West Virginia Family Magazine March/April 2013

WEST VIRGINIA

FAMILY

M A G A Z I N E

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Volume 7/Issue 2 March/April 2013

7th Annual Summer Camps & Programs Guide

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E D I S IN

Summer Camp

5

Reasons Your Child Needs Camp

5 New Celebrations Your Family Will Love

Earth Day

14 Ways to Celebrate

- see det Cover Photo Contest

ails inside

20 se e p a g es 1 3 s g n ti is L p m Ca

The Physicians of St. Joseph’s Cardiology

Yaser Kalash, MD Jamie Cox, PA-C 304-460-7979

General Surgery

Susan Long, MD Sean Barnett, PA-C Salvatore Lanasa, MD Kaitlyn Schalker, PA-C 304-473-2303

Gynecology & Obstetrics Ilan D. Bornstein, MD J. Michael Rollins, MD 304-473-2300 Kimberly Farry, MD Priya Sundaram, MD Keely Burnside, PA-C Cindy Bailey, CNM Sue Owen, CNM Kathryn Robinson, CNM 304-472-7473

Internal Medicine Bartley Brown, DO 304-473-2199

Buckhannon, WV

Urology

Douglas McKinney, MD 304-460-7901

Orthopedics

James J. Kim, MD 304-473-6810

Family Practice

Sara Chua, DO 304-473-2305 Stephanie Frame, DO 304-460-7933 Elaine Kirchdoerfer, MD 304-460-7905 Michael Kirk, MD 304-460-7960 Clyde Mitchell, MD 304-472-7782 Gerard O’Loughlin, DO Amanda Snyder, PA-C 304-473-2202

Hospitalists

Stephen Groves, MD H. George Hebard, MD Dan Stalnaker, PA-C

www.stj.net

Sometimes

even a healthy baby

will cry for hours.

Stay calm try to soothe your baby.

If you’re frustrated, make sure your baby is safe, then walk away.

NEVER shake a baby.

You could cause serious permanent injury. www.healthybabieswv.com

Children’s Hospital

Learn how to soothe a crying baby at www.purplecrying.info/

P.eople U.nited for R.escue & R.ehabilitation P.U.R.R. West Virginia Inc.

West Virginia Family Magazine  www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Too often cats are not valued in our rescue system. P.U.R.R. is changes reality for cats and kittens everyday, by giving them the care and value they deserve. Your donations will help us help them!

Every Donation Helps!

Please Give A Gift of Life!

help@purrwv.org www.purrwv.org March/April 2013

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Contents March/April 2013

WEST VIRGINIA

FAMILY

FAMILY MATTERS

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Publisher's Note No More "Empty Nest" Annual Summer Camps & Programs Guide Should Families Be Thinking About Summer Camp?

You Bet! 5 Reasons Your Child Needs Camp Keeping Camp Costs Budget-friendly How to Effectively Communicate With Your Teen Family Talk: Getting Families to Talk

FAMILY CONTESTS

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Cover Photo Contest National Red Ribbon Contest Winners

P.U.R.R. WV

FAMILY PETS

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FAMILY & HOME 21 28

A Simple Spring Cleaning Plan "What's For Dinner?"

M A G A Z I N E www.WVFamilyOnline.com

A Trusted Family Magazine Since 2006 Publisher/Editor Carla Cosner

Contributing Writers

Christina Katz, Janny Johnson, Heather Lee Leap, Kim Seidel, David Stauth, Lara Krupicka West Virginia Family is a FREE bi-monthly magazine serving families in the North Central West Virginia area. WV Family has a circulation of 15,000 copies with more than 375 highly visible distribution points, including schools, bookstores, libraries, doctor offices, malls, visitor centers, daycares, and more. WV Family has a 98% read rate, with over 30,000 readers.

The views expressed by writers and advertisers, do not reflect the views of the publication or staff. Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of information, products, or services. West Virginia Family reserves the right to edit or reject any materials for any reason. Neither the advertisers nor the publisher will be responsible for misinformation, typographical errors, omissions, etc., herein contained. The articles in West Virginia Family are provided for informational purposes only. For further information, please seek the opinion of the professionals of your choice.

Please call or email for deadlines for Ads, Family Calendar, Resource listings, and/or to request a Media kit/Rate sheet for display ad rates. For Writer Guidelines please email for information.

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

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Activity Finder - Searchable Data Resource 14 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Family-friendly Calendar 5 New Celebrations Your Family Will Love

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Volunteering Hits Five-year High Study Strategies Student Book Reviewers Clean Plate Syndrome Books, Books, Books Editor’s Picks - Earth Day

QUICK BITS

WV Family Magazine P.O. Box 107 Buckhannon, WV 26201 PHONE: 304-472-4528 FAX: 304-472-4594 EDITOR: editor@WVFamilyMagazine.com SALES: info@WVFamilyMagazine.com CIRCULATION: carla@WVFamilyMagazine.com

ONLINE www.WVFamilyOnline.com

www.Facebook.com/WVFamilyMagazine Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission.

Names, addresses, phone numbers, emails or such that are submitted for contests are never shared with any third party.

ON THE COVER:

Cover Kid Tanner Hardman of Buckhannon, WV Photograph by WV Family Magazine March/April 2013

Printed by:

www.mtecwv.edu

 Zumba Toning  Aerobics  Zumba Sentao 

March/April 2013

West Virginia Family Magazine  www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Registration is currently being held at MTEC 1000 Mississippi St. Morgantown Monday – Thursday from 1 – 7pm and Friday from 8:30 – 2pm

Pilates  Ballroom Dancing  Seniorcize  Zumba Toning

Ballroom Dancing  Seniorcize  Zumba Toning  Pilates

 Zumba Toning  Aerobics  Zumba Sentao 

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WV Family Magazine

2013 Cover Photo Contest FREE

is just around the corner!

Will your kids be bored?

Family WV Central North

WV Family Magazine is looking for great cover shots; and we encourage parents, caregivers, family members, and photograpers to submit photos.

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Enter today!

It is Free and Simple!

Deadline for Entries: March 30, 2013

Photo by Main Stre

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Photo by Ma

Photo by C.Cosner

Cover Photo Contest Rules

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

Please read contest rules carefully.

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• We are seeking photos that are high resolution (300 dpi or higher) with crisp and clear images. Photos should have good lighting and great color. We accept jpg, tif, or pdf.

• Cover photos must be vertical, like a magazine cover (see samples above).

• Please do not crop the photos. We need plenty of room at the top and sides for editorial content - see sample cover shots in this ad. (Tip: when you think you have a perfect shot, take a giant step backwards.)

• Photographed children should be between the ages of 0-17 years old.

• Photographed children must be WV residents.

• Photos should be recent photos - taken within the past 12 months!

• Only natural photos will be accepted. No costumes or glamour shots. No photoshop touchups. No school photos.

• If your photo is chosen to be on a cover of WV Family Magazine you will be asked to sign a photo release form - allowing us to use your photo. If the photo was taken by a professional photographer, you must include a photo release form from the photographer at the time of submission. (This can be mailed, faxed, or scanned and emailed to us.)

• The legal guardian(s) of the child(ren) in the photo will be asked to sign a parent consent form if an entry is chosen.

• Family and sibling photos are welcome. Photos with a pet are welcome.

• Semi-Finalists will be featured in the May/Jun 2013 issue of West Virginia Fam ily Magazine. Winners will be featured on the cover of an upcoming issue of West Virginia Family Magazine.

• The composition and final cover design are at the discretion of the publisher of WV Family Magazine.

WEST VIRGINIA

FAMILY

M A G A Z I N E

Submission Guidelines: Submit your entry by emailing your photo to Carla@WVFamilyMagazine.com (We will send you a confirmation email upon receipt.) Be sure to put “Cover Photo Contest” in the subject box.

Include as text in your email: Name of the child(ren), age, name of parent/ guardian, your name, your relationship to the child, your address, phone number, and email address.

Names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, etc.... that are submitted for contests are never shared with any third party.

Now in our 7th Year of serving families and businesses in North Central WV.

March/April 2013

From the publisher

I am so proud to announce that this is our 7th year of West Virginia Family Magazine.

This year we bring some wonderful changes that we know you will love. West Virginia Family is an award-winning magazine that has received recognition in recent years for editorial excellence and for its service to WV families and communities. Each issue of this excellent family resource provides articles and news on health, safety, and education, as well as special directories and guides such as the Annual Summer Camp Guide (in this issue!), the Back–to-School Guide, the Holiday Gift Guide, and the Family Health Guide. Later this year we will be adding an Annual Baby Guide!

In addition to over 375 distribution locations across Central and North Central WV, West Virginia Family Magazine can also be found in its entirety online at www.WVFamilyMagazine.com. Our digital flip-page version is an interactive 3D version which allows you to turn pages, increase page size, print pages, and includes a click-through link directing you to our advertisers' websites.

Also online is a PDF version – for those smart device users who like technology at their fingertips through their smart phones, tablets, and other smart devices.

I would also like to extend the invitation to readers to participate in our Cover Photo Contest. We are looking for high quality photos of children or families to be on our cover for the upcoming year.

It is free to enter and open to everyone, just follow the guidelines on page 6 for submitting your photo. The deadline for entries is March 30. Semi-finalists will be announced in the May/June issue.

Thank you for reading WV Family!  Carla Cosner, Publisher

Tell them you saw their ad in WV Family Magazine!

For graduation rates, median debt, and other important info, visit our website: �������������

Medical Coding Enrolling Now!

Medical Assistant

Apply Online

Dental Assistant

(304) 366-8142 888-999-1602

Pharmacy Tech.

oicfmt@oicwv.org

Suffering from arthritis, injury, or muscle aches?

We offer aquatic therapy in 92º water for your winter aches and pains.

Call today to learn about the benefits of Aquatic Therapy.

MEMORIAL PHYSICAL THERAPY

(304) 329-1256 March/April 2013

West Virginia Family Magazine  www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Starting with this issue, we will be publishing bi-monthly (every other month). We welcome Shweiki Media as our new printer.

