Bear Essential News May 2020, Tucson Edition by Bear Essential News

Bear 40 YEARS!

April/May 2020 • Tucson Edition • www.bearessentialnews.com

essential news

Arizona’s Amazing Animals! 2020 SUMMER

CAMP GUIDE See pages 11 thru 14

In This Picture: Find a lizard, a hummingbird, a snake, a May flower, the word CAMPS, a beetle, a tortoise, a bat, a frog and a butterfly.

FAMILIES

FEATURE

NEWS

Awesome Animals

B irthday Car P arade! Bald Eagles' Prickly Nest Letters to Boomer Beat the Boredom!

of the Sonoran Desert! pages 8 & 9

& more news kids can use Scoops pages 3, 4 & 6

NEWS Spotlight on Earth Day birthday News Highlights page 5

Missing my friends Page 10

Boomer’s activity page Page 16

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May 2020

A Message from the Superintendent Dear Arizona Students and Families— I hope you are all doing well and staying safe and healthy. This school year is ending much differently than we all expected, and many of us are heading into summer missing the chance to hug our friends and wave goodbye to teachers and staff. Although this transition has been challenging, I take heart seeing all the hard work you and your families have put in to make sure you can continue learning. I have been speaking to teachers across the state these last few weeks, and the number one thing they share with me is how much they miss seeing all of you— their students. Although they are away from their classrooms, our educators are finding innovative ways to stay connected and continue lessons remotely. Platforms like Google Classroom are being used to post check-in forms, provide updates on assignments, and give students a chance to re-connect virtually. In areas of the state where accessing the internet is more difficult, teachers have told me that they are sending packets through the US Postal Service to stay connected with students. For many students and families, completing lessons at-home might be challenging. After all, home is usually the place where we get to relax and play. So, I encourage families to get creative, and find fun new ways to learn! Here are some of my favorite activities:

• Find a new recipe to cook • Design your own obstacle course to complete in the backyard, or even inside (just stay safe!) • Look up a country you would like to travel to, a meal you would like to eat there, and how to say key phrases like “hello” and “thank you!” in the country’s native language • Tune into PBS, or visit pbskids.org to watch new daily videos and play some fun games

Many of us are feeling a bit lonely these days being away from friends and classmates—and that is perfectly okay. It may be hard now, but if we all do our part to stay home and keep our communities healthy, we’ll be back to school before we know it. More importantly, I know that together we will get through this and be stronger than ever.

Kathy Hoffman Superintendent of Public Instruction

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Stay-at-Home Order Brings Creativity, Look at Nature by Reporter Aleena Rafiyath BASIS Oro Valley It is said, “boredom brings creativity.” During the crisis of COVID-19, and our stay-at-home order, I discovered what I enjoy. However, not all my time is free. I continue to have schoolwork through a virtual “classroom” on Microsoft Teams. A benefit is that I can learn at my own pace and manage due dates without a hectic schedule. I can interact with friends online and have peers help through the virtual classroom as needed. I now have more time to write poetry. For Earth Day this year I participated in an annual poetry contest held by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. I tied for second place in my category! Last year I won an award as well and attended a wonderful reception and reading. However, this year the reception will be held at a later date or possibly virtually. I also found time to enter another poetry contest, the Haiku Hike Literary Competition. I have yet to find out what the results are—I hope I win! Inspired by Earth Day, I cleaned up my yard and observed the beauty of spring’s blooming blossoms. Staying at home brought me to sit outside more. Finally, I gained interest in gardening, especially germinating and planting apple seedlings. On Earth Day, I planted half of what my garden is now! I have more time for activities such as arts and

This school is

CLOSED

due to CORONAVIR US Classes are online

crafts, hobbies, and playing. During in-person school, our assigned novel was “Watership Down.” Due to the sudden change in schedule, it was no longer required, but I decided to finish it on my own. I am glad I did—it was a wonderfully written book and I definitely recommend it! I learned to dance and be more flexible with daily stretches. I also play and self-teach instruments I have at home, piano and ukulele, using online references. I get exercise by biking and swimming, and am required to record my activity for school PE assignments. A special event that is currently happening is the month of Ramadan. Muslims have to fast, and I am trying to fast every day of the month from sun up to sun down. I figured this would be easier for me with a less chaotic schedule. At the end of the year for school we have a final “Comprehensive Exam,” which would make my fast difficult if I were attending school in person. I am thankful for the test being taken virtually, so I can rest and have an easier fast. At times I may be bored being stuck at home, but I discovered my appetite for crafting, gardening, and long lost hobbies. Needless to say, I have been busy!

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News Stories Written by Kids— for Kids Surprise Car Parade Brightens B-day Girl’s Day by Reporter Esai Aviles Elite Reporter In April, I attended a surprise birthday car parade for a Girl Scout named Emaline. The parade started at La Madera Park and ended at her house. Among those participating in the parade were other Girl Scouts in her troop and friends. The surprise parade was for Emaline’s 8th birthday. Emaline attends Sam Hughes Elementary. The parade lasted about ten minutes and was very fun! People decorated their cars and waved signs at Emaline as her and her mother stood in their driveway. I thought it was a great and clever way to have a celebration during the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the corona virus pandemic, we must spend less time around people so we can be safe.

