March2019
Volume 10 Number 1
100 36 Columns
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Publisher’s Note Kendra Sumner
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Therapeutic Parenting Sonia Martin, LMSW
Self-Determination at Summer Camp
Ways your child will grow by being off on his own at camp.
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Parenting Teens
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Help your teens avoid the illusion of adulthood and get them moving towards maturity.
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Kids Health Watch
sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn
28 Parenting, Media & Everything in Between Common Sense Media
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Get This!
Gerry Paige Smith
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Dave Says Dave Ramsey
How Not to Worry
If you are sending your child to overnight camp, discover how to keep your worry at bay.
2019 Summer Camps Day, residential, sports camps and more! Our listing starts you planning your kids’ summer!
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Parenting Today’s Teens Mark Gregston
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A Page in a Book Gerry Paige Smith
On The Cover Emery Slocumb is a dual citizen of The United States and Canada and is currently a fifth grader at Pick Elementary in Auburn. Emery is the daughter of Rob and Jen Slocumb, otherwise known as Martha’s Trouble, and is certainly following in their footsteps with a passion for music and performing. Emery does competitive dance with Variations Dance Studio, enjoys singing in the school choir, performing in school plays, and is looking forward to her upcoming role as Silvermist Fairy in the Peter Pan Musical. When Emery is not on a stage, she loves to express her creativity with baking, spending time with friends, going to Church of the Highlands, and loving on animals, particularly her puppy, Rio.
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Departments 6
Bits and Pieces 12
School Bits 52
Family Calendar 60
Movie Reviews www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents
Publisher’sNote The thought of summer planning has me bursting with pure joy! I live for the summer countdown and the school year coming to another close. Having my kids at home, a more laid back schedule and playing the summer days away is what I look forward to the most. Days filled with swimming, boating, vacations, exploring parks and nature and learning new hobbies are just a few things on our summer to-do list. What are your family’s summer plans? Do they include a first timer heading off to an overnight camp? How about your little drama queen trying her hand at a musical theater camp? Auburn Parks and Recreation is offering some new fine arts programs. Maybe your son has shown interest in golf? A day camp at Robert Trent Golf might be a great way to try his interest out. Summer camp planning is a fun way to get the family talking about the upcoming summer and to explore whether or not your children and teens are ready for summer camp. In this month’s feature article, Kids Going to Camp: How Not to Worry, the author hits on some great reasons that parents tend to have anxiety around sending their children to an overnight camp. When reviewing the article, I too am guilty of many of these worries. I worry if my child would be responsible enough to manage his time, remember his basic hygiene needs or outgoing enough to find a fit with other campers. Some great advice given reminded me to go back to the reasons why I want my kids to experience camp life to begin with. Remembering that they are growing up, and with that, comes their need to have independence and more confidence in themselves. Summer camp brings this out in most campers. They try new things and explore more personal freedom that leads to a greater sense of self esteem. Another worry can be that in our very connected world (email, Facetime, texting), we have become dependent upon hearing from our kids and knowing where they are and what they are doing at all times. Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! Don’t get me wrong…this is not such a bad way of parenting. However, we are so accustomed to keeping tabs on our teens that we get anxiety about not being able to monitor them 24/7, even while at an overnight camp. The author reminds us to not place these anxieties onto our campers, which might give them unnecessary worries. Instead, encourage them to disconnect and make plans to send them camp mail and care packages filled with lots of love from home. This month, we have added some great new camp options to our annual Summer Camp Guide. There are options with many types of camp interests to choose from. Plan early and get in on the early bird discounts. Maybe try a few new camps this summer…there might be an undiscovered talent in your kids. Above all, get excited about this upcoming summer! Childhood years are fleeting and summer days go by so quickly.
Auburn Opelika Lee County’s Foremost Parenting Source
Auburn Opelika Parents Magazine is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant role in our community. Auburn Opelika Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.
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Publisher Kendra Sumner Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com Editor DeAnne Watson Associate Editor Kelly Watson Contributing Writers Mark Gregston Heidi Smith Leudtke, Ph.D. Sonia Martin, LMSW Dave Ramsey Gerry Paige Smith Katie Wolter, MD Cover Photography Lauren Beesley Photography www.lbeesleyphoto.com
President Jason Watson Director of Sales Justin Sumner (334) 209-0552 Ad Design Tim Welch
Visit us online at www.auburnopelikaparents.com
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kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com
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Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: 475 Bennington Ct, Auburn, Alabama, 36830. The phone number is (334) 209-0552 and fax is (334) 826-7303. Auburn-Opelika Parents is copyrighted 2018 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.
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TherapeuticParenting by Sonia Martin, LMSW
The Crazy Cycle Allow me to introduce you to the Crazy Cycle, an unwelcome yet common occurrence playing out in homes across America. Reminiscent of the work of Dr. Emmerson Eggerichs and his book, “Love & Respect,” The Crazy Cycle which wasyouoriginally marriage, Allow me to introduce to the Crazy Cycle,geared an un-welcometoward yet common occurrence playing out in homes across America. Reminiscent of the work of Dr. Emmerson Eggerichs and his book, we& Respect” can see how ageared similar cycle continues its “Love which was originally toward marriage, we can see how a similar cycle continues its destructive path that cuts right through the middle of parent/child relationships. destructive path that cuts right through the Essentially, the Crazy Cycle looks like this: A child feels unloved or “disconnected” from his parent. Because ofof that parent/child he is going to operate out of a spirit of disrespect. When your child middle relationships. disrespects you, you respond unlovingly – i.e. “Don’t talk to me like that, go to your room!”, or “You want toEssentially, act that way – fine. Yourthe Xbox is mine until further notice.”looks In whateverlike manner, Crazy Cycle inserting whatever details, we are meeting our child’s disrespect with an unloving or more accurately a “disconnected” response. unloved When we respond or unlovingly, our child will often meet this:–A child feels “disconnected” us there and further respond disrespectfully which only works to cement that feeling of being unloved. So round and round the crazy cycle goes, where it stops – nofrom one knows. his parUnloved ent. Because of that he Disrespectfully Disrespect is going to operate out Unlovingly of a spirit of The catalyst for change comes at the moment your child operates in a manner of disrespect. disrespect. Because let’s face it, our children are going to have moments when they get it wrong, when they disrespect us, when they go a bit sideways - this is the process of childhood. They are learning When child disrespects you, and growing andyour grasping at getting a handle on self-control and don’t comeyou fully equipped with an appropriate response to stressors. When we can meet their disrespect with more of a respond unlovingly i.e. “Don’t talk me partnership or “connected” response, “Wow. – I can see your struggling right now.to We can figure this out together” we can get them to pop right on out of the crazy cycle and into an engagement likethatthat, go to your orand“You toAnd pattern is foundationally based on a childroom!” who feels loved connected want to their parent. that my friends, is the ball game. act that way – fine. Your Xbox is mine until Loved further notice.” In whatever manner, inserting whatever are meeting our Respectfully details, weRespect child’s disrespect with an unloving, or more Lovingly accurately, a “disconnected” response. When we respond unlovingly, our child will often meet us there and further respond disrespectfully, which only works to cement that feeling of being unloved. So round and
round the crazy cycle goes, where it stops – no one knows. respond respectfully, which only serves to The catalyst for change comes at the solidify that feeling of being loved. Suddenly moment your child operates in a manner of The Crazy Cycle - we have an entirely different cycle on our disrespect. Because let’s face it, our chilAllow me to introduce you to the Crazy Cycle, an un-welcome yet common occurrence playing hands. out in homes across America. Reminiscent of the work of Dr. Emmerson Eggerichs and his book, dren are going to have moments when they “Love & Respect” which was originally geared toward marriage, we can see howThe a similar cycle function of the crazy cycle plays get it wrong, when they disrespect us, when continues its destructive path that cuts right through the middle of parent/child relationships. itself out not only in parent/child interactions, the Crazy Cycle looks like A child feels unloved or “disconnected” from his they go aEssentially, bit sideways - this isthis: the process parent. Because of that he is going to operate out of a spirit of disrespect.but Whenin yourthe child school environment, with their of childhood. They are learning growing disrespects you, you respond unlovingly – and i.e. “Don’t talk to me like that, go to your room!”, or and in social situations. If we can be“You want to act that way – fine. Your Xbox is mine until further notice.”peers In whatever manner, and grasping at getting a handle on selfinserting whatever details, we are meeting our child’s disrespect with an unloving or more come intentional in recognizing the cycle we accurately – a “disconnected” When we respondwith unlovingly, our child will often meet control. They don’t come response. fully equipped us there and further respond disrespectfully which only works to cementare that feeling of being up in, we can begin to identify a caught an appropriate tocrazy stressors. When unloved. Soresponse round and round the cycle goes, where it stops – no one knows. way out while always being mindful that we, we can meet their disrespect with more of Unloved as the parents, are the catalysts for change. a partnership or “connected” response, Our children do not have capacity for this “Wow. I canDisrespectfully see your struggling right Disrespect now. on their own – we have to be that external We can figure this out together” we can get regulator. We set the tone. So in those them to pop right on out of the crazy cycle hard moments, take a breath. Take a beat. Unlovingly and into an engagement pattern that is And see if you can figure out what cycle The catalyst for change comes at the moment your child operates in a manner of disrespect. foundationally based on a child who feels Because let’s face it, our children are going to have moments when they get it wrong, when they you are living in. us, when they go a bit sideways - this is the process of childhood. They are learning loved anddisrespect connected to their parent. And and growing and grasping at getting a handle on self-control and don’t come fully equipped with an appropriate to stressors. When we can meet their disrespect with more of a that my friends, isresponse the ball game. partnership or “connected” response, “Wow. I can see your struggling right now. We can figure *Therapeutic parenting is parenting in a highly structured, highly When orright connected this a outchild together” feels we can getloved them to pop on out of the crazy cycle and into an engagement nurturing way. This form of intensive parenting is often a key to progress in dealing pattern that is foundationally based on a child who feels loved and connected to their parent. And with children who have trauma and attachment to you, they operate manner of respect. challenges, but has also proven beneficial with any child. that my friends, is thein balla game. When they Loved Sonia is a licensed social worker and holds both a Bachelor’s respect you, and Master’s degree in Social Work. Her clinical focus is on helping parents and professionals understand the role of the you respond Respectfully Respect brain in behavior, and how to adopt therapeutic parenting to that lovtechniques to help mitigate negative behaviors. She travels the state speaking at various conferences on behavior and ingly, when Lovingly parenting and is a therapist for Kids To Love Foundation. you respond Sonia is a mother to 7 sons, 3 of whom were internationally adopted, and is also a foster parent. lovingly your child will begin to further
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ACT Test Prep Class
March 30, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM at the Opelika Public Library. Free test prep class covers content-specific strategies, pacing and time management skills, test-taking strategies, and tips for the most frequently tested question types. There will also be a full-length practice test. Practice test will be different at each date. Pizza lunch provided. Event is free, but space is limited to 30 participants and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration begins at 8:00 AM. www.opelika-al.gov/.
Bark in the Park: Celebrating Responsible Dog Ownership
Kiesel Park, Auburn. Calling all dog lovers! Auburn Parks and Recreation and the Lee County Humane Society will host Bark in the Park, March 23, an event celebrating responsible dog ownership. This FREE community event is open to all dog owners and their favorite fourlegged friends. Visit a variety of educational booths, shop with local pet vendors and enjoy door prizes and dog-friendly activities all morning. Looking to expand your canine family? Rescue dogs will be available for adoption as well! Join us for a morning of doggone good fun at the park. www.auburnalabama.org/parks.
“The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe”
Performances will be March 1 - 4 and 7 - 9 at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center in Auburn. A stage adaptation of C.S Lewis’ beloved children’s book. Join us for this great adventure following the Pevensie children as they explore the fantastical world of Narnia. Faced with lion’s witches, fawn and more, Peter, Lucy, Susan and Edmund must learn to work together as a family and overcome their differences to save Narnia and fulfill the prophecy. $10/adults, $8/students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at auburnact.org.
Dancing Community: Cultivating Our Roots
Come join us, March 21-24, for our annual dance concert. Drawing specific inspiration from the Alabama Bicentennial, Dancing Community: Cultivating Our Roots brings together a variety of pieces from tap to aerial silks to highlight the lush, diverse lives of those who inhabit this state. Please join us and our guest artists for an evening of dance that explores who we are, where we come from, and who we hope to become. Telfair Peet Theatre, Auburn University. www.cla.auburn.edu/theatre/productions.
Color for a Cause
Color for a Cause is an event that raises funds and awareness for local organizations. Participating organizations are provided a mural to color. Judges will select the most creative mural to win a donation. The murals will then be uploaded to Color for a Cause website for voting. The winner will be displayed in the mall. Throughout the evening, shoppers can participate by showing a receipt to earn a point for a participating organization. Color for a Cause donates $1 for each point earned, and the organization with the most points receives an additional donation. March 5, 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Auburn Mall. www.wecolorforacause.com. Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
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March 21 is World Puppet Day!
Spring Break Camp at Covington Recreation Center
To celebrate, March 21 we will be hosting a make-a-puppet workshop, hosted by the Auburn Public Library. 3:30-4:30 PM. The library will provide the supplies and you supply the imagination! Also, come back on March 22 to see The Auburn Public Library Puppet Troupe. Join the Puppet Troupe for shows full of laughs, wonder, and puppets sure to delight every one of all ages! Each show will feature TWO performances for your entertainment. 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Join Opelika Parks and Recreation, March 18-22, for structured fun games and activities during your break from school. Camp is for ages 5-12 years. Fee: $50/resident, $55/non-resident. 8 AM – 12 noon. For more information, contact PLipscomb@opelika-al.gov.
Read Across the Preserve
Zoo Weekend at the Montgomery Zoo
Festive environment with live entertainment, games, rides, bouncy houses, big slides, inflatables, pony and camel rides, petting zoo, karate demos, Montgomery Police K-9 presentation, live animal presentations, concessions and animals from around the world. Enjoy the many activities, fantastic food and have fun together at an affordable price. It is also an excellent opportunity to take advantage of discounted memberships. March 9 – 10. www.montgomeryzoo.com.
Join the Kreher Preserve Nature Center staff and Auburn Public Library to enjoy Read Across America with our own special version celebrating Dr. Seuss’s Birthday. March 11 – 13, enjoy stories being read every 20 minutes at our tree house in the Nature Playground, by the campfire near amphitheater, the deck at the waterfall, our bird area on Songbird Loop and at Azalea Place. Enjoy our Story Walk for our younger readers, where you walk the trails to find the next page in the story! Bring a book to place in our Little Free Library - the only one located in a tree house. Enjoy hot cocoa at the campfire. Free Admission. 3:30 PM. (334) 707-6512. preserve@auburn.edu.
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KidsHealthWatch
Sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn
Best Toys: Why Simpler is Better The best things in life are the simple ones; this is true even when it comes to children’s toys. It’s hard to select a toy for a child in a packed toy aisle – and some of them with the lights, the bells, the sounds, oh my! - make it hard to single out what’s the best choice. However, research is supporting that the best toys are some of the traditional ones – the ones that support imaginative play and the ones that support connecting with parents and others. Toys that allow the use of pretend play like dolls and figurines can encourage the child to use language to describe a setting or story. Wooden blocks can help to encourage fine motor skill development. A toy does not have to be expensive to be a good toy. Toys that may be more technologically advanced can actually take away from child and caregiver interaction. The more a toy does, the less the child has to do, and interaction with a caregiver can no longer be paramount. In the case of toys with screens – like tablets and handheld video games – screen time is another issue to consider. Too much screen time has been linked to health consequences including obesity and interference with sleep. Screen use outside of video chatting should be avoided in less than 18 months of age. From 18 to 24 months, the limit is one
Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
hour or less of high quality programming that includes interaction with a caregiver. This can help the child learn, rather than watching the program solo. Co-viewing with children of any age also helps to make sure what the child is viewing is appropriate. From ages two through five, a screen time limit of an hour or less of high-quality programming is recommended. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently came out for the following tips to help parents navigate the world of toys: *Recognize that one of the most important purposes of play with toys, especially in infancy, is not educational but rather to facilitate warm, supportive interactions and relationships. *Understand the most educational toy is one that fosters interactions between caregivers and children in supportive, unconditional play. *Choose toys that are not overstimulating and encourage children to use their imaginations. *Use children’s books to develop ideas for pretending together while playing with toys. *Be aware of the potential for toys to promote race- or gender-based stereotypes.
