Southwest Ohio Parent May 2023

How

Virtually the Best Time

What are your child’s favorite activities during the summer? For some kids, it’s swimming, or riding bikes, or visiting parks, or playing outside. My children love all of those activities, too, and they do plenty of those things all summer long. But if you asked my two sons what summer activity they’re looking forward to most, they would both say, without hesitation: “Playing video games.”

When my kids were younger, I was resistant to video games. Then, the pandemic happened. Like many children, my kids had to finish the last few months of the 2020 school year online, and they didn’t see their peers inperson for many months. One of the ways they kept in touch with their friends was online. Online socialization, for my kids, meant getting together with their friends virtually and playing online video games.

It was important to me that they kept their friendships alive during that trying time, so I allowed video games to seep into our home. Soon, I realized that playing video games was an important outlet for my kids to blow off steam and de-stress during a time when there were a lot of stressors coming in from all directions.

Now, I'll sometimes walk into my family room and hear multiple boy voices chatting. “Bro, that was sick!” “Go that way!” “Follow me!” It’s just my kids at home, talking and laughing with their friends at their homes, playing a game together virtually. It makes me smile — and it makes me thankful for technology and the ways it brings us all together.

Whether you are enjoying time online or IRL (in real life) this month, have a great May!

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Mary Wynne Cox mary@ohparent.com

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lindsay Conner, Pam Freeman, Rebecca Hill, Jennifer Thompson

CALENDAR OF EVENTS calendar@ohparent.com

say cheese! Local kids

WE LOVE SEEING YOUR PHOTOS OF LOCAL KIDS LIVING THEIR BEST LIVES! HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITE SUBMISSIONS WE RECEIVED THIS MONTH.

Want to see your cute kids on this page?

We're looking for photos of cute kids for the June issue of SW Ohio Parent! Email your photos (with the first name and age of the child) to editor@ohparent.com, and your photos might appear here!

Terrance Jr. (5)

Isabella (2)

Brynlee (3)

Mila (7) and Rory (3) Oliver (6) Davina (9)

Bennett (3)

HIDDEN GEMS

WORDS BY REBECCA MATTESON

Behind the Scenes at the Cincinnati Zoo

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden has a long list of awards and accolades, but it only takes one visit to experience the true passion our zoo has for its animals and keepers. Through educational programs, conservation events and behind-the-scenes tours, families can immerse themselves in special encounters with a few of Cincinnati Zoo’s most adored animals.

Elephant Extravaganza

As part of the behind-the-scenes tours offered at the zoo, guests ages 5+ can come face to face with one of the world’s gentle giants: Asian Elephants. As part of the Elephant Extravaganza tour, private groups are led with a private photographer through the elephant house before watching one of the elephants paint a picture with colors of their choice. The 75 minute tour ends with a hands-on bath and opportunity to gently touch the elephant. Skip the tour and painting if you prefer just the bath experience!

The Elephant Extravaganza tour begins behind-the-scenes where guests are invited in the back

entrance of the elephant house. Inside, keepers show guests around the meal prep area where you can hold a real elephant tooth and see how large an elephant poops!

The tour continues into the back of the house where large steel cylindrical barriers are placed to provide safety between the elephants and their keepers. The elephants are outside during this time so guests get to step inside the indoor enclosure. Once through the back of the house, an elephant is brought inside and quickly begins painting on a canvas for you to take home. As the keepers share more about the elephant’s lifestyle, you get to spray down and scrub the elephant in a warm shower.

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

The zoo offers tours for several of their animals including giraffes, penguins, hippos, red pandas, kangaroos, sloths and tortoises. Each tour varies but includes a visit from one of the animals and a special look into their daily life at the Cincinnati Zoo.

3400 Vine St., Cincinnati cincinnatizoo.org

& Notes

Did You Know?

celebrate the outdoors with Passport to MetroParks

Discover the many ways to enjoy your local MetroParks this summer at the Passport to MetroParks event, happening at RiverScape MetroPark on Friday, May 26 from 6-9 p.m.

Enjoy live music, food trucks, family activities and more during this free event that includes a sneak peak of some of Dayton’s largest cultural festivals. Representatives from the Dayton Celtic Festival, Hispanic Heritage Festival and Dayton African American Cultural Festival will be on site with activities, information about the festivals and more.

Throughout the event, guests can visit more than a dozen booths with games and activities that feature a variety of the recreation, education, conservation and volunteer programs Five Rivers MetroParks offers. Guests can meet MetroParks rangers and live animal ambassadors, learn more about upcoming programs at each MetroPark, ask questions about nature and youth programs, and more.

Participants can earn stamps in their event passport for each activity they complete, with a chance to earn prizes like gift certificates for MetroParks programs, a MetroParks Ice Rink 2023-24 season pass and 2nd Street Market Money. Fore more information about the event, visit metroparks.org/passportto-metroparks

Free Comic Book Day is May 6

Free Comic Book Day is the one day each year when participating comic book stores give away a selection of comic books for FREE to anyone who visits. It began in 2002, and always happens the first Saturday in May!

Bandito Food Park

Bandito (which means “bandit” in Spanish) is one-of-a-kind with an indoor food park theme. Bright pops of color and unique picnic table designs welcome guests to a delicious menu of imaginative tacos, burgers and chicken.

Inside the tri state's only indoor/ outdoor food park and cantina, artificial turf lays under picnic tables complete with umbrellas, hanging lights, larger than life murals and a gorgeous cantina bar. Colorful art and vibrant light fixtures immediately put you in a good mood with its summery vibes. Outside, yellow and blue tables line the entrance for a warm bandito welcome.

On the menu, find snacks and meals like Nachos Libre, birria tacos, Queso Dip Sampler, The Gringo Burger, tortas, quesadillas and kids meals fit for the little banditos in your life. Known for its creative menu, the taco options are endless and sometimes unordinary like the hot buffalo chicken taco

— a fried chicken tender topped with buffalo sauce, jalapenos, pickles, cabbage slaw and ranch on a flour tortilla.

For the little banditos, kids can choose from chicken tenders, cheese quesadilla, ground beef taco, hamburger, hot dogs and mac & cheese. Adventurous eaters will delight in Mexican-style sandwiches on the Torta menu. Two options include milanesa de pollo and carne asada: a torta stuffed full of grilled steak, grilled bell pepper, melted cheese, guacamole, caramelized onion, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo on french bread.

3543 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati banditocinci.com

What is Emotional Empowerment?

Emotional empowerment is the ability to recognize and name emotions in a variety of situations. It is recognizing the feeling inside and then being able to verbalize this. It is also the ability to recognize the emotions another person is showing outwardly.

Emotional empowerment is a learned skill and something we can also improve on, even as adults! Even though we can’t always know for sure how a person is feeling or why, emotional empowerment helps us to recognize the signs and clues of someone experiencing more extreme emotions and learn strategies to engage with them.

What is my child trying to tell me?

It is important to recognize behavior as a language. Sometimes, when kids don’t know the words to say to express themselves, they may act out how they feel through their behavior. This may look like showing anger, or withdrawing and staying to themselves.

As caregivers, we need to look beyond our child’s behavior to figure out what they are trying to express. Caregivers are also there to serve as a guide for kids to improve their emotional empowerment. The more we normalize talking about feelings in our home, the easier it will become for our kids to:

• Express their thoughts and feelings in a safe way

• Build connections and relationships

• Enhance communication in conversation

• Show empathy towards others

• Cultivate positive selfconfidence and feel more competent

How can I guide emotional growth?

Guiding emotional growth and working on emotional empowerment with your child may sound like a hard thing to do. Try these four techniques to guide your child’s emotional growth and learn about emotional empowerment yourself.

1. Listen when your child is sharing a problem with you and try to identify the feeling word they are describing.

For example, you could say, “It sounds like you are sad because your friend wanted to play with someone else during recess.” Allow your child to tell you if you are right or wrong.

2. Model sharing your feelings to your child. If you are experiencing some emotions, try saying to them, “I am feeling frustrated right now because I messed up this dinner recipe!”

3. Talk while watching movies or reading books about the feelings the characters might be showing. Take a pause when an emotion comes up to discuss the emotions.

It is helpful to make the connection between the circumstances the character is facing, and the feeling associated with it.

4. Play charades to teach empathy. You can start with the feelings “sad” “mad” or “happy” and have your child think about someone who is experiencing those emotions. Then encourage them to act out the emotion.

This encourages them to analyze body language and think about what another person is trying to portray when feeling these emotions. Start with feeling words and then add other emotions or situations to act out.

Explore emotions with this On Our Sleeves Activity Book

To help guide caregivers and kids on their emotional empowerment journey, the On Our Sleeves experts created the Emotion Explorers Activity Book. This activity book is meant for adults and children to use together. Filled with emotional empowering activities, tips for parents and a space to let kids get creative, this resource will help you and your child learn to recognize and name your emotions.

WORDS BY DAYTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

There’s a saying that it “takes a village” to raise children, and anyone who has had the privilege of raising a child in any capacity knows that is indeed true. Just like we all need our villages and our communities to rally around us, the same is true for families and children in the foster care system.