Learn to Appreciate the Little Things by Reporter Hannah Levin, Orange Grove Middle School Over the quarantine time period I’ve been able to do things I was too busy to do before, such as making new recipes that previously took too much time to complete, learning fun new hairstyles, and picking up an old ukulele I hadn’t touched in years. I was also able to progress in several piano songs I had been working on for a while, and I’ve already started to finish up some cute DIY presents for my family’s birthdays! We’ve been getting exercise by going on a family walk in the evening, following our PE teacher’s exercise charts, and doing exercise videos we found on YouTube. Whatever you do, do NOT do stretches right next to the couch—your legs will thank you later! We also like running around in the backyard with the dog. School is still the same material, but trying to manage assignments is a lot harder, along with getting help on assignments—sometimes technical difficulties are the silent culprit of not getting how to do an assignment. Sometimes the teachers also haven’t been able to figure out video calls. One of my teachers organized a video meeting and never showed up

because they didn’t know how to get on! I haven’t been able to get all the ingredients I need to cook things at times—like when we run out of eggs and the grocery store doesn’t have any. Thankfully, there are more eggs now. Getting cooped up with my younger brother is one of the worst things that has ever happened to me. He’s nice, but when you have to deal with him 24/7, then you wish that there was school to run away to. Getting takeout is pretty easy, and we’re able to get our favorite meals, like burgers, noodles and sushi, so I still have a variety of options (it’s not the Apocalypse where I’d be gnawing on a lettuce head for a month.) Overall, I’ve learned how much time I spend on screens every day, and that meeting someone in person is better than meeting someone on a video call. I’ve been taking little things for granted, like going to get a haircut and going to the grocery store. So never, ever think that something (like going to see your friends) is somewhat boring, because I only started to appreciate things when I couldn’t do them.

After the parade I had the privilege of interviewing her, over the phone due to new social distancing guidelines. I asked her, “What was different this time from previous birthdays?” She said, “It was a surprise the number of cars that showed up at the party.” I then asked her, "What was her favorite part of the car parade?" and she told me, “I could see my friends even though we’re living through the coronavirus outbreak." I also asked her, "What are some other things you did on your birthday?” She told me, “I played the board game Life, spent time with my family and went to the park.” The last question I asked her was, "Is there anything else you would like to say about the car parade?" She replied, “I’ll never forget it.” MORE SCOOPS, page 4 ➧

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May 2020

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Continued from page 3

Healthcare Pros Discuss COVID-19 by Reporter Travis Cooper, Sequoia Choice Distance Learning Ashkan Bahin-Aein, MD, who works at the Oro Valley Hospital, and Karl Fisher, a flight nurse with Lifenet, shared their experiences treating COVID-19 patients with students from Quest for Education and Arts in an online conference on April 29. “We are learning day by day. It is a new virus,” said Bahin-Aein, who thinks that cases will peak in Arizona in May or June. He spoke about the difficulty of containing COVID-19, warning that many people infected show few or no symptoms. He said that Oro Valley Hospital sends all COVID patients to Northwest Medical Center to centralize cases and minimize exposure. Bahin-Aein reports that the emergency room at Oro Valley Hospital is emptier than normal, because people avoid hospitals due to concerns about contracting COVID-19. Fisher told us how he cares for COVID-19 patients who are evacuated by helicopter. “We minimize risk in every possible way,” said Fisher. He explained the technique of “proning,” or transporting COVID-19 patients lying face down on their stomachs because they can breathe better in this position. He gave a video tour of his medical helicopter and equipment, including a portable ventilator. Lifenet, the company that employs Fisher, donated 100 ventilators to New York City hospitals to support the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Bahin-Aein said the custom of shaking hands may be eliminated and kids may have to go to school in shifts. Fisher asked the public not to use medicalgrade personal protective equipment (PPE) so that it will be available for health care providers. Bahin-Aein suggested that better PPE is needed. He showed students an air-tight helmet worn by workers at Intel’s microchip processing plant that would provide better protection than N95 masks or face shields. MORE SCOOPS, page 6 ➧

May 2020 •

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News Highlights e McCarty/AZGFD

photo courtesy of Kyl

personally been searching for 18 years. “It is definitely something extremely exciting to observe for the first time,” Jacobson says. “The first time it’s ever been documented is pretty huge, at least to have it confirmed.” After nearly 20 years of searching, why have scientists finally been successful in getting confirmation? One reason may be an increasing population of bald eagles in our state. In 2019, there were 89 breeding areas monitored, and 74 were occupied by a pair of bald eagles. The number of breeding areas they have found has increased each year for the last decade. “A lot of the best sites have been filled by pairs, so birds that are coming into the population are looking for other options,” Jacobson says. “Part of that is why they found the saguaro and decided to give it a try.”

Life Without School Is Kind of Boring! If you made a word cloud about recent days, you would see: coronavirus, stay-at-home, online school, baking, walking, video games, pets and family. But most kids would add another word—BORING or BORED! Arizona schools and many businesses closed in March. Governor Doug Ducey issued a stay-at-home order that began March 31, so kids have been cooped up at home. Some enjoy the increased family time. They use their yards or spaces around their homes to walk, bike, play with siblings and get fresh air. But many miss their teachers and friends. They hope to get back to a normal routine. They want to see friends. They want to ask their teachers questions in person. Parker Lott spends time doing puzzles like Metal Earth kits and says he walks every day. “I’ve been doing lots of projects,” says the sixth-grader. But he doesn’t like this new normal. “It’s been really boring,” he says, adding that online schooling is “more difficult than going to real school.” Parker says asking a teacher questions through email, navigating links and figuring out what to do first makes distance learning challenging. “It’s tricky,” he says. Twins Gianna and Isabella Mercado Salvidio say QUARANTINE means bonding with immediate family, but not other relatives—they miss their cousins! These

Happy 50th Birthday, Earth Day!