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*Limit video game and computer game use by young children. Total screen time, including television and computer use, should be less than 1 hour per day for children 2 years or older, and avoided in those younger than 18-24 months. Children younger than 5 years should play with computer or video games only if they are developmentally appropriate, and they should be accompanied by the parent or caregiver. Reference: American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018, December 3). Ignore the Flashing Screens: The Best Toys Go Back to the Basics. https://www.aap.org/en-us/ about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/Ignore-the-FlashingScreens-The-Best-Toys-Go-Back-to-the-Basics.aspx
Dr. Heidi VanderVelde was in the first VCOM class that rotated through EAMC, and her pediatrics rotation was with Dr. Freeman, where she fell in love with pediatrics and the clinic. She completed her residency at University of Florida at Jacksonville where she also served as chief resident in her senior year. She has many interests in pediatrics, but is particularly passionate about narrative medicine and has presented on the stories of children with chronic medical conditions. She is also passionate about medical education. She is a member of the AAP. Dr. VanderVelde is married to Dr. Grant Nelson, who is a hospitalist at EAMC and an Auburn graduate. She loves to hike, especially in the Blue Ridge Mountains, loves to read and write, practice yoga, and play the violin. She also enjoys spending time with her three rescue dogs, Lady, Gent, and Jack.
www.auburnopelikaparents.com
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Cindy York Trinity Christian School
I am humbled at being chosen Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine’s Teacher of the Month for March. This is certainly exciting to me, and it also reminds me of the high responsibility I have as a teacher. I became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of children. That sounds cliché, but I do believe God called me to be a teacher. I have been teaching for over 20 years, but I have been teaching at Trinity Christian School for the past 18 years. At Trinity, I get to teach children about God, His Word, and His world. Seeing a child “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord” has been a blessing to me. Because I teach younger children, one of the many goals I have every day is to make sure a child is enjoying and excited about learning. I want to set the stage for a life-long love for learning. I know these things are part of what makes a difference in a child’s life. It is a privilege and a blessing to get to teach children. It gives me joy to see children say, “I get it!” knowing that what they have learned is something that will make a difference in their life, and then if they don’t have the “I get it!” moment it challenges me to find a way that will help them. One of my favorite things to teach is reading. I love to see the smile come across a child’s face as they put sounds together to read a word.
Cindy York
The Lord has blessed Trinity Christian School with a staff of teachers who possess both a mastery of the material being taught as well as an understanding of children and the Lord’s plan for partnering with Christian families to shepherd them during their school years. Mrs. Cindy York is certainly no exception, and she is an ideal person to work with these precious young ones as they enter school for the first time. In kindergarten, she gives them an excellent foundation academically, and she truly loves and cares for them while she tends to their hearts as they begin their time in school. We are grateful for her ministry to hundreds of children in the years she has been a part of the Trinity Christian School family!
Larry Cornelius, Headmaster Trinity Christian School
Cindy is a mother, grandmother, pastor’s wife, and teacher. She currently teaches Kindergarten at Trinity Christian School. She has a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Troy State University. Cindy has been married to husband, Steve York, for 35 years. They have two sons (Matthew & Thomas), one daughter-in-law (Christina), and one beautiful grandson named Gil.
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Autauga County Schools
The Big School Tiny House Crews are Back in Action!
Wrights Mill Road STEM Night
Windows are installed, interior wall is framed and stairs are in progress. They also put up a temporary guardrail along the perimeter of the roof. Their ice & water shield suffered some damage from last week’s storms, but thanks to a donation from 84 Lumber Company they were able to remediate the storm damage and finish prepping for the standing seam metal roof.
Morris Avenue Students Train to Compete in Crossfit Challenge
The 4th and 5th Graders at Morris Avenue culminated their Crossfit unit with an "Across the Gym" challenge. All of the students trained and competed all month to get to the final, which ultimately led to a photo finish ending so close that it had to end in a tie. A big thanks to Corey Grant who came out and supported our students through the unit!!
Wrights Mill Road hosted a STEM Night facilitated by the Technology Student Association and Engineering Club students from AJHS and AHS. Families enjoyed stations of experiments, building, creating, and problemsolving activities and robotics. Students love floating candy heart boats, making binary code bracelets, life size Jenga and more. Lots of people were lucky door prize winners and everyone left with a free copy of “Because of Winn Dixie” for the WMR Family Book Club. Thank you to Mrs. Middleton and Mrs. Sharman and our AJHS/ AHS students for all their hard work!
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Cary Woods Teacher Receives Outstanding Music Educator Award
Cary Woods Elementary's very own Dr. Rob Lyda received the 2019 Lacey Powell Outstanding Music Educator Award at the recent Alabama Music Educators Association's conference in Birmingham! This award is given annually to a teacher that shows a special dedication to music education in Alabama, and it is named in honor of two-term AMEA President and former AMEA Executive Director, Lacey Powell.
World Read Aloud Day at Auburn City Schools
Every year, on World Read Aloud Day, people all around the globe read aloud together and share stories to advocate for literacy as a human right that belongs to all people. Auburn City Schools welcomed all kinds of guests to read to our students across all elementary campuses. Thank you to everyone that gave of their time to spend reading to kids! Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
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Auburn HS Student Named DAR Good Citizen Award Recipient
Auburn High's Jaye Ellen Davis was named this year's recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award! This award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. Students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.
Live Museum at Northside Intermediate
Fifth grade students at Northside Intermediate School gave presentations on important historical figures to fellow students and parents during the annual Leadership Live Museum held at the school.
Pick Students Learn to Fish in PE
Our Pick Elementary School Leaders have gone fishing in PE! Yep, that’s right! Learning to fish and learning about fish! They are having a “reel” good time this week! Thanks Coach Cooper!
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Autauga County Schools
Auburn HS Show Choir Named Grand Champs at Competition
Lee-Scott Scholars Bowl Team Places 3rd in AISA Competition
Congratulations to the members of the Lee-Scott Academy Scholars Bowl team who placed 3rd in the AISA High School District competition! We are so proud of you!
aw T is
Congratulations to Auburn High School’s Show Choir for their incredible success at the Capital City Classic! Elan accolades: Grand Champs, Best Vocals, Best Visuals, Best Show Design. Men At Work accolades: Grand Champs. Varsity Singers accolades: Grand Champs, Best Vocals, Best Visuals, Best Show Design.
Please send your school news and photos to: kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.
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Auburn Zeta Youth "Go-Red"
February is designated as American Heart Month to bring attention and awareness to the prevalence and severity of heart disease in the United States. The February Community Service Project of the Auburn Zeta Youth auxiliaries is to continue to work hard in February and throughout the year to fight heart disease by providing preventative information and education to make heart disease a thing of the past.
Auburn Classical Academy House System Champions
Auburn Classical Academy recently began a "House System" where students work on teams of all ages to win points for their team through service, competitions, and good behavior. The winner for the first semester is the House of Chesterton! These students are (front row) Lily Wells, Ella Miller, Emma Miller, Wake Wages, (back row) Anderson England, Katie Deist, Charlie Deist, Tanner Wages, Lead Teacher Garrett Walden, and (not pictured) Darcy Trouse.
Opelika City Schools Teachers of the Year
Congratulations to the 2018-19 Opelika City Schools Teachers of the Year! Patrice McAllister - Carver Primary; Teresa Swann - Morris Avenue Intermediate; Melissa Cook - Northside Intermediate; Rachel Tate - Jeter Primary and OCS Elementary Teacher of the Year; Kathryn Gholston - Opelika Middle School and OCS Secondary Teacher of the Year; Kori Skinner - West Forest Intermediate; Hannah Owens - Southview Primary; and Hannah Holladay - Opelika High School.
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Autauga County Schools
Chambers Academy Competes in District Scholar’s Bowl Competition
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Congratulations to all of our high school representatives that served on our varsity scholar’s bowl team. Pictured are representatives of this year’s varsity scholar’s bowl team from Chambers Academy. Seated in the front row from left to right: Tate Reese (Senior), Mikayla Martin (Senior), Joanne Landrum (Junior), and Bailey Birditt. Standing in the rear are Rebecca Howard (Junior) and Gage Howard (Sophomore). The team hosted the tournament at LaFayette First Baptist Church on Wednesday, February 6th. Scholar’s Bowl is a quiz-based competition that tests players on a wide variety of academic subjects. Standardized quiz bowl formats are utilized in competitions that take place across the USA as well as internationally. Joining Chambers Academy in the District Scholar’s Bowl Tournament were Coosa Valley Academy, Edgewood Academy, Glenwood School, Macon East Academy, Lee Scott Academy and Springwood School. All participating schools had to be members of NAQT or National Academic Quiz Tournament organization in order to participate in this AISA District Competition. Special thanks to Tallapoosa River Electric Company for sponsoring the lunch for all of the participating teams.
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Auburn Classical Academy Spelling Bee Winners
Auburn Classical Academy recently hosted their school spelling bee. The winners are: 1st Place - Hannah Pittman (5th Grade); 2nd Place - Ella Miller (5th Grade); 3rd Place - Charlie Deist (8th Grade). Hannah will represent ACA at the Lee County spelling bee in February!
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Chambers Academy Students Earn First Place Gold Medal at District Science Fair
Congratulations to all of our school wide science fair winners that earned the opportunity to advance to the District Science Fair hosted at Southern Union State Community College in Opelika. Pictured are CA participants that participated at the AISA’s District Science Fair hosted at SUSCC: Chambers Academy High School Team Chambers Academy Elementary Team Mikayla Martin Tate Reese Audra Slay Vaughn Daniel Sawyer Sanders Chandler Bolt Gunner Johnson Will Smith Tyler Popwell Kaitlyn Hudson Gavin Kight Braxton Yerta Breanne McClellan Anna Kate Jackson Laney Combs Olivia Leavens Audrey Miller Keegan Janowiecki The science fair team left school promptly at 7:30 a.m. with their projects and reports to enter in the contest. Both upper school science teachers Mrs. Kim Slay and Mrs. Brandi Fuller attended the competition with our students. After registration at SUSCC, the team set up their projects for judging in the Southern Room on campus. Judging and student interviews took place from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m. Students were then given campus tours by SUSCC Student Ambassadors followed by a sponsored luncheon for all participants. Awards followed with CA’s Tate Reese capturing the first place gold medal with her entry in the high school science biological contest. Additionally, CA sophomore Gunner Johnson also captured a first place gold medal with his entry in the high school physical sciences contest. Both Tate Reese and Gunner Johnson advanced to the AISA’s State Science Fair competition to be hosted at Huntingdon College on February 1st. Several of the students are now looking forward to attending the upcoming Science Olympiad event hosted at Auburn University later this spring. Congratulations to all of these students for all of their hard work on these science projects as part of a project based learning initiative here at Chambers Academy.
growing confidence naturally SuMMer reSident & day caMP YMCA CAMP CHANDLER
FOR MORE INFORMATION YMCA CAMP CHANDLER Ages 5-15
day camp fees: Starting at $150/wk per child resident camp fees: $245 – $765 per child contact: luke dooley P 334 538 4658 F 334 269 2387 ldooley@ymcamontgomery.org campchandler.org
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Autauga County Schools
Dean Road Dalmatians
Auburn City Schools Music Educators Attend Music Conference
Mrs. Logan’s first grade class, at Dean Road Elementary, celebrated the 101st day of school in Dalmatian fashion!
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Please send your school news and photos to: kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.
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Auburn Jr. High Students Selected for All-District/State Bands
A record number of students from AJHS took a huge step and auditioned for the Alabama All-District and All-State Bands! AJHS students had a very successful day with • 31 Students selected for District VI Middle School All District Band (Most of any school & ~1/3 of this band will be from AJHS). • Two Students selected for District VI HIGH School All District Band (competed against 10-12 graders). • 10 Students selected for Alabama ALL-STATE Middle School Band (Most from any 1 school). • One Student selected for Alabama ALL-STATE HIGH School Band (competed against 10-12 graders). • Alabama ALL STATE HIGH School Band: Angela Fan - Trombone. • Alabama ALL STATE Middle School Band (* denotes first chair in the entire district): Jackson Alexander - Tenor Saxophone*, Simon Brown - Trumpet, Kara Choi - Flute, Grace Greer - Bassoon*, Sydney Hamilton - Baritone Saxophone*, John Israel - Horn*, Michelle Kim - Flute*, Pierce Meinert - Trombone*, Hwain Mun - Oboe*, Jahzel Samuels - Bass Clarinet*. • All District High School Band: Ansley Abernathy - Flute. • All District Middle School Band: Sarah Almond - Flute, Justin Cho - Clarinet, Daniel Choi - Clarinet, Peyton Eddy - Trumpet, Liam Gibbons - Trumpet, Jason Gonzalez - Trombone, Allie Griffin - Flute, Alycia Harp - Horn, Hannah Herring - Trumpet, Matthew Hwang - Alto Saxophone, Emmalee Jordan - Trumpet, Jacob Jordan - Trombone, Brian Kim - Clarinet, Elaine Lin - Flute, Piper Morgan - Flute, Eric Mun - Alto Saxophone, Scott Nelson - Trumpet, Jessica Park - Flute, Sarah Sewell - Clarinet, James Shin - Clarinet, Ricky Whorms - Tenor Saxophone.
Check out the Auburn High Soccer team participating in this year’s Polar Plunge!
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Auburn Classical Academy Geography Bee Winners
Auburn Classical Academy recently hosted their school Geography Bee! The winners are: 1st Place - Henry Vaughan (5th Grade, middle); 2nd Place - Charlie Deist (8th Grade, left); 3rd Place - Ava Lombardo (6th Grade, right).
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Autauga County Schools
Auburn City Schools Retirement Celebration
Auburn City Schools celebrated Al Finley and his retirement from ACS after 40 years! Al served generations of employees and students in Auburn while always being a constant positive light for everyone around him day in and day out whether he was simply checking in on your family or keeping up with the latest in happenings in our community. Thank you, Al, you will be greatly missed around the halls of not only the central office, but all 13 campuses.
Chambers Academy Sophomore Attends Leadership Awards Program at Space and Rocket Center On January 24-26th, Chambers Academy sophomore Dean Sheffield travelled to Huntsville to attend the 2019 North Alabama Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program. It was hosted at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. It was a great experience with student leaders from across Alabama attending the program. Students toured part of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center as well as the museum. Dean and his team participated in simulated missions utilizing the space shuttles at the Center. Dean served as the director of ground control for his team’s mission to the International Space Station. The program concluded on Saturday with a graduation ceremony for all participants in the National Geographic Theatre. Dean is the son of Brandon and Nikol Sheffield of LaFayette.
Summer ecology camp 2019 8:00 - 12:00 M-F 1st - 7th Grades Visit our website to register and determine which week is best for your budding naturalist: May 26 - Jun 28
Registration opens March 4th!
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Auburn HS Signings
Auburn High School Athletic Department held their 2019 National Signing Day ceremony! This was a chance to highlight and honor the 20 studentathletes, across eight sports, as they signed their commitment to further their education and compete at the next level. Pictured, Football/baseball: Griffin Speaks, preferred walk-on at Baylor University and basketball: Sara Strohmeyer, University of Montevallo.
Lee-Scott Academy Senior Receives DAR Good Citizen Award
Congratulations to senior Garland Grace Welsh for being awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award! We are so proud of you!
