Chesapeake Family Life April 2020

FrEE FrEE | DECEMBER aprIL 20202019

A VIRTUAL SPRING

Online field trips, podcasts, play dates and date nights!

Teens are making the world a better place

GO GREEN With cool sustainable products

MEET YOUNG DYLAN

Rising star heads to Nickelodeon

2020 Regis Summe tratio r Space n Ope n s Fill i ng Quic kly!

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April | ChesapeakeFamily.com

in this issue 26

Features

Family Fun

12/ TEENAGERS AIM AT CHANGING THE WORLD

26/ MEET YOUNG DYLAN

Awesome Annapolis kid ‘Young Dylan’ stars on Nickelodeon.

Organizing rallies, pushing for legislation and calling others to action—these teens are doing it all.

Stay Inspired

16/ SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDE TO FUN

28/CAPITAL HIKING Get out and explore the natural side of D.C.

Meet with friends, see the world and listen to great stories—virtually.

30/ DATE NIGHT IN

Put the kids to bed early and reconnect at home.

16

12

DEPARTMENTS New & Notable 07/ Earth Day Turns 50 08/ Eco-friendly Products 09/ AAMC Opens New Mental Health Facility

05 / EDITOR'S LETTER

Coming Together to go Virtual

2 2 / D AY C A M P S

Special Advertising Section

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Educating students from PreK 3 - 8th grade.

Creative Teaching & Interactive Learning Where Every Child Thrives Vol. 30 No. 7

School, Family, Community

Come visit for a tour!

PUBLISHER Donna Jefferson ext. 212 djefferson@jecoannapolis.com EDITOR Ann Levelle ext 200 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Joyce Heid

Accepting Applications 1120 Spa Road . Annapolis, MD . 410-269-1955 . stmartinsonline.org Your children will spend over half of their waking hours at school.

MAKE SURE IT’S A SCHOOL YOU BELIEVE IN.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jillian Amodio Janet Jefferson Dylan Roche ART DIRECTOR Jenny Patrick C. ext. 202 artdirector@jecoannapolis.com AD DESIGN Jessica Kannegieser OFFICE MANAGER Claire Kovacs ext. 204 ADVERTISING Jen Jeffries ext. 226 jen@jecoannapolis.com Pam Beall ext. 226 pam@jecoannapolis.com

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PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY: Jefferson Communications, LLC 121 Cathedral Street 3A Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-263-1641 Fax: 443-782-1495 These materials are neither sponsored by or endorsed by the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County and all other Maryland counties, the superintendents or the schools.

The acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement by Chesapeake Family Life of products or services. Advertisers are not given special consideration or placement in editorial content. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the policies or standards of this publication. Jefferson Communications assumes no financial responsibility for errors in advertisements. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of Chesapeake Family Life, by any means without permission, is strictly prohibited. Š2017 Jefferson Communications, LLC.

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2020

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The acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement

by Chesapeake Family of products or services. Advertisers are not given special consideration or placement in editorial content.

The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the policies or standards of this publication. Jefferson Communications assumes no financial

editor's letter

Online this month

Virtual Event Calendar Find cool events, streams and classes.

ChesapeakeFamily.com/ virtualcalendar

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Coming Together to go Virtual

ell that escalated quickly. Pardon my Ron Burgundy quote, but with all of us in the same world-turned-upside-down reality, it’s pretty apt (and always amusing).

Practically overnight we went from worrying about whether we were washing our hands properly to avoid the coronavirus to schools closing to essentially the whole state (and country) shutting down. March and April have pretty much been canceled.

But then, just as our lives seemed to shut down and shut us inside, the internet brought us all together. Suddenly we have famous authors reading their books out loud to kids, whole orchestras streaming performances, teachers blasting out homeschooling materials and videos to their kids at a record pace, and art and music lessons streaming live.

And we remembered that the outdoors did not close (mostly). Neighborhoods came alive with walkers, bikers and parents with strollers. And neighbors put shamrocks, hearts and then Easter Eggs in their windows for kids to find on their walks.

It has not all been sunshine and rainbows, of course. We’re all stressed and nervous and our

kids miss their friends and routines at school.

But it’s always good to take a break from these stressful situations and look on the bright side.

We’ve done our best to help you find a bright side in this issue. First, Earth Day is still happening, and it too, has gone virtual. Read about the ways you can help the planet on page 7. While you’re stuck at home you can work on your reduce, reuse, recycle efforts with the cool products we’ve rounded up for the occasion.

You won’t find the calendar in our issue this month, as in-person gatherings ground to a halt with the coronavirus at hand. But what you’ll find on our website is a new, virtual calendar widget filled with cool online events from our local businesses offering online courses, workshops and videos to national streaming events.

Stay well, everyone. We’ll see you online!

School’s Out Help Resources and fun ways to pass the time.

ChesapeakeFamily.com/ schoolsout

Go Greener Ways to reduce, reuse and recycle ChesapeakeFamily.com/ gogreen

Ann Levelle, Editor Ann@jecoannapolis.com

JOIN T HE CONVERSATION facebook.com/ chesapeakefamily magazine

pinterest.com/ chesfamily

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new & notable LIFESTYLE

TRENDS

EDUCATION

HEALTH

NEWS

Earth Day Celebrates 50 Years…

By Going Digital

I

n 1970, the world was facing crazy amounts of pollution, from smog-filled cities to rivers filled with debris, oil spills and other blatant displays of disregard for our planet’s well being. So on April 22, millions of Americans took to the streets, demanding change on our government’s part, and beginning the environmental change movement as we know it today.

50 years later, The Earth Day Network is bigger and more active than ever, and has been planning on the Great Global Cleanup event to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22. Of course, with the current pandemic, the group had to switch gears a bit, and has instead organized an epic Digital Earth Day! The Earth Day Network is calling the event “a global digital mobilization . . . to address the most urgent

threats to people and the planet.”

The result will be an Earth Day unlike any other, and will include virtual events such as protests, social media campaigns, online teach-ins across different platforms (follow and use the hashtags #EarthDay2020 and #EARTHRISE to see the events unfold).

