Bear Essential News April 2022, Phoenix Edition by Bear Essential News

Bear 40 YEARS!

April 2022 • Phoenix Edition • www.bearessentialnews.com

essential news

See pages 12 thru 17

Summer

Camp Guide

In This Picture: Find a paint tube, a library card, a racquet, a toothbrush, CAMPS, a baseball bat, an umbrella, EARTH DAY, a flashlight, a decorated egg and APRIL FOOLS’ DAY!

CAMP GUIDE FEATURE

S ummer Camps There’s one for you! Pages 12 thru 17

Backyard B irding !

It’s a great time to get started. Pages 10 & 11

FAMILIES

NEWS NEWS

R unaway F lamingo Spotlight on Antarctica News Highlights page 5

Young Filmmaker

& more news kids can use Scoops pages 7, 14 & 18

Earth Day!

plus, a Valley Metro game Page 2

Let’s Go... VALLEY METRO! Ride Valley Metro— Make Every Day Earth Day!

he official Earth Day is always on April 22nd and has been celebrated since 1970. It’s a worldwide recognition that the earth needs everyone’s help. Valley Metro staff work in sustainable ways in everyday operations that are green and help our planet. We continue to look for new ways to improve how we operate. Valley Metro riders are part of the solution to air pollution, one ride at a time. When people choose to use public transit to get around, it creates fewer vehicles on the road, saves fuel and cuts down on pollutants released into the air. City bus and light rail are a nice set of wheels. Plan a family adventure and leave the driving to us. Ride transit together, for everyone, everything, every day.

Match Game Activity Match the Valley destinations to the correct pictures (A thru F)

Chase Field: Home of the Arizona Diamondbacks

401 E Jefferson St, Phoenix Connections: Route 1 – Washington S, Route 7 – 7th St & Valley Metro Rail (3rd St/Washington, 3rd St/Jefferson stations)

Papago Park/Hole in the Rock

625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix Connections: Route 3 – Van Buren St and then follow the Hole in the Rock trail

Sahuaro Ranch Park

9802 N 59th Ave, Glendale Connections: Route 59 – 59th Ave & GUS 3

Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch 2757 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert Connection: Route 108 – Elliot Rd/48th St

Musical Instrument Museum

For more destinations:

https://www.valleymetro. org/how-to-ride/ destinations 2 • Bear Essential News • April 2022

4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix Connections: Route 44 – 44th St/Tatum Blvd & Route 186 – Union Hills Dr/Mayo Blvd

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park 7301 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale Connection: Route 72 – Scottsdale Rd/Rural

Rd (within one block)

Boomer’s Boredom-Busting Activity Page

A Treasure Hunt Makes Clean-up Fun!

Get some friends together for a fun clean-up treasure hunt at your school grounds. You will have fun looking for the items listed, as well as helping to pick up all the litter and making your school look great!

What You Will Need a group of friends to divide into teams two trash bags for each team

Ask an adult to help you round up the items you need

work gloves to protect all hands involved

five sturdy boxes labeled glass, metal, paper, plastic and organic at least one copy of the WANTED list for each team.

What You Do 1. Divide the groups into teams of two or more. 2. Give each team two trash bags, gloves and a copy of the WANTED list. 3. Set a time. 4. Spread out and search for the items on the list. 5. As you find the items, check them off the list, and carefully pick them up and place them in one of the bags. 6. Put any unlisted litter you find in the other bag. 7. When the time is up, see which team has found the largest number of listed items and declare that team the winner. 8. Sort all the litter into the labeled boxes. 9. Dispose of this litter properly. Return, reuse or recycle what you can, and discard the rest in a trash bin.

Have fun, and may the best team win!

Bored?... Clean Your Room! When you are feeling bored around the house, take a look through your bedroom closet, drawers and shelves. Determine if you have any books, clothing, toys or other items you have outgrown or don’t use anymore. Many items, like clothing and toys, can be donated to a local organization that will make sure someone else can use them. Other items can be recycled or reused, which means they won’t end up in a landfill. Ask your parents to help you decide how to donate or recycle your items, and enjoy your newly cleaned room!

WANTED

• a ballpoint pen • a bottle cap • a broken crayon • a candy wrapper • a lunch bag • a piece of clothing • notebook paper • a rubber band • a pencil • a paperclip

• a blue object • a red object • something lost • something glass • something metal • something plastic • something round • something paper • a leaf or twig • lost homework

Earth Day is April 22! Let’s all do our part to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle this year! April 2022 • Bear Essential News • 3

Bear Hugs:

Engaging With the Grandkids

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Get Treatment EARLY! Early orthodontic treatment can minimize more extensive treatment later on in life. The ﬁrst visit to your orthodontist should take place before you’re eight. There are a number of different types of bites that need to be considered for treatment. The following situations may need an orthodontic exam as soon as possible:

• difﬁculty chewing • jaws that pop or click • thumb sucking • open mouth breathing • spacing of teeth • crowding of teeth