With their expertise, professional commitment to quality, and great customer service, we are proud to have the opportunity to partner with them as we go into our seventh year of serving WV communities. We would like to give notice to our new 8” x 10” format and sixty pound premium glossy paper with #3 brightness all the way through. We will offer the same great news and articles by experts and award-winning authors, now in a more practical size and more appealing to the eyes and to the touch. The copies that our readers hold onto for future reference, now is even more durable to last longer.

Included in this issue is our 7th Annual Summer Camps & Programs Guide and Directory. This feature has become a staple of our publication - each year bringing an array of summer camps and programs for parents to choose from. You will also find tips on choosing a camp, ways to help meet camp costs, and more.

Also check out our Online Camp Fair at www.WVFamilyMagazine.com for more camp choices, with click-through links helping you connect to the camp of your choice. Our Online Camp Fair is available all year, so please visit it anytime.

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No More

"Empty Nest”

Middle-aged Adults Face Family Pressure on Both Sides

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

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he “empty nest” of past generations, in which the kids are grown up and middle-aged adults have more time to themselves, has been replaced in the United States by a nest that’s full – kids who can’t leave, can’t find a job and aging parents who need more help than ever before. According to a new study by researchers at Oregon State University, what was once a life stage of new freedoms, options and opportunities has largely disappeared.

An economic recession and tough job market has made it hard on young adults to start their careers and families. At the same time, many older people are living longer, which adds new and unanticipated needs that their children often must step up to assist with.

The end result, researchers suggest, are “empty nest” plans that often have to be put on hold, and a mixed bag of emotions, ranging from joy and “happy-to-help” to uncertainty, frustration and exhaustion.

“We mostly found very positive feelings about adults helping their children in the emerging adulthood stage of life, from around ages 18 to 30,” said Karen Hooker, director of the OSU Center for Healthy Aging Research.

“Feelings about helping parents weren’t so much negative as just filled with more angst and uncertainty,” Hooker said. “As a society we still don’t socialize people to expect to be taking on a parent-caring role, even though most of us will at some point in our lives. The average middle-aged couple has more parents than children.”

The findings of this research were just published in the Journal of Aging Studies, and were based on data from six focus groups during 2009-10. It was one of the first studies of its type to look at how middle-aged adults actually feel about these changing trends.

Various social, economic, and cultural forces have combined to radically challenge the traditional concept of an empty nest, the scientists said. The recession that began in 2008 yielded record unMarch/April 2013

By David Stauth

employment, substantial stock market losses, lower home values and increased demand for higher levels of education. Around the same time, advances in health care and life expectancy have made it possible for many adults to live far longer than they used to – although not always in good health, and often needing extensive care or assistance.

This study concluded that most middle-aged parents with young adult children are fairly happy to help them out, and they understand that getting started in life is simply more difficult now.

Some research has suggested that age 25 is the new 22; that substantially more parents now don’t even expect their kids to be financially independent in their early 20s, and don’t mind helping them through some difficult times.

The dual demands of children still transitioning to independence, and aging parents who need increasing amounts of care is causing many of the study participants to re-evaluate their own lives. Some say they want to make better plans for their future so they don’t pose such a burden to their children, and begin researching long-term care insurance. Soul-searching is apparent.

“I don’t care if I get old,” a participant said. “I just don’t want to become debilitated. So I would rather have a shorter life and a healthy life than a long life like my mom, where she doesn’t have a life. She doesn’t have memories. Our memories are what make us who we are.”

An increasing awareness of the challenges produced by these new life stages may cause more individuals to anticipate their own needs, make more concrete plans for the future, reduce ambivalent approaches and have more conversations with families about their own late-life care, the researchers said in their study.  About the OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences: The College creates connections in teaching, research and community outreach while advancing knowledge, policies and practices that improve population health in communities across Oregon and beyond.

School-Based Health Centers . . . . . healthy children make better students

Braxton County Braxton County Middle School Braxton County High School Harrison County Lost Creek Elementary South Harrison Middle School South Harrison High School West Milford Elementary Pocahontas County Green Bank Elementary/Middle Marlinton Elementary Pocahontas County High School Upshur County Academy Elementary Buckhannon-Upshur High School French Creek Elementary

Community Care's School-Based Health Services focus on a wide variety of Pediatric care. In the schools, we provide comprehensive pediatric care for children in pre-K through high school. Our medical personnel provide a family centered approach to improving the health and well-being of children. Research shows that healthy children perform better in the classroom.

School-Based Health Services (including, but not limited to)

Vaccinations and immunizations Childhood infections Well-Child exams Chronic illnesses such as asthma, allergies, diabetes, obesity, sickle cell anemia and seizures Accidents and injuries Attention Deficit Disorder (diagnosis and treatment) Nutrition counseling School and sports physicals

Community Care of West Virginia is now the largest School-Based Health organization in West Virginia! We now serve sixteen (16) schools in five (5) counties (Braxton, Clay, Harrison, Pocahontas & Upshur).

www.communitycarewv.org March/April 2013

West Virginia Family Magazine ď Ź www.WVFamilyOnline.com

School-Based Health Center Enrollment Packets and consent forms are available on our website at www.communitycarewv.org. We look forward to partnering with you and your community schools in helping to achieve healthier students. We invite you to visit our website to learn more.

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 QUICK BITS Volunteering Among Americans Hits Five-Year High Parents Of School-Aged Children Volunteer At Higher Rate Than Overall Population

A new national study shows that Americans significantly increased their commitment to volunteering and civic engagement in recent years, with the national volunteer rate reaching a fiveyear high.

The report finds that parents between the ages of 26 and 50 with school-aged children volunteered at a significantly higher rate than non-parents in this age range, with volunteering rates for parents peaking at nearly 1 in 2 parents (46%) in their late 40s.

Among working mothers, the volunteer rate is nearly 40 percent. Schools and other youth service organizations are the most popular places for parents to volunteer. More than 40 percent (43.1%) of parents volunteered at one of these places.

Overall, 64.3 million Americans (more than one in four adults) volunteered

through a formal organization last year, an increase of 1.5 million from the previous year. The 7.9 billion hours these individuals volunteered is valued at $171 billion. The top volunteer activities included fundraising or selling items to raise money (26.2%); collecting, preparing, distributing, or serving food (23.6%); engaging in general labor or transportation (20.3%); tutoring or teaching (18.2%).

In addition to this formal volunteering, two out of three Americans (65.1% or 143.7 million individuals) volunteered informally by doing favors for and helping out their neighbors, an increase of 9.5 percentage points from last year.

Among other key findings, almost half of Americans (44.1%) actively participated in civic, religious, and school groups.

“Volunteering and civic engagement are the cornerstone of a strong nation,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of The Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that supports and strengthens volunteering through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs, which collectively engaged 3.7 million Americans in volunteering in 2011. “Hurricane Sandy provides a prime example of the importance of people working together, with volunteers throughout the Northeast and elsewhere in the country stepping up to support recovery and relief efforts. When volunteers and residents come together, it has a positive and powerful impact on a community.”  “Volunteering and Civic Life in America”, a report issued by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) in partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC).

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

West Virginia Students Win National Red Ribbon Contest

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The Kinder Family from West Virginia won a $1,000 Drug-Prevention Grant for their Milton Middle School and an iPad for their Home.

The National Family Partnership (NFP) announced the winners of the 2012 National Red Ribbon Photo Contest: “The Best Me Is Drug Free.”

The nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention campaign reaches more than 80 million people nationwide every year since 1985.

Families got involved by entering a contest to promote awareness in their neighborhoods and win a drug prevention grant for their schools.

“As schools across America celebrated Red Ribbon Week, our contest helped students take the message home,” said March/April 2013

Peggy Sapp, NFP’s volunteer president.

“By entering the contest and decorating their homes together, families carried the message to their communities.”

Grace Kinder (age 13, 8th grade, Milton Middle School), Students from Sarah Kinder (age 8, 2nd grade, Ona Elementary School) throughout the Unit- and Caroline Kinder (age 11, 6th grade), designed the Red ed States entered the Ribbon Week door decoration. contest by decorating DEA Special Agent Enrique their homes together with their ‘Kiki’ Camarena, who made the parents - mailboxes, front doors ultimate sacrifice to keep our and fences. Parents uploaded communities safe.” photos to www.RedRibbon.org, In 1985 after the murder of then friends and family voted DEA agent Camarena, parents, and the entries with the most youth and teachers in communivotes won (from ten regions ties across the country began across the U.S. including every wearing Red Ribbons as a symstate). bol of their commitment to raise DEA Administrator Michele awareness of the destruction M. Leonhart says, “Red Ribbon caused by drugs.  Week® is also when we honor

ACTIVITY FINDER

How Much Fun Can You Fit Into An Hour?

The Activity Finder by the National Wildlife Federation is a searchable data resource website for parents. With Activity Finder, you can quickly filter through a wide range of activity ideas to help you connect with nature.

Sort the ideas by child’s age, time available, cost, and other filters to find the activities that will most interest you and your family. Use activity finder to get the most out of your time to play outdoors, watch wildlife, and discover the wonder of nature. http://www.nwf.org/ActivityFinder.aspx 

LitPick Website Is Seeking Student Book Reviewers

Does your child like to read or needs some encouragement to read? LitPick is a fun and exciting online community that allows students to evaluate the latest books. LitPick is seeking student book reviewers in grades fourth through college to help review the hundreds of submissions currently available. It is a great activity for any student to keep their academic skills sharp during any weekend, holiday, or extended break from school.

Students may sign up as a student reviewer at LitPick, www.litpick.com. Membership to review print and eBooks is $15 per year to cover postage/administration costs.

(Membership to review eBooks only is free.) Reviewers are asked to choose a book and write a two paragraph review once they have read their selected book. Reviewers get to keep all of the books they review, and they are also invited to participate in special promotions and giveaways. Forums are set up for authors to interact with their fans as well.

Sponsoring students to review for LitPick is a great way for teachers, homeschoolers, or librarians to enrich current lesson plans - membership rate is cut in half for educators who sign up 5 or more students.

LitPick was founded by Seth Cassel and his father. When Seth was in the fourth grade he was an avid book reader. He began posting reviews to a website his father created. As the website grew in popularity, more authors and publishers began requesting reviews, and the Cassels began recruiting students to assist them. Seth is now a senior at Harvard. For more information about LitPick, please contact LitPick LLC, Ruxton Towers Suite 104, 8415 Bellona Lane, Baltimore, Maryland 21204, or contact the LitPick staff at team@litpick.com. 