Bald Eagles Found Nesting In Saguaro Cactus After decades of searching, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has documented proof that bald eagles sometimes use saguaro cacti as nesting sites! In April, AZGFD announced the discovery of a pair of bald eagles with nestlings, also known as eaglets, in a saguaro after a routine eagle survey flight. Kenneth “Tuk” Jacobson, AZGFD’s raptor management coordinator, says the department begins aerial surveys each January and conducts them monthly throughout the breeding season. A pilot takes two biologists up in a helicopter, and they search across the state for eagles and their nests. They try to maintain a CENSUS of the bald eagle breeding population. Jacobson says they have conducted the eagle survey flights for decades. In the 1970s, biologists found a record from 1937 that mentioned large nests in saguaros that were believed to be the homes of bald eagles. However, the biologists couldn’t confirm anything at the time. Additionally, there have been confirmed sightings in similar types of cacti in Mexico, making it seem more possible that bald eagles in Arizona could use the famous saguaro to nest. “Biologists were really looking for bald eagles from the 1970s on, and we always had it in our minds that they were likely there,” Jacobson says. He has

BEAR 40 YEARS

sixth-graders have been busy baking, playing volleyball and hopscotch together, reading and writing. “I used to be in soccer before coronavirus, and my cousin was on the same team,” says Gianna. “We used to go out to eat after…now that we can’t really see them…I really miss them.” Isabella says she misses going to movies, eating out, recess and just being social. She and her sister enjoy relaxing at home and doing schoolwork at their own pace, but it’s not always easy. The sisters switch off with a lap top for schoolwork, while their mom uses another computer to work from home. Isabella says, “It can be kind of confusing to figure out programs.” Kamiko Espinoza (fifth) says this time has “been a little weird,” but she likes having more time with her mom. She built a birdhouse and learned to sew. As for school, “It’s easier having a teacher in front of you.” Sisters Rori (fifth), Madison and Ellie (third-grade twins) Divijak stay busy with online school, gardening, cooking, riding bikes, walking their new dog, and caring for other pets. But they miss friends and teachers. Rori says competing in Math League online was “more difficult” than in person, and she had been looking forward to training for a 5K with Girls on the Run. Rori admits, “I kind of want to go back to school.”

Earth Day was created in 1970 in hopes of bringing about environmental reform in America. It was started by Sen. Gaylord Nelson, from Wisconsin, after he learned about a terrible oil spill off the coast of California in 1969. He worked with Pete McCloskey, a Congressman, and Denis Hayes, a young activist, to organize the first Earth Day. Just a few short years after the first Earth Day, the United States Environmental Protection Agency was created and Congress passed a number of laws to help protect humans and animals, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Fifty years have passed since the first Earth Day. Coincidentally, one of the positives of billions of people staying at home Fact Box: 1st Earth Day: April 22, 1970 Number of Countries involved in 1970: 1 Number of People Involved in 1970: 20 million Number of Countries Involved in now: 190+ Number of People involved in now: 1 billion

to slow the spread of COVID-19 has been a clear reduction of the environmental impact people are having on the planet—what a nice birthday present for Earth Day’s 50th! Satellites have observed major decreases in nitrogen dioxide, an air pollutant that comes from the emissions of cars, trucks, buses, and traditional power plants. Air pollution, including nitrogen dioxide, can have serious health consequences on humans and has been linked to climate change. Animals have also been enjoying how humans have been sticking closer to home. In Yosemite National Park, photographers have snapped photos of deer, coyotes and other animals roaming the park in areas the fearful animals would normally avoid because of crowds of tourists. Beaches from Thailand to Florida have also reported having more leatherback sea turtle nests than average. The famed canals of Venice, Italy, have also been brilliantly clear and people have even seen jellyfish swimming in the canals! Though it’s unclear if there is less pollution in the water, the lack of boats and gondolas in the water has allowed the sediment to settle and allowed for some beautiful pictures.

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May 2020

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Continued from page 5

Take a Trip to the Great Lakes by Reporter Aiden Vaughan, Esmond Station K–8 When I was doing my homework for my ELA class my teacher had given us a bonus activity for a virtual field trip. I didn’t know what that was so I clicked on the link. The field trip I went on was for the Great Lakes and it was really fun and full of information. The guide in the field trip was working to restore wetlands on the coastal parts of Lake Erie. It was really helpful and gave a lot of information on how we can help restore and preserve. There was also a field trip where I went to the Toledo Zoo where they were working on restoring the lake sturgeon. If you want to go on this field trip the link is:www.greatlakesnow.org and click on the education tab.

Home Entertainment for Stay-at-Home by Reporter Xela Keith-Chirch, Homeschool Because of quarantine, when I talk to my friends on the phone or Zoom, our first question is always “How are you staying sane?” Everywhere I look, there’s always someone saying how bored they are staying at home. Here are some of my ideas. Get outside! The kids by my house made an interactive chalk obstacle course. Someone else put up a fully stocked Little Library in front of their house. Too hot? Move inside. Plan a family dance party, a living room picnic or movie night. The possibilities are endless. I like watching funny cat videos. Quarantine is a good time to try a new hobby. I’m taking virtual dance class, playing the piano and writing.

