4/20 Fort Campbell Life

Postal Customer

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 7 FORT CAMPBELL KY

A look inside...

Area Parks & Activities

Springtime Treats

New Books for Kids

Tips for Social Distancing

Happy Place Playlist

Easter Craft Ideas

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Editor Alex Zapetis

Contributors Dave Marshall Jennifer Hartman Joyce Ann Acosta onecreativemomy.com

Publisher Creative ink

Creative Director Sears Hallett

**SPECIAL NOTICE FROM THE PUBLISHER** During this time of uncertainty and “Social Distancing” we have altered some of our normal features. The calendar has been replaced with in home educational activities and the event section has over 40 in-home fun activities to do as a family. As of press time the status of Month of the Military Child events was uncertain, so we advise you visit campbell.armymwr.com often for updates on post activity status.

We will post updates on status of activities both on an off post on our facebook page.

Hey Everyone,

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Happy April! Spring has officially sprung, and I am so excited about this warmer weather. In honor of the sun returning, we are bringing you some great outdoor activity ideas as well as a few tasty treats to take with you on the adventure.

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We also have a playlist of songs that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face as well as some amazing children’s books that you need to check out.

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Alex Zapetis, Editor alex@creativeinktn.com

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The weather is finally beginning to warm up again, and the sunshine is beginning to draw a ton of people outdoors. Nothing beats a bright sunny day after months of clouds and cold. The Fort Campbell area is home to many fun outdoor adventures that are sure to help you take in some Vitamin D. So, lace up your sneakers and get outside. You don’t want to miss making some awesome outdoor memories.

Fort Campbell Parks • campbell.armymwr.com Clarksville Base Park• Headquarters Loop Road (on Old Clarksville Base) Clarksville Base Park is a large 2-sided park. The area is ideal for large company activity functions and Family parties. The park offers playground equipment, two pavilions, grills, picnic tables, and port-a-potties.

Eagle Park • Polk and Indiana Avenue (behind Gertsch PFC) Eagle Park is ideal for small company activity functions and Family parties. The park has open fields, playground equipment, a pavilion, grills, and picnic tables throughout the area. Port-a-potties are available. The flat open space at this park makes it ideal for inflatables.

Cole Park • Lee Road (across the road from Cole Park Commons) Cole Park is shaded and offers an ADA Compliant playground, a pavilion, grills, picnic tables, and port-a-potties. The park is ideal for large or small unit activity functions, Family get-togethers, or birthday parties.

Wilkes Park • Morgan Road (inside Gate 6 ) Wilkes Park is a beautiful wooded area, suitable for children’s play. There is a playground designed for ages 2 to 5 and another for ages 5 to 12, located side by side. This large playground is ADA Compliant. The park is ideal for large or small birthday parties, scouts, school functions, and Family parties. The park offers playground equipment, two pavilions, grills, picnic tables, port-a-potties, a basketball court and a walking trail.

Town Center Park • Corner of Indiana & Michigan (in front of the Exchange) Town Center Park has two shaded playgrounds, grills, a cold water spigot, a pavilion, picnic tables, and an amphitheater. This park is ideal for large activities and parties.

Riverside Park • 101st Airborne Division Road (across from Cole Park Commons) Riverside Park is ideal for small groups. There is one pavilion with a picnic table and grill. This park is next to the trout stream and could be used by people wanting to fish. (No playground or bathrooms are available at this location.)

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Clarksville Parks • cityofclarksville.com/158/Parks-Trails Heritage Park Sports Complex • 1241 Peachers Mill Rd This park has every fun outdoor activity that families desire.

There are dog parks, walking trails, sports fields, splash pads, playgrounds, a skate park and more. Pack a family picnic and spend the entire day here. With so much to do, you won’t get bored anytime soon.

Dunbar Cave State Park • 401 Old Dunbar Cave Rd Do you like to explore? Then this park is the place for you. It is over 144-acres big and is the 280th largest cave complex in the world. The natural formation is truly breath-taking and is a must see.

Clarksville Greenway • 1101 Pollard Rd The Clarksville Greenway has some of the best views in the city. The 4.6 mile paved path is great for walks, runs, and even biking. It is the perfect way to spend a warm spring day. Once you experience this beautiful trail, you will want to revisit again and again.

Rotary Park • 2308 Rotary Park Drive Rotary Park is a 111.3-acre nature park boasting over five miles of hiking/biking trails, and a large ADA-accessible playground. Rotary Park is located at: 2308 Rotary Park Drive, and offers the following features: 1 playground area, hiking/biking trails, 3 pavilions, picnic tables & 4 grills, sand volleyball court, 2 restroom buildings, 25 acres of open space, 1 horseshoe pit area, 18-hole disc golf course.

