Gulfshore Life MINI Spring 2023

Parenting in Paradise

Feel

the

Love

INSPIRING KIDS, UNSHAKEABLE BONDS AND A WORLD OF IMAGINATION

CONTENTS

44 / Stylish Moms who Parent with Purpose

54 / The Shotwell’s Multigenerational Impact

CONTENTS

DISCOVERIES

16 / Style: Milkglass Market’s Chic Baby Gear

17 / Creativity: Fine Art Lessons for Littles

18 / Learning: Fort Myers’ Whispering Oaks Farm School

19 / Wellness: Naples’ STEAM-centric Gym

20 / The Edit: Mommy Must-Haves

MINDFUL PARENTING

28 / Style: sunset + pine’s Sustainable Threads

34 / Learning: Budding Entrepreneurs

36 / Safety: Goldfish Swim School

38 / Prodigies: Equestrian Scarlett Yana

42 / Giving Back: One Flower Project

FAMILY TIME

64 / Creativity: Naples’ Glassblowing Family

68 / SWFL Explorer: Resorts’ Kids Clubs

78 / Book Club: Locally Inspired Reads

80 / Editors’ Pick: C’MON’s Indian Exhibit

Courtesy The Storms Photography; Kelly Jones, Reagan Rule

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Nurturing the full spiritual potential of your child with the only authentic, certified Montessori-based formation offering in South Florida.

Trained and certified catechists prepare an intentional, quiet, reflective environment every week, meticulously designed for each age group. www.cgusa.org

NURSERY 8 months - Age 5 Meeting Jesus the Good Shepherd

TRUE VINE ATRIUM Ages 6 - 9 Growing with Jesus

GOOD SHEPHERD ATRIUM Ages 3 - 6 Falling in Love with Jesus

LIVING BREAD ATRIUM Ages 9 - 12 Living Like Jesus

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Jim Schwartzel

Director of News +

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Tom Doerr

Editor in Chief

Stephanie Granada

Creative Director

Scott Glick

Editors at Large

Dorothea Hunter Sönne

Jennifer McCurry

Managing Editor

Gina Valentino

Food Editor

Andrew Atkins

Senior Writer

Jaynie Bartley

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ART

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ON THE COVER:

Shot on location at Gulfshore Life by Anna Nguyen. Callhan and Saqqara Soldavini are styled by Anna Ruiz.

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Little Humans, Big Hearts

I was in Cambier Park, in downtown Naples, a couple of weeks ago. It was mid-day, mid-week, and the playground was filled with tots. As I walked back to my parked car, I saw a little boy run out of the playground to meet a buddy who was just getting there with his parents. The two gave each other the longest, sweetest hug, like family who hadn’t seen each other in ages. The scene was the definition of heartwarming.

It reminded me of the pure love that flows through children. We see it often when we hear of local kids launching nonprofits. In this issue, we learn about 10-year-old Ethan

Chhabra (p. 42), who founded One Flower Project to make it easy for people to plant essential pollinator flowers for bees and butterflies in their backyards. When enough packets of seeds to support a classroom are sold, the organization donates a seed kit to a school. Ethan wants his peers to recognize the importance of nature and the power one seed can have in making a difference. We also talk to several plugged-in moms (p. 44), who feed their little ones’ innate goodness by teaching them about giving back. Fort Myers stylist Ruthia Fuller does so by volunteering and speaking out on racial justice. Naples radiation oncologist Dr. Sonal Sura-Girgis has her kids pay it forward by donating toys to local nonprofits. Naples lawyer Callhan Soldavini is raising her daughter with a mind toward equity and supporting women’s

health. Meanwhile, Sanibel-based artist Rachel Pierce gets her four children outside every chance she gets. “Teaching them to respect nature is so important,” she says.

These moms know their children are the future, and they want to help create a world of creativity, curiosity and compassion.

—Stephanie Granada, Editor in Chief

WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING

Obstetricians

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Natasha Bower, MD, FACOG

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On-site childbearing classes and breastfeeding support

David Hunter Brown, MD, FACOG

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Deidra Duncan, DO

Aparna Eligeti, MD, FACOG

Kevin Fleishman, MD, FACOG

Blaise Kovaz, MD, FACOG

Shannon O’Hara, MD, FACOG

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Certified Nurse Midwives

Amy Borkowski, CNM, MSN, APNP

Theresa Buckley, CNM, MSN, DNP

Sandra Lewis, CNM, MSN

Heidi Zielinski, CNM, MSN

From the Editor-at-Large

No Place Like Home

When I moved here almost 20 years ago, I immediately recognized how special Naples was . I knew I wanted to raise my children here. Even then, there was a strong commitment to supporting organizations focused on education, conservation and our children’s future. Today, nonprofits like the Naples Botanical Garden, Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens and Conservancy of Southwest Florida are excellent resources for kids of all ages to interact with the environment, inspire imagination and appreciate their Floridian heritage.

The award-winning Naples Botanical Garden is set on 170 acres of land and introduces kids to plants and flowers from all over the world. My children love the W.O.N.D.E.R. activities, where they search for different butterfly species and learn about pollination.

Almost every weekend, I take my kids to our nationally accredited Naples Zoo, which resides within a historical botanical garden. We watch the alligators feed, see the Malay-

an tiger bathe in his pool and we take a boat ride past islands populated by primates.

Afterward, we may head next door to the Conservancy’s Nature Center. My two boys especially love the new Augmented Reality Wildlife Encounter, where they can digitally interact with various animals. Watching ourselves getting chased by an alligator is a family favorite. Meanwhile, the Invasive Species Gallery introduces us to nonnative animals in Florida—such as Burmese pythons, cane toads and lionfish—that harm our environment, the local economy and our health. The Conservancy's programming makes it easy and fun for kids to absorb essential ecological lessons.

If we want a change of pace, we go to Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples to engage in imaginative play through their indoor and outdoor exhibits. One of my sons is fascinated with testing his future engineering capabilities by building and blasting rockets into space at the Rocket Design

Station. My other son enjoys creating masterpieces in The Art Studio, with activities that help develop his fine motor skills. The museum also offers exhibits that teach our youngsters about the Everglades, marine wildlife, seasonal changes and agriculture.

As parents, we are fortunate to have these kinds of programs at our fingertips. I am proud to belong to a community that supports and promotes preservation, sustainability and innovation, so that future generations can continue to appreciate our Southwest Florida paradise.

— Jennifer McCurry, Editor-at-Large

Anna Nguyen

With 40-beachfront acres and a prime location within Marsh Harbour, the iconic Abaco Beach Resort offers guests access to a variety of land- and water-based activities ranging from island-hopping, fishing, snorkeling, and diving to shopping and dining. The resort caters to families, couples, friends, and groups looking to escape the crowds of some of the larger islands while experiencing the relaxed hassle-free attitude that makes The Abacos so authentically unique.

DISCOVERIES

Fun essentials, products we love and other inspirations for the modern parent

Discoveries — Style

Off To Market

When Katie and Luis Zamot started the adoption process for their youngest son, Shepherd, they found it was rife with agency fees and travel costs. To supplement their income, they started making and selling soy-based candles from their living room in 2020. Their company, Milkglass Market, has since expanded, with room sprays, hand washes, party boxes and baby products designed by Katie and Luis. The couple works only with fair-trade manufacturers and quality materials, like natural rubber for the pacifiers and bamboo textiles for swaddles that get softer with time. BPA-free silicone plates, bowls, bibs, utensils and cups in periwinkle, oatmeal and rose hues, are dishwasher-safe and sturdy by design.