WORDS BY JENNIFER THOMPSON

HOW YOU CAN HELP KIDS IN FOSTER CARE

Maybe you’ve considered fostering, but aren’t sure what steps to take. Did you know there are a plethora of ways to support children in the foster system that go beyond becoming a foster parent?

Ashley Metzler, director of Lighthouse Youth and Family Services Foster Care and Adoption in Cincinnati, provided some tangible tips to help those who might be considering fostering, or are looking for ways to support children and families who are currently in the system.

What are some ways families can help children in foster care and their foster families?

Alternate care providers that can provide babysitting and transportation are always needed. A background check is required. Respite providers that can babysit overnight in a foster parent's home are also always needed. Respite providers must pass a background check and attend training. The respite care could also be provided in your own home following a home safety check.

What is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), and how do you become one?

Known as a CASA volunteer, a Court Appointed Special Advocate is a community member trained and supported by ProKids to advocate in the best interest of an abused and neglected child. In about 10 hours a month, a CASA volunteer gets to know the child and everyone in the child’s life so they can advise the court on the best way the child can have a safe, permanent, nurturing home. By speaking up for the child, a CASA volunteer can help a child heal from their

Everyone can be a foster care volunteer in some capacity, and do something to help children in foster care.

trauma and move onto a brighter future. The first step to becoming a CASA volunteer is to attend a Snapshot. Snapshots are one-hour information sessions hosted on Zoom. During the session, you’ll learn about how ProKids can provide training and support you as a CASA volunteer in Hamilton County. Snapshots are free.

What about people who are ready to foster? What should they consider?

You don’t need a fancy house. You don’t need to be wealthy. You’re not too old. You don’t need any special expertise in working with children, and you don’t have to have raised children of your own.

To be successful, it’s important to have a willingness to learn, the ability to adapt and try new strategies, patience, and the capacity to share joy and laughter. You also need to be willing to provide a safe, stable, and caring home, and be willing to work as a part of the Lighthouse team. Lighthouse Foster Care & Adoption welcomes all children and all families, and has the policies and practices in place to welcome and support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families and children.

What are some resources for those who are considering fostering?

The following resources can help people who are considering fostering children:

The Bair Foundation / bair.org

Choices Ohio / choicesohio.org

Clermont for Kids / clermontforkids.org

HC Kids Foster Care & Adoption / hckids.org

Ohio Mentor / sevita.us/foster

OhioKan: Kinship & Adoption Navigator

ohiokan.jfs.ohio.gov

Foster Care Licensing State Rules

emanuals.jfs.ohio.gov/FamChild/ FCASM/FosterCareLic

Adoption Licensing State Rules

emanuals.jfs.ohio.gov/FamChild/ FCASM/SocialServices

Whether you are interested in fostering, or just have a heart to help, the reality is: These families and children need their villages. And the good news is that there are many ways to get involved with the foster care system and to support the children and families in need. In addition to those things mentioned here, you can also donate or volunteer with organizations who help children in a variety of ways, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, School on Wheels, Foster Care to Success, Foster Care Co-op, Foster Grandparent Program, ProKids and more.

The important thing is that you know there is no way to help that is too big or too small. Find what works for you and for your family, and know there are resources available to answer any questions you may have and point you in a direction that best fits your skills and desire to serve.

Mother's Day Activities Your Mom Will Love

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14. Put this date on your calendar and set a reminder so you don’t forget! Because Mother’s Day is mid-May this year, hopefully, good weather will greet mom and set the stage for a perfect day. After all, the saying goes that “life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother.”

If you’re wondering what to do and where to take mom, here are seven top optionsaround southwest Ohio. Also, feel free to use this as a gift list. Purchase admission for mom and gift it so she can use it at a time of her choosing. Have fun!

Krohn Conservatory

1501 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati cincinnatiparks.com

Take a walk with mom surrounded by butterflies during the Butterflies of the Meadow event at the Krohn Conservatory. Tickets can be purchased online or in a limited number at the door. Tickets are timed in one-hour increments.

Time: Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Price: Adults, $10; Youth, $7; Children under 4 are free

Dayton Art Institute

456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton daytonartinstitute.org

Browse the art of Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico, in DAI’s special exhibit, New Beginnings: An American Story of Romantics and Modernists in the West, and enjoy some lovely tunes as Matt Dierking from the Dayton chapter of the American Guild of Organists gives a performance on the auditorium’s Skinner Pipe Organ from 2 to 3 p.m.

Time: Open Sundays, 12-5 p.m. Moms get in free on Mother’s Day!

Price: Adults, $15; Seniors, $10; Youth, $5; Children 6 and younger are free

52nd Annual Appalachian Festival

Coney Island Park, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati appalachianfestival.org

Rain or shine, this annual rite of spring takes place over Mother’s Day weekend at Coney Island on the Ohio River. In addition to crafts and food, mountain music will take place on all three stages.

Time: Saturday, May 13th, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, May 14th, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Price: Adults, $15; Youth, $5; Children 4 and under free

Aullwood Audubon

1000 Aullwood Rd, Dayton aullwood.audubon.org

Celebrate the 18th annual Farm Babies Fest with mom at Aullwood Farm. Enjoy great food and events, plus meet some unusual babies, including Indio Gigante chicks, one of the tallest chicken breeds in the world.

While at Aullwood Audubon, explore the Nature Center trails to find the giant trolls Bo, Bodil, Bibbi and their troll-sized bird nest in the “Troll That Hatched an Egg” exhibition by Thomas Dambo, from Copenhagen, Denmark, the world’s leading recycle artist.

Time: Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Price: Adults, $12; Seniors, $10; Youth, $8; Children 3 and under are free. Admission is good for both locations.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

3400 Vine St., Cincinnati cincinnatizoo.org

Every mom visiting the Zoo on Mother’s Day will get in for free and have a chance to see all the adorable Zoo Babies during this annual event that’s free with admission.

Time: Open daily from 10 a.m.5 p.m.

B&B Riverboats

101 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY bbriverboats.com

Cruise the Ohio River with mom during the Mother’s Day Brunch Cruise, and treat her to spectacular views, sensational food and a souvenir photo. All seating is reserved.

Time: Boarding at 12 p.m., sailing 1-3 p.m.

Price: Adults, $54; Youth, $32

Vinkolet Winery

11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati vinokletwines.com

Enjoy the annual Mother’s Day lunch and craft show, plus a glass of wine. Shop and grab a bite at the outdoor grill (hamburgers and hot dogs) or make a reservation inside the restaurant for the Mother’s Day brunch.

Price: $32.47 per person

Make your mom’s day with these activities that you both can enjoy together.

PREVENTING MENTAL BURNOUT IN PARENTS (AND KIDS, TOO!)

PARENTAL BURNOUT

It's important to recognize when you might feel that mental and emotional burnout rearing its ugly head. Though it can look different for everyone, parental burnout is often described as a feeling of overwhelming exhaustion and ineffectiveness as a parent paired with emotional distance toward your child. Experts say this burnout may lead to general irritability and frustration; adopting addictive behaviors like drinking or smoking; the onset of sleep disorders and other health issues; and a higher risk of anxiety or depression. It’s easy to see how quickly parental burnout can affect not just one parent but the entire family.

“Parenting is tough, and there is no instruction manual that comes with children,” says pediatric neuropsychologist and licensed school psychologist Amanda Slonaker, Ph.D., HSPP. “Children are a priority, but you as a parent are a priority, too. It’s important to prioritize self-care to be able to be at your best to care for your child, especially when children are young.”

When caregivers feel rested and less stressed, they can put forth their best effort toward their families. This might look like being more patient, having more energy to play, and being more present in the moment rather than distracted by stress.

When parenting responsibilities overlap with work, household chores and other life responsibilities, it can become challenging for parents to make time for themselves. “Most people have heard the saying, ‘You have to put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others.’ What gets scheduled gets done,” Slonaker says.

KIDS CAN EXPERIENCE BURNOUT, TOO

Although burnout is a term that’s typically associated with adults, kids can experience it, too. According to the website Brain Balance, signs of burnout in kids can include feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and out of control with areas of their life. Kids can also display more irritability and distractibility at home and at school, or they might find it harder to focus to start or finish tasks, which can result in

You want to do all that you can for your kids, but being a “Superparent” can come with a downside — burnout.

feeling unprepared and falling behind. Stressedout kids might also focus more on the negatives and worry a lot more than usual.

TIPS FOR BATTLING BURNOUT

So how can you and your family battle burnout? Start by scheduling time for self-care. People who prioritize themselves have more bandwidth to be able to help others later. Fortunately, there are many practical steps you and your family can take to fit in little bits of self-care in just five or 10 minutes a day!

• Take 5 minutes before bed each night to listen to a sleep meditation. Free apps like Calm and Headspace are a great place to start.

• Find an interesting podcast and listen to it when running errands.

• Is there a book you just haven’t had a chance to read? Schedule 10 minutes before bed or make it a goal to read just five pages per night.