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Autauga County Schools
Character In Action Award Recipients
Character in Action is a program sponsored by the Family Court of Lee County that recognizes children from Lee County who, by their own actions, make a positive contribution that is above and beyond normal expectations to their home, school, or community. Receiving awards from Judge Mike Fellows are: Eddie Perez, Zyquon Roberts, Colton Tew, and Eddie Perez (not pictured), Savannah Woodley, Madison Winters, Lawson Hare, and Banks Tatum. Zyquon is the son of Amber and Anthony Roberts and is a 2nd grade student at Auburn Early Education Center. He was nominated for Character in Action by Ms. Jenny Adamson and Ms. Julie Reeves, who both emphasized what a shining star and bright light Zyquon is both in and out of the classroom. Zyquon consistently goes above and beyond when completing daily activities and things that are asked of him, and his positive attitude is contagious to all those around him. Every afternoon, Zyquon checks his classroom to ensure that everything is clean before going home. He treats his classmates with generosity and would truly give the shirt off his back to help another student. Teachers throughout the school have shared countless stories of the positive impact Zyquon has had on his school, and believe that his positive praise and kind heart have made the school a better place. Colton Tew is the son of Justin and Catherine Tew, and is a first-grade student at Cary Woods Elementary. He was nominated for Character in Action by Amy Dillard. In the classroom, Colten excels in academics and behavior on a regular basis. He always listens closely to others, both adults and his peers, and is respectful of their opinions. He always has a positive attitude with everything he does. His teachers have noted that he consistently goes above and beyond by offering help without being asked, and even offering to stay after the bell has rung to clean up. Colton’s compassion and initiative have made him truly unique, and a wonderful addition to Cary Woods Elementary. Eddie (not pictured) is the son of Alicia Perez Mendez and is a 10th grade student at Opelika High School. He was nominated for Character in Action by Ms. Shonta Sherfield, a member of the Opelika High School counseling department. Eddie walked into the guidance office simply for a schedule change, but left having positively impacted multiple individuals. By serving as a translator, he assisted Ms. Sherfield with registering students that did not speak English. He further helped these students feel more comfortable at Opelika High School by helping secure transportation, and by conducting tours of the school and their classes. After seeing his generosity and willingness to assist his classmates, Eddie was offered a position as a guidance aid and peer tutor. He has been a wonderful addition to the counseling office and has made everyone he has worked with very proud. Savannah Woodley is the daughter of Lauren and Travis Woodley and is a 2nd grade student at Southview Primary. She was nominated for Character in Action by Ms. Lauren Mask. Savannah has gone above and beyond to welcome and befriend a deaf peer in her class. When given the
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chance to become an “expert” in a certain topic for a class project, Savannah chose sign language so that she could understand her new friend better. Her dedication and work ethic paired with her interest in making this student feel welcome makes Ms. Mask incredibly proud to nominate her today. Ms. Mask is so thankful for all the wonderful things that Savannah is doing. Madison Winters is the daughter of Corey and Michelle Winters and is a 1st grade student at Richland Elementary. She was nominated for Character in Action by Ms. Beth Culp. Madison decided on her own that she would like to get a significant amount of her hair cut in order to help other kids that were sick due to cancer and lost their hair. Her decision to donate her hair showcases her thoughtfulness about hard times others may be going through. She is always displaying excellent character through her actions daily. Lawson Hare is the son of Jamie and Crystal Hare and is a 4th grade student at Yarbrough Elementary. He was nominated for Character in Action by Mrs. Fugatt. In Mrs. Fugatt’s class, Lawson has been a great role model to other students. There is a student with special needs in the class and Lawson took it upon himself to be this student’s helper. Lawson encourages the student to stay on task and helps to calm the student when the student is having a hard time. He has given up his time and even recess to help the student. Lawson does this daily with a smile and when asked why he responded with “everyone deserves to have someone care about them”. Banks Tatum is the son of Payton and Miles Tatum, Sr. and is a 2nd grade student at Southview Primary. He was nominated for Character in Action by Ms. Lauren Mask. Banks is a kind and loving kid with a true servant’s heart. He always helps without being asked or told, and he is a wonderful friend to all. Ms. Mask is nominating him for this award because he has gone above and beyond for an autistic child in his class. Because of Banks, this child is helped when he needs it, but most important he feels included with his peers. It is Ms. Mask’s joy to nominate Banks for the Character in Action award!
Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum March 29-31 & April 6-7 1919 9th Street - Calera, AL
FOR TICKETS:
Visit dayoutwiththomas.com or call TicketWeb at 866-468-7630
T r i n i T y
D i s T i n c T i v e s
TradiTion For over thirty-five years, Trinity has been committed to a biblical Christian world-view, and its classical educational philosophy has been proven through thousands of years of learning experience.
A Classical and Christian Academy 745-2464
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Congratulations Students!
Autauga County Schools
Opelika City Schools Spelling Bee Winners
Congratulations to the Opelika City School spelling bee winners who competed in the Lee County Spelling Bee on February 8, 2019. Pictured (l-r): Levi Martichuski OMS winner, Gabrielle Core West Forest Intermediate runnerup, Mary Evans Cooper OMS runner-up, Elsie Beaver West Forest winner, Lily Williams Northside Intermediate winner, Anderson Melnick Northside runner-up, Carter Evans Morris Avenue Intermediate runner-up and Emily Buckalew Morris Avenue winner.
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o Congratulations to the following students who were selected to the Alabama Bandmasters Association All-State/District Bands: Grant Bagley - 1st Chair, Red Band, Sam Kinsaul - 1st Chair, Red Band, Bryson Moon - 2nd Chair, Middle School, Raleigh Williams - 2nd Chair, Red Band. We are so proud of these students!
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Chambers Academy Student Named Runner-up in County Spelling Bee
Congratulations to Levi Hill from Chambers Academy on finishing runnerup in the Chambers County Schools Spelling Bee. Levi is a seventh-grade student at CA and was coached by longtime CA media specialist Athelia Richardson. He placed second overall to Chase Carithers, an eighth grader at Springwood School. Levi hopes to return to the competition next year when he reaches eighth grade. This year’s Chambers County Spelling Bee was hosted at LaFayette Heights Baptist Church on Thursday, February 7th. Multiple students from across Chambers County participated representing schools from across the area. This annual competition is held every spring with a single representative eligible to advance to Alabama’s State-wide spelling bee competition on March 9th. Special thanks to LaFayette Heights Baptist Church for allowing CA to host the tournament there.
School Board Member Recognition Month
Auburn City Schools is joining all public school systems across the state to celebrate School Board Member Recognition Month and honor local board members for their commitment to Auburn and its children. The commemorative month is designed to recognize the contributions made by Alabama's more than 800 local school board members, including the members of the ACS Board of Education, who are charged with governing public education under state law. Alabama school board members are chosen by their communities through election or appointment to manage local schools. They oversee multimillion-dollar budgets which fund education programs for more than 744,930 Alabama schoolchildren. Our local school board members are part of a statewide team that supervises 91,277 employees, including 46,539 teachers, 3,110 administrators, and 35,712 support workers and others in 1,467 schools. These volunteer leaders also are responsible for formulating school system policy, approving curricula, maintaining school facilities, and adhering to state and federal education law. Legal concerns and the complexities of school finance, including budgeting and taxation, require them to spend many hours in board training programs and personal study to enhance their understanding of these issues.
Our deepest appreciation is extended to the dedicated men and women who make it possible for local citizens to participate in education in our community. We salute the public servants of Auburn City Schools whose commitment and civic responsibility make local control of public schools in our community possible. Thank you Tracie West, Charles Smith, Melanie Chambless, Bill Hutto and Terry Jenkins. Please join us by saying “thanks” to our school board members during Alabama’s 26th School Board Member Recognition Month. 25
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Autauga County Schools
Morris Avenue Students Study Water Pollution
Fifth graders at Morris Avenue Intermediate School learned about water pollution by participating in a watershed activity with Tipi Miller (Keep Opelika Beautiful) and Case O'Dell (City of Opelika Engineering Department). Students used spray bottles to simulate rain and observe how water travels to low areas. Tipi and Case used a variety of sprinkles to represent different types of pollution and demonstrated how it travels to our lakes and streams when it rains. Students were amazed at the impact pollution can have on our environment.
Opelika HS Signings
Congratulations to OHS Senior JaQuan Foote (bottom photo) on signing a football scholarship to Austin Peay State University! Congratulations to OHS Senior Brantan Barnett (top photo) on signing a football scholarship to Mississippi College!
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• Riding - English, Western, and Jumping • Swimming • Heated Pool • Ropes Course • Climbing Tower • Outdoor Nature Skills • Sports • Soccer • Basketball
ward-winning, a n a n o t u o s is Don’t m p for your m ca d re te n ce ts Chri mmer! daughter this Su On Top of Lookout Mountain in Historic Mentone, Alabama
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• Beach Volleyball • Tennis • Canoeing • Golf • Archery • Gymnastics • Cheerleading • Dance • Chorus • Drama • Arts & Crafts • CIT Program • Campfires every night • Optional trips & more!
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! Choose from 1- and 2-week Sessions and Mother-Daughter Weekends!
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Character Counts at Lee-Scott Academy
So proud of the lower school students who were recognized as the Character Counts Students of the Week for exhibiting the attributes of the word of the week: Honesty! Way to go, Warriors!
Auburn Classical Academy Character Award Winners
Auburn Classical Academy awarded character awards to the following students: The Camaraderie Award - Ella Miller (5th Grade); The Poise Award - Henry Jordan (1st Grade); Best Enunciation Award - Darcy Trouse (5th Grade).
Please send your school news and photos to: kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.
Lee-Scott Student Selected for U of A Honor Band Festival
Congratulations to Lee-Scott Academy student Raleigh Williams for being selected to participate in the University of Alabama Honor Band Festival! His audition placed him into the Festival Wind Ensemble. Way to go, Raleigh!
TAKE YOUR SWING TO THE NEXT LEVEL
2140 E University dr
auburn, al 36830
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Grand National is offering golf clinics this summer for junior golfers, ages 7-17, taught by PGA Certified pros. The clinics will be held in three, Monday–Thursday sessions from 8:30-11:30 a.m. SESSION 1: June 10-13 · SESSION 2: June 24-27 SESSION 3: July 15-18
Summer music Camps Camps from June to July All ages 3 and Up
$100 PER SESSION Lunch and a free Par 3 round are included each day. » FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, CALL 334.749.9042. «
Spicer's Summer Rock Camps are designed to provide children and youth with the Rock N' Roll Summer of a lifetime! All levels of our music camps offer quality musical instruction in a fun and creative atmosphere. THE ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL AT GRAND NATIONAL
For more info and to register, visit:
3000 Robert Trent Jones Trail · Opelika, AL 36801 facebook.com/rtjgrandnational · rtjgolf.com
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all the prompts will work for all kids, the question “How does your body feel when you focus?” is a solid way for kids to reflect and recapture a focused state. Say, “Alexa, ask Focus Game to start.” Kids Quiz! Four difficulty levels and a wide variety of subjects make this a fun trivia game for kids. Kids Quiz! offers multiple-choice answers, so kids have a better chance of choosing correctly, even if they don’t know much about certain subjects. Say, “Alexa, play Kids Quiz!” Kiwi Monsters! Through a fun story laced with choices, kids get to determine how their monsters evolve. As they choose certain colors, habitats, and food, their monsters’ evolution will shift. Kids have to know about the concept of mating to understand some of the choices. Say, “Alexa, open Kiwi Monsters!” The Magic Door. Like an audio-based choose-your-own-adventure book, this skill lets kids decide what happens next. Some of the stories are mildly creepy, so they may not be a great fit for little kids. Also, Alexa’s inflection doesn’t always match the tone of the story. Still, the interactive element is super fun. (Other good ones to try include Earplay and Storyflow, and if your kid just wants to listen, Amazon Storytime is a good choice.) Say, “Alexa, open The Magic Door.”
14 Great Alexa Skills for Kids and Teens “Alexa, entertain my kid with high-quality content.” If you have an Echo device, you know this is a tall order. Not only is Alexa a finicky listener, but you need to launch specific “skills” to get the device to do what you want. To find the best skills, go to the Amazon Alexa app or the Alexa section of the Amazon website. Start in the Kids section and look for skills with lots of reviews and a high star rating. Also check out the Games, Trivia, & Accessories category or the Education & Reference section. If you or your kid is really ambitious, you can even create your own skill. Check out the educational and entertaining skills we’ve hand-picked for your little kid, big kid, tween, or teen or for the whole family.
Little kids
Animal Workout. To get little kids moving, this skill tells them to pretend to be a certain animal and do movements to match while music plays. It’s especially great for those rainy or snowy days when kids need to burn off some energy inside. Try it alongside your kid for even more fun. Say, “Alexa, open Animal Workout.” Chompers. Ever have trouble getting your kids to brush their teeth (or do it for more than 10 seconds)? This skill will entertain your kids for two minutes by doing things like singing a kid-authored story or telling jokes. Just make sure your kid isn’t so distracted that they stop brushing altogether. Say, “Alexa, start Chompers.” Mommy-gram. When you have to be away from home and your kid is too little to text or call on their own, they can use this skill to touch base. After they say their message to Alexa, it will send it to you via text message, and then you can respond. (It works for all parents, of course.) Say, “Alexa, launch Mommy-gram.” Sesame Street. No surprises here: Elmo leads kids through an activity about the letter of the day and plays hide-and-seek so kids “find” him through sound cues and multiple-choice options. Say, “Alexa, open Sesame Street.”
Tweens & Teens
Song Quiz. Some adults will remember the game show Name That Tune, and this skill has that feel. You can select from several decades of music and then decide whether you’re playing with a friend or a random online player (there’s no actual contact with strangers). Then you listen and name the song and artist if you’re able. Say, “Alexa, open Song Quiz.” Travel Quest. Kids get a virtual passport, answer questions, and learn facts as they travel via Alexa to different countries. So far kids can only go to Canada or Japan with the promise of more countries available soon. Because of its narrative format, this is a fun way for kids to learn about different places and cultures. Say, “Alexa, start Travel Quest.” Daily Routine. If your teen needs reminders about school, chores, activities, or something else they need to do for the day, this skill might help. Teens can set a list of tasks that recur each day. As they work through them, they can have the satisfaction of virtually crossing them off the list. Say, “Alexa, open Daily Routine.” Do Good. Name a pressing social issue and Do Good will let you know about the organizations that are working to help. For instance, if your kid is interested in caring for animals, say, “I want to help animals,” and this skill will provide the best places to invest your time, energy, and resources. Say, “Alexa, open Do Good.” Escape the Room. Using simple directions, teens can “look” around a virtual room, gather clues, and solve the puzzles. While the lack of actual visual cues might be tricky for some teens, this could be a fun game for older kids to play together. Say, “Alexa, open Escape the Room.”
Big kids
1-2-3 Math. With word problems addressing a variety of math skills, this activity requires careful listening. Though the math on the Easy level is fairly simple, the Medium and Hard levels are likely challenging enough for upper elementary school students. Say, “Alexa, open 1-2-3 Math.” Focus Game. This simple activity asks kids to sit down, relax, and just listen to sounds such as gongs until the sound fades. You can use the Focus Game as a standalone activity or to calm kids before they settle down for homework. Though not Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
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Friday, MArch 1 6:30 P.M.
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$65 per person (Includes 2 drink tickets) Dinner, Silent Auction, Games, AND DJ & Music
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Proceeds will benefit The Little HAPIE Tree Preschool in Auburn and the Residential School in Tallassee Contact Stephanie Weldon at 334-415-9372 or sweldon@learning-tree.org 29
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Going Solo: Single Player Wins
Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids
Babies first experience solo play as they reach for mobiles, kick dangling toys in their bouncy seat and shake a rattle in their fist. But as they grow, children become more accustomed to playful interactions with parents and their peers. The importance of playing alone can get lost among the increasing social opportunities that many children enjoy. Nonetheless, solo play is vital to cultivating independence and encouraging individual problem solving. Playing alone also teaches kids how to self calm and to feel comfortable by themselves. The following toys and games offer ideal opportunities for kids to explore the ways they can be their own best playmate.
by Gerry Paige Smith
Kanoodle
RC Police Car
Colorful and compelling, Kanoodle is a tactile type of solitaire that stimulates threedimensional thinking in solo players. Using combinations of colored connected beads, the player follows images in the illustrated guide to construct vibrant designs that are either two-dimensional puzzles or layered structures. Visual cues, concentration, and experimentation all contribute to recreating the Kanoodle illustrations with the bead pieces. There are hundreds of possible combinations, but only one completes each puzzle.Compact and portable, the puzzle pieces fit inside the handy pocket-sized case with built-in game boards, so kids can Kanoodle anywhere!
There are vast options for remote control toys with varying degrees of performance and complexity. But the best start for a child’s RC journey is going to be a simply operated vehicle like the RC Police Car from Haktoys. Two directions of travel (forward and reverse left) and the simple two-button controller minimize frustration for new operators. Crafted from non-toxic plastic, the vehicle features honking sounds, music and flashing lights (which can also be turned off for quieter driving). The police car includes a removable officer for more pretend play options. Letting kids take the wheel empowers them with control and independence as they guide their RC Police Car to the rescue!
Find It Game Jr: Sesame Street
Little People Learn About Others
The popular Find It Games feature a sealed clear plastic tube filled with irregularly shaped pellets that hide distinctive treasures within their tumbled mass. The player consults a legend with cues to a series of themed objects that can only be found by spinning, twisting, shaking and tilting the cylinder. As the pellets shift, sharp eyes dart to find and identify the objects from the list. Specially designed for younger players, the Sesame Street Find It Game features extra figures to uncover and a Way to Play booklet with additional challenges as children start their addictive quest to find every signature object from the Sesame Street world, right between the palms of their hands.
Every spin reveals something new with this See ‘n Say toy. With a pull of the lever, the arrow will spin around the face before selecting one of eight different community members. Featuring a farmer, a teacher, a pilot and more familiar roles in our lives, each character shares a short phrase explaining how they help others. And while a child learns about others, they can also learn about themselves. A hinged ring flips open to reveal eight emotions with expressions that kids can explore. In addition to building a measure of dexterity and fine motor control as they steady the toy and pull the lever, there’s a fun quiz mode to help build their confidence! Ideal for solo play, this new See ‘n Say helps children learn about the people in their community while they also discover more about feelings.
