Houston Family Magazine March 2021

March 2021 | Vol. 33 | Issue 3

Tweets, texts & Emojis

WHY THEY’RE HURTING OUR KIDS DEVELOPMENT

Mental Health

LET’S END THE STIGMA TOGETHER

Summer Camps

HOW TO CHOOSE DURING A PANDEMIC

Discover Tennessee

PLAN YOUR SPRING BREAK ROAD TRIP ADVENTURE

+Camp Directory

Camp Allen

100 years of summer camp

WE’RE HERE TO HELP IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY

SCHEDULE AN IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL VISIT TODAY Routine checkups are essential to long-term health. That’s why Memorial Hermann Medical Group has put enhanced safety measures in place at all locations, ensuring every visit is a safe one.

Whether you opt to see your doctor in person or through a Virtual Office Visit, you can get the care you need with peace of mind.

To schedule a same-day or next-day appointment, call 832.658.MHMG (6464)

Advancing health. Personalizing care.

2 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE March 2021

memorialhermann.org/mhmg

TABLE OF CONTENTS 8 TWEETS, TEXTS & EMOJIS

Why communication in brief snippets is hurting our kids.

11 MENTAL ILLNESS

Nearly one in five Americans suffer from mental illness in any given year. Let's end the stigma of mental illness together.

14 CAMP ALLEN: 100 YEARS

8 14

ON THE COVER

28

Camp Allen has been supporting youth development over the summer for 100 years! See how it all began and where they are today.

18 CHOOSING A SUMMER CAMP Choosing a camp can be hard, especially during a pandemic. Check out these tips to help you find the perfect summer camp for the kids.

28 TRAVEL TENNESSEE

Itching for a family road trip during spring break, take a look at Tennessee with it's breathtaking views and country music roots.

34 A NIGHT WITH SUMMER

HFM Kid Ambassador Jayson Kimberly recounts his experience staying the night in a local dog kennel to help raise funds for animals in need.

36 GALVESTON: BEYOND THE BEACH

Galveston is much more than a lively beach town. Explore all the fun things to do on the island during the spring months.

20 CAMP DIRECTORY Discover Spring & Summer Camps

Join us in Celebrating 100 Years of summer camp with Camp Allen!

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 PUBLISHER'S NOTE

33 KID AMBASSADOR

30 I AM HOUSTON

38 THE BIG TO-DO

Here's to March, may you usher in a glorious spring of hope, health & joy.

Meet Meredith Jurica, founder of Makeup Junkie and Shark Tank contestant.

Meet this month's HFM Kid Ambassador, Lucas Buivantri.

Explore all the great things happening in the Greater Houston area in February.

43 BOOK BITES

Celebrate spring with these book picks from Bluewillow bookshop.

Letter from the editor

READY FOR SPRING TIME

publisher/editor

Kimberly Davis Guerra kim@houstonfamilymagazine.com

associate editor

Chantal Lemieux chantal@houstonfamilymagazine.com

creative director/ production

Casey Johnson casey@houstonfamilymagazine.com

contributing authors Kimberly Blaker Chantal Lemieux Jayson Kimberly Eshaan Mani Sandi Schwartz

contributing photographers

Chubby Cheek Photography Yvette Michelle Portraits

advertising sales Beverly Davis Tish Petty

printing

Publication Printers Denver, Colorado

contact us:

14123 Bluebird Lane Houston, TX 77079 (P) 713.266.1885 (F) 713.266.1915 www.HoustonFamilyMagazine.com

ABOVE// Some of our kid ambassador crew at Camp Allen in March of 2019

THE BIG TO DO Did you know our online calender is packed with even more great family friendly events? Check it out at houstonfamilymagazine.com.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK @houstonfamilymagazine FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @houstonfamilymagazine

CONTACT US Let us know how we’re doing. kim@houstonfamilymagazine.com

Houston Family is published monthly by Houston Family Magazine, LLC. Houston Family is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Only Houston Family authorized distributors may deliver or pick up the magazines. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all submitted material. We cannot be responsible for the return of any submitted material.

Houston Family is ©2020 by Houston Family Magazine,LLC. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without express permission is prohibited.

As we roll into the third month of 2021, I wonder what is in store for the month of March. In January, as a nation, we witnessed the startling attack on the Capitol and ushered in a new administration. In February, we faced a brutal ice storm, the likes most Texans have never seen. One can only hope, that March will usher in the spring and bring renewed hope, health & joy to our community.

This month, we celebrate many things. First, it’s Camp Allen’s 100th Birthday!! As one of our oldest clients and camps in our community, we congratulate them on achieving this tremendous milestone. Learn more about their past, present & future plans in this issue. Wander down memory lane with us as we learn why they have been one organization that has stood the test of time and is thriving in the new year.

It’s also Women’s History month. Around here, we celebrate women every day, so this month is no different. Look for stories of inspiration throughout the month, like our I am Houston piece.

Learn how a local woman saw a need, created a solution and took it all the way to Shark Tank to kick it off! Let her story be an inspiration to us all to follow through on our dreams.

Another topic focused on in March is Mental Illness. With so many suffering in silence, we want to raise awareness and dispel the stigma associated with many of the conditions faced daily by many of our readers. In Kimberly Blaker’s article, find out more about what you can do to end the stigma and help those in need of support.

Lastly, we focus on Galveston, our beautiful little island getaway to the south. They have seen way too many challenges this past decade! Show your support and love this month by spending some time on the beach, at The Strand or any of the wonderful locally owned businesses and restaurants. Go explore the city and find new hidden gems, rent a house and spend spring break on the beach, the possibilities are endless. Whatever you can do to support Galveston, while enjoying some quality family time, will be most appreciated!

Like most businesses, we are all finding new ways to operate in the post COVID world. HFM is no different. This month, we will host our first Virtual Camp Fair to bring families and camps together to talk about all they have to offer this summer. We encourage you to check it out. It’s FREE, as always, and a great opportunity to get your summer planned in a few hours! Join us as we delve into this new medium and connect through your computer screen! We hope it is the beginning of many new digital opportunities for the future!

As we come out of this turbulent start to 2021, it is our sincere hope that the coming weeks see a drastic turn for those in need or facing tough challenges. We will continue to offer support, guidance and resources to help you make it through to better days!

Stay Strong Houston!

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WE TREATED HER HEART WITH ALL OF OURS

OUR CONGENITAL HEART SURGERY OUTCOMES ARE AMONG THE TOP IN NORTH AMERICA When your child suffers from a heart condition, your family does, too. At Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, in partnership with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, we provide specialized care personalized to help your child live a healthy life. Because when it comes to you and your child’s health, there is nothing more important to us. And with Safe Wait™ enhanced safety measures at all of our facilities, you can get the care your child needs with peace of mind.

LOCATED IN THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER 6 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE March 2021

memorialhermann.org/childrens

CAMRYN AND MORGAN: IDENTICAL AGAIN SPECIALISTS RESTORE BABY’S NORMAL HEART FUNCTION Photo Credit: Riley Robertson, Peachy Portraits She’s an ICU nurse. He’s an air traffic controller.

And if that weren’t exciting enough, the Smiths were expecting twins. But even their high-stress careers didn’t prepare them for what lay ahead.

At her 8-week maternity check-up, Chanelle Smith and her husband, Patrick, were surprised and delighted to learn that Chanelle was carrying identical twins. Her obstetrician referred them to maternal fetal medicine specialist Amanda Mularz, MD, who practices near the couple’s home in The Woodlands.

“During my 20-week anatomy scan, Dr. Mularz noticed some cardiac-related differences between the two babies. To rule out the possibility of heart-related problems, she referred me to pediatric cardiologist Faustino G. Ramos,” says Chanelle. Dr. Ramos saw Chanelle at UT Physicians Pediatric Center – The Woodlands. UT Physicians is the clinical practice of McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). Dr. Ramos is a staff physician with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and is affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

Diagnosed with Congenital Heart Defect At 28 weeks, Dr. Ramos identified a small hole in the heart of one of the babies. Additional tests revealed that the baby suffered from a congenital heart condition known as Tetralogy of Fallot, which occurs in about 1 in every 2,518 babies born in the United States each year. The exact cause is unknown.

As pediatric cardiac surgeon Jorge Salazar, MD, professor and chief of pediatric and congenital heart surgery at McGovern Medical School, affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, explains, “Babies born with Tetralogy of Fallot have a hole in the heart between the two pumping chambers that allows the blood to mix at the pump, or ventricular, level. In addition, there’s a blockage of blood flow to the lungs, which reduces the level of circulating oxygen in the blood.”

The baby would need to undergo open heart surgery after birth, likely when she reached 10 pounds in weight. Chanelle remained under the care of Drs. Mularz and Ramos in The Woodlands and was given the okay to deliver at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, where she could be close to friends and family.

The Smiths’ twins were delivered at 34 weeks gestation via cesarean section. Camryn, the baby with TOF, weighed 4 pounds, 1 ounce, and her twin sister, Morgan, weighed 4 pounds, 5 ounces. Both babies spent three weeks in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before being discharged home.

‘A Normal Heart’

When Camryn was 4 months old, she was ready for the heart repair surgery. “Being an ICU nurse, I kind of mentally prepared myself, but it was a very emotional day, for sure,” recalls Chanelle. “They put her in her hospital gown, she gave us a smile, and they took her away. And that was the last time we saw her until she was in the recovery room,” adds Patrick.

To learn more about Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, visit childrens.memorialhermann.org/heart or call 713.222.CARE (2273).

Advancing health. Personalizing care.

7 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE March 2021

Dr. Salazar and pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Peter Chen, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery at McGovern Medical School, performed the procedure at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. “The surgery was a success. We were able to restore a normal heart. Now, functionally and anatomically, the baby has a normal heart,” says Dr. Salazar.

One percent of babies are born with a heart defect, but the specialists at McGovern Medical School and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital specialize in handling cases such as Camryn’s. “It’s important to have your unborn child screened for heart problems through your obstetrician,” says Dr. Salazar. “We detect most heart problems before a baby is born. But as a double safety net, we check the oxygen level of every baby before they leave the nursery.”

Dr. Ramos continues to monitor Camryn’s progress.

Ten months after the surgery, he cleared Camryn for all activities and for annual check-ups. Both twins are thriving. At their 18-month pediatrician visit, they both weighed a healthy 26 pounds.

The Smiths, who moved to The Woodlands from Midland, are thankful for the quality and continuity of care they received by their team of physicians, including Drs. Mularz, Ramos, Chen and Salazar.

“We couldn’t have been in a better place for her,” says Chanelle. “It’s been a long ride, but now, seeing Camryn play, you would never know she had this issue.”

family life | F E AT U R E

HEY WYD?

!

L O L

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TWEETS, TEXTS & EMOJIS WHY COMMUNICATING IN BRIEF SNIPPETS IS HURTING OUR KIDS written by Sandi Schwartz

How did we get to a point in which our method of communication has gotten progressively shorter and shorter over time? The other day on Twitter there was a hashtag asking people to tell a story in three words. Just. Three. Words. When we are limited to only 140 characters (characters, not words!), how can anyone expect to really understand what others mean? And when pre-teens and teens only “talk” to their friends using brief phrases and emoji’s, what are we left with?

Here are five aspects of communication that are being sacrificed when our children grow up speaking and writing in phrases, which can only hinder their development over time:

EMOTIONAL CONNECTION AND EXPRESSION We use words to express our feelings to others about our observations, concerns, and hopes. How will our children learn to do this if they are cutting out an enormous opportunity for verbal and written expression by dumbing down the message?

Researchers are assessing whether emoticons help us communicate better or hinder self-expression. They have found that on one hand it is nice to have an international symbol for certain emotions that we can easily click on to communicate how we

feel about a Facebook post.

However, emoticons convey a limited choice of emotions, reducing ways to truly express our full range of feelings we have on an issue. It also cuts out the opportunity for people to use descriptive words to say how they feel because they are given a shorthand option to simply click on one image that is supposed to capture their thoughts and feelings.