In addition, the group has created the Earth Day Challenge 2020, which is slated to be the “world’s largest ever coordinated citizen science campaign.”

By using the new Earth Challenge 2020 app, supporters can gather data about their local environment, record observations and compare them with with others using interactive maps. There are also guided activities, and suggestions for how to take environmental action in your community.

Get the app today at earthchallenge2020.earthday.org.

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new & notable Metal Straws

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Products that make going green a breeze

W

ith the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on the horizon, the staff of Chesapeake Family Life got together for an episode of our podcast, Third Floor Views, and discussed how we can make our lives a little greener and what products we’re using to help us reduce, reuse and recycle.

As we become more aware of what we are buying, making sure the products we buy are not only good for your home and family but are good for the environment is as important now as it has ever been.

The next few years will be huge for brand transparency. Great marketing campaigns and big celebrity endorsements aren’t enough anymore, brands will need to be clear on what their product does, how well it does it, what it’s made of, how it’s made, and whether it’s environmentally responsible. And people are taking note and trying to do better for their families and the environment by buying better products.

If you are looking for new products to try out or looking to make a change for the better, check out some of the products we stand by at Chesapeake Family Life below.

Listen to the “Going Greener” podcast online at ChesapeakeFamily.com/ ThirdFloorViews.

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Shop this page online at ChesapeakeFamily.com/ProductsWeLove

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new & notable

A

Anne Arundel Medical Center Opens New Mental Health Facility

nne Arundel Medical Center has opened the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, its brand-new mental health care center, which will provide expanded access to mental health care for Maryland residents. “Over the past 6 years, we have expanded mental health care in our county exponentially,” says Cindy Radovic, Clinical Director of Inpatient Mental Health and Emergency Mental Health for Anne Arundel Medical Center. “Our goal and passion is certainly to continue our expansion to meet the mental health needs of all of our community.”

Current services provided at the new facility, which opened to patients in March,

include inpatient mental health care, a psychiatric partial hospitalization program, intensive outpatient programs, residential and outpatient substance use services, and referral and care coordination to community-based treatment and support services. Mental health specialists such as therapists, counselors, and providers will eventually move to this campus as well, says Radovic, creating a “comprehensive mental health campus to provide excellent and compassionate mental health care for our community.”

The new 16-bed facility is a 56,000-square-foot, four-story building “designed with both safety and aesthetics in

mind for the care of patients and families.”

The colors, the natural light, the art, the décor, and the overall feel of the entire facility is one of tranquility and healing.

The facility features all private rooms with en-suite bathrooms providing comfort and privacy in a safe and well monitored environment. Rooms overlook the courtyard and are flooded with natural light, and soothing artwork and calming colors are found throughout the facility. There are several areas where families can visit with patients as well as several group rooms and a common area. The courtyard can be

continued on page 10 APRIL 2020

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new & notable

Family Selfie Contest

Submit your favorite family shot by May 1. It can include everyone in your family, just the kids, the kids and the dog, the grownups only—whatever works for you!

Submit at the link below for a chance to win prizes and be in the June issue!

Sponsored by

Mairead M. O’Reilly, DDS, MS, PA Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics

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Our

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continued from page 9 utilized by patients with doctor’s approval and staff supervision and will be utilized for certain group sessions enabling care to be provided in the fresh air and natural environment.

While the inpatient beds are currently only available for adult patients, the intensive day program is approved for adolescents ages 13–17. “Our Psychiatric Day Hospital and our Intensive Outpatient Program cares for teenagers and adults on an intensive outpatient basis,” says Radovic, “allowing for these patients to get mental health intervention and support and at the same time integrating into their daily lives without total disruption.” An average inpatient stay is expected to last 5–7 days depending on the individual needs of each patient.

To be admitted, patients can be transferred through any Maryland emergency department or through a referring doctor, therapist, or psychiatrist. The facility can currently support 16 adult individuals for inpatient care, and 12 adolescents and 22 adults for the day program. In an effort to provide fully integrated care, the facility is located on the same campus as the Pathways substance use treatment center off of Harry S Truman Parkway.

AAMC mental health services provides evaluations for several thousand patients a year, both children and adults. Concerns over the lack of quality mental health care for youth have been expressed by parents, officials, and county residents alike. In response to concerns about adequate care for youth, Radovic stated “As our inpatient care is becoming established, we are simultaneously and incredibly aware and focused on some of the additional gaps in mental health care for our community with intensive focus on our communities of youth as well as teen suicide prevention. We have treasured partners at community, county, and state levels to work together in closing these gaps.”

“Our treasured children and teens as well as their families who are trying to navigate the stressors of an uncertain world seem to be an area for increased focus in providing some immediate as well as longer term care and crisis stabilization,” says Radovic.

“It is our hope to prevent the need for an emergency department visit and provide a continued focus on prevention by developing and integrating further mental health efforts within our community.”

For more information on the new facility, visit aahs.org/J-Kent-McNew-Family-MedicalCenter —Jillian Amodio

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new & notable

Outcomes

hether it’s developing new collegelevel courses like Calculus 2/3 to challenge our most tenacious mathematicians, or building a 70-acre athletic park to meet the needs of a growing, championshipcaliber athletic program-Key School is constantly evolving programming to best prepare the leaders and innovators of tomorrow. Come see why Key is one of the most sought-after educations in Maryland, why 82% of 2019 graduates earned merit scholarships to college, and why 98% of parents of recent alums recommend the school to friends and family.

KEY GRADUATES ARE: • Independent thinkers • Intrinsically motivated • Creative innovators • Effective collaborators • Tenacious problem-solvers • Articulate leaders

OUTCOMES 2019 • Over 82% of the Class of 2019 received merit scholarships • 81% will attend “Most/Highly/Very Competitive” colleges/universities • 25% of the Class of 2019 scored 1430+ on the SATs; Class Mean of 1313

VISIT US!

• 11% earned National Merit Scholarship Recognition (national avg. < 1%) • 35% intend to pursue STEM-related studies including engineering, computer science, marine and environmental science, pre-health/vet, and architecture.