www.KidzConnextion.com 4 • Bear Essential News • April 2022

Summertime Is Ideal for Some Entertainment & Education! May is just around the corner, when schools let out for summer holidays and parents seek quality programs for their children. Many options are available, but the question is how to choose one in which children are fully engaged with hands-on activities. Whether it’s signing up for a class in drama, archaeology or learning about Arizona history, there is something that will be of interest to your children and your pocketbook. For example, Camp Zoo at the Phoenix Zoo will focus on what it takes to save animals, looking after those at the zoo and their counterparts in the wild! I recently spoke with Jean Baxter, education director at the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum. She was enthusiastic about the various camps being offered this summer and states, “History comes alive through hands on activities.” See summer camp listings in this issue or at bearessentialsnews. com under guides. Several programs have scholarships available for students to help with costs. Many grandparents ﬁnd themselves the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. After exhausting the usual means of entertaining grandchildren and wanting to assist in getting them “school ready” for next August, children and grandchildren both might be saying, “What can we do now?” I chatted with several grandparents who provide care for their grandchildren and came with several ideas that are easy, educational and entertaining. These can be adapted for various age groups. One grandparent said her youngest grandchild was keen to take his grandparents to a riparian area (green space) that he and his class had visited on a school ﬁeld trip. The child A storyteller relates early Arizona history to young visitors. loved being the “guide” for his older brother and remembered areas he wanted to see that had been unavailable to the larger group. Another friend said her 5-year-old grandchild had fallen in love with geography at school and wants to learn everything there is to know! Whew! It makes me tired just to think about it! The child had been having fun biting cheese into the shapes of states and countries. I saw a picture of a “cheesy Idaho.” This same activity could be done with pie dough, playdough (see recipe below). They had also put up a map in her room with plans to read books with settings from around the world. After reading, they will put a mark on the country, state or city where the story takes place. What a win—reading and geography combined! esidio.com

per month

Image courtesy of TucsonPr

BRACES $

by Mary DeStefano

News Highlights

Scottsdale Friends Honored as Heroes! Two Scottsdale high school students who are lifelong friends were just named Carnegie Medal winners for their heroic acts to save two other young people who were drowning in the surf. Zachary Johnson Haugen, 18 and a senior at Chaparral High, and Jake Vageli Watson, his 17-year-old best friend who goes to Desert Mountain High, used their strong swimming skills to rescue two people who had been swept off the rocks by crashing waves on July 3, 2020. Each year, the Carnegie Hero Fund awards its medal to citizens in the United States and Canada who courageously risk their lives to save or attempt to save the lives of others. Zachary and Jake are among 18 heroes announced on March 28. The two were with friends on a summer vacation, checking out San Diego’s beautiful Sunset Cliffs. “There was a high-surf advisory that day, and the swells were huge, and they were crashing into the cove,” Zachary recalls. “I’m standing on the edge of the cliff, and I look down and see the younger girl and the older one (struggling in the water). The younger girl is climbing on top of the older one. I was a lifeguard at the time, and I immediately recognized that that’s what a victim does when they’re drowning—they’re struggling to breathe, so they pull and push on everything to stay up (above the water).” Zachary, who is a competitive swimmer and was

one of the captains on this season’s swim team, jumped from the 20- to 25-foot cliff to help. He grabbed the girl and the three headed for the edge of the cove to try to get out. But a huge wave separated Zachary from the two, and propelled him against the rocks at the back of the cove. Jake asked him if he should go in and jumped into the rough water, carrying the younger victim on his back the rest of the way to safety. The older girl had a head Zachary & Jake injury, and Jake helped keep her head above water until lifeguards arrived. Zachary’s father, Brian Haugen, was very sick at the time but was incredibly proud (but really not that surprised) to hear of his son’s heroics. Sadly, he passed away a couple months later. For Zachary, swimming has helped him deal with the great loss and always picks him up. “If I was ever having a bad day—if things just weren’t going my way or I had something on my mind—I always knew swim practice could cure that! I knew it would calm me down and bring my head back to a normal level of thought,” he shares. He will head to NAU this fall.

Escaped Flamingo Rediscovered 17 Years Later

Image: shutterstock.com

A flamingo who flew away from a Kansas zoo nearly 17 years ago has been spotted approximately 600 miles away in Texas! The flamingo, nicknamed Pink Floyd, arrived at the Sedgwick County Zoo from Africa with several dozen other wild flamingos in 2003. After living at the zoo for two years, two of the flamingos, tagged with the numbers 492 and 347, flew the coop! The zoo regularly clipped the flamingos’ feathers, but those two birds were overdue for their haircuts, which allowed them to take flight. Pink Floyd, who was tagged with the number 492, flew away before zoo employees could test its blood to DETERMINE its sex. The

zoo suspects Pink Floyd is a male. Keepers also believe the bird was between 3 and 5 years old when it escaped, so Pink Floyd is probably around 20 years old now. (The lifespan of flamingos ranges from 40–60 years.) After its unplanned flight from the zoo, Pink Floyd wasn’t seen again for another three years—when it was spotted near Corpus Christi, Tex. Since then, Pink Floyd has been spotted in Texas and Louisiana, apparently living its best life with other wild flamingos. One of those flamingos was identified as a Caribbean flamingo who’s part of a flock from Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It is unclear whether the birds are friends or perhaps something more. Either way, Pink Floyd has found a group of friends! The zoo has accepted that Pink Floyd is destined to live out its days in the wild and has no plans to attempt to recapture the bright pink bird. “It would only disturb wildlife where it’s been found and possibly could do more damage to the bird than just leaving him alone,” Christan Baumer, then a spokeswoman for the Sedgwick County Zoo, told the Associated Press in 2007.

Antarctica Heats Up Antarctica is the Earth’s southern most continent and has no indigenous inhabitants. While many explorers speculated over the existence of a “southern land,” the continent’s presence was not confirmed until the 1820s. Following World War II, the continent saw an increase in scientific interest and research. In more recent years, a number of countries have established seasonal and year-round research stations and camps. Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, and driest continent on Earth, and its topography is 98 percent thick ice. It is the fifth largest continent, slightly smaller than 1.5 times the size of the United States. There are more than 30 species of flying birds that live in Antarctica. The white continent is Antartica Facts: • Most common penguin: Adélie • Highest elevation: Mount Vinson,16,050 ft • Coldest temperature ever: -129.28° F • Strongest wind: 199 mph

Image: commons.wikimedia.org

also home to five species of penguins. Plus another four species of these amazing flightless birds live on sub-Antarctic islands. Antarctica has made headlines recently because scientists keep a close eye on the continent due to its impact on climate and the oceans. On March 18, scientists recorded the temperature at Concordia Research Station as 11.3 degrees Fahrenheit. The normal high temperature for the day is around -56 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning last month’s recording was close to 70 degrees warmer than normal. Vostok, a Russian research base, also logged a record high temperature that day—zero degrees Fahrenheit, which is 63 degrees warmer than the average for the day. A few days before these high temperature were recorded, an ice shelf in Antarctica nearly the size of Los Angeles DISINTEGRATED as well. The Conger Ice Shelf, which was approximately 460 square miles, collapsed around March 15. Antarctica may be remote and far from warm and sunny Arizona, but what happens there impacts the rest of the world. One estimate is that if all of the continent’s ice melted to water, it would be enough to raise the world’s oceans by 190 feet. April 2022 • Bear Essential News • 5

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BearEssentialNews.com and click on Young Reporters. Bear’s Young Reporters Always Get the Scoop! The Young Reporters Program is part of Bear Essential Educational Services.