The couple hosts weeklong social media fundraisers, where 20 percent of sales go to prospective adopters, and they allocate 10 percent of profits to an annual grant, distributed on Shepherd’s birthday, to a family’s adoption agency or lawyer. Local businesses contribute through tax-deductible donations to the Zamots’ nonprofit. Since launching, Milkglass has given more than $25,000 to families seeking to adopt, bringing children closer to finding their forever families. —

Addison Pezoldt

Courtesy Milkglass Market

Discoveries — Creativity

Little Picassos

Naples Art Institute, one of the region’s longest-standing arts organizations, revamped its cultural programming in recent years—last season’s Keith Haring exhibit was the talk of the town. Now, the center amps its family offerings with Artsy Evenings, where you can drop off the kiddos for art lessons while you peruse the gallery or have a date night on nearby Fifth Avenue South.

The workshops—which run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month in season—teach everything from watercolor and pastel painting to 3D paper art. Classes coincide with the headlining exhibit, so kids learn about the artist and medium represented in the gallery and create something inspired by what they see. In March, April and May, budding creatives explore Belgian artist and sculptor Isabelle de Borchgrave’s Mirada de Mujeres, a series of handpainted paper and cardboard sculptures depicting dresses, plants, decor and other pieces from Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s whimsical world. The nonprofit’s new director of education, Nicole Whalen, hopes the program creates opportunities for families to bond over fine art. “This type of artistic discourse between parent and child is rare in many households,” she says. —A.P

Around Discoveries — Learning

Kiddin'

Two years ago, when mother-of-four Ashley Pruitt bought the 6-acre Whispering Oaks Farm in Fort Myers’ Buckingham area, she lacked farming experience but yearned for a self-sustainable lifestyle. She moved her family to the farm. Between math and English lessons, her homeschooled kids learned to care for piglets, baby goats, bunnies and chicks. Ashley wanted to extend the experience to the community and help the next gen better understand where their food comes from. Later that year, she launched her farm school for children aged 2 to 13.

The school’s four-week programs run from October to May. During the weekly two-hour sessions, students milk goats, incubate chicken eggs and socialize piglets, while learning anatomy and how to care for the animals. Weekend workshops, one-day festivals, multi-week gardening classes and private events, like birthday parties and overnight camping, are also available for schoolchildren and adults.

Farm school classes are capped at 15 students, and lessons take place outdoors for hands-on learning. Kids may tend to pregnant goats during a fall session, and return in the spring to care for the babies and help milk the mamas. At the end of the program, they earn a certificate. “For them to get the association of knowing these [creatures] are being used for food, and that we love them and they have personalities—it’s pretty cool to watch that connection,” Ashley says. — A.P.

Courtesy The Storms Photography

Tumblin' Tots

Mike Webster opened Tumbles Naples, Florida's first of the national franchise, to create an inclusive and collaborative gym for littles ages four months to 12 years. The 2,800-square-foot center has a team of USA Gymnastics-certified instructors and a range of classes—including sessions with varying levels of parent involvement, plus open gym use.

Ninja Warrior class—modeled after the hit television show—is a favorite: classmates cheer each other on as they navigate obstacle courses, traverse balance beams and do pull-ups on trapeze bars. In the recreational gymnastics class, kids learn basic tumbling in an uncompetitive environment. Mike partners with Children’s Montessori School of Naples and Creative World School at Naples to provide weekly sports classes throughout the academic year. This spring, Tumbles Naples adds STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) to its curriculum. After a classroom lesson on space, students may jump to different circles representing planets in our solar system.

The gym's offerings help advance kiddos’ confidence and communication skills: “It's amazing to see the difference from the first week when they come in versus week three and week four,” Mike says. “When there are new children coming in, they're excited and eager to show those new kids the ropes.” —A.P.

Discoveries — Wellness

Mommy Must-Haves

Our Naples-based editor-at-large Jennifer McCurry curates kids’ items that deliver on style, function and pure fun.

Words: Jennifer McCurry

Bead It

The MAMA and MINI bracelets from Made by LALA J reflect the company’s origin. The handmade jewelry line was created by Fort Myers-based, 9-yearold Lily Anne Jenkins and her mom, Lisa Anne, as a way for Lily to cope with a family illness. The duo makes artful clay earrings—for adults and littles—including botanical statement dangles and unicorn-shaped studs—and beaded bracelets. They sell their stock online and in local boutiques, such as Nokomis Home Fragrance in Fort Myers. Recently, Lily Anne and Lisa launched SWFL Strong bracelets to give back to victims of Hurricane Ian.

baublesofclay.com

Off-Road Strolling

The Reef Stroller is perfect for adventurous Southwest Florida families. Multi-terrain wheels make transitioning from sidewalk to sand to grass a breeze, while the muted earthy tones of its recycled fabric blend into the natural environment. The stroller, which arrives ready to use—sans confusing instructions or frustrating setup—also folds in one hand and can stand on its own while compressed. Tots up to 55 pounds stay cozy inside the detachable bassinet thanks to a naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial lining made from super-soft bamboo. silvercrossus.com

Courtesy Silver Cross Reef, Made by LALA J

Bunk Up

My 6-year-old twin boys had one wish for their birthday: bunk beds. I dreaded the idea until I came across this stylish collaboration. Sarah Sherman Samuel x West Elm’s Arches Twin Bunk Bed turns the sleepover staple into a swoon-worthy design feature. The bed banks on Sarah’s penchant for warm, textural elements that create modern, uncomplicated spaces. potterybarnkids.com

What's Cookin'

If your child likes to help mommy and daddy in the kitchen, look to Crate & Barrel’s Modern Chef Large Wooden Kids Kitchen Playset—I only wish I had this retro-style range in my own home. Two-tone wood cabinetry and a shiny silver sink with matching hardware make this play kitchen look more like a remodel than a kids’ toy. My favorite is the chalkboard that allows littles to write menus and task lists. crateandbarrel.com

Courtesy Pottery Barn Kids, Crate & Barrel

KIDS’ MINDS MATTER & THEY NEED YOU!

Kids’ Minds Matter aids young people with a variety of mental health needs, and everyone in our community can be a vibrant part of our beautiful kaleidoscope of opportunity.

Join us for the inaugural Kids’ Minds Matter Kaleidoscope event, a community luncheon where we will hear directly from local teens, community experts and you! Together, we will celebrate what Kids’ Minds Matter and its partners have achieved together through collaboration and learn about additional opportunities to help support pediatric mental health in our community.

PANEL DISCUSSION:

• Southwest Florida teens

• Dr. Jason Sabo, Pediatric Behavioral Health Lee Health

• Keynote speaker to be announced

Kids’ Minds Matter Kaleidoscope Event: Celebration, Collaboration & Creation

This is your opportunity to take part as we create a beautiful kaleidoscope of hope for all!

Register now for this FREE community event at KidsMindsMatter.com/Events. MONDAY, APRIL 3

11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.

Color Blocking

Plan Toys, available at All About April at The Village Shops on Venetian Bay in Naples, specializes in sustainably sourced wooden sets. They're made in Thailand with chemical-free rubberwood, formaldehyde-free glue, organic pigments and water-based dyes. Babies 1 year and up will love this classic Shape & Sort It Out set designed to strengthen problemsolving skills, hand-eye coordination and color recognition. allaboutapril.com

Courtesy Plan Toys, sunset + pine

For the Books

Local mom Kirstin Maas opened my new favorite kids’ store (read more about her on p. 28). With a Soho aesthetic and European flair, sunset + pine stocks trendy children’s clothing and accessories with environmental and social consciousness. The STATE Bags Kane Kids Camo backpack is a prime example. Made from recycled materials, including water bottles, the bags come in tons of cool colors and patterns. For each sold, STATE donates funds for educational programs and fully stocked backpacks to families in need. shopsunsetpine.com

MINDFUL PARENTING

Notes on living, giving and raising the next generation of changemakers

Back to Basics

New kids’ boutique sunset + pine brings a minimalist aesthetic and slow-fashion ethos to North Naples.

