10:30 a.m. Passengers will join Snoopy, Lucy, Charlie Brown and our Easter Bunnies for old-fashioned Easter fun during the 90-minute layover in Dillsboro. Festivities include an Easter egg hunt, crafts, coloring sheets, snacks and more. Adult tickets $49 and children 2 and older $29. www.gsmr.com or 800-872-4681.

April 7

Dillsboro Easter Hat Parade Show off your best Easter hat. Starts at 2 p.m. at Town Hall on Front Street. Antique cars, hat contestants, Easter Bunny. Last-minute entrants welcome. Registration starts at 11 a.m. Come to Dogwood Crafters at 10 a.m. to make a hat. Visit www.dillsboronc.info/events.html. Easter at Lake Junaluska Celebrate Easter weekend at Lake Junaluska with 5K and 10K run and children’s fun run, egg decorating contest and other Easter games. Starts at 8:30 a.m. Visit www.lakejunaluska.com or call

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March 1

BREAST-FEEDING CLASS: With Henderson County Department of Public Health breast-feeding peer counselor Tammie Bogin. Free. Call to register. At Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333. WALDORF PROGRAM: Asheville Area Waldorf Early

Parents and children of all ages gather on the lawn of the Biltmore Estate on Easter the annual egg hunt. Biltmore offers hunts at several times on Easter Day. CITIZEN-TIMES PHOTO 800-222-4930. Easter on the Green Asheville Downtown Association hosts a celebration of Easter traditions on the Roger McGuire Green at Pack Square Park. With a large-scale egg hunt, races, games, creative activities and a visit with the Easter Bunny. Plus kid-friendly music and entertainment. Free. Visit www.ashevilledowntown.org. First Presbyterian Church of Swannanoa Easter Egg Hunt Egg hunt, face painting and more. Rain or shine, 2-4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Swannanoa, 372 Bee Tree Road. 686-3140 or www.swannanoapres.org. Fletcher Easter Egg Hunt Parade of Hats begins at 11:45 a.m., with egg hunt starting at noon. More than 7,000 Easter eggs filled with prizes. Meet the Easter Bunny. At Fletcher Community Park, 85 Howard Gap Road. For ages walker to 11. 687-0751, www.fletcherparks.org. Grovewood Easter Egg Hunt Grovewood Gallery and Grovewood Café host their fourth-annual Easter Egg Hunt for ages 2-9. Free. Hunt benefits MANNA Packs for Kids; admission is five canned goods. With visit from the Easter Bunny. At 11

Childhood Programs present “How to Know Your Child Is Ready for First Grade” with guest Anna Rainville, author and Master Waldorf teacher. An overview of the physical, intellectual and social signs that signal transition from kindergarten to grade school. 6:30 p.m. at Azalea Mountain School, 587 Haywood Road, West Asheville. Free. Child care provided for donation. Sponsored by Azalea Mountain School, Dandelion Hill and Little Round School House. Contact www.azaleamountain.org or 575-2557.

a.m. at 111 Grovewood Road, North Asheville. 253-7651, www.grovewood.com.

April 8

Biltmore Estate Easter Egg Hunts Easter Rabbit appears on Biltmore’s Front Lawn, along with magic shows, music, storytelling, crafts. Ages 9 and younger free when accompanied by an Estate pass holder or ticketed adult. Bring your own basket to collect eggs. Egg hunts at 11 a.m. 1 p.m., 3 p.m. on the Front Lawn. 800-411-3812 or 225-1333, www.biltmore.com. Chimney Rock Park’s 57th Annual Easter Sunrise Service Gates open 5-6 a.m. for the 6:30 a.m. service. Nondenominational service with song, Scripture, special music and sunrise over Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. Arrive early, dress warmly and bring a flashlight. Free, and attendees may stay in the park for the day. www.chimneyrockpark.com. Easter at Lake Junaluska Celebrate Easter at Lake Junaluska with a sunrise service at 7 a.m., buffets and more. 800-222-4930.

March 1 and 8

CHILDBIRTH CLASSES: A free two-session class, on March 1 and 8, for expectant parents covering the labor and delivery process, relaxation, breathing patterns, birth options, positioning and comfort measures. 6:30–9 p.m. Registration required. At Pardee Hospital, 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville. Call 866790-WELL or visit www.pardeehospital.org to register.