This is unfortunately limiting opportunities for expression, and if our children grow up with this quick option, it will impact how they express their emotions as they grow.

Additionally, when we hide behind our devices instead of talking face-to-face with those who we love, we miss out on a major chance for emotional connection. According to Psychology Today, this kind of communication interferes with actual conversation and undermines our ability to

connect with others. Social media actually becomes a barrier to connecting with others. As children are constantly exposed to these quick impersonal ways of “expressing” themselves, they miss out on learning how to accurately convey their thoughts and feelings both in writing and out loud.

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION Nothing beats looking into someone’s eyes to truly understand what they mean and how they feel. A huge part of our daily communication depends on visual cues like facial expressions, body language, posture, and tone of voice. In fact, studies show that only seven percent of communication is based on the written or verbal word, while 93 percent is based on nonverbal body language.

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Sitting behind a screen sending a few words or images is not going to help you really understand how the person on the other end thinks and feels.

As children spend more time in this world of snippets, they are losing the ability to pick up on these non-verbal expressions that can be so important in understanding others.

UCLA scientists found that sixth graders who went five days without using a smartphone, television, or other digital screen did much better at understanding human emotions than those who spent several hours a day looking at their electronic devices. Patricia Greenfield, the author of the study, explained that decreased sensitivity to emotional cues is lost when in-person social interaction is replaced with screen interaction. Learning how to read other people’s moods is a skill that takes a lot of practice. Sadly, children

today are missing out on developing that skill.

SOCIAL SKILLS Children and teens lose out on a whole slew of social skills when they only communicate in short statements online.

Learning how to interact in person with others and to speak in public are critical skills for future success. Our kids need to practice these skills throughout their childhood to get ready for critical moments in their lives like school presentations, college and job interviews, and making an announcement at a social event.

In addition, other basic social skills are also being affected. In an article on Huffington Post, Melissa Ortega, a child psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, pointed out how children are struggling to deal with faceto-face conflict because they are used to hiding behind their screens to communicate.

They are not getting enough interpersonal exposure, and Ortega said that conversations take practice. Experts are also seeing how this type of limited communication is influencing the dating world. Teens raised to just text and not hold a personal conversation are limited in how they can express their feelings to their peers. The lack of direct communication is impacting their ability to build trust and develop an emotional connection with others.

CREATIVE LANGUAGE, GRAMMAR AND SPELLING Another way that brief communication is changing our children’s lives is in the classroom. The way kids are communicating online is creeping into their school work, leading to sloppy grammar,

spelling mistakes, and reduced creativity. The best literature throughout history is filled with embellished language and imaginative stories. If our children limit the number of words they use to tell a story or to debate an issue, the entire premise of communications changes.

The Association of American Educators indicates

that social media has led to students talking in “textspeak,” causing an overall trend of bad grammar, bad punctuation, and bad spelling for the sake of convenience and speed. Abbreviations used on social media are also making it into coursework, which is clearly incorrect language. The Guardian reported that a paper released by the English Spelling Society concludes that the Internet has revolutionized the English language and made spelling mistakes the norm. This is not a surprise since we now rely on crutches like auto-correct that reduce the level of thought required to write.

MEANING OF WORDS How many times have you misinterpreted what someone wrote in an email or text? So much is lost in translation when we are unable to see or hear how the person is communicating specific words to us. If children are primarily communicating with friends and family by typing phrases, that leaves so many opportunities for the message to be misconstrued.

This can lead to stressful situations because the reader may jump to the wrong conclusion that the writer intended to be hurtful, when in reality it was just how the words were interpreted. Brief communication can then lead to negative emotions like anger, depression, or anxiety over how someone thinks they

are being treated.

As an example, an article in Forbes discussed how the instances of misinterpretation are growing in the business environment. As people are rushed, stressed, and primarily communicating by quick electronic messages, they are not taking the time to consider the nuances of their writing. This is leading to more conflicts about the tone of emails. It is only worse with our children who are gossiping and making plans with friends in group texts using symbols and acronyms. How does someone really know what it means when the writer uses all capital letters? Are they yelling, joking, or just highlighting an issue?

When someone responds to you with a one- or two-word answer, does that mean they are brushing you off? With this type of communication, we are left to draw conclusions with very little information. If our children do not learn how to tell people exactly what they mean using complete sentences, how will they ever be happy and successful?

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO ABOUT IT? A day does not go by when we hear suggestions for limiting our children’s screen time. We are all struggling to implement this in our homes. What else can we do to encourage our children to communicate more thoroughly and effectively?

• Read every day with your children at all ages, but the real key is to also discuss what you are reading.

Ask tons of question and encourage your kids to summarize the stories.

• Create games that involve developing a story together. For example, fill a jar with topics and then ask each family member to write or state three

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sentences. Keep building the story.

• Teach your children how to debate and encourage them to join a debate team when they get older.

• Ask your kids questions and encourage them to talk about how they feel. It is so important to set aside special times to have these deep conversations.

• Encourage your children to journal so they can practice expressing their thoughts and feelings in writing. Ask them what adjectives they used and challenge them to develop their thoughts even more.

• Have fun analyzing each other’s or stranger’s body language in person or on television.

• Eat meals together as a family and include your children in conversations about all types of topics from how their day at school was to current affairs.

• Provide public speaking opportunities for your children, even if it is something as simple as ordering their meal at a restaurant.

Sandi Schwartz is a freelance writer/blogger and mother of two. She has written extensively about parenting, wellness, and environmental issues.

You can find her at www. happysciencemom.com.

For more articles on teen texting head over to our website houstonfamilymagaine.com

family wellness | F E AT U R E

d n e s ’ t le ! a m g i t the s

written by Kimberly Blaker

Nearly one in five American adults experience mental illness in any given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health – and one in 25 experience a serious mental illness (SMI). Those with an SMI consist primarily of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and severe major depression.

U

nfortunately, people with mental illness experience a high degree of stigma. They often experience discrimination in the workplace and their personal lives from those who see someone with

a mental illness as odd or flawed. This often results from a misunderstanding of mental illness and not recognizing that it’s a medical condition.

In recent decades, the stigma surrounding mental illness has improved slightly.

Yet it persists. Part of the

problem lies in that it falls under the field of psychology, the study of human ‘behavior.’

Much of society doesn’t understand mental illness often has biological and genetic roots. So people often see mental illness as indicative of personality flaws or learned

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behavior and think someone with mental illness should be able to just ‘snap out of it.’

Many experts and advocates recognize this problem and have called for biologically-based brain diseases to be reclassified into more appropriate fields of

“Unlike the occasional sadness or blues many people experience, MDD is a persistently low mood that interrupts daily living.”

medicine such as neurology.

This move would go a long way toward reducing stigma.

Reclassification would also help to ensure those with brain illnesses can get insurance coverage and adequate treatment.

In the meantime, what can be done to reduce stigma?

Educating society on what mental illness is and is not, is vital. When people with a mental illness brave coming out and telling their personal stories, more people hear the message. Celebrities sharing their own personal experience has been particularly helpful.

The public is often more receptive when admired stars share their trials and tribulations.

The following illnesses qualify as serious mental illness. You’ll also discover some celebrities who’ve been diagnosed with each.

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (MDD) In any given year, 6.7% of the population will experience MDD. A smaller percentage suffers from severe MDD. Unlike the occasional sadness or blues many people experience, MDD is a persistently low mood that interrupts daily living.

Symptoms include changes in appetite and sleep, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, ruminations about death, suicide attempts, and in severe cases, psychosis.

The exact cause of MDD is unknown. What is known, though, is that a variety of factors can contribute to

the disorder. These include biological changes in the brain, genetics, hormones, and brain chemistry.

Some people with MDD might experience a single bout. Yet for others, it’s chronic. Fortunately, antidepressants are effective for most people. Though some are treatment-resistant leading to long-term disability.

Ashley Judd, Owen Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Heath Ledger, and Winona Ryder are among the many celebrities who’ve battled major depressive disorder.

BIPOLAR DISORDER (BD) This disorder, affecting 2.6% of the population, is marked by emotional extremes ranging from depressive symptoms, as described above, to mania or hypomania. During manic episodes, sufferers experience a decreased need for sleep, extremely elevated mood, and increased energy or agitation.

They’re also easily distracted, may have racing thoughts, and take foolish risks. For some people with BD, delusions, and hallucinations accompany mania.

Though the exact cause of bipolar is unknown, it’s biological and often genetic.

Bipolar is highly treatable, though some people experience treatment resistance.

Also, during manic episodes, people with BD are typically unable to recognize their illness.

Left untreated, it can be a very debilitating disease.

Some celebrities known to have bipolar disorder are Demi Lovato, Charlie Sheen, Mel Gibson, Carrie Fisher, and Sinead O’Connor.

SCHIZOPHRENIA AND SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER These two diseases affect 1.2% and .3% of the population, respectively. Schizophrenia is the most serious mental illness of all. It’s marked by symptoms of psychosis, which are paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. Disorganized thinking, speech, or motor movement is also present.

What fewer people are familiar with is what’s known as ‘negative symptoms.’

These prevent a person with schizophrenia from functioning.

Those with schizophrenia often have poor hygiene, withdraw socially, and have a symptom known as avolition, which is a decrease in motivation.

Despite new and improved medications for this disease, only one-third of sufferers can lead a relatively functional life. Another one-third is treatment-resistant, with the final third receiving a degree of relief. As a result, two-thirds of those with schizophrenia are dependent, or often homeless or housed in America’s jails and prisons – known as today’s new mental health institutions.

Schizoaffective disorder is marked by features of both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

While the cause of these two disorders is unknown, researchers believe genetics, biology, and environmental factors combined ultimately contribute to these brain diseases.

Finding celebrities with these two diseases is rare because schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder typically strike during the late

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teens to the early 20s resulting in moderate to severe disability.

However, John Nash, Lionel Aldridge, Calen Pick (nephew of Glenn Close), and Eduard Einstein (son of Albert Einstein), all suffer, or suffered, from schizophrenia.

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD).

This perplexing disorder, which affects 1% of the population, is marked by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are most commonly seen in the form of fear of contamination or harm to self or others, excessive concern with order or bodily symptoms, or intrusive religious thoughts. In turn, those afflicted with OCD act out compulsions to alleviate their fears or thoughts. This is done through repeated acts of checking, organizing, washing, or senseless acts of tapping, counting, or repeating words.

Medication combined with therapy helps treat OCD, though the prognosis is better for those with milder symptoms. Many people with this disorder experience severe debilitation.

The cause of OCD is understood to be a combination of genetics, biology, and environmental factors.

David Beckham, Marc Summers, Howie Mandel, and Fiona Apple are known to suffer from OCD.

PANIC DISORDER. One in ten adults experiences a panic attack every year. Panic disorder, however, affects only one in 33 people. With this disorder, people experience sudden and repeated bouts of extreme fear that lasts at

As a result, two-thirds of those with schizophrenia are dependent, or often homeless or housed in America’s jails and prisons – known as today’s new mental health institutions. least several minutes, if not longer. The symptoms include shortness of breath, racing heart, trembling, weakness, dizziness, chest pain, tingling or numbing of hands, stomach pain, and nausea. Sufferers may also experience fear of dying, going crazy, being out of control, or impending doom.

Panic disorder often results in the avoidance of things or places where attacks have previously taken place.

Panic disorder is highly treatable with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

It’s believed to be biological and genetic in nature.

It’s unclear whether the following celebrities have been diagnosed with panic disorder. Still, they’re known for experiencing panic attacks: Johnny Depp, Princess Diana, John Mayer, and Emma Stone.

ANOREXIA OR BULIMIA DISORDER. These two eating disorders combined affect one in 40 Americans, mostly women, and share many of the same symptoms. These include the absence of periods, slow heart rate, swelling, dizziness, constipation, hypotension, hair loss, and more.