• 24% will attend Research 1 Universities • 98% of alumni parents surveyed would recommend Key to a friend, colleague or family member.

• For a complete list of 2019 college acceptances and matriculations, please visit keyschool.org/Classof2019

Now is the time to begin planning your child’s next educational adventure!

Individual weekday tours available year-round for all grade levels. keyschool.org/visitkey

The Key School engages children from 2.5 years of age through grade 12 in a progressive, coeducational, college-preparatory program on its picturesque 15-acre campus located 4 miles from downtown Annapolis.

534 HILLSMERE DR. • ANNAPOLIS, MD • 21403 • 410. 263.9231 • KEYSCHOOL .ORG APRIL 2020

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new & notable

TEENAGERS AIM AT CHANGING THE WORLD GH Add HaI subheading

SCHOOLERS KNOW THEY’RE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO CHAMPION A CAUSE.

BY DYLAN ROCHE

T

ackling major issues like climate change and mental illness isn’t easy, especially when you’ve got math or English homework to do. But for the teens who have stepped up to champion social causes that are important to them, the will shows them the way.

As Caroline Smith, a senior at Severna Park High School, puts it, “Volunteering and activism is a great way to add positivity and meaning to your life.” Since last fall, Smith has promoted philanthropy among her peers by working with friends to launch a circle of 100 Teens Who Care, which brings teenagers together to support local charities. She’s also president of the Green Club at school, which gives her a platform

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to push environmental protection.

Smith is hardly the only high school student in the Greater Annapolis area making a difference. Her sister, Sarah Smith, a sophomore at Severna Park, has used her platform with Girl Scouts of America to promote unity and inclusion among young people.

Meanwhile, their fellow freshman classmate Ella Moulsdale has organized rallies, pushed for legislation and given testimony on a breadth of social issues.

At Broadneck High School, senior Mallory Snodgrass has been a voice for promoting body positivity and eating disorder awareness for teenage girls and young women.

And Annapolis High senior Amelia Farrell has teamed up with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to advocate legislation to protect Maryland’s environment.

For these teens, advocacy started with realizing they were passionate about a cause. But before that, many of them agree they were outspoken, brave, even socially conscious from a very young age.

“I have always been a determined, passionate person,” Farrell says.

“In elementary school, when I first discovered that petitions exist, I lobbied for a pajama day and iPads in the school.”

Farrell found a way to channel this tenacity as a high schooler when her participation in the International Baccalaureate program connected her with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The more she learned, the more she wanted to make a difference. She has since teamed up with Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Citizens Climate Lobby and the Backbone Campaign to fight for environmental protection, including pushing for the Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Act, which passed in the 2019 General Assembly.

Mallory Snodgrass explains that her advocacy around body positivity comes from a deeply personal place. Through seventh grade and into the early part of her freshman year of high school, she battled anorexia. As she learned and met other people who were trying to

push for change, she realized that she could have a voice too. She went with the National Eating Disorder Association to Washington, D.C., to lobby several times, and in June 2019, she spoke at an Annapolis rally organized by the youth-driven mental health organization, Our Minds Matter.

Having grown up involved in the performing arts, Snodgrass found that addressing a crowd came naturally.

“Being in front of an audience isn’t something I’ve ever been super nervous about, whether it’s picking up and going to D.C. for a day with the Eating Disorder Coalition and talking to legislators or doing a speech,” she says. “Those skills were derived from singing or speaking to people or being up on stage.”

Snodgrass has also found an outlet for spreading awareness by collaborating on a series of videos and photo shoots with her peers.

Dubbed “Curls, Colors, Curves,” the media project presents teenage girls of different ethnicities and body shapes discussing what they like about their appearances—as well as what pressures or insecurities they’ve felt.

Opening up these conversations, Snodgrass says, goes a long way in breaking down stigmas and promoting awareness, two of her main goals as an advocate. “The girls who led this project, we all were super comfortable and wanted young women to be more than willing to have their stories heard,” she explains, “not only in our living rooms or wherever else we had these photo shoots but on a public level as well.”

Even though teen advocates find that standing up for what they believe in comes naturally to them, or has been a part of their character since childhood, that doesn’t mean it’s always easy, especially when there are so many other things a teenager has to worry about.

Moulsdale says she’s had an interest in advocacy from a young age, having grown up participating in protests and rallies, but she didn’t really become entrenched in advocacy until the 2016 election. “I couldn’t just sit around and

I decided to take action and fight for those who didn’t have a voice.

GET INVOLVED

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hether your teen is an avid volunteer who wants to do more, or is passionate about a specific cause, there are a lot of great local volunteer opportunities to carry that desire forward. A great resource for finding volunteer work in the community is the Sarbanes Center for Public and Community Service at Anne Arundel Community College. The center helps people find opportunities from food drives and food pantry work, to making deliveries, mentoring students, etc.

Head to aacc.edu and search for Volunteer and Community Service to find volunteer opportunities and other related resources.

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watch our country get torn apart,” she says. “I knew minorities and poor communities would be affected the most by the new administration, and I knew they couldn’t wait four more years for change to come. So, I decided to take action and fight for those who didn’t have a voice.”

Moulsdale started participating in rallies and protests at national, state and local levels, pushing for issues like immigration reform and LGBTQ+ rights. She testified before the Anne Arundel County Council to push for

ONLINE Do you know an activist student? Nominate them for Standout Students today!

ChesapeakeFamily.com/ NominateA StandoutStudent

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more counselors in schools and higher pay for teachers, and to call for an end to the 287(g) program, which required county detention staff to screen detainees in custody to determine their immigration status. Her biggest accomplishment so far, she says, has been helping organize Fridays For Future climate strikes in Annapolis.

Championing so many causes, Moulsdale explains, is every bit as important as the other responsibilities she has as a high schooler. “There have been many instances where I find myself writing a speech or editing a handout for a strike or an AAC Delegation meeting while trying to solve a math equation,” she says. “But why study for a future we may not have, and politicians won’t listen to the science?”