• Listen to your favorite song.

• Practice mindfulness while brushing your teeth.

• Take a walk outside.

• Buy or pick fresh flowers and display them in the house.

• Eat healthy food, or indulge in something special!

• Keep a small journal and write three things you are grateful for each morning or night.

If you can manage to find a little more time than five minutes here or there, Slonaker suggests scheduling an “ideal week” on the calendar. Instead of thinking about how your week typically goes, pencil in all the things you’d like to see happen. “What do you have to get done and what would you like to do for yourself if you could? Exercise? Meditate? Have brunch with a friend or family member? Sleep for a full eight hours? Schedule it in!” she says.

Another helpful tip is to make a list of all the things you have to do in the next week or month. Is there anything on the list that you can choose to say “no” to? “By learning to say ‘no’ to activities and people that drain you, you create more time for yourself and those you love which is a lot more fulfilling!” Slonaker says.

Creating a healthy habit can start by doing just one thing just for yourself a week, and then increasing it as you go along. “This might also mean enlisting the help of a partner, friend, or family member. Is there a way you could trade off and help them schedule in their self-care, too, so you both benefit?” Slonaker says.

Parents who struggle with self-care on a consistent basis may need to reach out to their support network. “This can be a friend, family member, partner, counselor/therapist, or small group within a church or spiritual community,” Slonaker suggests. Many people want to be there for others, to listen and offer a different perspective on life’s experiences. Ask yourself who are the friends you want to be there for. Most likely, they want to be there to support you, as well.

“No one can push through parenting for years at a time without becoming completely burnt out and exhausted, or even resentful and upset, if they do not focus on their own health and self-care,” Slonaker says. “In reality, you can best take care of others when you take time to take care of yourself. Your children and family are worth it… and you are, too!”

Children's Mental Health

Infants and preschoolers in a digital world.

Did you know young children can struggle with mental health? Often, a child’s way to show they are struggling is to act out. Time and again, these behaviors are misunderstood and viewed as “bad behaviors” or “bad parenting” especially if the child cannot speak yet or has no words to express what they’re feeling. Technology has become one way to “help” calm these behaviors. As a lot of parent/caregivers have discovered, when technology comes on, children are drawn to it. However, real life learning opportunities are key to building social skills and emotional regulation.

Technology’s Impact on Children

Unhealthy technology use can disrupt a child’s typical developmental. The risk for children under the age of 6 is magnified due to the rapid brain growth and skill development happening during this period. According to researchers at the Center on Developing Child at Harvard University, more than one million new neural connections form every second during the first few years of life. Children need a variety of experiences to learn how to be social thinkers, handle stressful and upsetting situations, and to build resiliency.

A child’s ability to learn new things, be calm, pay attention, remember details, learn to talk, and regulate emotions is hindered by background television. The shocking fact is children under 3 are being exposed to an average of 5.5

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

hours of background television per day. That’s 40% of a child’s waking life!

Excessive, unmonitored screen time can damage mental health and can have lasting effects, such as:

• unseen damage to brain development = cognitive delays, psychosocial delays

• less activity and movement = physical or motor delays, obesity, trouble sleeping

• fewer words spoken in home = language delays

• fewer interactions = socialemotional delays, difficulty forming relationships

Too much screen time is like too much sugar. A little bit can make life sweeter, but too much can rot your teeth and ruin your health. It’s about finding a healthy balance.

So How Much Is Too Much?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (APA) recommends:

• NO screen time exposure for infants and toddlers, with the only exception being connecting with loved ones on a screen.

• For children ages 2-5 years up to one hour a day of highquality screen time.

The APA also recommends not using screen time to care for or supervise a young child and to only co-view television alongside young children to support their understanding. Interactive and mindful use screen time can have a positive impact.

What Can We Do?

It’s about finding the balance.  Parents and caregivers can promote a healthier living and manage screen time by following these simple strategies to

DISCONNECT TO CONNECT:

• Maintain daily screen-free times: mealtime, bath time and bedtime.

• Create Safe Spaces for Independent Play: Have books available and include toys such as a mirror, dolls, cars, stuffed animals, musical instruments, or an empty container filled with brushes, plastic containers with lids, plastic cups, and plates.

• Play, Interact, and Communicate together: Inside games like hide & seek, roll a ball, build a fort, obstacle course with couch cushions, listen to music and dance. Get outside! Run, play, walk, swing, blow bubbles, go to the park, and play “Ring around the Rosie” or “Duck-Duck-Goose.”

• Avoid background television: Too quiet? Try music instead.

• Be consistent with technology limits: For example, one half hour of screen time in the morning/evening.

• Be intentional: Choose educational shows and games that are on your child’s level. Interested

Train Trips, Caves & Zip Line Adventures

Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad (LM&M)

16 E. South Street, Lebanon

Distance from Cincinnati: 32 miles / 35 minutes

Distance from Dayton: 28 miles / 40 minutes

lebanonrr.com

Take a historic train ride through Warren County on the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad!

Family-friendly themed rides are offered throughout the year and include the Princess Express, Mother’s and Father’s Day specials, Applefest Fall Flyer Train Rides, Pumpkin Patch Express, and a North Pole Express. Rides are nine miles round-trip and follow Turtle Creek almost the entire way, crossing five bridges, including a large offset truss bridge.

Pro tip: But where’s Sir Topham Hatt? The patient staff and crew are happy to answer and indulge a child’s endless questions about all things related to the train.

Whitewater Valley Railroad

455 Market St., Connersville, IN

Distance from Cincinnati: 60 miles / 1 hour 15 minutes

Distance from Dayton: 60 miles / 1 hour 15 minutes

whitewatervalleyrr.org

Whitewater Valley Railroad is an operating railroad museum located in the eastern part of Indiana in Connersville. Along

with providing train rides, the non-profit organization uses funds to restore railroad equipment, operate the railroad museum and educate the public about a transportation system many have not experienced.

Between May and October, the WVRR offers excursions most weekends. Trips depart from the Connersville depot and arrive in Metamora, with a round trip through Whitewater Valley. Each train trip includes a two-hour layover for visitors to discover the historic canal town. Visitors can explore Metamora’s grist mill, restored canal and lock, aqueduct, shops and restaurants.

Pro tip: Throughout the summer, join one of several special excursions, like the Wild West Special. The five-hour themed trip includes a train ride and two-hour layover in Metamora, and also includes a host of bandits, marshalls, a robber and

women from the Wild West providing entertainment along the way.

Ohio Caverns

2210 E. State Route 245, West Liberty

Distance from Cincinnati: 105 miles / 1 hour 45 minutes

Distance from Dayton: 60 miles / 1 hour

ohiocaverns.com

Ohio Caverns is known as “America’s Most Colorful Caverns,” and once you visit, you’ll know why. Here, you’ll find stunning rock formations in shades of blue, orange, white, red and black. The caverns are the largest in the state of Ohio, with more than two miles of passageways running in depth from 30 feet to 103 feet. Be sure to see the “Crystal King” while you’re here: a huge, perfectly formed white stalactite estimated to be over 200,000 years old.

Above ground, you’ll find a 35-acre park located directly above the caverns, with a playground for kids, picnic shelters, and a gift shop where you’ll find a wide assortment of rocks, minerals and fossils from all around the world.

Pro Tip: Bring a sweater! Even in the summer, the caves stay a constant and cool 54 degrees throughout the year.

Ready for some adventure this spring? Why not hop on a train, explore a cave or fly through the air on a zipline! Here’s where to do just that.

Ash Cave @ Hocking Hills State Park

26400 OH-56, South Bloomingville

Distance from Cincinnati: 136 miles / 2 hours 15 minutes

Distance from Dayton: 108 miles / 1 hour 50 minutes

hockinghills.com/ash_cave.html

Nestled in the southernmost part of Hocking Hills State Park you’ll find a massive horseshoe-shaped cave. Believed to have been used for shelter and as a work area by Native Americans, the cave got its name from the enormous piles of ashes — thought to have been leftover remnants from campfires or smelting work — discovered by early settlers. The trail from the parking lot to the cave is handicapped accessible and wanders through a narrow gorge lined with trees and carpeted with a variety of wildflowers. The gorge measures approximately onequarter mile long. Upon reaching the cave, you’ll find a waterfall, fed

by the East Fork of Queer Creek. Then, explore the cavern and test the remarkable acoustics, which have been said to have the quality of a “whispering gallery.”

Pro tip: Pack a lunch! Picnic areas can be found adjacent to the parking lot.

