Birmingham Parent Magazine February 2019 Issue

THE PREMIER PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR CENTRAL ALABAMA — NOW IN OUR 15TH YEAR OF PUBLISHING

FREE

FEBRUARY 2019

2019 CAMP DIRECTORY TRY A PROGRESSIVE DAY CAMP THIS SUMMER

8 TIPS TO MAKE

DENTIST VISITS FEARLESS

& TEARLESS

9 GREAT BENEFITS FOR TEENS WHO GO TO CAMP WHAT TYPE OF CAMP?

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Mending kids’ hearts It’s what we do best. Our team of more than 250 pediatric professionals is recognized for its excellence in providing world-class cardiac care in an environment best suited to the needs of our patients. From tiny babies to teens, we care for Ben Golden Peterson and every child like our own. l

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Let our family care for yours.

We’re moving and growing to provide you with even greater access to care.

Visit us at our new location, opening February 4, 2019. The Brookwood Baptist Health Primary Care – Gardendale team has a long history of delivering compassionate care to patients in Gardendale and surrounding communities. Sharon Gray, MD, Terry Kinnebrew, MD and Judith Cooley, CRNP are excited to welcome J.W. Pitts, MD, William Sides, MD and Agnes Collins, PA to the team. Our providers specialize in a wide range of primary care services, including annual physicals and wellness exams, immunizations, women’s care, chronic condition management, acute care, and preventative care.

Call 205-631-5521 or visit bbhcarenetwork.com to book an appointment

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ed note KIDS AND ADULTS NEED TO KEEP TRYING NEW THINGS! Last September, at age 54, I overcame my fears and tried ziplining for the first time. It was fantastically fun. (You can read all about Historic Banning Mills where I went with my childhood friend, Cathy, starting on page 36). I was so scared my legs were literally shaking. I’m a roller coaster girl, so I wasn’t afraid of going fast, just really afraid of the height, and of course, the unknown.

Though I came home with a big bruise on my leg, thanks to my inability to stop, I was kind of proud of myself for doing something I was afraid to do, and it felt good. Plus, it was FUN. (This is a great destination for families, by the way.)

This month we celebrate camps. And our popular, 26th annual Birmingham Parent’s Camp Expo will be held Saturday, February 23, 2019 at McWane Science Center from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Be sure to check out page 16, “What Type of Camp Will Your Child Like?” This issue and the Expo are great ways to investigate things your child MIGHT like to do. Don’t miss exploring our issue and directory, and all the camps that will exhibit at Camp Expo. Bring your child, register for prizes and find out what your child might like to do this summer.

Check out page 14 for 9 great benefits for teens who go to camp, and how about martial arts?

Read about it starting on page 20. We’ve also got an interesting story about having a “progressive day camp,” offering a great win-win for families. Read it on page 24.

Remember that February is also Black History Month. We’ve highlighted part of the festivities on page 41 and throughout our calendar of events. It’s also National Pediatric Dental Health Month.

Great local dentists weigh in on how to make a dental visit fearless and tearless, starting on page 10.

Hope to see you at the EXPO! Booths and sponsorships are still available, but space is limited.

Call or email us today!

Carol Muse Evans publisher/editor carol@birminghamparent.com 205-624-2405

ABOUT THE EDITORS: Carol Muse Evans is the publisher/editor/owner of Birmingham Parent magazine, a publication she and her husband David began in 2004. The Birmingham, Alabama-based parenting publication attracts more than 60,000 readers monthly in a four-county area and receives 10,000 hits per month on its website. The magazine has a 20,000+ print circulation, plus several thousand in readership of the digital edition online. It is the only independently audited free publication in our area. Evans is an award-winning writer and editor who has also has written for several other publications as a freelance writer since the late 80s. She is a graduate of Auburn University in journalism and is a graduate of Scottsboro High School. She is married with two grown children and lives in Alabaster. She is a member of the National Federation of Press Women, Alabama Media Professionals and Southeastern Advertisers and Publishers Association (SAPA).

Evans also serves on the board of directors of Childcare Resources.

Lori Chandler Pruitt is associate editor of Birmingham Parent, where she is responsible for the calendar and editorial editing. She also is a freelancer for Business Alabama magazine and has written/edited for several other publications. This award-winning writer and editor is a graduate of the University of Alabama in news/editorial and Hueytown High School. She is married with two children.

4 | birminghamparent | february 2019

P.O. Box 326 (add 800 Hwy. 52 E. for pkg) Helena, AL 35080 205-624-2405 205-624-2515 FAX www.birminghamparent.com

editorial PUBLISHERS David & Carol Evans EDITOR Carol Muse Evans ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lori Chandler Pruitt CALENDAR Lori Chandler Pruitt CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Vivian Friedman, Rachael Moshman, Kerrie McLoughlin, Cheryl Maguire, Bart A. Stump, Pam Molnar, Dr. Ashley Tamucci

sales SR. MARKETING CONSULTANT Kayla Fricks MARKETING CONSULTANT Natalie Julian WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Bethany Adams Hunley

art & production ART DIRECTOR Hilary Moreno DISTRIBUTION T&P Deliveries LEGAL COUNSEL Balch & Bingham LLP

BIRMINGHAM PARENT IS A PUBLICATION OF EVANS PUBLISHING, LLC. Publishers: Carol Muse Evans, David K. Evans Sr. Birmingham Parent (EIN200694149) is published monthly by Evans Publishing LLC. www.birminghamparent.com or editor@birminghamparent.com. Birmingham Parent is © 2019 by Evans Publishing LLC. Family Connections Media ©2019/2020

by Evans Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Editorial submissions are welcome. For back issues, please send a self-addressed 10” x 13” envelope with $4 for postage and handling.

What’s happening at McWane?

PRESENTED BY

February 16, 2019

All February long!

Get your motors running and head over to McWane Science Center for a truckload of fun!

Dream Big is back for a special showing during the whole month of February for Engineering Week!

Visit our website www.mcwane.org for more details!

contents WHAT TYPE OF CAMP WILL YOUR CHILD LIKE? PAGE 16 If your child is curious and always asking questions about how/why things work, an educational camp may be a good match for them. If a child is interested in learning a new skill such as computer programming or speaking Spanish, some educational camps offer that as well.

SUMMER CAMP 2019 our focus 9 GREAT BENEFITS for Teens Who Go to Camp....................................... 14

our features

10

WHAT TYPE OF CAMP Will Your Child Like?........................16

our regulars EDITOR’S NOTE................................4 PARENTING with Dr. Friedman...............................7 SHORT STUFF.................................. 8 ASK THE SPECIALIST Flu Shots During Pregnancy?...... 34

ARE THE MARTIAL ARTS Right for Your Child?......................20

PARENTING PEOPLE: Huntsville Company Creates Device to Help Stop Hot Car Deaths................................................38

PROGRESSIVE DAY CAMP......... 24 BIRMINGHAM PARENT’S 2019 SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY.....................................26

CALENDAR OF EVENTS............... 41

8 Tips to Help Make Dentist Visits FEARLESS & TEARLESS...............10

24

FAMILY TRAVEL: Banning Mills, Georgia..................36

38

ON THE COVER: 2018 CAMP EXPO Cover Kids Winner Sara, age 6, is trying out gymnastics at Head Over Heels Gymnastics in Hoover (https://headoverheelsgyms.com). HOH offers great classes and camps for all ages. Outfit courtesy of Applause Dancewear in Homewood (www.2applausedancewear.net). Photo by Samantha Ferguson, His Hands Photographs, www.hishandsphotographs,com, 205-862-3374.

6 | birminghamparent | february 2019

PAR E N TI N G

Parenting with Dr. Friedman

Q:

My 10-year-old daughter struggles in school. She wants very much to be a good student but no matter how hard she tries, she is always at

the lower end of her class. We, her parents, are both professionals. In the past we have probably established expectations for her, that we realize now, she might not be able to achieve. We would like to take back some of the goals we set but she has already heard them. She probably feels like she is failing us but that is not true. Now as school is about to start, she is becoming more and more anxious. We had her tested and the recommendation was for her to repeat last year’s grade because her achievement scores were a half-year below her grade placement. We are afraid that holding her back will further demolish her already low self-esteem. How can we best help her?

While your daughter has already heard your high expectations, sit her down and talk with her about new goals. Set goals based on her ability. Aim for her to reach her personal best rather than an arbitrary standard.

Consider holding her back a grade. The initial hurt is a smaller insult to self-esteem than is the daily failure in a grade she is not prepared for. Holding her back might just give her the chance to build her self-esteem by enabling her to get good grades.

You might also consider an ungraded program such as a Montessori school or a school that caters to children of normal intelligence who have trouble learning. In Birmingham we have Spring Valley School for children with this type of need.

If you keep her in a public school, ask for a special education evaluation. An individualized education plan might enable her to succeed at personal goals. Set the bar one step higher than where she is now but not so far

above her that she is certain to fail. Asking her to learn thirty spelling words per week might lead to failure but she just might succeed at fifteen.

While you seem to accept your child as she is, not all parents of children who struggle to learn do so. Parents need to come to grips with their own disappointment before they can truly be proud of a child just as she is. For some parents, the hardest thing is to see your child inherit your own shortcomings and to watch her struggle with deficits that you have worked hard to overcome.

Yet sometimes a child is born to us, who is very different from the way we are. An assertive parent might not relate to a child who is very shy or passive. This parent must work to overcome these feelings. You must mourn, “the death of the imaginary child” before you can accept the real child you have.

To help your child, set achievable goals.

Praise first and correct later. Praise lots

and correct only a small amount. If you are correcting every response on a homework assignment, your child is not in the correct grade.

Find an activity where your daughter can excel. Karate, art, music, dance or sports often provide children who are not good at reading, math and spelling with a place to shine.

Admire your child’s personality traits.

Tell her how proud you are of her honesty, her kindness to others, and her helpfulness at home. School achievement, although a large part of any child’s life, is not the whole picture.

Vivian K. Friedman, Ph.D. is a child and family psychologist at UAB, Department of Psychiatry. Send questions for response in this column to Viviankf@gmail.com. No personal replies are sent.

CONNEC T 36 5/24/ 7 TO BIRMINGHAM PARENT POETRY PARTY and SEAN OF THE SOUTH have moved online!

Visit www.birminghamparent.com for these and more great stories from Birmingham Parent.

www.birminghamparent.com www.twitter.com/bhamparent www.facebook.com/BirminghamParent www.instagram.com/birminghamparentmagazine www.pinterest.com/birminghamparentmagazine/ birminghamparent.com | 7

S H O RT STU FF New Safety Requirements for Windows as of 2019

There Is a Camp for Every Child Now Is the Best Time to Find a Camp The American Camp Association®(ACA) knows there is a camp for every child. Research shows us that camps are filling up earlier each year. Now is the perfect time for parents and families to begin their search.

• Use ACA’s Find a Camp tool. ACA’s Find a Camp database helps connect more than 1.2 million families with camps each year. Search for camps by location, activity, cost, and more.

• There are many options when choosing a camp: resident or day camp, single gender or coed, one week or all summer, traditional or specialty programs.

• Be certain to include your child in the decision-making process. Together with your child, explore the camp options and examine the materials the camps provide. When children are better acquainted with the camp experience and more involved in the decision-making process, they will have less anxiety about going away to camp.