Treatment consists of medical care, nutritional counseling, psychotherapy, and medication. Prognosis varies

by the particular illness, among other factors. Still, a significant percentage do not reach full recovery, sometimes resulting in death.

It’s believed genetics combined with psychological and sociological factors contribute to eating disorders.

Sadie Robertson, Gabourey Sidibe, Zayn Malik, and Beverly Johnson have all struggled with eating disorders.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS. These disorders affect one in 68 children. Symptoms include repetitive or unusual behaviors, intense interest in particular topics, making little eye contact, facial expressions and gestures that don’t match what’s said, an unusual tone of voice, and difficulty understanding other points of view. Other social, language, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional deficits are present as well.

Treatment for this developmental disorder includes behavior interventions and medication. Prognosis is dependent, in part, on early diagnosis and intervention.

Though the cause of autism spectrum disorders is unknown, genetics and environmental factor appear to contribute to its development.

Celebrities diagnosed with

these disorders include Dan Aykroyd, Courtney Love, Daryl Hannah, and Paddy Considine.

OTHER DISORDERS Numerous other mental disorders afflict millions of Americans as well. Other depressive disorders, dissociative identity disorder, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and attention deficit disorder are but a few.

Each has the potential to be disabling, and those who suffer from these disorders sometimes experience stigma as well.

The end of stigma As more people who suffer from mental illness open up, hopefully, we can reduce the pervasive stigma that surrounds mental illness. Particularly crucial to ending stigma, however, is ensuring those with the most severe brain diseases (SMI) receive appropriate and adequate treatment.

Individuals with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than to commit violence. That said, the subset with SMI that’s untreated does have higher violence rates resulting from psychosis. By ensuring they receive humane medical treatment to manage their brain disease (and improve

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their quality of life), the violence that contributes to stigma will be diminished.

Just like any other organ of the body, our brains are prone to medical conditions.

The brain is the most complex organ of our bodies. So it only stands to reason it’s subject to a variety of biological conditions.

As researchers come to understand our brains better, more sophisticated diagnostic tools will be developed for a more definitive diagnosis. In the meantime, we should treat those with mental illness with the same dignity, respect, and empathy we treat someone with a physical disability, heart condition, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease.

Kimberly Blaker is a mental health writer. She was diagnosed with major depressive disorder at the age of 27 and has a son with schizoaffective disorder (schizophrenia and bipolar). As a mental healthcare advocate, she played an instrumental role in moving mental healthcare legislation through Congress, which was rolled into the 21st Century Cures Act.

family life | F E AT U R E

CAMP ALLEN 100 years of summer camp

Camp Allen turns 100 this year. In these turbulent, uncertain times, it is nice to see a time honored tradition continue. I don’t know about you, but it gives me great comfort to know that some things are a constant. Not only that, but they are growing and moving forward with new offerings and expansion!

To commemorate this goal, HFM spoke with our friends at Camp Allen to learn a little bit more about where they started, their milestones over the years and what the plans are for the future. It truly is a great story.

100 YEARS IS QUITE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT! WHY DO YOU FEEL CAMP ALLEN HAS BEEN ABLE TO REACH THIS MONUMENTAL GOAL?

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p m a C r e m 20- Sum

Summer camp, generally speaking, provides an invaluable service to families. Campers are given an opportunity to leave home and experience something completely different.

The people are new, the environment is new, and the activities are new; these things create windows for growth.

Camp Allen can cultivate an environment that keeps campers safe and opens new possibilities for developmental growth.

When we find safe places that help us connect and grow as people, those places become important. I think Camp Allen figured this out a long time ago and made it a priority. Also, it helps that Camp Allen is really, really fun.

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HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN? WHO FOUNDED CAMP ALLEN? Our namesake, Rosa Lum Allen, donated her summer home on Sylvan Bay and later additional land that became a summer camp for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. In truth, several church leaders played essential roles in creating a vision for what this place could become.

Our community owes a debt to all those who saw a need and built an idea into a solution.

That gift continues to bless our community today.

THERE ARE SO MANY CHOICES WHEN SENDING YOUR CHILD TO CAMP. WHAT ARE THE PHILOSOPHIES/ MISSION OF CAMP ALLEN? Since our inception, Camp Allen has grown to include summer camp, an outdoor education program, a hotel and conference center for groups and log cabins and lodges for personal retreats. Each maintains different guiding principles. For summer camp, we want to participate in loving God and His people.

We hope that by sharing the

story of Jesus, our campers will experience the depth of His love for us.

WHAT SETS CAMP ALLEN APART FROM OTHER TEXAS OVERNIGHT CAMPS? Camp Allen is very close to Houston (1 hour northwest) and is immersed in a beautiful natural environment that feels secluded from city life. Camp Allen is unique in that we use our proven history and combine it with modern activities.

Our camp was founded on core values that continue today: faith development, dedicated leadership, devotion to community, cultivation of positive relationships, and an outstanding safety record. The age specific camp sessions are led by experienced faith leaders who serve as outstanding role models for today’s youth. We offer big-camp activities with modern tools to help parents connect, and yet, we work hard to keep tuition affordable so that camp will be accessible to everyone.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS AT CAMP ALLEN? HIDDEN GEMS? The Adventure Summit is built with “Safe Roller” technology which allows participants to continually traverse ten various elements 40 feet off the ground without ever having to transfer belays. Of course, many of our campers would rather fish in one of our two lakes or play silly camp games with their cabin mates. The schedule is built to allow each camper to experience activities suited for their personality.

the 1960s

y l n o e r e w s 0 2 9 1 e th the beginning!

WHAT IS CAMP ALLEN DOING TO COMMEMORATE YOUR 100 YEARS? ENHANCEMENTS FOR THIS YEAR? Some of our plans to celebrate 100 years of camping have been tempered by the pandemic.

However, we are still planning 15 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE March 2021

Dodge Ball Games- 1970

to host an outdoor gathering on May 1st to commemorate the occasion. More importantly, we are opening a 4th campsite this summer with a beautiful 7,000 square foot dining hall that all campers will enjoy for years to come.

HOW HAS COVID AFFECTED CAMP ALLEN? WHAT CHANGES HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE TO ENSURE THE CAMPERS AND STAFF’S SAFETY? Like everyone, the pandemic has affected Camp Allen in ways that we are still trying to quantify. Obviously, the financial circumstances are challenging but also the state of being disconnected. For an organization that cultivates community, social distancing is counter-intuitive and complex.

I can say without hesitation, the senior leadership of Camp Allen has gone to great lengths to protect our people and property.

We have learned a lot and will be better than we were before.

With a lot of hard work, Camp Allen was able to operate almost half of our weekly sessions last summer with a terrific safety record. None of our counselors, volunteers, or staff became infected with the coronavirus during camp or the week after. A few campers did bring the virus into our facility, but the spread was almost non-existent even among asymptomatic carriers. The policies used to help protect our community are outlined in detail on our website: (https:// www.campallen.org/summercamp-covid19-policies.htmlz) In short, we wore masks when possible, shrank our community exposure into small circles, reworked the schedule to be COVID safe, and kept our facility disinfected with persistent sanitization for the duration of camp. It turned out to be a winning formula.

WHAT ARE FUTURE PLANS FOR CAMP ALLEN? As an organization, we are reaching the long culmination of a significant capital campaign highlighted by the completion and opening of a fourth campsite. It is an impressive venue and something we are proud to share with our community. Plans are being created right now to expand schedules and create more connectivity. In 5 years, things will be better than they are right now; because we are constantly striving to improve.

I think Camp Allen’s history is a healthy indicator of our future.

OVER THE PAST 100 YEARS, THERE HAS HAD TO BE SO MANY WONDERFUL STORIES. IS THERE ONE THAT STANDS OUT? From a summer camp perspective, last summer we had a Mom stop her car after picking up her child and thank our President who was greeting them as they left. She explained that her family “REALLY needed this week more than we could ever know.”

We recently learned of a

graduating valedictorian who shared in his speech that his most memorable time in his education was coming to the Discovery outdoor education program at Camp Allen some 6 years earlier.

While we have had many significant milestones in our 100-year history, such as hosting a summit that featured Desmond Tutu as the keynote speaker, confirmations of Bishops, hosting the Jerusalem Peace Builders summer camp for Christian, Jewish, and Muslim youth from the Middle East and US, nothing compares to each individual encounter that a guest or camper has that brings them closer to nature and God.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE HOUSTON PARENTS TO KNOW? Camp Allen is a safe place for your kids to grow and connect. In today’s world, sending our kids off to sleep away camp might seem scarier for parents than it does for our kids. However, In a digital age where personal connection appears to be a diminishing resource, the gifts of summer camp are becoming more critical. Creating opportunities for connection with the environment, others, and God feels like something our children need now more than ever. Camp Allen has a long, steady record of safety, and we are dedicated to helping our campers grow into better people.

Summer of ‘72

Campin’ in the 80s

Register for your summer of fun at www.campallen.org 16 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE March 2021

1990

Camp Allen has traversed over 150 miles and 100- years to reach where it is today. With a journey from 10 to 1,100 acres, 1 to 71 fulltime employees, and receiving gifted land to operating on a 6.2 million budget, the Camp Allen family is most proud and thankful for the lives transformed by God because of the ministry of this special place.

s e i r o m e aking M 0

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family life | F E AT U R E

How to Choose a Summer Camp Your Kids Will Love and That You Approve – Even Amid a Pandemic Written by Kimberly Blaker

Whether you’re looking for enrichment for your child, a way to keep your kids occupied and supervised while you work, or need a short reprieve from parenting, there’s sure to be a summer camp that’s the right fit for your child and family. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many summer camps will be up and running either offering alternative programs or by following safety protocols to reduce the risk to campers and staff.

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THE BENEFITS OF SUMMER CAMP Summer camp offers kids plenty of benefits, and many kids thrill at the idea of going away to summer camp. Still, for some kids, particularly those who are shy, introverted, or homebodies, the thought of going away for a night, let alone a week or more, can cause considerable anxiety.

When kids are adamantly opposed, forcing summer camp on them may not be in their best interest.

But for kids who are eager – or at least willing to give it a shot without much fuss – summer camp offers opportunities kids may not have elsewhere. Summer camp provides kids the following benefits: • Fosters independence • A place to develop new and lasting friendships • Development of new skills • Discovery of new interests and hobbies • The opportunity for creative expression • A break from being plugged-in • Daily exercise • Improves their self-esteem • Teaches kids to work with others • Makes them feel part of a community • Prevents or reduces summer learning loss

GETTING STARTED IN YOUR SEARCH Before you begin looking into summer camps, create a list of the criteria you’re looking for.

Here are some things you’ll want to consider.

• What is your budget for summer camp?

• What is the purpose of sending your child to summer camp?

• Do you want a resident (overnight) or a day camp?

• Are you looking for a short-term (week or two) or summer-long program?

• Do you want a camp that’s very structured or one that provides your child with lots of freedom and choices?

• What are your child’s passions, such as a particular sport, hobby, or other interest?

Once you’ve narrowed down some of the criteria, you can begin your search. An excellent place to start is your local parenting magazine. Many summer camps advertise in local parenting publications found at newsstands and online. Also, visit www. summercamps.com, where you can search by zip code or category.

The American Camp Association (ACA) accredits summer camps. So this is another excellent place to look. The ACA educates camp owners and directors in health and safety for both staff and campers as well as program quality. It then accredits camps that meet the ACA’s standards.

NEXT STEPS TO FINDING THE PERFECT SUMMER CAMP Once you’ve selected a few summer camps that meet your primary criteria, and that fit your child’s interests, share the choices with your child to see what excites him or her.

Be sure to let your child know upfront that you still need to thoroughly investigate the camp(s) before making a final decision. But do keep your child’s choices in mind to ensure your child gets the most out of summer camp.

Once you and your child have narrowed the list down to a manageable selection, you’ll want to investigate the camps further. There are several things you’ll want to consider.