May 2020 •

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Scouting Fun Continues and Your Family Can Join, Too! Fun activities, especially outdoor ones, attract a lot of boys and girls to Boy Scouts of America. But with families staying close to home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping Scouts active and engaged is a real challenge. So Scouting has adapted and added some new twists to keep things exciting while still building character and instilling Scout values. “The Scout program has traditionally been an outdoor program,” explains Justin Rice, Development Director for the Catalina Council BSA. “Right now, we’re kind of all in the same boat so we’ve switched a lot of our stuff to online.” Troop or den meetings are virtual these days, there are 30-day challenges to help with getting you to the next rank, and there are special events like the fun-filled Camp-In that happened across the country on May 2. “All of our units are keeping in contact at least once a week—as much as they can and need to,” Rice says. Virtual troop meetings have the Scouts and their adult leaders communicating via Zoom, Teams A virtual troop meeting has all the Scouts and their adult leaders communicating online girls 11–18 can enjoy the fun and adventure. At the same time, they gain important life skills as they earn merit badges, rise in rank and learn all about the Scout Oath and

Troop 186’s Orvik Family had fun doing the national Camp-In!

or other platforms. The Scouts can plan together, work on merit badges and stay informed. All virtual meetings are required to follow BSA’s youth protective guidelines. Due to COVID-19 remaining at large, all sessions (June 1 through July 4) of the Scouts BSA Summer Camp in Southern Arizona and the Cub and Webelos Family Adventure Camp sessions have been canceled. Also, as of press time, the Catalina Council’s Scout Shop and Service Center remain closed. But if you and your family are looking for fun things to do, check out what Scouting has to offer—all online offerings are accessible to everybody, regardless of whether you join! Boys and girls 11–18 can join Scouts BSA. Cub Scouts is for boys and girls 5–10. Troop 299 met virtually with Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfeld, an Eagle Scout who talked about their civic duties and fielded their questions. The mayor’s six sons all earned their Eagle rank, too! “It was a great connection, and we were able to post that on our Facebook page so that more people could see it,” Rice adds. “Anything from the 30-Day Challenges to virtual tours of National Parks or museums to merit badges, rank advancement, how to tie knots—all the basic Scout skills that we think about with Scouting—all can be done online now!” Rice points out. Learn about the details by visiting: Scouting offers a lot online! CatalinaCouncil.org and This is Zachary Lavalley of searching “Social Distancing.” Troop 157 during a sing-along.

Would you like to join? Call 520-750-0385 or find a unit near you at BeAScout.org

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May 2020

Awesome Animals of the

Another desert denizen that has learned to adapt to living in the city is the coyote. “I love the fact that you can see them in the middle of town and they’re super comfortable around humans,” Krop explains. But she quickly adds there’s a downside. “By the same token, I’m always a little leery of them—they will hunt people’s pets.” Coyotes will hunt rabbits, rodents, insects, snakes and even larger prey like a deer. They’ll also eat fruit, grass and carrion. She says coyotes can be out and about just about any time. “I like seeing them, and I like walking in the night and hearing them howling in my neighborhood.”

short video and great tips for staying safe as you enjoy some Arizona trails. Kids should always hike with an adult. With triple-digit temperatures already here, be sure to have enough water with you and cool early mornings might work better. But to see bats leaving their roost, you’ll need to be there at around sunset. Some musts: closed-toed shoes or hiking boots, sunscreen (reapply as needed), a hat with a brim, snacks and someone should carry a basic ﬁrst aid kit including tweezers and a comb in case of a run-in with a cactus. And if you have them, bring a pair of binoculars or a camera.

We Live in a Very Special Desert Ecosystem Kropp points out that compared with the other deserts in North America, the 120,000-square-mile Sonoran Desert has a much more diverse ecosystem. “We are the only one considered a tropical or a warmer desert…we don’t tend to have as hard of freezes in the wintertime as the other deserts,” she explains. “So that leads to more plant diversity and more ani-

mal diversity than the other North American deserts.” Our Sonoran Desert even has an ocean—the Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California. “We also have the longest coastline of any desert in the world,” she points out. Weather patterns and moisture from the gulf drive our summer monsoons that deliver about half of our yearly rainfall.

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There’s Marine Life, Too! The Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) splits the southern portion of the Sonoran Desert in two. This sea is about the same area as the land portion of our desert, meaning half of our desert is marine! The area is known for its extreme change in sea level between high and low tides. The seawater is salty, but the diversity of sea life here is amazing. One of the animals found only in the Sea of Cortez is the vaquita (translates to little cow). Under 5 feet long and weighing up to 95 pounds, not only is it the littlest porpoise in the world but is sadly also the most endangered of any cetacean. With their numbers dropping at an alarming rate, vaquitas are on the verge of extinction. Biologists estimate there may just be 10–18 adult vaquitas remaining. The main reason for the decline of vaquitas may be the use of gill nets by ﬁshermen in the region, who are trying to catch a ﬁsh called the totoaba, which is about the same length. Top prices are paid for totoaba swim bladders by certain Chinese people who wrongly believe they are a health food.

Draw Your Ultimate Desert Critter... and describe what makes it so special!

Kangaroo Rat

Lesser Long-nosed Bat

“In terms of being wowed by an animal’s desert survivor ability, I would say that kangaroo rats win hands down! They have all these cool things that they do,” Kropp shares. While most desert critters need to drink water to survive, kangaroo rats do not! According to Kropp, “they are so adapted to living with drought that they never have to drink a drop of free-standing water to survive!” They can get all the moisture they need from the seeds that they store and eat. They reduce their water loss by FORAGING at the coolest times in the night only for about an hour per day. They collect seed for caching on the outside of special cheek pouches, meaning they don’t need to open their mouths to load their cheeks and risk losing more moisture. As they sleep in their burrow, the moisture they breathe out is absorbed by the seeds they’ve cached. “And THEN they eat the seeds! It’s like they’re recycling their breath water,” she adds. Even their kidneys save water. These kidneys produce a really concentrated pasty pee that wastes little water compared to how human kidneys make urine.