Words: Marissa Hermanson

Photography: Kelly Jones

As a mother to a 3-year-old daughter, Kirsten Maas is thinking about the next generation. That’s one of the reasons the California-born fashion industry pro opened sunset + pine, a children’s shop specializing in sustainable clothes that are durable, mostly neutral-colored and easy to play in. “I need the clothes to be practical,” she says. Her motivation: Get sustainability introduced on a kids’ level to help parents start making those decisions early. Kirsten, who helped open the Vince store at Waterside Shops and formerly assisted in running the jewelry department at Marissa Collections, debuted the boutique last fall in North Naples’ Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt. Her curated selection of children’s clothing and accessories focuses on ages 0 to 12.

Parents can shop from Australian, European and American brands that meet

the Global Organic Textile Standard, meaning there’s no chemical exposure at any level—from the farmers planting the cotton to the factories processing and manufacturing the garment. The certification also ensures brands adhere to fair wages and ban child labor.

Gray Label, from Amsterdam, is Kirsten’s year-round favorite, with its gender-neutral palette of black, gray, clay and blue-gray. Other brands include Rylee + Cru, which creates imaginative designs with prints from its illustrator-mama founder—along with the brand’s sister lines, Quincy Mae for baby basics and Play x Play for activewear. There are also Little Sleepies’ ultra-soft, patterned bamboo pajamas for babies and kids up to 14, and newborn sets by MarMar and 1+ In The Family. Kirsten created her eco-conscious boutique with high ceilings, concrete

The Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt boutique specializes in sustainable children’s brands that meet the Global Organic Textile Standard and adhere to fair-labor practices.

Kirsten Maas—who helped open the Vince store at Waterside and worked at Marissa Collections—had her 3-year-old, Logan, in mind when she opened sunset + pine last fall.

The boutique is a minimalist oasis with modern brands, like Gray Label and Rylee + Cru.

floors and a minimalist design as a palette cleanser for on-the-go parents. She’s mindful of stocking “socially good” products, such as STATE Bags, which gives to educational programs and donates backpacks filled with essentials to kids in need. Books from Familius publishing house focus on positive messages; puzzles and games by Londji, out of Barcelona, are made with natural and recycled materials; and Apple Park’s plush dolls are made from organic cotton and filled with hypoallergenic corn fiber.

Launching the boutique was a natural transition for Kirsten, who moved to Naples with her husband, John (the head tennis pro at Royal Poinciana Golf Club), five years ago. The longtime industry pro studied business management at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. Before working with Vince and Marissa Collections, she worked in public relations in L.A., with accounts including Levi’s, spent time in the corporate office of Italian

luxury brand Ermenegildo Zegna and acted as a stylist for Saks Fifth Avenue’s private Fifth Avenue Club in Manhattan.

In the future, Kirsten aims to start a buy-back program to continue the life cycle of clothing. Parents can bring out-grown clothing back for possible in-store credit or discounts on future purchases. “It keeps the cycle going, helps people that need it, and also helps parents make smarter choices, buy less and get higher quality,” she says.

A place where students can be inquisitive, capable, enthusiastic, social and have fun. Our students are passionately prepared for a very bright future, through STEM, Music, Academics, Sports, and Art from K4-8th grades! They are intentionally prepared for the next step of their lives where Christ is the head & their future is bright

Self Made

Local youth entrepreneurship programs prepare children to run the world.

Words: Andrea Stetson

Move over lemonade stands: The new crop of young entrepreneurs are savvy, creative and careeroriented. And with lots of local programs, workshops and fairs, Southwest Florida equips the next generation with the tools they need to succeed. Collier County is mostly small business, says career and technical education manager for Collier County Public Schools, Courtney Stahlman. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the figure at 89 percent. And locals are eager to foster a go-getter spirit in kids.

This school year, Collier schools began an entrepreneurship program for all fifth graders: students work in teams or groups to develop a project, pitch the idea and launch their business. Children learn about marketing, pricing, teamwork, innovation and public

speaking. They then sell their creations during an expo at the end of the year. “At that age, they are so creative and have so many ideas,” Courtney says.

At Seacrest Country Day School, first graders participate in Market Day. “When I was going through school, it was all about, ‘What are you going to study?’ ‘What job will you have for the rest of your life?’” Seacrest’s Meghan Easterly says.

“Now parents are recognizing you can [follow a] passion and create an income.” For Market Day, kids have a month to develop a product and learn how to promote it with brochures and videos. They sell their soaps, charms, art and other enterprising wares to teachers and peers, who shop with Market Day Dollars, earned through acts of kindness. Seacrest high schoolers

can enroll in an entrepreneurship club, where the teacher brings guest speakers from the region. “Having an idea isn’t enough,” Meghan says. “You have to put it into motion and introduce it and see: Is it sustainable? Is it a hobby? Or is it a business?”

The Greater Naples Chamber and Collier County Schools also host an entrepreneur fair for kindergarteners to 12th graders. Participants are recognized for the Getty

originality of their idea, business potential and display quality—no parent help allowed.

Meanwhile, serial entrepreneur Jude Paul started Kidpreneur Life in Fort Myers to teach children leadership, financial literacy and other transferable business skills. Online programs can be purchased for individual children or entire classrooms (the lessons meet state standards). Little tycoons can also sign up for the Young Moguls

membership and get business cards, a personalized logo and other tools for kickstarting their million-dollar idea.

To showcase the bevy of local, young, self-starter talent, Biz Kidz Expo founder JD Ribali hosts workshops and expositions annually in Collier and Lee Counties. “There are always kids that have these big ideas and are eager to try them out, and we want to give them that platform,”

The region’s hands-on programs, including Biz Kidz Expo and Seacrest Country Day School’s Market Day, teach the next gen to pitch, develop and promote budding business ideas.

JD says. Through the workshops, children learn to set up displays, develop pitches, sell their products and, perhaps most importantly, they learn how to fail. “We teach them to celebrate their failures. You have to try it, refine it and find out what will work,” JD adds.

At a recent Biz Kidz event at Miromar Outlets, Smiley

Castaneda proudly watched his daughter, Cadence, sell handmade earrings. “She is not shy like she used to be. She understands money, understands profits and loss, and now she’s helping other young entrepreneurs,” Smiley says. The 9-year-old started her venture to make money to buy fidget popper toys after her father refused to get her more. “Now I want to be a businesswoman,” Cadence says.

Just Keep Swimming

Bonita Springs’ Bridget Davis equips local families with lifesaving water safety practices at Goldfish Swim School.

Words: Zahra Khan

Photography: Brian Tietz

Bridget Davis recalls her youngest, Kace, at 9 months old, floating on his back in the pool. The boy started swim lessons when he was 4 months old. Three years ago, Bridget, who

moved her family to the Gulf in 2018, had been looking to start a business they could involve the children in. She’d been interested in early swim safety for some time and decided to open a Bonita Springs location for Goldfish Swim School. Her kids had taken lessons with Goldfish when the family lived in Pennsylvania.