Sarah Smith, who has undertaken projects as part of Girl Scout Troop 2000 to promote unity and inclusion, draws her strength from knowing there are others who support her cause. “I think anything is possible when you team up with people who have similar

goals as you,” she says.

She and her fellow troop members have made an annual tradition of writing messages about kindness and acceptance in chalk on the sidewalks around Severna Park Middle School.

For her Gold Award, which requires a community-centered project, she is making character trait posters based on the school motto, “Park Pride,” and representing each letter with a positive trait—“perseverance” for P, for example, or “respect” for R. “I want those younger than me and still in middle school to know that they are supported by a community,” she says. “I want them to understand that although it may seem like they’re all alone, their peers and teachers and everyone around them is there to make them feel loved and accepted.”

Advocacy comes with its fair share of challenges, including moments of doubt. Snodgrass remembers someone telling her she shouldn’t be advocating eating disorder awareness because her experience was not as bad as others.

You have the absolute power to help your peers and others make a difference.

That hurt, but she realized that her story indeed has worth. But she has since come to recognize that her story indeed has worth. For anyone who is nervous about opening up, she says, “You have the absolute power to help your peers and others make a difference. There will be at least one person who comes up to you and tells you that you not only helped them feel more comfortable in their own skin but maybe talk about their problem with someone else or address them in a way they wouldn’t have before, which is really all that matters.”

Farrell, too, recognizes self-doubt as something every advocate has to push through. “Even if people get down on you for it . . . do whatever you can to help others and the world,” she urges.

“I 100 percent doubted everything I was doing during the entire process, but it culminated into something truly impactful.” Farrell even admits that she was “baffled” by how many people approached her at climate strikes to tell her that she inspired them.

And even though teenagers are young, they understand that there are long-term effects to the work they are doing. One of the reasons Moulsdale is so passionate about fighting climate change is she knows there won’t be a world for her children or grandchildren to inherit if she doesn’t take action.

When she’s older, she wants to be able to say she did everything she could.

For others who have causes they care about, she encourages them to do the same: “Go for it,” she says. “You will regret it if you don’t.”

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Virtually Together Help kids explore the world from home.

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ith the kids at home constantly, we all need ways to occupy our time and keep from going stir crazy.

The community has pulled together in some amazing ways while everyone has put a pause on their daily routines. With schools out, extracurriculars canceled, and an uncertain timeline ahead of us, community members and businesses have stepped up to offer educational lesson plans, virtual tutorials, workout routines, free games to play, and live concerts.

There are so many options coming at us at once while we’re

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busy watching the news, waiting on updates on when life will become “normal” again. So we took some time to streamline some of our favorite finds to keep your family entertained while at home.

From exploring space to getting to know your grandparents, and keeping busy with cool podcasts, we’ve got you covered.

In the next few pages we’ve shared some of our favorite ways to weather this storm. You’ll also find more activities at ChesapeakeFamily.com. If you have outstanding resources you’d like to share with our readers, send them to editor@chesapeakefamily.com.

Virtual Fieldtrips

F

Kids Can Explore the World from Home

ield trips may be canceled, but there are lots of virtual adventures available online.

Kids can head to the San Diego Zoo in the morning, pop on over to Yellowstone after lunch, then take a leisurely stroll through the Louvre after dinner. The best part? No gift shops!

San Diego Zoo

Great Wall of China

Monterey Bay Coral Reefs Aquarium of Palau Kids can go on a deepsea adventure with exhibit webcams then learn more about the animals with activities, games and fact sheets.

Dive in and explore the colorful reefs and underwater life. Kids will learn about the interconnected ecosystem where diverse organisms protect, clean, nourish, and even mimic one another.

Easter Island

Mars

Africa

Farm Tours

Visit one of the most popular zoos in the country.

Students can learn exciting animal facts, explore exhibits in real time, and play fun games and activities.

Who made the moai head megaliths, why did they create them, and where did this lost civilization go?

Kids can uncover the answer to these and many more exciting questions through the virtual tour of Easter Island.

No passport needed for this panoramic virtual tour that allows you to walk through one of the oldest and most historically significant wonders of the world.

Take a Virtual Walk on Mars: Hop a ride with NASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Curiosity rover and explore the surface of Mars in a 360-degree view while learning about space exploration.

Head to a virtual Africa, where kids can learn the importance of grasslands and learn how ecotourism in Kenya has benefited both people and wildlife. See giraffes, lions, and elephants; the footage will make them feel like they are on safari!

APRIL 2020

Head north and take a panoramic tour of farms in Ontario. Kids can learn how dairy products are made, see farmers harvest fruit or eggs, and even explore specialty farms like an emu or deer ranch.

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Virtual Playdates

Keep your kids connected with their friends

S

ocial distancing has turned our world upside down, and our kids—who are used to seeing their friends and teachers on a daily basis—have been hit especially hard. When we’re stuck at home for long periods, the loneliness is all too real. Here are five ways that kids and grownups can interact with each other online to help ease our minds.

Game Together

If your kids haven’t experienced playing video games together yet because they’re too young or not ready for unsupervised online play, now is the time to dive in. Kids can play Minecraft together in a closed realm with only their friends, invent whole worlds together in Roblox, or create a brand new island world in new Animal Crossings New Horizon on the Nintendo Switch.

Kids can play Minecraft and Roblox games together regardless of which platform they’re playing on, which is especially helpful when one friend has an Xbox and another a tablet.

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Netflix Party

Watching a movie with friends just got easier with the Netflix Party browser extension for Chrome. It allows you to stream a show or movie simultaneously with your friends near and far and features a chat box, so you can chime in with your reactions to the show.

Once you’ve installed the extension, find the program you want to watch and hit the NP button on your browser. A shareable link will pop up for you to send to your friends. When they click on the link and the NP button in their browser, you will start watching together! It took a few tries for my husband and I to get in sync, but once we got the hang of it, it was easy.

We also found a similar extension for watching YouTube videos together called YouTube Party, but we’re not so sure we recommend you let the kids loose with that one.