6 • Bear Essential News • April 2022

Get the Scoop!

Kid Creator Shows at Phoenix Film Fest by Reporter Theron Plant, Jacobson Elementary Steven Hoffen’s short documentary film has earned wins and nominations in over 70 film festivals around the world, and it will be part of the upcoming Phoenix Film Festival! The festival runs March 31– April 10 at Harkins Scottsdale 101. Find information at phoenixfilmfestival.com. Steven’s film is about making peace, and growing plants (hydroponics)! I had the privilege of interviewing Steven about his film, “Growing Peace in the Middle East.” To start, you might want to know about hydroponics. Well, it is a type of farming, “the future of farming,” as some call it. The hydroponic system is simple! There are pipes that will bring water through other pipes. The plants do not use dirt! The nutrients normally in the dirt are in the water! This water will recycle around the plants. Hydroponics take up less space, and the process of growing hydroponic

produce is less work than in normal farming. On a trip to the Middle East, Steven and his family connected with an organization called Sindyanna. Its mission is to bring Arab and Jewish women together and break through cultural barriers by helping the women learn to run a hydroponics business. Throughout the film, Steven enjoys talking with two of the women participating in the project. There is a conflict between Arab and Jewish peoples—these cultures have not gotten along for a very long time. The project aims to help as the two groups work together, solve problems together and develop relationships. Steven is 14—at the time of producing this film, he was 12. He enjoys technology and debating, and MORE KID FILMMAKER, page 18 ➧

Photo: wish.org

by Elite Reporter Athena O’Brien Make-A-Wish wants to make every child’s wish come true. When a child is uplifted by a wish, it gives them hope, and they have a higher chance of recovering from their illness. Thanks to wishes, parents and families are also uplifted and given an opportunity to think positively about the future. In honor of World Wish Day, the Make-A-Wish Foundation is partnering with Funko. If you’ve ever walked into a bookstore or GameStop, you’ve seen these collectible bobbleheads of pop culture icons. Funko Pop is producing a new line of bobbleheads as part of their “Pops! With Purpose,” whose proceeds go to good causes. Pops! With Purpose figures have a sticker that shows that Make-A-Wish will receive a donation. Funko has promised to donate $150,000 to Make-A-Wish. Visit www.worldwish.org to make a donation or to read more inspiring stories.

Are Driverless Trucks a Good Idea? I Think So! by Reporter Hunter Tournas Waybright Academy

World Wish Day Is This Month The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organization that grants the wishes of children with severe illnesses. World Wish Day is April 29. It is the anniversary of the first wish ever granted. Did you know that Make-A-Wish was founded in Phoenix? It started in 1980, when Christopher Greicius, a 7-year-old with leukemia, wanted to be a police officer. Some Arizona officers helped Christopher’s dream came true. The officers took him for a ride in a police helicopter and gave him a hat, badge and custom-made uniform. They also took him on a tour of the Department of Public Safety headquarters. Then he was sworn in as the first and only honorary Department of Public Safety officer. When his mother saw how happy he was, she wanted to do something to help other sick children receive wishes. So, she co-founded Make-A-Wish. Since then, Make-A-Wish has granted over 500,000 wishes across the world. These wishes can be as amazing as swimming with sea lions or as simple as wanting a dog. One girl, whose leg was amputated due to cancer, wished for a poodle. On the same day that she got her prosthetic leg, Make-A-Wish gave her a poodle. When she grew up, she ran in a triathlon and became a pediatric nurse and Make-A-Wish volunteer.

News Stories Written by Kids— for Kids

You are driving on the freeway and approach a semi-truck; but as you look closer, you see there is NO DRIVER! What would you do if you saw that? It might become the future of driving, and may be sooner than you think. TuSimple is a provider of autonomous freight semi-truck solutions, and has said its technology will be operational by 2024, according to Forbes. (TuSimple has its headquarters in San Diego, and offices in Arizona and Texas). Autonomous semi-trucks sound like a good idea. They do cost less, because they don’t need a gas-powered engine. But, if technology glitches, something could go wrong. This issue is important because it could affect the future of driving and delivery. I think that these semi-trucks could be part of the solution to our delivery problems. Right now, people are not getting their orders on time, because of the unfair treatment of delivery workers and the shortage of items. I am for autonomous semi-trucks because they mean less humans driving. For people who drive these trucks for a living, they would not lose their jobs. They can still sit in the trucks in case they need to take over. These semi-trucks may be a safer option for the years ahead. MORE SCOOPS, page 14 ➧

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April 2022 • Bear Essential News • 7

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You may have heard that eating fat is unhealthy, but the truth is much more complicated than that. There are two general categories of fat: “saturated” and “unsaturated.” The type of fats that may cause your body to be sick are called saturated fat. But unsaturated fats help you grow, gives you energy and helps nutrients be absorbed and metabolized. Yes, you read that right, fat can help you! Most foods contain a mix of unsaturated and saturated fat. To keep your body healthy, choose foods that are higher in unsaturated fat more often than foods that are high in saturated fats.