As of January 2019, the vast majority of window covering products in the U.S. and Canada must be cordless or have short cords. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved the new window covering safety standard last year, according to the Window Covering Manufacturers Association.

The new safety standard required that all stock products sold in stores and online – which account for more than 80 percent of all window covering products sold in the U.S. and Canada – be cordless or have inaccessible cords.

Corded window coverings will only be available on custom-order products, as corded products are still needed by a wide range of consumers, including the elderly and those with disabilities, those short in stature, and those with windows in hard-to-reach locations. Even so, the revised standard imposes new restrictions on these custom-order products such as requiring operating cords to have a default length of 40 percent of the blind height (it previously was unlimited) and a default to a tilt wand instead of a tilt cord.

The new safety standard also includes a change in warning tags to more graphically depict the strangulation hazard.

Consumers can look for the “Best for Kids” certification label to identify cordless window covering options. WCMA created the “Best for Kids” certification program in 2015 to make it easier for consumers shopping for window coverings to identify cordless products. Go to https://windowcoverings.org/ best-for-kids/ for more information.

• Be sure you are considering an ACA-accredited camp. ACA accreditation means that your child’s camp cares enough to undergo a thorough peer review of its operation — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. If the camp is not accredited, ask why not.

• Seek advice from a neighbor, friend, or relative.

Often the best endorsement is from a family you know whose children attend camp.

• Ask questions! Reach out to the camp directors and ask questions about their camp. Is the camp ACA-accredited?

What is camp director’s background? What training do counselors receive? There are sample questions on the ACA website.

There are ACA-accredited camps to meet every interest, price range, and schedule. Knowing your options, as well as your child’s personality, will help you identify programs from which your child will benefit most. Camp provides children with the opportunity to connect with nature, to participate in human-powered activities, and to benefit from personal and primary relationships. At camp, children make memories and gain skills to last a lifetime.

Printed by permission of the American Camp Association. ©2019, American Camping Association, Inc. 8 | birminghamparent | february 2019

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Seeks Applicants for Be Healthy School Grant Program Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is continuing its Be Healthy School Grant Program to combat childhood obesity. For the 2019-2020 school year, Blue Cross will make available $250,000 and award grants up to $10,000 to 25 schools across the state that enroll students in grades K through six.

The deadline to submit an application is Friday, March 22, 2019. Applications can be completed at AlabamaBlue.com/schoolgrant. In April 2020, students who successfully complete their school’s program will be presented with Be Healthy awards by Blue Cross.

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DE N TAL HE ALTH MO NTH

8 Tips to Help Make Dentist Visits

Fearless &Tearless

By Rachael Moshman

Visiting the dentist is a scary experience for many children. The dentist is a virtual stranger, even after several visits. Plus, the dentist and hygienists wear masks that cover their faces for most of the visit, making them appear even less friendly. It can be a very over-stimulating experience with the bright lights, loud buzzing and chemical smells. And the expectation of holding still for an extended length of time is frustrating for many children.

Fortunately, there are some ways to make the visit a bit less frightening and easier to handle:

Photo courtesy of Medplex Pediatric Dentistry

FIND A PEDIATRIC DENTIST. Pediatric dentists have specialized training in treating children. Their offices are often designed to be more comfortable and inviting to children. If your child has special needs, ask if they can handle your child’s special needs. Some dentists, like Dr. Angelica Rohner of Angelica Rohner Pediatric Dentistry have even worked to get sensory inclusive certification.

START EARLY. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a pediatric dentist as soon as their first tooth comes in, typically between six and twelve months of age. Getting children accustomed to dental visits from a young age often makes visits less traumatic. Dr. Baker Chambliss of Medplex Pediatric Dentistry says children should visit when the first tooth appears, and frequency depends on each child, but most should visit twice per year for cleanings and exams. “Starting young gets your child more comfortable with dental appointments and with the dentist you choose for his or her care,” Chambliss says.

“Get an early start!” says Rohner. “The first visit is important to the parent and child in order to get a jump start on excellent dental health…children learn that the dental office is a safe and fun place to go and helps eliminate dental fears at an early age,” Rohner explains.

TELL YOUR CHILD WHAT TO EXPECT. Children typically only see the dentist twice a year. They may forget what happens at the visits in between appointments. Walk them through what to expect before each visit.

Read books about going to the dentist.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Angelica Rohner

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a pediatric dentist as soon as their first tooth comes in, typically between six and twelve months of age.

10 | birminghamparent | february 2019

WORK WITH A DENTIST THAT TELLS YOUR CHILD WHAT TO EXPECT. Dr. Olga M. Sanchez-Hernandez of McCalla Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry says they use a technique called “Tell-Show-Do” where they explain what they are going to do, show the child on their hand or theirs what they are going to do, then they do it in the mouth. “Repetition is key!” Sanchez-Hernandez adds. “You would be amazed to know that most children are naturally curious and welcome new experiences with a positive attitude.”

“Parents are always encouraged to speak positively about going to the dentist, says Dr. Clark Thomas of Thomas Pediatric Dentistry. “Children tend to feed off their parents’ emotions and fears. Generally speaking, if the parents have a calm and relaxed approach about the dentist, typically the children will follow suit.” continued on page 12

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First child’s fee is $25, and each additional child in the immediate family is $10 each.

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D E N TAL H E ALT H MON T H continued from page 10

New Patients Welcome!

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DON’T GLOSS OVER PARTS THAT THEY STRUGGLED WITH LAST TIME. For example, if they became agitated when it was time to swish the fluoride rinse around their mouth, gently let them know that they will have to do it again. Neglecting to mention it could lead to more anxiety, as well as possibly distrust in you when they are confronted with it again.

Medplex Pediatric Dentistry has a unique feature to help comfort children – their comfort dogs, Sister and Sugar. “They can sit alongside or with a patient and their calm, loving presence minimizes stress and anxiety,” Chambliss says. “We also provide games and TV for fun and relaxing appointments.”

PRACTICE GOOD DENTAL HYGIENE AT HOME. Brushing and flossing your child’s teeth daily will help keep teeth and gums healthy. This may result in quicker and easier dental visits.

Feeding your child a healthy diet and limiting sweets will also help accomplish this.

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LET THE BRAVER CHILD GO FIRST. Most people with multiple children have the oldest child receive treatment first. This isn’t necessarily the best order. If a younger child is less fearful, let them go first.

START SOME TRADITIONS. A few days before the dentist appointment, start reading books or watching cartoons about dentists, teeth and tooth care. Find a song about going to the dentist or make up one of your own. Sing it in the car on the way to the appointment. Have a special plan for after the dentist, such as visit to the park or trip to the movie theater. Do these things before and after every visit to give your children good memories of going to the dentist.

DEAL WITH YOUR OWN FEARS. Many adults still have severe dental anxiety. Children pick up on their parent’s worries. Your child won’t be able to be calm or relaxed if she knows you aren’t. Take time to address your own issues before the appointment so you don’t project your negative feelings onto your child’s experience.

In fact, Sanchez-Hernandez says to keep a positive attitude regardless of your past dental experiences. “Act natural and be relaxed,” she explains. And do not anticipate giving too much information unless you are sure it would be beneficial to your particular child.

Parents of children with special needs, especially those with challenging behavior, can often feel overwhelmed by dental visits, says Dr. Stephen Mitchell of Sparks Dental Clinic at UAB. Places like the Sparks Clinic and pediatric dentists who also specialize with treating children with special needs are a good way to go, and ask if the dentist can handle your child’s special needs before you book the appointment.

Rachael Moshman is a mom, freelance writer and blogger. She actually enjoys going to the dentist. Find her at www.rachaelmoshman.com. Carol Muse Evans contributed to this story.

SUMMER CAMP 2019

9 Great Benefits

for Teens Who Go to Camp

By Kerrie McLoughlin

Summer camp is often a place to send elementary-age kids so they aren’t sitting around the house bored, so they’ll make friends and learn new things while having fun. But as kids grow older, we sometimes forget that they still need those kinds of experiences they had when they were younger, just in a different form.

Maybe you don’t think your teen needs summer camp. Your teen should be babysitting, mowing lawns, working at the pool, hanging around with friends, right? Well, sure! But why not send them off for a week or more of summer fun and learning this year for a break?

Here are nine great benefits for teens attending summer camp:

1 LEARNING HOW TO GIVE BACK. Community service camps offer a great chance for teens to make a difference, while also learning skills that will carry them through their lives. Maybe your teen will learn how to pack food for the homeless, teach kids how to read or work on a project that will benefit the community, like cleaning up a playground or fixing equipment. They could even learn how to paint a house, care for a yard for an elderly person who is unable to do so anymore, or may even learn how to plan and build a house for someone who is in need.

2 MAKING NEW FRIENDS. Some teens attend the same camp or camps every summer and might find the same friends there year after year. Many are attending for the very first time and need to hone their social skills to make new friends and get to know other kids in their age range outside of a school setting.

Being in close proximity for days or weeks helps kids get closer, faster.

14 | birminghamparent | february 2019

3 LEARNING NEW THINGS. Whether your teen attends a camp to learn more about horses, adventure, a specific sport or anything else, they have an entire day, week or longer to focus on that one activity and really immerse themselves in it. Your teen might find a new passion that he never thought of before that could be helpful in his educational or work life later on down the road.

4 DEEPENING THEIR FAITH. If your teen enjoys church youth groups and activities, a church or other organized religious camp might just be the ticket. The day might begin with a church service, followed by breakfast, then a hike and other activities.

Later there could be singing songs around a bonfire while roasting s’mores.

5

DEVELOPING A HOBBY. When your child is unplugged from the TV, video game player or smartphone, they can really focus on developing a hobby in a creative way. It seems like these days there’s a camp for pretty much any interest your kid has.

6 WORKING AS A TEAM. Your child will be meeting kids of different ages and from different backgrounds. Learning how to get along and work as a team is a huge life skill that will be reinforced at camp. Some camps even have kids do team-building and trust activities to help kids get to know each other.

7 STAYING ACTIVE. Forget sitting around doing “screen time” all day long during the summer! When a teen attends summer camp, they often forget all about those things and focus on having fun with their friends while going on hikes, paddle boating, swimming and more, depending on the camp they choose!

8 STANDING ON THEIR OWN. Let’s face it: as our kids get older, they start to grow away from us. They are simply preparing to head out on their own and they are also preparing you for that transition by perhaps being a little distant. They are stuck between childhood and adulthood, and it’s a confusing time. Going away to camp for even a short period of time helps teach independence. There is a daily structure at camp that’s already in place which teens need to follow. Parents aren’t the ones doing the nagging, so teens don’t tune it out, while respecting other adults and learning from them.

9 APPRECIATING EVERYTHING. Away from screens (yes, I keep focusing on this one), it’s easier to focus on nature, learning, forming relationships and more. Being away from parents, kids will come home with a new appreciation for what it takes to be in a family and help out in the running of the household. Your teen will probably also appreciate funny things like a full pantry that’s open all day, their comfy bed and privacy!

Teen summer camp has so many benefits that cover all the bases, including physical, social, mental and spiritual. As for the rest of the summer? Well, your teen can spend plenty of time doing those odd jobs to help pay for camp next year!

Kerrie McLoughlin is the seasoned homeschooling mom of five.

Three of the kids have done overnight camp and loved it! Find them at TheKerrieShow.com.