Which Study Strategies Make the Grade?

Practice testing and distributed practice — made the grade, receiving the highest overall utility rating.

Flash cards and answering the questions at the end of a textbook chapter prove effective.

Research also found that spreading out your studying over time and quizzing yourself on material before the big test are highly effective learning strategies. Both techniques have been shown to boost students’ performance across many different kinds of tests, and their effectiveness has been repeatedly demonstrated for students of all ages.

In contrast, techniques which received a low utility rating from the researchers, and yet are some of the most common learning strategies used by students, include summarization, highlighting and underlining, and rereading. 

According to John Hopkins Hospital, parents should avoid the “clean plate syndrome.” Forcing your child to eat all the food on his/her plate even when he/she is not hungry is not a good habit. It teaches children to eat just because the food is there, not because he/she is hungry.

This can lead to a lifetime of problems with overeating, overweight, and health risks.

Unfornunately many parents today were brought up in a generation where their own parents had lived through many economic hard times where nothing was wasted.

Experts suggest eating only until you are full and then stop. If your family finds this impossible, try to serve smaller helpings. Understandably, they may protests at the thought of you trying to “starve” them. Simply ask them to eat what they have and then wait a few minutes before getting seconds. Chances are, the brain will receive the signals from the stomach that it is full and they will not want seconds afterall. Also make a new dinner rule to leave one bite on your plate at the end of each meal. This is step showing will power against overeating - a step toward a healthier you.  March/April 2013

West Virginia Family Magazine  www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Students everywhere, put down those highlighters and pick up some flashcards! Some of the most popular study strategies — such as highlighting and even rereading — don’t show much promise for improving student learning, according to a new report published in Psychological Science in the Public Interest, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

Parents Should Avoid the Clean Plate Syndrome

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Family Pets P.U.R.R. West Virginia P.U.R.R. is a No Kill, all volunteer, cat only shelter/rescue that is saving lives and making the world a more humane place one kitty at a time. As a volunteer nonprofit animal rescue and rehabilitation program, PURR’s efforts rely on the generosity of friends who love the work they do. The funds raised helps P.U.R.R. pay for spaying/neutering of cats and kittens that come into their care.

Their dreams are big and their paws are little! With your help they can change the reality of felines everywhere! Your donations go directly to the cats and kittens that P.U.R.R. West Virginia helps!

P.U.R.R. is a registered 501(c)3 organization, so your donations are tax deductible.

P.U.R.R prides itself on having well adjusted, socialized kitties ready for a place in your heart and home. All kitties have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, tested, wormed and micro-chipped.

There’s no better time to add a new member to your family with one of these special P.U.R.R. babies.

Ready to adopt but can’t make the adoption event? Adopt at Eastern Pet Supply in Bridgeport, WV Every Day! The P.U.R.R.

shelter is located in Grafton, WV. Please email help@ PURRWV.ORG or call 304265-4671 for an appointment to visit all their wonderful P.U.R.R babies. P.U.R.R. has kittens and cats of all ages, shapes, colors and sizes.

Want a de-clawed kitty?

P.U.R.R. has them, too.

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

and… Camps?!

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www.heritagefarmmuseum.com 3300 Harvey Road, Huntington, WV 25704

March/April 2013

• $5.00 for a flea/worm treatment for one month for one P.U.R.R. baby.

• $10.00 gives first and booster vaccine to one P.U.R.R. baby.

• $15.00 tests one P.U.R.R. baby for FeLV/FIV (All our cats are tested.)

• $25.00 feeds a P.U.R.R. baby for one month.

• $65.00 alters one P.U.R.R. baby, and prevents a possible 200,000 kittens in that cats lifetime!

• $100.00 tests, vaccinates, deparasites and alters one P.U.R.R. baby!

What do animals, museums, adventures and a campfire have in common? One thing – they are each found in a Heritage Farm camp or retreat at Heritage Farm Museum & Village in Huntington, WV!

FARM MUSEUM & VILLAGE

Email us at: hfmv@comcast.net or call at 304-522-1244 and reserve a date for a camp or retreat that you will never forget!

Supplies needed include: paper towels, 30 gallon black trash bags, white kitchen trash bags, Lysol wipes, hand sanitizer, towels, blankets, and more.

Monetary donations

Can’t commit to adopting a kitty? Families and children are invited to the P.U.R.R. shelter to pet and play with the cats and kittens. Kitty Petting is on Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8 p.m. Cats and kittens need petting and socialization to get them ready for their forever homes. Donations can also Go to www.purrwv.org for an be dropped off during this easy link to donate using PayPal. time and volunteers are welcome to assist with many duties. P.U.R.R. WV, Inc. 306 Beech Street, Grafton, WV. 

Heritage

It’s true! The Farm is growing and adopting another facet for learning from our Appalachian Heritage – Camps, Conferences and Retreats! Schedule a camp where you control the details or you can let us take care of your programming! Either way, you stay in a heated and air conditioned 1800’s Dairy Barn (50 person overnight capacity!)

Your Donation Helps

Our tours, wagon rides, fire-pit, walking trails and WIFI ready Barn make us a truly unique and amazing venue for learning from your past, appreciating your present and dreaming for a brighter future!

Barn Conference & Retreat Center • 9,000 sq. feet • Five meeting rooms • Two large bunk rooms

• WiFi and cable TV • Twelve showers/ toilets • Full-appliance kitchen

Phone: (304) 522-1244 Fax: (304) 523-6115 www.heritagefarmmuseum.com 3300 Harvey Road • Huntington, WV • 25704

All you have to do is call and choose your date for a camp, conference or retreat experience like no other!

Looking for a quiet, private and beautiful place for a small group, family or perhaps a couples retreat? Rent one of our four antique-decorated private log homes or a restored farm house (all with heat, A/C and modern conveniences!) and make memories to last a lifetime!

Summer Camps & Programs Directory Special advertising section

Check out our Online Camp Fair with click-through links to camp websites at www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Pull-out Directory



West Virginia Family Magazine’s PULL-OUT DIRECTORY (Pull it out and Save it!)

7th Annual

Summer Camps & Programs Guide and Directory MANY QUALITY CAMPS & PROGRAMS TO CHOOSE FROM!

See pages 13 - 20

his directory is a special advertising section, with information provided by each camp or program. With our camp listings, accompanying advertisements, and our ONLINE CAMP FAIR at www.WVFamilyOnline.com (convenient click-through to camp websites), this directory is designed to make your search easy and informed. Camps tend to fill up early. If you haven't started looking, now's the time to make calls, check references, and visit camps. More than 11 million kids and adult staff will attend camp this summer, according to the American Camp Association.

This listing has been compiled by WV Family Magazine to assist you. It is for information only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of facilities, accommodations, or services. While every effort is made to insure the accuracy of information in this listing, it is recommended that you contact these programs to check dates, availability, and to request registration information. WV Family Magazine is not liable for damages arising out of errors or omissions.

Continued on page 15

Tell them you saw them in WV Family Magazine!

2013

online CAMP fair West Virginia Family

Many quality summer camps and programs to choose from, with a click-through link to camp websites for more details, watch a camp video, or register online.

http://www.wvfamilyonline.com/online_camp_fair.html March/April 2013

West Virginia Family Magazine  www.WVFamilyOnline.com

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Pull-out Directory

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Summer Camps & Programs Directory Special advertising section

Check out our Online Camp Fair with click-through links to camp websites at www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Should families be thinking about summer camp?

YOU BET!

When should families start the camp selection process?

What are some of the camp options to consider?

The earlier the better! The sooner a family begins searching, the more time they have to evaluate multiple camps, speak with camp directors, and take advantage of any special pricing or early bird offers provided by camps. Some camps have limited enrollment and fill up before May.

Is a day camp or resident (overnight) camp more appropriate for the child involved?

Will the child be more comfortable in a single-sex or co-ed camp? Families can visit ACA’s parent resource site for information on gauging a child’s readiness and selecting the right camp.

What are some of the best ways for families to do their research?

How can parents be assured of a camp’s commitment to health and safety?

Choosing a camp should be a shared process for the whole family. WV Family Magazine has been providing an Annual Summer Camps & Programs Guide since 2007 which includes a special advertising section for camps and a directory listing. Our special section of camps is in this issue on pages 1320 and will be in our May/June issue also.

Be sure to check both issues, as some camps may be featured in one and not the other.

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

www.campsandycove.org

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WV Family also provides an Online Camp Fair at www.WVFamilyOnline.com which is available from March 2013 thru the end of February 2014. Our Online Camp Fair provides camp listings with contact information and a clickable link to take you straight to the camp’s website where you can contact camp officials, watch a video, register online, and more.

Families also can research online to learn what opportunities are available. The American Camp Association (ACA) offers a family resource site, www.CampParents.org, which has “Find A Camp”, a searchable database of ACA’s 2,400 accredited camps.

Other ways to learn about great camp possibilities is to seek recommendations from friends, consult faith communities or community centers, and attend local camp fairs.

ACA offers a special ACA-Accreditation® of camps. There are over 2400 ACA-accreditied camps available. These camps undergo a thorough review, and have met up to 300 health and safety standards. ACAAccredition camps can be found at www.

ACAcamps.org.

For local camps and programs, parents should research the organization and facilities, ask questions about director’s background, training of counselors, how the camp handles meals, travel, discipline problems, special needs, and more. Find a time when you can visit the camp, meet the staff, and talk to parent references.

What about camp as a gift for birthdays or the holidays?

For a unique gift this year that doesn’t involve boxes or batteries, friends and family can consider giving the Gift of Camp. Camp provides extraordinary learning opportunities, lasting memories, an opportunity to unplug and connect with nature, and a chance to just be a kid. Camp will provide memories that will last a lifetime and can change lives.

Information compiled by WV Family Magazine in cooperation with American Camp Association.

March/April 2013

Summer Camps & Programs Directory Special advertising section

Summer Day Camps Library Summer Programs

Residential Camps Classes/Workshops

American Camp Association www.acacamps.org ACA is a comprehensive summer camp resource for families – offering expert advice from camp professionals on camp selection, readiness, child and youth development, and issues of importance to families. ACA helps you find the right camp for every child. Visit ACA’s New “Find a Camp” search. See ad on page 18.