(Haktoys)
(Educational Insights)
(Fisher Price)
(Find It Games)
Gerry Paige Smith is a syndicated columnist recommending the best products for kids and their families. Discover more at www.PageBookMedia.com
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School’s Out...
Camp’s IN!
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 1ST At My Gym Camp, we activate the fun every single day. Energizing games, exciting gymnastics, cool arts and crafts, and music that guarantees to keep kids moving and engaged! Our themes and programs constantly change, so no two weeks of camp are ever the same. Space is limited. Book today!
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College Kids and Debt Q. My daughter is in college, and I’ve always warned her to stay away from credit cards. Recently, I learned she got a department store credit card despite my advice. She has stayed within her credit limit, but she has never made any of the payments. At this point, she owes about $3,500. She’s a good student, and I want to look at this as a young person’s mistake. Should I pay it off for her this one time? A.
You’re right, this is a typical young person’s mistake. Like a lot of mistakes our kids make, it’s one that’s bad and wonderful at the same time. It’s bad because, if she had just listened to dear old dad, she would’ve avoided a mess. It’s wonderful, though, because it gives you the opportunity to provide her with a real world, teachable moment. I understand you wanting to help her out “this one time.” It means you have a good heart, and that you care about your daughter
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and love her. There’s a reality here, though, I hope you won’t overlook. It’s her debt, not yours. She knew what she was doing when she signed up for that credit card. She knew what it meant, what was expected, and she is the one who should have to make good on the repayment. At this point, my advice is to put your arm around her, talk to her, and lovingly explain where she went wrong and why it was a bad idea. You can even help her find a part-time job if she doesn’t have one right now, so she can pay off her debt and get out of this mess. But leave the payments to her.
Borrowing From Family Q. My father-in-law wants to help us with our mortgage. We’ve been working hard to pay off our home early, and we’ve reduced what we owe to around $35,000. His idea is to pay off the remainder, then let us pay him back over time. In the past, he has loaned us much
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smaller amounts and everything has worked out fine. What do you think about this?
A. I’m sure this seems like a winning proposition all the way around. My concern is there’s a big spiritual and emotional issue that has been left out of the equation. The borrower is always slave to the lender, and nowhere is that more true than in a family. I understand, too, you have a solid track record with this kind of thing. But anytime you borrow money from family you’re playing with fire. When you do something like this, especially with such a large amount, the money issue is likely to be a shadow hovering over your relationship. I assume your father-in-law is doing well financially, since he can afford to make this offer. And don’t get me wrong, it’s a very kind and generous offer. If I were in his shoes, I might offer instead to pay off the mortgage as a gift No strings attached. If you have a nice, stable family, this debt will always be there in the back of your mind. If you have a dysfunctional, control-freak kind of family, it’s going to be right there in front of you constantly. Either way, I don’t think it’s worth the risk.
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Self-Determination at
By Heidi Smith Luedtke, PhD
Parents spend a lot of time trying to motivate kids. We use chore charts, checklists, reminders and rewards to get them to feed the dog, clean their rooms, and complete schoolwork. But these techniques don’t change behavior long-term. Real motivation must come from within.
The Psychology of Summer Camp Time at camp may be all it takes to spark a little self-determination in your kid. I know it sounds too good to be true. Your school-age slacker – the one who expects you to find his homework and pack his lunch – might start doing some things for himself. And your often-bored tween might come home with more pep in her step.
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Psychologists use self-determination theory (SDT) to explain why some experiences make us feel engaged and excited while others drain and deplete us. The premise is simple: when an activity meets our needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, we are energized and empowered. Kids want to do things for themselves. They crave a sense of accomplishment and routinely seek feedback. And kids thrive on connections with loved ones and peers. Feelings of belongingness boost their self-worth. Summer camp offers loads of opportunities to meet all these needs. And that should make kids (and parents) very happy campers indeed.
Autonomy - The need for autonomy is
satisfied when kids control their own lives. At camp, your son will have endless opportunities to care for himself. Staff won’t select his clothes, organize the contents of locker, or remind him to put on deodorant. No one will delay dessert until he eats his veggies. Independence is what camp is all about. Don’t worry. The world won’t stop if your son wears the same shirt three days in a row. His peers will speak up if he gets super stinky. During the school year, many kids jump from one regularly scheduled activity to the next with no unstructured time in between. Camp puts kids in charge of their own activities. Maybe your daughter will take a hike. Maybe she’ll paint pottery. Maybe she’ll write you an email. It is up to her to decide how she’ll spend her free time. One thing is certain: she won’t sit around whining about having nothing to do. And if she does, you won’t be there to hear it.
Competence - The need for competence is satisfied when kids learn new things and get positive feedback about their efforts. Your kid might choose a camp focused on art, science, sports, or music. Or he may opt for a good old-fashioned sleep-away experience, complete with row boats and weenie roasts. Some camp activities may be outside your kid’s comfort zone. Stretching is good. Your child may be unsure she can cross the slippery log over the creek. She may tremble with excitement about her role in the theater production. Peers and counselors will coax her along and give constructive advice. By the end of camp, she’ll be the star of her own adventure stories. If your kid is an experienced camper, encourage him to share what he knows with newbies. Being an ambassador or mentor affirms kids’ competence in a big way. Teaching a peer how to trim a sail or chip a golf ball out of the tall grass will
take your son’s skills to a higher level. His confidence will soar in response.
Relatedness - Your biggest concerns about summer camp may center on the social scene. Your child may not know anyone on arrival. That’s okay. Camps create connections in many ways. Your kid will be instantly bonded with bunkmates because they share a home base. Family-style dining and friendly competitions encourage interaction, too. The pursuit of shared goals – like building a robot or putting a frog in the counselor’s sleeping bag – cements kids’ camaraderie. 35
Extroverted kids may make lots of friends at camp. Less sociable souls may not. What matters most is that kids have opportunities to talk, play and live with a diverse group of peers. They won’t all become fast friends. Learning to navigate the choppy waters of friendship formation is a big part of the camp experience. Your kid’s social skillset will expand. No matter what your kid takes to camp, he’ll come home with a suitcase full of memories and a renewed sense of selfdetermination. You’ll see it as soon as he wakes from his long post-camp nap. AOP Heidi Smith Luedtke, is a personality psychologist and mom of two adventurous kids.
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ParentingToday’sTeens by Mark Gregston
A False Sense of Maturity It’s probably happened to a lot of dads. Your kid spends his mornings watching you drag yourself to the bathroom mirror, pile some shaving cream in your hand, break out your razor, and start shaving your face. Soon, your son (or maybe even daughter) decides they need to shave too. So you squirt a little cream in their hands, supply them a with tongue depressor, and let them “shave.” As you both lean into the vanity mirror, it’s hard not to laugh, watching your five-year-old seriously attack the non-existent stubble on his face. Fast-forward a few years. Okay, maybe your teen actually needs to trim a few straggly hairs from his chin now. But, like the child who thought he was ready to shave way before he reached puberty, most teens still consider themselves more mature than they really are. Their spirit of independence makes them believe they are ready to tackle the world, when they can barely tackle their homework! As parents we know that maturity is the byproduct of responsibility and experience. We only gain maturity because we have to in order to survive! And so unless our teens are given responsibility, they will get stuck in a state of perpetual immaturity. Let me offer some “do’s” and “don’ts” to help you eliminate your teen’s illusion of adulthood and get them moving towards maturity.
Don’t Shame Them Giving your teen more responsibility and experience can be a very scary thing! When your child is learning to ride a bike, you eventually have to take the training wheels off. You take off those extra wheels while your child is still young, fully realizing he or she will wobble and weeble, and probably crash a few times. When the inevitable happens, and the bike flips, you don’t run up, point, and shame your child by saying, “What did you do? How could you have crashed? What were thinking?” Rather, you pick them up, brush them off, dry a few tears, and put them right back on the bike. Life is like that bicycle. Your teenager will crash. But we don’t run up and pile on the guilt Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
and blame. Gaining experience and becoming responsible takes time. So when your teen falls over, pick her up, and keep encouraging her to pedal. That’s how you can help your teen mature.
Don’t Nag Them Of course, your constant reminders are coming from a place of love and a desire for what’s best for your kids. You’re trying to nurture them to be responsible adults. But parents— nagging simply doesn’t help a kid mature. It only teaches him how to tune you out and treat your instructions like white noise. Of course some parents have the opposite tendency. Instead of stepping up to the plate and teaching our kids how to take initiative, we become passive observers and watch our teens float through life without ever growing up. Thankfully, moms and dads can work together so the bumps in one personality fill in the dips in another. By working together and communicating with each other well, parents can encourage each other and ensure that they are striking a good balance between nagging and passivity. Moms and dads may tend towards one end of the spectrum or the other, but both nurturing and pushing are incredibly important to the development of a teen. Now, you might be a single parent, and this method for pushing and relaxing is a bit harder. You have to play both roles. So, try this. Three days out of the week, push your teen towards more responsibility and accountability. The other days of the week, focus on loving and encouraging instead. In this way, you’re striking a balance being training and relating to your teen.
Do Have a Plan Your daughter won’t go to bed a kid one day, and wake up an adult the next. Have a game plan in place to take those training wheels off and get her moving in the right direction. It might look something like this: 12 to 13 years old—Require your daughter to make her own lunch for school. Assign your son weekly household chores. Extend her curfew. Place him in charge of the family pet. 36
14 to 15 years old—Give your son a cell phone with pre-determined minutes and data thresholds. Hold him responsible to get up each morning and make it to school. Have her wash her own laundry. Allow him to decide the family dinner once a week. 16 to 17—Require her to pay for her own car insurance and gas. Make him responsible for finishing his homework and school projects without parental supervision. Make her find a summer job to supplement a decreasing allowance. Require him to volunteer time at a local charity on a regular basis. This is just a sample of the plan that you might use to develop maturity in your child. Tailor it to fit your family and teen.
Do Help Teens Think for Themselves Ask good questions that stoke a teen’s thought process. For example, take the recent trend of young female musicians pushing the envelope. Ask your teen daughter about her thoughts on the issue. Are these young artists simply being creative? What message are they projecting? Do their actions help or hurt them? When you sit down to watch a television show with your son, engage his mind afterwards. It could be something as simple as, “what do you like about this program? What don’t you like?” Then sit back and listen, without judgment, correction, or condemnation. As your teens answer, the synapses in their brain start to fire, and connections begin to be made. It might take a while for them to see the logic (or illogic) in their thoughts, but you are starting them on a path that will help them see the world in a critical and discerning way. So stop supplying your teen with the ideas and thoughts you think they should have. Our job is not to recreate our minds and beliefs in their lives. They need to develop their own thoughts and feelings and learn to process them. Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 40 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and now, as the Executive Director of Heartlight, where he has lived with and helped over 2,700 teens. To find out more about Mark and his ministry to parents and teens, you can visit www.HeartlightMinistries.org or www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.
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If your kids are going to sleepaway camp this summer, you may be wrestling with worries and what-ifs. What if he wets the bed? What if the other kids are cliquish or mean? Will the camp director
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Why Parents Worry “Much of our anxiety as parents stems from the fact that there are so many things we cannot control in our childrens’ lives,” says Paul Donahue, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of Parenting Without Fear. You may worry that without structure kids won’t be able to handle routine tasks like showering, brushing teeth or getting dressed. One mom I know felt so sure her son wouldn’t change clothes at camp that she packed
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Anxiety is understandable, but it shouldn’t stop you from sending kids off to camp. It’s likely that many of your cherished childhood memories involve nature, new friends, and time to explore on your own. Summer camp offers all these opportunities and more. his items – one pair of underwear, shorts, shirt, and socks – in gallon-size Ziploc bags, labeled with the days of the week. Because parents focus so much on kids’ needs, it’s hard to step back. Coverage of natural disasters and child predators makes the world seem scary. “Concern about the safety of children has become something of a national obsession,” Donahue observes. Even though our protective instincts keep us on edge, sometimes we have to trust others to care for our kids, and trust our kids to look out for themselves. Fear of letting go can also be driven by our own uncertainty about who we are without our kids and what we’ll do while they’re away. Without baseball practice, piano lessons, bedtime routines and movie night, our lives would be slower and saner and…emptier.
How to Stop It Don’t let worries weigh you down. Use them as an opportunity to confront your own needs for safety, control, and closeness. Here’s how. Step back. Anxieties have a way of sucking you in. Your thoughts and emotions may be swirling like a tornado around you. Get out of the eye of the storm and reflect on your feelings. What (exactly) are your worries? Write them down so you can face them head on. Question your assumptions. Fears may be fueled by irrational beliefs. Kids don’t suffer serious malnutrition from week-long candy binges. And wearing dirty clothes 39
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won’t kill them either. Concerned your temperamental child won’t fit in socially? Allow for the possibility she’ll find buddies to hang out with all on her own. Don’t let your beliefs limit kids’ potential. Keep goals in mind. Ultimately, parents want kids to become self-reliant, says Donahue, and building self-reliance requires parents do less, not more for their kids. Camp builds competence and independence. Give your kids time to stretch beyond their comfort zones. Have a plan. Keep anxieties in control by making a plan for how you’ll use your “time off.” Schedule special time with siblings who aren’t going camping. Plan a romantic date or overnight getaway with your spouse. Learn something new or catch up on your favorite shows. Stay busy (but in a good way). You deserve a change of pace, too. Share stories. One sure-fire way to break out of anxiety is to remember and share the fun times you had at camp with your kids. Tell them where you went and what you did. The time you flipped your canoe over and got sopping wet in the lake shouldn’t be a secret. Kids love to hear about parents’ camp adventures. Stay connected. The kids will be gone but not forgotten. Find fun postcards, print pictures of family pets, and collect care-package items to send. Getting mail from home makes kids feel special. Resist the urge to check in every day: kids need space. Send supplies so your kids can mail letters home. They’ll want to share their experiences and you’ll treasure their letters forever. Anxiety is understandable, but it shouldn’t stop you from sending kids off to camp. It’s likely that many of your cherished childhood memories involve nature, new friends, and time to explore on your own. Summer camp offers all these opportunities and more. It’ll be okay if they stay up too late, eat burned marshmallows, or lose their swim goggles in the lake. Really. AOP Heidi Smith Luedtke, is a personality psychologist and mom of two adventurous kids. She is the author of Detachment Parenting. Learn more at HeidiLuedtke.com.
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Whether you want them to experience day or overnight camp, sports or fine arts, our listing has details on these and many more. It’s time to get your campers ready for summer fun!
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Auburn University Kreher Preserve & Nature Center ad on page 20
2222 North College Street , Auburn, Al 36830 Spring Break Camp “Spring Awakening” on March 11, 12 and 13 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m learning about how the spring brings opportunities for food, water, and shelter. Campers will participate in games, crafts, hikes and more. Sessions are $120 (members), $150 (non-members) for all three days. Summer Camp: “Alabama Rocks.” Focusing on the unique geological factors of our state, this camp will engage students in discovery through interactive activities and exploration. Registration is $120 and includes a daily snack, all activities and projects, and a camp t-shirt. Dates: Spring Break: March 11-13 Summer Camps: Alabama Rocks! May 26-June 28. Camp Discovery, May 28-31 (with evening session on May 30), Upcoming 3rd /4th graders Young Naturalists, June 3-7, Upcoming 1st and 2nd graders Explorers, June 10-14, Upcoming 1st-7th graders Junior Rangers, June 17-21, Upcoming 5th-7th graders Explorers, June 24-28, Upcoming 1st-7th graders Ages: 1st-7th grade 334-502-4553 preserve@auburn.edu www.auburn.edu/preserve
Auburn University Academic Auburn Outreach Multicultural Afterschool and Summer Services ad on page 19
Auburn University , Al 36832 Auburn University’s Center for Educational Outreach and Engagement (CEOE) is partnering with Synchro International Education to provide a multilingual after-school program that offers a mix of academic and recreational multilingual study on campus. This program will be serving K-12 students Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
in the Auburn-Opelika area. The objective of the program is to prepare the students for successful careers in the global economy by developing their language skills and cultural awareness. A native English speaker with proficiency in Chinese and Spanish will be able to communicate with about 35% of the world’s population, giving them a unique advantage over others in navigating through the rapidly changing global economy. Dates: Year round Ages: K-12
334-559-9023 matthtk@auburn.edu www.aub.ie/ceoe
Auburn University Science Matters
Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics, Auburn, Al 36849 Science Matters is a summer enrichment program for elementary students in rising grades 1-8 offering youngsters a supercharged science experience. Dates: June 3-7, June 17-21, June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26 Ages: 1st-8th grade 334-844-5769 kristen.bond@auburn.edu
Auburn University Summer Youth Programs Auburn Campus, Auburn, Al 36849 A large variety of camps for all interests and all ages. Visit website for details.