THIS SUMMER GET YOUR HANDS ON MARINE SCIENCE

DAY CAMPS from ages 5-13 OVERNIGHT CAMPS grades 5-12 EXTENDED SUMMER PROGRAMS for high school students

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101 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL 36528 . 251-861-2141

Samford University

Academy of the Arts Summer Camps 2019 Art Studio for Teens (Grades 6-8) June 3-7 • 9 a.m.–12 p.m. $200 Bulldog Art Camp (Grades 1-5) Session 1: June 24-28 Session 2: July 22-26 9 a.m.–2 p.m. $250 Music and Art for Minis (Ages 4-6) July 15-19 $250 Adventures in Music (Grades 1-12) Session 1: June 10–14—Piano Only Session 2: July 8–12—Piano or Voice $375 Writing Camps for Tweens and Teens (Ages 11–15) June 17-21 $200

samford.edu/go/aota 205-726-2739 Follow us on Facebook for the latest updates.

birminghamparent.com | 15

SUMMER CAMP 2019

What Type of Camp Will Your Child Like?

By Cheryl Maguire

TRADITIONAL DAY CAMP: A traditional day camp is six hours (half-day options may be available) and offers a variety of activities such as sports, swimming, art, and music. These camps are located at YMCAs, public schools, or private settings.

• Is this a good fit for your child? Most of the activities are outside so if your child loves the outdoors and playing sports or team building activities then this would be a good type of camp for them. Since there is a variety of activities this would also be a good fit for a child that likes to try different things.

SPORTS: Specialty sports camps usually are one sport such as baseball or soccer that the child plays either for three or six hours. Depending on where you live, there may even be an option for 16 | birminghamparent | february 2019

tennis, golf, surfing or sailing camp. This type of camp is typically owned by private organizations. Some cities may operate sports camps.

• Is this a good fit for your child? If your child loves a specific sport and would like to improve their skills, this would be a great option.

It could even be a way for your child to try a sport such surfing that they might not otherwise have exposure to it.

ART/MUSICAL THEATER: Specialty art or musical theater camps focus solely on the arts. Musical theater camps typically showcase a production such as “Beauty and the Beast,” whereas in an art camp a child would use a variety of art mediums like painting or drawing.

• Is this a good fit for your child? If your child is creative and prefers the indoors, then these

types of camps would be worth looking into. It may be a good way to introduce the arts to your child since most of these camps are time-limited for one week.

EDUCATIONAL: An educational camp focuses on learning a new skill or subject matter. Since it is camp and not school these types of camps tend to be hands-on with an emphasis on fun. These camps are located in public schools, museums, and colleges.

• Is this a good fit for your child? If your child is curious and always asking questions about how/why things work, this may be a good match for them. If a child is interested in learning a new skill such as computer programming or speaking Spanish, some educational camps offer that as well. continued on page 18

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birminghamparent.com | 17

continued from page 16 OVERNIGHT CAMP/SLEEPAWAY: A sleepaway camp means your child lives at the camp for either a week or longer.

There are Boy/Girl Scout camps and private residential camps.

These camps tend to offer options such as sailing, boating, archery, horseback riding and other activities that may not be available close to your home.

SUMMER CAMP 2019

• Is this a good fit for your child? An overnight camp gives your child the chance to meet other kids from different states and countries. There is also more time to do activities and foster independence compared to traditional day camps.

TRAVEL: There are two types of travel camps. One type is when your child goes on day trips, and the other type sometimes referred to as “teen tours” is when your child travels with a group for an extended period (usually a few weeks or a month).

• Is this a good fit for your child? Some of these camps travel to places by plane so it would give your child the chance to travel to a place that you might not have gone to as a family.

If your child enjoys experiencing new destinations, then this would be a great fit for them.

Cheryl Maguire holds a master of counseling psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05.

CAMP LIKE A GIRL SCOUT! Spend the night camp for girls ages 6-18 Day Camp for boys and girls ages 6-13

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No camp the week of July 4th.

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Check out our CIT (Counselor-in-Training) Program Contact Gabe McCool at gmccool@highlandsschool.org or (205) 956-9731 ext 105 Located on Old Leeds Rd. (I-459 exit at Grants Mill Rd) 18 | birminghamparent | february 2019

Camp Coleman - Trussville / Camp Trico - Guntersville / KPC - Chelsea

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Designed to promote your child’s creativity and the joy of discovery through fun learning experiences in the unmatched natural setting of Birmingham Botanical Gardens!

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Camp Juliette Low On Lookout Mountain in Cloudland, GA

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 Horseback

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1694 Montgomery Hwy. Suite 200, Hoover, Alabama, 35216 birminghamparent.com | 19

SUMMER CAMP 2019

Are the Martial Arts Right for Your Child?

By Bart A. Stump

Are you looking for a great way for your children to gain strength, increase flexibility, improve endurance, sharpen concentration, acquire self-confidence, learn discipline, and make new friends? If you answered yes, you should do what we did with our daughters, enroll them in a martial arts program.

When we first considered starting the girls our big question was, why should children practice the martial arts? Master Lili Rehak, an instructor with the Pan-Am Tang Soo Do Federation, explains. “Confidence. Many children are shy, awkward and the like. When they have to put themselves out there in martial arts, being out on the floor, learning and performing, going to tournaments and competing, going through the testing process, this all serves to make a child much more confident in themselves. If they can accomplish all of the above, there is no limit to what they can do in other aspects of their lives.”

Brock Kollars of Greystone Tiger-Rock Martial Arts says martial arts benefits children by developing them physically, mentally and emotionally. “By providing them with a structured and disciplined outlet for their energy, martial arts shapes the way kids see themselves and the world around them.”

20 | birminghamparent | february 2019

Googling “martial arts” will result in dozens of primarily Asian forms such as Aikido, Ju-Jitsu, Judo, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi, and Tang Soo Do. These styles originated in China, Japan, and Korea. One of the most popular martial arts is karate, which originated on the Japanese island of Okinawa. Karate means “empty hand” because the practitioner primarily uses his or her bare hands and feet and the name has become synonymous with many similar styles of martial arts.

GETTING STARTED So, how do you get started? First, find a style and school that interests your family and shop around, asking questions about pricing, contracts, commitment of time and money, etc.

Kollars’ martial arts program has a $38 introductory course that provides three Tiger-Rock lessons, an “on-the-mat” training uniform and a performance evaluation that maps out the individual goals for your child. “After this intro course, our memberships are monthto-month transactions (no year-long contracts),” Kollars adds.

“Finding the quality of facility, quantity and skill sets of instructors and progression of curriculum for students is so important,” says Master Justin Scarsella of World Class Tae Kwon Do in Birmingham. “Students can gain both tangible and intangible skills from martial arts like focus, confidence, fitness, self-defense skills and belts. When students find the right school, they also gain from finding a community for them to grow in with

role models for them, and for them to be future role models.” Many schools will allow you to watch a class to see if you’re interested and offer introductory classes to try it out.

Our family was nervous but excited when the girls slipped into their white uniforms and tied on their belts for the first time. Our parental anxiety was lessened knowing that classes were broken down by age groups: younger children, older children, and teens/ adults.

Typical classes consist of stretching, learning terminology in the native language of the style, studying the history of that particular style, and practicing a variety of hand and kick techniques. Different punches, kicks, and blocks are incorporated to create various combinations and forms.

Advanced forms are very fluid and graceful, taking on the appearance of choreographed dance.

Melissa Whelan, whose son Jonathan, 13, has been practicing the martial arts for six years, says he has benefitted in multiple ways. “It has built his self-esteem and patience. It’s good exercise. Jonathan’s balance, flexibility and muscle tone have all improved. It’s also good for his brain. Memorizing the combinations and forms gives him confidence and practice which helps him with his school work.

“Additionally he has made a lot of friends and relationships he may not have otherwise,” Whelan adds. “As he reaches the higher belts he has a sense of achievement and accomplishment. He has also been helping some continued on page 22

SUMMER DAY CAMP

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Confidence

continued from page 20

FOCUS

Tiger-Rock Martial Arts

$38 Intro-course • 3 tiger-rock classes • on-the-mat uniform • performance evaluation

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22 | birminghamparent | february 2019

of the lower belts during class.

Teaching is one of the best ways to learn.”

One of the more dynamic aspects of the martial arts is practice fighting called sparring. Depending on the style practiced, points are scored for light punches to the torso and controlled kicks to the head and torso or the ability to throw or take your opponent to the ground. “Sparring is not about teaching your child to beat someone up,” says Master Dan Hyson, owner of Maryland Tang Soo Do. “It’s about the practical application of learned techniques and improving hand/eye coordination.”

Watching the girls spar for the first time was a bit nerve wracking but sparring can be compared to playing chess; one needs to know the proper time to attack or retreat and which attack or defense to use for maximum effect. Protective equipment including a mouth guard, dipped foam helmet, gloves, and boots, a groin cup for males, and possibly a padded chest protector are worn due to the physical contact involved.

Another exciting skill that might be practiced is breaking.

Typically pine boards are broken using a variety of hand and kick techniques. Advanced students might do multiple board breaks or break pieces of cement or bricks. Breaking is not just about brute force; it’s about speed, focus, technique, and confidence.

In addition, certain schools may offer training in different weapons, where beginners often start out with plastic, wooden or padded practice weapons before advancing to the real items.

More advanced students might also practice self-defense techniques where they learn to avoid or block attacks and have an effective counterattack.

They may also learn to escape grabs and chokeholds and put the attacker on the defensive.

Advanced students may learn how to disarm or subdue weapon-wielding opponents.

To demonstrate one’s progress, a student must pass periodic tests. Many schools show advancement with progressively darker colored belts ranging from a beginner’s white belt up through an advanced student’s black belt.

Higher ranked students often help instruct lower ranked students. Another way to test one’s skills is to compete in tournaments.

While the martial arts will get your children physically fit, they also help kids focus mentally. One needs to concentrate on remembering the correct terminology and sequence of moves as well as applying the proper techniques in the appropriate situation.

The martial arts are also about the proper outlook. It’s not about learning how to fight.

It’s about having the confidence not to fight but knowing how to defend oneself if need be. It is also about learning discipline and showing respect.

Regardless of the style of martial arts your children practice, they will gain a better understanding of a different culture and its history. They will also strengthen their bodies and minds, gain confidence, learn new skills, acquire discipline, make new friends, and have fun. When asked to sum up the benefits of the martial arts, George Wehby II, an instructor at Lion Heart Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Birmingham replied, “learning how to set goals, focus on a growth process, delay gratifications and strive toward a vision.”

But the martial arts aren’t just for the kids. Parents can enjoy all of the above benefits too. The martial arts are a great family activity that you can learn together.

Bart Stump of York, PA is a middle school history teacher.

He has been practicing Tang Soo Do for seven years and is a 2nd Dan black belt. His daughters Beth and Janel have also earned their black belts.

birminghamparent.com | 23

SUMMER CAMP 2019

Progressive Day Camp:

A Budget-Friendly Way to Entertain the Kids this Summer

By Pam Molnar

Summer camp is a win-win situation for families. It gives parents the child-free time they need to work or care for younger children, while keeping their older children occupied with fun activities.

The only disadvantage to summer camps is the cost.

According to the American Camp Association, the average cost of a week of day camp is $314.

If you are looking for a more budget-friendly way to achieve the same benefits that a day camp provides, you might want to consider a progressive neighborhood camp. Other than camp supplies, the only cost for a neighborhood progressive camp is an hour of the parents’ time each day.