Not all bats munch on insects all night long. The lesser long-nosed bat is a nectar and pollen feeder that’s essential to keeping our saguaro population going and other columnar cacti down in Mexico! “Bats are definitely one of my favorites—the nectar feeding bats,” Kropp says. “I love bats because they’re really misunderstood animals that have such an impact on our ecosystem here.” Wintering in Mexico, it’s the pregnant females of these bats that begin heading northward in spring, following the flowering of different columnar cacti, creating what’s called the nectar corridor along the western part of the Sonoran Desert. By May, the bats arrive here with their babies and the saguaros begin to bloom. “These bats can fly like 60 miles in a night looking for food. These plants are giving them a ton of energy,” Kropp explains. The bats flitter to the top and while hovering, stick their heads into the large, tough flowers. The nectar gives them sugar and the pollen provides protein. With pollen stuck to their fur, the bats go to other saguaros, pollinating the flowers so they can turn into seed-filled fruit! The babies mature, going on their own nectar and fruit-eating runs. In fall, the bats MIGRATE southward along the eastern edge of the Sonoran Desert.

USFWS Photo courtesy of

There are hundreds of Sonoran Desert animals to learn about. And if you can’t hit the trails with your family, check out the ArizonaSonora Desert Museum’s online resources like Discover The Desert Online: www.desertmuseum.org/center/edu/dtdo/ Hawks are impressive, part of a group of amazing birds known as RAPTORS. “The word raptor is Latin for the word to seize something, and they use their sharp talons to seize their prey—they’re actively hunting their food,” Kropp explains. Harris’s hawks (and Cooper’s hawks, too) have adapted to living in cities. Hawks have amazing eyesight—some can see prey move from a mile away! “Harris’s hawks are only one of two bird species that hunt with their family members like a wolf pack. They’re a collective hunting group—sometimes 10 to 12 birds, but usually around ﬁve birds. By working together, they can have a better advantage,” Kropp states.

Photo by Paul Berquist

Photo by Jim Honcoop

Photo by John Ke

nnedy

“My favorite snake is the gopher snake, sometimes called a bullsnake,” Kropp says. “What I love about them is they are super effective predators, so they’re great to have around if you don’t want to have mice and rats in your yard.” These constrictors are not dangerous to humans. Gopher snakes have beautiful markings that help them blend into the desert landscape. And if startled, they’ll shake their tail and widen out their jaws to mimic rattlers to ward off predators “that have learned to stay away from rattlesnakes. It’s super convincing!” Kropp says. These snakes have a varied diet and can shimmy up the channels of a saguaro to hunt nesting birds like Gila woodpeckers or their eggs.

Coyote

ired of being cooped up inside? How about learning about these super adaptable desert dwellers and then gearing up and going out with your family to see what you can see? Bear Essential News asked Robin Kropp, education specialist at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for more than two decades, to talk about some of her favorite creatures! Some are small, some slither and some are larger, but they all are amazing. And best yet, you don’t need to travel far to see several of ’em! To prepare for your family’s outdoor adventure, check out azstateparks.com/hiking-safety. There’s a

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Gopher Snake

Sonoran Desert!

Harris’s Hawk

May 2020

Photo by Warren Lynn

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May 2020

Awesome Animals of the

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Draw Your Ultimate Desert Critter... and describe what makes it so special!

Kangaroo Rat

Lesser Long-nosed Bat

USFWS Photo courtesy of

Photo by Paul Berquist

Photo by Jim Honcoop

Photo by John Ke

nnedy

Coyote

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Gopher Snake

Sonoran Desert!

Harris’s Hawk

May 2020

Photo by Warren Lynn

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• May 2020

Volume 41 • Issue 8 & 9

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Sponsored by Dear Boomer, During this COVID-19 pandemic, I find great comfort in turning to nature. I used to stay inside all the time, but more and more I find myself becoming closer to nature! I long to listen to the birds chirp their sweet songs. I ache to lay on the cool, wet grass and stare up into the beautiful sky. Nature has become part of me…and I’m glad! Your truly, L.D.

make it a lot safer to get around, and I ALWAYS wear my helmet. I love the adventure of pedaling around.

Enjoy! Boomer Bear

Dear Boomer Bear, Since we’ve been in quarantine, I miss that I can’t see my friends. I miss that I can’t play football or tag with them at recess. I miss that I can’t chat or talk with them

Dear L.D., Am I ever impressed that you discovered such a positive side to this difficult situation. And with so many staying home more, nature is bouncing back on many levels. You should really enjoy my News Highlights story about some special bald eagles here, and the main feature highlights some amazing desert critters.

Your friend, I.M.

I agree wholeheartedly! You can call me Boomer the Biking Bear. All these bike paths

Yours truly, H.W.

What great letters, L.W. & H.W.!

Have fun & stay hydrated! Boomer Bear Dear Boomer, Biking is so fun! You can have adventures just about everywhere! Do you agree?

friends the most. It was always fun to hang out and mess around, but now because of the coronavirus, I never see them anymore. At recess we used to toss the football around or play infection tag. All I really want to do is go back to school and see my friends. I’ve been reading Harry Potter during this stay at home order, and it’s slowly getting better. I’m now in the middle of book 5, “The Order of the Phoenix.” It’s so different doing school online. I miss moving from class to class.

in person, but now I talk and chat with them online. School is so different than it used to be. Now I’m always on the computer doing work. It’s strange that I’m not around so many kids.