Born to Sing Showchoir & Friends St. Paul School of Music, LIFE UMC, 1564 Mary Lou Retton Drive, Fairmont, WV. email: anschooley@mteer.com June 24-28. 3:30-7:00 p.m daily. Ages 5 – 14. Experienced and beginners. All styles of music. Work with other singers who have the passion and interest to sing. Work with microphone techniques, learn stage moves and voice production, get rid of stage fright, work with well-known directors and voice teachers, and have a great time. Excellent instructors. Come join the fun. See ad on page 16.

Bridgeport Public Library Summer Reading Program

1200 Johnson Ave, Bridgeport, WV. 304-842-8248 www.bridgeportwv.com/library.cfm Registration beginning in May. Activities will be on scheduled each week beginning the first week in June through the end of July. Activities available for birth thru 15 years old. Finale at end of the program - TBA. Theme: “Dig Into Reading!”

Camp Alleghany - A Summer Camp for Girls Lewisburg, WV. 1-877-446-9475 www.campalleghany.com Camp Alleghany for Girls emphasizes character development through experiencing new activities without distractions. A magical place where girls learn, achieve, succeed, and make friends for life. Establised in 1922 - the oldest girls’ camp in the Virginia’s. See ad on page 17.

Camp Sandy Cove (Winter address) 60 Sandy Cove Road, North East, MD 21901. (Winter phone: 443-674-9454). (Summer address) Rt. 1 Box 471 High View, WV 26808. (Summer phone: 304-856-2959). www.campsandycove.org. Camp Sandy Cove, a Christian camp for 7-15 year old kids, offers horses, circus trapeze, archery, mountain boarding, skateboarding, drama, tennis, swimming, air riflery and more! Camp sessions offered weekly from June 23 - August 11 (Sunday to Sunday). See ad on page 14.

Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library 404 West Pike Street,

Clarksburg, WV. 304-627-2236 or visit http://clark.lib.wv.us/ The theme for this year is “Dig Into Reading!” Summer reading programs are offered for school age children. A program for tweens and teens is also available. For more information, call the library.

Elkins-Randolph County Public Library 416 Davis Ave, El-

kins, WV. 304-637-0287 http://elkins.lib.wv.us/ Summer Reading Program for children- grades K-5th grade. Dates and times TBA.

Horse Camp for ages 7-16

Enrollment is limited.

Reserve your spot early.

Sunny Creek Stables July 8-12

For more information, call Helen Dionne at 304-472-5249

Students will learn about horse/barn safety, feeding, grooming, horse health & care, and riding. A presentation of skills and riding abilities at the end of the week for friends and family. $300 ($50 non-refundable deposit due upon reservation).

Camp Lincoln—Conservative Youth Leadership Camp Camp Lincoln is a conservative youth leadership camp for young leaders, ages 1418. The camp is held at Camp Caesar in Webster County and this year will be held held Sunday, July 78 –- Saturday, Saturday,July July13.

14. Camp Lincoln, celebrating its 40th 41st anniversary, Sunday, July has a tradition of being a fun, educational experience. Campers participate in many activities, including athletic events, games, leadership development activities, and a variety of seminars ranging from U.S. history and government through critical thinking skills. Camp Lincoln is designed to educate young West Virginians about the workings of our two-party system and to build leadership skills for the future. It is a week where many friendships are forged and young people can have a unique experience based on meaningful activities in a summer camp setting.

www.camplincolnwv.org

51th season of

NATURE CAMP

at Burgundy Center for the Wildlife Studies

in Capon Bridge, WV

Ages 11-15 June - August Ages 8-10 August

• Small groups • Dynamic, knowledgeable staff • American Camping Association accredited For more information

703-842-0470 or http://burgundycenter.org 3700 Burgundy Road, Alexandria, VA 22303

Fairmont State University Summer Camps 1201 Locust Avenue, Fairmont, WV 26554. 304-367-4892 www.fairmontstate.edu/ academyarts . FSU Academy of the Arts is offering week-long, half day, non-residential camps in the following areas: show choir, creative writing, studio art, acting for teens, beginning clogging, intermediate and advanced percussive dance,modern dance, folk dance, French. Morning and afternoon camps can be combined for a day-long experience. Private music instruction available. Family discount available for multiple camp or lesson enrollments. Summer classes and camps begin in May 2013.

Continued on page 17 March/April 2013

West Virginia Family Magazine  www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Camp Lincoln Cowen, WV. 304-634-2265 www.camplincolnwv.org July 7-13. Camp Lincoln is celebrating its 41st anniversary!

Held annually at Camp Caesar in Webster County, Camp Lincoln is a conservative youth leadership camp for teens ages 14-18. A fun and educational experience, campers participate in many activities, including: athletic events, games, leadership development activities, and seminars in U.S. History and Government. See ad on page 15.

Check out our Online Camp Fair with click-through links to camp websites at www.WVFamilyOnline.com

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Pull-out Directory

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Summer Camps & Programs Directory Special advertising section

www.wvbg.org

Check out our Online Camp Fair with click-through links to camp websites at www.WVFamilyOnline.com

5 Reasons

Your Child Needs Camp

There’s no doubt that summer camp is fun. But there’s much more to camp than just a good time. In addition to fun, parents should be aware of these five reasons their child needs camp.

www.wvuvolleyball.com

SAINT PAUL SCHOOL OF MUSIC Summer Music Camps & Private Music Lessons

Piano, Voice, Guitar & All Instruments

Guitar Camp

Jul 15-19 3:30- 7:00 p.m. ages 8-12

Born to Sing Showchoir & Friends Jun 24-28 3:30-7:00 p.m. ages 5-14

Study for enjoyment, discovery, audition & perfection! All styles taught. Instructors with Masters Degree and beyond. Experienced teachers. anschooley@mteer.com

304-366-3758

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

1564 Mary Lou Retton Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554

16

FAMILY AND IMPLANT DENTISTRY Thomas E. Condron, D.D.S. 234 Court Street Clarksburg, WV 26301

304-623-4984 We Can Make A Difference!

March/April 2013

1. Camp Forever Changes Your Child… For The Better – American Camp Association® (ACA) research has confirmed that camps build skills necessary to prepare campers to assume roles as successful adults. Campers said that camp helped them make new friends (96%), get to know kids who are different from them (93%), feel good about themselves (92%), and try things they were afraid to do at first (74%).

2. Camp Teaches your Child To “Move It, Move It” – Camp provides children the opportunity to try new things and participate in human powered activities. According to surveys by both the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an American child is six times more likely to play a videogame on any given day than to ride a bike. An estimated 22 million of the world’s children under the age of five are already considered obese. According to research conducted by ACA, 63 percent of children who learn new activities at camp tend to continue engaging in these activities after they return home. This leads to continued physical exercise that lasts a lifetime.

3. Camp Keeps All That Hard Work From Going To Waste - Camps understand the critical role they play in helping young people learn and grow. Many offer programs that help reduce summer learning loss, bolster academic enrichment and socialization, provide opportunities for leadership development, and ensure that campers achieve their full potential.

4. Camp Allows Kids To Take A Deep Breath And Feel The Nature – Camp is a great way for your child to unplug from screen time and plug into the world around them. According to a study by two Cornell University environmental psychologists, being close to nature can help boost a child’s attention span. Additionally, a study conducted by the University of Essex in England concluded that nature can help people recover from pre-existing stresses or problems, has an immunizing effect that can protect from future stresses, and helps people to concentrate and think more clearly. In some instances, camp may be the only time a child is in contact with the natural world.

5. Camp Is Fun – It’s true; kids do sing silly songs and play funny games at camp.

Children are allowed to play in a safe and nurturing environment, and are allowed to just be kids. Play is a powerful form of learning that contributes mightily to the child’s health, physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development. According to an American Academy of Pediatrics report, creative free play protects a child’s emotional development and reduces a child’s risk of stress, anxiety, and depression.  American Camp Association

Summer Camps & Programs Directory Special advertising section

Summer Day Camps Library Summer Programs

Check out our Online Camp Fair with click-through links to camp websites at www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Residential Camps Classes/Workshops

Registration forms and calendar will be online soon at www.fairmontstate.edu/academyarts. See ad on page 19.

Five Rivers Public Library Summer Reading Program

301 Walnut Street, Parsons, WV. 304-478-3880 http://fiverivers.lib. wv.us “Dig Into Reading!” is a summer reading program for children up to age 12 (5th grade). Children will enjoy reading, activities, snacks, crafts. Activities available for teens and tweens (grades 5 and up) also.

Dates and times TBA.

Gilmer Public Library Summer Reading 214 Walnut Street,

Glenville, WV. 304-462-5620 Dates and times TBA. For elementary students (K-6). Pre-registration required.

Guitar Camp St. Paul School of Music, LIFE UMC 1564 Mary Lou Retton Drive, Fairmont, WV. anschooley@mteer.com July 15-19 3:30–7:00 p.m. daily. Ages 8-12. Excellent instructors.

Come join the fun. Have a Noteworthy Summer. Don't miss St. Paul Camps. See ad on page 16.

Horse Camp for Ages 7-16 at Sunny Creek Stables, Buckhannon, WV. 304-472-5249 Day camp will be held Monday-Friday, with a presentation of skill and riding abilities at the end of the week for family and friends. July 8-12. Students will learn about horse/barn safety, feeding, grooming, horse care, and riding. $300 with a $50 nonrefundable deposit. Enrollment is limited and spaces fill fast. Enroll early. For more information, call Helen Dionne at 304-472-5249. See page 15.

Marion County Public Library 321 Monroe Street, Fairmont, WV. 304-366-1210 www.marioncountypubliclibrary.org/ Dates and times TBA.

Morgantown Dance Studio Dance Camps & Intensives 5000 Greenbag Road, Morgantown, WV. 304-292-3266 www.morgantowndance.org For children 3-6 years old we offer Leap ’n Learn Dance Camps. For dancers 10 years old and up, we offer Dance Intensives to hone their existing skills and experience new styles of dance. June and July summer evening classes for all ages. August master classes and workshops. See ad on page 18.

 Morgantown Public Library Storytime and Summer Reading 373 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV. 304-291-7425 http://morgantown.lib.wv.us/ Dates and times TBA. Sign-ups at library. For more information, call library.