McGregor Park & Cumberland Riverwalk • 640 N Riverside Dr If you are on the hunt for a unique and beautiful park, then look no further. McGregor Park hugs the Cumberland River and provides a great view for your walk or picnic.

There are also playgrounds that your children will adore.

Liberty Park • 1188 Cumberland Dr Another fabulous park that lovers of the great outdoors enjoy is Liberty Park. It has some unique and exciting playground equipment that your little ones will adore. There is also a nearby restaurant for you to swing by and check out after a long day of play.

Kings Bluff • 919 Max Court Do you love the excitement of an outdoor climb? Then King’s Bluff is a place you are going to want to visit. It is praised for its gorgeous views and clean trails. Lace up your climbing boots and get ready for an adventure.

Billy Dunlop Park • 1930 E Boy Scout Rd Are you on the hunt for your next fishing spot? If so, you will surely love Billy Dunlop Park. There are family fun activities for all to enjoy like picnic locations and playgrounds. It is a beautiful park that can really come to life on a sunny day.

Hopkinsville Parks • hpr.recdesk.com/Community/Page?pageId=9238 DeBow Recreation Complex • 307 North Dr Disc golf is a super fun outdoor sport that you need to try this Spring. Luckily, this complex has the perfect course for it. It also has a huge playground that parents rave about. You can also grill out and have some tasty burgers while you’re here too.

West Side Park • 501-677 W 9th St West Side Park is a wonderful place to escape to. It comes complete with gorgeous walking trails and stunning views. The river that runs through the park is a great place to sit and take a breather.

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Oak Grove Parks • http://visitoakgroveky.com/about-oak-grove/parks-recreation/ Oak Grove War Memorial Walking Trail Park • 101 Walter Garrett Ln Picturesque venue with a walking trail & butterfly garden, plus disc golf & amphitheater events. The War Memorial Walking Trail Park is open from dawn until dusk 7 days a week! The trail is 0.7 miles long, not quite a full mile.

Wade’s Way City Park • Wade’s Way Ln Tucked away inside Oak Grove on Wade’s Way Lane is a great park with a baseball field, a basketball court, a playground, and a very large pavilion.

It really is a hidden gem.

Deciding to take a trip to the park can be an all-day event if you have some activities planned out. You can have a day packed full of fun with a little imagination and creativity. Make sure to give these super simple games a try the next time you plan a day at the park.

Scavenger Hunt Divide your family into two teams. Create a list of items that you can find in nature like a pinecone, a certain type of leaf, a flower, etc. Bring a few bags so you have something to carry your found items in. The first team to find all the items on the list wins.

Freeze Tag Who doesn’t love an old-fashioned game of freeze tag? If you don’t remember how to play, you make one player “It”. Anyone the “it” player touches must freeze in place. Other players can unfreeze frozen players.

Captain on the Ship One player gets to become the captain. The captain shouts out orders, and the other players have to repeat them. Popular commands are “Hit the deck” (Lay on your stomach), “love boat” (grab a partner and dance), “to the ship” (run to the left), “to the port”(run to the right). You can also make up your own commands prior to the game starting.

Hide and Seek This classic game is a childhood favorite. It is perfect to play at the park with your family. Just make sure you create boundaries before hand and don’t wonder too far away from adults. It is also important to create a safe word to end the game if the seeker is unable to find the hider.

Hopscotch Grab your favorite bucket of chalk and hit the sidewalks. Create the typical hopscotch board and jump and hop the day away. You can also use the chalk to color and draw. Make sure to grab some bottles of water so you can wash away your artwork after you are done.

Strawberries are the perfect treat for springtime. They are light, refreshing, and sweet. Kids love them and devour them during snack time. Did you know that there are many fun and easy children’s treats that can be made with this popular fruit?

The best part is many of these exciting goodies can be made with pantry staples. Since kids eat with their eyes, switching things up and trying new things is always a great idea. Here are two recipes for you to give a shot next snack time that your little ones are sure to love.

Strawberry Sundaes Everyone loves ice cream sundaes, but how about strawberry sundaes? This super easy dessert takes only seconds to prepare, and these ingredients are probably already in your fridge.

They are also so delicious that it feels like your taste buds are having a party.

Strawberries • Whip Cream • Canned Cherries • Chocolate Syrup Wash your strawberries and cut off the leaves. Slice open your strawberries in an x like fashion and then open them up.

Shake up your whip cream and spray it inside the strawberry.

Drizzle the chocolate syrup and top with a cherry.

Pop into your mouth and enjoy!

Strawberry Ladybugs This is another super simple treat that kids love. Nothing beats getting fun and creative during snack time. Strawberry Ladybugs are quick, easy, and require very few ingredients. Give them a try and watch your kids devour them.