334-844-5100 auyouth@auburn.edu www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/auburnyouthprograms/
Summer Band Camps
Goodwin Music Department , Auburn, Al 36849 Summer Symphonic, Marching Percussion, Marching Auxiliary, and Drum Major Leadership Dates: June 4-5, June 9-12, June 12-15, June 20-22. 334-844-4166 www.band.auburn.edu
Auburn University Extracurricular/Sports Auburn Soccer Camps ad on page 21
650 Lem Morrison Drive , Auburn, Al 36849 Hosting the following camps: Goalkeeper & Striker Camp, Residential and Day Soccer Camps and Soccer Elite Camps Dates: April 14, June 7-8, June 16-19, July 8-11, July 12-14, July 14-17 Ages: Ages 5-18 334-884-9637 soccercamp@auburn.edu abcsportscamps.com/ausoccer
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Auburn Volleyball Camps ad on page 22
250 Beard Eaves Court, Auburn , Al 36849 High School and Youth All Skills Camps, Serving Clinic, Position Camp, and Team Camps: Offers training in passing, setting, hitting, serving, and defense. Dates: July 5-7, July 8, July 10, July 19-21 Ages: 4th-12th grade autigervolleyball@gmail.com www.auburnvolleyballcamps.com
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Baseball Camps
Auburn Campus, Auburn , Al 36849 Team Camps, Pitcher/Catcher/Infield Camps, Showcase Camp and Youth Camp Dates: June 10-13, June 24-27, June 28-30, July 9-12, and July 16-19 Ages: K-12th grade 33-844-4975 www.auburntigersbaseballcamp.com
Basketball Camps for Boys
650 Lem Morrison Drive, Auburn , Al 36849 Bruce Pearl Fantasy Camps and Elite Camps Dates: August 16-17, 26 Ages: 8th-12th grade/ adults
334-844-9737 www.brucepearlbasketballcamps.com
Basketball Camps for Girls
650 Lem Morrison Drive, Auburn , Al 36849 Elite Camps, Team Play Day and Day Camps Dates:TBA Ages:3rd-12th grade
www.auburntigers.com/camps
Equestrian Camps
1235 Wire Road, Auburn, Al 36830 Spring Clinic, 20 Hunt Seat Camps, Western Camp, Elite College Prep Camp and Elite Camps Dates: April 27-28, May 4-5 Ages: Middle/High School 334-844-1570 carolyngw031@gmail.com www.auburntigers.com/camps
Football Camps
Auburn Campus, Auburn, Al 36849 Dates: June 3-5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 and July 20 Ages: Youth/HS Tiger Camps, Tiger Night Camps, Kicking Camps, Quarterback Camps, Half Day Camps and Women’s Camp 334-844-8855 www.auburnfootballcamps.com
Gymnastics Camps
703 West Samford Drive, Auburn, Al 36849 June Premier Camps and July Premier Camps
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Women’s Golf Camps
1477 N Donahue D, Auburn, Al 36849 Aim Point Express Clinic, AuburnTiger Short Game Academy, Auburn Tiger Junior Golf and Elite Golf Academy. This Camp is open to any and all entrants limited only by number, age, grade, level and/or gender. Dates: June 9-11 Ages: Ages 7-18 334-844-9497 www.auburntigergolfcamps. com
Dates: June 16-19, June 20-21 and July 12-14 Ages: Ages 6-18 334-844-5047 www.auburntigers.com/camps
Fine Arts Camps Auburn Parks and Recreation ad on page 15, 35
Men’s Golf Camps
1477 North Donahue Drive, Auburn, Al 36849 Spring Kickoff Camps and Tiger Golf Camp Dates: April 7, June 11-14 Ages: Ages 8-12/9-18 334-844-9497 www.auburngolfcamps.com
Swim and Diving Camps
664 Biggio Drive, Auburn , Al 36849 Offering Overnight Camps, Speed & Power Day Camps, & Starts, Turns and Breakout Camps Dates: May 26-30, May 31-June 1, June 2-6 and June 14-15 334-844-4182 aucampdirector@gmail.com www.auburnswimcamps.com
Tennis Camps
777 S Yarbrough Farms Blvd, Auburn, AL 36849 Residential and Day Camps, Mini Kid Camp and Half Day Dates: June 9-13, June 10-13, June 16-20 and June 17-20. Ages: Ages 5-18 334-750-3854 mls0054@auburn.edu www.auburntigers.com/camps
425 Perry Street, Auburn, Al 36830 Art Camps Presented by the Auburn Arts Association: We are an ART workshop with emphasis on art appreciation and the process of creating art. Students are given the opportunity to choose two lessons per day where they create original art pieces incorporating the elements of art in a variety of age-appropriate lessons using age appropriate materials. An exhibition of the children’s artwork is held at the end of each session. Art for Young Children: Pre-school children will explore a variety of age appropriate art materials including but not limited to clay, paint and fabric. Price includes cost of all materials and snack. We are an ART workshop with emphasis on art appreciation and the process of creating art. Students create original art pieces incorporating the elements of art in a variety of age-appropriate lessons using age appropriate materials. An exhibition of the children’s artwork is held at the end of each session. Tiny Dancer 3 Day and 5 Day Workshop: Just enough to give the youngest dancers an introduction to dance class. Students are encouraged to
express themselves creatively while learning and practicing left/right orientation and simple movement skills that are the basis for ballet techniques taught in a formal ballet class (bending, stretching, jumping, turning, leaping, galloping and skipping. Joy’s Music and Singing Summer Camp: Do you like music? Do you enjoy singing? You will learn professional vocal techniques for singing, piano skills, sight singing (i.e. read music scores & write music notes), music theory and some movements to improve your stage presence. Musical Theatre Camp I, II and III: Love to sing, dance and act? Whether you have been on stage many times, or never, this camp is for you. You’ll learn music, choreography and do character development activities for several Broadway Musical numbers. Each year, we choose new songs and different musicals, so you always have a fresh experience. You will have a chance to shine on stage for family and friends at the end of the camp! AACT Summer Intensive: This is a theatre skills and techniques camp appropriate for all levels of experience. Whether you are a beginning or experienced actor, you will be able to learn something new. It is fun and fast paced. We will focus on improvisation, voice and movement and scene studies. New! All Day Arts Experience: Looking for an all day camp? Here are the bridges that will combine the Visual Arts Workshops with the ACCT Summer Incentives. New! AACT Academy Summer Play: From auditions to performance, actors will go through the whole process of producing a play. Dates: Visual Arts: July 8-12, July 22-26. Art for Young Children: June 25-27 and July 16-18. Tiny Dancer: May 28-30 and May 20-24. Joy’s Music and Singing: June 3-7. Musical Theatre: June 1014. AACT Summer Intensive: June 17-21 and July 22-26. AACT Summer Play: July 8-12. After Hours Theatre: July 22-26 Ages: Ages 3-18 334-501-2930 www.auburnalabama.org/parks
2320 MOORES MILL ROAD, SUITE. 250 AUBURN, AL 36830 • (334) 887-0099
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Congratulations to the Liles Smiles no cavity winners! CARLSON, JR., JONATHAN CASTILLO, REGINA DAVIDSON, WILLIAM EATON, HO"AND GREEN, DAVID R GREEN, COLEMAN HARDNETT, JULIUS HENDERSON, MCKENZIE HENDERSON, PAYTON JACKSLAND, CHLOE JACKSLAND, ETHAN KARACA, JULIA KARACA, KEVIN MANGIAFICO, ADAM RANDALL, KALEY RUFFIN, RYAN RUFFIN, RYLEIGH SANDERS, CHRISTIAN SCOTT, TUCKER TEMPLETON, DAMIEN TEMPLETON, MAKAYLA THOMAS, JORDYN THOMASTON, CHARLIE THOMASTON, KENZIE VIRTUE, EVERETTE VIRTUE, HALDEN VIRTUE, JAMES WHITE, ROBERT P YOUNG, WESLEY AMES, CALEB AMES, EMMA GRACE AMES, KATIE A BEASON, RYLEE BRADFORD, CARTER BRYAN, BRINTEE BRYAN, EASTON CARTER, KENSIEY COFIELD, ALLY G COFIEID, AVERY CORBITT, JACKSON COUNTS, ANNA COUNTS, JOHN B COUNTS, MERRILL
CREMASCHI, ANDREA DANIEL, WHITLEY DAVIS, ELEANOR DAVIS, ISAAC EARLES, EMMA CLAIRE ERDMANIS, ISABELLA GRIFFIN ILL, FRED L HARRIS, RALEIGH ANNA HUSSEY, BRANTLEY KITE, CANDICE KITE, CHRISTIAN MCCUTCHEN, WILSON MEADOR, ANN F MEADOR, THOMAS MESSER, WILLOW MIRANDA, AVA MIRANDA, BREE MORGAN, ADELIA PARMER, AVERY PARMER, ETHAN ROBINSON, DELILAH SHIFLETT, SUSAN STRONG, ETHAN THOMPSON, MAKAYTA WHATLEY, CHARMA (ISABELLA) WHITE, IDEN WHITE, KYLEIGH WHITE, TERRY AMASON, NATALIE GREENE, JA KALIN HENDRICKS, MARKYLIN HIGGINS, JERRY (TRENT) JOHNSON, DAKARI POWELL, CASSIDY POWELL, COURTNEY L POWELL, PRESTON ROGERS, ELIJAH RUFF, SARAH D SANDERS, BRODY R SMITH, BORIS STALLINGS, SHAWN WELDON, ELIJAH BOSWELL, SALLY
CANNON, JAMARI COLLINS, JACOB CRAYTON, KYLAN CREEL, MERCY CREEL, RHEMA GROSS, ALLIE HARLING, JACOB HUNT, HANNAH HUNT, MARLEY MCCOLLUM, ASHETON T RICHARDSON, ANNA CLAIRE SHARPE, SWAYZE SPAIN, HUDSON WEBB, ANNA BELLE WEBB, LILLIANNA WEBB, STERLING ADAMS, ANNABE BALLARD, BENJAMIN FREEMAN, KAILEY HARRIS, JACKSON HARRIS, TIMOTHY HYDE, GRAYSON HYDE, HUNTER HYDE, KENDALL OWEN V, ALLEN E JENKINS, OMARION PERSONS, LAUREN PREWETT, ELLIE BAUM, ELI BAUM, ISAAC CARLETON, ANNISTYN CARSWELL, KARSON CRAIG, PEYTON CRAIG, PIPER FARROW, LUCAS FELKEY, TRISTAN POPE, MADISON SCOTT, ZAYDEN SIMPSON, MAKAJ D SIMPSON, MKINZIE TOMES, ELIZA TREMBLAY, LYDIA TRUETT, GRADY
WILLIAMSON, REILLY WILLIAMSON, WESLEY ANDREWS, ALISSA BANKS, KENS'EY DUNN, LILLIAN C DUNN, RAMER GEIGER ILL, DANIEL L GREEN, BENNETT GREEN, JACKSON GREEN, WILLIAM GRUBBS, SADIE HALL, JASMINE HARDY, MURDOCH HOSKINS, HOOVER HUNT, CONNER PREWETT JR, RUSSELL SMITH, CHARIS SMITH, PAUL SMITH, TIMOTHY STRAIN, DALLAS HUE TERRY, TYMNA TIGNOR, COOPER TIGNOR, LEVI WELDON, KAITLYN WILDER, WILLIAM WILSON, SABRINA WOODLEY, SAVANNAH ALBERT, JAYLA BAILEY, BANCROFT, GENESISKENNEDY BANCROFT, WALKER BARNES, JULIA BARNES, TESSA BLACKMON, J AVIAN CARMICHAEL, ROY CARMICHAEL, TOWNSEND COBB, MASON COFIELD, COLLINS COX, HARPER ECKSTRAND, ALYSSA GONZALEZ, HECTOR GRIGGS, KEVIN HARRISON, LILLIAN HOLLAND, WALKER HOLMES, JOHN HOLMES, MERRITT HOLMES, REECE HUNT, SAMARAH JOHNSON, JENNIFER LEMOINE, TRINITY LOCKHART, EZRA LOCKHART, IRA ORANTES, CHRISTIAN
ORANTES, GABRIEL ORANTES, SERENA OWENS, CAMERYNNE PLACE, ZANDAR SCOTT, JASON H STANLEY, LOUISE STANLEY, SALLY TREMBLE, OWEN WALKER, OLIVIA WHATLEY WILLIAM BARNETT, ANDREW BARROW, O' LAYIAH BEASLEY, GABRIELLE BEASLEY, NAOMI BENNETT, KARTER BROOKS, JALECIA CACERES, ALLISON CACERES, ASHLEY F DOLEMAN, IVANA DOWDE!L, KARTER ENRIQUEZ, KEVIN FORTSON, KAYLIEE HAYNES, DAJAVIUS HEARD, CAMILLE HEARD, DETAVIOUS HUGULEY, ZEMARION MIRANDA-OCHOA, SELENA MIRANDA-OCHOA, NICOLE PATEL, ANAYA PATEL, ANERI PIRTLE, KALEB RACHEL, JESSICA REESE, JEREMIAH SHAW, EMMITT SMARR, JORDYN WILLIAMS, KANCHERLA (KA) WITTIAMS, SHABRIA CREIGHTON, CAMERON DAVIS, HALEIGH DAVIS, MACKENZIE SIMMONS, CECILIA TIDWELL, KAMARIA WARE, E'MONIE N WARE, MESSIAH WARE, MESSIAH WENG, TING ASKEW, CORDE CHASTAIN, JEFFREY (FORD) COBLENTZ, MARGARET J CUMMINS, ANDERSON CUMMINS, BRADLEY FARR, WELLS
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FORDHAM, ELLA G FORDHAM, KATI LYNN HIXON, JOHN HOLLAND, KENNEDY HOOD, CHRISTIAN HOOD, LYSSAH JONES, JOURNEE O JONES, PRESLEY MCDONOUGH, ROBIN MCKEIVEY, JUNIPER J MCLEAN, SARAH MCLEAN, WYATT MILES, ANNISTON MILES, KATIE SANKER, ELI SELLERS, HUDSON SELLERS, WILLIAM SMITH, JADEN SMITH, RAYLAN SNYDER, KADEN SPRATLIN, MASON STOKES, LUCY TRAVIS, WILLIAM TZOU, BECKY WARD, CHARTIE WHITE, DONNIEL WILLIS, CRENSON WILLIS, HARPER WILLIS, TOLLESON ADHIKARI, ARYA BALDWIN, LUCAS BECKON, CAITLYN BROWN, BRAYLEN J AFFLECK, LANDON DUPREE, ELLIE REESE DUPREE, TANNER ENNIS, ADALINE ENNIS, AMALIE HADLEY, CATHERINE HADLEY, MARY ELIZABETH HADLEY, ROBERT HADLEY, VIRGINIA HOLLOWAY, JAIVIAN KESSLER, MEIISSA LEE, CHARLOTTE LEMKE, HARPER MATHIS, TONYA MCGILL, ATTEN MCGILL, MOTTY MCLENDON, EMMA MITCHUM, DESTINY MOON, JAMES HENRY
MOON, LUKE PERSONS, ANN T PERSONS, JOHN (TRIPP) PONDER, AVA RAFFERTY, REED G ROSS, LAUREN SAVAGE, ELIJAH SIMMONS, JOHN WHITE, DYLAN YANG, LILLIAN EZELL, DEMARCUS LOPEZ, BRITTNEY MARTINEZ, JESUS D MEADE, EMERIE MILES, ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ-ROUSE, RHEA WADE, AUBREE WHALEY, RAETAN WHITE, LOGAN YOUNG, ABIGAIL J BAUGH, JENNY K BAUGH, REID CADDEN, THOMAS CADDEN JR, DANIEL COPELAND, COLIN DANNAR, VICTOR DECOUX, CAMPBELL DECOUX, COOPER DELONEY, JACOB DUNN, COOPERS HARRIS, TRINITY HERRING, COLEMAN HERRING, ELLIS HUNT, PRESTON IVATT, CLARK IVATT, SUTTON JACKSON, BRADEY OLIVER, LUKE OLIVER, QUINTAVIOUS OLIVER, WILLIAM PROCTOR, MCKENZIE REESE, MAHAJ J SCHULZ, AVA$0.00 STONEBACK, SHAWN ABDULLAH, JAMEENAH ADAMSON, CONNER ADAMSON, PARKER ALMAGHRABI, MESHAAL ANDREWS, EASON ANDREWS, MALEY BARKER, MASON BARKER, MICHAEL
BETTENCOURT, AUBREE BLANKENSHIP, ADDISON BUCKNER, JACOB BUCKNER, JONAH CAMPBELL, ETHAN CAMPBELL, KATE CAMPBELL, SARAH COLLINS, MORGAN COX, SAVANNAH DENNIS, AUBRIE DUFFEE, CHLOE FOSTER, CARSON GOAR, KENNETH HAYES, KAYLA HENDRIX, ANN-LANGSTON HENDRIX, HARPER HENDRIX, THOMAS C HENDRIX, WITTIAM MAY, EMILIA MCLEOD, KYRIE MIXON, BROOKLYN MOODY, WILLIAM NELMS, CHARLES NELMS, JUSTIN NELMS, TIMOTHY SANDERS, ADALYN (ADDIE) SANDERS, AVERY SIMS, CATHRYN SIMS, MOLLIE STACEY, OLIVIA VI"ATORO, HENRRY YOUNG, GARNER ARRINGTON, KHYLI BARTOL, ATICUS B BROOKS, CHAYLAYA LUEKE, ANNA LEE MCAVOY, KATELY MCCANTS, MARQUES MUMMA, KIPTYN SARDINAS, ANNA BRYANT, HAYLEE BUTTS, LUKE BUTTS, NOAH CAPPS, ASA CAPPS, SAWYER CHESHIRE, JORDAN CLANTON, ADDISON CLANTON, JACOB HALLMARK, CHARLIE HALLMARK, SAVANNAH HARRIS, THOMAS HAYNES, MARY G
HENDRICKSON, ABBEY HENDRICKSON, ISLA HUFSTEDLER, BRADEN JONES, ADDYSON KIM, CHLOE KNIGHT, CADANCE LECROY, BENTLEY LECROY, CHRISTOPHER SAUCEDA, BRYAN (JORDAN) SMITH, TURNER SPORT, ROBERT STRICKLAND, WILLIAM THORNTON, PROMYSE TRAWICK, GRACE TRAWICK, PRICE VALLE, ANNA M VALLE, NOAH WYNNE, TRUITT ATTEN, DESTINEE BAILEY, ABBIGAIL BEASLEY, SIMONE DUBOIS, AARON FRATIC, HEAVEN KEY, JORDAN KEY JR, DOMINIQUE KING, ROMEO LITTLE, ASHTON LITTLE, LE MARTY MACON, JAYDEN RASHID, RAABA RAY, XAVIER SHARPE, ELIZABETH SIGGERS, ETTA SIGGERS, JAMES TERRY, VALENTINO TORRANCE, KAMIA TREADWAY, MICHAEL WOOD, PAISLEY WOODYARD, CE'DASHIA
www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents
4 days, 10am-12:30pm, $115 Adventure Camp: beginner, ages 5+, June 3rd-6th or June 24th-27th, 4 days, 10am-12:30pm, $115 “HOME for the Holidays” with The Painted Pallet: ages 7+, June 10th-13th or July 22nd-25th, 4 days, 10am-1pm, $155 All-Girls Camp: ages 7+ June 17th-19th or July 15th-17th, 3 days, 10am2pm, $155 Dates: May, 28-31, June 3-6, June 10-13, June 1719, June 24-27, July 8-11, July 15-17, July 22-25, July 29-Aug 1 Ages: Ages 5 and up; 7 and up
2019
Guide
334-363-5257 spiritedartao@ gmail.com www.spiritartao. com/camps
Ballet Academy ad on page 45
1703 Westend Court , Opelika, Al 36801 Summer Camp, Summer Drop In and Summer Intensive Dates: May-August Ages: Preschool and up 334-737-5551 balletacademyopelika@gmail.com www.myballetacademy.net
Spicer’s Band Camps ad on page 27
2140 E. University Dr., Suite K, Auburn, Al 36830 Camp Kazoo: This fun-filled, positive camp introduces children ages 3 to 5 to the wonderful world of music. Camp Kazoo campers will beat on drums, shake tambourines, tap the keys, strum guitars, sing and of course toot KAZOOS! They will experience various musical genres (think reggae, bluegrass, rock’n roll) and learn about melody and rhythm. This hands-on camp provides a foundation for a lifelong love of music, and may lead to discovering a passion for a specific instrument (or two). Children will gain an appreciation for the many ways music enriches our lives. Rock Camp Jr: This fun camp was designed to be a bridge between Camp Kazoo, our exploratory music camp for young children. At Rock Band Camp Jr., our experienced staff will provide an introduction to guitar, ukulele, drums, bass, keyboard and vocals. After choosing their favorite instrument, the campers will begin working on basic musical skills as they learn to play a carefully chosen rock song with positive lyrics. Rock Camp: Campers receive individualized lessons in their instrument of choice and work with other musicians to create their own unique sound. Instruction in singing, songwriting, and performing on stage are key components of the camp. Through the competent guidance of skilled staff, lessons on self esteem, communication and problem solving skills are woven into each session. Rock Camp Pro: Provides older campers of various ability with an opportunity to receive group and single instruction on their instrument of choice. Camper’s will also be introduced to different facets of what it takes to be a gigging musician such as: songwriting and arrangement, band management, booking gigs and logo/merch design. Dates:June 3-7, June 10-14, June 17-20, July 3-7, July 8-12 and July 15-18 Ages:Ages 3 and up 334-329-7529 www.spicersmusic.com