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March 2

DR. SEUSS CELEBRATION: Make a bookmark craft and celebrate the famed author’s birthday all day at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333. Free with admission.

March 3

FACE PAINTING: Free face painting (tips appreciated), noon-5 p.m. at Asheville’s Fun Depot, 7 Roberts Road, Asheville. No purchase necessary. Call 277-2FUN to confirm event hasn’t been canceled. Visit www.ashevillesfundepot.com. HEALTHY PARKS, HEALTHY YOU 5K: Fun Run and walk hosted by Buncombe County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Services starts at 10:30 a.m. at Buncombe County Sports Park in Candler. Open to all ages. Register at www.buncombecounty.org/parks. $12 adults, $7 ages 4-15. Jogging strollers welcome but dogs and bikes are not permitted on track during race. Contact Jay Nelson at 250-4260 or jay.nelson@ buncombecounty.org. REUTER FAMILY YMCA SWIM LESSONS: Classes for ages 6 months-12 years on Saturdays, March 3-24. Registration deadline is Feb. 28. Starts at $20. Call 651-9622 or visit www.ymcawnc.org. SATURDAYS AT ACT: Bright Star Touring Theatre returns with “African Folktales” (best for ages 3-10) at 10 a.m. and “Frederick Douglass” (best for ages 8 to adult) at 11:30 a.m. All tickets $5 day of show. At Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St., Ashe-

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ville. Call 254-1320 or visit www.ashevilletheatre.org. SOUTH BUNCOMBE/SKYLAND LIBRARY BOOK SALE: Spring sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 260 Overlook Road, Asheville.

March 4

OPEN HOUSE: Azalea Mountain School hosts open house for pre-K through fifth grade, including example of Waldorf education through circles, games and sample lessons. 3:30-5 p.m. at Azalea Mountain School, 587 Haywood Road, West Asheville (at Trinity United Methodist Church). Call 575-2557 or visit www.azaleamountain.org.

March 5

REUTER FAMILY YMCA SWIM LESSONS: Classes for ages 6 months-12 years on Mondays and Wednesdays, March 5-28. Registration deadline is Feb. 29. Starts at $40. Call 651-9622 or visit www.ymcawnc.org. YWCA SWIM LESSONS: New session of Red Crosscertified lessons starts for all skill levels. Visit www.ywcaofasheville.org or call 254-7206, ext. 110. At 185 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville.

March 6

REUTER FAMILY YMCA SWIM LESSONS: Classes for ages 6 months-12 years on Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 6-29. Registration deadline is Feb. 29. Starts at $40. Call 651-9622 or visit www.ymcawnc.org. WEE NATURALIST PROGRAM: N.C. Arboretum program for ages 2-5 with nature lessons including walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits from classroom animals. This week’s theme is “Where

do birds come from?” Runs 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays (explore classroom starting at 9:30 a.m.). $6 per child ($5 if registered in advance online). Younger siblings and adults free when accompanied by paid participant. Free parking for registered participants. Visit www.ncarboretum.org to register. Contact Michelle Pearce at 665-2492, ext. 243, or mpearce@ncarboretum.org.

from classroom animals. This week’s theme is “Where do birds come from?” Runs 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays (explore classroom starting at 9:30 a.m.). $6 per child ($5 if registered in advance online). Younger siblings and adults free when accompanied by paid participant. Free parking for registered participants. Visit www.ncarboretum.org to register. Contact Michelle Pearce at 665-2492, ext. 243, or mpearce@ncarboretum.org.

March 7

March 8-18

DRUGLESS THERAPIES: Learn about drugless therapy for ADD, ADHD, dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Free talk about how the brain processes information, and how the problems can be permanently corrected in adults and children. Improve the ability to learn, remember and focus. 7 p.m. at Fitness for the Body, Mind and Soul, 419 S. King St., Hendersonville. RSVP to 216-4444 or Wes@WesBeach.com. Visit www.LearningImprovementCenter.com. LET’S GET MOVING: Music and movement with Ms. Nicole as part of the federal initiative “Let’s Move Museums and Gardens.” For ages 3-6. At 11 a.m. at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333. Free with admission. PRESCHOOL ART CLASS: Roots + Wings School of Art offers a four-week art class for ages 3-6. Sessions are 1:30-2:30 and 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 7-28, and focus on animals and books. $50 per child. Classes at The Cathedral of All Souls, 3 Angle St., Biltmore Village. Visit www.rootsandwingsarts.com or call 545-4827. WEE NATURALIST PROGRAM: N.C. Arboretum program for ages 2-5 with nature lessons including walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits

‘THE BOXCAR CHILDREN’: Flat Rock Playhouse presents a touching tale of family togetherness. The story follows four children and their struggle to survive on their own during America’s Great Depression. Suitable for all ages. Adults $18, children $10. Performances at Downtown Playhouse in Hendersonville. Call 693-0731 for tickets and more information. Visit www.flatrockplayhouse.org.

March 8

ORIGAMI FOLDING FRENZY: The Health Adventure hosts origami club for all levels, 4-5 p.m. second Thursday of the month. Learn new folds, share favorites and meet fellow origami enthusiasts. Paper available at museum store or bring your own. Free with admission. At Biltmore Square Mall, off Brevard Road. Call 665-2217 or visit www.thehealthadventure.org.

March 9

‘GISELLE’: Asheville Bravo Concerts presents Moscow Festival Ballet performing “Giselle” at 7:30 p.m. at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville Civic Center. Tickets are $15-$60 at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 225-5887. Visit www.ashevillebravoconcerts.org.

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PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: Fired Up! Creative Lounge offers fun for kids, 6-9 p.m. Children will paint a bisque item, have pizza and play games. $25. At 26 Wall St., Asheville, call 253-8181, and 321 N. Main St., Hendersonville, call 698-9960. Reservations required. SING-A-LONG WITH TANIA: Music and movement. At 10:30 a.m. at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333. Free with admission.

March 10

CHILDREN’S CHOIR OF HENDERSONVILLE: Sings a tribute to Dr. Seuss at 11 a.m. at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333. Free with admission. FACE PAINTING: Free face painting (tips appreciated), noon-5 p.m. at Asheville’s Fun Depot, 7 Roberts Road, Asheville. No purchase necessary. Call 277-2FUN to confirm event hasn’t been canceled. Visit www.ashevillesfundepot.com. READING AND BOOK SIGNING: Daughters of the American Revolution event with “Courageous Kate” and “Fearless Martha,” written by Shelia Ingle and illustrated by John Ingle. 1-2:30 p.m. at Grateful Steps Publishing House & Bookshop, 159 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville. The Ingles will dress in Colonial period clothing and display toys of the period. Refreshments and colonial stories. Visit www.sheilaingle.com or www.gratefulsteps.com or call 277-0998. TOTS ON TOES: Ballet workshop for ages 3-5 on Saturdays, March 10-31. Sugar Plums (age 3) is 10-10:45 a.m., Bon Bons (age 4) is 10:45-11:30 a.m. and Truffles

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calendar of events Continued from Page 87 (age 5) is 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. At Stoney Mountain Activity Center in Hendersonville. For information and to register, contact Dory Jones at dorypjones@yahoo.com or 24-6643.

March 12

ART CLASS: Roots + Wings School of Art offers a four-week art class for students in grades K-5. Sessions are 4-5 p.m. Mondays, March 12-April 9. Focus for kindergarten-second grade is Light and Shadow: Photography, Collage and Drawing. Focus for thirdfifth grades is Art and Words: Journals and Photos. $50 per child. Classes at The Cathedral of All Souls, 3 Angle St., Biltmore Village. Visit www.rootsandwingsarts.com or call 545-4827. CIRCLE OF HOPE FERTILITY SUPPORT MEETING: For women and men experiencing problems conceiving. 6:30-8 p.m. at Spa Materna, 640 Merrimon Ave, Suite 204. Call 254-2222 or visit www.spamaterna.com.

March 13

‘WALDORF: PUTTING THE HEART BACK IN EDUCATION’: With Whitney MacDonald, director of Sakonnet Passage. A look at the foundation of Waldorf education from pre-K through high school for those new to Waldorf as well as current Waldorf families. At 6:30 p.m. at Azalea Mountain School, 587 Haywood Road, West Asheville. Free; child care provided for donation.