Sincerely, L.W.

Dear Boomer, We have been out of school now for a month and a half, and I miss my

Like most school kids, I really miss my friends, too. We went on spring break and haven’t been back to school since then. I’ve got friends who are used to doing the online learning. It is really different from actually going to school. I am much sharper on what I can do on a computer now. And some of the virtual zoo tours and stuff are fun. Certainly a lot of kids (and adults) are having a hard time adjusting to being at home so much and miss being with friends and others they care about. Be nice, be understanding and try to do thoughtful things when you can! Hope to see you soon, Boomer

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219-0320 296-9273 663-5656 744-0848 529-2607

May 2020 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

BEAR 40 YEARS

CAMP GUIDE

2020

It's time to think about summer camps! In fact, now is a great time to start researching and planning so that you can have the best summer ever, with a little help from Bear Essential News! BOOKMANS ENTERTAINMENT EXCHANGE Bookmans.com East • 748-9555 • North • 579-0303 Midtown • 325-5767

Check out Bookmans.com for a complete list of weekly free in-store summer kids events and activities starting June 2020!

CAMP INVENTION

Multiple Locations Throughout Phoenix and the surrounding area 1-800-968-4332 Grades: K-6 Invent.org/camp Imaginations will soar this summer in the all-new Camp Invention® program, Elevate! Campers in grades K-6 will spark their creativity and build collaboration skills while controlling their very own flight simulation robot, protecting Earth’s ecosystems, designing the

ultimate sports complex and learning the value of their ideas! Local educators will lead fun, hands-on STEM activities inspiring children to ask questions, overcome obstacles and be confident in their innovative ideas. Visit invent. org/camp or call 800-968-4332 to register. Use promo code LOCAL15 to save $15 (expires 5/12).

CATALINA FOOTHILLS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS: Camp Foothills 4300 E. Sunrise Dr. 209-7551, 209-8454 Grades: Pre K–9 cs@cfsd16.org www.campfoothills.cfsd16.org

Join us for out of this world fun at Camp Foothills. Build memories with new friends while enjoying art, Legos, crafts, sports, theatre, STEM, swimming, golf, field trip adventures and so much more! We will have

convenient early morning and late afternoon options for fit your schedule. Our weekly half or full day camps have something for you!

CENTERFIELD BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL ACADEMY 5120 S. Julian Dr. #120 440-4487 • Ryan Lineberger 9 one-week sessions beginning June 1 ryancbsa@gmail.com www.centerfieldhits.com

Indoor summer baseball and softball camps for boys and girls of all skill levels. Kids will enjoy a great week of instruction, exercise, competition, fun and games while improving their overall ability and health. Camp is held in our 30,000 square foot indoor facility. Only $30 per day for great instruction! Cost: $150/ week (Instructional Camp 9 a.m.–noon).

Extended day option available up to 3 p.m. Extended day includes dodgeball and batting cages. Early Bird Pricing until April 30th. Discount for 4, 6 and 9 sessions. Ask about sibling discounts.

DAVID RUBIO VOLLEYBALL CAMPS

Tucson • 520-818-8668 Ages: 9–18 Contact: Amanda Rubio davidrubiovolleyballcamp@gmail.com www.davidrubiovolleyballcamp.com Sessions for boys and girls directed by UA Head Coach David Rubio. Check out our website for updated information on 2020 Camps and Dates! Hope to see you all soon. DRVC is not an official function of the UA. It is open to all entrants, limited only by space and grade level.

Boomer’s Summer Camp Word Search!

Find all this summer fun up, down, across, forward, backward and diagonally. DANCE SUMMER CAMPS SCOUTS STEM SWIMMING CODING

HIKING BUGS ARCHERY SPORTS COOKING LANGUAGE FUN

MATH SPACE KARATE WRITING SKATING CRAFTS ACTING

SEA RIDING CABINS SCIENCE MUSIC EARTH ART

F Y R E H C R A L L S T E M A S

B U G S A C R H E R T R O O T W N I N B E C N A D E R A C U E R G N I T C A E E F R O O O N G I E N M G N I D I R T P C O H A T S U M M E R C A M P S O K T U I P H I K I N G N F U L D I A G N A E W N C I S U M I N I N M N G C I S A S K A T I N G N G U A F E A R T H E T A R A K G O A L S

BEAR 40 YEARS •

SUMMER 2020

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May 2020

CAMPS! GUIDE

Continued from page 11

DRAMA KIDS INTERNATIONAL

7739 E. Broadway #113 • 444-9029 June–July Ages: 4–17 dramakidsaz1@cox.net www.dramakids.com/az1 Drama Kids camps are perfect for new actors wanting to discover their dramatic side, as well as for those actors wishing to continue to develop their theater, public speaking and musical theater skills while building confidence. June 15–19: Whodunit & Wonderful World of Wizardy June 15–26: Musical Theater–Peter Pan $300 for the 2 weeks/No registration fee June 22–26: Camp Hollywood & Rocktopia July 6–10: Superhero Camp

GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA

4300 E. Broadway Blvd. 327-2288 customercare@girlscoutssoaz.org

www.girlscoutssoaz.org/en/camp/camplogon. html Camp Log On is your very own Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona virtual camp experience!