In a region defined by its Gulfside location, swimming is a must-learn skill. Bridget—with her husband, Jeff—aims to empower young’uns to safely enjoy the water through her family-run swim school. With a spectrum of instruction for kids up to 12, the Goldfish team advises parents to enroll infants as young as 4 months old. According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in the U.S. “You read these stories that are so heartbreaking,” Bridget says. “And it really can happen to anyone—and it can happen so quickly.” She points to a National Institute of Health study which found swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning for kids under 3 (the most vulnerable population) by 88 percent.

At Goldfish, a max four-to-one swimmer-to-instructor ratio ensures dedicated attention for each little swimmer. The weekly 30-minute lessons are broken up by age and

Goldfish teaches kids breath control, basic swim skills and competitive strokes.

skill level. For infants, instructors guide parents on breath control and getting babies used to the water. With toddlers, instructors simulate scenarios, like what to do if they fall into a pool, helping build muscle memory to swim to the nearest ledge and pull themselves out. Older kids work on swimming independently and toward developing competitive butterfly and freestyle strokes. Goldfish also hosts internal swim meets for students, complete with pizza and prizes, to help kids implement their skills.

The indoor facility’s comforts impress parents and kiddos alike: A

heated saltwater pool has a separate viewing room for parents, plus swimsuit dryers, changing rooms, hair-drying stations, and there’s a Snack Shack for after class. Wet and dry areas are smartly separated to avoid slips.

The oldest Davis kids, 10-yearold Tia, and 7-year-old twins, Jax and Sloan, often hang out around the snack shack or pro shop. “Kace just runs around eating snacks all day,” Bridget says of her youngest. Though there are lifeguards on watch, when the 3-year-old goes for a dip, they know, if he needs, he can pull himself right back out.

Bridget’s Swim Safety Tips

Train Their Instincts

Think prevention: While you want to teach your kiddos to have fun in the water, they should also understand that beaches, lakes and pools can be dangerous. Teach them to respect the water and instill strategies to help themselves in case of accidental falls. At Goldfish, instructors train toddlers to swim to the wall closest to them (instinctively, kids swim toward the first wall they see, which is often the one farthest away). Children should learn to float on their backs to catch their breath while swimming or while waiting for help. If there’s another kid or an animal in trouble, teach your children to “throw, don’t go” by tossing in a flotation device and calling for help rather than risking both their lives.

Install Layers of Protection

Implement multiple fail-safes, starting with the doors around your house. All doors and gates that lead to water should be properly shut with locks that only an adult can reach and open. Closer to the water, install an automatically locking pool gate, invest in sensors that tell you if there’s unexpected movement in the water and always have kids wear a life vest, especially on watersports vessels. “Swim lessons are an important layer of protection as well,” Bridget says. “Taking formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent.”

Assign a Water Guardian

Designate one responsible adult to monitor swimmers at all times—without any distractions. No phone scrolling! Rotate to a new guardian every 30 minutes to ensure you have an alert watcher on guard. It helps if the guardian is CPR certified, Bridget says. Even if children aren’t swimming, someone should be watching them when there’s water nearby. Many drownings happen when kids run off while parents load the car for a trip or unload the groceries.

Free Rein

Words: Addison Pezoldt

Photography: Brian

Tietz

At 11 years old, Scarlett Yana sits upright like a pine, with her Tucci boots gleaming against her pony Andre’s soft, manicured coat. They’re riding in the Children’s Pony Hunter Division at the Equestrian Sport Productions Florida State Fall show in Wellington. Scarlett sets her pace, preparing for the eight jumps ahead. She mentally measures each stride precisely. As they approach a 2-foot fence, Scarlett leans in, nudges gently and Andre lifts, fluidly bringing their bodies up and over. Scarlett’s in the zone. She and Andre move as one as they canter around the ring, earning top honors from the judges.

The young equestrian had already won about 150 ribbons (most placing within the top three) when she came home from the show

with a Grand Champion award, the highest honor.

Her affinity for horses was sparked on a fateful trip to Santa Anita Park race track in Los Angeles when she was 4. She fell head-over-hooves for the sport five years ago when her parents, Lizzy and Jason, enrolled her in a Naples pony club soon after moving to town.

The family was living in St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, when Hurricane Irma hurled toward the Caribbean in 2017. The Yanas evacuated to Miami, then Orlando, then Nashville to dodge the storm. When Hurricane Maria battered St. Thomas 10 days later, the family decided to move near Jason’s family in Naples. “I ended up putting [Scarlett] in a little pony club to cheer her up,” Lizzy says. The move

was hard on young Scarlett, who missed her island friends. But Lizzy saw a spark return to her daughter’s eyes when she got on the saddle: “We couldn’t take her away.”

Scarlett now shows primarily in the hunter category, which judges on agility, jumping style and effortlessness between the rider and horse. Scarlett started competing in 2019 in the novice short stirrup division, frequently placing first in competitions. As she advanced, the family connected with Benchmark Equestrian in Naples, where owners Steve and Tania DiCarlo often maintain an extensive waiting list.

For more than an hour every day, you’ll find the dimpled equestrian walking, trotting and cantering around on Andre—her newest horse, which they’re banking on

Naples equestrian Scarlett Yana gallops to the top with the help of her trainers, parents and trusty steeds.

Mindful Parenting — Prodigies

At 11 years old, Scarlett shows in the medium hunter pony division, often earning topthree placements in competitions.

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taking her to the next level in competitions. “He’s beautiful—he looks like the Barbie pony,” Lizzy says of the daring-yet-tractable horse. Scarlett also takes private lessons with Benchmark three times a week. Steve and Tania work with her one-on-one to hone techniques and establish best handling practices for her three horses, including 18-year-old, white Welsh pony, Jacque, and Logan, a dapple gray Connemara — a breed known for its athleticism, versatility and

friendliness. All three ponies have stage names for the ring: Jacque is Silverwing, Logan is Silverpoint and Andre is Woldberg’s Bochelli. Scarlett encourages the animals, using pet names to strengthen their bond. “I’ll be like, ‘Okay, Jacquers, don’t be nervous for this,’” she says. The ponies follow her commands and listen to her body signals. With Jacque—her first horse—the two know each other so well that he’s practically an extension of her. Scarlett leans in, and Jacque follows.

The pony launches, front legs up and over the post, then the back two and down to the ground. While the homeschooled preteen enjoys time with friends, drawing, riding around in her golf cart and picking fruit from the trees on her family’s property, she’s laserfocused on her sport. She envisions a career in riding, with her sights set on the Olympics. She loves the peace the sport brings: “My favorite thing is, I’m just going, and my brain goes quiet.”

Change is Blooming

An eco-minded father-son duo from Fort Myers launch a nonprofit to repopulate pollinator gardens.

Words: Artis Henderson

Vikram Chhabra and his son, Ethan, have raised and released monarch butterflies in their backyard since Ethan was 2 years old. The now 10-year-old is well-versed in the pollination process and understands the power of a single seed. When

How could he spread the word about pollinators? Ethan and his father teamed up with children’s book author and publisher Joel Harper to find a solution: One Flower Project took root. “It’s heavy living in today’s world,” Vikram says. “Social media, and technology, in general is consuming our children. The One Flower Project helps us slow everything down and pay attention to the planet.”

The Fort Myers-based father-son duo created the nonprofit in 2020 with Joel to spread awareness of the importance of often-overlooked wildflowers. The flowers can attract insects, like butterflies and bees, that pollinate surrounding crops (according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 35 percent of the world’s crops depend on pollinators to reproduce) and foster a healthier ecosystem overall.