Zip Zone Outdoor Adventures

7925 N. High Street, Columbus

Distance from Cincinnati: 120 miles / 1 hour 50 minutes

Distance from Dayton: 80 miles / 1 hour 15 minutes

zipzonetours.com

Zip line tours, a tree top obstacle course, and a ground level kids park — there is something for everyone at Zip Zone. Each zip line tour lasts approximately two hours and allows you to fly through a stunning 20 acres of forested land. Expert guides operate the safety equipment and braking system,

allowing for a hands-free experience to truly enjoy the sensation and sights of flying through the trees. At Adventure Park, you choose your own adventure in the trees! The purple courses are designated for kids ages 4 to 7 and always supervised by an adult. Guests in this park will be secured with a LockD Clip “intelligent belay” system which keeps them firmly connected to a lifeline cable while they explore. The Kids Park, only a few feet off the ground, is a scaled down version of the Adventure Park and open to kids ages 4 to 7. Kids wear harnesses and are provided safety instruction prior to being set loose to play. Adults may walk alongside their child during their two hours of climb time.

Pro tip: Into the dark! Try the Night Flight Tour and zipline through the Canopy Tour once the sun has gone down.

The Natural Gifts of Camp

Every summer, when I was in junior high and high school, my buddy Pete would disappear for a few weeks to camp. I resented it. For me, those humid July weeks dragged, and then Pete would come home telling tales of adventure — as if he had been to Oz.

As it turns out, that camp shaped Pete in ways neither of us realized at the time. He credits his summers at camp with giving him a foundation for success and longevity — more than three decades — as a teacher.

Still, during those years, I had my own adventures — a free-range childhood spent fishing and chasing snakes and building forts in the woods. Those experiences shaped my life every bit as much as Pete's time at camp shaped his.

Today, too few children and young people have either experience — free-range or camp. In my book, Last Child in the Woods, I describe how young people can likely tell you about the Amazon rainforest, but they'll likely be hard pressed to describe the last time they explored the woods in solitude or lay in a field listening to the wind and watching the clouds move. Nature is becoming an abstraction, something to watch on the flip-down TV screen from the back seat of a minivan.

In a study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, “Generation M: Media in the Lives of Eight- to Eighteen-YearOlds,” it was revealed that children are plugged into some kind of electronic medium an average of five-and-a-half hours a day, "the equivalent of a full-time job, and more time than they spend doing anything else besides sleeping."

One reason kids aren't going outside as much is parental fear. News and entertainment media have conditioned us to believe that life outside the front door is far more dangerous than it actually is, at least from stranger-danger. Nonetheless, this fear is unlikely to go away, which is one of the reasons parents are likely to value camps even more in the future than they do today. Risk is always a part of

life, but camps can offer parents the reassurance that their children will be safe as they receive the gifts of nature.

The physical benefits are obvious; others are more subtle but no less important. For example, research shows that nature experiences significantly reduce children's stress. Free play in natural areas enhances children's cognitive flexibility, problem-solving ability, creativity, self-esteem and self-discipline. Effects of Attention Deficit Disorder are reduced when children have regular access to the outdoors. Studies of outdoor-education programs geared toward troubled youth — especially those diagnosed with mental-health problems — show a clear therapeutic value.

Children are simply happier and healthier when they have frequent and varied opportunities for experiences in the outdoors.

Nature-oriented camps also help care for the health of the earth. Many studies show that nature play in childhood is the chief determining factor in the environmental consciousness of adults.

Clearly there's more to camp than s'mores. Pete could have told us that. In fact, he did.

Originally published in the March 2014 Camp e-News. Adapted and reprinted by permission of the American Camp Association. ©2014 American Camping Association, Inc.

2023 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

DAY CAMPS Adventure Days on the Farm

Our Adventure Days camp is on our 19th year and we continue to strive to make each day here their best day. Farm animal roundup and farm chores of taking care of all the animals. Walking and cleaning the animals! Shearing sheep, horseback riding lessons, hayrides to the fishing hole, archery, nature scavenger hunts, team building games, singing and skits! It’s simply nonstop fun on this fifth generation family farm. We pride that our campers never leave us and become junior counselors, then CITs and finally employed as staff Counselors! This you will see when you meet our energetic seasoned talented college/highschool staff! This camp is rain or shine we have a large indoor area if needed. We make the best summer camp memories down on the farm. Our history speaks for our program.

Dates: 5 two day sessions June 15-16 June 22-23 June 29-30 July 6-7.July 13-14

Ages 5-12

11896 Old Lexington Pike, Walton, KY 41094, Contact: Mary Marcum, Director, Phone: 859-485-7000, Email: adventuredaysonthefarm@gmail.com, bentonfarm.com

Camp-A-Palooza at Kids First Sports Center

CAMP-A-PALOOZA is Greater Cincinnati’s most talked about summer camp experience! Why? Four words: Kids First Sports Center…108,000 square feet of kids sports heaven! Every day is a themed, non–stop, in and outdoor adventure. From morning drop–off to evening pick–up, you’ll experience crafts, talent shows, water slides, sports instruction, science experiments, agricultural projects and more!

Dates: May 30-August 18, 2023 • Hours: Times: 7am-6pm • Ages: 5-15 years of age • Activities: Swimming, Gymnastics, dance, soccer, tumbling, trampoline, Ninja, arts and crafts, gardening.

7900 East Kemper Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249, Contact: Julie Halusek, Email: campinfo@kidsfirstsports.com, Phone: (513) 489-7575, kidsfirstsports.com

Camp Art Academy Time Travel Adventure

At Camp Art Academy, students receive an award-winning arts education experience while exploring their creativity and making new friends within a diverse and inclusive community. Camp Art Academy balances technical instruction with freedom of self-expression. In the morning, students practice drawing, painting, and printmaking, while in the afternoon, students explore sculpting, constructing, and installation art and explore influential artists. In Summer 2023, students have discovered a mysterious time machine traveling them through time to explore exciting artistic movements. From ancient art to the future, students will travel across the world and through time while creating portfolios of art.

Dates: June 5th-July 28th, 2023; Each week features different themes; check website for more details • Age: 5-8 and 9-13 years

1212 Jackson St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Phone: 513-562-8762, artacademy.edu/ office-of-engagement/communityeducation/camp-art-academy/

Camp at the J

At Camp at the J, kids can experience the best of summer. From swimming and archery to arts & crafts, camp values and color wars, and much more, kids will create memories and form friendships to last a lifetime. Give your child a summer to remember at Camp at the J! Camp at the J was a 2022 Best of Parenting poll finalist.

Dates: June 12 - August 11 • Hours: 9:30am - 3:30pm

*Extended Care

Available • Grades: K - 10

8485 Ridge Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236, Contact: Lauren Smyjunas, Phone: 513.722.7245, Email: daycamp@ mayersonjcc.org, MayersonJCC.org/Camp

CCM Prep

CCM Prep provides fun music, dance and theatre arts classes and workshops where students of all ages and abilities can learn from leading national artists and teachers – including CCM’s acclaimed collegiate faculty members. Browse program offerings and find the perfect performing arts opportunity for your family. Learn more at ccm.uc.edu/ prep-parent

3860 Corbett Center Cincinnati, OH 45221-0236, Phone: 513-556-2595, Email: ccmprep@uc.edu, ccm.uc.edu/prep-parent

Code Ninjas Anderson Township

UNLEASH YOUR CHILD'S INNER

NINJA! Transform your child's love for technology into an exciting learning adventure. Guided by our team of Code Senseis, Code Ninjas Camps empower kids to gain valuable tech skills and make new friends. It's an unforgettably fun learning experience!

Dates: June 5- August 4, 2023 • Hours:

AM Camp: 8:30-12:30; PM Camp: 12:30-4:30 • Ages: 7-14

7426 Beechmont Ave, Suite 210, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255, Contact: Jamie Luebbe, Email: jamie.luebbe@codeninjas.com, Phone: (513) 233-2633, codeninjas.com/oh-andersontownship/camps

Crème de la Crème Summer Camps

Where in the World? Enroll your child in Creme’s Summer Camp, where our program combines recreational adventures and fun with various learning activities to provide your child with the best of both worlds. Enjoy Field Trips, Water Park, Bowling Alley, Art Studio, Outdoor Sports & much more! Space is limited, so register now to reserve your spot!

Ages: 5-12

Mason: 5324 Natorp Boulevard, Mason, OH 45040, Phone: 513-586-5085, cremedelacreme.com/locations/ mason-oh; West Chester: 8110 Market Place Dr, West Chester Township, OH 45069, 513586-5328, cremedelacreme.com/ locations/westchester-oh

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio

Day AND overnight camps at three locations, plus travel camps for girls in grades 8-11. Not a member? Not a problem—Girl Scout camp is open to all girls! Come experience the magic of camp—the joy of making new friends, bravely trying new adventures, and discovering the amazing wonders of nature.

Dates: Weekly, June 11 - August 4 , 2023

• Hours: Varies

• Ages: Girls currently in grades K-11

MidPointe Library Summer Reading Program

MidPointe Library System is bringing you a season of fun with its annual Summer Reading Program. Pick up a “All Together Now” activity map and create your own adventure by completing challenges to win prizes. Families can enjoy activities together, exploring new books or finding fun around the house and in your community.