The parent counselors take turns providing one hour of structured entertainment in the form of games, crafts and other activities.

When the hour is up, the children move on to the next house, leaving that parent the rest of the time to do their work child-free.

HOW IT WORKS: Choose the number of participants based on the number of children and their ages. The number of families,

not the number of children, will determine how long your camp is each day. For example, if you have five families, your camp is five hours long. If you have a large number of children, you can enlist the help of a babysitter who will move from house to house with the children and act as an assistant camp counselor.

PLANNING: Choose the activities that you will include in your camp.

Some suggestions include outdoor games, arts and crafts, music and dance, gardening, cooking and baking, science projects, story time and of course, lunchtime.

Other options include teaching a new skill, such as sewing on a button or inviting a guest speaker.

If your group is small, you might also consider a short field trip.

Parent camp counselors can choose which activity they host based on their skill level or tolerance for mess. Using a daily theme for your camp will help tie the activities together.

Theme ideas include pajama day, beach party, superhero, patriotic, decades day, sports jersey day and Wacky Wednesday. Work as a group to determine a budget after

24 | birminghamparent | february 2019

factoring the number of children and the supplies needed for each activity.

KEEP COSTS DOWN: You can find craft supplies at OrientalTrading.com, which is a gold mine for inexpensive kids’ crafts and game prizes. Instead of serving lunch for a large group, consider having each child bring a sack lunch.

If you plan to send the kids home with a trinket each day, consider something reusable, like relay race water bottles from the dollar store. Other inexpensive ideas include a DVD of the music video they made or an egg carton full of the seedlings they planted.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: All the kids meet at the first house at the start of camp. The camp counselor should be prepared to start the activity as soon as the kids arrive. Each session should end five minutes before the next hour so the counselor (or babysitter) can walk the kids to the next house. At the end of the day, each parent will pick up their child at the last house.

Parent counselors take turns providing one hour of structured entertainment in the form of games, crafts and other activities. When the hour is up, the children move on to the next house.

CAPTURE THE MEMORIES: Take a lot of pictures of the kids at camp. You can find inexpensive photo booth printouts online and at Etsy, or snap candid shots of the kids in action. Make a slide show of the photos to share with the campers on the last day and give everyone a copy.

The best thing about a progressive day camp is that you can host a weekly camp or just one day each week for the whole summer.

Unlike other camps, these parents will be a part of their child’s camp experience, an advantage that is priceless.

Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three.

Christ-Centered Residential Summer Camp for Ages 7-17

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WWW.ODYSSEYEARLYSCHOOL.COM birminghamparent.com | 25

BIRMINGHAM PARENT'S 2019 SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY

DAY CAMPS The Academy of the Arts at Samford University 1939 South Lakeshore Dr. Birmingham, AL 35229 205-726-2739 samford.edu/go/aota • Art Studio for Teens (Grades 6-8) June 3-7 9–12 noon, $200 • Bulldog Art Camp (Grades 1-5) Session 1: June 24-28 Session 2: July 22-26 9– 2, $250 • Music and Art for Minis (Ages 4-6) July 15-19 $250 • Adventures in Music (Grades 1-12) Session 1: June 10–14 —Piano Only Session 2: July 8–12 —Piano or Voice $375 • Writing Camps for Tweens and Teens (Ages 11–15) June 17-21 $200 Samford University Academy of the Arts offers camps for art, music and writing. Register NOW! For more information on

each camp, visit our website at samford.edu/go/aota Advent Episcopal School CAMP EXPO SPONSOR! 2019 Sixth Ave. N. Birmingham, AL 35203-2701 205-252-2535 adventepiscopalschool.org/ summer • ADVENTure CAMP Day Camp & Enrichment Programs Ages: Rising PreK—8th Grade Dates: June 10—July 26 Our summer programs—our day camp for younger students and our enrichment programs for older students—offer a wide variety of activities and classes! We hope you will join us on our ADVENTure this summer!

Alabama Ballet 2726 First Ave. S. Birmingham, AL 35233 205-322-4300 lwww.alabamaballet.org • Junior Camp June 24-July 5 Ages: 8-12 $285 -1 week Or $475-2 weeks • Tutus & Tiaras July 15-July 19 July 22-July 26 Ages: 4-7 $250 weekly Offering 2 camp options where dancers will take age appropriate dance classes - ballet, theatre dance, modern, tap & jazz. Younger classes will create ballet-oriented crafts.

Family performances held on the last day.

Afilm Camp 2019 at WorkPlay 500 23rd St. S. Birmingham, AL 35233 205-277-0500 www.afilmcamp.com Dates: WEEKLY May 27-August 2 At Afilm Camp, your students will work together with other students their age to create a short film and in the process learn about film making from a high spirited, welcoming staff with a background in film and camps!

Aldridge Gardens Summer Camps 3530 Lorna Rd. Hoover, AL 35216 205-682-8019 aldridgegardens.com Dates: June 3-June 28 Ages: 5K- 5th grade American Girl Dolls, Paper Circuitry, Cool Art in the Gardens, Myth Busters, Engineering and Construction, STEAM Lab & more! All teachers

26 | birminghamparent | february 2019

have Alabama Certification in Education.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens 2612 Lane Park Rd. Birmingham, AL 35223 205-414-3950 www.bbgardens.org Dates: June 3 - Aug. 2 Ages: Age 4 - 6th Grade Programs are designed to promote your child’s creativity and the joy of discovery through fun learning experiences in the unmatched natural setting of Birmingham Botanical Gardens!

Birmingham Children’s Theatre BCT Players Summer Camp Programs 2130 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-458-8181 www.bct123.org Dates: June - July Ages: PreK- 12th grade One of the nation’s oldest & largest professional theatre companies for young audiences offers camps for all ages. The Imaginarium (4-7yr), Players Studio (8-15yr) and BCT Players present “Fame, Jr.” (ages 8+ with audition).

ACT Prep Black & White Photography Civil Rights Immersion Travel Study Driver’s Education

Use the summer to explore!

Summer@Springs offers students in grades 4–12 a wide range of academic enrichment courses. Make the most of your summer at Springs!

Introduction to Cooking Percussion Workshop

Visit our website to learn more and register SUMMERATSPRINGS.ORG

THE #1 STEM CAMP

FOR AGES 7–19

From coding and game dev to robotics and design, your child will develop in-demand skills and ignite lifelong passions—all in a fun, inclusive environment. Choose from 50+ innovative courses and join our community of over 400,000 alumni. Get ready for the best summer ever!

Held at over 150 prestigious universities The University of Alabama at Birmingham Emory University | Georgia Tech Stanford | University of Miami

Get a brochure and find a camp near you! birminghamparent.com | 27

BIRMINGHAM PARENT'S 2019 SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY Birmingham Dance Theatre 1694 Montgomery Hwy. Suite 200 Hoover, AL 35216 ​205-​822-3012 ​w ww.BDTdance.com Dates: June & July Ages: 2-18​ Offering beginner-advanced dance classes in hip-hop, jazz, ballet, cheer/dance team prep, tumbling, plus special Toddler Camps and preschool ballet & tap classes.

Birmingham Zoo 2630 Cahaba Rd. Birmingham, AL 35223 205-397-3877 www.birminghamzoo.com/ education/zoo-camps/ Spring Dates: March 25-29, 2019 Ages: 4K- 5th grade Summer Dates: weekly, day June 3 – August 2, 2019 Ages: 4K-5th grade and 6th12th grade (select weeks) Experience up-close animal encounters, hands-on science activities and nature play. The best place for summer learning and fun is a Birmingham Zoo Camp! Please see the camp planning guide at www.birminghamzoo.com/education/zoocamps/ for more information.

Camp Fliptastic At Head Over Heels Gymnastics 500 Caldwell Mill Trace Birmingham, AL 35242 205-981-2720 www.headoverheelsgyms.com • Mity Mites Ages 3-6 June 4-6 & July 9-11 • Camp Fliptastic Ages 5-12 June 10-14 & July 15-19 • Circus Camp Ages 6-14 June 17-21 • Ninja Camp Ages 6-12 June 24-28 July 22-26 • Combo- Circus/Gymnastics/ Ninja Camp Ages 6-12 July 29-31 Daily themes, fantastic staff, creative crafts, circus arts and plenty of gymnastics make our summer camp all day fun!!

Camp Indian Springs 190 Woodward Dr. Indian Springs Village, AL 35124 205-260-8548

campindiansprings119.com Dates: May 28-July 26, 2019 Ages: 5-13 Campers are active and engaged in outdoor and indoor play as well as off-campus activities designed to entertain, develop and promote growth in each camper. Register by 2/15 for early bird discount!

Camp VST at Virginia Samford Theatre 1116 26th St. S. Birmingham, AL 35205 205-251-1228 www.virginiasamfordtheatre. org/vststars/camp-vst • SESSION 1: June 3 – 7 ($295) • SESSION 2: June 10-14 ($295) • SESSION 3: June 17-21 ($295) Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 4 PM Ages: 7-17 This summer theatre intensive is designed to give children the opportunity to explore all aspects of working in live theatre with classes offered in: acting, singing, dancing, stage makeup, improv, stage-combat and more!

The Dance Foundation 1715 27th Court S. Homewood, AL 35209 205-870-0073 www.thedancefoundation.org Our non-competitive dance education nurtures creativity, engages the imagination, and promotes social and developmental skills in a safe and enriching environment for self expression and collaboration.

The Exceptional Foundation 1616 Oxmoor Rd. Birmingham, AL 35209 205-870-0776 www.exceptionalfoundation.org Days: June 3 - July 26 Ages: 5 and up The Exceptional Foundation offers social and recreational activities for individuals with special needs, ages 5 and up.

Campers will have the opportunity to do art, play sports, go on field trips and more GradePower Learning​/​Pelham​ 349 Huntley Pkwy.

Pelham, AL 35124 205-620-2373 www.gradepowerlearning.com

28 | birminghamparent | february 2019

Our summer learning programs help students maintain their learning momentum while catching up on missed concepts and getting a head start on next year’s curriculum. Birmingham Parent’s Family Favorite Tutoring Center 2017 & 2018!

Highlands School Summer Camp 4901 Old Leeds Rd. Birmingham, AL 35213 205-956-9731 www.highlandsschool.org June 3rd –July 26th (except July 4th week) Ages: 4K-8th Arts, sports, science and more for elementary-8th grade.

Campers continue to learn while having a great time!

Traditional day camps. Morning and afternoon extended care. Check out our Counselor-in-Training program!

High Point Climbing and Fitness 4766 US-280 Birmingham, AL 35242 205-981-9190 highpointclimbing.com/ birmingham/ High Point Climbing & Fitness Summer Camps are a great way for your child to build confidence, strength, and teamwork skills within the sport of rock climbing.

Hoover Met Complex Summer Sports Camp 100 Ben Chapman Dr. Hoover, AL 35244 205-739-7364 www.hoovermetcomplex.com Dates: June 3rd- July 26th (Except week of July 4th) Ages: 5-13 Campers will play a variety of traditional sports including basketball, flag football, soccer & volleyball. These will help build the foundation for physical skills, teamwork and most importantly…fun!

Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy Summer Camp 5509 Timber Hill Rd. Birmingham, AL 35242 205-995-8709 www.jbma.education Dates: June 3- July 26 Ages: Preschool and elementary students Offers interactive and creative summer camps designed to

engage children in meaningful and fun summer activities. Relax and EXPERIENCE summer on our peaceful wooded campus.