For a minimum donation of $10, the Chhabras send you a seed kit with sunflower and wildflower seeds, planting instructions and notes on pollinators. Once they have enough to support an entire classroom, they send a kit to a school in the United States. Ethan says the simple act of planting a seed is healing for the planet and people: “Helping pollinators and growing from seed shows us kids just how much we need nature.” His dad proudly agrees: “Imagine flooding social media with pictures of kids helping restore natural habitats in the simplest of ways. In my eyes, there is nothing more uplifting.”

Ethan’s favorite YouTube star Mark Rober and content creator Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, launched the #TeamTrees campaign in 2019 and raised $20 million to plant 20 million trees across the world, he was inspired to start his own movement. Courtesy One

Flower Project

FEATURES

Stylish mamas and loving nature through the generations

Notable

Four local moms weigh in on parenting with style, grace and a community-first mindset.

Photography by Anna Nguyen

Styled by Anna Ruiz

Produced by Jaynie Bartley

Rachel Pierce wears a dress by Theme Dresser. Clockwise, from top: Rory wears a shirt and pants by Ralph Lauren. Piper wears a set by Mia Belle Girls. Daphne wears a dress by Epic Threads. Lydia wears a shirt by Neon & Nylon and pants by Topshop.

P

THE PIERCE FAMILY

When Rachel Pierce’s youngest daughter, 3-year-old Daphne, was born in 2019, the well-known morning news anchor was on her way to becoming a full-time artist. With three other kids running around, she’d often be found with a baby on her hip, as she filled canvases with her signature beachy scenes. “Daphne has gravitated toward art from a young age,” Rachel says. “She loves painting with me.”

This fall, during Hurricane Ian, Rachel and her husband, Matthew, evacuated their Sanibel home, which was destroyed in the storm. They packed up the kids to stay with family in Texas. Her two-story studio on Sanibel was severely damaged, but Rachel renovated the space and took the opportunity to add a home store for her new collection of chairs, linens and gifts, covered in her Gulf-inspired artwork.

Arts and the environment play a major role in the Pierce family values. “Teaching them to respect nature is so important,” Rachel says. The kiddos attend The Sanibel School, which is currently holding classes at San Carlos Park Elementary, and they often attend camps to learn about the sea creatures their mom paints. All four kids love the coastal allure of their island hometown. Her 7-year-old son, Rory, loves shelling with his mom as she combs the beach for inspiration. Twelve-year-old Lydia is the crafty one, who makes resin trinkets for friends, and 10-year-old Piper is known to leave “piles of Piper” all over the house when making collages or sewing. “She makes art out of everything,” Rachel says. — Jaynie Bartley

THE SURA-GIRGIS FAMILY

Radiation oncologist Dr. Sonal Sura-Girgis maintains a packed schedule with up to 60 patient consults, follow-ups or procedures daily at her four GenesisCare clinics. But when she clocks out by 4:30 p.m., she shifts her focus to family. Just before the pandemic hit, Sonal migrated to Naples from New York with her husband, Nader Girgis, and their littles, 7-yearold Anaya and 4-year-old Kai.

Here, the four maximize their time together through rituals. On Friday nights, they spin a wheel to nail down dinner plans, frequenting locales like Bar Tulia and Truluck’s. They love to visit museums and the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, and vacations to New York and Miami inspire fashion-forward Anaya and broaden the kids’ worldview. “We get out and expose them to different cultures and environments so that they don’t forget that this is almost a utopia and there are very different places in the rest of the world,” Sonal says.

After indulging in a recent trip, Sonal instructed the kiddos to pay it forward by volunteering for a soup kitchen or donating their toys. “I’m constantly reminding them that what they have is not what everyone has,” she says. The mom engages them in her world, too. A board member of the Cancer Alliance Network, Sonal recently took her kids to a breast cancer walk. As they walked, she explained the disease to her children and her role in combating the illness with patients. “I think it’s important to spend a lot of time with your children,” she says. “That relationship we have is very important to me, and I think it’ll help guide them to be better people—at least to their best potential.” — Gina

Valentino

Dr. Sonal Sura-Girgis wears a dress by Hemant and Nandita.

From left: Kai wears a sweater and pants by Hope & Henry. Anaya wears a set by Pink & Violet.

Ruthia Fuller wears a dress by Selkie. From left: Sarai wears a dress by Rare Editions. Sire wears a shirt and pants by Hope & Henry.

FTHE FULLER FAMILY

Spoken word artist Ruthia Fuller and her husband, Dray, know the impact words carry. They produce and perform in hardhitting videos addressing mental health, racial injustices and political division on their YouTube channel, The Fuller Nation. Still, Ruthia most wants her children—2-year-old Sire and 6-year-old Sarai—to remember her actions. “I model for my kids giving back and helping people,” Ruthia says. When she’s not dressing influencers and actors on commercial sets, the wardrobe stylist spends time with her family giving back to her community. The couple volunteered for their former church in Fort Myers for five years, visiting ailing members in the hospital to be a source of encouragement. Over the holidays, the family donated toys to Cape Coral’s Hoops on a Mission nonprofit. In January, Ruthia and Dray performed during the NAACP of Collier County’s MLK Day parade in Naples to celebrate the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The kids take style cues from their mom, too. You might find them in matching herringbone looks or preppy purple coordinates. They pose in monochromatic ensembles for editorialized holiday shoots and videos about Black history for their more than 45,000 followers on Instagram. In their YouTube video, “The WORLD Needs to SEE This,” inspired by John Maxwell’s book Change Your World , the duo rhymes about equality, acceptance and love. As the video concludes, baby Sire is strapped to dad’s chest and Sarai smiles up at mom, as Ruthia and Dray preach: “We will see change while this generation is alive.” — Nila Do Simon

THE SOLDAVINI FAMILY

Callhan Soldavini’s first-born, Saqqara, hit a turning point over the holidays. As the 1-year-old learned to walk, Callhan and her husband, James, discovered the tyke loves feeding the giraffes at Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. “We live next door and got the membership, so she’s doing that weekly now—it’s so cute,” Callhan gushes. “The Golisano Children’s Museum (C’MON) with her cousins has become another staple.”

Callhan grew up in Naples, and for this young mom (with another baby on the way), there’s no place like her hometown. A public interest attorney with the nonprofit Legal Aid Service of Collier County, Callhan moved back to Naples from Chicago in 2019. “I couldn’t think of a better place to raise a family,” she says.

The chic mom also serves on the boards for Naples Pride, supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and Pads 4 Refugees, which provides feminine hygiene products to women in need. The latter hit close to home with Hurricane Ian, where Callhan saw the overwhelming need for these products, which are not typically included with government aid. “It’s eye-opening,” she says.

As she continues to explore Naples through Saqqara’s eyes, Callhan says it’s the little things that make their time together so precious. “I love taking Saqqara with us everywhere,” she says. “It’s nice to have her and relive everything I used to do growing up here.” You might find them biking as a family through Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South, where a helmeted Saqqara takes it all in from her front-mounted bike seat as she smiles— just like her mom did as a little girl. —N.D.S.

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Callhan Soldavini wears a dress by For Love & Lemons. Saqqara wears a dress by Bonnie Jean.

Planting the Seeds

The Shotwell family has been at the center of local conservation efforts since the 1960s—that continues with the youngest generation.

Words: Artis Henderson

Photography: Anna Nguyen

Henley Shotwell’s parents, Lynne and Chip, have been instrumental in growing the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Now, Henley and his wife, Nelly, instill the importance of stewardship in their three children, 13-year-old Duke, 8-year-old Vera (above), and 10-year-old Winston.