Dates: June 1 – July 31, 2023 • Ages: All ages

Available at all MidPointe Library System locations (West Chester, Middletown, Liberty Township, Monroe & Trenton), Contact person: Cari Hillman, Phone: 513-424-1251, MidPointeLibrary.org

Museum Camps at The Cincinnati Museum Center

Explore science, technology, history and the arts through creative activities and games at Cincinnati Museum Center’s fun and educational Museum Camps. Whether there’s a day or a week off from school, there’s a camp for that.

Dates: May-August • Hours: 9am-4pm •

Ages: 5 to 14

Contact: Nora Eskridge, Email: information@ cincymuseum.org, Phone: (513) 728-0082, cincymuseum.org/museum-camps/

Settler Survival Camp at Carillon Park

Held in late July, Settler Survival Camp at Carillon Historical Park is five days of early settlement fun. The Miami Valley comes to life from an early settler’s perspective during this exciting camp. Learn about early travel methods, hearth-cooking, woodworking, textiles, gardening, candle-dipping, and more.

Dates: July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28, 2023 • Hours: 9:00am–4:00pm Daily •

Ages/Grades: 8-12

1000 Carillon Boulevard, Dayton, OH 45409, Contact: Education Department: education1@ daytonhistory.org , Phone: 937-293-2841, daytonhistory.org/events/historicalexperiences/settler-survival-camp/

Dates: June, July, and August 2023

• Ages: 3-18 years

• Gender of Campers: Girl Multiple locations, Phone: (888) 350-5090, Email: customercare@gswo.org, camp.gswo.org

Snapology of West Chester

Snapology’s vision is to create a fun environment for children to play and learn. Snapology strives to introduce children to STEM through educational play. Our programs are focused on building confidence while developing problem solving and iterative learning skills. We are committed to developing the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, engineers, inventors, robotics experts & leaders!

Dates: All weeks in June and July, some weeks in August • Hours: AM Camps, 9 am to 12 pm & PM Camps, 1 pm to 4 pm (8 am early drop off, 5 pm late pick up) •

Ages: 4 to 14

Various Locations, Email: westchestertwp@ snapology.com, Phone: (513) 988-7363, bit.ly/snapcamps

Springer School and Center's Adventures in Summer Learning

Adventures in Summer Learning provides a variety of options for students to learn important academic skills and increase self-esteem. For grades 1-5, we offer highly regarded academic courses, plus the option of being involved in Springer Activity Club in the afternoon. Mini-Camps are offered to enrich the experience with activities for a wide variety of interests. Grades 6-8 can select a variety of courses in math, writing, social skills and social skills. New this year are writing and study skills for high school students, including Writing for College Common Application!

Dates: June 12-July 31; Specific dates vary by offering

2121 Madison Road, Contact: Lisa Bruns, Center Director, Phone: 513-871-6080, Email: lbruns@springer-LD.org, Springer-LD.org/ summer

Taft Museum of Art's Summer Art Camp

Whether your child is thinking about becoming an artist or just enjoys making art, the Taft’s small camp classes, guided by experienced teachers, will make this a summer of fun. Week-long camps will have campers painting, sculpting, and drawing.

Dates: Entering grades 1–3: June 5-9, June 12-16, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Entering grades 4–6: June 19-23, June 26-30, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Entering grades 7–12: July 10-14, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. • Hours: 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday-Friday; After-care available from 4–6 p.m. during camp weeks •

Ages: Students entering grades 1–3, 4–6, 7–12

316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Email: education@taftmuseum.org, taftmuseum. org/Families-Children/Summer-Camp

Theatre Summer Camp

Whether you’ve never stepped on a stage before, or have already been bitten by the acting bug, our theatre camps are the perfect place to learn some new skills, make some new friends, and have a whole lot of fun! In person programs for students in grade 1-12 who want a fun and challenging stage experience this summer! Learn more online.

Dates: June and July 2023 • Grades: 1-12

• Cost: $295/week, multiple week discount available

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company at The Otto M. Budig Theater, 1195 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Phone: 513-381-2273, cincyshakes.com/summercamp

Summer Earth Adventures at Aullwood Audubon

Summer Earth Adventures is for the birds!Join us in summer 2023 for Aullwood Audubon’s Summer Earth Adventures week-long nature camps! Aullwood's summer camps feature a variety of outdoor explorations, exciting nature themes and tons of outdoor fun at both our nature center and farm. Check website for more information.

USA Ninja Challenge Cincinnati Summer Camp

The ninja program is designed to meet the requirements of a full physical fitness program for today’s youth. We incorporate ninja obstacles including rings, balance beams, slack lines, cargo nets, ropes, a traverse rock wall, devil steps, horizontal peg boards, our popular warped wall and more! The desired result of this program is to improve children’s strength, flexibility, and athleticism while building self esteem for our ninjas!

Dates: June 5th-August 4th, 2023 • Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00am -12:00pm • Ages: 5-13

4727 Red Bank Rd Cincinnati, OH 45227, Contact: Steve Sharp, Phone: 513-739-5528, Email: redbank@usaninja challenge.com, ninjacincinnati.com

X-treme HorsePower Camp at Heavenward Farm

YMCA of Greater Dayton Day Camps

Join the YMCA of Greater Dayton from May-August 2023 (session dates vary by location) for a fun-filled summer for your child! Whether you choose one week or all summer, YMCA Day Camp fits your schedule and provides fun and enriching activities for your child. OUR PROMISE TO PARENTS - Your kids will be safe, make new friends, learn new skills and most of all, have fun!

Dates: May 30th-August 11th, 2023

Available at 10 Dayton area locations, Contact: Valerie Holland, Email: ymcachildcare@daytonymca.org, Phone: (937) 223-5201, daytonymca.org/ programs/child-care-programs/ summer-day-camp

OVERNIGHT CAMPS

Falcon Camp

Dates: June 5 - August 11, 2023

• Hours: Monday through Friday, 9AM - 4PM, with early drop off and late pick up options. •

Ages: K-6th grade

Aullwood Audubon: 1000 Aullwood Road, Dayton, OH 45414, Phone: (937) 890-7360, Email: AskUs@aullwood.org, https:// aullwood.aububon.org/sea

Summit Summer @ Summit Country Day School

The Summit Country Day School welcomes students from the tri-state area to enjoy summer on our Hyde Park campus. With programs for children ages 18 months - Grade 12, parents can take comfort in knowing that their child is exploring their curious nature, enjoying time with friends, and exploring a new topic or hobby. Both full-day and half-day camps are available. Online Catalog will be available: Monday, January 23rd, 2023

Registration opens: February 1st.

Dates: Early June - Early August 2161 Grandin Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45230, Contact Name: Shayleigh Holbrook, Auxiliary Services Manager, Email: holbrook_s@ summitcds.org, Phone: (513) 871-4700 Ext: x369, summitcds.org/programs/ summit-summer

Enjoy horses, riding, friendship and the great outdoors! Horse care, Riding Instruction, Trail Rides, Crafts, Boating, Fishing, Biblical life lessons,and group Games are all packed into this fun and meaningful camp experience. Limited enrollment, so REGISTER online NOW.

Dates: Week 1: June 5-9, Week 2: July 31-August 4 • Hours: 9:00am-2:30pm •

Ages: 8-14 • Special Needs: ASD (High-functioning), CP (Mild), Visually or Hearing-impaired, ADHD/Anxiety/Mood

Dysregulation

7084 Ludlum Rd., Morrow, OH 45152, Contact: Carole Bower, Exec. Director, Email: admin@heavenwardfarm.org, Phone: (513) 899-4347, heavenwardfarm.org

YMCA Summer Day Camps

Day and specialty camps at the Y are all about adventure. Kids have the opportunity to explore nature, find hidden talents, try new activities, gain independence, and make lasting friendships. Weekly themes create energy and excitement whether you camper is with us for one week or the full summer!

Dates: Camps run May through August •

Ages: 5-12 • Cost: Varies by camp. Visit MyY.org/day-camp for prices.

12 locations in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, Phone: 513-362-YMCA, myY.org/day-camp

Recognized throughout the midwest as Ohio’s premier summer camp since 1959. Beautiful lakefront setting, talented experienced staff and wide variety of activities. Campers choose own schedules within general framework. Most of all it’s great fun! Special intro for 6-10 year olds. ACA accredited. At Falcon, 'Good Things Happen by Design'.

Gender of Campers: boys and girls -separate daily activities with planned coed events. • Dates: June 18 -August 12 for 2023 in 1,2,4,6 or 8 week sessions •

Ages: 6-16

4251 Delta Rd SW, Carrollton, OH 44615, Contact: Dave Devey, Phone: (330) 627-4269, Email: Info@falconcamp.com, falconcamp. com/

BE

KATIE@OHPARENT.COM

EDUCATION GUIDE

CHILDCARE & PRESCHOOL

The Campus at Kids First

We have FULL DAY Kindergarten!