Kidcam Summer Day Camp at Oak Mtn. State Park Pelham, AL 35124 877-4KIDCAM www.KidcamCamp.com/2019 Dates: May 28- August 2 Ages: 5-13 Kidcam Day Camp offers 10 weeks of summer fun. With easy transportation to and from the entrance, you’ll find campers exploring trails, playing sports, swimming, visiting the petting farm, boating, and enjoying specialty choice activities.

Mason Music Studio • BLUFF PARK / HOOVER 761 Shades Mountain Plaza Hoover, AL 35226 205-582-2238 • CAHABA HEIGHTS 3187 Cahaba Heights Rd. Birmingham, AL 35243 205-908-7059 • GREYSTONE 5406 Hwy. 280 E., Suite B103 Birmingham, AL 35242 205-874-9800 • MOUNTAIN BROOK 2903 Cahaba Rd. Birmingham, AL 35223 205-874-9596 masonmusicstudios.com We offer guitar, piano, voice, drum, and violin lessons for all ages and skill levels, beginner to expert. All teachers and staff are background-checked and professionally trained, offering our students an experience worth talking about!

McWane Science Center 200 19th St. N. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-714-8414 www.mcwane.org Dates: June 3- July 26 (except July 2-6) Half Day: PreK & Kindergarten Full Day: 1st - 7th Grade An unforgettable adventure!

In one week of camp, your budding scientist can discover a dinosaur, travel into outer space or explore the ocean floor. Various themes and activities allow children to experience something new daily.

SUMMER

SPORTS

CAMP June 3rd-July 26th* for ages 5-13

Our coaches focus on the development of basic skills and instruction, sportsmanship, teamwork, and non-stop fun for everyone.

100 Ben Chapman Dr. Hoover, AL 35244 205-739-7364

hoovermetcomplex.com/camps

SIG N U TODA P Y!

*No camp during the week of 4th of July.

cheerleading • ropes course • ARTS & CRAFTS • soccer • sports • nature • drama

Recognized as one of the South’s favorite Christian summer camps for girls!

Welcome to an award winning camp experience…

RIVERVIEW CAMP FOR GIRLS.

Just off DeSoto Parkway on top of Lookout Mountain in Mentone, Alabama…nestled in a bend of Little River.

Adventure, inspiration, character & confidence-building are just a few of the benefits that go hand-in-hand with the activity choices. Riverview’s Christian emphasis & exciting programs are appreciated by both parents & campers!

Call 800-882-0722 or visit www.riverviewcamp.com for a FREE DVD & Information packet

Only 2 short hours from Birmingham 1 & 2 week sessions!

Mother-Daughter Weekends also Available

Dr. Larry and Susan Hooks, Owners/Directors Donna Bares, Assistant Director Accredited by American Camping Association Members of Christian Camping Conference Asso.

Check us out online at www.riverviewcamp.com

swimming • beach volleyball • archery • riding • basketball • golf • much more!

chorus • gymnastics • Dance • canoeing • tennis • GOLF

Exciting Traditional Camp for girls ages 6 to 16!

birminghamparent.com | 29

BIRMINGHAM PARENT'S 2019 SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY Odyssey Early Schools • Inverness Campus 104 Heatherbrooke Park Dr. Birmingham, AL 35242 205-991-0039 • Trace Crossings Campus 401 Emery Dr. Hoover, AL 35244 205-988-8829 www.odysseyearlyschool.com Created by educators featuring state-of-the-art facilities, nurturing teachers with Education degrees, and comprehensive curriculum that provides your child with age appropriate exploration into the world of learning. Voted Favorite Day Camp and Summer Program 2018!

Pure Fitness 1425 Montgomery Hwy. Suite 115 Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 205-420-1054 www.purefitnessllc.com Dates: June 24-28; July 15-19 Ages: 5-13 Stay fit and active over the summer with us. Learn new sports skills, work on mobility & flexibility and walk away with more knowledge about leading a healthy lifestyle. Lunch provided. 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. daily.

Space One Eleven 2409 Second Ave. N. Birmingham, AL 35203-3809 205-328-0553 www.SpaceOneEleven.org Camp Dates: June 3-7 June 10-14 June 17-21 June 24-28 July 8-12 July 15-19

Space One Eleven is a visual arts non-profit in Downtown Birmingham, offering after-school and summer art classes for children grades 2-12. Families may qualify for free or reduced class cost.

To learn more, visit SpaceOneEleven.org.

Summer@Springs 190 Woodward Dr. Indian Springs, AL 35124 205-332-0579 www.summeratsprings.org Dates: May 29–July 19 Ages: Grades 7-12 Offering a wide range of academic enrichment courses—from ACT preparation to driver’s education to cooking to black-and-white analog photography and more. Taught by accomplished educators, courses are designed to be fun, adventurous, and enriching.

Summer at Altamont The Altamont School 4801 Altamont Rd. S. Birmingham, AL 35222 altamontschool.org/academics/summer-at-altamont Dates: May 28 - July 12 Ages: 1st -12th grades Whether it’s enrichment, enlightenment, or entertainment, Altamont has just what your child needs this summer: something constructive to do! For more information, email jbarnard@altamontschool.org Tiger Rock Martial Arts Greystone: 205-981-7777 Hoover: 205-823-1999 Pelham: 205-663-0091

30 | birminghamparent | february 2019

Gardendale: 205-631-002 www.tigerrockmartialarts.com Tiger Rock Martial Arts - teaching life skills and personal development! Try our $38 Intro Course! Ages 4 and up!

Topgolf 1111 24th St. N. Birmingham, AL 35234 205-308-4647 www.topgolf.com Topgolf Birmingham offers exciting opportunities to expose children of all ages to the game of golf. Everything from private lessons, classes and camps.

World Class Tae Kwon Do 268 Inverness Center Dr. Birmingham, Alabama 35242 205-981-9636 www.alabamatkd.com High quality Martial Arts training for the whole family! Our programs include flexible scheduling throughout the week and we even offer family classes where all of your loved ones can come together to train.

YMCA Birmingham Day Camps CAMP EXPO PRESENTING SPONSOR! • Alabaster 663.7240 • Hargis Retreat 678.6512 • Hoover 396-1735 • Northeast 833.7616 • Pelham 664.9622 • Shades Valley 870.9622

• Trussville 655.2224 • Youth Center 324.1643 bhamycamp.org Dates: May 28-August 2 Ages: Rising 1st-8th grade (Must have completed Kindergarten) Registration Dates: March 1April 30 There’s no place like Y Day Camp. A home away-from home where children laugh, learn, explore and grow. Over 1900 kids in the Birmingham area attend our camps - to belong, achieve and build relationships.

OVERNIGHT CAMPS Camp Juliette Low 321 Camp Juliette Low Rd. Cloudland, GA 30731 770-428-1062 www.cjl.org Dates: 1& 2 wk. sessions June 3- July 28 Ages: girls 7-17 Platform tents, outdoor adventure, traditional camping, fun and friendship since 1922! An independent, residential camp for girls that fosters self-confi dence, independence, teamwork, & leadership on Lookout Mountain, just 2 hours north of Birmingham.

Camp of the Rising Sun At French Camp Academy 444 Lake Rd. French Camp, MS 39745 662-547-6169 www.campoftherisingson.com Dates: June 9 – July 27

BIRMINGHAM PARENT'S 2019 SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORY 251-441-2152 www.asms.net Dates: June 3-7, June 10-14, and June 17-21 Ages: Students entering the 6-10 grade Learn while you have fun! Kayak Mobile Bay. Build a smart phone app. Prepare for the ACT. Program a robot. Launch a rocket…and much more! Applications, more information, and course descriptions are online at www.asms.net.

Photo by Amanda Traywick

Ages: 7-17. Get ready to experience a week of life-changing fun jam-packed with crazy themes, incredible activities, memory-making adventures, and new friends while learning about and experiencing the love of Jesus Christ!

Riverview Camp for Girls P.O. Box 299 Mentone, AL 35984 256-634-4043 www.riverviewcamp.com Dates: May 26- July 26 Ages: Girls 6-16 Located only 1½ hours north of Birmingham on top of breathtaking Lookout Mountain. With over 20 activities choices and recreational opportunities, campers and parents will be pleased with the quality of our program. ACA accredited.

Valley View Ranch Equestrian Camp 606 Valley View Ranch Rd. Cloudland, GA 30731 706-862-2231 www.valleyviewranch.com Dates: June 2 – July 26 Ages: Girls 8-17 Horse lovers’ paradise since 1954! A’top Lookout Mountain, for 50 girls; English, Western, Barrels, Vaulting, and Trails.

Spend 4-6 hours daily with your OWN camp horse. For more information, email info@ valleyviewranch.com WinShape Overnight Camp in North Georgia Mountains 1-844-WS-CAMPS http://camps.winshape.org WinShape Camp for Boys Truett-McConnell University

100 Alumni Dr. Cleveland, GA 30528 Sessions: 8 Dates: June 2 – July 26 Completed Grades 1-6 WinShape Camp for Girls Young Harris College 1 College St. Young Harris, GA 30582 Sessions: 7 Dates: June 2 – July 19 Completed Grades 1-8 Created by the Founder of Chick-fil-A, WinShape Camps are 1-week overnight camps that provide campers to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually through activities such as outdoor adventure, performing & visual arts, science, sports, and worship.

YMCA Camp Cosby 2290 Paul Bear Bryant Rd. Alpine, AL 35014 252-268-2007 www.campcosby.org Dates: June 2- July 27 Ages: 6-15 Camp Cosby offers a traditional overnight summer camp. Campers stay in air-conditioned cabins with highly-trained camp counselors. Activities include archery, canoeing, horseback riding, water-skiing, arts and crafts.

DAY AND OVERNIGHT CAMPS Adventures in Math and Science 1255 Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36604

32 | birminghamparent | february 2019

Camp Fletcher 5150 Fletcher Rd. Bessemer, AL 35022 205-428-1059 www.campfire-al.org Dates: May 28– August 2 (Closed the week of July 4th) Ages: 1st-12th grade Resident (overnight), day and leadership camps; quality programs with activities for all ages, gender and interest.

Carefully chosen staff, affordable sessions, ACA accredited.

Located in McCalla, AL. Best kept secret in the area!

Discovery Hall Programs Day Camps 101 Bienville Blvd.

Dauphin Island, AL 36608 www.disl.org/dhp/summer Day Camps: Ages 5-13 Overnight Camps: Grades 5-12 And Extended Summer Programs for high school students! Reel in a hands on adventure with Discovery Hall Programs Day Camps! Check out our website for more information!

Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama 105 Heatherbrooke Park Dr. Birmingham, AL 35242 800-734-4541 www.girlscoutsnca.org Camp Coleman, Trussville • RESIDENT CAMPS June 9-14, 2019 June 16-21, 2019 June 23-28, 2019 • DAY CAMPS June 3-7, 2019 June 10-14, 2019 June 17-21, 2019 June 24-28, 2019 Kanwahala Program Center, Chelsea July 28- August 2, 2019

Camp Trico, Lake Guntersville • RESIDENT CAMPS (girls) July 7-12, 2019 July 14-19, 2019 July 21-26, 2019 • DAY CAMP (boys & girls) July 22-26, 2019 Offering day camp for boys & girls ages 5-12 and overnight camps for girls ages 5-16. Camp Coleman, Camp Trico, and Kanwahala Program Center provide the perfect combination of progressive instructional activities and freestyle schedule. iDTech Camp at UAB 888-709-8324 www.idtech.com Dates: July 8-26 Ages: 7-17 iD Tech is the world leader in STEM education since 1999.