On a rainy Sunday morning in the summer of 2020, Henley Shotwell headed to Naples Bay with his two sons, Duke and Winston, to join local fishing captain Tony Fontana in his 23-foot Dorado bay boat. The guys had the water to themselves. It would have been a fine day for fishing, but this wasn’t a fishing trip.

Fort Myers-based nonprofit Captains for Clean Water, a key player in protecting Southwest Florida’s waterways over the last seven years, was helping regional captains who were out of work due to the pandemic. They had raised funds to pay fishing guides for a half-day’s charter to pick up garbage on the water. Tony signed up and invited Henley and his boys to join.

They collected more than 300 pounds of trash—Styrofoam takeout

containers, plastic water bottles, broken fishing lines, busted lures, old buoys, and an orange traffic cone— from Naples Bay. The boys grinned the whole time, loving it. Shotwell knew he’d imparted a lesson that would last a lifetime. “When I was young, it was hard to make sense of something the old-timers would say. They’d tell me, ‘This isn’t my land. I’m just here taking care of it for a little bit.’” Now, Henley understands we’re not here very long, and we should try to make a difference while we can. “That’s a huge uphill battle these days, with water quality issues, red tide and the discharges out of Lake Okeechobee,” he adds.

Conservation runs in the Shotwell bloodline. Henley’s grandfather Elmer Wavering was instrumental in founding the Conservancy of

Southwest Florida in the early 1960s. Over the years, Henley’s grandparents and parents, Lynne and Chip Shotwell, have supported local environmental causes, such as The Everglades Foundation and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Last year, the Conservancy gave Lynne and Chip the Eagle Award, the organization’s highest honor.

More recently, the family has gotten involved with Captains for Clean Water. At the November Restore Gala, Captains honored Henley and his wife, Nelly, for their advocacy to help veto Senate Bill 2508, a piece of legislature that threatened water quality and Everglades restoration efforts. “They reached out to their neighbors, held meetings, traveled to Tallahassee and

engaged directly with policymakers,” Captains co-founder Daniel Andrews says. “Their efforts resulted in a massive groundswell of opposition to the bill from the Naples community.”

Nelly and Henley believe the greatest legacy is the ecologically focused mindset they’re instilling in their three children. They do this through memorable events, like the Naples Bay cleanup, and daily moments that teach them how to be environmental stewards. “We don’t really go to sit on the beach,” Nelly says. “When we’re on the water, we’re fishing, paddling—connecting the kids to the land and the wildlife.”

Henley, who owns Naples’ Surf & Turf Custom rod and archery shop, grew up surrounded by the outdoors with a family of fishermen and hunters.

Henley and Nelly often take the kids on outdoor adventures, including to Naples Botanical Garden. They also like to volunteer as a family. On a recent Marco Island beach cleanup, the kids picked up “every cigarette butt, every gross BAND-AID, every straw,” Nelly says. “They were shocked that people could just walk away and leave their trash.”

“We want doing the little things to help the environment to be a normal reaction for them,” Nelly says.

“It doesn’t always have to be a big lecture about saving the universe.”

The family was photographed at Naples Botanical Garden.

“Very few people come to conservation on their own. Typically, they need to be led toward it—either by somebody showing them the way or by hanging around like-minded people.”

All three Shotwell children, including daughter, Vera, recently volunteered in a beach cleanup on Marco Island. “They picked up every cigarette butt, every gross BAND-AID, every straw,” Nelly says. “They were shocked that people could just walk away and leave their trash.” Now, when the Shotwell kids spot trash in a parking lot, they make a point of picking it up. They’ve been learning about harmful nonnative species, too, and helped Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center with invasive species cleanups.

“I’m not trying to make them sound like angels,” Nelly says. (“They are not,” Henley chimes in, with a laugh.) “But we want doing the little things to help the environment to be a normal reaction for them,” Nelly says. “It doesn’t always have to be a big lecture about saving the universe.”

The parents model the behavior in their day-to-day lives. Henley is known to turn his boat around to pick up trash floating in the water. “There are two kinds of people in this world: The kind who return the grocery cart to the corral and the kind who leave it in the middle of the damn parking lot,” he says. He wants his kids to be the kind who do the right thing—in the parking lot, on the water and everywhere.

T h e W o n d e r G a r d e n s i s a z o o l o g i c a l i c o n w i t h O l d F l o r i d a r o o t s , a s t o r i e d p a s t , a n d a m o d e r n m i s s i o n

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S W F L

F u n & e d u c a t i o n a l f o r

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27180 Old 41 Rd.

Bonita Springs, FL 34135

FAMILY TIME

Things to do and places to go to reconnect, unwind and feed young explorers’ imaginations

Conrad, who interned for glass legends, including Dale Chihuly, teaches the art to children and families from the solar-powered, indoor-outdoor studio in his tropical backyard.

Best in Glass

Naples glassblower Conrad Williams and his photographer wife, Erin, raise their niece and two sons in a world of pure imagination.

Words: Melanie Pefinis

Photography: Reagan Rule

Naples native Conrad Williams, who interned for glass legend Dale Chihuly and other talents, has been perfecting his crystalline orbs, kaleidoscopic vases and swirling sculptures, for more than two decades. Now he shares his skills via outdoor glassblowing workshops in his tropical backyard, for adults and kiddos as young as 6.

He offers packages for groups, individuals and couples on date nights, but the kid-centric lessons hold a special place for the uncle and father of two. “I love how uninhibited the little ones are,” he says. An elementary student once asked him if her breath would stay inside the orb she was crafting. When Conrad confirmed, she ran to her parents, eager to share: “Now my 7-year-old breath is trapped inside that glass forever.”

Environment and art form the bedrock for his family, which includes his wife, photographer Erin Williams,

their sons, 12-year-old Logan and 9-year-old Sawyer Fox, and 12-yearold niece Harper Dougherty. Where some families use construction paper and scissors, the Williams have blow pipes and liquid glass. “It’s their normal,” Conrad says. He fondly recalls a time when young Logan was puzzled to learn his friend’s home didn’t have a glassblowing setup. Erin and Conrad raise their kids to be curious, inquisitive and always creative. “The dance you do as a parent is similar to how you approach art,” Conrad says. “It is all problem-solving. How can I get from here to there? Or how can I help get you to where you want to be?”

Conrad dedicates much of his time to teaching others through his Glassblowing in the Garden lessons. Living up to his motto, “Safety, fun, education,” Conrad took courses at Florida Gulf Coast

University to sharpen his teaching skills. “It has helped me get more tricks in my belt for how to express myself and how to get my point across.” He holds by-appointment workshops at his solar-powered, indoor-outdoor home studio near Lowdermilk Park and through his mobile studio.

While the timing and pacing depend on the student, all classes start with an introduction to the equipment and precautions for working with glass. After Conrad uses long, metal rods to gather molten glass from the furnace, children learn to shape the glass and apply hues with colored chips that swirl together when melted, like mixed paint. Using a blowpipe, students learn to stretch the pieces into ornaments, bowls and oil lamps.

“I instruct them step-by-step, one-on-one. We are very much believers in glassblowing being about the process,” Conrad says. Working with a delicate medium parlays into the evolving strategy Conrad uses with children: “If there is a weakness in one part of the glass, I know I have to adjust how I continue to shape the piece, so it won’t break. It’s the same with kids. In times of peril, you adapt, and steer whatever is remaining back on course.” He feels fortunate to do what he loves for a living. “I want to be a role model and show [kids] that when they discover something they love—with the help of some problem solving—it’s possible to turn their passion into a career,” Conrad says.