Located inside the nationally acclaimed Kids First Sports Center, The Campus offers the premier early learning experience for children ages 6 weeks through Kindergarten. As the only early learning center in the area that makes physical education a top priority, The Campus at Kids First gives your child an academic edge by integrating a world class physical education (including gymnastics, basketball, yoga and soccer!) curriculum in to the daily schedule, at NO additional cost! Our carefully selected and loving teachers utilize a relevancebased curriculum combined with child-directed play to make learning FUN and start each child on their journey to becoming a life-long learner. • 7900 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249, theCampusKF.com , Phone: (513) 629-KIDS, Email: info@theCampusKF.com

Chai Tots Early Childhood Center

Academic excellence via a unique blend of Jewish and Montessori education offering strong academics, stressing life skills, interpersonal relationship skills and nurturing a love for life-long learning. Individualized curriculum customized for each student, expansive naturally lit rooms, low student ratio. Specials include yoga, music, Hebrew, Spanish, dance, drama, art and Tae Kwon Do. Flexible schedules, before and aftercare, web cams and after-school enrichment available. Transportation available to/from Mason schools. Limited space - now enrolling! • 7587 Central Parke Blvd., Mason, OH 45040, Phone: (513) 234-0600, ChaiTots.com , Ages/ Grades: Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Kindergarten (6 weeks-6 years), Enrollment: 60

Creative Tots, Mason

Our holistic approach allows children (18 months - 5 1/2 years) the opportunity to learn, explore, play and grow while engaging in the fine arts, science, music, yoga and a modernized curriculum. We provide opportunities to use creativity, solve problems, use language, develop new vocabulary and reading skills, while engaging in intellectual activities. There are elements of STEAM education, bilingual education, arts education, as well as lots of physical activities to strengthen the mind and body. • 6408 Thornberry Ct., Mason, OH 45040, Contact: Emilie Parry, Phone: 513-770-6776, Email: creativetotsmason@gmail.com, creativetotsmason.com , Grades: Toddler: 18 months-3 yrs, Preschool: 3-4 yrs; Pre-K: 4-5 yrs

MONTESSORI Central Montessori Academy

At Central Montessori Academy, children from toddler (18 months) - 6th grade are taught by Montessori-trained teachers in environments that cultivate their natural love for learning. Children learn and develop self-confidence, personal creativity, grace & courtesy, and entrepreneurial spirit at their own pace, building self-esteem, while being taught as individuals. We offer extended day programs for both before and after-school. Call today to schedule a tour! • 1904 Springdale Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45231, Phone: (513) 742-5800, centralmontessoriacademy.com

Little Sprouts Montessori Preschool & Kindergarten

Little Sprouts Montessori nurtures the natural curiosity and enthusiasm of children, helping them develop a lifetime love of learning. Our goal is to empower children to discover and hone their strengths as they explore the world. We recognize the importance of individualized education, and maintain a 1:6 ratio. • 7131 Plainfield Road, Deer Park, OH 45236, Contact: Christie Sawyer, Phone: 513-697-9021, Email: csawyer@ leavesoflearning.org, little-sprouts.org , Grades: Preschool & Kindergarten, Enrollment: Families choose mornings two to four days per week (T/TH and/or W/F), and/or afternoon sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.

Mercy Montessori Center

Mercy Montessori is Cincinnati's first Catholic Montessori elementary school and provides students with a personalized education. Mercy offers a sliding scale tuition model, in-school swimming instruction starting at age three, and attracts students from over 60 zip codes. Mercy educates the whole child and develops a strong foundation for learning.

• 2335 Grandview Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45206, Contact: Amanda Grimm, Admissions Director, Phone: (513) 475-6700 ext. 210, Email: agrimm@ mercymontessori.org, mercymontessori.org , Grades: Preschool - 8th Grade, Enrollment: 296

The New School Montessori Cincinnati's only school accredited by the American Montessori Society. Centrally located and surrounded by wooded play yards and gardens, students benefit from a nurturing environment where Montessoricredentialed staff support high academic and personal achievement. Full-day, half-day with healthy lunches included in tuition. ISACS and AMS accredited program. • 3 Burton Woods

Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45229, Contact: Ceara Comstock, Phone: (513) 281-7999, Email: ceara.c@newschoolmontessori.com, newschool montessori.com , Grades: 3-year-olds through Grade 6, Enrollment: 144

NON–PUBLIC Bishop Leibold School

When you join the Bishop Leibold Family, you join a community of students and families, a caring staff, and three parishes dedicated to providing your child with an excellent Christ-centered education. We serve students in preschool (3 years old) through eighth grade! Contact us today to learn more . • 6666 N Springboro Pike Dayton, OH 45449 | 24 S. Third St. Miamisburg, OH 45342, 937-434-9343 | 937-866-3021, bishopleibold.org

Cincinnati Christian Schools

CCS has been creating lifelong learners, creative thinkers, passionate disciples, and visionary leaders for over 40 years. Our graduates are welcomed at universities because they’ve become the natural learners and inquisitive students that God created them to be. CCS knows that faith and learning go hand-in-hand. Outstanding. Proven. • Elementary Campus: 7350 Dixie Hwy, Fairfield, OH, 45014, Junior/Senior High Campus: 7474 Morris Rd., Fairfield, OH, 45011, (513) 892-8500, Contact: Peggy Head, Director of Admissions, Email: peggyhead@ cincinnatichristian.org, cincinnatichristian. org , Grades: PS - 12

Creative World of Montessori

Creative World of Montessori focuses on the comprehensive education of students from age 3 to 12th grade throughout the Dayton region and the greater Miami Valley area. Designed to ignite a passion for learning while developing important life skills, Montessori education at Creative World of Montessori encourages active learning and helps build a well rounded, engaged student. We have locations in Miamisburg, Beavercreek, and Centerville. We also have preschools and learning center programs across the Miami Valley. • 6833 Wilmington Pike, Centerville, Ohio 45459, Phone: (866) 866-7339, Inspirechildren.com

Guardian Angels School

Guardian Angels School provides students in preschool through eighth grade with a faith-filled experience focused on academic excellence, whole child education, and attention to each child’s unique learning needs. As a school, we push all of our students to

earn their HALO through being Honest, Accountable, and a Leader to Others . • 6539 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati 45230, Contact: Mr. Corey Stoops, Principal, Phone: 513-624-3141, gaschool.org , Grades: Preschool - Grade 8

St. Helen School

Welcome to St. Helen where an amazing sense of community leads to academic excellence! Every day we strive to build character by living virtuously. Our ministry to model Catholic morals, values, and traditions while providing a structured, nurturing environment for each student to grow spiritually, academically, and emotionally. Our focus on faith formation and academic excellence prepares students to be life-long learners. A community that celebrates diversity, we welcome families all over the Miami Valley including military families from WPAFB. • 5086 Burkhardt Road Riverside, OH 45431, Phone: (937) 256.1761, sainthelenschool.org

The Summit Country Day School

Founded in 1890, The Summit serves students from 18 months to Grade 12. Full- and half-day Montessori programs for ages 18 months-age 6 begin the academic journey followed by a college-preparatory program (Grades 1-12). The Summit educates students spiritually, academically, physically, socially and artistically while offering the academic excellence and one-on-one guidance of a top-tier Catholic independent school. • 2161 Grandin Road (Hyde Park), Cincinnati, OH 45208, Phone: 513-871-4700, ext. 261, Email: pearl_e@ summitcds.org, summitcds.org

SPECIAL NEEDS Springer School and Center

For 50 years, Springer School and Center has empowered students with learning disabilities to lead successful lives. Springer offers a day school for students ages 6-14 and outreach programs and learning disability resources for students, parents and teachers in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Springer Experience. Success Starts Here. • 2121 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208, Contact: Jill Wieging, Associate Admissions Director, Phone: 513 871-6080 ext. 211, Fax: 513-871-6428, Email: jwieging@springer-ld.org, springer-LD.org , Grades: 1 through 8, Enrollment: 200

WORDS BY REBECCA HILL

Is Your Teenager Getting Enough Sleep? Probably Not.

Here’s how to help your teen get the sleep they need.

Everyone has an internal clock that monitors when they feel sleepy or alert. Though it can be affected by sunlight, blue light from electronic devices, stress, stage of life and other issues, we all have it. But for teenagers, that clock can be a bit funky. They can experience something called circadian delay, which shifts their clock later, meaning at 10 p.m. when you, a parent, are heading to bed… your teenager is still wide awake.

Because bad sleep hygiene influences anxiety, mood, depression and obesity, practicing good sleep hygiene is critical. For teens who have poor sleep hygiene, parents may need to intervene with sleep safeguards to help teens improve their ongoing sleep habits.

To encourage good sleep habits, parents can try the following:

∙ Encourage a consistent wake time on weekends. Teens tend to think that sleeping in on the weekends will recover lost sleep. Not so. Teens may feel better with that extra weekend sleep, but lost sleep during

the week is still detrimental and accumulative.

∙ Parents should encourage teens to avoid naps during the day. A two- hour afternoon nap deducts from any sleep a teen gets at night, thus making nighttime sleep worse.

∙ Electronic screens are well known for disrupting sleep. Parents should stop all electronics before bedtime. To keep screens out of the bed room, a family charging station is always a good idea.

∙ As for melatonin supplements to aid in sleep, parents should check in with their teen’s physician so they can advise effective use of the supplement if necessary.