Visit www.azaleamountain.org or call 575-2557. WEE NATURALIST PROGRAM: N.C. Arboretum program for ages 2-5 with nature lessons including walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits from classroom animals. This week’s theme is “Can you crack open a frog egg?” Runs 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays (explore classroom starting at 9:30 a.m.). $6 per child ($5 if registered in advance online). Younger siblings and adults free when accompanied by paid participant. Free parking for registered participants. Visit www.ncarboretum.org to register. Contact Michelle Pearce at 665-2492, ext. 243, or mpearce@ncarboretum.org.

Starts March 13

PLAY AND LEARN: Free pre-literacy program for ages 3-5 who live in Buncombe County and their parents/ caregivers. For children who are not enrolled in regulated child care; those in part-time, “parents morning out” programs are eligible to participate. Weekly 45-minute classes with songs, hands-on educational activities, games, puppets and craft. New participants receive a weekly free book. Younger siblings may attend with their families, but materials are not provided for them. Space is limited; please do not bring nonsiblings under the age of 3. Must attend five of eight sessions. Participants must be 3 by start date. To register, call 350-2904 or email marna.holland@asheville.k12.nc.us. Offered at two locations: » Avery’s Creek Elementary in in Arden, 8 a.m. Tuesdays, March 13-May 8. Register March 1-13. Do not call the school to register. » Asheville City Schools Preschool in West Asheville, 10 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, March 20/21-

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May 15/16. Registration for new participants starts March 5; returning participants register March 12.

March 14

HOLISTIC PARENTING FORUM: Free group to provide support, education and resources for a community of parents committed to natural living. Meets 6-8 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at Earth Fare in West Asheville. Children welcome. Call 230-4850 or email shantisunshine@gmail.com. ‘STORIES: MORE THAN JUST ENTERTAINMENT’: A look at symbolic images and how stories aid the development of children. Presented by Whitney MacDonald, director of Sakonnet Passage. At 6:30 p.m. at Azalea Mountain School, 587 Haywood Road, West Asheville. Free; child care provided for donation. Visit www.azaleamountain.org or call 575-2557. WEE NATURALIST PROGRAM: N.C. Arboretum program for ages 2-5 with nature lessons including walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits from classroom animals. This week’s theme is “Can you crack open a frog egg?” Runs 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays (explore classroom starting at 9:30 a.m.). $6 per child ($5 if registered in advance online). Younger siblings and adults free when accompanied by paid participant. Free parking for registered participants. Visit www.ncarboretum.org to register. Contact Michelle Pearce at 665-2492, ext. 243, or mpearce@ncarboretum.org.

March 15

ART OF BREAST-FEEDING: Pardee Hospital offers free class for new moms, 6:30-8 p.m. at hospital, 800

N. Justice St., Hendersonville. Registration required. Call 866-790-WELL or www.pardeehospital.org to register.

students in grades 3-8. Variety of topics, from foreign languages to martial arts, photography to wildlife exploration. Register online by March 11. $69 per class. Visit www.cesap.unca.edu/super-saturday-program or call 251-6558.

March 16

MATH IS FUN: Parents-as-teachers class focusing on preschool and primary skills. Parents will learn how to use manipulatives to help children learn. Offered in conjunction with the Children & Family Resource Center’s Early Learning Cetner. Call to register. 11 a.m.-noon at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333. Free with admission. TEEN AWESOME GROUP: Weaverville Library’s teen group meets 4-5:30 p.m. All kids ages 12-18 welcome, join anytime. Call 250-6482 or email weaverville.library@buncombecounty.org.

March 19

March 17

CRAFTY HISTORIAN: Smith-McDowell House Museum offers “Toys, Games and Pastimes” program with Victorian-era and other old-fashioned games and toys for kids to learn about and enjoy. Participants make a craft to take home. Ages 8 and younger must be accompanied by adult. $3 each. Make reservations by March 15 at 253-9231 or education@wnchistory.org. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at 283 Victoria Road, Asheville. FACE PAINTING: Free face painting (tips appreciated), noon-5 p.m. at Asheville’s Fun Depot, 7 Roberts Road, Asheville. No purchase necessary. Call 277-2FUN to confirm event hasn’t been canceled. Visit www.ashevillesfundepot.com. MARCH OF THE LEPRECHAUNS: Outdoor music, refreshments, children’s play area and more. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. in downtown Hendersonville. Call 233-3216.