We will be offering six weeks of Camp Log On from June 1–July 10. Each camp has a fun and exciting theme. Once registered, supplies for camp projects will be mailed to your home.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA Dog Days in the Desert Summer Camp

Camp dates for 6–8 year olds: June 1–4, June 15–18 and July 13–16. 9–11 year old camps: June 8–11, July 6–9, July 20–23.

Chinese. Enrichment programs in science and arts will engage and stimulate your child’s growth. Camp hours: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Cost: $50 registration fee; $250/week, full-time, $65/day.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF TUCSON

PLAY-WELL TEKnologies Various locations

602-316-1344 Ages: 5–13 June–August

1701 E. Seneca St. • 406-0552 Ages: 3–10 June 1–July 23 www.istucson.org

admissionsistucson.org Your child will enjoy being with curious, creative and motivated students while learning language and culture. Language immersion programs in Spanish, French, German and

635 W. Roger Road Ages 6–11 Summer Camps in June and July $275–($250 for Hand in Paw Kids Club members) 321-3704 X 171 • Amy Faulk afaulk@hssaz.org

www.hssaz.org/camp The Dog Days in the Desert Summer Camp is designed to give children a new perspective on caring for pets, animal cruelty prevention, animal welfare, animal behavior and personal responsibility. Participants will enjoy a variety of activities which stress an appreciation for non-human species, our environment and preservation of our natural world. Programs include hands-on animal care, crafts, games and educational lessions.

Jacob@play-well.org www.play-well.org Dream it, build it, wreck it, repeat in our LEGO-inspired engineering camps! Campers learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math while playing with LEGO. Kids will engineer interesting projects, engage in critical thinking, work collaboratively and explore STEM concepts. Let your child’s imagination run wild with over 20,000 LEGO pieces. Camps include themes such as Star Wars, Minecraft, Harry Potter, Super Heroes and Robotics. We have many camp locations in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to find a camp near you - www. play-well.org. We also offer birthday parties, afterschool enrichment and Girl Scout programs!

Triangle Y Ranch Camp Summer Overnight Camps (ages 6-17) Family Camps Military Camper Weeks Leader in Training Sessions Councelor in Training Sessions

Financial Assistance Available

Use Code “BEARMAG25” to save $25 OFF Registration

Triangle Y Ranch Camp... For a better us.

SUMMERT IME!

and the skating is easy Call for re-open date!

tucsonracquetclub.com

www.skatecountry.com 7980 E. 22nd St.

298-4409

For $

Bring in this coupon and for $5, get admission for up to 5 skaters. Valid Mon–Thr., 3 pm to 6 pm. Fri., 3 pm to 5 pm. Skate rental $4.00 extra if needed. Not valid for birthday parties or with other offers. Please limit coupon use to 1 per person per week. Not valid for groups or day care providers. SKATE RENTAL EXTRA Expires 6/30/20

May 2020 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

PRESIDIO MUSEUM SUMMER CAMP

196 N. Court Ave. 622-0594 Live History! Camp June 1–5 Ages: 8–12 Live History! Camp June 15–19 Ages: 6–10 Archaeology Camp June 8–12 Ages: 8–12 M–F 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. After care available www.tucsonpresidio.com Campers will take a trip back in time and experience Tucson the way the early settlers did! Kids will make adobe bricks, tin ornaments and a personal family crest. They will experience gardening, grinding corn by hand and play presidio period games all while learning about their ancestors, their natural surroundings and Tucson’s multicultural history. Save 10% off the Archaeology Camp when you register for BOTH the Live History! Camp AND the Archaeology Camp

SKATE COUNTRY

7980 E. 22nd St. • 298-4409 All ages askskatecountry@aol.com www.SkateCountry.com Check with us for re-opening date, still to be determined. Summer Fun Passes will be available at that time. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

TRIANGLE Y RANCH CAMP 34434 S. Y Camp Rd. • Oro Valley 884-0987 Ages: 6-17

tucsonymca.org/triangle

BEAR 40 YEARS

Give your kids a life-changing summer experience! Since 1948, YMCA Triangle Y Ranch Camp has inspired kids with countless opportunities to laugh, lead and make lasting friendships. Together, our programs and trained counselors deliver meaningful and memorable camp experiences that keep campers coming back year after year after year. Tiered pricing and financial assistance is available. Register with code “BearMag25” to save $25 off a new registration.

TUCSON ARIZONA BOYS CHORUS 5770 E. Pima 296-6277 June 15–19 Ages: 6–12 tabc@bpuschorus.org boyschorus.org

Day Camp: June 15–19 9 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Join the world-renowned Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus for an amazing week of music, singing, fun, and adventure! Camp includes daily themes as well as music and fancy trick rodeo roping instruction. Activity days include STEM Day, Water Activities day, and Reid Park Zoo Performance/Picnic and Swimming. Open to all boys age 6-12. Summer Camp: July 19–25 Join TABC in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Activities for this overnight camp include singing, swimming, archery, riflery, sports and games, arts and crafts, and instruction in fancy trick rodeo roping. Open to all boys ages 8–14. Save $30 off $225 registration fee when you register by 5/22/20. Use promo code: SING. More LISTINGS on page 14

Presidio Museum 2020 Summer Camps Live History! Camp June 1–5, Ages 8–12 June 15–19, Ages 6–10

Tucson’s Choice for Summer Day Camps!

Your child will enjoy a week of activity, crafts and skill-building. They will come away with a sense of history and perspective for their natural surroundings.

Archaeology Camp June 8–12, Ages 8–12

Children will learn about early cultures and how they still impact us today.