Nature Camp at Burgundy Center for Wildlife Studies 3700 Burgundy Road, Alexandria, VA 22303 (Winter address). HC 83 Box 38DD, Capon Bridge, WV 26711 (Summer address). 304-856-3758 (camp) / 703-842-0470 (business office) http://burgundycenter.org email: bcws2@earthlink.net Explore West Virginia mountains and experience nature with dynamic, knowledgeable staff. Active days of variety and laughter. Small groups and independent projects, noncompetitive attitude. ACA Accredited. See ad on page 15.

Continued on page 19

Kingwood Public Library 205 W. Main Street, Kingwood, WV. 304-329-1499 http://Kingwood.lib.wv.us Dates to be announced, for children up to age 3- 12. Summer Reading Program for children going into kindergarten through sixth grades. Many activities, games, prizes.

WVU Community Music Program Summer Registration May 20-June 10

304-293-6946

Tell them you saw them in WV Family Magazine!

http://music.wvu.edu/community_ music_program

Celebrating Our 92nd summer!

A mAgicAl plAce where girls leArn, Achieve, succeed And mAke friends for life.

Archery ~ Rifle Swimming ~ Singing Tennis ~ Canoeing Dance ~ Drama Wild World ~ Low Ropes Sports & Fitness Arts & Crafts

Lewisburg, WV 540-898-4782 info@campalleghany.com www.campalleghany.com

www.MyChildCareGuide.com

March/April 2013

West Virginia Family Magazine  www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Louis Bennett Library Summer Reading Program 148 Court Ave, Weston, WV. 304-269-5151 http://louisbennett.lib. wv.us/ Summer reading program for children all ages. The theme for this year’s Summer Reading Program is “Dig Into Reading!” Dates and times TBA.

-The Oldest Girls’ Camp in the VirginiasEsTabLishEd in 1922

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Pull-out Directory

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Summer Camps & Programs Directory Special advertising section

Check out our Online Camp Fair with click-through links to camp websites at www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Keeping Camp Costs Budget-Friendly "I’m a great believer in you don’t have to go to the most expensive camp to have a great camp experience,” says Phil Lilienthal, former camp director of Camp Winnebago in Maine and Global Camps Africa CEO. “If you’re dealing with an experienced and caring staff of camp counselors, you can have a program in a parking lot, and it can be great,” he said.

Meeting camp costs takes a little planning, research, preparing, and creativity, but working your child’s camp experience into your budget, even through tighter economic situations can pro-

vide your child with an experience full of benefits for a lifetime.

Parents looking for budget-friendly camps should keep the following in mind: • Visit individual camp Web sites. Most clearly outline whether or not they offer financial assistance for their campers. Some offer payment plans or discounts.

• Get in touch with social services groups in your community. Also sometimes corporations, hospitals, local banks, will sponsor a child. Ask your place of work too.

• Check with your church or synagogue for sponsorships.

• Contact your area’s regional office of the American Camp Association. Go to www.CampParents.org and click on the Local Offices link at the bottom of the page.

• The American Camp Association (ACA) camp community generates $39 million annually for camp scholarships.

Don’t be afraid to call an ACA member camp director and ask if financial assistance is available.  Information and tips provided by the American Camp Association (ACA). For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.

The benefits of camp extend beyond fun — offering opportunities, inspiring passions, and broadening horizons.

The possibilities are endless.

A place where children and families learn, play, grow and strengthen relationships.

Camp — It’s good for life. www.CampParents.org • 1-800-428-CAMP

Providing Year-Round Services BOC PSA_third-pg ad[6]_HR.indd 4

9/28/2009 11:23:38 AM

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

Get set for Summer !

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June & July

Dance Camps & Intensives

For Children 3-6 we offer Leap ‘n Learn© Dance Camps and for dancers 10 years old and up, Intensives to hone their existing skills and experience new styles of dance Summer evening classes for all ages

August

Master Classes and Workshops

Morgantown Dance Studio

For information or to register call 304-292-3266 or visit us at www.morgantowndance.org www.morgantowndance.org

March/April 2013

(Monday-Friday)

» Educational child care services High quality child care services for children 6 weeks – 12 years. National accreditation through the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).

» Summer Program 5 days/week all summer for school age.

REGISTER NOW! » Home Ties Strengthening Families Center offers parent education and support services. » Mental Health Services for children and adolescents.

Visit us on the web: www.youth-health.org Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yhshome

Youth Health Service, Inc. 971 Harrison Avenue Elkins, WV 26241 304-636-9450 or 1-800-427-2408

Summer Camps & Programs Directory Special advertising section

Summer Day Camps Library Summer Programs

Check out our Online Camp Fair with click-through links to camp websites at www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Residential Camps Classes/Workshops

Philippi Public Library 102 South Main Street, Philippi, WV.

304-457-3495 Summer reading program for children ages 3 to 12.

Participants will be grouped by ages. Three week program. Dates and times TBA. Private Music Lessons at Saint Paul School of Music St. Paul School of Music, LIFE UMC 1564 Mary Lou Retton Drive, Fairmont, WV. anschooley@mteer.com Private lessons are offered for all instruments & voice (guitar, piano, etc... ). Ages 5 - adult. Beginner - advanced. Lessons are given year-round. Registrations accepted anytime. Family rates are available. No waiting lists. Professional, experienced faculty. email: anschooley@mteer.com. Anne Schooley, Director. See ad on page 16.

Sunbeam Early Learning Center 1654 Mary Lou Retton Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554. 304-366-8590 www.sunbeamearlylearningcenter.com 12 week day camp is being offered for children in Kindergarten – 4th Grade. Field trips, educational activities, gardening, exceptional playground and facilities. Please call or visit our website for weekly themes and hours.

Taylor County Public Library 200 Beech Street, Grafton, WV 26354. 304-265-6121 website: taylor.lib.wv.us Summer reading program is available for ages 6-12. Theme is "Dig Into Reading".

Registration will be limited. Dates and times TBA.

S C H OOL O F FINE ARTS

Upshur County Library Summer Reading Club Tennerton Road, Buckhannon, WV. 304-473-4219 http://upshurcounty.lib.wv.us/ Elementary students completing grades K-5. Preschool Storytime offered for ages 3-5. Dates and times TBA.

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Valley Vista Summer Camps Valley Vista camp, Huttonsville, WV.

304-422-4581 www.vvscamp.com Adventure Camp (June 30-July 7) Ages 7-9. Crafts, outdoor activity, horses, and nature exploration.

Swimming lessons provided. Junior Camp (July 7-14) Ages 10-12. Outpost camping, archery, mountain biking, water activities, rope courses, horses, and more. Teen Camp (July 14-21) Ages 13 and up. Variety of outdoor activities including state-of-the-art challenge course, water activities, horses, and choose options such as crafts or baking. Fee $230 per camp. Limited space available. For more information or application, visit www.vvscamp.com or call 304-422-4581.

WOW! Kids Summer Fun The WOW Factory, 3453 University Avenue, Morgantown, WV 304-599-2WOW (2969) www.TheWowFactoryOnline.com Summer art camps and workshops offer experiences in pottery painting, mosaics, glass fusing, and clay!

Visit our website for more information to come.

West Virginia Botanic Garden Summer Nature Camp 1061 Tyrone Road, Morgantown, WV 26508. 304-216-8704 www.wvbg. org. Do you have a child (age 7-10) who loves to spend time outdoors exploring nature? If so, then the Summer Nature Camp at the WV Botanic Garden in Morgantown may be the place for him or her! Campers will spend five days at day camp where they will learn about, explore, and immerse themselves in the natural world around them. Topics include trees, flowers, birds, insects, and more. Older children (12-14) Continued on page 20

Academy of the Arts Building on a tradition of high quality community instruction in music, the Academy for the Arts, launched by the Fairmont State University School of Fine Arts, has expanded to include instruction in theatre, art and dance. The Academy helps beginners prepare to step into the spotlight for the first time and gives advanced students a place to hone their skills and shine.

• Private Music Instruction Available on the Fairmont main campus and at the Gaston Caperton Center in Clarksburg

• Summer Camps Week-long, half-day, non-residential camps are planned in the following areas:

• Show Choir • Creative Writing • Studio Art • Acting for Teens • Beginning Clogging (the basics of modern day percussive dance) • Intermediate and Advanced Percussive Dance • Modern Dance • Folk Dance • French

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Geoffrey Steele, Assistant to the Dean of Fine Arts at (304) 367-4144 or gsteele1@fairmontstate.edu

Morning and afternoon camps can be combined for a day-long experience. Discounts, including a family discount, are available for multiple camps or music lesson enrollments.

Summer classes and camps begin in May 2013.

Registration forms and the calendar will be online soon at

www.fairmontstate.edu/academyarts March/April 2013

West Virginia Family Magazine  www.WVFamilyOnline.com

SUMMER OFFERINGS

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Pull-out Directory

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Summer Camps & Programs Directory Special advertising section

Summer Day Camps Library Summer Programs

Check out our Online Camp Fair with click-through links to camp websites at www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Residential Camps Classes/Workshops

may be interested in becoming a Nature Leader - junior counselor who will assist in teaching and leading activities. June 10-14. See ad on page 16.

Wesleyan Summer Gifted Program West Virginia Wesleyan

College, 59 College Ave, Buckhannon, WV. 304-473-8072 www.wvwc.edu/summergifted A two-week residential camp for gifted and talented youth in grades 5-12. WV’s only camp for the gifted and the most affordable of its kind. June 16-29. Students live in the college

Land 1017 Fairmont Avenue, Fairmont, WV 26554

 Ages 6 weeks to 12 years  Monday through Friday  6 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Before School and After School care

www.learninglandwv.com

Tina Peterman, Director email: tinapeterman@ma.rr.com

Phone: 304-333-0186 Fax: 304-333-0187

dorm, use college facilities, daily planned activities, and advanced classes taught by college professors. Students are grouped by grade level and room with students close to their age. Low student-teacher ratio. Daily recreational and arts activities help foster their social skills and creativity. Registration is open now. See ad on page 20.