Flat Rock Playhouse presents “The Boxcar Children,” starting March 8 at its playhouse in downtown Hendersonville. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT READING AND BOOK SIGNING: Author Sheila Ingle will be at Malaprop’s in period costume to discuss her books on Revolutionary War heroines, “Courageous Kate” and “Fearless Martha.” Books are written at a fourth-grade level but all ages will enjoy the presentation. At 3 p.m. at 55 Haywood St., Asheville. Call 2546734. SUPER SATURDAY: Six-week courses at UNC Asheville for creative, highly motivated or academically gifted

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MODEL APPROACH TO PARTNERSHIPS IN PARENTING: Group Preparation and Selection class runs 6-9 p.m. for 10 weeks, March 19-June 4. Buncombe County social workers will present information on foster care, needs of children in care and the role of foster parents. Learn whether becoming a foster parent is right for you and your family. Orientation class on Feb. 27 is opportunity to explore important decision to open your home to children in need. At 200 College St., Asheville. Class is free. Registration required. Contact Betsy Manning at 258-0031, ext. 401, or at familiesforkids@buncombe county.org.

March 20

BOOK SIGNING AND FUNDRAISER: Grateful Steps Publishing House and Bookshop presents JeanAnn Taylor’s “The Little Girl Who Loves to Twirl” book signing event and fundraiser, 5-8 p.m. at The Hop Ice Cream Cafe, 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. With a special performance by the Ballet Conservatory of Asheville. Visit www.gratefulsteps.com or call 277-0998 with any questions. DRUGLESS THERAPIES: Learn about drugless therapy

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calendar of events Continued from Page 89 for ADD, ADHD, dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Free talk about how the brain processes information, and how the problems can be permanently corrected in adults and children. Improve the ability to learn, remember and focus. 6:30 p.m. at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. RSVP to 216-4444 or Wes@WesBeach.com. Visit www.LearningImprovementCenter.com. WEE NATURALIST PROGRAM: N.C. Arboretum program for ages 2-5 with nature lessons including walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits from classroom animals. This week’s theme is “Do snakes build nests?” Runs 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays (explore classroom starting at 9:30 a.m.). $6 per child ($5 if registered in advance online). Younger siblings and adults free when accompanied by paid participant. Free parking for registered participants. Visit www.ncarboretum.org to register. Contact Michelle Pearce at 665-2492, ext. 243, or mpearce@ncarboretum.org.

March 21

BOOK N’ CRAFT: Read a Dr. Seuss book and make a craft. At 11 a.m. at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333. Free with admission. MEET A POLICE DOG: A Henderson County officer brings a canine companion to answer questions . At 3:30 p.m. at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333. Free with admission. WEE NATURALIST PROGRAM: N.C. Arboretum program for ages 2-5 with nature lessons including walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits from classroom animals. This week’s theme is “Do snakes build nests?” Runs 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays (explore classroom starting at 9:30 a.m.). $6 per child ($5 if registered in advance online). Younger siblings and adults free when accompanied by paid participant. Free parking for registered participants. Visit www.ncarboretum.org to register. Contact Michelle Pearce at 665-2492, ext. 243, or mpearce@ncarboretum.org.

March 22

CRITTER CRAFT: Create fish with triangles all day at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333. Free with admission. DRUGLESS THERAPIES: Learn about drugless therapy for ADD, ADHD, dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Free talk about how the brain processes information, and how the problems can be permanently corrected in adults and children. Improve the ability to learn, remember and focus. 6:30 p.m. at South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road, Asheville. RSVP to 216-4444 or Wes@WesBeach.com. Visit www.LearningImprovementCenter.com. INFANT CARE CLASS: Pardee Hospital offers free class covering basics of infant care, 6:30-8 p.m. at hospital, 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville. Registration is required. Call 866-790-WELL or visit www.pardeehospital.org to register.