Spirited Art ad on page 18
116 South 8th Street, Opelika, Al 36801 Meet the Masters: beginner, ages 5+ May 28th-31st, July 8th-11th or July 29th-Aug. 1st Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
901 South College Street, Auburn, Al 36849 Come see the exhibition, view the temporary studio in JCSM to see artist’s work, and create your own art. Dates: Check website for upcoming dates Ages: Kindergarten and up 334-844-1463 www.jcsm.auburn.edu
Make Your Move Performing Arts
1220 Fox Run Ave, Ste 212, Opelika, AL 36801 Dates:June-August 334-705-0205 www.makeyourmovedance.com
Nix Ballet Studio
850 Stage Road, Auburn, Al 36830 6 week Summer Fun Dance Camps! Enroll Now! VIP (very important princess class) 3-4yr olds, Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical / Contemporary, and Turns, Leaps, & Technique. Dates: June-July Ages: 3 and up
Dates: June-Aug Ages: Ages 3 and up 334-740-5118 danceauburnpoi?nte@gmail.com www.aupointe.com
Tiger Twirlers
189 East University Drive, Auburn, Al 36832 Baton twirling lessons beginning June. Classes meet inside Max Fitness. 601-630-6994
Variations Dance Studio
323 Airport Road, Suite F, Auburn, Al 36830 Variations Dance Studio is collaborating with SummerNights Downtown Art Walk and will incorporate their summer dance program into the event. Summer students will perform in SummerNights. Drop In sessions available. Summer Camp dates TBA. Dates: May-August Ages: Preschool and up 334-275-5013 Info@VariationsStudio.com www.variationsauburn.com
Local Day and Overnight Camp Auburn First Baptist Church Child Development Center ad on page 32
128 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn, Al 36830 Summer Camp is a Field-Trip based Program; All summer, 7:00am to 5:30pm Monday - Friday. DropIns Welcome (space permitting). Summer Camp Enrollment is currently taking place for Kindergarten-completion of 5th grade (child must have completed Kindergarten). The Child Development Center is a ministry of Auburn First Baptist Church in which we provide safe, loving, quality care for children in a Christian environment. We strive to provide the best in early education by providing hands-on learning so that each child may develop to his or her highest potential cognitively, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Ages: Kindergarten-rising 6th grade
334-877-7250 www.nixdancestudios.com
334-821-8125 afbcdc@gmail.com
Rising Starz
Bonnie’s Kids Childcare Center
2140 E University Dr Ste H, Auburn, Al 36830 Offering classes in all types of dance technique. Dates: July 334-209-1464 www.risingstarzstudios.com
Summer Showoffs
Auburn High School, 405 South Dean Road, Auburn, Al 36830 A music day camp that uses music and performance to build confidence and character. We help students develop their talents on stage! Dates: June 24-28 and July 8-12 Ages: 1st-12th grade 205 470-4945 priscilla@summershowoffs.com www.summershowoffs.com
The Art Studio
118 North Ross Street , Auburn, Al 36830 Summer Art Camp offers students a unique experience with a wide variety of mediums in fine art, learning about artists from around the world, art concepts and innovative techniques. Camp provides a thorough and comprehensive learning experience that includes independent work as well as hands on instruction. Dates: June 3-7, June 10-14, June 17-21, June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26 and July 28-Aug 2 Ages: Rising 1st grade and up 334-332-5257 info@theartstudioauburn.com www.theartstudioauburn.com
The Pointe School of Dance
204 South 8th Street, Opelika, Al 36801 Summer Dance Classes: full summer dance program all summer!
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www.auburnfbc.org
ad on page 18
2314 Enterprise Drive, Opelika, Al 36801 When your schedule says, “You can’t be there”, place your kids in Bonnie’s Care. Bonnie’s Kids Child Care can lovingly step in when your busy schedule takes you away from your young, preschool children, when you naturally want them cared for and watched over with the same love, attention, protection and nurturing that you would provide yourself. Serving the Opelika region for over 25 years, Bonnie’s Kids Child Care has been helping working families with attentive, conscientious and supportive child care in times of need, providing young children with guidance, confidence, nutrition, emotional and physical exercising and support, and honest to goodness love. Summer camp includes 3 field trips per week for school age children including swimming, bowling, area parks, movie theater, Auburn University, Callaway Gardens and more! Also offering Premier Spirit Academy tumbling, dance, music, computer and more! 334-745-6248 www.bonnieskids.com
City of Auburn Parks and Recreation ad on page 15, 35
425 Perry Street, Auburn, Al 36830 Swim Lessons: offering a wide variety of swim lesson opportunities this year ONLY at Samford Pool. We will offer smaller class sizes for swim lessons so your children receive more attention one – on
www.auburnopelikaparents.com
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–one and the best swim lessons as possible. Swim lesson levels are based on age groups (although participants may be moved to a different class based on ability) and offered in the morning and evening with classes at Samford Pool. CAMP KALEIDOSCOPE: Join us for lots of fun this summer at day camp! Each week of camp is filled with games, activities, swimming, art projects, special guests, and field trips. Campers can expect to discover new talents and abilities, make new friends, and have a blast! Summer Therapeutic Camp: offered from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day. New to camp this year are a variety of educational activities and programs! We are continuing our weekly theatre and art programs, and we are adding a library reading program and a functional skills group. We will also have special guests and visitors such as Master Gardeners and the Raptor Center! Our Friday outings are also geared toward educational opportunities both locally and within a two-hour radius. Applications must be completed by Friday, May 3rd. Superhero Training Camp: Calling all superheroes! Wear your favorite costume and come get strong with an obstacle course, get smart with science experiments and get creative with art projects – all superhero themed! Science Camp: At science camp, kids will be hands on with experiments, explosions and explorations. They will watch awesome demos, work with partners and groups to conduct science experiments and learn safe and easy experiments they can perform at home! Join us for partner science experiments, cool demos and friendly building competitions daily! Action packed fun guaranteed to please your favorite Einstein! $85/child. Auburn The Knight School Chess Academy Camp: A nationwide chess party that coaches 2500 kids every week! Camp includes daily puzzler’s tactics lessons to earn new colorful wristbands tournaments.
Dates: Swim Lessons: Session I: May 13 - 23, Ses-
sion II: May 28 - 31; Session III: June 3 - 13, Session IV: June 17 - 27; Session V: July 1 - 3, Session VI: July 8 - 18; Therapeutic Camp: June 3-July 26, Camp Kaleidoscope: Weekly sessions June-July. Superhero: June 3-5. Science Camp: June 15-17. New! Knight School Chess Academy: June 3-7. Ages:Ages 4 and up 334-501-2930 ekaufman@auburnalabama.org; gmeredith@auburnalabama.org; winsleycoan@icloud.com; auburnroboticscamp@gmail.com www.auburnalabama.org/parks
related to Space and our Galaxy. Our 4 year olds will enjoy bi-weekly field trips, while our School Age kids will enjoy fun & exciting field trips every week! Our summer curriculum continues to include educational concepts such as literacy, math, science, and character education. Children enjoy warm nutritious meals and the safest play possible on our state of the art playground. Give your child the best summer ever at the Growing Room. We’re open Monday-Friday, 6:30am-6:30pm. Come by today for a tour. Summer Camp registration opens to new enrollments on April 1, 2019 at both locations. Dates: year round Ages: birth through grade school
Core After School Center
334-501-2044/334-748-9020. lsmith@grauburn.com www.growingroomusa.com
1311 Opelika Road, Auburn, Al 36830 Sumer Camp 2019: Around the world in 40 days! Register now for summer....Games, food, guest speakers, reader’s theatre, fun in the sun, art and music. Offering daily and weekly fieldtrips. Dates: Session 1 - May 27 - June 21 (4 weeks) (Closed July 1st- July 5th- 4th of July Week) Session 2 - June 24- July 26 (4 weeks) Ages: K-5th grades
My Gym Auburn
ad on page 7
334-521-5252 coreafterschool@att.net www.coreafterschoolcenter.com
Growing Room Child Development Center ad on page 48
644 North Dean Road and 1755 Thomason Drive, Auburn/Opelika, Al 36830/36801 Growing Room’s Galactic Getaway blasts off this Summer on May 28, 2019. Our Summer Camp includes exciting events and activities for every age group, from Infants to our School Agers. This year our Summer Camp is all about a journey through space! Each week our campers will participate in unique crafts and special events with themes
ad on page 31
300 North Dean Road, Auburn, Al 36830 My Gym camp is simply the best! Children participate in energizing fitness games, noncompetitive gymnastics, arts and crafts, music and so much more. Each camp program is uniquely designed to keep your children moving and active, as we emphasize physical development and personal success. Our themes and programs change daily, so no two camp days at My Gym are ever the same. Registration begins March 1st. Registration is required and spaces fill up quickly! Register online: www.mygym.com/camps Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:00am-12:00pm Wednesdays from 1:00pm-4:00pm Perfect for children 2.5 years-10 years (potty-trained please) Week of 6/3: Pirate/Princess • Week of 6/10: Ocean • Week of 6/17: Movie Week • Week of 6/24: Sports • Week of 7/8: Super Heroes/Star Wars • Week of 7/15: Ninja • Week of 7/22: Music/Dance • Week of 7/29: Circus Dates: June 3rd thru August 2 Ages: birth-10years 334-249-0987 www.mygym.com/auburn
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Regional Day and Overnight Camps
2019
Adventures in Math and Science:
Guide The Montgomery Zoo ad on page 14
2301 Coliseum Pkwy, Montgomery, Al 36110 Make summer vacation a wildlife adventure that you will never forget. Join kids of similar ages and interests for a fun-packed, educational experience themed around the animals of our planet. See daily live animal presentations; get up close and personal with some of the Educational animals at the Montgomery Zoo; enjoy scavenger hunts; craft time; classroom time; playtime, splash time, and games at our playground; train, pedal boat, and sky lift rides; participate in animal encounters with the giraffes, river otters, parakeets and our collection of petting zoo animals; see behind the scene tours and visits with our zookeepers and other staff members. Dates: June 3-7, June 10-14, June 17-21, June 24-28, July 8-12, July 15-19 and July 22-26. Ages: Ages 5-12 334-240-4900 www.montgomeryzoo.com
Kumon Math and Reading Center
1550 Opelika Road, Suite 36 , Auburn, Al 36830 This summer, put your child on the path to a lifetime of learning. With the school year fresh in your child’s mind, summer is the perfect time to join Kumon. Dates: year round Ages: students 334-501-8566 robertcox@ikumon.com www.kumon.com/auburn-opelika-al
Opelika Parks and Recreation
1001 Andrews Road, Opelika, Al 36801 Registration begins in May and sessions begin in June, dates TBA. Be on the lookout for: Art Camp, Firefighter Academy, Police Academy, Power Services Academy, Back to the Dawghouse Camp, Basketball Academy, Baton Camp, Cheer Camp, Racquetball Camp, Soccer Academy, All Sports Camp, Tumbling Camp, Tennis Camp and Plex Kids! Dates: June-July TBA Ages: Ages 5-and up 334-705-5560 www.opelikasportsplex.com
University Daycare
2900 Waverly parkway, Opelika, Al 36801 Camp is sure to be an adventurous, educational and enjoyable time for children of all ages. There will be regularly scheduled outings for our school aged children to exciting destinations and also opportunities for them to learn about their local community. Dates: May-August; year round Ages: birth through grade school 334-203-1234 hello@UDCAuburn.com www.udcauburn.com
Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
Alabama School of Math and Science
ad on Inside Back Cover
1255 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Al 36604 Register by April 1: $360 Overnight Camp (all inclusive), $260 Day Camp (includes lunch) Register after April 1: $385 Overnight Camp (all inclusive), $285 Day Camp (includes lunch) Cost to stay weekend between a session is an additional $185 (includes trip to water park) Course Sampling ACT Prep, Algebra Review, Exploring Inner Space, Marine Biology, CSI: Mobile, Phun Physics, Using Java, Robotics, Field Biology, Psychology, Math Puzzles, Labs of Doom, Rocketry, Origami, Speak Up, Light Metals and Enameling, Apps for Smart Devices, and many more. Dates: Week 1 (June 3-7), Week 2 (June 10-14), and Week 3 (June 17-21) Ages: Rising 6th-10th grade
of Alabama healthcare personnel who are able to care for the children’s unique medical needs. Dates: April 26-August 18 Ages: Ages Preschool and up
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National Infantry Museum
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205-323-8427 www.smileamile.com/summer-campsessions
ad on page 4
1775 Legacy Way, Columbus, Ga 31903 Choose from a variety of day camps throughout the summer that best fit their interest in U.S. military history. Each camp session is designed to promote teamwork and instill the distinct qualities of the Army Values. From learning about major conflicts in American history to discovering local terrain at Oxbow Meadows, every camper will develop a deeper understanding of the American way of life and what it takes to protect our freedoms. Campers also get the opportunity to participate in reenactment scenarios, community service, and engage with Veterans about their experiences in the military. Dates: June/July Ages: Ages 6-15 706-685-5800 www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org
Riverview Camp for Girls ad on page 26
757 County Road 614, Mentone, al 35984 We’ve planned carefully everything you’re looking for in a perfect camp setting. Located just off Desoto Parkway on top of Lookout Mountain in Mentone, Alabama and nestled in a bend of beautiful Little River. We are a Christian environment promoting
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ad on page 24