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Unsaturated Fats – Eat often: Fish Walnuts Peanuts Pistachios Flax seeds Canola oil Olive oil Avocados

Tips for Choosing Healthy Fats Try these ideas for adding healthy fats to your meals:

Saturated Fats – Eat less often:

Lamb Pork Red meat Lard Cream Whole milk dairy products Butter Cheese Ice cream

• Add flax seed to your oatmeal or smoothie.

• A few times week, snack on nuts instead of chips.

• Include fatty fish (salmon or tuna) into your eating routine. • Cook with canola oil or olive oil instead of butter or lard.

• Add avocado to your sandwich, burrito, eggs or any other combination you can think of.

Images: shutterstock.com

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yler McKinzie teaches sixth grade at Sonoma Ranch Elementary. “Sonoma Ranch is a wonderful school and there is a reason I have been there 16 years,” he says. “The kids, staff, and families make it the best place in the world to be every day.” McKinzie says he loves teaching sixth grade because he loves teaching all the subjects, which he could not do if he moved to jr. high. He enjoys teaching math, science, social studies, reading and helping students learn to express themselves through writing. Originally from Altamont, Kansas, McKinzie came to Arizona to attend ASU with plans to become a sports agent. During an internship, he says he soon realized his chosen career was not quite the Hollywood version he had seen in “Jerry Maguire.” The family he knew when he moved here, the Willems, were both teachers and helped him get a job as a long-term sub. McKinzie had coached kids before, and he soon found that being in the classroom and working with kids was what he truly wanted to do. When his mom became an empty nester, she went back to school and followed in her son’s footsteps. His

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mom became a teacher three years after he did, notes McKinzie. One of his sisters also became a teacher and his wife, Cori, teaches fourth grade in Mesa. “I did not realize we were going to be a teaching family,” says McKinzie, but notes that his wife is able to “ﬁlter off-the-wall ideas and (put) up with me when teaching takes long hours. She totally gets it.” While he admits to keeping a strict routine, he also likes to have fun and joke around with his students, whether that means heading outside for a math or reading lesson or shooting tennis balls out of an air cannon for science. “I’m really just a big kid at heart,” says McKinzie. While sports were a passion when he was growing up, McKinzie says he always was more interested in the business side of things—writing letters to general managers to advise on trades for example. Nowadays, he follows his daughters, ages 10 and 6, in their sports pursuits. McKinzie advises students that “the things that are helpful are not always easy...sometimes they have to go through hard things to learn.” He says they may not understand that message now, but that former students who visit him have discovered the truth in those words.

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ome ﬂit from branch to branch or can turn on a dime in mid-air to nab a gnat. Others soar majestically high overhead. If you’ve spent any time outdoors these days, you’ve probably seen and/or heard our ﬁne-feathered friends. But did you know that Arizona is a top-notch place for birding? And with spring’s arrival, there may be no better time to get your gear together to see all shapes and sizes of birds, which make up the class Aves.

Places to See and Hear Birds!

When it comes to appreciating and caring for wildlife, birding is a great way to start. Many birds are attracted to green spaces. “A green space has water, shade and all the necessary elements needed for healthy and happy birds,” Rohrer explains. So if you live in the city, if you want to see a variety of birds, you might want to go with your family to a large park or some other type of desert oasis. He says that the number and variety of birds is an INDICATOR of how healthy our environment is.

Make it a family thing and don’t go any place without a parent or older brother or sister. Parks are nice, green spaces where you can find lots of birds. There are also places like the Phoenix Zoo and Liberty Wildlife (a bird rescue center) where you can see a variety of cool native birds up close. West of Tucson is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum that has a nice aviary, and Reid Park Zoo has native birds just hanging out in its green spaces and the surrounding park. Rohrer fixed up his backyard to attract butterflies and birds. “If you have water, like a pond or bird bath, and native plants in your yard, you’ll attract so many beautiful local birds, along with butterflies, lizards and other fun critters that live in our amazing Sonoran Desert,” he suggests.

What Makes Arizona So Special?

Getting Started

Chris Rohrer

Earth Day Happens This Month!

Rosy-faced Love

bird

Photo courtesy of Chris Rohrer

Make birding a family thing. Figure out where you want to go and read up on some “Arizona is pretty magical—it’s so much more than desert!” of the birds you’re likely to find there. Rohrer points out. People from all over the world come here to see Wearing a hat with a brim and applying sunscreen every few hours will help protect our birds and other wildlife. “We have ‘sky islands,’ mountains with you from the sun. A water bottle (insulated ones can keep water cold in the heat) is alforests on top, canyons, deserts, grasslands and riparian areas ways a good idea. Try to wear neutral-colored clothes that won’t scare that have so many different species off the birds. of birds that come from the eastern, Rohrer also says if you and your family will be hitting the trails, northern and western parts of the wear a good pair of hiking shoes. Also bring “a bird guide(book) for U.S. And Mexican birds also will their area, a pair of binoculars and, if you love photography, a camera. show up here during our summers,” There are so many wonderful bird he continues. Riparian areas are guides for our area. I use the Sibley ribbons of green along our washes, Guide for western birds but there are rivers and lakes. Arizona’s San Pedro so many more choices these days,” and Santa Cruz rivers are important Rohrer says. You might be able to riparian CORRIDORS for migrating check out a bird fi eld guide from the libirds and provide lots of habitat for brary. There are also ones for kids, like other native creatures as well. Stan Tekiela’s Birding for Beginners: You’ll find different birds at difSouthwest. ferent elevations. Looking for owls Warning—rattlesnakes and cacti one evening, Rohrer and his friends are outdoor hazards. Even if you stick started at the bottom of Mount Lemto the trails, you might come across a mon north of Tucson. “We saw seven rattler or chunk of cactus sticking out. species of owl! It was a fun night out So watch where you step. You should looking for owls and nightjars. Birding stop before looking up for a bird to is an adventure. Plus we saw a bear Great Horned Owl avoid tripping or worse. and a lot of foxes,” he shares. 10 • Bear Essential News • April 2022

Inca Dove

What You Can Expect to See

Photo courtesy of Chr is Rohrer

One of the most fun (and trickiest) parts of birding is ﬁguring out what you see. There are some SUBTLE differences and it can help to be able to snap a picture—otherwise you will need to have a good memory of what the bird looked like, how it behaved and/or what it sounded like. To help, there’s eBird, an online database that also sends out alerts from other birders who have recently reported seeing rarer birds. “It’s a great way to study birds and where they are seen. Plus, you can participate in their citizen science research project by doing an ebird report on your phone. It’s a fun way to keep track of all the birds Gila Woodpecker you’ve seen!” Rohrer explains. Another resource and app is iNaturalist.org—an online community of naturalists that can help identify what you’ve seen.