Chocolate • Strawberries • Blueberries Wash off your strawberries and slice off the stems before slicing the berries in half.

Melt your chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals. Make sure you are stirring in between sections. Place your melted chocolate into a piping bag. If you don’t have one, an old medicine syringe also works too.

Design your ladybugs by adding their spots, legs, antenna, and head. Use the chocolate as a glue to attach the blueberry to the strawberry.

Let the chocolate dry before serving.

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Do you have a little book worm in your family? Does a new book bring an irreplaceable smile to their face? You’re not alone. Children love to read.

Nothing is better than cuddling up on the couch with a brand-new book to read before bedtime. That is why it is important to reward them with a fresh new book every so often. There is some great children’s books currently on the market that your little one is sure to adore. Check them out and give them a go. You won’t regret it.

The Bad Seed by Jory John Who knew that a bad little seed could work his way all the way up to being Amazon Prime’s Most Read Title of 2019. Parents rave about the awesome life lessons that their children learn about while reading this fun story.

Rosie: Stronger than Steel by Lindsay Ward How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace This cute little story is a New York Times and USA Today Bestseller. Children absolutely love this quirky story about capturing such a mysterious and tricky creature.

“He'll turn your whole house upside down. He’s quicker than a wink!”

Everyone loves a story with a secret meaning.

Rosie is a brave tractor that farms for freedom.

She is inspired by women who acted with courage and strength in American factories as well as on British farms during World War II.

If Animals Kissed Good Night

by Ann Whitford Paul Bedtime stories create some amazing childhood memories. They are calming and sweet, just like this story.

Animals kiss goodnight in some creative ways, and you will have to read the story to find out how. Do you know how giraffes kiss goodnight?

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I’ve Loved You Since Forever by Hoda Kotb Written in a beautiful lyrical text, the heartwarming story skyrocketed to a New York Times #1 Bestseller. Its gorgeous illustrations have earned it some rave reviews as well. The story is a poetic dedication to the timeless love felt between parent and child.

Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae Gerald is a giraffe with crooked knees and thin legs, but his love for dancing is never-ending. His amazing dedication and encouraging friends help him discover how to move to his own special beat. The story is full of light-footed rhymes and vivid illustrations that will keep your child engaged.

The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith The Wonky Donkey is sure to cause a few laughs during storytime.

It is lighthearted and fun. You will be reading this story over and over again. Get into character and have some fun with this tale of a 3-legged donkey.

Her Body Can by Katie Crenshaw A tale of self-love and acceptance, Her Body Can is a must-read for any young girl. It teaches young girls to love their beautiful bodies.

It is said that this is the very first book of its kind. It has been written for girls ages newborn to 8, and the goal of the story is to teach all young girls their bodies can do everything and that what they look like is irrelevant. Everyone is beautiful just the way they are.

The month of April has 2 celebrations about reading.

April 2 is International Child Book Day and April 19-25 is National Library Week.

For events during Library Week at R.F. Sink Library on post please visit campbell.armymwr.com

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The Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club is dedicated to helping the community while making some amazing friends in the process. They pride themselves on promoting friendship and goodwill among its members. They come together to organize charitable and educational events that make a difference in the local community.

In 2019, they raised $88,000 and gave it right back to the Fort Campbell Area. They awarded 23 scholarships to military dependents that were pursuing higher education. The Spouses’ Club also created 55 grants for local businesses and organizations.

They hold monthly luncheons that are fun for all. Both members and nonmembers are invited to attend. Tickets can be purchased on their website. A highlighted charity is sponsored at every meeting.

If you would like to become a member of this amazing group of women, you can do so at any time on their website. Active membership for spouses of service members on Active Duty or Retired Status residing in the Fort Campbell area is $20.00. They also offer Associate Membership for Spouses of National Guard/Reserve, International Military Personnel on active duty, Spouses of GS civilians or DoD/DA Contractors, Spouses of GS civilians or DoD/DA Contractors, Widows/widowers, and Divorcees of military personnel who have retained their military privileges.

All must reside in the Fort Campbell area. That fee is $10.00.

Their yearly charitable event referred to as VICE night has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus. They are working on alternative methods to continue to support both scholarships and community grants.

Please visit the website - fortcampbellspousesclub.org or their facebook page facebook.com/fortcampbellspousesclub for updates on the plans that could include an online auction.

To gain more knowledge on Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club and all that they do, please go to fortcampbellspousesclub.org/ 16

The normal calendar has been replaced this month to provide information for families that are with children in this time of social distancing The Coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, is sweeping through the United States. This nasty virus has caused schools across the nation to close their doors for weeks at a time. As a parent, this can be scary. No one wants their child to fall behind academically. Thankfully, programs across the globe have stepped up to offer online educational avenues to help these learners get through this pandemic. Many programs are now offering their services free of charge during the quarantine period. With so many amazing options, you will be able to keep your child busy and thriving until these weeks have passed.