Summer programs for ages 7-19 are held at 150 prestigious campuses. Students build in-demand skills for futures in coding, game development, robotics, and design.

THINGS FOR CAMP Applause Dancewear 1629 Oxmoor Rd. Birmingham, AL 35209 205-871-STEP www.appausedancewear.net Largest selection of dancewear in the Southeast. Clothing, shoes and accessories for all types of dance to fit toddler to plus size, teams and individuals.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS Vulcan Park and Museum 1701 Valley View Dr. Birmingham, AL 35209 205-933-1409 www.visitvulcan.com Birmingham’s beloved icon, Vulcan, is the world’s largest cast iron statue. Featuring breathtaking views of the city, an interactive history museum and a beautiful public park.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR KIDS WANT TO DO NEXT SUMMER?

2019

AT THE MCWANE SCIENCE CENTER SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019 . 10 A.M.—3 P.M. Prizes to be given away every hour! Free Face Painting 10-3 with Face Painting Fairy.

FREE ADMISSION TO CAMP EXPO! Go to www.birminghamparent.com beginning February 11, 2019, and register to receive TWO FREE admissions to McWane Science Center adventure halls on Saturday, February 23, 2019. GOOD THAT DAY ONLY.

PRESENTED BY

JUST COMING TO THE EXPO? Enter at the special events door on Level C of parking deck.

FREE admission to EXPO.

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of Greater Birmingham birminghamparent.com | 33

ASK T H E S P E C I A LI ST

sponsored by

What’s the Big Deal with Flu Shots During Pregnancy?

By Dr. Ashley Tamucci

Flu season is here and unfortunately, many of the same rumors and misconceptions about the flu vaccine continue to pop up year after year. Contrary to popular belief, I am here to assure you that receiving the flu vaccination during pregnancy is very safe and actually quite important for two main reasons.

First, pregnant women have compromised immune systems. Technically, a pregnant woman is carrying a foreign object (the fetus) in her womb. Nature does not want the immune system to reject the baby, so changes occur during pregnancy to allow the baby to grow safely. This is good for the baby, but not always good for the mother because she becomes particularly susceptible to viruses.

Viruses that are simple nuisances to non-pregnant women can be deadly in a pregnancy. Typical symptoms of flu include fever, chills, cough, headache and body aches.

In a pregnancy, however, the symptoms are more severe. Flu in pregnant women is more likely to result in pneumonia, hospitalization and premature delivery. If a pregnant patient suspects the flu, I recommend a flu test, if possible.

The best place to receive a flu test is a walk-in clinic or primary care office as most obstetricians will not have the flu test in their office. Unfortunately, pregnant women cannot have the live version of the vaccine so they are regulated to the shot instead of the mist.

Sorry to those of you who hate shots!

34 | birminghamparent | february 2019

If you are diagnosed with the flu, chances are likely that your OBGYN will be happy to treat your flu with antiviral antibiotics, like Tamiflu, which will decrease the severity and longevity of the infection. If a pregnant woman is exposed to the flu, she should contact her doctor.

Not only will the flu shot protect mom from susceptible viruses, but it will protect the baby as well. A vaccine works by improving the immune response to infection. In the case of the flu, the vaccination is actually inactivated pieces of this year’s most likely flu culprits and within two weeks of receiving the shot, the body will make antibodies that will fight against the flu.

Mothers share their antibodies with their babies both through the placenta in pregnancy and in breast milk after delivery. Therefore, if women get their vaccination while pregnant, then their babies will have passive immunity against the flu at birth. This is important because babies are prone to infection early in life until their immune systems mature.

Currently, flu vaccines are not approved until 6 months of age.

The biggest rumor against the flu shot during pregnancy surrounds its safety, however the FDA approves all vaccinations and the CDC monitors them after approval. In fact, the flu vaccine has been used for many years in millions of pregnant women and is not known to cause pregnancy problems or birth defects.

There are also rumors out there that the flu shot leads to autism or other health problems in babies due to the mercury contained in Thimerosal — a preservative that has widely been discontinued in vaccines; however, there is no scientific evidence to support this fear. For those that remain concerned, manufacturers do make the vaccine without this mercury element.

Mothers share their antibodies with their babies both through the placenta in pregnancy and in breast milk after delivery. Therefore, if women get their vaccination while pregnant, then their babies will have passive immunity against the flu at birth.

Dr. Ashley Tamucci, MD, is an obstetrician-gynecologist at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center located in Homewood, AL. She can be reached at (205) 877-2121.

Your doctor is in, and in the neighborhood.

No matter your age, good health starts with your primary care provider. The person who knows your history, your family and your health needs better than anyone. Someone who can coordinate care with a specialist if you need one.

And someone conveniently located close to home. So take the smartest approach to your family’s health. Call or click for an appointment today.

Call 844-692-2401 or visit bbhcarenetwork.com to book an appointment.

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birminghamparent.com | 35

FAM ILY T R AV E L

FLY THROUGH THE TREES, SLEEP IN THE TREES

at Historic Banning Mills — Offering Outdoor Fun for All Ages

All photos courtesy of Banning Mills

By Carol Muse Evans

Banning Mills may not yet be on your family trip radar, but it should be. If you love the outdoors, adventure and relaxation, Historic Banning Mills and the Lodges at Banning Mills Retreat & Conservation Center is a fabulous destination just a short trip from Birmingham. In fact, it could be a “camping” trip for the whole family!

When I headed to Banning Mills in Whitesburg, Georgia last fall with my childhood best friend, Cathy, I didn’t quite know what I was getting into. We were going to stay in a “treehouse” and go ziplining, which I had never done before. We did all that and more in a beautiful, secluded area with fantastic food, scenery, accommodations and more. But I stretched my bravery and came home with

a few bruises – all worth it. This is a great getaway for a family, a group, or even a couple or teambuilding group that won’t “break the bank” and offers something a little different from the beach or mountain getaway. In fact, since Banning Mills is a non-profit conservatory, you can feel good about where you dollars are going for your visit.

To begin with, Banning Mills is most well-known for ziplining – 10 miles of aerial adventures on six levels of zip lines for the novice (like me) to the more accomplished. Go up to 60 miles per hour! Walk across the 600-foot Sky Trek Bridge. Instructors/ guides are patient, instructive, and will take almost any age. They offer a number of packages for those just wanting a taste of it, to

36 | birminghamparent | february 2019

those who are much more adventurous. They’ll teach you what to do, supervise and help you every step of the way.

In fact, Banning Mills holds two Guinness World Records, including one for the World’s Longest Continuous Zip Line Course and Eco-Canopy Adventure Tour and the World’s Tallest Freestanding Climbing Wall. Thrill seekers could literally spend eight hours without having to repeat any parts of the course.

If you are traveling with little ones, there’s plenty for them, too.

Check out Crazy Squirrel Village, a lower tier course featuring obstacles and zip lines that allow little ones to enjoy the rush of flying through the air on a smaller scale. Children as young as four years old can participate in this

level one course. The upper tier course is a must for children nine and up. The new course utilizes the Smart Snap relay system to ensure maximum safety and features four zip lines and 35 different aerial elements with heights of up to 60 feet off the ground. These courses are a great way for your little one to learn teambuilding skills in a unique and fun way.

But there are activities for people who want to remain on the ground.

We traveled in September, and it was still quite warm mid-day, so we got lunch from the restaurant and enjoyed it by the Olympic-sized pool, then went for a swim. There are two miniature golf courses.

For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, Banning Mills offers activities like live Birds of Prey shows (Banning

Check their website for pricing, as it is subject to change based on seasons.

The world-record CLIMBING WALL starts are $30 per person for one hour and requires a minimum of two people.

Reservations required.

Zipline packages start at $49 and go up, especially if combined with accommodations. Check out the website for a number of package that also include breakfast, Little Vine Vineyard tours and wine tasting, spa packages, kayaking, horseback riding and even a gourmet dinner on Tree Terrace, the lodge dining room.

Lodging at Banning Mills ranges from $99-$209 per night. Choices include the “treehouse” mentioned above, as well as cabins and cottages, Inn side economy rooms and a variety of packages that combine lodging, food and activities. Contact them or visit the website for more information.

Mills is home to Liberty, their live Bald Eagle). You can also book horseback riding and kayaking on the ‘Hooch.”

Moms, there’s even an on-site spa, so you can go relax with a facial, hot stone massage, other packages and even a spa lunch.

There are a number of accommodation options at Historic Banning Mills, but maybe the highlight of our trip was staying in one of their “treehouses,” a “room in the air.” Think a fully-supplied yurt suspended among the trees. Treehouse rooms include a king bed, gas log fireplace, jetted tub for two, private bathroom and a covered deck overlooking the gorge below. Listening to the rain on the tin roof made for a special cozy night of sleeping, but you

will feel some movement with the wind! I want to do it again.

If you’re looking for a more grounded sleeping experience, spend the night in one of the cozy cottages, full-size rustic cabins or pine log cabin rooms at the Historic Banning Mills.

They are right next to the main lodge, with gift shop, museum and a wonderful restaurant serving breakfast buffet, lunch and special reservations-only dinners with amazing scenery right out the picture windows than flank the dining room.

All rooms are non-smoking, and they do not have roll-away beds or cribs.

Historic Banning Mills Adventure, Retreat and Conservation Center is a 501c3 non- profit organization

located in the beautiful Snake Creek Gorge of Carroll County, Georgia, and is approximately 19 miles south of Douglasville and 45 minutes west of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport.

Proceeds from the retreat and adventure treks are used to subsidize the educational, leadership and conservancy programs. Banning Mills is located in Georgia’s only hidden gorge on Snake Creek in Carroll County. It was once a mill town, and one of the first towns in Georgia to produce its own electricity.

For additional information, reservations or lodging options, visit www.historicbanningmills. com or call 770-834-9149.

the

TRAVEL

VOICE

BY BECKY The only voice in travel that MATTERS! Catch The Travel Voice by Becky on Saturday’s in Shelby County on FM 99.9 APH Radio at 11 a.m. and anytime on iHeart Radio!

Great travel information, special deals, awesome guests, spectacular on location LIVE events and amazing giveaways!

For more information, visit thetravelvoicebybecky.com birminghamparent.com | 37

PARE N T I N G PE O P L E

Huntsville Company Creates Device to

HELP STOP

HOT CAR

DEATHS

By Lori Chandler Pruitt

Last year, 49 children died in hot cars, making 2018 one of the worst years for hot car deaths, according to the National Safety Council.

A technology company in Huntsville, Venturi Inc., has received a patent for a device that helps prevent this heartbreak. The device, called Payton’s Charm, detects the presence of even tiny amounts of carbon dioxide inside a closed vehicle and alerts via phone that something breathing – a child, animal – is in the car and may need help. Carbon dioxide is what we exhale when breathing. It also keeps track of the temperature in the car and knows when the car is in motion.

“It’s a device that you plug in your vehicle, configure once and forget about,” says Ben Payment, a Venturi software engineer who developed the device, named for a child who died in a hot car in Florida. “The monitor is always on the job and will alert you if someone is in there.” If it detects CO2, it will text you first to tell you something is in the car and may need help. If you don’t respond, it texts a second person. If that person doesn’t respond, there’s a quick decision tree that ends with a 911 call.