His sons Logan (above) and Sawyer Fox, and niece Harper (opposite), often assist Conrad with the kaleidoscopic creations. “I want to be a role model and show [kids] that when they discover something they love—with the help of some problem solving—it’s possible to turn their passion into a career,” Conrad says.

Club-Level Kids

These local staycation resorts up the ante on family fun with engaging programs and cool amenities for their youngest guests.

Words: Susan B. Barnes

Living in paradise means we have access to posh resorts with all the creature comforts, plus stellar programs for tykes to play and discover. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or hosting out-oftown grandkids, these kids’ clubs are sure to impress. Note: Some resorts are remodeling after Hurricane Ian; call for the latest information.

JW MARRIOTT MARCO ISLAND BEACH RESORT

The Tiki Tribe Discovery Day Camp at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort offers education and entertainment for guests ages 5 through 12. Day campers participate in activities rooted in science, art and nature, with indoor fun and wildlife explorations.

Half- and full-day programs allow kids to explore the resort’s three miles of coastline, where they

may discover rare shells, sea glass and other treasures from the deep. Children flock to the shores to learn about sea turtles, dolphins, manatees and migrant birds. Aspiring mermaids over the age of 6 can dive into the 90-minute Mermaid Monofin Safety Course at the onsite Sea Shelley’s Mermaid School to learn kicks, tricks, flips, and stretching and breathing exercises. Bonus: there’s an underwater dance party at the end of class. On another day, kids can head to the resort’s 10K Alley, the arcade and mini-golf course for more endless fun. jwmarco.ipoolside.com.

THE RITZ-CARLTON RESORTS OF NAPLES

In 2021, The Ritz-Carlton Tiburón, Naples, added a waterpark, The Reservoir, complete with a lazy river and dedicated children’s splash and play area. Now, the beachfront The

South Seas Island Resort partners with Sanibel Sea School to offer children environmental programs with surfing, shelling and learning about local animals.

Ritz-Carlton, Naples, is undergoing an extensive transformation, slated to debut this summer.

The resort’s still working on their new kids’ club, but you can expect more environmental-inspired fun, like what they had with the former Nature’s Wonder program, aimed at children ages 5-12. Exploring the grounds, feeding aquarium animals, combing the beach for shells, and learning about mangroves, sea turtles and the importance of recycling are all fanfavorites that excite for what’s next.

The Ritz-Carlton also offers family-friendly activities throughout the year, including the holiday Teddy Bear Tea. ritzcarlton.com

THE HYATT REGENCY COCONUT POINT RESORT AND SPA

Known for its sprawling, childfriendly campus—including an onsite waterpark with five twisting waterslides, a lazy river and four swimming pools—The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and

Spa in Bonita Springs offers the perfect family getaway. And, the kid-friendly amenities don’t stop at the pool: Camp Coconut for ages 3 to 12 is complete with half- and full-day programs.

While the waterpark and camp are still being overhauled after the hurricane, kids have access to a variety of daily activities, including childhood favorites, such as musical chairs, tug-of-war, threelegged races and dance contests. Parents wanting a date night can enroll kids in the weekend evening

program, where kiddos engage in movie screenings, bingo and roasting s’mores around the firepit. hyatt.com

SOUTH SEAS ISLAND RESORT

Businesses on the islands have been working ‘round the clock to rebuild after Hurricane Ian. At South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, the team is hopeful for a 2023 return.

In addition to being a wonderland for kids, South Seas works with the Sanibel Sea

Courtesy The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa

School to offer kids’ activities. Every day is a field trip with the Sanibel Sea School Day Camp, for adventurous littles aged 6 to 13. Camp counselors and marine science educators closely watch the kiddos, as they surf on the Gulf, comb the beach for treasures and learn about aquatic creatures. Sessions are tailored to different topics, like sharks, crabs or manatees, for wild adventures

that change day to day. Private family programs can also be tailored to suit your clan’s interests. Or, you can sign up for an outing as a family to find shells and spot birds with a marine science educator. Sanibel Sea School also partners with Sanibel Moorings Resort for children’s activities, and they are working to reopen their summer camp at Bailey Homestead Preserve. southseas.com.

239.261.5317

www.cafemnm.com

In Southwest Florida, kids’ clubs celebrate our natural setting with programs that are educational and fun.

Courtesy Sanibel Sea School/South Seas Island Resort

Head of School: Rick Kirschner

LIFT OFF Entrepreneur Program

provides real-life experiences for problem-solving while connecting our students to the greater community.

CANTERBURY SCHOOL

To experience Canterbury School is to appreciate inspiring teachers, coaches, and mentors rigorously preparing students for a world of unlimited possibilities. The foundation of our school starts with four tenets: academics, leadership, character, and service. These tenets work together with key aspects that create a great “prep” school – a robust honor code, exceptional academics, a wide range of co-curricular opportunities, and meaningful relationships. Canterbury is an established leader in science and technology education with our Independent Science Research program, computer science courses, and state-of-the-art lab facilities. Highlights include our outdoor marine biology classroom with a 1,000-gallon saltwater touch tank and engaging opportunities in engineering, forensics, artificial intelligence, astronomy, and more. From visual and performing arts to video production and music, we are pleased to present one of the most robust and diverse arts programs in Southwest Florida. Athletics also enrich the lives of Canterbury students, creating a climate of teamwork, cooperation, and sportsmanship. Working together in a resilient community, Canterbury prepares students to meet challenges with confidence, knowledge, integrity, courage, and responsibility. This powerful combination provides the foundation for your child’s success in learning and life.

STEAM Education aims to challenge and inspire students to think critically with hands-on learning experiences.

Summer Programs with 50+ unique opportunities for all ages to explore!

Location: 8141 College Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33919

Phone: (239) 481-4323

Admission Office: (239) 415-8945

Website: www.canterburyfortmyers.org

100% Online K-12 School Teacher Supported School On Your Schedule

SCHAPPERT ACADEMY

What if we showed up everyday to be a better version of ourselves? Not losing ground, but gaining more each day. More knowledge, more understanding, more wisdom, more real-world skills. Magda & Jason Schappert live by the standard “What doesn’t grow, dies.” They believe there is no in between, but a constant ongoing process. Magda and Jason set out to equip the next generation with the skills they need to succeed by sharing their greatest successes and failures in life and business. This wisdom is shared through their Private Online K-12 School, Schappert Academy and their newly founded Schappert College. Schappert Academy is a 100% online private K-12 school with no filler or agenda based curriculum! Being 100% online allows for school on everyone’s schedule! Students can complete a semester in as little as 6 weeks or as long as 24 weeks and have the opportunity to do their school work when it’s best for their schedule. All school work is graded and corrected by a teacher and each week your students will sit down for a virtual 1 on 1 with their teacher for tutoring, mentorship, and coaching. Parents also receive weekly reports on progress. Students enrolled in Schappert Academy have opportunities to take classes in real estate, aviation, business, healthcare, and various trades.

Magda & Jason’s greatest mission is to be a light in the field of education for generations to come and leave a transformational impact in our community and the lives of their students and families.

Real World Education

Phone: (888) 298-3621

Website: www.SchappertAcademy.com

COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF NAPLES

Community School of Naples strives to provide students with rich and robust academic programs and extracurricular activities that ignite their passion in an environment that fosters health, wellness, and optimal performance. The inspired faculty, staff, and coaches model lifelong learning by participating in collaborative and continual professional growth opportunities that foster and create a rewarding place where students thrive. The programs foster a culture that values student and community wellness. From core courses to electives, from environmental studies to fine and performing arts, wellness will support our students as they learn to balance their obligations and explore their personal passions.