Here are just a few for you to check out.

Museum Virtual Tours

msn.com/en-us/travel/travel-trivia/stuck-at-home-these12-famous-museums-offer-virtual-tours-you-can-take-onyour-couch-video/arBB119nm6?li=BBnbfcL&fbclid=IwAR0 _OBJH7lSyTN3ug_MsOeFnNgB1orTa9OBgilKJ7dhnwlVvHEsptuKkj1c Google Arts & Culture teamed up with over 500 museums/galleries around the world to bring everyone virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous museums around the world.

ABDO eBook

ABDO/abdodigital.com ABDO's entire eBook collection is now available to students to access at home FREE.

ActivityVillage

activityvillage.co.uk/school-closures Activity Village provides thousands of colouring pages, crafts, puzzles, worksheets and more. Specially for these difficulit times, free themed bundles of fun printable activities for children - including puzzles, colouring pages, fun worksheets and more.

American Archive of Public Broadcasting

americanarchive.org A collaboration between the Library of Congress and the WGBH Educational Foundation to coordinate a national effort to preserve at-risk public media before its content is lost. More than 52,000 files are available online.

Access to thousands of historic public television and radio programs.

Crazy Adventures in Parenting

crazyadventuresinparenting.com/category/art/printable Free printables, activity sheets, coloring pages, and more!

Beanstalk

beanstalk.co/ Beanstalk Interactive, a Denver-based interactive educational pre-school children’s content company, announced today that it will be offering free membership during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Children’s University

childrensuniversity.co.uk/get-involved/downloadable-activities/ Children’s University is a charity that encourages participation in learning beyond the classroom. We have collated and are sharing as many downloadable resources and links to other activities for children

Club SciKidz

clubscikidzmd.com/blog/ Daily free science or cooking experiment to do at home.

Each day we will be posting a daily activity for parents and kids to do at home, mostly using things the already have at home. We’ll also include videos and other resources to extend the experiment.

Storypark

storypark.com Storypark is a family engagement and communication tool.

We have over 100 free videos of open-ended play ideas and have free webinars.

Coloring Nature

coloringnature.org/ We have more than 675 FREE printable coloring pages.

Our coloring categories include serious science: biomes, anatomy, animals, plants and more, plus some pure whimsy – just for fun.

Connected Camps

connectedcamps.com/minecraft-kid-club Connected Camps Kid Club is more than just a free, safe, kid-friendly Minecraft server for kids ages 8-13. It’s also an online community where kids can explore their own creativity through unstructured play, collaborate with peers, and deepen their knowledge of Minecraft. It’s a safe space for kids to strengthen their social emotional learning and explore STEM concepts. Always free server from Friday - Sunday 1pm PST to 5pm PST for social emotional and STEM learning through collaboration with other kids.

Discover the World Education

discover-the-world.com/study-trips/classroom-resources/ Geography videos and activities of free videos and teaching resources.

eduprintables

eduprintables.com Thousands of free printables, games, quizzes and fun stuff Free resources for pre-k and elementary school students

Little Twisters Yoga & Emotional Wellness littletwistersyoga.com/online-store/ Free at-home kids yoga lesson plans

Me and My INKlings

meandmyinklings.com/index.php/laura-kelly-designs-printable-library/ A library of educational printable resources. Hundreds of FREE printables, games, puzzles and learning packets

Nomster Chef

nomsterchef.com/nomster-recipe-library Illustrated recipes designed to help kids age 2-12 cook with their grown-ups. Recipes encourage culinary skills, literacy, math, and science.

Simple Living. Creative Learning

simplelivingcreativelearning.com Lots of free printables and resources for homeschooling through to upper elementary as well as simple living and wellness resources. Lots of free educational printables and activities.

Starfall

www.starfall.com/h/ Starfall.com is a powerful tool that provides hours and hours of engaging educational content for pre-school and grade school kids. It uses animation and sound to engage children in the learning process.

Sworkit

app.sworkit.com/collections/kids-workouts Kid-friendly workouts — choose from Strength for Kids, Agility for Kids, Flexibility and Balance for Kids, Warm-Up for Kids, Cooldown for Kids, Stand Up and Move for Kids, or create your own custom kid workout.

The Science Spot

sciencespot.net/Pages/classhome.html Home science projects that can be completed with or without Internet access; other resources useful in eLearning. All the resources on the site are available free of charge.

Vooks

vooks.com/teacher-appreciation Vooks is a streaming library of storybooks, brought to life, to help encourage the love of reading. It is ad-free, kid-safe animated read-aloud stories enjoyed by millions of children around the world every week.

getepic.com

educationdive.com/press-release/20200316-epicannounces-free-support-for-educators-students-andfamilies-impacted-b/ The leading digital playground built for unmatched safety, discoverability and fun, reaching 20 million kids.