Finally, teenagers can also suffer from delayed sleep, sleep apnea and other sleep disorders like insomnia. If teens are seeking regular naps, have increased irritability, loss of focus or other indications, parents should seek the advice of a sleep specialist.

THINGS TO DO

MON 01 Barnyard Bonanza: Pen

Pals What’s your favorite farm animal? This farmyard tour includes a variety of our livestock to help you decide! Ages 2-5, make a barnyard craft to take home. • Location: Parky’s Farm, Time: 10a greatparks.org

Blooms and Berries Play Yard

Opening Day It’s opening day for the play yard! The Play Yard has the famous slide, Barn Yard 500 Trike Track, farm games, and access to the Petting Farm! • Location: Blooms and Berries, Time: 9a-5p bloomsandberries.com

TUES 02 Pop Up Play by Siri Imani

Add a bit of creative fun to your day with games, adventures, craft projects and more! • Location: Ziegler Park, Time: 4p-6p zieglerpark.org FREE

WED 03 BB Riverboats Great Steamboat Race Experience one of the oldest river traditions, the Kentucky Derby Steamboat Race. Come aboard the Belle of Cincinnati and be a part of riverboat history as it races the historic steamer, the Belle of Louisville. Boat boards and sails from Louisville, Kentucky.

• Location: BB Riverboats Louisville, Time: 4:45p bbriverboats.com

THURS 04 & 18 Pop Up Play with Cincy Library Add a bit of creative fun to your day at Pop Up Play! Join us in Washington Park on select weekdays for games, adventures, craft projects and more!

• Location: Fountain Square, Time: 3p-5p washingtonpark.org FREE

FRI 05 May the 4th Be With You: Garden Scavenger Hunt Come our with your family to participate in an awesome Star Wars Themed nature scavenger hunt and receive a prize. Stay afterwards and enjoy Star Wars themes along the Marie Aull Trail.

• Location: Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, Time: 10:30a-11:30a metroparks.org

Star Wars Reds Ticket Package

Fans can purchase a special ticket package that includes an exclusive Mandalorian bobblehead. Must purchase your game ticket through reds.com/ StarWars to receive the bobblehead. • Location: Great American Ballpark, Time: 6:40p reds.com/starwars

SAT 06 –SUN 07 Cincy-Cinco Latino Festival From Porkopolis to Tacópolis, featuring authentic Latino food with colorful and delicious flavors. Entertainment, music & dancing from almost two dozen of the most notable performers in the Midwest will fill downtown with family fun, folkloric performances, and salsa dancing. • Location: Fountain Square, Time: 12p myfountainsquare.com FREE

SAT 06 FC Cincinnati Pre-Match at the Park Festivities will include music and family-friendly activities in the park. Food trucks will be parked on Elm street serving up delicious grub and the Porch will be open with drink specials.

• Location: Washington Park, Time: 4:30p washingtonpark.org FREE

CAM Kids Day Pick up an agenda and a family scavenger hunt at the front desk, then enjoy hands-on preschool activities in the Great Hall, and docent-led activities throughout the museum starting at noon. • Location: Cincinnati Art Museum, Time: 11a-3p cincinnatiartmuseum.org FREE

Little Bee Keepers Buzz on over to the farm to become little beekeepers as we spend the morning exploring the teeny-tiny world of our hardest working farm animal: the honeybee! Families will move through stations to savor a taste of sweet honey, dissect flowers, craft a wildflower ‘seed bomb’, and even meet a real beekeeper as they demonstrate the opening of a hive in our beeyard!

• Location: Gorman Farm, Time: 10:30a gormanfarm.org

SUN 07 Kids Sticker Sheet at the Reds Sundays are family days at the ballpark! Enjoy a special ticket offer, giveaways for kids and more. Some restrictions apply. Available in advance of game day only. • Location: Great American Ballpark, Time: 4:10p reds.com/family

Deeds Carrilon Concert Join us for a free, family-friendly concert located at Deeds Carillon performed by Dr. Larry Weinstein.

• Location: Carillon Historical Park, Time: 3p daytonhistory.org

Victorian Tea for Mother’s Day Join for an authentic three course tea service served by costumed interpreters and learn about the Patterson family. • Location: Patterson Homestead, Time: 2p-4p daytonhistory.org

MON 08 Fairy-Forest Fun Drop by to help us create our magical fairy forest for all to enjoy. This bi-weekly series is a chance for guests to build fantastical creations that will live in our forested area! • Location: Great Park’s Nature Center at the Summit, Time: 11a greatparks.org

Toddler Time: Dinosaur Edition The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery invites families with children ages 3 and under to our special Toddler Time programs! Parents and their children will get an opportunity to engage with dinosaur-themed activities such as dressing like a paleontologist and building their own dinosaur! • L ocation: Boonshoft Museum, Time: 9:15a and 10a boonshoft.org

TUES 09 Kitten Yoga + Adoption

Event This event is guaranteed to be absolutely adorable and include many laughs and snuggles with adorable adoptable kittens! Attendants should expect normal kitten behavior such as chewing, scratching, and biting. Bring your yoga mat! • Location: Nakama Studio, Time: 6p nakamastudio.org

Craftivity Storytime Join us in the Children's area between our Toddler and Preschool storytimes as we make crafts or participate in fun, imaginative activities in order to promote social emotional learning. • Location: Pleasant Ridge Library Branch, Time: 11a chpl.org FREE

WED 10 Astronomy Club Join the Nature Center's Naturalist Sheila Riley on the second Wednesday of the month and meet with other members interested in Astronomy. Astronomy Club is available to all Nature Center members ages 12 and up. • Location: Cincinnati Nature Center, Time: 7-9p cincynature.org

THURS 11 Madagascar The

Musical This smash-hit musical features all of your favorite crack-a-lackin' friends as they escape from their home in New York's Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien's Madagascar. • Location: Aronoff Center, Time: 7p cincinnatiarts.org

Magic Land Storytime Grab your friends for a playdate and storytime before taking a turn on the human claw machine! • Location: Magic Land, Time: 9:30a magiclandharrison.com

FRI 12 Preschool Play Art Enjoy a story and art related activity with Ms. Melinda from Wyoming Fine Arts Center. For ages 2-5, funded in part by Arts Wave. • Location: Reading Library Branch, Time: 10:30a chpl.org FREE

SAT 13 The City Flea Join dozens of market vendors at Washington Park’s largest monthly market event! • Location: Washington Park, Time: 10a-4p thecityflea.com

SAT,

NAMIWalks 2023 Celebrate our 20th anniversary and join us to bring awareness about the rising need for mental health services and celebrate mental health right here in our community! Walk with your friends or bring your dog! • Location: Sawyer Point, Time: 9a namiswoh.org

YMCA Healthy Kids Day (Dayton)

Come celebrate YMCA Healthy Kids Day at Riverscape, part of the national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids. The Y will be hosting kids fitness classes, line dancing, sports skills clinics, games, arts and crafts, Camp Kern activities and more. • Location: RiverScape MetroPark, Time: 12p-4p metroparks.org FREE

SUN 14 Mother’s Day Buffet Treat

Mom to a delectable meal from the Lindner Family Café, served in our garden tent. Celebrate with brunch, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. Coffee, hot or iced tea, and juice are included. After brunch, finish the afternoon with a visit to the Museum Shop. • Location: Taft Museum of Art, Time: 11:30a-1p taftmuseum.org

Mother’s Day Brunch Treat your mom this Mother's Day! Breakfast brunch buffet, including sizzling bacon, savory sausage, freshly scrambled eggs, freshly cut fruit, a yogurt-parfait station, crispy chicken tenders, flaky biscuits and gravy, hash browns, cookies, brownies, hot coffee, orange juice, and soft drinks. • Location: Coney Island, Time: 10a and 11a coneyislandpark.com

Mother’s Day Brunch Cruise It's her day. Make Mom feel special. Treat her to spectacular views, sensational food and a souvenir photo for the ultimate "thank you." All seating is reserved.

• Location: BB Riverboats, Time: 12p bbriverboats.com

Mother’s Day Train Ride Create a special memory aboard the Mother’s Day special train ride. Moms can enjoy a complimentary Mimosa as they ride through the countryside of Warren County, and Mom’s even ride FREE with a purchase of an additional ticket! • Location: Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, Time: 11a, 1p, 3p lebanonrr.com/mothers-day

MON 15 Homeschool STEAM Club Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math! Children ages 6 and up will explore different areas of STEAM through hands-on-activities while interacting with other local homeschoolers.

• Location: Midpointe Library Liberty Branch, Time: 1p midpointelibrary.org FREE

TUES 16 Kaleidoscope Play and Learn Our friends from CoStars Early Childhood Services join us with a play experience designed to promote children's cognitive, language, social and emotional development. We'll have fun singing songs, telling stories, creating art, and playing! Ages 0 - 6. • Location: Westwood Library Branch, Time: 10:30a chpl.org FREE

WED 17 Homeschool Science: Wild Wetlands Adventure into the wetland and the area surrounding, as we explore the benefits of this amazing ecosystem! From flowers and grasses, to trees and shrubs and all the animals in between, find out how you can protect this important area! For homeschooled students ages 5-12 and their parents.