Zoom Chat

zoom.us Set up a Zoom chat for your kids and their friends so they can all see one another face to face and get silly. Consider setting up games for the chat, like Bingo or trivia for them to play together.

Caribu

Apple and Google Play This is a great app for little ones to chat with their loved ones far away. Plus, you can read over 1,000 books with each other, draw, play simple games like word searches, tic-tac-toe and mazes, and do writing prompts together.

Getting to Know You

Have the kids Skype or Facetime once a day and ask a different question each day about their grandparents’ life. Kids old enough to write can write a paragraph a day and have a nice history about the family by the end of the break. It will brighten grandparents’ days, and serve as a great memory for the kids.

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10 Podcasts to keep the kids

HAPPY

W

hile your kids are home from school for weeks or more with schools closed due to the coronavirus, don’t forget that podcasts are a great way to keep their attention without giving them extra screen time.

While you might think of podcasts as an adult medium of entertainment, kids love them too, and there is a wealth of

WOW IN THE WORLD

STORY PIRATES

Each episode takes kids and their grown-ups on a journey through one of the world’s mysteries. Leading curious kids through exploring science, tech, animals, innovation and other cool things going on in the world today.

Episodes like Let’s Flamingle, Invasion of the Sea Pickles, A Dog’s nose Always Knows and Brain Freeze! are just a few of our favorites.

EThe Story Pirates are a fun group of actors, teachers and performers who take stories that kids write in and turn them into hilarious sketch comedies! The absolutely hilarious Happy Fart Out Loud Day episode, musical stories like The Bear That Couldn’t Disco, and uber imaginative, like Space Llama are must listen eps. They also are adding fun resources for kids while they’re out of school.

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great shows out there. Our kids love them during road trips, and they’re also handy for when you have to get your own work done. If your kids aren’t ready to don headphones and listen solo, these are quality shows that even parents can enjoy.

BUT WHY This is another podcast that lets the kids lead. Kids call in with questions and the hosts investigate and share their findings in a straightforward yet interesting manner.

BRAINS ON!

WHAT IF WORLD

This science podcast for kids packs a lot into half hour episodes, which cover cool topics that kids capture kids’ curiousities, including Why is Food So Delicious? Are We Still Evolving?, Dreams, the Science of a Sleeping Brain, and How to Cook for an Alien. The podcast is co-hosted by kids and adults, which provides entertainment for all listeners.

Kids’ ‘What if’ questions are the stuff of legend...What if we only walked backwards?, What if people sneezed pickles?, or What if jelly beans worked at the grocery store? What If World takes these questions straight from kids’ call-in questions and turns them into goofy stories.

Imagineering in a Box

D

isney fan kids, this one’s for you! Disney and Khan Academy have teamed up to bring 32 online lessons to future Imagineers—the folks who dream up and build Disney’s worlds. Imagineering in a Box is free, and includes lessons from Disney pros on how they build the immersive worlds of Disney’s theme parks. Teens can learn how to conceptualize their own area of the park, including themes, design, engineering the rides, sound design, and how to bring the characters to life.

ChesapeakeFamily.com/imagineering

CIRCLE ROUND

GIRLS TALES

These short story episodes bring to life tales from around the world to kids while sharing positive messages of kindness, humility and other virtues we want to instill in our kids. Its storytime feel is great for young kids, suggested at 4+.

This podcast reinvents fairy tales and princess stories by making the damsels in distress the heroines of these updated tales, which includes everything from mermaids to Ada Lovelace.

THE PAST AND THIS PODCAST REBEL GIRLS THE CURIOUS HAS FLEAS THE PODCAST A history podcast for kids that proves that history can be fun, funny and exciting. These mini lessons in history taught with humor in mind do the trick in keeping kids engaged.

If podcasts could be cartoons, This Podcast Has Fleas would dominate your kids’ Netflix time. It’s a fun, goofy, and totally meta show about Waffles the dog and Jones the cat, who live in the same house and each start their own podcasts.

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This companion podcast extends the stories in the well known book series into 15–20 minute podcasts about famous women throughout history. Episodes focus on women who are still making their mark on the world (don’t miss the excellent episode on Ruth Bader Ginsburg) to women from eras long gone, including Carmen Amaya, and the Mirabal sisters.

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Pongos Learning Lab & Coder Kids Club Crofton, 301-789-1815 ext 4 pongoslearninglab.com Kindergarten-8th grade, Before & after care Join the Pongos Learning Lab for a summer of STEAM adventures. Kids can enjoy camps on topics such as coding, animation, video

DANCE Design in Motion Dance Camp Gambrills, 410-923-9925 designinmotiondance.com/summer.htm 4–10 years Summer dance camps are designed to offer students the opportunity to experience many different styles of dance. Every week a new creative theme will be presented. Students will enjoy arts and crafts, movies and special dance topics.

ENVIRONMENTAL/OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park Summer Camp Annapolis, 410-295-0104 x 31

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amaritime.org/education/camps 4 years old-10th grade Before & after care Our campers get wet and muddy while exploring wooded trails, coves, and marsh habitats along Back Creek to discover our maritime heritage and environmental stewardship. Our younger campers enjoy animal investigations, water play, crafts, and stories, while older campers can explore with kayaking and boating excursions, standup paddle boarding, and fishing.

MULTIPLE THEMES/GENERAL CAMP PROGRAMS Archbishop Spalding High School Severn, 410-969-9105 archbishopspalding.org Offering both academic and athletic camps.

Please see our website for more information!

Bright Beginning Children’s Learning Center Crownsville (license# 130684), 410-923-3192 Glen Burnie (license#160256), 410-768-4526 bright-beginning.com 2–5 years Each themed week offers indoor and outdoor activities. Utilizing the large playground, community and special visitors, these activities help young children discover science and explore nature and introduce preschoolers to new activities and skills. We offer full and part time care.