IS THIS CAMP A SAFE OPTION FOR MY CHILD AND FAMILY DURING THE PANDEMIC? Many summer camps are now offering virtual programs so kids can benefit from summer camp without the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19. Virtual summer camps range from a couple hours a day to all-day camps offering a broad range of virtual activities led by counselors.

Virtual summer camp programs range from free to several hundred dollars.

Perhaps you’re considering sending your child to in-person summer camp. If so, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers suggestions on how summer camp programs can reduce campers’ risk during the pandemic.

Recommendations include promoting behaviors to minimize spread, maintaining a healthy environment, maintaining healthy operations, being prepared for when someone gets sick, and special considerations for overnight camps. When considering an in-person summer camp, review the CDC’s more detailed recommendations found at www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/ community/schools-childcare/ summer-camps.html. Then

compile questions to ask the summer camp you’re considering to make sure it adheres to these safety protocols.

WHAT ARE THE STAFF’S QUALIFICATIONS? Many summer camps use teens to staff the camps. Teens make excellent mentors and can bring liveliness to summer camp programs. However, the

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programs themselves should be developed by professionals and have professional oversight to ensure kids are getting the most from their camp experience.

HOW DOES THE CAMP ENSURE YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY? Find out what kind of safety training the camp provides its staffers. Also, is there staff on hand at all times that knows CPR? What are the camp’s procedures in the event your child becomes ill, has an accident, or an emergency?

WHAT IS THE DAILY SCHEDULE FOR CAMPERS? Ask for a daily itinerary, so you know your child will be getting everything you and your child anticipate from the program.

WHAT ARE THE RULES? Each camp has its own set of rules. So, find out whether your child is allowed to call you. If it’s a summer-long residential camp, can parents come and visit? Can kids bring along cell phone or electronics? Also, how much money can they bring, and how is it managed?

DON’T SWEAT IT! Keep in mind, although there are many great camps, no camp is likely to offer everything precisely the way you want it. Just choose the one that best fits your child and satisfies your most important criteria. Remember, your child will have many summers to come and plenty more opportunities to work in more exciting camp experiences.

S P E C I A L S E C T I O N | C A M P D I R E C T O RY

ADVENTURE KIDS PLAYCARE adventurekidsplaycare.com/camps Katy 281.769.2398 Memorial City 713.838.1414 Sugar Land 832.886.4153 The Woodlands 936.271.2259 Woodforest 936.209.2212 TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp AGES: 3-12 Flexibility for your family, FUN for your kids! Drop-in for an hour or stay all day. We have an option to meet every family’s needs this summer.

9AM-4PM, before and after care available.

ALLEY THEATRE www.alleytheatre.org/hfm 713.315.5441 Houston, TX TYPE OF CAMP: Theatre Camp AGES: 5-18 Alley Play Makers camp allows your child to learn theatre skills, have fun in a diverse environment, make new friends, and discover ways to shine on and off the stage.

ALLIANCE FENCING ACADEMY alliance-fencing-academy.com 713.410.6655 Houston & Conroe TYPE OF CAMP: Sports, Day Camp AGES: 5-14 Alliance Fencing Academy’s summer and winter fencing camps are an opportunity for your child to have fun exploring one of the original and foundational sports of the modern Olympic games while picking up technical and competitive skills that will last them a lifetime.

CAMP ALLEN

CAMP CHAMPIONS

CAMP INVENTION

campallen.org

www.campchampions.com

www.invent.org/save

936.825.7175 Navasota, TX

830.598.2571 Marble Falls, TX

TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight Camp

TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight

800.968.4332 Multiple Locations Across Greater Houston Area

AGES: 8-18

AGES: 5-17

Camp Allen provides a fun & unique environment for young people to cultivate friendships, experience personal growth, and learn about the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Located 1 hour from Houston, Camp Allen’s core values are Spiritual Growth, Positive Identity, Safety, and FUN!

Camp Champions has created a tradition of excellence since 1967.

With the facility and staff expected from a top overnight summer camp, Champions is distinguished by its focus on building strong kids.

One, two, and three-week sessions available for ages 5-17.

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TYPE OF CAMP: Academic AGES: Grades K-6 Camp Invention® is the nationally acclaimed, nonprofit summer enrichment program created by the National Inventors Hall of Fame® (NIHF) for kindergarteners through 6th graders.

C A M P D I R E C T O RY | S P E C I A L S E C T I O N

CAMP LANTERN CREEK www.camplanterncreek.com 936.597.8225 Montgomery, TX TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight, All Girl AGES: 7-17 Tucked away on 100 acres in the piney woods of Montgomery, Texas, Camp Lantern Creek is a unique all girls sleep away summer camp that was created so girls can find their voice, try new skills, be cheered on whether they succeed or fail, get dirty, push boundaries, love nature and so much more!

CHRISTIAN YOUTH THEATER HOUSTON

CHILDTIME LEARNING CENTER

cythouston.org/camps

www.Childtime.com/summer

281.580.4298 Houston, TX

877.217.9528 Houston, TX

TYPE OF CAMP: Theater Camp

TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp

AGES: 5-18

AGES: 6 weeks - 12 years

Come join us Under the Sea this Summer for a fun,creative, theater arts camp! At the two week long Summer Stock camp for ages 8-18, students will be learning and performing a full Junior musical, The Little Mermaid Jr. complete with costumes, sets, and choreography culminating in 2 performances. In the weeklong Under the Sea Day Camp for ages 5-12, students will be learning the basic building blocks for Theater Arts performances including singing, acting, and dancing culminating in a showcase for parents and friends. If your child loves to perform, this camp is for you!!

At Childtime’s Camp Curiosity, your child will enjoy awesome learning experiences, fun projects, cool gear, and healthy meals. Get ready for a summer camp experience that will pique your curiosity! Connect with us at 877.217.9528 or Childtime.com.

SUMMER 2021 IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING

FOR KIDS AGES 6–12

To register or for more information, visit hmns.org.

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S P E C I A L S E C T I O N | C A M P D I R E C T O RY

COOKING WITH A TWIST cookingwithatwisthouston.com/kidszone/ 713.574.9371 Stafford, TX TYPE OF CAMP: Cooking Camp/ Spring Break AGES: 7-16 3 Days of culinary learning & fun!

We provide a fun, safe & topnotch Cooking Camp led by Chef DeeDee Coleman & other first class instructors. Your kid will learn culinary skills including a multitude of fun & exciting recipes! Register your kid now, limited space available.

CORDOVAN ART SCHOOL & YOUNG ARTIST ART STUDIO cordovanartschool.com

THE HEALTH MUSEUM thehealthmuseum.org 713.521.1515 Houston, TX

281.645.6580 The Woodlands, TX

TYPE OF CAMP: Spring Break Camp

TYPE OF CAMP: Art Camp

AGES: 5-13

AGES: 5-16 Cordovan Art School is teaming up with Young Artist Art Studio for the BEST creative Spring & Summer Art Camps ever! 10,000 kids & teens have joined Cordovan camps over the past 11 years! Family owned, Over 40 camps to choose from, Ages 5-16, All skill levels, Extended care.

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Unleash the power of science with summer camps at The Health Museum! Campers will engage in STEM activities, such as dissecting real animal organs, veterinarian science, simulating surgery and more! Visit our website to get on the waitlist!

C A M P D I R E C T O RY | S P E C I A L S E C T I O N

HMNS SUMMER CAMP

HOUSTON SPCA

KANAKUK KAMPS

houstonspca.org

www.kanakuk.com

hmns.org/education/summer-camp/

education@houstonspca.org Houston, TX

417.266.3000 Branson, Missouri

TYPE OF CAMP: Adventure, Academic

TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight Camp

AGES: 3rd-8th grade

AGES: 6-18

Get Ready for Some Off-the-Leash Fun! Summer Critter Camp at the Houston SPCA is back and will be held in-person from June 7 – August 13, 2021. There is a variety of 10 week-long day sessions for Campers entering 3rd – 8th grade. Summer waits for no one, and your kids deserve it. So register today!

Kanakuk is a premier summer camp experience for boys and girls with locations in Branson and Lampe, Missouri. It’s 5 overnight camps provide children and teens with fun, safe and age-appropriate outdoor camping experiences that develop them spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially. Sessions run from May 29 to August 6 with 1, 2 and 4-week options.

713.639.4651 Houston, TX & Sugar Land, TX TYPE OF CAMP: Academic, Technology AGES: 6-12 From robots and rocket science to mummies and spying, students can participate in a variety of week-long camps at the Houston Museum of Natural Science!

Join us for an action-packed, faith-filled week of summer camp! Located on 1,100 forested acres one hour north west of Houston, Camp Allen provides affordable, over night camping experiences for ages 8-18.

campallen.org

936.825.7175 23 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE March 2021

Currently Registering for the 21/22 School Year

S P E C I A L S E C T I O N | C A M P D I R E C T O RY

KIDVENTURE DAY CAMP

KIDVENTURE OVERNIGHT CAMP

LANGUAGE KIDS WORLD

kidventure.com

kidventure.com

www.languagekids.com

713.960.8989 Houston, TX

512.263.8992 Hunt, TX & Rocksprings, TX

281.565.1388 Greater Houston Area

TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp

TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight Camp

TYPE OF CAMP: Academic Camp

AGES: 1st-5th Grade & 6th-9th grade

AGES: 8-13 & 13-16

AGES: 3-5 & 6-12

Kidventure Overnight Camp has been an experience like none other.

Now, more than ever, our kids need camp. The opportunity to rebuild relationships, gain confidence, and dream big has never meant more.

Join Kidventure for the summer of 2021 and be part of an adventure that will last a lifetime.

Learning another language has never been so much fun! Spanish immersion in-person camps, and virtual camps in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, ESL and Sign Language, as well as our brand new “Build your own camp” ™ program, in which we bring our amazing camps to your home!

Kidventure will offer over 16 Camp programs across the Houston area.

Each Houston Day Camp program provides each age group with its custom curriculum, unique camp activities, and dedicated adult camp team designed to bring out the very best camp experience for every child.

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C A M P D I R E C T O RY | S P E C I A L S E C T I O N

LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM

THE PARISH SCHOOL

lonestarflight.org/learn/camps/

713.467.4696 Houston, TX

346.708.2517 Houston, TX

TYPE OF CAMP: Technology Camp AGES: 11-14 Spring Break Camp and Merit Badge Workshops at LSFM – JUST PLANE FUN! For Scouts 11-17. New American Heritage and Electronics merit badges available plus the Aviation merit badge. And don’t forget the Pilot Maker camp for kids 10-13. Visit LoneStarFlight.org for details.

www.parishschool.org/summer

TYPE OF CAMP: Day and Overnight Camp Options AGES: 2-17 (ages vary by program) The Parish School educates children who have communication delays and learning differences, empowering them with the tools to succeed.

Through a variety of summer programs, campers build self-esteem while developing communication, social and handwriting skills in a safe, nurturing environment.

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RISE AT THE WAREHOUSE risewarehouse.com/camp 713.715.7473 Houston, TX TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp AGES: 5-12 RISE offers a one-of-a-kind weeklong day camp featuring gymnastics, dance, music, and ninja: 4 camps in 1! Each day our campers cycle through these 4 disciplines, keeping them engaged and active for the whole week.

Our camp is open to ages 5-12 and runs 9am-3pm; extended care is also available!

S P E C I A L S E C T I O N | C A M P D I R E C T O RY

SCHOOL OF ROCK

XPLOR PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL-AGE

YMCA CAMP CULLEN

Clear Lake 281.218.7625 Sugar Land 832.939.8788 Champion Forest 281.246.4475

XplorPreschool.com

www.ymcacampcullen.org

877.959.3743 Houston, TX

936.594.2274 Trinity, TX

TYPE OF CAMP: Music, Day Camp

TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp

TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight, Adventure

AGES: 5-18

AGES: 6 wks-12 years

AGES: 5-17

Throughout the year, School of Rock offers music camps and workshops perfect for musicians of all skill levels who play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, ukulele, and vocals. Call today, or sign up on our website!