March 23-25

MOMS’ GROUPS A sampling of support groups for moms in WNC. Asheville Stay-At-Home Moms Playgroup: Visit www.meetup.com/AshevilleStay-At-Home-Moms-Playgroup/ Arden Moms Meetup Group: Visit www.meetup.com/arden-moms or contact Susan Toole at ArdenMoms@gmail.com. AshevilleMommies.com: Meet and greets for moms while kids play. Two sessions, 11 a.m.-noon and 3-4 p.m. Wednesdays at The Hop Ice Cream and Coffee Shop, 640 Merrimon Ave. Asheville Moms with Multiples: Group for moms with multiples meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Women’s Resource Center on Doctors Drive, behind Mission Hospital. Meetings are an opportunity to share experiences and offer support in a social setting. Call 444AMOM or visit www.ashevillemom.com. Biltmore Baptist MOPS: Group for all mothers of children from infancy through kindergarten. Meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month, September-May at Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden. Call 687-1111, email mopsofbbc@yahoo.com or visit www.biltmorebaptist.org/mops/. Hiking with Preschoolers: Visit www.meetup.com/hiking-with-Preschoolers/ La Leche League of Asheville mornings: Pregnant moms, babies and toddlers welcome at all meetings. Meets at 10 a.m. the second Monday of the month at First Congregational Church on Oak Street. Contact a leader: Susan, 628-4438 or wncbabylady@gmail.com; Jessica, 2426531; or Falan, 683-1999. Visit www.facebook.com/#!/pages/La-Leche-League-ofAshevilleBuncombe/370356353543 La Leche League of Asheville evenings: Pregnant moms, babies and toddlers welcome at all meetings. Meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of the month at Awakening Heart on Merrimon Avenue. Contact a leader: Yvette, 254-5591; or Molly, 713-7089. Visit www.facebook.com/ #!/pages/La-Leche-League-of-AshevilleBuncombe/370356353543 La Leche League of Hendersonville: Offers information and support for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, 2021 Kanuga Road. Babies and toddlers are welcome. For more in-

formation, Contact a leader: Andrea 676-6047, Katie 808-1490, or MC 6939899. Mom2mom: Christian moms group meets at St. Paul’s Church, 32 Rosscraggon Road, Rosscraggon Business Park Building B, Asheville. Moms with any age children are welcome. Call 388-3598. Mommy and Me: Park Ridge Health offers a support group for moms at 10 a.m. the fourth Monday of the month. Contact Amy Mast at 216-7244. The hospital offers a luncheon for moms and babies, noon-1 p.m. the third Monday of the month, at the hospital’s private dining room. Call 681-2229. Moms Club of Hendersonville: A support group open to mothers of all ages in the Henderson County area, including mothers who have home-based businesses and those who work part-time but are home with their children during the day. The group meets for speeches and topics for discussion, park days, playgroups, nights out, holiday activities and service projects benefiting needy children in the community. Meets 9:30 a.m. the first Thursday of the month at Hendersonville Church of Christ, 1975 Haywood Road, Hendersonville. Children welcome. Call Toni McDonald at 702-0433 or visit http://hendersonvillemomsclub.wordpress.com MOPS at Mud Creek: Mothers of Preschoolers provides an open, faith-based atmosphere for moms of infants through kindergartners. Meets second and fourth Wednesdays, 9:15-11:15 a.m., SeptemberMay, at Mud Creek Baptist Church, 403 Rutledge Drive, Hendersonville. Email Melissa Thorsland, melthor@tds.net, or MOPS.MudCreek@gmail.com or visit http://mopsatmudcreek.webs.com/ links.htm. North Asheville MOPS: Meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Maranatha Baptist Church, 1040 Lower Flat Creek Road, Weaverville. Contact Amy at 658-0739 or Liban at lmorris_cid@hotmail.com. WNC Mountain Mamas: Moms and kids can meet up and play at 11 a.m. Wednesdays the Hop Ice Cream Shop, 640 Merrimon Ave. Enjoy half-priced coffees and ice cream. Encompassing, supporting and uniting WNC families. Visit www.wncmountainmamas.proboards.com

‘CINDERELLA KIDS’: Performed by Asheville Com-

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munity Theatre’s Youth Production Class. Performances at 7:30 p.m. March 23 and 2:30 p.m. March 24-25. All tickets $5. At 35 E. Walnut St., Asheville. Call 254-1320 or visit www.ashevilletheatre.org.