Boomer’s Basic Birding Rules Birding is a great lifelong pursuit that’ll get you outdoors and get your mind off of what’s bothering you. Here are a few basic rules to keep in mind: • Quietly walk/approach so you don’t startle the birds. Use slow and steady gestures to point out birds to others. If you need to talk, speak in a library voice! • If you are part of a group and need to talk to someone, stay behind and talk quietly.

Great Egret

Birding has taken Rohrer to places near and far. And by learning about the birds he comes across, he knows a lot! “I’ve been all over the world. I’ve searched for birds in Cape Verde (an African chain of islands), Mexico, Trinidad, Wales, Peru, etc. And I’m only just getting started—there are over 10,000 bird species on this planet!” he shares. Here in Arizona, there are more than 500 species! Starting small, you are bound to see and hear hummingbirds. Some are busy building nests. “In the U.S., Arizona rates as THE best spot for hummingbirds,” he explains. “In this state, during the summer months and migration, you can observe as many as 15 species of hummingbirds!” His favorite little bird here is the northern beardless tyrannulet—the smallest ﬂycatcher in North America. People come here from all over the world to see the elegant trogon, a multi-colored bird with long tail feathers. For most bird species, including the elegant trogon, males tend to be the more colorful and spectacular ones. Now is a good time to see larger birds, too! “Raptors, like hawks, kites, vultures, falcons and eagles, are migrating north along our endangered and precious riparian corridors,” Rohrer points out.

Curve-billed Thrasher

• Stick to trails or paths, and do not walk in front of someone looking at a bird—hang back and wait for them to invite you to take a look. • Learn to effectively use your words to describe where the bird is. For example: “In the tall, dark tree, the bird is left of center, halfway down on the biggest branch.” • Stay on public property unless you have permission to enter private property, and leave everything as you found it, but carry out trash. Binoculars are only to be used to look at wildlife and scenery—never at people or houses. • Always respect wildlife. Do not use recorded bird songs or calls, especially during breeding season. Photo courtesy of Chris Rohrer

gbird

Anna’s Hummin

Backyard Birding Photo courtesy of

Photo courtesy of

Chris Rohrer

Chris Rohrer teaches Spanish at Ironwood Ridge High. He also has been into birds since he was a kid. “They make interesting sounds. They have beautiful feathers. And they remind me of dinosaurs—that ﬂy!” he explains. Rohrer loves living in such a birder’s paradise and also travels all over the world to see and hear other bird species in their natural habitats. “Birding is an exciting thing! It’s like a treasure hunt outside in the great big world. Birds are beautiful and interesting.”

Identifying What You See

• Never disturb a nest or eggs. If a baby bird falls out of a nest, it is best to leave it alone. • Walk, don’t run, in a birding area, and watch where you step!

April 2022 • Bear Essential News • 11

Places to See and Hear Birds!

What Makes Arizona So Special?

Getting Started

Chris Rohrer

Earth Day Happens This Month!

Rosy-faced Love

bird

Photo courtesy of Chris Rohrer

Inca Dove

What You Can Expect to See

Photo courtesy of Chr is Rohrer

Great Egret

Curve-billed Thrasher

gbird

Anna’s Hummin

Backyard Birding Photo courtesy of

Photo courtesy of

Chris Rohrer

Identifying What You See

• Never disturb a nest or eggs. If a baby bird falls out of a nest, it is best to leave it alone. • Walk, don’t run, in a birding area, and watch where you step!

April 2022 • Bear Essential News • 11

2022

CAMP GUIDE

It’s time to think about summer camps, and now is a great time to start researching and planning so that you can have the best summer ever!

Bear’s Summer Camp Guide 2022 Now that more and more adults and children are vaccinated and the number of COVID cases is going down, things are starting to return to near normal. Kids will be looking forward to going to camp this summer. And, with summer camps limiting spaces again this year, the camps will fill up quickly. Sending your child to summer camp has always been an important way to let them try new things and learn new skills. A five-year study of 18–to –25–year–old former campers by the American Camp Association proved that summer camps helped these individuals have more success in high school, college and in their career by providing social skills, leadership skills and more. (This study can be found at www.acacamps.org/resource-library/research/ camp-impact-study). Getting a child out of their comfort zone and attending a summer camp with new kids and new adult role models can help the shy child become more outgoing, learn teamwork and develop leadership skills. At summer camps kids make new friends that might become friends for a lifetime. Kids can gain confidence by working together to problem solve, and they might try a new skill like cooking, pottery, archery, rock climbing, canoeing or horseback riding. Summer camps are a great way to get your child to unplug from technology. Instead of spending time watching television or being on a cell phone, tablet or the Internet, kids can experience the outdoors, nature and animals or even

12 • Bear Essential News • April 2022

get bold enough to scale a rock wall or try zip lining. Take a look through Bear’s Summer Camp Guide and see what your child can discover this summer. There are camps that teach acting, dancing, history, swimming, arts, sports, academics, STEM and STEAM, and even animal care. Some camps are day camps where campers are dropped off in the morning and return home in the afternoon, and there are resident camps where campers spend about five days away from home in a cabin or cabana. Most camps explain what to expect from their camps, CDC guidelines and safety and more on their websites. Listings start on page 14