Rock on!

Xplor’s preschool curriculum prepares children for elementary school by developing important academic, social and emotional skills. Our robust school-age programs include B&A care and camps.

www.schoolofrock.com

Nestled among the tall pines along the shores of Lake Livingston lies one of Texas’s premier camps.

Campers take part in choice-based activities in a safe, fun and supportive environment.

G N I R P S EAK BR SEUM U M T IGH AR FL T S E LON

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March 13-21

PROGRAMS • EVENTS • SCOUTS • CAMPS LoneStarFlight.org 26 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE March 2021

C A M P D I R E C T O RY | S P E C I A L S E C T I O N

YMCA DAY CAMP ymcahouston.org/summer-camp Greater Houston Area TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp

Don't just grow.

Thrive!

AGES: 5-15 Offered at locations around the Houston area, our camps place special emphasis on youth choice, achievement and a sense of belonging. Activities may include sports and outdoor games, creative and performing arts, archery, engineering and nature exploration.

Now enrolling for the 2021N22 school year!

Educating children ages 2–12 who have communication delays and learning differences, empowering them with the tools to succeed.

• Small, 1:5 faculty/student ratios • Highly qualified, master’s-level educators • Beautiful, 17-acre campus • Nationally accredited independent school • Serving greater Houston since 1983 • Financial assistance available

YORKSHIRE ACADEMY www.yorkshireacademy.com 281.531.6088 Houston, TX TYPE OF CAMP: Academic, Art/Theatre, Technology AGES: 24 months - 6th grade Yorkshire Academy’s Summer Program offers a wide array of camp options for 24 months–6th grade.

Ex.: Academics, 50 enrichment camps- such as cricket, yoga, robotics, art, Spanish, and themed camps - half day, full day, or full time care.

The Carruth Center at the parish school

Featuring an on-site pediatric therapy clinic, The Carruth Center, open to Parish students and the community.

Speech-Language Therapy | Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy | Music Therapy | Social Thinking® Mental Health Services | Developmental Testing

11001 Hammerly Blvd., Houston, TX 77043 www.parishschool.org • www.carruthcenter.org 713.467.4696

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family travel | F E AT U R E

Gatlinburg

spring break roadtrip

TENNESSEE top attractions to discover

S

nuggled between eight other states, much of Tennessee’s popularity is due to its accessibility, its astonishing natural beauty, its rich history, and its numerous family-friendly attractions. Travel time can range anywhere between 9 to 15 hours from Houston making it a great spring break road trip choice to take with the kids.

MOUNTAINS IN THE SKY The most scenic place in Tennessee is Great Smoky Mountain National Park just outside of Gatlinburg. The “Smokies” is also the most visited US national park in the U.S. Start from the small

town of Gatlinburg, you can easily drive to the park’s most popular areas, or simply jump on the chairlift and head for Ober Gatlinburg, a ski resort that offers year-round activities. Head to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle or walk across Gatlinburg SkyLift Park’s suspension bridge.

Park highlights include more than 900 miles of hiking trails suitable for both the adventurous family and for beginner hikers. The 6,643-foot-high Clingmans Dome, with its Observation Tower offers heart stopping 360-degree views. Luckily you can book overnight camping trips or rustic cabins deep in the woods.

There is so much natural beauty in Tennessee, from

written by Chantal Lemieux

quiet parks and streams nestled in pockets throughout the state, those interested in fly fishing have 22,000-plus miles of streams and reservoirs to choose from.

In contrast to the pristine nature, Tennessee has some thriving cities worth exploring.

From the neon lights of Nashville, the lively streets of Chattanooga, the urban wilderness of Knoxville, to the legend of Memphis. Tennessee was the starting place for many of the country’s greatest artists and musical genres making it fun to explore through its musical accolades.

trails and pristine lakes. The Tennessee River runs alongside downtown, so many locals and visitors get out on the water by kayak, canoe or river boat cruise. Historic attractions include Civil War sites, battlegrounds and homes.

KNOXVILLE Knoxville’s urban wilderness includes 50-plus miles of

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Sunsphere, Knoxville

Beale Street, Memphis

Quick Facts Drive Time approximate hours from Houston

• Memphis 9hrs.

• Knoxville 14 hrs.

• Nashville 12 hrs.

• Gatlinburg to visit Smoky Mountain National Park 15 hrs.

• Chattanooga 12 hrs.

Highlights • Appalachian Trail • Smoky Mountain National Park • The observation tower at Clingmans Dome • Centennial Park in Nashville to visit the Parthenon

CHATTANOOGA For history buffs the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park is the oldest and largest Civil War park in the country. For nature-lovers marvel at Ruby Falls which is home to America’s tallest underground waterfall and Rock City Gardens where you can soak up views of seven states from a platform located 1,700 feet above the ground.

MEMPHIS - ROCK N’ ROLL, BLUES AND SOUL Undoubtedly the most famous rock ‘n’ roll residence in the world, Graceland Mansion remains a place of pilgrimage as tours of this stately home provide a unique glimpse into the King’s life. Visits of numerous fun interactive exhibits and online tours can be experienced from the website too.

When in Memphis, make the time for a stroll down Beale Street. Not only is it the main music and entertainment section of downtown Memphis, but it’s also possibly one of the liveliest spots in the city on a weekend. Memphis is also known for its ties to the civil rights movement. Visit the National Civil Rights Museum, which occupies the former Lorraine Motel (where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated)

Ruby Falls, Chattanooga NASHVILLE AND COUNTRY Nashville is still the center of the nation’s country music scene and home to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Discover a piece of Greece at the Parthenon, the centerpiece of Centennial Park.

The re-creation of the 42-foot statue Athena is the focus of the Parthenon just as it was in ancient Greece.

MUSIC FOR THE ROAD All road trips need good music.

You can download interactive guides and music playlists from www.visitmusiccity. com. There’s a guide for every interstate, so pack your bags and head towards any of Tennessee’s top attractions for your spring break.

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Country Music Hall of Fame Nashville

i am houston| E M P O W E R E D H O U S T O N I A N S — I AM HOUSTON —

a c i r u j h t i d e r e m FOUNDER OF MAKEUP JUNKIE BAGS interview by Eshaan Mani, HFM Kid Ambassador

Meredith Jurica, aka MJ, is the founder and CEO of Makeup Junkie Bag. The Makeup Junkie Bag is a cosmetic bag that lays flat and allows easy and full access to all materials while eliminating the chances that the bag will fall over and spill products everywhere. MJ’s bags are all handmade in Texas, sold in more than 2,000 stores nationwide and come in more than 400 trendy styles and seven different sizes. MJ hand-selects each designer fabric for her lines. Houston Family Magazine spoke with MJ about her story as a working mom and entrepreneur, heading a multi-million dollar empire, and about her journey to Shark Tank and back.

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handbook is already written.

But whenever you’re new like me, you would take years to study up on certain elements and figure out how to actually survive in the world of business. You kind of learn as you go. But the good thing is that I have a very adaptive personality and anytime I’d face a hurdle I would discuss it with the person I had it with, and keep on going, acquiring new knowledge along the way.

I’m way more knowledgeable today than I was three years ago when I started. But I have a lot more to learn too.

a

HOW DID YOU GET INTO MAKING MAKEUP BAGS? Well, I had a completely different career before creating this business. I studied to be a speech pathologist and practiced for 10 years. I’ve always been a beauty product addict; I was just going on a trip and couldn’t pack all my makeup, so I went to Hobby Lobby, a local craft store. And I was like, “You know what, I’m just gonna get some fabric and make a little bag to carry all my makeup in.” Then I made the Makeup Junkie bag, which didn’t have a name at the time.

And I took it on a trip. Then, all my friends wanted one, and I started getting messages on Facebook: “Are you the girl making those bags? Can you make one for me?” So, after making a bunch, I thought I needed to start charging for these. My sister suggested that I make a business out of it. I was hesitant at first, but then I opened a free Facebook

page called Makeup Junkie Bags. And the first month I got like 700 orders just through Facebook Messenger. I opened an LLC in Texas, and I worked out of my home for several months. I started trying to source materials because I was paying full retail for all the materials. I didn’t understand how to source bulk or anything like that. And it just kind of snowballed.

THAT’S AMAZING! YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU’RE NOT FROM A BUSINESS BACKGROUND; WHAT WERE SOME HURDLES YOU HAD TO OVERCOME IN ESTABLISHING YOUR BUSINESS? Well, first of all, trying to figure out pricing structures and how to see the business world in retail. The business

GROWTH IS ALWAYS GREAT, ESPECIALLY IN BUSINESS. NOW, HERE’S A HURDLE: HOW DO YOU BALANCE BEING A MOM OF TWO KIDS AND ALSO A BUSINESS WOMAN? That is a Tetris game that I play every day. On a given day, I’ll have a million meetings, and my kids will have activities, and I have to figure how to be in two places at once. I’ve done Zoom calls in my car, on my laptop with a hotspot, trying to make everything fit. And then we have some calm days.

It’s like a roller-coaster. I try to make sure that I never pick one over the other. I never pick my job way more than my kids or pick my kids way more than my job. I try to meet in the middle.

WHAT IS A MILESTONE OF YOUR COMPANY THAT YOU’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER? Obviously, Shark Tank is a huge milestone that I’m very proud of and that changed my business. Actress Blake Lively put a picture on her Instagram with my bag next to her in the

31 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE March 2021

seat of her passenger car. But before all of that, hitting our sales goals. I started by working out of my home, and my first office was a little 400-squarefoot cubicle that I sublet out of a real estate agents’ office. And now I have 18,000 square feet of my own here in Conroe.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE ON SHARK TANK - HOW DID YOU GET THERE AND HOW WAS THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE? I was watching the show, and I thought: “I have a good idea!

I want to get on the show!”

So, I filled out an application, uploaded pictures of my product, and uploaded videos of myself pitching the product.

I guess I kind of forgot that I applied after a while; I think 40,000 people applied for my season and only 80 of us made it onto the show.

Four months later, I was at work and I had two employees at the time and Shark Tank called! I couldn’t believe it!

I thought that I was being punked for a minute. They asked me to ship them some samples of the bags and send over all the paperwork that showed that I really owned the company. It took nine months for them to whittle through all the people and pick their final contestants. Each month, I’d lose hope and then get a call.

And that happened again and again and again.

Then the very last roundup cuts came; there were 500 of us left. So the odds were pretty favorable. I didn’t hear from them for six weeks, and one day, I was eating lunch with my staff. I was saying, “It’s okay, y’all. I only spent nine months and $5,000 in lawyer fees and stuff… it’s all good!” And then ABC called while we were at lunch, and they’re like, “can you be in LA in 10 days?” Of course, I said yes! They pay for the whole trip, they give you money per diem for all

expenses, because you’re actually there for about five days. It’s not just a one-day filming process, because you have to practice, get your setup correct on set, and get settled. It was such a cool show and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The Sharks and everyone on set were so nice to me.

ARE YOU STILL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LORI GREINER, THE SHARK WHO GAVE YOU AN OFFER IN THE END? Actually, that is something that a lot of people don’t know. So after the show, we had negotiations about the partnership and my manufacturing here in Houston. Lori manufactures more overseas, while I had all these wonderful people sewing for me in Texas. We just couldn’t meet up on that, and in an amicable way, I didn’t take her money, and I didn’t sign the contract. I actually own 100% of the company. That being said, though, we have a great relationship. I went to a party with her about three months ago in LA, and it was so fun to see her and hug her and reconnect. She has always said that if I need anything,

she’s there for me, which I appreciate, but we’re actually not partners. But the show was amazing for my business overall. There was a surge after that kind of exposure; I’d be lying if I said it didn’t skyrocket us and shape us into what we are today.