• L ocation: Miami Whitewater Forest, Time: 10a-12p greatparks.org

THURS 18 Homeschool Club Pack a bagged lunch and bring it to the library! We'll eat lunch, followed by a set of fun and educational activities. We'll have a different theme each month, including science, math, social studies, creative writing, art and more! • Location: Brookville Library Branch Dayton, Time: 12p daytonmetrolibrary.org FREE

FRI 19–SAT 20 Coasterstock It’s the event of the year for roller coaster aficionados; an event where like-minded people from across the United States, Canada and Europe gather to ride some of the best roller coasters in the world and share stories of their experiences riding coasters around the world: Coasterstock at Kings Island! • Location: Kings Island, Time: 10a-9p visitkingsisland.com

FRI 19 Baby Tours: Silly Faces This 40-minute experience will introduce you and your infant (ages 0-2) to the world of art with a tour designed to stimulate their developing minds.

• Location: Cincinnati Art Museum, Time: 11a, 2p and 3p cincinnatiartmuseum.org FREE

Bald Eagle Flight and Fireworks

Friday at the Reds Fans of all ages can line up after the game to run the bases, with a priority line for Reds Heads Kids Club members. • Location: Great American Ballpark, Time: 6:40p mlb.com/reds

SAT 20 World Bee Day: The Buzz Buzz on in to celebrate World Bee Day and learn how to help these important pollinators with games, demonstrations, and honey tasting. Activities will take place in the garden/orchard area. • Location: Parky’s Farm, Time: 10a-1p greatparks.org FREE

History Alive Days Visit the Village to meet interpreters in historical clothing doing demonstrations. There will be different demonstrations each day and they may include: woodcarving, broom making, textile demonstrations, food preservation, and an organ performance in the church.

• Location: Heritage Village Museum, Time: 10a heritagevillagecincinnati.org

LITTLE BEE KEEPERS AT GORMAN FARM

Froggy Games in the Nature

Playscape Celebrate National Frog Jumping Day by hopping your way through the PlayScape to complete various frog-themed games. Try all the froggy games and leap off with a special prize. We’ll also make a jumpy frog craft to play with after the program. Perfect for ages 5-10 with an adult caregiver. • Location: Cincinnati Nature Center, Time: 10a-11:30a cincynature.org

SUN 21 Reds Poster Giveaway

Sundays are family days at the ballpark! Enjoy a special ticket offer, giveaways for kids and more. Some restrictions apply. Available in advance of game day only. • Location: Great American Ballpark, Time: 11:35a reds.com/family

MON 22 Toddler and Preschool

SAT 27 Cincy Tiki Boat & Cycleboat

Opening Day Call a sitter and hop on Cincinnati’s only cycleboat or tiki boat! For adults on, kick off summertime on the Ohio River. Tours are everyday through October for a two hour duration. • Location: Rivertowne Marina Time: 10a-7p cincycycleboat.com

Make your own Walking Stick

Choose your own pre-harvested honeysuckle branch, and craft it into a customized hiking stick. • Location: Cincinnati Nature Center, Time: 9a-10a cincynature.org

TUES 30 End of School Party Come celebrate the end of school and the start of summer vacation with snacks and activities. Drop in any time, and bring old assignments and used-up notebooks to destroy in all sorts of creative ways. • Location: Erlanger Library Branch Time: 1p-3p kentonlibrary.org FREE

WED 31 Cinema Wednesday Cinema features a free movie screening every Wednesday at Ziegler Park this summer and fall! Dust off those lawn chairs, grab a picnic basket, and join for a fun, relaxing evening on the Great Lawn. Movies begin at 9:00pm. • Location: Ziegler Park, Time: 9p zieglerpark.org FREE

ONGOING

This program is for kids who love to move and dance around! We will dance to different songs, practice following directions, learn rhythm, and even develop our fine and gross motor skills. • Location: West Carrollton Library Branch, Time: 10:30a daytonmetrolibrary.org FREE

Dance Party

Coney Island Opening Day Coney Island opens for the 2023 season! This season will be full of fun as you slide down more than 1/4 mile of water slides, splash in the nation's largest recirculating pool, and challenge your friends on The Challenge Zone, the nation's largest Aquaglide pool obstacle course! • Location: Coney Island coneyislandpark.com

TUES 23 Preschool STEAM Stations

Children ages 3-5 will rotate through fun stations to learn about science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math! • Location: Midpointe Library West Chester Branch, Time: 12:30p midpointelibrary.org FREE

WED 24 Period Dinner Join us for a Period Dinner and sample some 19th century cuisine. The May Period Dinner is Tavern Fare: Dining Out in the 1800s. The menu will include soup, fried chicken, a hominy bake, cole slaw, macaroni & cheese, and apple pie for dessert. • Location: Heritage Village Museum, Time: 6-8p heritagevillagecincinnati.org

THURS 25 Bubble Party Join friends for some bubbly fun! Don't miss stories, songs, games, and crafts! Best for 3 and up but siblings are welcome. • Location: Erlanger Library Branch, Time: 11a-12:30p kentonlibrary.org FREE

SUN 28 Animals Alive Come experience our ambassador animals up close as we learn about different critters! We will talk about native species and why they are so important for our daily lives. Get ready to capture the memory of meeting these furry and scaly friends with a camera! • Location: Miami Whitewater Forest, Time:1p greatparks.org FREE

Dayton Heritage Day It’s an oldfashioned patriotic celebration! Explore exhibits and buildings while participating in hands-on historical activities like musket firing and candle dipping. The day ends with a patriotic concert on the Town Greene by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. • Location: Carillon Historical Park, Time: 12p-7p daytonhistory.org

MON 29 Baby Boogie It’s never too early to grow a child’s love of learning. This early literacy-based program features music, rhymes, stories, and more. For babies birth to 24 months with a caregiver. Boogie to some of our favorite songs and games! • Location: Northmont Library Branch Dayton, Time: 11a daytonmetrolibrary.org FREE

Butterflies of the Meadow Through June 18. Wander through a conservatory meadow surrounded by butterflies in flight. Admire monarchs and blue morphos as they soar through wildflowers and a flowing waterfall. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to see what it’s like for butterflies in the wild and to learn why we must protect their habitats.

• Location: Krohn Conservatory, Time: 10a-8p MondayFriday cincinnati-oh.gov

Spring Celebration Through May 26. Celebrate spring with EnterTRAINment Junction. Purchase a Do-It-All ticket to visit the world’s largest train exhibit and our famous A-Maze-N FunHouse PLUS get another ticket to visit us again for more fun on another day. Note: The Junction is closed on Easter Sunday. • Location: EnterTRAINment Junction entertrainmentjunction.com

Zoo Babies May 1-31. Big babies and little ones are included in Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Zoo Babies class of ’23! Follow the Zoo on social media to see the babies in action throughout May. Lightning the sloth is expecting! She’s due Summer 2023! • Location: Cincinnati Zoo cincinnatizoo.org

Sensory Friendly Storytime

Bring the entire family to enjoy books, songs, and activities, while building literacy skills. Feel free to bring any small items that will bring your child comfort. All abilities welcome. • Location: Mt. Healthy Library Branch, Time: 10:45a chpl.org FREE

FRI 26 Passport to MetroParks

Join us for an exciting family friendly evening full of music, food and fun activities! Go on an adventure through the park and grab a passport and get it stamped at booths along the way to be entered for a chance to win exciting prizes that will help you Get Out and Explore! Round out your evening by grabbing dinner at the food truck rally and catch entertainment that highlights the Dayton Celtic Fest, with performances by Celtic Academy of Irish Dance and McGovern Irish Dance. • Location: RiverScape MetroPark, Time: 6-9p metroparks.org FREE

SELECT DAYS THROUGH JUNE

Spring Native Plant Sale April 21 - June 4. Visit the Rowe Visitor Center for the annual Spring Native Plant Sale to gather herbs, native plants, flowering trees, and shrubs to create a bright and beautiful garden, while providing a wonderful habitat for wildlife! The Nature Shop is open daily, plants will continually be restocked. • Location: Cincinnati Nature Center, Time: 10a-5p cincynature.org

Bricktionary Through June 5.

Bricktionary: The ultimate LEGO® A-Z is bursting at the seams with over 150 custom-built LEGO® models inspired by nothing more than simple letters and boundless imagination. From leaping Orcas that tower overhead to Saturn V Rockets that stretch from floor to ceiling, the exhibition stretches the limits of what’s possible with LEGO®. • Location: Cincinnati Museum Center cincymuseum.org

PLEASE NOTE We work hard to ensure our calendar and guide information is accurate. Occasionally, event specifics change after we go to press. Therefore, we encourage our readers to call locations or visit them on the web to verify information.

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BUTTERFLIES OF THE MEADOW AT KROHN CONSERVATORY

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CALENDAR SW OHIO PARENT