5278 Camp ASCCA Dr, Jackson’s Gap, Al 36861 a nationally recognized leader in therapeutic recreation for children and adults with both physical and mental disabilities. Providing weekend and week long sessions, Camp ASCCA is open year-round. Located in Alabama on Lake Martin, Camp ASCCA offers campers a wide variety of recreational and educational activities. Activities include horseback riding, fishing, tubing, swimming, environmental education, arts and crafts, canoeing, a “splash pad”, outdoor adventure elements like the zip-line, and much more. Dates: May-August 256-825-9226 info@campascca.org www.campascca.org
Camp Shine ad on page 59
Campers learn healthy eating habits while preparing meals. Campers also have opportunities to participate in swimming, canoeing, hiking, arts & crafts, dance and many other activities. Ages: Ages 12-15 www.childrensal.org/TeamTeen
Camp Smile-a-Mile ad on page 3
Lake Martin, Al Smile-A-Mile has seven camp sessions each summer at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin. Children’s Harbor is a separate, non-profit, organization that lets us use their facility for our summer sessions. All of the sessions are staffed by Children’s
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Adventure, Inspiration, Character, and ConfidenceBuilding. You’ll be amazed at what you can do! Dates: May-July Ages: Ages 6-16 800-882-0722 www.riverviewcamp.com
YMCA Camp Chandler ad on page 17
1240 Jordan Dam Road, Wetumpka, Al 36092 One of the largest camps in the south with over 1,000 acres of lake front property. Conveniently located 25 miles from Montgomery, AL on beautiful Lake Jordan. Whether you are looking for individual, small group, or camp-wide fun, we definitely have something for you! Campers are grouped according to age and gender. They live in cabins with up to 13 other campers and at least 2 counselors. Friendships grow as they live, share meals, laugh, and play together during a full week of fun! Campers are given the opportunity to participate in more than 20 different activities like horseback riding, skiing, archery, sailing, the high ropes course, and more Dates: May 26 - 31, May 26 - 28, May 29 - 31, June 9 - 14, June 9-28, June 16-21, June 23-28, June 23-25, June 26-28, June 30-July 5, July 7-12, July 14-19, July 17-19, July 21-26, July 21-23, July 24-26 Ages: Age 5-15 334-229-0035 www.campchandler.org
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Activ8 Summer Camps
Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, Ga 31907 You will find quality programs that promote leadership and youth development through enrichment activities, unique experiences, and opportunities to develop relationships with adults and peers. Dates: June-August Ages: Ages 4-18 706-507-8070 www.continuinged.columbusstate.edu/ activ8-summer-camps/
Alabama Museum of Natural History
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Al 35487 Work side-by-side with scientists in the field of archeology and paleontology. Enjoy the natural wonders of Alabama while having fun and forging friendships. Dates: June-August 205-348-7550 almnh@ua.edu www.almnh.ua.edu/
Alabama School of Fine Art
1800 Reverend Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, Al 35203 Programs are designed to educate, inspire and enrich the student in a fun, casual, and collaborative environment. Campers may choose to build their dance technique, their confidence on the stage, or even an app. Dates: June-July Ages: 2nd-9th grade 205-252-9241 jlittle@asfa.k12.al.us www.asfa.k12.al.us
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
1 Festival Drive , Montgomery, Al 36117 With acclaimed New York professionals and master theatre artists at the helm, ASF theatre camps are fun, informative and unforgettable. Dates: March 18-22; June 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28, July 8-12, 15-19, 17-28, 22-26 Ages: Age 5 years-12th grade 334-271-5393 www.asf.net/education
Alabama Wildlife FederationExpedition Lanark Day Camp
3050 Lanark Road, Millbrook, Al 36054 Expedition Lanark is a full day summer camp that provides hands-on, outdoor educational activities that teach natural resource stewardship, develop leadership skills, and build character. Dates: May 28-31, June 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28, July 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, July 29-Aug 2 Ages: Ages 5-15 1.800.822.9453 awf@alabamawildlife.org www.alabamawildlife.org
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-11:30AM
Camp Alamisco
Ages: 1-4 Years Old
1771 Camp Alamisco Road, Dadeville, Al 36853 At Camp Alamisco, you see Jesus in nature, in the staff, and in all the activities we do. Come and be a part of a group who believes that Jesus is the One who has shown the “Crazy Love� for each of us and we can be with Him for all eternity. Purpose is to provide high quality Christian camping and retreat facilities. We are a year round camp and we are open to church and school groups as well as corporate functions. We are located on 55 acres on beautiful Lake Martin near Dadeville Alabama. Dates: June-July Ages: families and school age
www.farmvillefirststeps.org
(334)-329-5439
Enroll now for Fall Classes!!!
256-825-9482 tcasey@gscsda.org www.campalamisco.org/
Camp Cosby
2290 Paul Bear Bryant Road, Alpine, Al 35014 At Camp Cosby, boys and girls have the opportunity to build self esteem, grow, learn, and challenge themselves. Campers also learn to develop values such as caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Pool, lake adventures, horses, trials, team building, zip line, and much more! Specialty camps include bmx camps, wakeboarding and ski camps, and wrangler. Dates: June-July Ages: Ages 6-16 1-800-85COSBY cosby@ymcabham.org www.campcosby.org
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definitely the highlight of their summer, as they come off the city streets and into nature at its finest. They enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, crafts, recreational time, singing, Bible studies and guest speakers. Dates: May - August Ages: Ages 7-11
2019
706-322-8267 www.valleyrescuemission.org
Camp Juliette Low
Cloudland, Ga 30731 a private, non-profit summer camp for girls ages 7 to 17, accredited by the American Camp Association. CJL provides campers with fun and exciting ways to become more confident and competent, individually and in groups, through oneweek and two-week outdoor residential programs. Dates: June-July
Guide Camp Jam
Brenau University, Gainesville, Ga 30501 Why not spend a week of fun jammin’ out in their very own rock band, designing their own marketing packet, and participating in team building activities - all while learning from the best professional musicians in your area. That’s what Camp Jam Kidz is all about ‘ a bunch of kidz, having a good time while learning how to rock out! Day and overnight camps. Dates: June 23-28 1-800-513-0930 www.campjam.com
Camp Joy
2903 Second Avenue, Columbus, Ga 31094 For most of the kids, the week at Camp JOY is
706-862-2169 www.cjl.org
Camp Marannook
P.O. Box 581, LaFayette, Al 36862 From sunrise to after sunset, every camp day is packed with fun. Campers will swim, shoot archery, make crafts, eat s’mores around the campfire, and play games on the game field. They explore a huge maze, ride the cable car and crazy swing and are challenged by various rope and climbing activities. And there is a one-of-a-kind Bible Time with skits and drama. Dates: June 2-July 26 Ages:1st-9th Grade 334-864-7504 www.marannook.org
Camp Victory
363 Victory Circle, Samson, al 36477 Activities include Bible Classes, Singing, Missionary Presentations, Volleyball, Riflery, Horseback Riding, Ping-Pong, Swimming Pool, Tetherball, Good Food, Archery, Mini Golf, Canoeing, Basketball, Foosball, Crafts, Carpet ball, Outdoor Education, Boating, Fishing, Tournaments, Low Ropes Challenge Course and Climbing Wall. Dates: June 4-July 28 Ages: 3rd-12th grade 334-898-7948 www.campvictoryal.org
Camp Winnataska
260 Winnataska Drive, Pell City, Al 35128 Offering a wide variety of quality programs for boys and girls. Dates: June 5-July 27 Ages: Age 6-15 205-6406741 www.winnataska.org
Camp Woodmont
381 Moonlight Drive, Cloudland, Ga 30731 Your summer camp experience provides cabin living, moderate summer daytime temperatures, cool evenings around the campfire, creative counselors, new friends, talent/skit nights, and a close familylike atmosphere. Dates:May 26-July 26 Ages:Age 6-14 423-472-6070 www.campwoodmont.com
McWane Science Center
200 19th Street North , Birmingham, Al 35203 Hands-on educational programming with themes. Camps are ½ day or full day. Dates: June -August Ages: Rising 1st-7th grade 205-714-8300 www.mcwane.org
Stringfellows
Huntingdon College, 1500 E Fairview Avenue, Montgomery, Al 36106 The Montgomery Symphony Orchestra and Huntingdon College offers a summer music camp
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Growing Room Auburn 334-501-2044 644 North Dean Road Auburn, AL 36830 Growing Room Opelika 334-748-9020 1755 Thomason Drive Opelika, AL 36801
Build it! Grow it! Know it! ...The Growing RoomWay!
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to serve as a preparatory program for students of violin, viola, cello and bass, this six-day residential music camp will focus on building the musical skills necessary for success on one’s instrument. Ages: Rising 7th-9th grade 334-240-4004 montgomerysymphony@gmail.com www.montgomerysymphony.org
Valley View Equestrian Camp for Girls
606 Valley View Ranch Road, Cloudland, Ga 30731 Valley View Ranch has been to help each rancher have the full opportunity of horsemanship, all atop beautiful Lookout Mountain. Dates: June 2-July 27 Ages: Age 8-17 706-862-2231 info@valleyviewranch.com www.valleyviewranch.com
Sports Camps Auburn Parks and Recreation ad on page 15, 35
425 Perry Street, Auburn, Al 36830 Summer Tennis Camps: Campers will learn ground strokes, volleys, the serve, and how to put it all together to play a match and keep score. Campers will have free time from 11:30am-12pm MondayWednesday (Thursday’ free time is the pizza party.) Free time will consist of the option to play hand ball, soccer, or fun tennis games. Campers will need to bring sunscreen and wear proper clothing and shoes. Water will be provided along with a snack. Ages/Level: 6-18 Beginners-Intermediates Camp I: 5/27-5/30, Camp II: 7/29-8/1, Time: 9am-12pm Dates: June-July Ages: Ages 6-18 334-332-1680 kshannon@auburnalabama.org w ww.auburnalabama.org/parks
Grand National Junior Golf Camps ad on page 27
3000 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika, Al 36801 Take your swing to the next level! Grand National is offering golf clinics this summer for junior golfers, ages 7-17, taught by PGA Certified pros. $100 per session; 8:30-11:30 a.m. Lunch and a free Par 3 round are included each day. Dates: June 10-13, June 24-27, July 15-18 Ages: Ages 7-17 334-749-9042 www.rtjgolf.com
Hunters Ridge Farm ad on page 7
8182 Wire Road, Auburn, Al 36832 Learn Basic horse care, Learn how to ride, Participate in horse-related and non-horse-related games and activities. Dates: June 3-7, June 10-14 and July 15-19 Ages: Ages 5-13 334-728-1004 www.huntersridgefarm.net/camps
SportsPlex Kids Triathlon & Small Fry Tri ad on page 17
1001 Andrews Road, Opelika, Al 36801 5-year-olds may participate in the Kids Tri or the Small Fry Tri. In order for a 5 year old to compete in the Kid’s Triathlon they will need to do a paper registration. All participants will wear tri tags. Race Krewe will be doing timing for the event. Awards will be given to the top 3 finishers, male and female, in each age group. Each participant will receive a t-shirt and medal. Ages 6-8: Swim 50 yards, Bike 1.5 miles, Run 500 yards Ages 9-11: Swim 100 yards, Bike 3 miles, Run 1 mile Ages 12-15: Swim 150 yards, Bike 6 miles, Run 2 miles. Dates: August 3 Ages: Age 6-15 Kids; 5 years Small Fry
2019
sportsplextriforkids@gmail.com www.sportsplextriforkids.com/
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Dates: Summer TBA Ages: Preschool thu adult 334-737-5617 wctauburn@gmail.com www.martialartsauburn.com
H & G Horse Quarters
Auburn Academy of Martial Arts
Premier Spirit Academy
323 Airport Road, Suite J, Auburn, Al 36830 Offering a complete system of martial arts Dates: June-July Ages: Ages Preschool and up 334-502-7221 www.auburnacademy.com
Auburn Fencing
Guide
229 South 8th Street, Opelika, Al 36801 Camps are for beginner and intermediate level fencers. Dates: June 3-7 / July 1-5 Ages: Ages 8-15 334-203-1989 administration@auburnfencing.com www.auburnfencing.com
World Championship Taekwondo
Auburn Mixed Martial Arts
ad on page 39
2701 Fredrick Road, Suite 308, Opelika, Al 36801 Combining traditional and modern teaching techniques and principles to fit all ages and all physical levels - we focus on character development in young children, teens, and adults. At World Champion Taekwondo we use Martial arts as a tool to teach students discipline and respect for themselves, parents, friends and others around them. The uniqueness of Martial Arts is that it’s an individual sport, where a student is judged solely on their own performance and not compared to others in class.
2515 East Glenn Avenue, 205, Auburn, Al 36830 Combination of martial arts instruction, life skills, self defense skills, team work, fitness and lots of fun. Dates: June-July Ages: Preschool-adults 334-887-0818 info@auburnmma.com www.auburnmma.com
943 Lee Road 57, Auburn, Al 36830 Ride, make new friends and enjoy horses! Dates: Spring Break, May-Aug 334-887-0026 www.hghorsequarters.com
923 Stage Road, Auburn, Al 36830 Call about Summer Camps. Ages:Ages Preschool and up
334-821-7300 www.premierspiritacademy.com
Sports Academy
3716 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika, Al 36801 Baseball and Softball Skills Clinic Ages: All baseball and softball players of any skill level, ages 7-12 334-749-4040 or 334-559-4575 www.sportsacademyauburn.com
Will Blackman Plains Junior Golf
1958 Fairway Drive, Auburn, Al 36830 Offering girls, boys and co-ed golf camps Dates: June-July Ages: Preschool and up
334-821-6533 golfhouse.mooresmill@gmail.com
WinShape Camps for Communities
Cornerstone Church @ Lee Scott Academy, 1601 Academy Drive, Auburn, Al 36830 Adventure where we combine sports, recreation, arts, Bible study and worship into one incredible week. own community! Dates: June 24-28 Ages: completed grades 1 through 9 334-887-1152 jill@cornerstonebuzz.org www.cornerstonebuzz.org/winshape
Xtreme Athletics
Auburn Thunder
Auburn, Al 36830 Elite soccer club for boys and girls. Ages: Ages 9-18 www.auburnthundersoccer.com
3732 Pepperell Parkway, Opelika, Al 36801 Our focus is to develop happy, healthy, responsible and respectful kids through gymnastics and cheer. Dates: June-July Ages: Ages Preschool and up 334-759-7030 www.xtremeathleticsauburn.com AOP
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Dr. Keri Miller Most major insurance accepted including BCBS and Southland. 742 N. Dean Road, Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 321-0780 www.gatorgrins.com
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A Page in a Book A Sense of Belonging A child’s first sense of belonging emerges within their family, an inborn connection. As they grow, they develop social skills and begin to find commonalities with their peers. They may find themselves happily embedded in a group of fellow dinosaur fanatics, or in complete synch with basketball teammates. Belonging can emerge quickly through shared interests or evolve slowly as children discover connection with others. As social creatures, a sense of belonging in family, among friends, and within community offers strong emotional benefits. The following titles follow journeys from solo experience toward the best sense of belonging.