AS A BUSINESSWOMAN, WHAT DO YOU HOPE OTHER WOMEN TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR INCREDIBLE SUCCESS? I hope they take away that it can be scary and overwhelming to take massive leaps, like when I decided to establish my business. But if you take it one little step at a time, and you teach yourself along the way, you can do whatever you want to do. Sometimes I wake up and I can’t believe this is my life right now. Don’t let fear stop you from doing something that you want. I am very, very happy to own my own company. And I know there’s a lot of people out there that have ideas or have things they want to try and do and they’re just afraid to leave the safety of a nine-to-five job governed by somebody else.

So don’t let fear stop you. You only get one life.

Check out all of the Makeup Junkie Products on their website. makeupjunkiebags.com

E A R LY LEA RNING .

The building block of future leaders.

32 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE March 2021

CLASSROOM ON WHEELS COMING SOON

Looking for learning help at home? At Collaborative for Children, we’re passionate about providing access to quality early childhood education and innovative learning opportunities for Houston’s most vulnerable 0–5-year-olds.

This summer, we’re rolling out Collab-Lab, our digital classroom on wheels. Follow Collab-Lab’s progress and download activities to do with kids at home at collabforchildren.org/CollabKid. Together, we can make the future bright for all children.

Kid Ambassadors

GET TO KNOW OUR FAVORITE KID STAFF MEMBERS

Get to know

Lucas Buivantri 1

I love to play video games. When I grow up I would like to be able to code games and robots.

2

Reading books are one of my favorite things to do, especially comic books.

3

I participate in dance, Tae Kwon Do, basketball and baseball.

4

I love playing on the beach and making sand castles.

5

Sushi is my all time favorite food!

6

In my Tae Kwon Do class I can break 4 boards in under 6 seconds and use the nun chucks.

7

I’m a straight A student.

family life | F E AT U R E

summer a night with

written by Jayson Kimberly HFM Kid Ambassador and founder of Leave it for the Pooch

In the fall of 2019, I was invited by Abandoned Animal Rescue (AAR) of Magnolia, Texas, to participate in “A Night in the Dog House,” a unique event to raise funds for their rescue animals. Volunteers would spend a night with a dog in a kennel, so humans could experience the shelter world through a dog’s eyes.

I

was grateful that AAR of Magnolia reached out to me to take part in their Night in the Dog House event and could not wait to tour my 12hour living quarters. Upon arriving, I was greeted by some fantastic volunteers who spoke about the event as we walked toward the indoor kennel room. All the dogs were excited to see us, barking and wagging their tails as we walked in.

As I rounded the corner, I saw a beautiful brown Pitbull mix lying on a dog cot in a kennel. I looked at her information sheet and learned that her name was Summer and that she had been at the shelter for a long time.

She and a fur friend were brought to the rescue together. Her friend got adopted soon after.

The volunteers noticed my interest in Summer and asked if I would like to step inside and say hello. As I entered, I bent down and introduced myself to her. She looked at me with her big, brown eyes as if she wanted to respond but could not. She obviously enjoyed the company because she was jumping all over me and giving me kisses.

Even with the short time I spent with her on the tour, I had trouble understanding why she hadn’t been adopted. Was it because she was a pit mix? I never could figure it out, but I knew she was special and had love

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to share with everyone. Even though someone had thrown her away, she still had hope that there was someone out there who would want her.

I promised her if she wasn’t adopted by the time the event took place, I would share the kennel with her.

SUMMER’S DREAMS Summer stayed on my mind after I left the shelter. I wanted her to be adopted and have the love given back to her just like she gave to me in the short time I was with her. I saw her joy having me in the kennel, and I felt sad having to leave her behind.

Weeks passed, and I raised thousands of dollars for the rescue with Summer as my focus. I shared her photo over and over in hopes someone would adopt her before the event, but that wasn’t meant to be.

That day, I arrived with a lot of stuff to decorate in hopes I could make Summer’s kennel more like a home for her. I brought blankets and pillows, dog toys, treats; I even brought pajamas for her and me.

Summer had an indoor-outdoor kennel, so while I decorated inside, she patiently waited outside. When we finally let her in, she was excited to see the newly decorated kennel and see me again. I could tell by her reaction that she hadn’t expected something

GET INVOLVED Abandoned Animal Rescue is a no-kill dog / cat shelter located in Magnolia serving Northwest Harris and Southern Montgomery Counties in Texas. It is staffed by dedicated volunteers devoted to saving the lives of homeless and unwanted companion animals.

AAR’s mission is to work towards ending pet overpopulation that results in the euthanasia of unwanted cats and dogs. We do this by providing a rescue and adoption center, by emphasizing the importance of spaying and neutering and by educating on humane animal ownership. AAR is committed to the emotional, physical, and behavioral well being of each animal in our care.

All animals surrendered to the shelter are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and wormed; dogs are tested for heartworms and, if positive, are treated.

All operating money for AAR comes from clinic and adoption fees, donations, and fundraisers. AAR receives no government money.

ADOPT YOUR FUREVER FRIEND 32632 Wright Rd, Magnolia, TX 77355 www.aartexas.org

like this and really wanted more attention and love. I quickly dressed her in her pajamas and gave her the toys and a few of her treats. As I was giving her these, I wondered if she had ever had any toys of her own. I laid down in the kennel, trying to imagine what it was like for her without everything I had brought. The floor was cold, hard concrete. She had a cot but nothing else.

MORNING PROMISE I thought about the show she had to put on as strangers walked by just to get attention, competing with the other dogs.

I felt sad for her, wanting to give her the things she has been without all of her life.

Luckily, I had plenty of blankets, treats, and all the other things she needed to be happy through the night.

Since I could not adopt her because of my five dogs, I did the best I could to get her out there, sharing her pictures throughout the night.

After falling asleep, I had learned that she had soon laid down next to me, drifting to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up to good and bad news. The good news was I had won the dog-tired award as I was the first person to fall asleep. But

I was also faced with the fact I would soon be saying goodbye to Summer again.

I gave her all the treats and hugs I could and promised to share her picture until she had a home. I really didn’t want to abandon her, but I knew she would get adopted soon.

A LIFE SHE DESERVES Not long after that AAR called to tell us that my wish had come true. Summer had gotten her forever home.

It’s been over a year now, and I still think about her, so I reached out to AAR for an update. Here’s what her owners said: “It’s hard to believe Summer has been with us almost a year! It has been great, and she is the perfect fit for our family! She loves to snuggle, play, lay in the sun, and go for walks. She had gotten really spoiled with all the time we spent with her over the Coronavirus break but has since adjusted to us going back to work. We believe the only reason she was with AAR for so long is because she was waiting on us to find her!”

I was thrilled to see her again through all of the pictures they sent, and I was as happy as when I had spent the night with her.

jayson Kimberly FOUNDER OF LEAVE IT FOR THE POOCH Leave it for the Pooch is a 501(c)3 animal welfare organization that was born from the dedication of an 11 year old boy who wanted to improve the lives of the homeless animals in his community.

What started as a “Pennies Four Paws” campaign evolved into a nationally recognized organization comprised of a small group of volunteers who believe that Jayson and other young people like him can have a major and lasting impact on their communities and beyond. Jayson has been advocating and raising money for animals since 2017 and continues to do so.

Follow Jayson on his mission to help animals in need by visiting his website at www.leaveitforthepooch.com. You can also follow Jayson on facebook and instagram @leaveitforthepooch.

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family life | F E AT U R E

GA LV E ST O N N beyond the beach written by Chantal Lemieux | Photo courtsey of Galveston Tourism

As the days become longer and the weather warms, spring break is the perfect time to get the whole family outdoors. Whether you’re a beach lover aching for days at the seaside or an adventurer seeking out historic explorations, Galveston Island offers the perfect setting to shake off some winter blues and soak up the spring sunshine.

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E

njoy bike rides along the coast, fly a kite at the beach, organize a soccer game – there is lots of space to play on the beach during the spring. The water temperature may be a tad too cold to frolic in the waves but there are many other attractions to (re)discover in Galveston. With big-hearted hospitality, Galveston is home to a historic immigration port, sea creatures, Victorian architecture, a thriving maritime industry and much more.

TIME TRAVEL Rent a bike from one of the many Island bicycle rental companies and take a selfguided tour through the East End Historical District.

Travel back in time to the 19th century in over 50 city blocks. The architecture of the East End Historical District reflects a variety of styles and periods ranging from small, simple cottages to large, elaborate houses. If you like stately homes, don’t miss the exquisite Bishop’s Palace listed as one of the 100 most significant buildings in the

United States by the American Institute of Architects and don’t miss the splendid Moody Mansion. You can download a map of this beautiful neighborhood from www. eastendhistoricaldistrict.org

TREE SCULPTURES The East End Historical District is home to 20 tree sculptures made by local craftspeople which were carved from oaks killed by Hurricane Ike in 2008. You can download the map from www. galvestonislandguide.com/ galveston-tree-sculptures/ amp/

FIND THE BEST OF ART & CULTURE AND THE QUIRKY Meander along The Strand and the prominence of Galveston in the late 19th century, when it was the country’s second busiest port, surpassed only

by New York City. The avenue of 19th century warehouses now houses shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Don’t miss out on all the cute boutiques,

antique shops and art galleries on Post Office Street. Get a glimpse of The Grand 1894 Opera House, the meticulously restored opulent and intimate performing arts venue. Also worth a visit is Nautical Antiques & Tropical Décor, which sells salvaged ship parts (anchors, steering wheels, portholes) and nautical gear.

Many people say Galveston is haunted, and appropriately a store called Witchery sells paraphernalia — crystals, tarot cards and things related to the eerie and unexplainable.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT For a quick bite head over to the Star Drug Store for some comfort food made on a griddle in the middle of a U-shaped marble slab and get your sweet tooth fix at La King’s Confectionary. The counter of hand-made sweets is endless and the kids will surely thank you.

If you like skylines and bay views, head to the Rooftop Bar in the Tremont House Hotel – a 1879 building where you can enjoy views of the harbor and the elaborate

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facades and cornices of neighboring structures.

Heaters and blankets are on hand for chilly weather.

OUT OF THE WATER For maritime culture and for dolphin tours, stroll over to Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 21, home to three museums that are enjoyable to all members of the family. There are several boats offering harbor tours, dolphins and other marine wildlife tours. Enjoy the local cuisine by dining at one of the many seafood restaurants that are open for lunch and dinner.

GET SPOOKED For a light evening of entertainment, you can uncover the chilling past of Galveston’s “haunted” hotels, harbor happenings, cemeteries and Victorian mansions with the Ghost Tours of Galveston.

A trip to Galveston is a treasure trove of historical locations, quaint streets and beautiful buildings made famous over the centuries.

Explore Galveston beyond the beach.

the big to do | C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S

the big to do

A bright, blossom-filled March 2021 in Houston is definitely what we need. As spring arrives the smell of flowers will fill the air, there’s plenty going on in Houston to embrace the new season. Check out our spring break events for some family fun.

Don’t forget to sign up for our enews and check out online calendar at houstonfamilymagazine.com.

Photo by Chubby Cheek Photography FB & Insta @chubbycheekphotography www.chubbycheekphotography.com

All events listed are FREE unless otherwise noted.

Don’t forget to check out our online calendar at www.houstonfamilymagazine.com/event-directory/ for even more family friendly activities.

MARCH 1 Story Time in the Gardens Mercer Botanic Gardens invites parents and children to enjoy story time in the natural setting of the garden on the first and third Monday of the month. hcp4.net/parks/mercer Mercer Botanic Gardens 10:30am. Age: 2-5. Call 713-274-4160 for the location.

MARCH 2

Tuesday afternoon at the zoo Enjoy a fun filled family afternoon learning and viewing all of these amazing creatures. houstonzoo.org Houston Zoo 12:00pm until closing. All ages

VIRTUAL Teach You Tuesday Create your own macrame planter. facebook.com/midtownHOU/Virtual Virtual 5:30-7:30pm. All ages

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Zoom Children’s Art/Book Program: Featuring Ronald L. Jones Exhibit A collaboration with the Galveston Arts Center. Zoom in for art/book fun in conjunction with featured exhibitions at the Arts Center. Each art program is unique and art materials need to be picked up from the library in advance. rosenberg-library.org/children-events Virtual 4pm. K–Grade 2

March 2021 MARCH 3 Kemah Boardwalk Job Fair Summer is coming and lots of jobs, both full and part-time positions are opening up for the season. Positions include: Kemah Boardwalk, Aquarium Restaurant, Flying Dutchman, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Landry’s Seafood House, Saltgrass Steak House.