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Camp Wabanna Edgewater, 410-798-0455 campwabanna.org 4–13 years Before & after care Camp Wabanna is a non-denominational Christian camp. Wabanna offers an actionpacked schedule filled with a wide variety of team building activities, group games, low and high element challenge courses, archery, boating and tubing, sailing, and kayaking.

To learn more, go to:

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Conveniently located near the intersection of Route 100 and I-97

Grannie Annie’s Summer Program Pasadena, 410-255-0478 granniecare.com 5 years–5th grade Full-day summer camp for school-agers with daily outside activities. Local field trips include swimming, bowling, Jazzercise, yoga, movies and park. Other field trips have included Bricks 4 Kids, Pirate Adventures, Annapolis Maritime Museum, and Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary.

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Need help finding the right school, camp, doctor or party resource? We can help!

ONLINE

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Edinboro Early School Summer Program Severna Park, 410-544-2476 2 years–2nd grade edinboroearlyschool.org Running for nine weeks, we feature a single, multifaceted topic and culminate with a luncheon program. Weekly “water days” and two weeks of optional swim lessons.

Let us count your child among generations of successful graduates

JUNE 15 - AUGUST 7 Camps for Children 3.5 years - Grade 12

Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School Summer Camp Bowie, 301-464-3215 htrinity.org/summer-camp 4 years–9th grade Before & after care Come be a part of the excitement! Celebrate the summer with thematic and specialty camps.

Before and after care is available for all campers. Register online!

Register www.keyschool.org/summer KEY SCHOOL • 534 HILLSMERE DR. • ANNAPOLIS, MD • 21403 • 443.321.2575

Special Advertising Chesapeake Family Life Section Summer at Key April 2020

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Indian Creek School Summer Camp Programs Crownsville, 410-923-3660 indiancreekschool.org Before & after care 3 years–12th grade Our summer program offers the fun and exciting adventures. From STEM to music to art, swimming, and outdoor adventures, performing arts, and sports, ICS will be sure to provide a well-rounded and exciting experience for all!

Summer at KEY - Key School Annapolis, 443-321-2575 keyschool.org/summer 3.5 years–12th grade Extended Care available Key creates a safe, stimulating and engaging environment for all campers. Spend the summer learning, creating, and having fun with friends. With over 150 camps, this is your child’s key to summer fun. Both half- and fullday options available.

Severn School—Summer at Severn Severna Park, 410-647-7700 x2344

THE #1

severnschool.com 3.5 years–5th grade Before & after care Severn Day Camp provides a safe and stimulating environment for students as young as age 3.5 through those entering fifth grade.

Our weeklong sessions are made up of fun and educational activities centered on a different weekly theme.

St. Margaret’s Day School Summer Camp Annapolis, 410-757-2333 stmargaretsdayschool.org 2 years–10 years Before & after care Join us from June to August at our fun-filled day camp! Every two weeks we will have a new exciting camp theme with crafts, projects, games, science explorations, and more.

St. Martin’s Lutheran School of Annapolis Summer Camps Annapolis, 410-269-1955 stmartinsonline.org 3 years–8th grade Please visit the website for various fun summer

TECH CAMP

FOR AGES 7-19

Coding. Game dev. Robotics. Digital arts.

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APRIL 2020

camp options from PreK 3 years old to 8th grade.

SPORTS & GENERAL FITNESS Benfield Sportscenter Millersville, 410-987-5100 benfieldsc.com 5 years-13 years We play a variety of sports throughout the day.

Soccer, dodge ball, kickball, basketball, floor hockey, tag games, volleyball, capture the flag, handball and more!

THEATER & PERFORMANCE ARTS Musical Theatre Summer Camp Annapolis, Glen Burnie, 410-837-0971 6 years-15 years musicalartiststheatre.com Two week Broadway-style musical theater workshop. Students learn and practice scenes, songs and dances leading to a fully staged performance. Activities include singing, dancing, acting, costumes and stagecraft.

Providing care for infants through school-age since 2003

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NOW ENROLLING for Summer Programs Ages 2 - PreK • Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum • Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks • Small, Caring Environment • Spanish, Yoga, Sports & Fitness Programs Included 867 Buttonwood Trail Crownsville, MD

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family fun

YOUNG YOUNG DYLAN DYLAN Annapolis’s Rising Star Annapolis’s Rising Star

Watch Young

By Dylan Roche Dylan on Nickelodeon on Saturday Nights!

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By Dylan Roche

A

chieving fame at a young age is not easy, but for Annapolis resident Dylan Gilmer—now best known to audiences as the titular character on Young Dylan, Tyler Perry’s new television that premiered on Nickelodeon in February—being in the limelight hasn’t changed who

Watch Young Dylan on he is. He might be a rap artist, an actor Nickelodeon on and a celebrity personality, but as far as he’s concerned, he’s just a normal Saturday 11-year-old kid.

“My proudest moment is the way Nights!

Dylan handles his success and his new fame, I guess you would say,” says Gilmer’s mom, DeAundra DeJesus.

“He’s a great kid, he’s a humble kid,

Wa Dyl Nic Sat Nig

family fun he’s a respectful kid. He has manners. He hasn’t let this process stress him out. He’s adjusted well to everything.”

Gilmer rose to fame at age 6 when a video of his rapping went viral. Under the stage name Young Dylan, he reached celebrity status on Instagram and YouTube. He became a recurring guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, as well as a performer at the NBA All-Star Weekend and on America’s Got Talent.

But it was his appearances on Ellen that caught the attention of Tyler Perry, who started to develop a show based on the pint-sized performer. “I love creating comedy television and can’t wait to work with the talented Young Dylan,” says Perry, who is collaborating with Nickelodeon for the first time with this series.

In the show, Young Dylan goes to live with his affluent uncle (Carl Anthony Payne II), aunt (Mieko Hillman) and cousins (Celina Smith, Hero Hunter). What follows is a classic clash of cultures as the rising young hip-hop star adapts to living in their strait-laced household.

“It’s a family-fun show and brings back memories of good times,” Gilmer says. “It has a Fresh Prince of Bel Air vibe.”