WV Gymnastics Training Center Summer Classes 226 Vista Del Rio Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508. 304-292-5559 www.wvgtc.com email: iflip@aol.com WVGTC is a 26,000 square feet state of the art gymnastics training facility. Children's classes for ages 18 months to 18 years. Individualized training. Basic, Novice, and Advanced levels. Summer classes forming. Visit our website for details. See ad on page 20.

WVU Community Music Program http://music.wvu.edu 304-293-5511 Summer Registration is May 20-June 10. Summer classes begin June 10. Please visit our website for more information.

See ad on page 17.

WVU Volleyball Camp PO Box 0877, Morgantown, WV 26506.

304-293-9895 www.wvuvolleyball.com. Come join us at West Virginia's premier training camps for volleyball. All campers will get to train in the historic WVU coliseum! See ad on page 16.

Youth Health Service, Inc. - Summer Programs 971 Harrison Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241. 304-636-9450 or 1-800-427-2408. website: www.youth-health.org Summer programs offered for school age children 5 days a week throughout summer. Educational child care services for children 6 weeks to 12 years. Parent Education and support services. Mental health services for children and adolescents. See ad on page 18. 

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

Morgantown’s 26,000 square feet State of the Art Gymnastics Training Facility

20

• Children’s classes 18 months to 18 years • Programs from Basic & Novice levels to most advanced competitive teams • Individualized training for boys & girls • Home of the G-Force Boys & Girls Competitive Teams • Master certified staff • Established in 1989 • Birthday Parties • Summer Classes

304-292-5559

Currently accepting online registrations for 2013 program.

www.wvwc.edu/summergifted June 16-29, 2013

Enriching the lives of gifted students since 1983. www.wvgtc.com

March/April 2013



HOME

A Simple Spring Cleaning Plan

by Christina Katz

Many dread it, others look forward to it. Whatever your view is on spring cleaning, these tips will help organize your thoughts and give you a plan.

Have A Plan Of Attack. Know what you hope to accomplish. Is

your goal clean windows, an organized storage area, a garage you can actually park the car in? Make a list of intensive projects and vow to stick with them for however long it takes. Commit a regular amount of time where the whole family pitches in, like two hours on Saturday mornings, until the jobs are done.

Stock Up On Cleaning Supplies.

Deep-cleaning burns through cleaning supplies more quickly than routine cleaning. So make your cleaning supply list and check it twice. This is a good time to replace rags, sponges, and worn out cleaning tools, as well.

Purge. Starting in the bedrooms remove all clothes, toys, and dé-

cor items that you no longer need nor want. If you are unsure about some items, put them in a box and store them for a month or two. Chances are good that you’ll be more willing to let them go once you prove no one missed them. Move through the house, one

Books

room at a time, until you have skimmed all the extraneous stuff from each family member’s space. Load giveaways straight into the car and deliver them to charity organizations within 48 hours.

Open Up To Possibilities. In the process of everyday living you may have noticed some items in your home need replacement.

Sometimes it helps to go ahead and get rid of the things you no longer want even before you purchase something else. By getting rid of the old, and making room for the new, you open up the space, and can notice fresh ways to make good use of it. Prepare to be inspired.  Author Christina Katz wrote this article while her home was being cleaned, after she picked up all her husband’s smelly socks and summoned the courage to check under her daughter’s bed.

Her latest book is The Writer’s Workout

Books

Table Talk: Questions and Quotes to Start Hundreds of Great Family Discussions

by John and Tina Bushman

The Five Minibees (The Minibee Series) written and illustrated by Amy Au The Five Minibees is a fun counting book about five bees as they journey to discovery with all sorts of yummy pies. Encourages recognition of colors and numbers, has fun repeating phrases, and dotted bee lines to trace with finger. Pictures are large, colorful and creative. Extra ideas and activities are offered throughout the book for parents. Recommended for ages 2-8. (Published by The Minibee LLC, hardcover, $15.99, September 2012).

100 Places That Can Change Your Child's Life: From Your Backyard to the Ends of the Earth

by Keith Bellows

iBooks for the iPad Produced by Providence eLearning

Award-winning travel writer/editor and father of three, Keith Bellows shares the best places to travel to teach children new cultures, expand their horizons, and shape their perspectives. Each travel experience includes kid-friendly places to eat and stay, entertainment, music, and more. Recommended for parents. (Published by National Geographic, paperback, 272 pages, $18.99, February 2013).

These interactive iBooks have made the classics come alive. Students can read sections, then listen to a video lecture, use reader's references and quizzes to enhance their understanding of the material. Recommended for teens and young adults. (Produced by Providence eLearning, iPad app, prices vary). www.providenceelearning.org.

March/April 2013

West Virginia Family Magazine  www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Study after study shows that parents have the greatest influence on children's decisions. Table Talk offers hundreds of fun questions and quotes to spark conversation. Recommended for parents. (Published by Plain Sight, paperback, 224 pages, $9.99, February 2013).

Books

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

ENVIRONMENT

Spring into Action – 14 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

by Heather Lee Leap

22

Spring is here and Earth Day is close at hand, but don’t wait until April 22nd to celebrate. Now is the time to reflect on your family’s commitment to the environment. What can you do to educate and inspire your own children? Have fun as a family and encourage your children to be stewards of the Earth by jumping into action with these ideas.

1. Create an Earth Day Recycled Village. Delve into the recycling bin for small boxes and cardboard cylinders. Using a stiff piece of cardboard as a base let your child design a fantasy village of recycled materials. Glue objects together to create towers, arches and skyscrapers. When the village is dry, bring out poster paint and brushes to fuel another burst of creativity. Snap a photo, and when your child has moved on to other things, pitch it all back into the recycle bin.

2. Expand your palate. Visit a local market with your children and seek out unfamiliar produce. Choose a new fruit or vegetable to try each week.

3. Use alternative transportation. Walk, bike or use public transportation to reach a destination you would normally drive to.

4. Decorate re-usable canvas tote bags. Your kids can personalize their own bags using fabric markers and fabric paint. Use them all year long for shopping, library books and sleepovers, or pass them on as one-of-a-kind gifts.

5. Visit a zoo or aquarium. Discuss the way zoos have changed over time with an ever-increasing emphasis on scientific research and species conservation.

6. Plan, prepare and plant your garden. Set aside a portion of the garden for your children. Create a special patch they can tend and let them choose what to plant.

7. Make Earth Cookies. Bake sugar cookies and decorate them with blue and green icing to represent Earth’s continents and oceans. Look at a globe or map for inspiration before you begin.

8. Volunteer for a neighborhood clean-up project.

9. Use only eco-friendly and reusable products all day. Help your children notice things they can reuse. Don’t forget those cloth napkins.

10. Turn out the lights and have dinner by candle light.

11. Clear the clutter. Search your home for items you no longer use and have your children do the same. Finding a new home for these things keeps them out of the landfill. It saves the manufacturing, transportation and packaging costs required when buying new. Get unused items back into circulation by donating them to charity or holding a yard sale. Sell items on a site such as Craigslist or leave them by the curb with a “free” sign for a few days.

12. Visit a park or nature preserve and go for a hike.

13. Make a biodegradable bird feeder by coating a pine cone with peanut butter or lard, and then roll it in seeds, nuts or oats. Hang this from a tree and watch as the birds swoop by for a taste. To prevent choking, be sure loose strings are trimmed.

14. Plant a tree. Arbor Day is officially the last Friday of April, Curl Up With a Good Book the same week as Earth Earth Day Style Day. Celebrate both days by joining a group The Curious Garden by Peter Brown tree-planting or by Earth Day- Hooray by Stuart J. Murphy planting a tree on your Fancy Nancy: Every Day is Earth Day

by Jane O’Connor own property.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss As the saying goes, “EvThe Magic School Bus and the Climate ery day is Earth Day.” Challenge by Joanna Cole So begin your family’s stewardship adventure to today.  Heather Lee Leap is a freelance writer and mother of three girls. She strives to use things up and wear things out before replacing them.

Do you know a child who is not:

1‐866‐321‐4728 www.wvdhhr.org/birth23

*moving *hearing * seeing * learning or *talking like others their age?

Every child deserves a GREAT START!

WV Birth to Three services and supports are provided under Part C of the individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and administered through the WV Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health.

March/April 2013

BE SAFE BE SMART BABIES AND CHILDREN ARE SAFEST IN THE BACK SEAT!

ditor’s E EARTH FRIENDLY Picks:

E

Cross over snaps for babies with small waists

arth Day is celebrated on April 22, 2013 around the world, but you can celebrate everyday with these

awesome new eco-friendly products.

Photo provided by BecomeGorgeous.com

Are Back! But no longer are Jellies they the Jellies of the 80's though. Today's

jelly shoes come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and types. From ballet flats with bows, Photos provided by Amazon flowers, gems, or spikes; to the strap sandal, between-the-toe sandal, or even heels. There is a jelly shoe to fit your style. Name brands such as Coach, Marc Jacobs, Melissa, and Crocs have also jumped aboard the jelly shoe ship. Coach jellies range from $68 to $107. Marc Jacobs prices go up to $135 for a pair of jellies. And Crocs prices range from $28 to $45. There are also more budget-friendly jellies available too. Colors include brights, pastels, and neutrals. Eco-friendly - created from recyclable materials. Easy to clean, waterproof, stylish, and fun.(Prices vary.)

Available at department shoes, shoe stores, and online.

Photo provided by Lotus Bumz

Custom Greeting Cards

The Tote Buddy

is the world's first reusable bag organizer. It neatly holds piles of reusable bags helping you stay organized during shopping. The Tote Buddy also supports our planet by making reusable bag use a snap. Say "No thanks" to paper and plastic bags that clutter the land fills. ($25) Available at www.thetotebuddy.com

Pear Tree Greetings celebrates life’s sharable moments with its unique collection of personalized, high-quality photo cards and stationery made with 100-pound-matte-finish card stock.