March 24

DAISY GIRL SCOUT PROGRAM: WNC Nature Center hosts “5 Flowers, 4 Stories, Cheers for Animals” a program for the Birdbath Award. Come discover how the center prepares diets for its animals, discussing the need for appropriate nutrition for both animals and humans. Create full diets for host animals and a wildlife snack to take home. 2-3 p.m. at the Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville. $7 per person. Call 298-5600, ext. 305, for reservations. HAHN’S PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: Hahn’s Gymnastics hosts children ages 3-12, with pizza dinner and gymnastics-related games and activities. $15 for first child, $7.50 for each sibling if enrolled at Hahn's ($20/$10 if not enrolled). From 5:30 p.m.-midnight. Call 684-8832 to register. NANO DAYS: Explore the tiny world of nanotechnology, based on atoms and molecules and their unique behavior. Exhibit continues through March 30. At Hands On! A Child’s Gallery, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333. Free with admission. RUMMAGE SALE: Asheville Mothers of Multiples hosts its spring rummage sale with gently used baby and children’s clothes (plus older kids’ sizes, too), toys, books and equipment, maternity clothes, adult clothes, and yard sale items (large and small). Cash and credit only. 7-7:30 a.m. early bird sale with $1 admission; 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. regular sale and 2:30-3:30 p.m. half-price sale. At U.S. Army Reserve Center, 224 Louisiana Ave., Asheville. SLEEP SOLUTIONS: In-depth workshop will help parents understand how to establish good sleep habits and a healthy schedule for their babies and themselves. Will cover infant sleep needs, how developmental milestones impact infant sleep development, SIDS guidelines and research, no/low cry sleep methods, crying methods, sleeping arrangements and naps. Presented by Meggan Hartman, a parent educator, infant/child sleep consultant and lactation educator specializing in helping parents solve sleep problems using a wide-range of methods and arrangements. $10. At Nest Organics, 51 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville. TAPE-TASTIC TAPE-STRAVAGANZA FOR TEENS: Learn to make duct tape wallets, bookmarks, picture frames and more. Free. Tweens and teens welcome. 3:30-4:30 p.m. at East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road, Asheville. Call 250-4738 or email eastasheville.library@buncombecounty.org.

March 25

FAMILY DAY: Asheville Art Museum celebrates the opening of its East Wing and Primary artPLAYce with exhibitions and special activities for all ages. Free. 1-5 p.m. at Pack Place. Visit www.ashevilleart.org.

March 27

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calendar of events Continued from Page 91 WEE NATURALIST PROGRAM: N.C. Arboretum program for ages 2-5 with nature lessons including walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits from classroom animals. This week’s theme is “How big is a bug egg?” Runs 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays (explore classroom starting at 9:30 a.m.). $6 per child ($5 if registered in advance online). Younger siblings and adults free when accompanied by paid participant. Free parking for registered participants. Visit www.ncarboretum.org to register. Contact Michelle Pearce at 665-2492, ext. 243, or mpearce@ncarboretum.org.

March 28

CRAZY CHEMISTS: Go nano with gummy worms and crazy chemists at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery. At 10:30 a.m. for ages 3 and older. Call to register, 697-8333. At 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Visit www.handsonwnc.org. WEE NATURALIST PROGRAM: N.C. Arboretum program for ages 2-5 with nature lessons including walks, garden exploration, stories, crafts and visits from classroom animals. This week’s theme is “How big is a bug egg?” Runs 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays (explore classroom starting at 9:30 a.m.). $6 per child ($5 if registered in advance online). Younger siblings and adults free when accompanied by paid participant. Free parking. Visit www.ncarboretum.org to register. Contact Michelle Pearce at 665-2492, ext. 243, or mpearce@ncarboretum.org.

March 29

INFANT CARE CLASS: Pardee Hospital offers class covering basics of infant care, 6:30-8 p.m. at hospital, 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville, in Orientation Classroom. $10. Registration is required. Call 866-790-WELL or visit www.pardeehospital.org to register. KINDERGARTEN READINESS RALLY: Bring preschoolers who will be starting kindergarten in the fall to learn about Henderson County Public Schools, kindergarten registration, meet teachers and engage in fun activities. 4-7 p.m. at Pardee Health Education Center at Blue Ridge Mall.

March 30

TEEN AWESOME GROUP: Weaverville Library’s teen group meets 4-5:30 p.m. All kids ages 12-18 welcome, join anytime. Call 250-6482 or email weaverville.library@buncombecounty.org.