Digital library for kids with over 40,000 high quality books audiobooks and videos from the world’s best publishers.

Join the “Amazing Educational Resources” Facebook group for more Resources: facebook.com/groups/445786889466638/ ?ref=bookmarks Additional Fun Activities on page 19

There are also many great activities that you can do with your children that can be educational and fun as well. When putting your kids in a homeschool environment, it is important to remember to stay interactive and engaging. Here are a few ideas to try for the next few weeks.

Make Your Own Play Dough

Start a Puzzle

Play dough recipes are fairly simple and can be found all over the web. Most of them consist of a few basic ingredients all-purpose flour, salt, cream of tartar, water, veggie or coconut oil, and food coloring.

Large puzzles can keep you busy for days on end.

The bigger the puzzle the better.

Play Checkers

Spring is finally here. That means its the perfect time to grab your furry friends and go for a walk around the neighborhood.

Checkers is a classic board game that is both fun and educational.

You are really forced to think ahead and plan out your next move. This is a great option for a rainy recess day.

Take a Virtual Tour of Sequoia National Park This national park in California can be toured on Google Maps. Children can explore all the different terrains and plants that reside in the park.

Make A Pizza Everyday needs a little lunchtime fun. Allowing your child to create the pizza of their dreams is a quick and easy experiment with instant gratification.

Who doesn’t love pizza?

Watch the Cincinnati Zoo Livestream Do you have an animal lover in your home? The Cincinnati Zoo will be live-streaming animals on their Facebook page daily at 3PM. facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/

Watch the Beluga Whales at the Georgia Aquarium If you still need to get your animal fix after visiting the zoo, there’s a beluga whale webcam set up at the Georgia Aquarium. Come and watch these beautiful creatures swim all day long. georgiaaquarium.org/ animal/beluga-whale/

Write Letters There is no better way to help your child brush up on their writing skills than to write personal letters to your friends and family.

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Go for a Walk

Explore Mars Did you know you can explore the surface of Mars by tuning into a livestream? It is being recorded

by NASA’s curiosity rover, and can be viewed at accessmars.withgoogle.com

Take a Virtual Tour of a Farm At farmfood360.ca you can tour a farm and learn about what it takes to run a real life farm.

Watch the Monterrey Bay Aquarium sea otter cam Who doesn’t love sea otters? The Monterrey Bay Aquariam has a sea otter cam that captures these cute creatures any time of day. montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams/ sea-otter-cam/

Practice Interviews Do you have older children? If so, then this is the perfect opportunity to help them brush up on their interview skills.

Start a Virtual Book Club Pick a book and Facetime your favorite friend. This is the perfect time to read a book together and discuss your thoughts.

Bird Watch The birds are coming out to play this time of year.

Can you identify them all?

Have a Dance Class

Make Some Ice Cream

Youtube has so many dance videos just waiting for you to discover them. Are you ready to learn some new moves?

Most ice cream recipes are very simple and tasty.

Get as creative with the flavors as you wish.

Plant a Garden Whether you make an indoor garden or an outdoor one, it is a great time to plant yourown garden.

Host a Spelling Bee Who can spell the most words correctly?

Winner gets a prize of your choosing.

Shaving Cream Painting

Bake Some Cupcakes Who doesn’t love and decorating this tasty treat?

As they say, baking is a science.

Karaoke Time Karaoke is a great way to pass some time. Having a family jam session will also make some funny memories.

T-Shirt Makeover

Nothing beats shaving cream and food coloring. It is a great sensory project for young kids to enjoy.

Do you have some old T-Shirts taking up closet space?

Break out the scissors and paint and get creative.

Bring those old t-shirts to life.

Have an Easter Egg Hunt

Decorate Your Driveway

It is never too early to host your own egg hunt. Hide some candy filled eggs around the house and yard.

Happy hunting.

Grab some bright chalk colors and have art class outside. The whole driveway is your canvas.

Change Up Their Bedroom

Video record your child reporting on current events.

Allow them to come up with their own special script.

It will be fun to look back on in a few years.

Nothing is more exciting than rearranging your bedroom. It makes it feel like an entirely new space.

Build a Fort Practice your architectural skills by creating the ultimate box fort. Everyone has a few extra boxes sitting around.

Learn a Song Have your own daily music class and learn a new song together. Let your child perform it to friends and family via Facetime. Pick an animal. Everyday pick a new animal and learn 5 exciting facts about it. Have your children share the facts that they discover.

Teach the Dog Some New Tricks Do you have a dog in your home? This quarantine is the perfect time to teach Fido some unique new tricks.