The device also will text periodically to let you know it is working. “The hope is that you never have to hear from it due to an emergency,” Payment says. “But if you do hear from it, it’s a blessing and a lifesaver.”

Payment’s boss, a grandparent, was concerned about the issue, and challenged employees to come up with an idea.

Four years later, the device, about the size of a garage door opener, was done. “This was done afterhours, nights, to get this done,” Payment says. “We also partnered with universities, 38 | birminghamparent | february 2019

auto suppliers, engineers and others. We are passionate about getting this into the consumer’s hands.” The device is being marketed by VI-Enterprises, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Venturi.

Interestingly, the reaction to such a device has been mixed. “We’ve had an incredible kneejerk reaction from people who say it’s bad parenting and they would never forget their child in a car,” Payment says. “We are trying to get past that reaction. It may be that you are a perfect person, but have you ever forgotten to lock your car doors at home? Could your child get in the car or van and get locked in? Even your pet could get into the car while you are unloading groceries from the trunk and you may not know it.

“Overcoming that perception is the biggest hurdle, but the truth is, we are living in a distracted age,” Payment explains. “And about a third of the hot car deaths are from kids who get into an unlocked car to play and get locked in.”

Amber Rollins, director of KidsAndCars.org, says on the group’s website that people are in denial this could happen to them, “and that’s why we continue to see it happen. Education and awareness are not enough – we’ve got to be focusing on technology because we’ve proven year after year that knowing this can happen to you and hearing it on the news and knowing it happens to great parents…is not changing anything.”

Distractions are an issue – as well as tired and stressed parents. “When a parent is tired and stressed, the brain functions differently,” Rollins says. “It’s these competing memory systems in our brain, and going on autopilot…which is what happens when someone drives past the daycare

If it detects CO2, it will text you first to tell you something is in the car and may need help. If you don’t respond, it texts a second person. If that person doesn’t respond, there’s a quick decision tree that ends with a 911 call.

and goes straight to work, thinking their kid is safe and sound all day – is not a conscious decision, it just happens.”

Even safety regulations like requiring rearfacing, back car seats for younger children can increase the tendency to forget, Payment says.

Longer commutes to work, a change from the regular routine, miscommunication and more also can result in tragedy.

Rollins advises people to always keep cars locked, even if you don’t have children. Keep keys out of children’s reach, and if a child goes missing, check the inside and trunk of all cars immediately.

Payton’s Charm plans to be on the market by the summer. “We like to say that we are not only looking to sell a life-saving device, but also peace of mind,” says Payment, who is an uncle to four children ages 11 to 3.

For more information, go to www.paytonscharm.com.

Lori Pruitt is associate editor of Birmingham Parent.

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calendar highlights FEBRUARY February is a short month, but there’s a whole lot packed into it. It’s Black History Month, a great time to learn about the accomplishments of African-Americans in many areas. Make sure to remember your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. Will the groundhog see his shadow on February 2? And, this month also marks the 26th annual Camp Expo on February 23 at McWane Science Center!

23

The 26th Annual Birmingham Parent Camp Expo 10am-3pm, McWane Science Center. A FREE, day-long exhibition where families can learn about summer camps and programs, travel, volunteer opportunities and more! www.birminghamparent.com.

February is Black History Month!

There are many opportunities this month to learn more about the important people, events and achievements of African Americans. Always check your local library for programs and activities. Also, check the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (www.bcri. org), which each year hosts several events surrounding this month.

You may not know that Alabama has an official Civil Rights Trail, which has several stops throughout the state that details the history of the Civil Rights movement, historic sites, museums and more. In fact, you can

download a free app with a wealth of information, biographies of famous figures, an interactive timeline, maps and much more.

Go to https://alabama.travel/civil-rights-app for more information. At press time, here are some date-specific announced events: FEBRUARY 2 THE 20TH ANNUAL BLACK HERITAGE FAIR, 10am-4pm, Birmingham Public Library Central branch. Theme: The Great Migration North and West. Exhibits, music, displays and more! Presented by the Birmingham

African American Genealogy Group, Inc., the oldest African American genealogy group in the state. FREE and open to the public. www.baagginc.org.

FEBRUARY 16 BLACK HERITAGE FESTIVAL, 10am-3:30pm, Anniston Museum Longleaf Botanical Gardens. One of northeast Alabama’s oldest continuing Black History Month celebrations. Lunch available for purchase; admission to festival free. https:// exploreamag.org. birminghamparent.com | 41

february calendar

February is filled with opporturnites to enjoy amazing concerts all over Birmingham.

1 Friday Rachmaninoff ’s Third Piano Concerto 11am, Alys Stephens Center, UAB. Artist Joyce Yang returns to the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets, www.alabamasymphony.org.

Full Life Ahead Foundation Camp Feb 1-3, Children’s Harbor, Lake Martin. Family retreat weekend for families with teens and young adults with disAbilities. Separate sessions for children and adults. $30 per family member. Register, www.fulllifeahead.org/familyweekend-registration/.

2 Saturday Groundhog Day Pepper Place Indoor Market 7am-noon, 2829 2nd Ave. S. Southeastern Outings Dayhike 8:45am, Red Mountain Park.

One of the largest city parks in the United States! Bring water and wear good walking shoes/ boots. Children 7-up welcome.

Meet 8:45am in front of the park welcome station. $5 park admission for non-park members. Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth. net; 205-631-4680.

Southern Christian Book Expo 10am-3pm, First Baptist Church, Birmingham. Author book tables, vendors, author readings, door prizes and more. Sponsored by the Southern Christian Writers Conference and The Alabama Baptist.

3 Sunday Special Siblings 3:30pm, Homewood Library. A support group for kids 5-18 to share ideas, experiences and the ever-changing needs of having a special needs sibling.

The 20th Annual Black Heritage Fair 10am-4pm, Birmingham Public Library Central branch. Theme: The Great Migration North and West.

Exhibits, music, displays and more! Presented by the Birmingham African American Genealogy Group, Inc., the oldest African American genealogy group in the state. FREE and open to the public. www.baagginc.org.

4 Monday

Beaker Bash – Carnivale 2019 5-8pm, McWane Science Center.

This family-friendly annual event presents mystery and imagination. Experience the fun while supporting science education.

Tickets, www.mcwane.org

5 Tuesday

Rachmaninoff ’s Third Piano Concerto 7pm, Alys Stephens Center, see February 1.

42 | birminghamparent | february 2019

UAB Department of Music High School Honor Choir 4:30pm, Alys Stephens Center.

FREE. Knight School Chess Tournament 5:30-7pm, Homewood Library.

Learn strategy and have fun!

Grades K-12.

Pick Up S.T.E.A.M. 3:30pm, Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest. Theme: What Can You Do with a Lego? Grades K-2.

FREE.

7 Thursday UAB Faculty Brass Quintet Noon, UAB Hospital North Pavilion atrium. FREE. www.uab.edu/ cas/music.

Copland’s Billy the Kid 6pm, Alys Stephens Center. The Alabama Symphony Orchestra partners with Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve. Adventure in the wild, wild west! Tickets, www. alabamasymphony.org.

Harry Potter Book Night 6:30-7:30pm, Homewood Library.

Family-friendly wizarding fun!

8 Friday Sensory Storytime/Play Day 9:30am story, 10:30am play, Homewood Library. Preschool.

Books, songs and activities that stimulate the senses and promote learning.

Video Games Live™ 8pm, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. An immersive concert event presented by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra featuring music from popular video games. For gamers and nongamers alike! Tickets $25-$60. www.alabamasymphony.org.

United States Naval Academy Brass Quintet 8pm, UAB Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall, FREE.

9

Alabama Wildlife Center’s Wild About Chocolate 7-10pm, The Harbert Center.

Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend February 8-10, Railroad Park.

New location due to road construction. Information, www.mercedesmarathon.com.

9 Saturday Pepper Place Indoor Market 7am-noon, 2829 2nd Ave. S. UAB Celebration of Trumpets 2pm, UAB Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall. Featuring the UAB Trumpet Symposium Gold and Silver honors ensembles, UAB Trumpet Ensemble, Brass Quintet and the Mass Ensemble. 205934-2265. FREE. Alabama Wildlife Center’s Wild About Chocolate 7-10pm, The Harbert Center. This annual fundraising event offers a variety of delicious chocolate and savory creations and beverages from Birmingham’s finest restaurants and caterers. Live music, silent and live auctions. Admission, information, www.awrc.org.

10 Sunday Southeastern Outings Dayhike 1:45pm, Oak Mountain State Park. Enjoy a moderate 4-mile walk! Children 8-up welcome.

Bring water. Meet 1:45pm in Oak Mountain office parking lot. Bring $5 park admission ($2 seniors).

Bill Ennis, 205-405-4636.

12 Tuesday Pick Up S.T.E.A.M. 3:30pm, Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest. Theme: Magnets and Magnetism. Grades K-2. FREE. UAB Piano Series presents Nikolai Lugansky 7pm, Alys Stephens Center.

Lugansky is considered one of the world’s great interpreters of piano repertoire and receives high praise for his concerts, recitals and chamber music performances worldwide. Tickets $15, $5 for students through grade 12; free for UAB students.

The Classics: Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn 7:30pm, Samford University Brock Recital Hall. The Alabama Symphony Orchestra performs

music for flute, horns and strings.

General admission $29; student prices available. www.alabamasymphony.org.

Bayberry String Quartet 7pm, UAB Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall. Featuring the music of Haydn and Mendelssohn. FREE.

13 Wednesday

16 Saturday

LEGO Club 3:30-4:45pm, Homewood Library.

K-5th grade.

Pepper Place Indoor Market 7am-noon, 2829 2nd Ave. S.

14 Thursday

VALENTINE’S DAY 15 Friday Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet 11am, Alys Stephens Center.

Indulge in the age-old romance!

Tickets, www.alabamasymphony.org.

Southeastern Outings Dayhike 9:45am, Lake Guntersville State Park. Five-mile hike. Pack a picnic lunch. Children 8-up welcome. Optional restaurant dinner afterward. Meet 9:45am at the Floor and Décor Store on Green Springs Highway. Randall Adkins, 205-317-6969.

Black Heritage Festival 10am-3:30pm, Anniston Museum Longleaf Botanical Gardens. One of northeast Alabama’s oldest continuing Black History Month celebrations. Lunch available for purchase; festival admission free. https://exploreamag.org.

Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet 7pm, Alys Stephens Center, see February 15.

birminghamparent.com | 43

february calendar

23

The 26th Annual Birmingham Parent Camp Expo 10am-3pm, McWane Science Center. Free!

17 Sunday

21 Thursday

23 Saturday

UAB Department of Music Faculty Recital 7pm, Alys Stephens Center. Yakov Kasman and Patrick Evans. Featuring the music of Bach, Schmann, Poulenc and Vaughan Williams, with various cabaret songs. FREE.

Chamber Music @ AEIVA 5pm reception, 5:30pm concert, Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts, 1221 10th Ave. S. Connecting chamber music with the visual arts. View the gallery exhibitions before hearing music to enhance the experience. FREE.

Pepper Place Indoor Market 7am-noon, 2829 2nd Ave. S.