March 31

GROW WITH ME OPEN HOUSE: Grow With Me Preschool Learning Cooperative hosts an open house for interested families 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the school’s classroom at Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road, Asheville. Entrance to the classroom is via Governor’s View Road off Tunnel Road. The play-based, teacher-led program draws inspiration from Rudolph Steiner’s philosophy on education, following the values of Reverence, Repetition and Rhythm. The program meets 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and is open to ages 3-5. RSVP by March 23 to Janis Craft at growwithmecoop@gmail.com or Heather Ulrich at 508-7419. JUNIOR GIRL SCOUT PROGRAM: Program at WNC

Asheville Bravo Concerts presents “Giselle,” performed by the Moscow Festival Ballet, on March 9 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT Nature Center helps girls earn Energize Award and Investigate Award. Participants will test for energy efficiency in two buildings at the Nature Center, join the senior energy officer for a presentation on fun energy facts and how we can help the planet save on its need for fossil fuels. 2-3:30 p.m. at the Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville. $7 per person. Call 298-5600, ext. 305, for reservations. SIDEWALK BOOK SALE: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road, Asheville. Call 250-4738. SPRING FLING: Swannanoa Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball will host activities, games, food and a free Easter egg hunt. Cost for games and inflatables, and several vendors will be on-site selling crafts and food. Register for baseball/softball. Noon-4 p.m. at Charles D. Owen Park, Warren Wilson College Road, Swannanoa.

April 3

ENGAGING KIDS IN HEALTHY EATING: Park Ridge Health nutritionist and Kid Power Coordinator Haley Donaldson gives a motivational presentation on getting kids to make healthy changes with you. Register by March 30. Call 855-774-5433. 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at The Health Adventure in Biltmore Square Mall.

April 10

BABY STEPS TO PARENTHOOD: Class covers sleep issues, transitioning to solids, playful parenting, attachment, breast-feeding issues and the transition to parenthood through expressive arts, facilitated dialogue and open sharing. Six classes, 11 a.m.-noon, April 10-May 15, at Nest Organics, 51 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville. Register at www.megganhartman.com. $50 for series.

April 12

SPANISH FOR KIDS: Spanish classes for toddlers and pre-K, April 12-May 17. Activities include playing games, singing, dancing, storytelling and more. At French Broad Co-Op Movement Center on Thursdays. Email risitasavl@gmail.com or call 335-2120.

Ongoing

CASA DEI BAMBINI BILINGUAL VILLAGE SCHOOL: Accepting applications for summer camp and 2012-13 school year. A bilingual preschool community (primarily Spanish and English, with ongoing studies of other

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languages and cultures), serving children ages 18 months to 6 years and their families. School offers blended early childhood educational approach of Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia. Tours begin March 1 by appointment. At 818 Haywood Road, Asheville. Call 254-2272. ART BUZZ AFTER-SCHOOL: Program for ages 5-12 from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Children will create art canvas projects and learn about a famous artist and create a painting based on that artist’s works. $25 each class. At Wine and Design, 640 Merrimon Ave., Suite 208. Visit http://paintpartiesstudios.com/asheville/, email wineanddesignasheville@gmail.com or call 255-2442. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS: Buncombe County program is enrolling girls ages 6-14 from single-parent families. Participation is free, regardless of family income. Parent/guardian should contact 253-1470 for information or to enroll youth. Having a Big Sister provides girls an adult friend to do activities with in the community. The agency screens and trains mentors, and the parent/guardian approves the volunteer before a match is made. Activities might include arts and crafts, sports, sporting events, baking, cultural events, and volunteering. NATIVITY PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN: Christ-centered school with half-day programs for ages 15 months to 5 years. Registering students for the 2012-13 school year. Visit www.nativitypreschool.org or www.nativitykindergarten.org or call 687-8381. Nativity Preschool and Kindergarten admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origins to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. TINY TOTS ADVENTURES: Montford Community Center offers this free class 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through April. No class when Asheville City Schools are out. At 34 Pearson Drive. Call 253-3714. ZEUGNER CENTER FAMILY SWIM: Buncombe County’s Zeugner Center indoor pool is open 1:30-5 p.m. Sundays for open swim. $3 per person. Passes available, $20 for 10 visits and $40 for 25 visits. At 90 Springside Drive, Arden, behind Roberson High School. Contact Teri Gentile at 684-5072 or teri.gentile@buncombecounty.org.

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