Adapting from his life in Annapolis to life on a TV studio set brought many changes—and some homesickness—but Gilmer has adjusted well and made many new friends. His full day usually begins with arriving at the studio at 9 a.m. so that filming can start around 10. By 3:00 p.m., filming has wrapped up for the day, when the kids go to lunch and then to school for a few hours. In the evening, Gilmer goes over the scripts for the next day.

“It’s been stressful at times, but exciting more than stressful,” says DeJesus, who has been around for the whole process, although she says it didn’t feel real until she saw the premiere on TV. “I’ve heard positive feedback from friends, everyone in the Annapolis area. Everyone is excited for him. Everyone has been saying, ‘I knew this would happen.’ . . . They didn’t know when, but they all saw Dylan doing this.”

Gilmer’s success also brings a lot of pride to his community at Germantown Elementary, where he was a student since pre-K. “Dylan is a genuine, considerate and caring student,” says music teacher Diana McLoud. “He has a unique way of using his leadership

qualities to ensure everyone around him is included and successful.”

Kristin Barrett, who taught Gilmer last year in fourth grade, echoed McLoud’s sentiment. “Despite his fame, while in school, he cared more about his math problems than his upcoming Ellen appearances,” she says. “He spoke more about his weekend football games than his trip to the NBA All-Star Game. While very motivated in his career, above all, Dylan wanted to fit in and be a typical fourthgrader.”

DeJesus says this down-to-earth spirit has always come naturally to her son. “I just instill in him respect for himself and for others,” she says. “Remain humble. Treat others as you would want them to treat you and remember your manners.”

And Gilmer is grateful that his friends in Annapolis see him this way. “They treat me as a normal person,” he says. “They knew me before I was going on Ellen, so they just know me as regular Dylan.”

Now that cast and crew are breaking

between shooting seasons, Gilmer is taking the chance to work on his music.

His fans from Annapolis can tune in to catch Season 1 of Young Dylan on Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. on Nickelodeon. As for advice he offers to his peers who also want to pursue show business? Gilmer encourages them to believe in themselves and never give up. “I would tell them you can do anything you put your mind to,” he says. “It just takes hard work and determination.”

Photo, left hand page: Dylan Gilmer (center) stars as the title character in Young Dylan, Nickelodeon’s newest show about a young hip-hop artist who moves in with his strait-laced relatives, including Uncle Miles (Carl Anthony Payne), Aunt Yasmine (Mieko Hillman) and cousins Rebecca (Celina Smith) and Charlie (Hero Hunter).

Credit: Chip Bergmann, Copyright 2020 Tyler Perry Studios

A Podcast focused on...

You. Education.

Parenting.

Health.

Home.

Family Fun. thirdfloorviews.com or wherever you get your podcasts

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DATE NI G HT & MORE

stay inspired

CAPITAL CAPITAL HIKING

HIKING

GET OUT AND EXPLORE THE NATURE SURROUNDING OUR NATION’S CAPITAL

W

ashington D.C. holds more than just monuments.

There are a lot of exceptional parks

in the D.C. metro area that feature great hikes, bikes and trails for you and your family to explore. The rivers in the surrounding area lend themselves for great views outside the city, while other parks offer great views of the city itself, and all offer a respite from city surrounds.

Here are 10 favorite spots around the

GET

By JanetOUT JeffersonAND EXPLORE THE NATURE SURROUNDING OUR NATION’S CAPITAL

district that are worth the trip!

(Note that due to the COVID-19 closing, Maryland parks are open, but indoor facilities at the parks will not be.)

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stay inspired Theodore Roosevelt Island

west bank of the Anacostia River at the back

nps.gov/this/planyourvisit/index.htm

of RFK Stadium Parking lot 6, between the

Technically still in D.C. but accessed by the

capital bikeshare and the fields, about 0.1

Virginia side of the Potomac River, Roosevelt

miles south of Benning Road NE.

Island offers short loop trails perfect for little

Dog friendly.

legs. Trails pass through different habitats

WANT MORE? Looking for hikes closer to home?

Head to ChesapeakeFamily.com for recommendations including:

including marsh and forest that allow for

Wheaton Regional Park

ample wildlife viewing. The center of the

montgomeryparks.org

island opens up to a sculpture of Teddy

Wheaton Regional Park packs a punch with

Roosevelt, large hedges, and seasonal

the amount of recreational opportunities

• Jug Bay

fountains. Trails are mixed with pavement,

crammed into one park. Wheaton Regional

• Adkins Arboretum

boardwalks, gravel, and dirt but a rugged

park includes Brookside Gardens, a 50-acre

stroller can handle Roosevelt Island well.

garden and nature center with a butterfly

Dog friendly.

pavilion; large playgrounds with picnic area

• Beverly Triton Beach in Edgewater • Calvert Cliffs State Park in Lusby

• Wye Island • Cross Island biking trail on Kent Island

and a ride-on train; an ice skating rink, and Burnt Mills Reservoir East and West

a horse stable, tennis courts, carousel, and a

montgomeryparks.org

dog park. But Wheaton Regional Park also

These two parks in one straddle Columbia

has a significant number of trails to explore.

Pike (Rt. 29) in Silver Spring. Park on the

Dog and stroller friendly.

Rock Creek Park nps.gov/rocr/index.htm

East side to access the Northwest Branch Trail and park on the West side to access the

Patuxent Research Refuge

This urban oasis is unlike any other city park.

Rachel Carson Greenway Trail going north.

fws.gov/refuge/patuxent

Whether a quick little loop of a mile or less

The Rachel Carson Greenway Trail feels

The Refuge is divided in the south tract and

to visit the horses or linking together the

surprisingly isolated and rugged despite

the north tract. The north tract has over 20

Western Ridge Trail and Valley Trail to

being just off of Columbia Pike. It follows the

miles of roads and trails. The south tract

make a rigorous 12-mile loop, there is

creek north and eventually makes its way to

has a large visitor center and the trails dip

something for everyone. The park provides

Wheaton Regional Park. Dog friendly.

into the woods alongside a lake. There is

rock scrambling, puddle stomping in the

an easy 3-mile loop around the lake or add

creek, and wildlife watching. Dog friendly

U.S. National Arboretum

on more miles with other trail options. It is a

and is paved for easy stroller access.

usna.usda.gov

great place for waterfowl and amphibians.