All Camps Held 8:30 am–3:30 pm Aftercare available Cost: $290/child

Save 10% off the Archaeology Camp when they register for BOTH the Live History! Camp AND the Archaeology Camp

196 N. Court Ave., Tucson

520-622-0594 Summer Camp Online Registration

Save $30 OFF $225 registration fee when you register by May 22, 2020

www.boyschorus.org Use promo code: SING

Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus 5770 E. Pima Street • Tucson, AZ 85711

TucsonPresidio.com

BEAR 40 YEARS •

SUMMER 2020

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May 2020

CAMPS! GUIDE

$150

WWW.CENTERFIELDHITS.COM

2020 ARIZONA

VOLLEYBALL r ing Ou k c e h Keep C for Dates e Websit tails! & De

520-818-8668 davidrubiovolleyballcamp@gmail.com This camp is not an ofﬁcial function of the University of Arizona and is open to all entrants. Limited only by number, grade level and/ or gender.

www.davidrubiovolleyballcamp.com www.facebook.com/

DavidRubioVolleyballCamp

Enroll in Drama Kids Summer Camp! Ages 4-17 $159

Full Day–9 a.m.-4 p.m. East Tucson, Northwest Tucson, Marana & Oro Valley • Whodunit & Wonderful World of Wizardry • Musical Theater • Camp Hollywood & Rocktopia • Superhero Camp

Musical Theater 2 Week Camp $300

Camps June 15 thru July 10 See our Guide Listing in this issue

• Before & After Camp Care Available $69/week • Each week’s camp has a different theme with a Friday performance.

4020 E. River Rd. • 577-6064 Week 1: June 1–5 Week 2: June 8–12 Cost: $255/Week tucsongirlschorus.org/shine

9 one-week sessions beginning June 1 Extended Day Option Available! • Dodgeball & Batting Cages (520) 440-4487

TUCSON GIRLS CHORUS

info@tucsongirlschorus.org

June 1 to July 31

5120 S. JULIAN DR. #120

Continued from page 13

www.dramakids.com/az1 520-304-2876

The Tucson Girls Chorus invites you to join Shine! A performing arts summer camp. If your kid is ready to SHINE join us for a half day, week long, summer camp featuring singing, dancing, and acting on stage. The week’s curriculum will result in a revue-style video performance to share with your family and friends.

TUCSON RACQUET CLUB SUMMER CAMP

4001 N. Country Club Rd. 520-303-7902 • Gretchen Schantz summercamp@tucsonracquetclub.com www.tucsonracquetclub.com

Tucson Racquet Club offers a “Sports Camp” for all ages, abilities and interests.

Camp hours: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (Extended hours are available: PreCamp begins 7:30 a.m./AfterCamp ends at 5:30 p.m.) Soccer Camp (ages 8–14) Get ready for the “World Cup” Soccer drills and skills in the morning, a jump in the pool and lunch, and more soccer in the afternoon. Pee Wee Soccer Camp (ages 5–7) Soccer for the younger set. A soccer morning, jump in the pool, and a fun afternoon. All Sports Camp (ages 7–15) Lifetime sports include tennis, basketball, volleyball, swimming, racquetball and martial arts. Pee Wee Camp (ages 5–7) Features basketball, tennis, gym time, swimming and arts & crafts. Tennis Camp (ages 7–17) Tennis instruction, drill and matchplay. Jr. Evening Tennis Camp (Ages 7–17) Tennis instruction, drill and fun in the cool evening!

May 2020 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

BEAR 40 YEARS

Check Us Out Online!

BearEssentialNews.com

International School of Tucson Opening the World to Your Child

SUMMER LANGUAGE CAMP June 1– July 23 • Ages 3–10

Your child will enjoy being with creative, curious and motivated students while learning language and culture. Language immersion programs in Spanish, French, German and Chinese. Enrichment programs in science and arts will engage and stimulate your child’s growth.

Camp: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Extended Care: 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. $250/Weekly, full-time $65 Daily/full-time Register by May15 to receive a discount. Limited space available

1701 E. Seneca Street Jefferson Park neighborhood– 5 blocks from UMC 520-406-0552

Admissions@ istucson.org www.istucson.org

Year-round Nursery School Programs for infants and toddlers Academic-year Language Immersion Programs for Preschool–Middle School Contact admissions@istucson.org to register and to learn about new health and safety protocols IST has put into place in accordance with CDC guidelines.

BEAR 40 YEARS •

www.bearessentialnews.com

May 2020

Boomer’s Boredom-Busting Activity Page

Teamwork Makes It Happen! Working together makes any challenge much easier, and a lot more fun! Your family is a team, too! Go Team!!!

Color the artwork

Beat the Boredom!

Everyone gets bored now and then, but the trick is knowing how to beat it when it shows up for a visit. Boomer has found a few tricks of his own, and wants to share them with his friends! • Take a walk in your back yard and see what animals or insects you can see. • Listen to some music, or try to learn the words to a new song. • Find a comfortable spot and read your favorite book again.

How Many Players?

There are many types of sports teams, with many different numbers of players.

Can you match the kind of team to the number of players it officially has?

Draw a line from the number on the team, to the sport’s name and then its equipment.

10 6 11 9 5 11 6

Ice Hockey Soccer Basketball Baseball/Softball Volleyball Lacrosse Football

• Go to the kitchen and make a healthy snack for your family to enjoy together. • Make a list of 10 people or things that are very important to you, and why. Visit Boomer at BearEssentialNews.com for more fun and contests!