Organize Your Closets It is time to move your winter clothes to the back and break out those short sleeves and shorts.

Learn a New Skill Does your child know how to ride a bike yet?

Are they potty trained? Now is the perfect time to try.

Have a Puppet Show You can create puppets out of just about anything.

Get creative and put on a show.

Have a Scavenger Hunt Hide a few objects around the house and create a list of things that need to be found. The first person to find them all wins.

Become a News Reporter

Make Paper Airplanes Paper Airplanes are so much fun.

Who’s will fly the furthest?

Pick Some Flowers Flowers are slowly starting to bloom all around the neighborhood. Can you create a pretty bouquet for your home?

Declutter Toys There is no better time to go through and sort out your old toys. There is no better motivation than a quarantine.

Create Your Own Cleaning Products If you find yourself running low on a few household goods, try creating replacements yourself. Rubbing alcohol, aloe vera, and a few drops of essential oil make hand sanitizer.

Clean Out the Car You are sure to find a few things that resemble science experiments when cleaning out car seats. Having little helpers to get the family car shining again is never a bad thing.

Practice Yoga There are plenty of Youtube Yoga lessons online.

Being able to stop and relax with your child is important during this pandemic.

Finish a Reading List Create a list of must-read books and finish the entire list before school is back in session.

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What’s in your picnic basket?

When you are out running around and having a blast at a local park, you can really work up an appetite. Deciding to pack the perfect picnic basket is a simple and sweet activity that your entire family is sure to love. You can pack just about anything into your basket, but light and refreshing snacks sure do hit the spot on a warm Spring day.

If you feel stuck and aren’t sure what to prepare, here are a few awesome recipes to give a go. Which one will be the star of your next day out?

Cowboy Caviar

by Joyce Ann Acosta 6 Roma tomatoes • 1 medium onion 1 Jalapeno pepper • 1 large avocado 1 can of corn • 1⁄4 cup cilantro 3 tbsp lime juice • 1⁄4 cup Italian dressing 1 tbsp chopped garlic • 1 tsp salt or more Chop tomatoes, garlic, onion, jalapeno, cilantro and avocado then mix in a large bowl.

Add the corn, lime juice, Italian dressing and salt.

Serve with your choice of chips.

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Caramel Apple Pops

by OneCreativeMommy.com Granny Smith Apples • Lemon Juice Skewer Sticks • 1 cup butter or margarine 1 pound light brown sugar 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 cup light corn syrup • 1 pinch salt 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract • Toppings of Choice Wash, core and slice apples (DO NOT peel off the skin! The caramel will not stick the to flesh of the apple.)

Soak in lemon juice/water solution for 10 minutes. This keeps the apples from turning brown. (1 cup lemon juice to 1 quart water) Drain and pat dry. Skewer apples on lollipop sticks. (Everything is more fun on a stick, don’t you think?) Return to the refrigerator until you are ready to dip them. Then, make your caramel. In a heavy bottomed non-stick saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Heat to between 234° and 240° F (112° to 116° C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. Cook for 2 minutes at that temperature. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla.

Remove the caramel from the heat, and allow it to cool for a couple of minutes.Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or spray them with nonstick spray.

Carefully dip each apple slice into the caramel. Only dip the skin of the apple. No matter how hard you try, the caramel will not stick to the flesh of the apple.

Dip apples in desired toppings.

Delicious Dill Dip

by OneCreativeMommy.com 1 cup sour cream (I use light sour cream) • 1 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion flakes • 1 teaspoon dill weed 1 Tablespoon dried parsley 1 teaspoon *Bon Appetit seasoning or Beau Monde Mix ingredients well. Chill and serve with fresh carrots, celery, green or red peppers, snow peas, zucchini or yellow squash and/or potato chips

Edith’s Fizz 1 1⁄2 ounce Lillet Blanc 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur 4 ounces fresh-squeezed orange juice 2 ounces soda water Mix everything together in a highball glass.

Garnish with an orange twist.

Arcadia Cocktail

Hpnotiq Breeze 1 1⁄2 ounces Hpnotiq 1 ounce Malibu coconut rum 2 ounces pineapple juice

2 ounces gin 1 ounce Galliano 1 ounce creme de banane 3 ounces grapefruit juice Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Pour in all ingredients and shake until chilled. Pour (ice included) into a highball glass.

Fill a shaker halfway with ice and pour in all ingredients. Drop some ice into a whiskey sour glass and strain the mixture into it.

Pimm’s Cup Makes enough for 6 people: 12 ounces Pimm’s No. 1 Cup 6 ounces dry gin (optional – just raises the alcohol content) Lemonade Fruit chunks or slices (cucumber, lemon, lime, strawberries and mint are suggested – cucumber is actually the most common garnish) Put about twenty ice cubes into a large jug.