Pear Tree Greetings offers stylish and affordable graduation announcePhoto provided by thetotebuddy.com ments, birth announcements, wedding invitations, moving announcements, party invitations, gift tags, thank you cards, and much more. Pear Tree offers products for every budget. Pear Tree believes in being environmentally conscious. Nearly all products are printed on 100% recycledcontent paper and suitable for sorted recycling. (Although the designs are so keep-worthly, recipients won't want to discard them. (Prices vary. Price per card.) www.peartreegreetings.com Photos provided by Peartreegreeting.com March/April 2013

West Virginia Family Magazine  www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Lotus Bumz Cloth Diaper Did you know that the average baby is in diapers for 2.5 years, costing you $2500$4500 in disposable diapers? Cloth diapers can save your family money and help save the environment. Lotus Bumz cloth diapers are one size fits all - 9 lbs-30 lbs, so your initial purchase will last through potty-training. The cloth diaper is gentler with no chemicals and plastic to irritate baby's sensitive skin. Lotus Bumz cloth diapers also have a waterproof outer layer - no diaper cover needed (Lotus Bumz handmade fitted diapers do require a cover). The initial cost, calculating 12 changes a day for newborns - plus a day to laundry (24 cloth diapers total), may seen large - $400-$800. However, the same 24 cloth diapers can be used over and over, no more buying disposable diapers each week. Using cloth diapers also reduces waste from disposables, which will take centuries to decompose. (Prices vary $19.99-$36.00 each per cloth diaper). Available at www.lotusbumz.com.

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 Family Calendar

March/April 2013

Deadline for calendar submissions for the May/June 2013 issue is March 30, 2013. Please call 304-472-4528 or email: info@wvfamilymagazine.com.

Calendar also listed on our calendar page at www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Ongoing Events Upshur County Head Start is now accepting applications for children 3-4 years old for the 2013-2014 school year. Call 304-472-2014 for more information.

WVReads150 is a reading challenge for all ages to celebrate WV's 150th Birthday. Individuals and teams are invited to read 150 books between Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2013. Visit your local library to register or for more information.

Taylor County Public Library invites individuals and teams to participate in their WVReads150 Challenge. Complete 150 books and you will be eligible for a drawing to win a $150 Wal-Mart gift card. Call today or visit to find out more.

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

Registration for summer camps begin in the Spring. Be sure to see our7th Annual Summer Camps and Programs Directory for camp information - pages 13-20.

P.U.R.R. WV Adoption Events are ongoing at various locations around North Central WV. P.U.R.R. WV is a no-kill cat rescue Please go to http://www.purrwv.org/html/events.html for dates and locations.

Mountaineer Therapy Dogs will be at Taylor County Public Library on the second Monday of each month at 6:00. Young readers will have the opportunity to read aloud to the dogs.

Register today by calling 304-265-6121 or stop by the circulation desk.

Autism Information Support Group PlayWorks Child and Adult Therapies will meet on the second Saturday of every month focusing on a different and specific topic relevant to families touched by Autism Spectrum Discorders.

Childcare will be provided. 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. For more information call 304-292-0173 or go to www.PlayWorkscdc.com.

24

March/April 2013

March

March is American Red Cross Month Music in our Schools Month National Nutrition Month Irish-American Heritage Month Woman's History Month Youth Art Month

March 2-3

12th Annual WV Fishing, Hunting and Outdoor Show Mylan Expo Center, Morgantown, WV. March 2 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and March 3 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Over 110 vendor from boats, sports equipment, camping equipment, game calls, knives, and much more. For more information please visit www.wvoutdoorsportsshow.com.

March 3

ABBA the Concert Lyell B Clay Concert Theatre, 2261 Monongahela Blvd., Morgantown, WV. Waterloo the band, performs ABBA songs.Two-hour musical extravaganza follows ABBA's phenomenal career from their Eurovision beginnings in 1974 to their sold-out performances at such notable venues as London's Royal Albert Hall. Celebrate the world's greatest pop band as you sing and dance to "Mamma Mia!," "Dancing Queen," "Waterloo" and more! 304-293-SHOW..

March 8-10

North Central WV Home Builders Association Home Show 2013 Mylan Expo Center, Morgantown, WV. 12 p.m.-7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Last year's show was our largest and best show ever, with over 110 exhibitors occupying 166 spaces.

Attendance was phenomenal all three days and we are hoping to make this year's show even better. 304-599-0850. www.morgantownhomeshow.com/

March 9

Family Life Expo - "Living a Healthy Life" Craig Civic Center, Kingwood, WV. Fun, door prizes, activities, and entertainment. Donation of a non-perishable food item for Food for Preston. Preston County Health Department 304-329-0096.

P.U.R.R. WV/Petco Adoption Event Petco, Morgantown, WV. Please join us for a Meet and Greet with the kitties! And if you find one steals your heart, adopt him / her! 12 p.m - 5 p.m.

March 10

Daylight Savings Time Begins at 2:00 a.m.

March 14-16

Children's Consignment Sale of Morgantown National Guard Armory on the Mileground , Morgantown, WV. NEW, EXCELLENT, and GOOD quality Spring and Summer children's clothing (sizes newborn to 14). Thursday, March 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

304-685-3170 Email: gogo481@gmail.com.

March 15

The Easter Bunny is Coming to Middletown Mall Middletown Mall, Fairmont, WV. The Easter Bunny arrives on Friday, March 15 at 4:00 p.m. Bunny hours are Mon.-Fri. 4-7, Sat. 1-7, Sun. 1-4. Fri. Mar, 29 & Sat. Mar. 30 1-7. Pictures available - $10. 304-363-3230.

March 16-17

29th WV Maple Syrup Festival Pickens, WV. Celebrating the ancient art of West Virginia Maple Sugaring. With tours of the Maple Syrup Camp, food, arts & crafts, a 5K Run, and live entertainment, you'll love the

experience of the Haven in the Hardwood. 304924-5096.

March 18-24

National Wildlife Week National Wildlife Week is NWF's longest-running education program designed around teaching and connecting kids to the awesome wonders of wildlife. This year's theme is "Branching Out for Wildlife". http://www.nwf.org/national-wildlifeweek.aspx.

March 22-24

Beads and Basics Weekend Tygart Lake State Park, Grafton, WV. Beginners jewelry making workshop, dealing with tools, findings, beads and basic skills. Join Renee Cress, of Fossil Jewels and More, for a great fun weekend of basic jewelry making. Take home your first project. Contact: 304-265-6144.

March 23

The Clay Center Eggstavaganza The Clay Center, Charleston, WV. Bring the family for an egg-citing day of activities.

Enjoy our annual egg hunts, decorate your very own egg (2 eggs for $1) and meet our Special Guest for the day – the Easter Bunny. Puppet show, Bunny and Chick Bowling, and a scavenger hunt through the galleries for prizes. 304-561-3570 http://www.theclaycenter.org/.



      www.TheWowFactory.com

March 30

Cottontail Express Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Elkins, WV. Bring the kids dressed in their Easter best to meet Peter Cottontail on the train! See ad on page 26.

1-866-874-7635 www.mtn-rail.com.

Easter Egg Hunt at Blackwater Falls Blackwater Falls State Park, Davis, WV. An old fashioned egg hunt for children to 7th grade at Harold Walters Nature Center is planned. This event goes Rain, Snow or Sunshine. 1:30 p.m.

304-259-5216 www.blackwaterfalls.com.

West Virginia Family Magazine  www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Easter Egg Hunt at Twin Falls Twin Falls State Park, Mullens, WV. Help find our missing Easter eggs. There will be three categories and use of the entire area to hide Easter eggs. Make sure to bring your Easter basket and good running shoes. 304-294-4000. www. twinfallsresort.com.

Cover Photo Contest Deadline WV Family Magazine is looking for great cover shots. It is free and there is no limit to how many photos you can enter as long as they meet guidelines. See page 6 for rules and guidelines.

April

April is Autism Awareness Month Family Recreation Activities PlayWorks Informational Support Group, Morgantown, WV will be hosting "family recreation activities" every Saturday in April. Family oriented.

All are welcome. Activities and locations TBA. 304-292-0173/ www.PlayWorkscdc.com.

Continued on page 26

www.scoobydoolive.com

March/April 2013

25

Special 2013Trains

 Family Calendar continued April 6

Scooby Doo Live! Musical Mysteries Creative Arts Center, Morgantown, WV. Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang have been called in to help solve an epic mystery in Morgantown. This hilarious live theater show brings everyone's favorite animated series to life. Filled with wacky new characters, fantastic songs and outrageous antics, Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries, presented by Warner Bros. 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. 304-293SHOW or 800-745-3000. www.scoobydoolive.com

April 16-17

Cottontail Express March 30 Bring the kids dressed in their Easter best to meet Peter Cottontail on the Train! Join the Easter parade of animals in a mad search for that hippity, hoppity Bunny. Hop down the rails with face painting, singing, and more!

Wine & Roses June 7

Leave the kids with the sitter and enjoy the fruits of West Virginia best vineyards. Wine tasting plus informative demonstrations and hors d’oeuvres on this four-hour trip to the High Falls of Cheat.

Father’s Day Cookout June 16

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

Give Dad a break and let us do the grillin’! Live music and a cookout at the High Falls of Cheat.

We’re talking real honest to goodness grilling of burgers and hot dogs!

Extended layover at the High Falls of Cheat. Bring a blanket.

26

See our web site for more Special Trains: Dinner and Murder Mystery trains, and Summer / Autumn events. Great savings with our Family Day and Golden Day discounts!

1.866.874.7653

mtn-rail.com www.mtn-rail.com

Sesame Street LIVE! Elmo Makes Music Big Sandy superstore Arena, Huntington, WV. Mark your calendar for a musical event like no other-monsters making music! Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and all their Sesame Street friends are taking to the stage to share their love of music in Sesame Street Live "Elmo Makes Music." Apr. 16, 7:00 p.m. Apr. 17, 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

April 20

Wild Warrior Challenge Mylan Park, Morgantown, WV. The Wild Warrior Challenge is an exciting fun-filled 5k mudcrawling obstacle course designed to unleash your sense of adventure. The course is inspired by National Guard training courses and designed by the WVU Army ROTC. The race is open to individuals and teams. Proceeds from the race Benefit the Military Family Readiness Groups of Monongalia and Preston counties in West Virginia. 10:00 a.m. Cost: $25-$30.

Email: info@mylanpark.org (304) 983-2383.

April 20

Nature and Earth Day Extravaganza Twin Falls Resort State Park, Mullens, WV Celebrate Earth day with guided hikes, and information on how to help the earth. 304-294-4000.