The campus provides the landscape for success with its world class facilities of 24 buildings, a swimming pool, and athletic fields sprawling across 77 acres. With such resources and support, students are inspired to discover their full potential at Community School of Naples.

13275 Livingston Road Naples, FL 34109 USA (239) 597-7575

www.communityschoolnaples.org

FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATRE

Enrich your child’s world through performing arts! Whether your child dreams of being in the spotlight, or holding the spotlight, Florida Repertory Theatre’s education program has a kaleidoscope of options for children of all ages.

• Master Classes pair students with professionals in the areas of acting, audition prep, dance, voiceover artistry, fight choreography, and more.

• Theatre Conservatory provides young artists with an introduction to the professional theatrical process culminating with public performances.

• Our new Theatre Tech program offers students behind-the-scenes instruction on stage management, lighting, sound, set design, props, costuming, and stage makeup.

• Summer Camps centered around Broadway Jr. musicals are open to all skill levels.

• Each season, Florida Rep sends a team to the Junior Theatre Festival event in Atlanta to compete with youth theatre groups from around the world and engage in workshops and presentations led by Broadway stars and other creative professionals.

This season’s Theatre Conservatory will present “Fame - The Musical.” Auditions will be held in March; public performances in May 2023. The Theatre Tech program parallels theatre conservatory giving students the opportunity to help manage stage craft for “Fame.”

2268 Bay St., Fort Myers, FL 33901. (239) 219-1552

FloridaRepEducation.Org

Cast of Disney’s Moana Jr. (Summer Camp)

NAPLES ART INSTITUTE

Naples Art Institute offers ARTScool each summer as an enriching arts program for children and teens from ages 5-17. ARTScool is where imaginations come to life and new friendships are forged, as students embark upon their own unique artistic journey. Collaborative, lively, and sometimes a little bit messy, an ARTScool classroom is a place where children’s innate artistic curiosity is nurtured and guided by experienced art instructors whose primary focus is fostering a child’s artistic and social growth.

ARTScool students learn by participating in immersive arts activities incorporating varied techniques and media, including painting, drawing, paper arts, clay, printmaking, assembling 3D sculptures, and more! Sessions run June 5- July 29, 2023. Tuition is $150 per class, which includes supplies. Each class runs 3 hours per day each week. Both morning and afternoon classes are available, as well as early drop-off and full-day enrollment options. Register at naplesart.org

585 Park St., Naples, FL 34102 (239) 262-6517

www.naplesart.org

ST. ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL

“What sets our school apart is not only our commitment to academic excellence and education of the whole child, but our tradition of closeness as a family community. St. Elizabeth Seton School was literally hand-built in 1981 by families & parishioners wanting their children to have a quality, Catholic education. Since that time, Seton has been recognized throughout Naples for honoring its rich tradition of family values and faith in action. We are small enough that teachers know all the students and their families, and large enough to offer a full range of academic rigor and extra-curricular experiences such as a music program complete with beginner and concert bands, competitive athletics, 1:1 iPad program, Spanish, Art, PE, an integrated STREAM program, and middle school electives including theater and life skills, as well as a host of clubs and activities. I welcome you to visit, open our doors, feel the unique spirit and experience the joyful learning inside. See why our students love their school! Visit SaintElizabethSeton.com or call 239-455-2262. I’ll be happy to give you a tour of our special school where academic excellence, faith, values and community come to life each day!”

~ Maria Niebuhr, M.Ed., Principal

2730 53rd Terrace SW Naples, FL 34116

(239) 455-2262

www.SaintElizabethSeton.com

Facebook.com/SESCatholicSchool

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Regional Reads

Five authors lift local lore and landmarks off the page with lyrical prose and artistic illustrations.

Words: Nila Do Simon

Marjory Saves the Everglades

By Sandra Neil Wallace

Illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon

Biographer Sandra Neil Wallace pens this story on Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the journalist who saved the ‘Glades by helping establish Everglades National Park. The book traces Marjory’s life, from childhood to her years with the Navy and Red Cross to her time tirelessly advocating for our national treasure. The author weaves in influences that shaped Marjory’s activism and an inspiring message about the power of one.

Simon & Schuster

Goodnight Fort Myers & Sanibel

By Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper

Illustrated by Julissa Mora

This board book lulls young readers to sleep as they conjure dreams of seaside delights. Colorful illustrations introduce young’uns to the region’s varied creatures and scenes, including horse conch shells on Sanibel, bottlenose dolphins at Bowditch Point Park in Fort Myers Beach and the glow of the Sanibel Lighthouse. Don’t be surprised if your kid is educating you on our area’s wildlife the next time you’re out and about.

Good Night Books

Courtesy Simon & Schuster, Good Night Books, Mostly Kids’ Guides, Middle River Press, Mascot Books

A (Mostly) Kids’ Guide to Sanibel & Captiva Islands and the Fort Myers Coast

By Karen T. Bartlett

Kids just wanna have fun, and this photo-driven, scavenger hunt-inspired book, written by a local journalist, gives the best advice on how youths can get the most out of our region. A roadmap to exciting regional discoveries, the book combines practical, kid-centric insights on free things to do (including a calendar of events), with memorable local legends and fun quizzes. Mostly Kids’ Guides

The Last Calusa: The Adventures of Charlie Pierce

By Harvey E. Oyer, III

Illustrated by James Balkovec

The third in a series about teen explorer Charlie Pierce, this book follows the boy and his fearless little sister, Lillie, in the late 1800s, when South Florida was considered the last American frontier. Written by fifth-generation Floridian Harvey E. Oyer, III—the protagonist’s great-grandnephew—the book sees Charlie leading a scientist into the Everglades in search of the elusive ghost orchid, with learnings about the Calusa tribe and native flora and fauna along the way. Middle River Press

N is for Naples

By Lisa Trebilcock

Illustrated by Cheri Nowak

Dive into all things Naples with this lyrical story by local educator Lisa Trebilcock. Two young explorers traverse local sites and splash in our waterways as they discover landmarks and creatures through the alphabet. Every letter yields a new Southwest Florida lesson for littles, including introducing them to native wildlife. Check out Lisa’s E is for Everglades for a fun look at the world’s largest wetlands ecosystem. Mascot Books

Editors' Pick

Passage to India

Golisano Children's Museum of Naples' (C'MON) Namaste India exhibit, on display through May 14, gives littles a peek into the country's vibrant culture. The installation encourages sensory exploration and cultural awareness and develops their observational skills as kids move through pint-size sets of the Taj Mahal, a Bollywood red carpet, a classroom, a home and a marketplace, complete with a tuk-tuk photo-op. Imaginary play abounds through stands filled with faux produce, spices and textiles; a dhaba (roadside restaurants popular in India and neighboring Pakistan), where kids play-make Tandoori chicken; and a creative center, where they learn the ancient art of block printing. cmon.org

Courtesy Golisano Children's Museum of Naples

CHANGING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, TEENS, AND STUDENTS OF ALL AGES!

SPRING BREAK CONSERVATORY - March 13-17, 2023

• Robot Adventures: Ages 5-7

• Modern Odyssey: Ages 8-12

• Acting Intensive: Ages 13-18

• Technical Theatre Exploration: Ages 13-18

SPRING CONSERVATORY PRODUCTION

• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - performances May 20-25, 2023

BROADWAY BOOTCAMP - June 5-9, 2023

• Under the Sea: Ages 5-7

SUMMER CONSERVATORY PRODUCTIONS:

• Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo, Jr. - auditions March 23, classes June 5-23; performances June 22-23

• The SpongeBob Musical - auditions March 28, classes June 26-July 21; performances July 20-23