For additional information, please call 281-334-8902 Kemah Boardwalk – Human Resources Office. 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565 10am-5pm

Street 10am-5pm. Reservations are required.

All ages

MARCH 5 Classical Series concerts Houston Symphony Beethoven’s Pastoral Plus Bronfman (March 5,6,7) Houstonsymphony.org/2021season Jones Hall and Live Streamed 8pm or 2:30pm.

All ages. Ticket prices vary

Nature Discovery Center & Story time Visit the discovery rooms and enjoy the outdoor trails and play area. Plan to stay for nature story time which can include live animal encounters and a simple craft. naturediscoverycenter.org

Lone Star Flight Museum Photo by Yvette Michelle Portraits

Nature Discover Center Tues.-Fri. Noon-5:30pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am530pm, story time Wednesday at 4pm. All ages

Tadpoles Club This interactive program introduces preschool-aged children to nature with animals, puppets, walks, crafts, and stories. hcp4.net/jones Jesse Jones Park 10:30am or 1pm. Ages 3 – 4 only

Music in the Gardens On the 1st and 3rd of the month experience rhythm and music principles in a natural outdoor setting throughout the garden. Classes use Kindermusik curriculum’s songs, instruments, and movement to inspire creativity, confidence. hcp4.net/parks/mercer Mercer Botanic Gardens 10:30am. Age: 2-5

MARCH 4 Detective Days There’s mystery afoot at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. Detective Days are self-guided activity sheets for both the house and the gardens that provide a focused activity, challenging a child’s observational skills and critical thinking. mfah.org

Craft: Spring into a Vegetable Garden Spring is in the air when you get a head start on your vegetable garden. Accent your home with a garden-inspired butterfly that you put together using colorful paper. Registration is required.

Please call 281-591-7830 to register, as supplies are limited. hcp4.net/mhc Mangum-Howell Center 11am – 1pm All ages

Garden Cruisin’ at the Mercer Botanic Gardens Experience the beauty and tranquility of the tropical, shade, formal, children’s, and pollinator gardens. The tour will continue under the Aldine Westfield bridge to the Mercer arboretum to explore the Jake Roberts Maple Collection, Hickory Bog, Bald Cypress Swamp, and a myriad of walking trails. hcp4.net/parks/mercer Mercer Botanic Gardens 9am and 11am. All ages

Virtual Blue Willow Bookshop Story Time

Blue Willow Bookshop 10am. Age: Toddlers and preschoolers

Cistern History Tours (free every Thursday) Learn about the architecture of this unique space and the history of Houston’s water system during a guided 30-minute tour. buffalobayou.org Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, 105 Sabine

Looking for some fun things to do with the kids over the spring break holiday? Here’s what’s happening.

Spring Break: Aquarium Style (March 5-21) Downtown Aquarium Houston, Kemah Boardwalk and Galveston Island Pleasure Pier. Buy one pass for $69.99 and enjoy three parks with unlimited visits.

Get your tickets online. aquariumrestaurants.com

Spring Breakout at Jesse Jones Park & Nature Center (March 15-19) Join park staff and volunteers for a week of programs tied to nature and Texas history. Participants spend each day learning helpful nature skills including fishing and geocaching. www.hcp4.net/jones

Watercolor Resist Art Project at the Rosenberg Library (March 15-20)

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens Every day. Age: 6+

Enjoy Blue Willow’s virtual storytime, songs and an art activity every Thursday. bluewillowbookshop.com

Spring Break Around Town

Blck market Houston Peruse the bi-monthly gathering of black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs every 1st Friday and 2nd Saturday. blckmarkethouston.com Buffalo Soldiers National Museum 1-5pm. All ages

Watercolor resistance art project takeand-make brings out the artists in our readers. Pick up a to-go art project with children’s library material check-out during Spring Break week. Supplies are limited. Schedule a grab bag or curbside pick-up here https://rosenberg-library.org/curbside

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center If your kid loves the outdoors, explore the trails at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Pack a picnic and have it at nearby memorial park. www.houstonarboretum.org

Happily Ever Laughter: Fairytales (March 15-20) 5 days of Fairytale fun awaits every day at 2:30pm. Engage in an interactive story, create a house, decorate a pysanky egg, make no bake cookies & enjoy mad lib silliness. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.

Click here for Zoom link https://rosenberg-library.org/childrenevents

Lonestar Flight Museum has some amazing events and attractions (March 15-20) Fun is set to take off with special events including free flight simulators, AV8R Experiments, Hangar Talks and more!

Special highlights include Warbird Rides, Natural Flyers, St. Patricks Day search for gold, storytime and Ellington Day. To see the full schedule visit www.lonestarflight.org/events/ springbreak/

Spring Discovery Days at Bayou Bend (March 15-April 30) Self-guided springtime fun awaits families at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. Explore activities that include Kid Curators: Facts and Conclusions, Photo Challenge: Capture the Blooms, Origami Art Station, Tree Inspector, Animal Art Safari, Spring Story Stroll, Garden Yoga, Flowers: Color Hunt. https://www.mfah.org/visit/bayou-bendcollection-and-gardens

the big to do | C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S MARCH 6 17th Annual NatureFest Nature lovers of all ages are invited to learn about the natural world that exists right in their own back yard. Discover plants, wildlife, outdoor activities.

There will be educational booths, presentations, guided walks, workshops, live animals, and a catch-and-release fishing booth. www.hcp4.net/jones Jesse Jones Park and Nature Center 9am-3:30pm. All ages. Registration required for the event and tours.

Family Yoga in the Gardens Gather the family and head to Mercer Botanic Gardens for some healthy yoga fun! hcp4.net/parks/mercer Mercer Botanic Gardens 10:30am and 11:30am. All ages

Hangar Hangout at Houston Wings On the first and third Saturday of each month, join us to hang out in the hangar and see our collection of WWII-era aircraft, and enjoy our WWII museum with its unique collection of memorabilia and artifacts. Free admission makes it a great family activity! houstonwing.org West Houston airport 10am-3pm. All ages

MARCH 7 The Menil Collection Located in the heart of Houston, this impressive collection is located in several buildings nestled between pocket parks and outdoor sculptures, a perfect setting for picnic lunch. Menil.org Menil Collection 11am-7pm every day. All ages. Stroller friendly.

MARCH 8

She-EO’s Virtual 2021 Summit Hear from cutting-edge thinkers, innovators, and women working on the ‘World’s To-Do List’ on what’s next for the economy, education, food security, housing and more. sheeo.world/sheeo-summit-2021

Women in Tech’s Tech(Know) Day This online conference will showcase women in tech (cis, trans, non-binary) and their craft, as well as career, personal development, business and strategy insight. techknowday.com

MARCH 9 Prehistoric Beasts at the Houston Zoo This event at the Houston Zoo is all about Prehistoric Beasts! You’ll see an 8-foot-tall Terror Bird, a Sabertooth Tiger with 11-inch-long canines, the Gigantosaurus, and more. houstonzoo.org Houston Zoo All day. All ages

MARCH 10 Nature Discovery Center & Story time Visit the discovery rooms and enjoy the outdoor trails and play area. Plan to stay for nature story time which can include live animal encounters and a simple craft. naturediscoverycenter.org Nature Discover Center Tues.-Fri. Noon-5:30pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am530pm, story time Wednesday at 4pm. All ages

Tadpoles club This interactive program introduces preschool-aged children to nature with animals, puppets, walks, crafts, and stories. www.hcp4.net/jones Jesse Jones Park 10:30am or 1pm. Ages 3 – 4 only

Music in the Gardens On the 1st and 3rd of the month experience rhythm and music principles in a natural outdoor setting throughout the garden. Classes use Kindermusik curriculum’s songs, instruments, and movement to inspire creativity, confidence. hcp4.net/parks/mercer Mercer Botanic Gardens 10:30am. Age: 2-5

International Women’s Day Participate in discussions on women’s issues today.

AHRI’s International Women’s Day Virtual Event Explore how creating a truth-telling workplace culture – where everyone is safe to speak up and speak out – can help eliminate sexual harassment. ahri.com.au/international-womens-day/

Virtual Blue Willow Bookshop Story Time Enjoy Blue Willow’s virtual storytime, songs and an art activity every Thursday. bluewillowbookshop.com Blue Willow Bookshop 10am. Age: Toddlers and preschoolers

63rd Annual Grammy Awards The 63rd GRAMMY Awards air on the CBS and on CBS All Access, with Trevor Noah acting as host.

7pm central time

MARCH 15

MARCH 12 Clarinet Concerto in the program Mark Nuccio Plays Copland (March 12-14) Written for famous jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman, Copland’s Clarinet Concerto combines lyrical and all-out jazzy styles.

Houstonsymphony.org/2021season Jones Hall and Live Streamed 8pm or 2:30pm.

All ages. Ticket prices vary

Texas Tough: Plants for a Gulf Coast Garden Get inspired for your upcoming garden design. Walk the garden paths with Mercer staff and identify plants that grow well in our extreme Gulf Coast climate. Discuss cultural requirements, companion plants, landscape uses, and more. hcp4.net/parks/mercer Mercer Botanic Gardens 10am & 11am All ages.

MARCH 13 Prelude Concert Series in the Park Music nurtures creativity, self-expression and development, bring your toddler and preschooler to enjoy a variety of musical styles. levyparkhouston.org

4:30pm Levy Park. Age: toddler and preschooler

Spring break BEGINS IN HOUSTON! see side bar for more activities around town (March 15-19) Story Time in the Gardens Mercer Botanic Gardens invites parents and children to enjoy story time in the natural setting of the garden on the first and third Monday of the month. hcp4.net/parks/mercer Mercer Botanic Gardens 10:30am. Age: 2-5. Call 713-274-4160 for the location.

MARCH 16 VIRTUAL Children’s Story Time Enjoy a special reading of Fables, a book of classic stories from Natalie Portman. facebook.com/midtownHOU/ Virtual 11:30am-1:30pm. All ages

MARCH 17

Family Day: Derrick of Distinction “Oil Rigs” can be compared to vehicles: they come in lots of shapes and sizes! Using unconventional materials (spaghetti, linguine, and marshmallows), compete with other visitors to design, build, and test your very own model of a derrick. How tall can your distinctive derrick grow, and how much weight can it support? oceanstaroec.com Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum, Galveston 10am-3pm. All ages

MARCH 14

MARCH 11 Craft: String Your Lucky Clover Let the leprechaun in you be creative.

With a string design, this clover craft is a work of art. Registration is required.

Please call 281-591-7830 to register, as supplies are limited. hcp4.net/mhc Mangum-Howell Center 11am – 1pm All ages

40 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE March 2021

St Patrick’s Day. Activities you can do with your kids

• Have a Pot ‘o’ Gold Treasure Hunt • Make Shamrock Necklaces • Create St. Patrick’s Day Carnations • Prepare Irish Potato Candy

Zoom Storytime A playful virtual program featuring singing, storytelling, and movement, planned to foster a love of books and language. rosenberg-library.org/children-events Virtual 10am. Age: 2-5

March 2021 MARCH 18 VIRTUAL Yappy Hour Learn different tricks to keep your pup well-trained and entertained with Urban Tails Pet Resort. facebook.com/midtownHOU/ Virtual 5:30pm. Age: adult

Virtual Blue Willow Bookshop Story Time Enjoy Blue Willow’s virtual storytime, songs and an art activity every Thursday. bluewillowbookshop.com Blue Willow Bookshop 10am. Age: Toddlers and preschoolers

MARCH 19 Musical Storytellers: Winds of the Houston Symphony (March 19–21) Specially curated by Steven Reineke for the Houston Symphony, the unique wind ensemble program invites listeners to experience outstanding new wind ensemble compositions.