Volume 43 • Issue 7

Editor & Publisher

Sales Director & Publisher

Stephen B Gin

Nancy Holmes

City Editor

YR Coordinator

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Mike Loghry

Gary Shepard

Renee Griffith

Julie Madden

Bear Essential News for Kids®

is published monthly by Kids’ View Communications Corp. to educate, enrich and entertain children and their families. Content of this newspaper is designed to promote reading and writing skills as well as creativity. Classroom educators are welcome to reproduce any portion of this newspaper for their students. Call or fax Kids’ View Communications for any additional information on stories. Please Call

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April 2022 • Bear Essential News • 13

continued from page 12

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE VALLEY 602-954-8182 Registration begins April 1 BGCAZ.org

Sign up for summer Enrichment & Fun at BGCAZ’s high-quality, affordable summer program. Morning programs will focus on engaging and fun academic and social enrichment to prepare students for fall. Afternoons will include arts, sports, games and more! Teens (13–18) will create exciting service learning projects that will build self-confidence and leadership skills and count for volunteer service hours. Weekly program fees for youth 5–12 start at $60 and financial aid is available at all Clubs. Teens are free with Club membership. Open 7 a.m-6 p.m. Breakfast and lunch are included daily in the full-day programming. Check BGCAZ. org to find your local Club. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

BLACK MOUNTAIN BMX 24024 N. 11th Street • Phoenix 602-999-5979 All Ages

www.usabmx.com/tracks/0257 All ages and all experience levels are welcome! Clinics, Practice and Racing. Visit www.usabmx. com/tracks/0257 for full details, location, directions and more.

BOOKMANS ENTERTAINMENT EXCHANGE MESA: 8034 N. 19TH Ave PHOENIX: 1056 S. Country Club Dr

www.bookmans.com Check out Bookmans.com for weekly family friendly events and activities. Click on the Join tab to sign up for the Kids Club or 1317 to get discounts.

CAMP ZOO AT THE PHOENIX ZOO

455 N. Galvin Pkwy. • Phoenix 602-286-3800 June 6–July 29 www.phoenixzoo.org/camps-programs/camps/

Welcome to Camp Zoo 2022: Build the Zoo! This year, Camp is all about finding out what it takes to help save animals. Campers will discover the different ways we look after the animals at the Zoo, while tackling challenges to help save their counterparts in the wild. They will spend the mornings on the trails, enjoying close encounters with the animals and learning from their care teams, as well as playing games and hanging out in the splash pads. The afternoons will be spent working in groups indoors to tackle design challenges related to their theme, and more Camp Zoo-style fun! Incorporating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) principles and going through the design, build, test, and revise process, campers will use what they’ve learned about the animals to create real-world solutions and top off the week presenting their design.

EAST VALLEY CHILDREN’S THEATRE Summer Theatre Camps 4501 E. Main St. • Mesa 480-756-3828 May 31–July 15 Ages: 5–17 www.evct.org/camps

14 • Bear Essential News • April 2022

info@evct.org

Evct has four different in-person summer camp programs: Imagination Theatre Camp for kids age 5–8, Musical Theatre Camp & Theatre Workshop Camp for kids age 8–15 and a Four Day Acting Intensive for kids age 11–17. Participants learn performance techniques, teamwork, communication skills and have FUN in a non-competitive, educational atmosphere. Instructors are local theatre professional in the field of dance, music and theatre.

GIRL SCOUTS — ARIZONA CACTUS-PINE COUNCIL

Four Camps • Phoenix, Prescott, Payson 602-452-7000 Registration begins March 15 June-July

www.girlscoutsaz.org/en/camps/summer-camp.html After a safe and successful camp season last year, the GSACPC Camp team is thrilled to invite girls back for another year packed with more of what you love. We are looking forward to troop, day, resident, and mini-resident camp options! We’re also excited to offer programs we know you’ll love – aviation, STEM, equine, and the new installations of rock climbing, bouldering, and zip lining at Parsons Leadership Center!

GRAND CANYON COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA AZ OUTDOOR ED Multiple six-day options • Payson 602-955-7747 x239 June–July All Youth 13+ www.azoutdoored.org

Utilizing our Scout camps and programs, these sixday programs are available to all youth ages 13 and above. Young men and women are encouraged to get involved, enjoy the outdoors, create friendships, and explore new hobbies and interests as they learn in a safe, structured setting. Our traditional summer camp program is also available for all youth to participate in, regardless of your current Scout affiliation! Youth Adventure Day Camp—Ages: 6–10. This drop-off day camp is designed for youth to come and enjoy a themed week of activities and fun Monday– Friday during the summer months. Sign up for a week of activities happening at the Heard Scout Camp where our trained staff will provide fun, safe, and engaging programs for kids ages 6–10. Each week will offer different adventures to choose from including swimming, cooking, STEM and more. Spade Ranch At Camp Geronimo—Ages: 14–18. Join us for our second ever Drone Camp where you will learn how to build a drone and how to utilize it in everyday life. Or, get in touch with your “wild side” in our Spade Ranch program where you’ll experience an outdoor adventure unlike any other, from exploring caves to rappelling down waterfalls, there is bound to be adventure for all! You can also get your feet wet with Fish Camp, where you will fish in Arizona’s beautiful creeks and streams, learn about the local ecology and have a ton of “fin”! R-C Scout Camp—Ages: 6–10. R-C Scout Camp is a resident camp (overnight) experience for families serving children ages 6–10. Programs for this partner and pal experience may include horseback riding, arts and crafts, STEM activities, field activities and more. Youth have the chance to learn and develop character, citizenship, and personal fitness through awesome activities while spending uninterrupted quality time with their families.