18 Monday

19 Tuesday

22 Friday

PRESIDENTS DAY

Pick Up S.T.E.A.M. 3:30pm, Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest. Theme: China: Chinese New Year, DIY kites. Grades K-2. FREE.

UAB Department of Music Jazz Summit 2pm, Alys Stephens Center. FREE.

Southeastern Outings Dayhike 1:45pm, Buck Creek, Helena. Less than four miles, moderately easy.

Children 8-up welcome. Meet 1:45pm in Helena City Park parking lot. Dan Frederick, 205-631-4680, seoutings@bellsouth.net.

of the department of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine.

The Road to College 6-7:30pm, Homewood Library. Admissions counselors from several local colleges and universities will answer questions on several topics. FREE and open to the public.

UAB Jazz Trio 12:20pm, UAB Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall. FREE. Neuroscience Café 6:30-8pm, Hoover Library. Topic: Pain. Presented by the UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center.

Speakers: Tim Ness, MD, Ph.D. and Jennifer DeBerry, Ph.D., both

Birmingham SciCafe 6-8pm, John’s City Diner. Join other science geeks and novices for an exciting presentation, lively discussion and a little science trivia. Presented by McWane Science Center and the Civitan International Research Center at UAB. Speaker: Dr. Ashley Cannon, MS, Ph.D. speaks on how UAB is at the forefront of a program aimed at preventing and treating disease. FREE.

44 | birminghamparent | february 2019

“Fences” by August Wilson 7pm, Dorothy Jemison Day Theater, Alabama School of Fine Arts.

The ASFA Arts Department and STEEL MAGIC Theatre present this Pulitzer Prize-winning play. $10 adults, $5 students. www. djdtheater.org.

UAB Wind Symphony/ Symphony Band 7pm, Alys Stephens Center. Conducted by Sean Murray and Cara Morantz. FREE. UAB Department of Music Faculty Recital 7pm, Alys Stephens Center. Emily Jaworksi, accompanied by Chris Steele. FREE.

Adoption Bootcamp 8:30am-5pm, Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church. The UAB International Adoption Center at Children’s of Alabama hosts this event for families who plan to adopt or have adopted children.

Cost $150 per family includes continental breakfast and snacks.

Cost $50 for healthcare professionals; continuing education credit available for social workers and teachers. Information, www. childrensal.org.

End Heroin Bham Walk 9am, Railroad Park, Birmingham.

Fight back against heroin, opiates and other drugs. Register, information, endheroin.org.

The 26th Annual Birmingham Parent Camp Expo 10am-3pm, McWane Science Center. A FREE, day-long exhibition where families can learn about summer camps and programs, travel, volunteer opportunities and more!. www.birminghamparent.com.

23

Telescopes, Planets, and Stars: Oh My! 6:30-7:30pm, Homewood Library (back parking lot).

All ages.

Telescopes, Planets, and Stars: Oh My! 6:30-7:30pm, Homewood Library (back parking lot). All ages. Dr. David Weigel, director of Christenberry Planetarium, presents how to use telescopes and find the stars.

Bring your own telescope or use one of the library’s eight circulating telescopes. This event is offered as part of the NASA @ My Library grant. No registration required.

“Fences” by August Wilson 7pm, Dorothy Jemison Day Theater, Alabama School of Fine Arts, see February 22.

Disney in Concert: Tale as Old as Time 7pm, Samford University Wright Center. The Alabama Symphony Orchestra takes a magical journey into storytelling and music as only the timeless tales of Disney can evoke. Tickets start at $19 with

student prices available. www.alabamasymphony.org.

24 Sunday Southeastern Outings Easy Walk 1:45pm, Vulcan Trail. Level trail.

Meet 1:45pm in the Vulcan Park and Museum parking lot. Children age 7-up welcome. Optional dinner at Jim N Nick’s 11th Avenue Grill. Dan Frederick, 205-6314680, seoutings@bellsouth.net.

Attracting Birds: Bring Your Hobby Home 1:30pm, Alabama Wildlife Center.

Learn how to make your yard attractive to birds. Guest speaker: Anne G. Miller. 205-663-7930, www.awrc.org.

“Fences” by August Wilson 2:30pm, Dorothy Jemison Day Theater, Alabama School of Fine Arts, see February 22.

26 Tuesday Pick Up S.T.E.A.M. 3:30pm, Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest. Theme: Triangles, Pyramids, Counting by 3s. Grades K-2. FREE. UAB Department of Music Faculty Recital 7pm, UAB Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall. Gene Fambrough.

FREE.

28 Thursday Fairy Tale Festival 6-6:45pm, Homewood Library.

All ages. It’s all about the number 3 – think Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Three Little Pigs and more. Dress up in your favorite costume and enjoy family fun.

❤

23 Adoption Bootcamp 8:30am-5pm, Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church. The UAB International Adoption Center at Children’s of Alabama hosts this event for families who plan to adopt or have adopted children.

PLEASE NOTE: Events may change after publication deadline; please phone ahead to confirm important information. The deadline for submitting calendar items for the March 2019 print issue is February 6. Mail calendar items to: Calendar, Birmingham Parent, P.O. Box 326, Helena, AL 35080; fax to 624-2515; e-mail to calendar@BirminghamParent.com; or enter directly to the online calendar at www.birminghamparent.com. Entries added online after the print deadline will not appear in the print version. Information cannot be accepted over the phone. Birmingham Parent publishes a calendar 11 times a year. January events are included in the December issue.

Guidelines: Birmingham Parent’s calendar is intended to be a resource and service to the community and our readers. Events which are open to the public, fundraisers, free classes, etc., are events that may be included in our monthly calendar. We reserve the right to reject any event or listing due to rules or space restrictions. For questions regarding calendar entries, call 624-2405 or e-mail calendar@birminghamparent.com.

birminghamparent.com | 45

events & attractions Aldridge Botanical Gardens 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover.

205-682-8019, www.aldridgegardens.com Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame 1631 Fourth Ave. N., Birmingham.

205-254-2731, www.jazzhall.com Alabama School of Fine Arts 1800 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd.

Alabama Sports Hall of Fame 2150 Richard Arrington Blvd. N., Birmingham. 323-6665, www.ashof.org Alabama Wildlife Center 100 Terrace Drive, Pelham.

205-663-7930. www.awrc.org American Village Highway 119, Montevallo.

205-665-3535, www.americanvillage.org Barber Motorsports Park 6040 Barber Motorsports Parkway, Leeds. 205-298-9040, www.barbermotorsports.com Birmingham Botanical Gardens When visiting the Gardens, be sure to download the treasure map to take with you! www.bbgardens. org/documents/ treasuremapforweb.pdf 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham.

205-414-3900, www.bbgardens.org Birmingham Children’s Theatre 1001 19th St. North, Birmingham, AL, 35203, 205-458-8181, www.bct123.org Birmingham Civil Rights Institute • Black History Month. Beginning February 1, an entire month of events are planned locally and nationwide. In addition to its regular schedule during the week, BCRI will be open on Mondays through February 29.

16th St. N., Birmingham.

205-328-9696, www.bcri.org Birmingham Museum of Art • Bart’s Art Cart! Free drop-in art program for kids and families features a different theme from galleries and art activity each month. Saturdays from 11am-1pm.

• Bart’s Books. A storytelling program for children ages 4-7. 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd.,

Birmingham. 205-254-2565, www.artsbma.org Birmingham Public Libraries Find a library near you for all kinds of fun events and enrichment! www.bplonline.org Birmingham Zoo In-park Special Attractions: • Special Saturdays. On the second Saturday of each month from 10-11am for ages 8-up, the Birmingham Zoo and KultureCity will present a series of zoo-based learning experiences for children and adolescents with cognitive or physical disabilities. Caregivers must attend all classes. FREE; space is limited to 10 students per class. Information, Roger Torbert, rtorbert@birminghamzoo.com.

2630 Cahaba Road, Birmingham.

205-879-0409, www.birminghamzoo.com Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum 1919 Ninth St., Calera.

205-668-3435, www.hodrrm.org Jefferson County Library Cooperative Find a library close to you for all kinds of fun events and enrichment! www.jclc.org McWane Science Center • Big Machines Day. February 16, McWane Science Center. Get your motors running and head over for a truckload of fun!

• Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code.

An immersive, high-tech exhibit that captures the revolutionary nature of genomic science.

• Backyard Adventures! From the biological interactions between plants and insects, and the zoology of nocturnal animals to the horticultural know-how that goes into growing giant vegetables, the mathematical genius needed to lay pavers and the feats of construction that can go on in the shed, the backyard is full of science.

• Going Places. Planes! Trains!

Rockets! Cars! Explore this exhibition and discover the technology of transportation. Fly a plane, ride a hovercraft, learn to fly an airship!

• Member Mondays. Every Monday, McWane Science Center members receive extra perks while visiting! Includes a special gift for kids when checking in, 30 percent discount on gift shop purchases, $1 small popcorn at

46 | birminghamparent | february 2019

Vulcan Park IMAX concession stand and a free members-only evening event each month. Also, on the second Monday of each month, McWane opens its doors from 5-8pm for its members.

IMAX Movies: • Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Luke Skywalker’s peaceful and solitary existence gets upended when he meets Rey, a young woman who shows strong sign of the Force.

Through February 15.

• Dream Big. This movie showcases engineering’s impressive impact on our world and our lives. From Dubai’s record-high skyscrapers to bridges soaring through clouds, experience the massive scale and forces of nature that challenge engineers. Through March 22.

• Journey to the South Pacific.

Adventure to the lush tropical islands of remote West Papua, where life flourishes above and below the sea. Through April 5.

200 19th St. N., Birmingham.

205-714-8300, www.mcwane.org.

Moss Rock Preserve Preserve Parkway, Hoover.

205-739-7141, www.hooveral.org.

Oak Mountain State Park 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham.

205-620-2520, www.alapark.com.

Ruffner Mountain Nature Center 1214 81st St. S., Birmingham.

205-833-8264, www.ruffnermountain.org.

Shelby County Public Libraries Find a library near you for all kinds of fun events and enrichment! www.shelbycounty-al.org Southern Museum of Flight 4343 73rd St. N., Birmingham.

205-833-8226, www.southernmuseumofflight.org Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park 12632 Confederate Parkway, McCalla. 205-477-5711, www.tannehill.org Vulcan Park • Student Art Exhibition @ Vulcan.

Students of Ramsay High School will exhibit their works on paper and recordings of oral histories that share their stories in celebration of Alabama’s Bicentennial.

10am-6pm, Linn-Henley Gallery at Vulcan Park and Museum.

1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham. 205-933-1409, www.vulcanpark.org

Family Favorite

2019

CAST YOUR VOTE in the 2019 Birmingham Parent’s Family Favorites Awards!

Visit www.birminghamparent.com/directory/familyfavoritessurvey.html to vote online for your favorite party place, kids meal, toy store, radio station & more.

Vote for your favorites & be entered to win a GRAND PRIZE getaway to OWA,

Coastal Alabama’s newest entertainment destination.

SPONSORED BY

THE WINNER WILL ENJOY:

Voting ends at midnight April 26, 2019.

• A two-night stay at OWA’s on-site TownePlace Suites by Marriott • Tickets for 4 to The Park at OWA • Dinner at one of Downtown OWA’s restaurants.

OWA has already been named Alabama’s Top Attraction of the Year.

Visit www.visitowa.com.

TWO 2nd prizes will be awarded.

We will give away two one-year family passes to McWane Science Center.

!

EW

2019

N

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