Jones Hall and Live Streamed 8pm or 2:30pm.

All ages. Ticket prices vary

Volunteer at the Buffalo Bayou Lend a hand to Buffalo Bayou Partnership! Volunteers are invited to help care for Buffalo Bayou’s parks and trails on the 3rd Saturday of each month.

Buffalobayou.org Buffalo Bayou 9am. Age: 9+

MARCH 20

On the first and third Saturday of each month, join us to hang out in the hangar and see our collection of WWII-era aircraft, and enjoy our WWII museum with its unique collection of memorabilia and artifacts. Free admission makes it a great family activity! houstonwing.org West Houston airport 10am-3pm. All ages

MARCH 21 Family Days at the Bayou Bend Collection & Gardens: Celebrating women in America.

Enjoy an afternoon of fun and entertainment awaits throughout the gardens and historic mansion. https://www.mfah.org/calendar/series/ bayou-bend-family-days 1-5pm. All ages

Picture This! Watercolor Wonders for Passover NYC’s Jewish Museum invites families to explore vibrant paintings by Chagall, imaginatively designed seder plates, and other striking works by artists in the Jewish Museum’s collection. The use crayons and watercolor resist techniques to create a unique Passover scene. thejewishmuseum.org.

Register in advance to receive the Zoom link.

9am central time. Age: 4+

MARCH 22 Bike, Hike, or Run the Ho Chi Minh Trails The nickname of this 10-mile of mixedused trails at the south end of Memorial Park is a reference to the jungle paths of Vietnam where you’ll find bikers, joggers, hikers, trail runners on the lush trails.

Better suited for older children or bring a good stroller.

MARCH 23 Learn to Dance: Nightclub night VIRTUAL Family Capoeira Join us for a virtual Family Capoeira class, a unique Afro-Brazilian martial art that develops discipline, coordination, strength, and rhythm. Instruction is provided by the Brazilian Cultural Institute. midtownhouston.com Virtual 10-11am. All ages

Nature Walking Tour Enjoy a free walking tour in Buffalo Bayou Park highlighting the landscape and ecology of 19th century Texas that created Houston, as well as the importance of prairies in rebuilding this astonishing and all but vanished ecosystem. buffalobayou.org The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park (105 Sabine St.) 10:30am. All ages

David Hockney, Under the Trees, Bigger, 2010–11, oil on 20 canvases

Hangar Hangout at Houston Wings

Local ballroom dance studio Dance with Me is teaming up with Market Street to offer fun and interactive dance classes this spring in Central Park. Guests will learn the Salsa and Bachata. shopatmarketstreet.com Market Street, The Woodlands 7-8pm. Age 15+

MARCH 24 Nature Discovery Center & Story time Visit the discovery rooms and enjoy the outdoor trails and play area. Plan to stay for nature story time which can include live animal encounters and a simple craft. naturediscoverycenter.org Nature Discover Center Tues.-Fri. Noon-5:30pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am530pm, story time Wednesday at 4pm. All ages

NOW EXHIBITING | MUSEUM CALENDAR

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON

mfah.org

Temporary Hours of Operation

Wednesday 11am-5pm, Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am6pm, Sunday 12:30pm- 6pm Monday- closed except selected holidays, Tuesday – closed

Carmen Herrera: Structuring Surfaces Carmen Herrera has built a prolific career spanning nine decades, dedicated to expanding the boundaries of geometric abstraction. Carmen Herrera: Structuring Surfaces is the first MFAH exhibition devoted exclusively to the internationally celebrated Cuban American artist, who turned 105 in May. Through April 2021

Hockney-Van Gogh: The Joy of Nature Two visionary artists, separated in time and space, are united by a shared fascination with nature.

Through June 2021

Electrifying Design: A Century of Lighting Over the past 100 years, the field of lighting design has been a catalyst for technological and artistic expression.

Through May 2021

HOLOCAUST MUSEUM

hmh.org

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm., Sat. 10am5pm., Sun. 12-5pm

Stories of Survival: Object.

Image. Memory.

Stories of Survival: Object. Image.

Memory. is an epic exhibition showcasing more than 40 personal artifacts brought to America by Survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides.

Through April 2021

HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE

hmns.org

9am-5pm Mon-Sun

Pompeii: The Exhibition The exhibition tells the tale of the lost and forgotten city of Pompeii, hidden until its rediscovery more than 250 years ago. Peruse the 150 precious artifacts on loan from the unparalleled collection of the Naples National Archaeological Museum in Italy.

Through March 2021

THE HEALTH MUSEUM

www.thehealthmuseum.org Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9am-5pm., Thurs.

9am-7pm., Sun. 12-5pm

Admission: $10 adult, $8 senior 65+, free for children under 2 FREE on Thursdays 2-7pm

GEAR UP: The Science of Bikes This interactive exhibition tells the story of the bicycle from inception to present day. Visitors learn how bikes work; what the history/evolution of the bike is; the science and technology behind the machine; and how bikes have impacted our culture.

Through May 21, 2021

LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM

Lonestarflight.org

Hours: Thurs.-Sat. 10am-5pm., Sun. 12-5pm

Fight to the Finish Exhibits Lest we forget those that fought for the freedoms and liberties we have today, we have the opportunity to reflect on the final year of the war and the personal strength and sacrifices of those that fought abroad and those that served and supported here at home.

Through April 2021

the big to do | C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S MARCH 25 Virtual Blue Willow Bookshop Story Time Enjoy Blue Willow’s virtual storytime, songs and an art activity every Thursday. bluewillowbookshop.com Blue Willow Bookshop 10am. Age: Toddlers and preschoolers

MARCH 26 Gold Classics series Houston Symphony: Esa-Pekka Salonen Conducts Bach, Beethoven & Salonen (March 26-28) The concert features the Finnish maestro leading the orchestra in a program of his own music alongside works by Bach and Beethoven.

Jones Hall and Live Streamed 8pm or 2:30pm.

All ages. Ticket prices vary

Beyond Bees!

Sharing His Vision. Teaching His Values.

Contact the Admissions Office Today admissions@stannecs.org or 713.526.3279

www.stannecs.org

Bee-come fascinated with our local bees as staff and volunteers guide you through Mercer’s East Side Gardens.

Learn about resident colonies of carpenter bees and honeybees, their critical role in the environment, and Mercer’s conservation efforts through holistic gardening practices. hcp4.net/parks/mercer 9:30am & 10:30am. All ages

MARCH 27

guardian.

MARCH 28 HMNS in the Park: Myths and Legends The Houston Museum of Natural Science comes to Levy Park to offer an opportunity to learn firsthand from Museum experts. Encounter real specimens and artifacts from the museum collection in an intimate, educational atmosphere. levyparkhouston.org Levy Park 2pm. All ages

MARCH 29 Wing Stop- The Cockrell Butterfly Center Walk in the rain forest right in the heart of the museum district. The conservatory is centered around a fifty-foot waterfall.

Hundreds of species of butterflies fly around inside this giant pod of beautiful plants and flowers. hmns.org/cockrell-butterfly-center Cockrell Butterfly Center All day. All ages

Fenwick Fledglings Every week, a different nature topic is explored. The Great Room features live animal exhibits, touchable biofacts, and a craft table every Saturday. pearlandtx.gov/ departments/ parksrecreation/facilities/ deloresfenwick-naturecenter Delores Fenwick Nature Center 10am. Age: 5+

MARCH 30 Learn to Dance: Nightclub night HFM Virtual Camp Fair

WHAT’S NEXT STARTS NOW.

All of us are going through something different, but wondering the same thing: “What’s my next step?”

We’re helping people get through unexpected challenges and come out the other side even stronger. Now’s the time to regain certainty and confidence. Let’s connect and start planning what’s next for you.

L E T’S GET STARTED

Plan your kids summer in a day! Visit our website for more information. houstonfamilymagazine.com

15th Annual Spring Katy Home & Garden Show (March 27-28) Find ways to update and create a new level of comfort at home with inspiration from home design, renovation, and trend-setting experts - it’s time to give the house a fresh coat of paint; renovate the bath or finally build that long-awaited outdoor living area or new kitchen. katyhomeandgardenshow.com Merrell Center, Katy Saturday, March 27 10am – 6pm.

Sunday, March 28 11am – 5pm.

Free for under 12, $7 for adults.

Canoe Spring Creek (March 27 & 28) Join park staff for a leisurely guided canoe trip along Spring Creek to see plants, animals, and the landscape from a new perspective. www.hcp4.net/jones

Jennifer Steil, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP® Wealth Management Advisor jennifersteil.nm.com 07-1011 © 2019 Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (securities), a subsidiary of NM, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser and member FINRA and SIPC. Jennifer Steil is an Insurance Agent(s) of NM. Jennifer Steil is a Registered Representative(s) of NMIS. Jennifer Steil is a Representative of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company®, (NMWMC) Milwaukee, WI (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), a subsidiary of NM and federal savings bank. All NMWMC products and services are offered only by properly credentialed Representatives who operate from agency offices of NMWAC. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

9am or 1pm Age: 18+ or have a Jr. Paddler Card and be accompanied by a parent or

42 | HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE March 2021

Local ballroom dance studio Dance with Me is teaming up with Market Street to offer fun and interactive dance classes this spring in Central Park. Guests will learn the classic Waltz and Tango. shopatmarketstreet.com Market Street, The Woodlands 7-8pm. Age 15+

MARCH 31 Nature Discovery Center & Story time Visit the discovery rooms and enjoy the outdoor trails and play area. Plan to stay for nature story time which can include live animal encounters and a simple craft. naturediscoverycenter.org Nature Discover Center Tues.-Fri. Noon-5:30pm, Sat.-Sun. 10am530pm, story time Wednesday at 4pm. All ages

Tadpoles Club This interactive program introduces preschool-aged children to nature with animals, puppets, walks, crafts, and stories. www.hcp4.net/jones Jesse Jones Park 10:30am or 1pm. Ages 3 – 4 only

EDITORIAL | BOOK BITES

BOOK BITES

Valerie Koehler, owner of the Blue Willow Bookshops, shares some of her favorite Spring inspired books, visit BlueWillowBookshops.com

Who Said Peep

by Yi-Hsuan Wu

Peep! Meow! Baa! Quack! Lift the peek-through flaps to discover the noisy animals with fuzzy, fluffy, or silky touch-and-feel elements on every page.

Spring Stinks

by Ryan T Higgins

When cheerful Ruth the rabbit tries to share with grumpy Bruce the bear the wonderful smells of spring, they discover that spring stinks.

Mel Fell

by Corey Tabor

Readers will delight in turning this book sideways and upside down to follow Mel on her journey from fall to triumphant flight in this tale of self-confidence.

Counting Sheep

by Jacqueline Kelly

In rural Texas in 1901, 13-year-old Callie nurses a butterfly with a broken wing and delivers a baby lamb, despite her mother’s disapproval of Callie’s “unladylike behavior.”

The Big Book of Blooms

by Yuval Zommer

Yuval Zommer’s charming illustrations bring to life some of the most colorful, flamboyant, and unusual flowers from across the globe.

Alice’s Farm

by Maryrose Wood

Alice the rabbit makes friends with a new family on the farm. When she overhears a plan by a developer to bulldoze the farm, Alice comes up with a plan to save it.

Hack Your Backyard

by Niki Ahrens

Explore science in your own backyard through this wild collection of projects.

Make a compass, tell the temperature from crickets, count the stars, and more.

Start the New Year

HEALTHIER Safe, convenient primary care — at a location near you.

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At Houston Methodist, we provide personalized care for you and your family, including physicals, immunizations and preventive care.

Many of our practices: • Provide in-person and virtual visits with online scheduling • Offer same-day sick visits • Are conveniently located close to work or home • Accept most major insurance plans

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And, with enhanced safety measures in place, you can rest assured your safety is our priority.

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