April 20

2013 Scottish and Celtic Heritage Festival Parkersburg, WV. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 20 at the Parkersburg City Park Pavilion. Tickets are $5 for adults and kids 12 and under are free. Tickets will be available at the door. The festival will feature Scottish, Irish dancing and music, a Celtic storyteller, children's games and crafts, bagpipes, vendors, Scottish/Irish wares and food, artisans, and more. https://sites. google.com/site/scottishcelticheritagefestival/.

April 22

Earth Day

April 24-27

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth Charleston Civic Center, Charleston, WV. One of the greatest legends on Earth is coming to The Greatest Show On Earth: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present Dragons.

April 27

WVU Children's Hospital Presents Kid's Fair Morgantown Mall, Morgantown, WV. The 15th annual Kid's Fair will take place on Saturday, April 27th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is one of the largest events of its kind in the region.

It's estimated that close to 12,000 people attended last year's event and we are hoping for a bigger turnout this year! The theme this year is "Spring Into Good Health" and we are looking forward to a lot of participants and visitors! http://www.morgantownmall.com/go/mallevents.cfm  *Information about events is subject to change. Please use the listed contact information for more details on events.

March/April 2013

How to Effectively Communicate

Wi�� Y��� T���

The Easter Bunny is coming to

Middletown Mall Arrival on Friday, March 15 @ 4 pm BUNNY HOURS Monday-Friday 4-7 pm Saturday 1-7 pm Sunday 1-4 pm Fri., Mar. 29 & Sat. Mar. 30 1-7 pm Pictures - $10

by Kim Seidel

Kim Seidel is the mother of 14-year-old and 10-year-old daughters. She is discovering the teen brain research highly useful for both children in everyday life.

9329 Middletown Mall, Fairmont, WV 26554 304-363-3230

Pizza

Pick Up

Hoagies

Dine-In Delivery

Subs Salads

All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad Buffet!

Adults $4.99, Age 10 & under $2.99 (does not include drink), Age 4 & under Free with Adult Buffet

472-0281

Rt 20 Southfork Center Buckhannon

Upshur County Head Start SIGN UP NOW! Head Start is accepting applications for children 3-4 years old. Please call 472-2014 for more information or stop in at 8 Cleveland Avenue. Services are free to eligible children. Children with special needs are welcome. Fullday and pre-k services are available.

Upshur Human Resources, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, or national origin.

Parenting Special Needs

The online magazine serving the special needs community. Providing information and inspiration to parents of special needs children of all ages and stages in life.

FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS

www.parentingspecialneeds.org March/April 2013

West Virginia Family Magazine  www.WVFamilyOnline.com

Teenagers have revealed time and time again that parents are the most important influence when it comes to taking risks, especially with drugs and alcohol. That’s why it’s vital to talk and listen – a lot! – to teenagers, even when they act like they don’t want to spend time with you.

Teens may act up around their parents because there’s little risk in it. They test limits with parents because they know it’s safe. “Teens act like they don’t want boundaries, but they do need them,” says Ronda Lettner, a family therapist and drug/alcohol counselor.

“They want limits, but they won’t tell you that.”

The following tips are from Lettner and The Partnership for a Drug Free America: Avoid eye contact.

Because a teen brain’s prefrontal cortex isn’t fully developed, teens read facial expressions poorly. For instance, a teen might read your surprised expression as one of anger.

Teens do best when they don’t have much eye contact. They feel like parents are checking them out too closely. Take a walk or go for a drive to discuss things with them, rather than sitting directly across from them.

Use active listening.

When teens are upset, try to get past the emotions to what’s really bothering them. Listen without interrupting, and then sum up what you’ve heard.

Once he’s shared his side, you could start with: • I hear you say you’re feeling…

• I wonder if you’re feeling…

Next, describe your teen’s emotions: • It sounds to me like you’re feeling hurt and angry. Is that true?

• I hear you saying that you’re overwhelmed. Am I right?

Your teen’s responses will guide you to the next steps. That’s how the connection between a parent and teen begins.

Use “I” statements.

“I” statements allow parents to express themselves without teens feeling like they’re being judged or blamed. Parents describe the teen’s behavior and how they feel about it. Then parents clearly say what they need.

Following are two examples parents can practice before talking to teens: 1. “When you don’t come home on time, I worry that something terrible happened. What I need is for you to call me as soon as you know you’re going to be late. Then I know you’re okay.”

2. “I feel like you can’t hear what I have to say when you’re so upset. Then I get frustrated. I need to talk about this later when we’re both able to listen.” 

27

Answering the

"What’s For Dinner” Question

by Lara Krupicka

What’s for dinner? It’s the question that begs to be answered night after night, whether you want it to or not. And that’s where it becomes a problem for many parents. But with one simple tool, which you can create for yourself, you can answer what’s for dinner tonight and the next night and the next with relative ease. You’ll be able to see at a glance the recipes you use most often and develop a meal plan from there. Here’s how you can create your own monthly menu-planning tool:

Step One: Simplify Using Categories

It’s easy to come up with thirty (or more) recipes you regularly use when you brainstorm in categories. To start your menu plan, you’ll want to consider which categories of meals your family eats most frequently. Categories can include ethnic types of foods, such as Italian, Mexican, and Asian. Or group recipes by cooking method: crock pot meals, grill recipes, stovetop or oven cooking. If the man in your house is anything like mine, he’ll want meat at most meals. Then you could group your recipes by protein type: chicken, beef, pork, fish, beans.

Brainstorm categories until you’ve found seven you could comfortably serve once a week. My menu categories are: Italian, Crockpot/casserole, Mexican, Meat and potatoes, Soup, Pizza Night, and Grill/Quick & Easy. The category “Pizza Night” in my plan reflects our family’s tradition of making homemade pizza on Friday nights. If your family has a tradition like this, include it in your categories. It will simplify your menu planning with a weekly “gimme.”

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

Step Two: Play Favorites

Under each of the categories list as many as you can of your favorite recipes (aim for five to nine for each). Take out the cookbooks and recipes you use most. Then find the meals you know your family enjoys. You’ll find the 80/20 rule applies here: you probably use 20% (or less) of the recipes you have 80% of the time. That’s okay. List those recipes first.

28

March/April 2013

If you’re coming up short in any of the categories, flip through your cookbooks or untested recipe files for new dishes to try.

But be careful to put only a few on your list. You don’t want to be surprising your family with something unfamiliar more than once a week. If you have more new ideas you’d like to try, set them aside to include in next month’s plan. As you experiment using new dishes, mark on your menu plan whether they were a success or not. Those that are a hit with your family can become

permanent additions to your list. Those that aren’t, put in the trash or mark with a notation warning you not to use them again.

Once you’ve created your lists under each category, you should have more than 30 recipes to choose from. If you’re one who likes to keep things loose, you can stop here and simply use your lists as a “recipes at a glance” tool for deciding what to cook each night.

But if you prefer to plan ahead, take heart. You’re more than halfway to mapping out a month’s worth of dinners.

Step Three: Create A Basic Plan

You’ll want to create your menu plan on a computer (if possible) in order to save and reuse it each month. A spreadsheet works best.

But if you’re more comfortable using a word processor, you can set up your plan there instead.

WV Family Magazine

I use a spreadsheet. Across the top list the name of the category.

Simply create seven category columns with category labels. Next create blocks of rows to represent the weeks of the month. To fit my spreadsheet setup, I’ve found nine rows in each block works well. On the right hand most column you can list the dates for the given week (e.g. October 16-22). Then under each category enter the lists you created in step two. Duplicate each list for the successive weeks, filling in the entire spreadsheet for the month.

Once you’ve created your basic menu planning chart, you can insert and remove meals depending on season or changes in preferences. And you can change up the dates for the new month before you begin planning.

Step Four: Select This Month’s Meals

With your chart in front of you listing the meals your family enjoys you’re ready to select a month’s worth of meals. Using a highlighter or pen, highlight or circle one meal from each category for week one. Then move on to week two and select those meals, being careful to vary the selections from week one. If you prefer, you can work your way down each category, selecting a different recipe for each week until you’ve picked a variety of meals from each category.

There you go! You’ve planned a month’s worth of meals. Using this plan you can create a grocery list. Once you have on hand everything necessary for your chosen meals (I find it easiest to shop for two weeks at once, but you could do one week at a time or shop for the whole month in one trip), you’ll be able to effortlessly answer the “what’s for dinner” question. And when schedules change, you’ll be able to adapt on the fly. Happy Menu Planning!  Lara Krupicka is a freelance writer who loves finding ways to simplify her everyday tasks, like menu planning.

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• Hundreds of articles and tips for all ages and interests.

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• No need to leave home to find our current copy.

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March/April 2013

29



Family Time

s n o i t a r b e l e C w e 5N l Your Family Wil

Love

By Janny J. Johnson

West Virginia Family Magazine  1-304-472-4528

Creating new annual traditions will help your family feel more connected. Check out these new celebrations below. Or even better, make up some of your own!

30

1. Junk-Food Cereal Week – When school is out for the year, help your children celebrate. For the first week of summer vacation, let your kids eat any breakfast cereal they like – instead of the healthier breakfasts you’ve been serving them the rest of the year.

2. Pajama Ride – Once the kids are in bed at night, step into their rooms, jangle a bell, and call, “Pajama Ride!” As they jump out of bed, direct them into the car in their PJs. Then take them to a mystery destination. Whether it’s to get ice cream on a hot summer night or drive past holiday lights in December, these nighttime rides will be long remembered.

3. Family History Day – Do your children know the stories about their Russian immigrant ancestors, or their great-grandfather who burned down the barn? Once a year, dig out the old photo albums and teach your children about their ancestors.

March/April 2013

4. Summer Solstice – On the longest day of the year, go to a nearby park or a rooftop to watch the sun go down. You can return to the same location each time, or make choosing a new place part of your individual tradition. Your kids will look forward to this event year after year.

5. Birthday Balloon Bouquets - Change up your birthday tradition! The night before your child’s birthday, secretly blow up the number of balloons that matches the child’s new age. Tie the balloons together and hang the bouquet above the child’s bed. When they wake up the next morning, their birthday celebration has already begun!

Years from now when you ask your children about events that make your family special, they will answer, “We always…”

And that’s exactly what you want.  Janny is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest. As the mother of four she enjoys all these traditions and many more.

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