Paved roads, dirt trails and boardwalks

This is dog-friendly and a rugged stroller can

Redgate Park

snake through different themed plantings

probably handle old roots on the dirt paths.

redgatepark.org

such as Fern Valley, Conifers, Dogwoods,

Throughout the year Patuxent Research

This largely unknown former golf course

and Magnolias, to name a few. Gentle

Refuge holds many events like bird walks,

in Rockville is full of steep paved trails,

hills, open fields, ponds and creeks dot the

kids fishing days, nature explorations,

lakes, abandoned sand traps and lots of

landscape and encourage wildlife. The old

and critter talks, though during the state of

overgrown fields. It is a mecca for birders.

columns from the original capitol building

emergency, all events are on hold.

The city of Rockville is trying to decide what to do with the property but in the meantime,

mark the center of the Arboretum. The Arboretum offers a mobile app with maps to

Meadowside and Lake

guide you through the vast grounds. Dogs

Bernard Frank

and strollers are welcome.

montgomeryparks.org

Greenbelt Park

it is open to the public.

Known for its nature center (soon to be

nps.gov/gree/index.htm

Kingman and Heritage Islands

renovated) and outdoor educational raptor

This large wild urban park gives the illusion

kingmanisland.org

aviary. It boasts 8 miles of trails that traverse

of being deep in the woods. The Perimeter

Kingman and Heritage Islands park is on

different habitats. Lake Frank is partially

Trail is a large loop that goes around the

the east side of the city in the middle of the

paved, but you can make a 3-mile-loop out

entire park, where as the Azalea Trail

Anacostia River. The islands are a great

of it if you continue along the dirt trails,

is a much smaller trail. Many side trails

place to poke around and explore the 1.5

with some minor rock hopping across a

provide lots of opportunity to mix and

miles of trails while looking for wildlife

stream involved. The trail mostly follows

match. The trails are dirt but wide and can

and enjoying scenic views from the river

the perimeter of the lake with the shoreline

accommodate a rugged stroller.

overlook. The main entrance is found on the

ducking in and out of sight.

Dog friendly.

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stay inspired

DATE NIGHT IN

being plain worn out once the kids are in bed or, well, we’re in the middle of a pandemic.

So how do you schedule a date night when you can’t get out? Why not try a date night in? In this digital age, there are so many options to bring movies, TV shows, podcasts, workout routines, craft tutorials, and recipes into your house with a click of a button. If you prefer to unplug for your date, the opportunities are endless for activities

GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR PARTNER WHILE AT HOME

By Claire Dougherty Kovacs

B

usy couples, not only parents, understand the importance

comfort of your own home—though it might take a bit of planning ahead to buy the puzzle, gather the equipment for fermenting kombucha tea, or fill your shelves with board games.

To create a great date night, you and your partner should pick a specific day of the week to plan your special night. Leaving it up to “one night this week” means it might get pushed around or never gets elevated from your normal routine. Once a date and time have been set,

of date nights and connecting with your partner. Through

put it on your calendar. That is what you would do with any night out

conversation or activities, you and your partner are

with friends or a meeting at work so this is an easy way to schedule

communicating and strengthening your relationship. But

it and keep anything else from taking its place. Once your date is

there are often roadblocks that stop busy parents from

set, it’s time to plan the menu and the entertainment. Here are some

getting out for a regular date night—from not having a babysitter to

30

that are engaging and fun that you can do from the

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APRIL 2020

suggestions for your next date night in!

stay inspired

Go Old School

Find a TV series to start watching, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t binge. With the availability of streaming services, there is immediate access to thousands of shows that you may have missed on network television.

The key here is to not binge watch the show. Choose to watch one episode per week (like we used to do in the old-fashioned days!) which will give you and your partner something to look forward to and gives you an avenue to talk about next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s episode to make guesses on what will happen.

Create an Epic Bucket List

What do you and your partner want to do/see/experience in your lifetime? Is it travel, education, technology, exploration? Put together a comprehensive bucket list that includes everything you want to do with your partner. From that list, you can set goals (ie, start saving money for that ultimate European vacation), set future dates (eg, by my 40th birthday, I want to have read 200 books), and dream together about things in your life together that excite you and motivate you.

Skip the Takeout

Boxed Sets

There are tons of activity box

Get Moving

Exercise is a fantastic way to be

Talk it Out

great activity to create (and eat!)

subscriptions out there right

active with your partner. There

books/cards to start a

something special. Find a recipe

now, with activities ranging from

are many fitness classes, workout

conversation about interesting

book, look up recipes online,

murder mystery and escape

subscriptions and apps that bring

topics: If you find you mostly

and order in groceries to make

room games to crafts like jewelry

your workout to your living room.

talk to your partner about work

a special meal (and perhaps a

making and watercolor painting,

Working out is more fun together,

or the kids, there are plenty of

bottle of wine). If you cook a truly

to making specialty cocktails,

whether you do cardio, strength

resources available that give

special meal, feel free to dress

cookies, and coffee; as well

training, HIIT workouts, dancing

topic suggestions, quizzes, and

up for the occasion, and dig out

as trivia games, puzzles, and

or yoga.

conversation starters to help you

some candles to set the mood.

coloring books.

Cooking together can also be a

Find Questions for Couples

learn more about your partner.

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Presorted Std. U.S. Postage PAID Baltimore, MD Permit No. 4475

121 Cathedral Street, Suite 3A Annapolis, MD 21401 Find us: chesapeakefamily.com

Here are some resources you might enjoy!

virtual calendar Find great virtual events

chesapeakefamily.com/virtualcalendar

camps

Find the best camp for your kids chesapeakefamily.com/camps

outside places

Ideas to do outside

chesapeakefamily.com/fun/outdoors

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go to | chesapeakefamily.com for more!

chesapeakefamily.com

APRIL 2020