Get the Scoop! Continued from page 7

Hiking Is a Great Adventure by Reporter Harshini Krishnamoorthy BASIS Peoria Are you waiting for an adventure? Are you an adventurous person not looking forward to the boring vacations ahead? Hiking just may be the key to starting a fun-filled summer vacation. Hiking is a sport filled to the brim with adventure. You could hike Torghatten, the adventurous granite mountain in Norway. Or Svinica in Poland or Denali in Alaska. But you don’t have to go so far for good hiking. Water Wheel Falls Hiking Trail in Payson, Arizona, is a twohour drive from Peoria. I soon discovered it was worth it! Water Wheel was so amazing. As soon as I got to Water Wheel, I saw long paths, rivers, lots of sand, and rare shade. It looked like a mini desert! But after about an hour, to my surprise I saw snow and rivers with ice sheets in them! In a matter of time, it had switched to look like Antartica. Going back to head home, I saw holes, lots of rivers and jagged rocks. If you are looking forward to a group activity and a great adventure, hiking is your number one possibility for an exciting summer vacation. Hiking truly is the best adventure.

Snow Much Fun at Snowbowl by Reporter Georgiana Readhead, Homeschool Most people think of Arizona as a hot desert landscape, but there’s snow in our state if you know where to look. Recently I went to Snowbowl in Flagstaff to go skiing. I had so much fun! My family skied for four days on the amazing Mount Humphreys, the tallest point in the state with a base elevation of 9200 feet. I started practicing skiing on the very short beginner slopes. It’s important to learn how to stop and how to have your skis in a pizza shape to control speed. To get up to the top of the slope, there was a special surface conveyor that you ski onto and get taken up. Then we progressed to a steeper and longer slope. Some of the slopes were so big, that a chairlift was needed to take people to the top! I especially loved going down the longer slopes. The longer slopes were fun because there were a lot of twists to help you practice turning. Almost everyone got a chance to ski. There were lots of very little kids on skis and snowboards and I noticed a visually impaired skier going downhill with a guide skiing backward to help them come safely down the slope. It’s a good idea to make sure you have good equipment that is appropriate for expected weather conditions. When I went, the weather was cold, snowing and windy, but on another day, the weather changed to sunny and clear. You should be sure to pack a winter coat along with some sunscreen and sunglasses or goggles! I loved going skiing and I hope people make the most of the Arizona winter season and have snow much fun!

Have a Memorable Summer Adventure at Girl Scouts Camp! Feed your appetite for adventure at Girl Scouts Summer Camp 2022! Do you crave the outdoors, a night sky filled with stars, and the space to connect with camper friends? Then Girl Scout Summer Camp is for you, and now is the time to register. With four camp properties—in Phoenix, Payson, and two in Prescott—and a variety of structures to suit new or seasoned, younger or older girl campers, you're sure to find a program that’s right for you. “I loved summer camp at Shadow Rim Ranch this last summer,” says Maleahna. “I learned a lot there and got to go canoeing for the first time.” Maleahna, a Brownie from Troop 6365, used her

cookie proceeds to pay her way to summer camp! She says, “I enjoyed rock climbing, singing songs, acting out skits at the fire, and making s’mores! I had so much fun and got to stay a whole week. The food was even tasty there.” It’s no surprise that camp can nuture lifelong skills and a sense of adventure. In a 2018 survey of over 700 adults, 80 percent of camp alums—and 84 percent of Girl Scout Camp alums—reported that their camp experiences fostered an appreciation for nature. Plus, more than 80 percent of Girl Scout Camp alums said that camp was critical to the development of their willingness to try new things and

Cookie proceeds help girls like Maleahna to attend Girl Scouts Su mmer Camp.

their ability to lead a group of peers in a task. You don’t have to be a current Girl Scout to go to Girl Scouts Summer Camp. Camp starts on June 5. Financial assistance is available for those who need it. No matter which camp you attend, you’ll have a great experience that includes: • Archery • Outdoor arts & crafts • STEM activities • Nature hikes • Teambuilding and games with other campers • Making new friends • S’mores making and more! Plus, select camps have unique offerings like backpacking, rock climbing, swimming, horseback riding, canoeing, zip line, ceramics and aviation. Learn about summer camp programs and how to register at www.girlscoutsaz.org/camp!

Join Girl Scouts today! Visit girlscoutsaz.org Call 602-452-7030 Text 844-317-9041

@GSACPC April 2022 • Bear Essential News • 15

continued from page 14

LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER ARIZONA

The Fairy Experience is an exciting interactive adventure for children ages 4 and up with portraits by Arizona’s top portrait artists that allows a child’s imagination to soar!

855-450-0558 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Ste 135 • Tempe Ages: 3–10 Arizona@LEGOLANDDiscovery.com www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/arizona/

Jump into the biggest box of LEGO bricks EVER at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona! With two rides, a 4D Cinema, plus 12 build & play zones, there is something for children of all ages. Tickets are limited, book online to guarantee admission.

THE LITTLE GYM OF PARADISE VALLEY AND SCOTTSDALE

PHOENIX CENTER FOR THE ARTS SUMMER CAMP 1202 N. 3rd St. • Phoenix 602-254-3100 May 16–Aug 21 Ages: 6–17 info@phoenixcenterforthearts.org phoenixcenterforthearts.org

Make art a part of summer with classes at Phoenix Center for the Arts in downtown Phoenix and Thunderbird Arts Center in north Phoenix. Anime & Manga, drawing, painting, piano, voice, guitar and dance classes are available throughout the summer for children of all ages. In-person and online classes are available and range from $96 to $157, financial aid available.

4225 E. Windrose Dr. Suite 111 • Phoenix 602-996-1380 Ages: 3–12 years Classes start at $45 per session tlgparadisevalleyaz@thelittlegym.com www.thelittlegym.com/parties-camps

Day camp at Little Gym of Paradise Valley gives your kid the summer camp experience without the bug bites, poison ivy, sunburns and week-long commitments. Combining fun physical activity, games and arts & crafts we’ll help your child beat the summer heat by staying cool at The Little Gym. Look for details online.