Add the Pimm’s No. 1 Cup, then the gin and the fruit. Fill the jug the rest of the way with lemonade and stir it.

Serve it in highball glasses.

Remind your guests they can eat the fruit, too.

Drink recipes and photos courtesy of mixthatdrink.com

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Have you heard of Autism before but aren’t sure what it exactly is? Autism spectrum disorder is a compound developmental disability. The signs for it include a person’s ability to socialize with others. Autism affects people differently and to varying degrees. A few of the behaviors related with autism include delayed learning of language, trouble making eye contact, difficulty holding a conversation, problems with executive functioning, and poor motor skills as well as sensory sensitivities. There is no known cause of autism, but increased awareness, early diagnosis, as well as appropriate support can lead to dramatically improved outcomes.

Would you like to become involved in Autism Awareness Month? If so, there are many ways for you to show your love and support. A major symbol of Autism Awareness is the puzzle ribbon, and it is a great place to begin. The Puzzle Ribbon is the most recognized symbol of the autism community and has been widely spread. You can wear it as a pin on your shirt, a magnet on your car, a badge on your blog, or even your Facebook profile picture.

Sharing the ribbon helps educate people on the potential that people with Autism truly have.

For personal stories and blogs about families dealing with Austim, visit autism-society.org. The website has a ton of valuable in-depth information and insight on the disorder. They also share tips on living with Autism. The more you know about the disorder, the more knowledge you can share with your friends and family.

Finally, volunteering is another fantastic way to get involved in the cause.

The Autism Society depends on the work and support of local and state affiliates. These affiliates are the primary approach that the Autism Society uses to help individuals and families throughout the United States.

The Fort Campbell Area can work with both Tennessee affiliates as well as Kentucky affiliates.

If you would like to volunteer to help spread Autism Awareness, please contact: Autism Society East Tennessee located in Knoxville, at 865-247-5082 Or Autism Society Kentuckiana located in Louisville at 812-923-1129 or 502-263-5708

Have you heard of Armed Services YMCA’s amazing program that is dedicated to helping your child flourish educationally? If not, you aren’t going to want to miss out on this cool opportunity.

Operation Little Learners is an interactive education program for parents and children. Parents learn to be the primary educator of their child with tools to enhance child development and early learning, as well as parent-child bonding. Children ages 2-5 participate in activities to enhance cognitive, emotional, social, motor and other skills. Plus, with a focus on phonics, writing, science, and math skills, children graduate 25

prepared for kindergarten. The program also connects military families to create a support network.

Are you interested in registering? Then here is some great news. Operation Little Learners now offers 2 classes. For children ages 2 to early 3’s, classes will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-10:30am. 3 ½ year old to early 5 years will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am-12pm.

To register: amilia.com/store/en/asymca-fc/shop/programs For more information : hbrewer@asymca.org

Preparing your family for an upcoming PCS can be stressful. With so much going on and planning required, a few details can fall through the cracks. One of those things could be preparing your furry friend for the relocation. Moving can be an extremely stressful situation for our pets. Unlike humans, they don’t understand what is happening. Don’t watch them suffer through the process. There are many tips and tricks you can try to help make this big change a little smoother.

Purchase a Pet Carrier Allowing your dog or cat to roam freely around the vehicle could seem like a good idea at the time, but a few hours into your road trip will prove otherwise. When your pet is constantly moving around the vehicle, this can prompt added stress and motion sickness. No one wants to be cleaning up that mess.

Practice Car Rides If your pet isn’t used to car rides, make sure to take them so a spin around town a few times before the move. Completing this task will allow them to get used to the environment and motion. You don’t want their first experience in a car to be during your PCS.

Plan Out Your Trip Have you thought about pet friendly hotels that are on your route to your new location? Make sure to plan out your stops ahead of time. Not all hotels are pet-friendly, and you don’t want to be stranded without a room to lay your head.

Pack a Bag Does your pet have a favorite treat? Do they have a favorite toy? If so, make sure you pack them their own overnight bag. Pull out some of their comfort items and don’t let the movers pack them up. Having these familiar items as soon as they get to their new home can help make the transition easier.

Pay Your Vet a Visit Don’t forget to stop by your vet and ensure your pet is up to date on their shots.

Having them updated before the move allows you some extra time before having to find a new vet at your new location. Make sure you get a copy of their records too before you leave.

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April is National Volunteer Month, and the USO is so grateful for its volunteers. Last year their volunteers gave 13,189 hours to the service members and their families at Fort Campbell.

The USO currently has 211 active volunteers.

That’s 211 smiling faces to serve and support the USO’s mission which is to strengthen America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.

What does it take to run the world's largest USO center that is open 365 days out of the year?