MARICOPA COUNTY READS Registration begins May 1, 2022 maricopacountyreads.org

For more information about this reading program, visit the website! While you’re there, go on a journey of discovery! Visit fabulous destinations such as Hogwarts, Narnia, Oz, and Middle Earth!

OCTANE RACEWAY

9119 E. Talking Stick Way • Scottsdale 602-302-7223 www.octaneraceway.com

A one-third mile track. Full-time indoor/ outdoor competitive kart racing, minibowling, video games and more. All racers must be at least 5’ 4”. Brickyard grill and outdoor patio. Group event packages available.

SEA LIFE ARIZONA AQUARIUM

855-450-0559 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Ste 145• Tempe Ages: All Arizona@SEALIFEUS.com www.visitsealife.com/arizona/

Dive into SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, home to Arizona’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel! Discover thousands of creatures such as sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, and more in more than 30 exhibits. Tickets are limited, book online to guarantee admission.

Black Mountain BMX

We Are OPEN and

RACING!

For Dates and Times, check our website

602-999-5979

www.blackmountainbmx.com 16 • Bear Essential News • April 2022

SETH KOREY TENNIS Summer Tennis Camp

7421 N. Scottsdale Rd. • Scottsdale skorey777@gmail.com www.sethkoreytennis.com 1- week sessions run May 23– Aug 5 Ages 4–16, $250/week and 10% sibling discount. Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–1p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Aftercare available for $125/week Mon–Thurs from 1–4 p.m. Field trips are included every Friday with complimentary lunch.

UPTOWN JUNGLE FUN PARK

7608 W. Cactus #101 • Peoria 623-203-7169 sscheffert@uptownjungle.com peoria.uptownjungle.com

Uptown Jungle is more than a trampoline park, it’s a city-style indoor playground metropolis that allows kids to enter into a world where they become a superhero, rock climber, explorer or even an uptown ninja warrior all inside a child-safe environment. Enjoy Trampolines, Climbing Walls, Spider Tower, Mini Zip, Super Slides, Ninja Course and more! The indoor park features a huge variety of action-oriented fun activities that guarantee that your kid will have a blast while getting an excellent workout.

VALLEY OF THE SUN YMCA CAMP SKY-Y 5725 S. Senator Highway • Prescott 888-747-2894 May 29–July 30 david.madden@vosymca.org azycamps.org

Located in the heart of Prescott National Park, this summer overnight camp is a big adventure for kids ages 7-16–the fun and freedom of being outdoors, while learning new skills, and making new friends will make memories that will last a lifetime. Fun-filled weeks with activities including archery, paint ball, crafts, canoeing, games, rock climbing, and much more–will make a summer experience your kids will love! Sign up today!

XTREME GYMNASTICS

14000 N. Hayden Rd. #104 • Scottsdale 480-595-3543 June–July Ages: 3–12 xtreme@xtremegynmastics.com xtremegymnastics.com

FIT-N-FUN camps promote health and fitness while having a blast. Children ages 3–12 years will enjoy high energy themes each week. Customize your days or week with Full and Half day options. The Xtreme Gymnastics staff is USAG Safety Certified with complete background checks. Come MOVE-LEARN & XCEL with us.

Got Plans for the Summer? There’s plenty of time to join a camp or summer program!

Visit BearEssentialNews.com

and click on “Guides” for a fun list of what’s going on in your area.

April 2022 • Bear Essential News • 17

Get the Scoop!

Continued from page 14

Book Has Poems for Star Wars Fans by Reporter Julian Shatté-Rice, Montessori Day School “I Wish I Had a Wookiee: And Other Poems for Our Galaxy” is a great book for children who loved the Star Wars series. This book of poetry features poems about things that actually happened in the movies. For example, it shows Jango’s and Boba Fett’s relationship in a way that’s similar to the films. It also features new concepts entirely, such as a poem called “Looking for Gungan City.” That poem is about a girl swimming to try and find the underwater city of Gungan, which did not happen in the Star Wars movies. Other poems are based on children pretending they are a character from the movies. One child, featured in “If I Were a Stormtrooper,” is a young boy pictured in a stormtrooper outfit. Another example is a poem called “To Be Like Anakin” with a little girl riding a bike, pretending it is Anakin’s pod-racer. In the poem, she wishes she could “be like Anakin, and learn to use the Force: I’d have a blue lightsaber that I made myself of course.” Some of the poems are supposed to be funny, while others are more serious. A funny poem is “The Jawas Took My Homework.” It is funny because the writer states she had a good reason for her homework not being completed. An example of a serious poem is “The Beasts Inside” where a small child is struggling with her feelings and uses creatures from the movies the Acklay, Nexu, and Reek – to become mentally tougher. This book, written by Ian Doescher and illustrated by Tim Budgen, features 75 poems, spread over 128 pages. This book is very light reading, and not as dark as the movies. This book of poems inspires children to use their imagination more. For more infomation or to purchase a copy of the book, visit www.quirkbooks.com.

18 • Bear Essential News • April 2022

More Kid Filmmaker

Continued from page 7 hydroponics uses a lot of technology! He wanted to help the hydroponics project. That is the goal of Sindyanna, bringing sustainable farming, new business opportunities, and new relationships between two cultures. Steven gave me some advice to share with other filmmakers when I interviewed him. He says, “One of the main things is to find a topic that you are passionate about. For example, making a film, you have to find something that you really love. Otherwise you can’t really make the film and it won’t be as interesting and inspiring to other people.” You can support Steven’s project and find out more at growingpeaceinc.org.

April 2022 • Bear Essential News • 19

FARMERS CELEBRATE EARTH DAY, EVERY DAY!

20 • Bear Essential News • April 2022

Bear Essential News April 2022, Phoenix Edition

Articles inside

Scoops pages 7, 14

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