To be fully staffed with volunteers, it takes 85 volunteers a week! That does not include special events and programs.

The USO is a family of volunteers,sustained by the charitable contributions of millions of generous Americans.

Are you looking for a way to give back to your community, learn your new installation, or meet new people? USO Fort Campbell would love to have you on their volunteer team. If you would like to join the team to be a force behind the forces, please visit volunteers.uso.org and register today!

All USO events are for our Active Duty/Guard/Reserve Service members and their families and are offered FREE of charge.

The USO says the events are their way of saying thank you to them for their service.

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Easter is a perfect holiday to dedicate your next few crafting sessions to.

When you think of the day, you typically imagine bright pastel colors, eggs, furry little creatures, and more. Children are so drawn to these elements that creating these crafts are a match made in heaven.

So, break out your paint and glue, it is time to get your hands dirty!

Handprint Bunnies submitted by Brittany W, Emma, and Carter Supplies Needed: Construction Paper White Paint Pink Paint Black Paint Directions: Start by cutting out your desired size of construction paper. Using colors like purple, pink, yellow, or blue will really add to the Easter feeling. Paint your child’s hand with white paint.

Instruct your child to separate their middle and index finger to create the illusion of ears. Place the wet painted hand onto the paper to create a handprint.

Allow the handprints to dry.

Add in the bunny details with the pink and black paint. Let your child get creative with this step.

Their bunny can look however they please.

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3D Paper Eggs

by Krissy R facebook.com/trulyreedcreations/ Supplies Needed: Construction Paper Glue Spray Glue Glitter Directions: Trace egg shapes on construction paper color of choice.

Then cut of egg shapes.

Fold each egg shapes in half.

Gather 5 folded egg shapes. Apply glue to side one of the first egg shapes side and attached to second egg shape side.

Continue to do this until you have reached 5 egg shapes to complete one whole 3D egg. Spray Elmers spray glue and add glitter!

Remember there is so many ways to decorate, let your creative side out and have fun!

On April 22, 2020, the world celebrates Earth Day. People from all across the globe fight for our beautiful planet and try to protect it by spreading environmental awareness. This year is the 50 year anniversary of themovement, and this year’s theme is Climate Action.

If you prefer to stay home and help the Earth in your own way, there are endless possibilities. If you haven’t been in the past, make it your mission to start recycling. Did you know that Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour? Another recycling fact is that recycling a single aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours. Just imagine the impact your family can make in only a months’ time. Also, recyling on post saves money and creates funds for MWR events and programs!

Your family can also dedicate Earth Day to planting a new tree. Trees are being cut down at an alarming rate, and our planet is suffering. Every year, we lose 7 million trees to new construction, fires, and more.

You can help save our trees by planting some of your own. Planting just one tree can produce enough oxygen in one year to keep a family of four breathing.

How cool is that?

Do your part in helping to save our planet. Even the smallest act can make an impact. For more information on Earth Day, visit www.earthday.org

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Up to $4000 for Career Training with Army Credentialing Assistance Program by: Jennifer Hartman, ProTrain, LLC

The Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) program provides up to $4000 in funding to active duty Soldiers for courses and exams leading to an industry-recognized academic or vocational credential. This voluntary program allows current soldiers to pursue civilian credentials, licenses, and certifications to enhance skills in an area beyond their military occupational specialty (MOS).

Credentialing is important for career advancement while serving in the Army, and a smooth transition into civilian employment once a military career has ended.

Credentials, which come with a certificate, license or certification, combine military training and experience into opportunities that improve Army readiness, enhance career advancement, and provide Soldiers with skills that translate into civilian occupations.

Credentialing Assistance will pay up to $4000 for all necessary books, supplies, and associated materials required for an approved training course that leads to an industry-recognized credential, those of which can be found on the Army COOL website.

To be eligible to participate in the Credentialing Assistance Program soldiers must:meet basic Federal Tuition Assistance eligibility requirements cannot be flagged under provisions of AR 600-8-2 cannot be a contracted ROTC scholarship cadet or Green to Gold ROTC program cadet must have enough service time remaining to complete the credential before separating from the Army.

Austin Peay State University (APSU), one of the well-known education providers for Ft. Campbell, is heavily involved in supporting the CA program. APSU, in partnership with ProTrain, is offering Soldiers 35+ HRC ACES approved credential courses with their certification exams. All 35+ approved programs offered by APSU align with Army COOL high demand occupations. Approved courses include programs in Healthcare, Information Technology, Office Administration, and more. Certificate holders in these areas account for more than 90% of high demand careers with top pay.

Soldiers with questions about the CA program and eligibility should contact their servicing Army education center/office. You can find a list of centers/offices at the GoArmyEd Education Center or visit .

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