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Kitten and The Night Watchman
by John Sullivan, Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo (Simon & Schuster) Leaving the embrace of his family as the sun sets, a night watchman heads to his job when the evening comes. As the only person patrolling a vast construction work site, he moves among the buildings and equipment alone, his flashlight casting shadows that bring a bit of life to the darkness. But when a small figure emerges to join him on his rounds, his journey becomes a little less solitary. As the sun starts to pink the morning sky, the two sentinels who started their journey solo find their paths merging toward a common destination. A quiet balance between solitude and companionship, Kitten and the Night Watchman navigates the full circle from leavetaking to homecoming.
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Am I Yours?
by Alex Latimer (Peachtree Atlanta) After a gusty wind pushes a big spotted egg off its nest and sends it tumbling across a prehistoric landscape, a voice from inside the shell begins a rolling inquiry to find out where it belongs. “Excuse me, please, but am I yours? I’m sure I am a dinosaur’s” is the egg’s opening query as he encounters potential parents. A procession of dinosaurs query the egg’s occupant about its characteristics (as they can’t see inside) hoping to discover its nest home. As spikes, horns, long necks, and crests are eliminated from the egg’s self-image, a picture of exactly where the egg fits begins to emerge. Moving from generalities to specifics, Am I Yours? is an adorable rhyming Q & A that leads a little one back to the home where they belong.
Found
by Jeff Newman and Larry Day (Simon & Schuster) While a thunderstorm pours rain through the city streets, a young girl spots a puppy alone among the puddles. Bringing him in from the weather, she slowly assembles the things that might help him recover and feel at home. She has some dog food, a small bed, and a leash on hand. The observant reader of this carefully illustrated wordless title will begin to discern that the girl has recently lost a dog of her own. The relationship between the girl and pup is hesitant and careful. Should this dog belong to her? Should she give up on the search for her lost companion? Crafted with care, Found is a surprisingly tender exploration of how we navigate loss and find the connections that bring us back where we belong.
Find more reading recommendations at www.PageBookMedia.com.
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FamilyCalendar
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Tuesday, February 26
Saturday, March 2
Monthly Market Fourth Tuesday of each month, visit the Harris Center from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. to find the best produce, jams, jellies and bounty of Lee County! FREE and open to the public. wmorris@ auburnalabama.org.
Sensory Friendly Saturdays Children’s Museum of Atlanta. The Museum will open at 9 AM for families with children on the autism spectrum or children with sensory processing disorders. Advanced ticket purchase is required. www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org.
Thursday, February 28
Mardi Gras Parade Downtown Auburn. 5 PM. Krewe De Tigris presents a Mardi Gras Parade in downtown Auburn! The streets will close at 4 PM and the parade begins at 5 PM! Don’t miss the this entertainment district event! www.krewedetigris.com.
CDH Foundation’s Inaugural Women’s Speaker Event: An Evening with Miss Pearl The Greystone Mansion. 6-9 PM. Join us for an evening of shopping, cocktails and southern inspiration from Auburn Alumnus, Colleen Lipsey Sprayberry or “Miss Pearl”! Tickets are $75/ person and that includes dinner, signature cocktail, shopping, and our speaker! www.weblink. donorperfect.com/2019misspearl
Auburn Chili Cook-Off
Ag Heritage Park. The 2019 Auburn Chili Cook-Off benefiting Storybook Farm, 10:30 AM until 3 PM at the Pavilion at Ag Heritage Park (Big Red Barn) in Auburn. www.facebook.com/ auburnchilicookoff.
Friday, March 1 54th Anniversary Bridge Crossing Jubilee Selma. This weekend is a commemoration of the anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” and the Selma to Montgomery March. Activities include a pageant, a dance, women and youth conferences, a parade, festival, interfaith service and National Voting Rights Hall of Fame induction. www.selmajubilee.com. Ceramic Lunch and Learn: Film Fridays! Dean Road Rec Center. Bring a brown bag lunch and join the Dean Road Ceramics Studio for Lunch and Learn Film Friday! On the first Friday of March, April and May, potters, ceramic artists and clay enthusiasts are invited to visit the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center to preview instructional films from Ceramic Arts Daily. Each month will feature a new video that will cover a variety of ceramic topics. FREE and open to the public and complimentary beverages will be provided. (334) 501-2944 • ccleckler@auburnalabama.org. 2019 Boots and Bowties Ag Heritage Park, Auburn. A night of fun, food and music with friends is a western style gala to benefit The Learning Tree and the Little H.A.P.I.E. Tree Preschool. The event will be held at Ag Heritage Park Pavilion in Auburn, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with dinner from the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center live entertainment, a silent auction, and door prizes. Contact Stephanie Weldon at (334) 415-9372 or sweldon@learning-tree.org. Cottontails Village Arts, Crafts and Gifts Show Birmingham. Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex--Exhibitors selling original art, hand crafted soaps, jewelry, handmade garden decor and more. Admission charged. Fri., 10 AM - 8 PM; Sat., 10 AM - 7 PM, Sun., Noon-5 PM. christmasvillagefestival.com/ cottontails.html. Dawg Pound Classic Soccer Tournament Opelika SportsPlex. Twenty teams are participating in this varsity and junior varsity soccer tournament. www.opelikasportsplex.com VEX Robotics Competition Auburn High School. Auburn University will be hosting the Alabama VEX VRC and IQ Robotics State Championship this year the first weekend in March. In order to qualify for the Alabama VEX State Championship a team must win an Excellence Award, a tournament champion award, or a design Award just to name a few at a local tournament to qualify. www.robotevents.com/robot-competitions
Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
Need To Breathe: Acoustic Live Tour Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. 7 PM. GRAMMY-nominated rock band hailing from South Carolina. Their most recent album H A R D L O V E released in 2016. www.mpaconline.com. Wind Creek Bass Trail Fishing Tournament Alexander City. Get Hooked with the first stop of the Wind Creek Bass Trail 2019 Tournament Series. For details, visit www.alabamabasstrail.org. Studio Kids Art Club The Art Studio. 10 AM - 12 noon. Studio Kids is a Saturday art club that gives children an opportunity to engage in art exploration. Parents enjoy dropping their artist off during Studio Kids to run a few errands, take a break at the coffee shop, or stay at the Studio watching their artist at work. www. facebook.com/theartstudioauburnal IDA-AL Dyslexia Dash of East Alabama Ogletree Village. 8 AM. The Alabama Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA-AL) uses the funds from the Dyslexia Dash to help support those with dyslexia and dyslexic characteristic by promoting activities that involve dyslexia awareness, dyslexia resources, and professional development. www.al.dyslexiada.org. Zoo Serve Day 2019 Montgomery Zoo. 9 AM - 4:30 PM. We are looking for energetic individuals who want to volunteer in a beautiful and fun place. Volunteer commitment has allowed our Zoo to improve, expand programs, generate community involvement and support, and assist Zoo staff in daily Zoo operations. www.montgomeryzoo.com. Home Depot Kids Workshop: Clock Tray First Saturday of every Month 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon. FREE hands-on workshops designed for children ages 5 – 12. All children get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. www.homedepot.com Mardi Gras Parade and Gala Talladega. www.talladegaritz.com. ”Alabama’s largest Mardi Gras party north of Mobile” begins with a parade that morning and dinner, a great band, and silent and live auctions that night. Parade: Streets of Historic Talladega. Gala: Motorsports Hall of Fame SPEED Channel Dome.
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Cottontails Village Arts, Crafts and Gifts Show See March 1 for details. Dawg Pound Classic Soccer Tournament See March 1 for details. VEX Robotics Competition See March 1 for details.
Sunday, March 3 Alabama Transition Conference The Auburn Transition Leadership Institute (“the Institute” or “ATLI”) devotes and engages all its resources towards the improvement of transition practices, programs, and policies that help individuals with disabilities establish and delineate their individual paths leading to fulfillment of their own goals. Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel & Conference Center. 844-5927.
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Cottontails Village Arts, Crafts and Gifts Show See March 1 for details.
Monday, March 4 Alabama Transition Conference See March 3 for details.
Tuesday, March 5 Color for a Cause Auburn Mall. 5-7 PM. Participating organizations are provided a mural to color. Judges will select the most creative mural to win a donation. The murals will then be uploaded to Color for a Cause website for voting. The winner will be displayed in the mall. Throughout the evening, shoppers can participate by showing a receipt to earn a point for a participating organization. Color for a Cause donates $1 for each point earned, and the organization with the most points receives an additional donation. www. wecolorforacause.com. Alabama Transition Conference See March 3 for details.
Thursday, March 7 Hike It Baby Host Hike Kreher Preserve & Nature Center. Focused on children from birth through preschool! Join our guides for an educational adventure as you and your children take in the many sights and sounds of the Preserve. First Thursday of each month from 3:30 – 4:30 PM. Groups meet at the pavilion. Email preserve@auburn.edu, or call 334-707-6512.
Friday, March 8 Cliff Eberhardt in Concert w/ Special Guest Louise Mosrie A pair of Sundilla favorites. Showtime at the AUUF is 7:30. Admission at the door will be $20, but advance tickets are just $15 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, World Cup Coffee, and online at www.sundillamusic.com. Free coffee, tea and water will be available, and attendees are invited to bring whatever food or beverage they prefer. www. sundillamusic.com.
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Saturday, March 9 Saturday at Pioneer Park Loachapoka. On the second Saturday of every month, a group of history re-enactors gather at the LCHS Museum in period attire to demonstrate their arts and crafts. www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org. Second Saturday at Columbus Museum 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Free Admission. Drop by the art cart with your children and grandchildren each month to explore various mediums of art, enjoy art related stories, and participate in gallery hunts at the Museum. Children of all ages are welcome and encouraged to participate. www.columbusmuseum.com.
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Zoo Weekend Montgomery Zoo. Festive environment with live entertainment, games, rides, bouncy houses, big slides, inflatables, pony and camel rides, petting zoo, karate demos, Montgomery Police K-9 presentation, live animal presentations, concessions and animals from around the world. www.montgomeryzoo.com
Holi Festival Birmingham Museum of Art. Join us for our ninth annual Holi festival, the Indian celebration of color. Enjoy classical Indian and Bollywood-style dancing, food from local Indian restaurants, henna artists, art making, and more! The day ends with a huge celebration where everyone heads outside to play Holi, which involves the traditional throwing of powdered colors. www.artsbma.org.
Sunday, March 10 Zoo Weekend See March 9 for details.
Monday, March 11
three days outside exploring our natural communities and discovering new adventures all around us. If cold weather is forecasted, a heated tent will be installed for campers. Snacks will be provided; children should bring their lunch and a refillable water bottle each day. Sessions are $120 (members), $150 (non-members) for all three days.www.auburn. edu/preserve. Spring Break Movies: “The Incredibles” and “The Incredibles 2” 10 AM and 2 PM. Auburn Library. libraryevents@ auburnalabama.org, or call (334) 501-3296. Recycled Teenagers Book Club Opelika Public Library. Monthly book club featuring lively discussion around books chosen by Opelika Library Director, Rosanna McGinnis. Books are Provided. FREE. 2:00 PM. vwhite@opelika-al.gov
Read Across the Preserve Join the KPNC staff and Auburn Public Library to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday. Enjoy stories being read every 20 minutes at our tree house in the Nature Playground, by the campfire near amphitheater, the deck at the waterfall, our bird area on Songbird Loop and at Azalea Place. Enjoy our Story Walk for our younger readers, where you walk the trails to find the next page in the story! Bring a book to place in our Little Free Library - the only one located in a tree house. Enjoy hot cocoa at the campfire. Kreher Preserve & Nature Center. Free Admission. 3:30 p.m. (334) 707-6512 • preserve@auburn.edu.
Tuesday, March 12
Spring Break Camp at Kreher Preserve and Nature Center 8 AM – 3 PM for 1st – 6th grades. Campers will join the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center naturalists for
Wednesday, March 13
Discovery Hikes & Nature Walks: Bird Nests Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, Auburn. 3:30 PM. preserve@auburn.edu Read Across the Preserve See March 11 for details. Spring Break Camp at Kreher Preserve and Nature Center See March 11 for details.
Read Across the Preserve See March 11 for details.
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FamilyCalendar Spring Break Camp at Kreher Preserve and Nature Center See March 11 for details.
Thursday, March 14 8th Annual Alabama River Chili Cookoff Join us on Historic Water Avenue in Downtown Selma, for a spectacular evening with some of the best home-cooked chili around! www. selmapilgrimage.com. 62nd Annual Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Buckin’ broncos, barrel racing and bull riding, the downtown rodeo parade, the Stick Horse Rodeo, the Western Festival and much more. www.slerodeo.com. Discovery Hikes & Nature Walks: Bird Nests Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, Auburn. 8:30 AM. preserve@auburn.edu Dan+ Shay The Tour with Morgan Evans Alabama Theatre, Birmingham. www.ticketmaster.com P!nk: Beautiful Trauma World Tour BJCC, Birmingham. www.tickemaster.com
Friday, March 15 Historic Selma Pilgrimage Spring Pilgrimage offers visitors a chance to experience hands-on history through guided tours of homes in many architectural styles including Antebellum and Victorian, four museums, an operating 1860s grist mill, historic church, art shows and more. www.facebook.com/SelmaPilgrimage. Boggin On the Plains: Bogcephus Bash Auburn. www.allmyrowdyfriendstribute.com
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and how it operates. Visit the store and purchase home made honey butter, hand made crafts as well as Mill tee shirts. After your ride and tour of the mill, check out the 5+ miles of walking trails, canoeing and camping areas! Visit our Facebook page and make plans. Frostbite Open Opelika SportsPlex. 8 AM - 9 PM. The 5th Frostbite Open Disc Golf Tournament, hosted by the Opelika Auburn Disc Golf Club, at Tumble Tree Disc Golf Trail at the Opelika Sportsplex. www.discgolfscene.com/ tournaments/Frostbite_open_2019 CSO: Bartok & Prokofiev RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. This concert features the last compositions of two of the greatest composers of the 20th century. Bartok’s beautiful third piano concerto and Prokofiev’s touching final symphony. www.rivercenter.org. River Region Comic Con Cramton Bowl Multiplex, Montgomery. An annual celebration of Comic, Geek, and Pop Culture. We have special guests, gaming, tournaments, and encourage cosplay. riverregioncomiccon.com/
River Region Comic Con See March 16 for details.
Kori Bustard Day Atlanta Zoo. Join us for an activity-packed day devoted to some of the Zoo’s coolest birds: kori bustards! Zoo Atlanta contributes to kori bustard conservation by participating in the Kori Bustard Species Survival Plan® (SSP) and by educating our guests on the factors creating challenges for this species in the wild. www.zooatlanta.org
Monday, March 18
Thursday, March 21
Fishers of Men Fishing Tournament Alexander City. One of many fishing tournaments held at Wind Creek State Park. Call 256-329-0845 or visit www.alapark.com/wind-creek-state-park for more information.
Dancing Community: Cultivating Our Roots Telfair Peet Theatre, Auburn University. Come join us for our annual dance concert, bringing together a variety of pieces from tap to aerial silks to highlight the lush, diverse lives of those who inhabit this state. www.cla.auburn.edu/theatre/productions. Human Rights New Works Festival RMTC will host a two-day festival of powerful work that will inspire, engage, and transform audiences. With panel discussions, dramatic readings of new works, lectures from prominent advocates, and even a workshop-version of a curated piece, RMTC will lead our city in a human rights’ experience unlike any other. www.rmtchumanrights.org World Puppet Day: Make-A-Puppet Workshop Auburn Public Library. 3:30 - 4:30 PM. The library will provide the supplies and you supply the imagination!
Friday, March 22 Sugarcane Jane This husband-wife duo of Anthony and Savana
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W.E. Winters ‘These Colors Don’t Run’ 5K www.auburnrunning.org.
Boggin On the Plains: Bogcephus Bash See March 15 for details.
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Human Rights New Works Festival See March 21 for details.
Boggin On the Plains: Bogcephus Bash See March 15 for details.
Historic Selma Pilgrimage See March 15 for details.
Saturday, March 16
Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
Dancing Community: Cultivating Our Roots See March 21 for details.
Sunday, March 17
62nd Annual Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo See March 14 for details.
Spring Break Camp, March 18 - 22 Opelika Parks. Structured fun games and activities during your break from school. Fee: $50/resident, $55/non; 8 AM - noon. PLipscomb@opelika-al.gov
Restoration Ride 2019 Childersburg. Restoration Ride is a non-competitive cycling event, being held in order to raise money for the restoration and daily operation of the Kymulga Grist Mill and Park in Talladega County, built in 1864. Currently, visitors can enter the mill and see where mill was ground and packaged, view the equipment and hear mill volunteers provide a history of the mill
The Auburn Public Library Puppet Troupe Show full of laughs, wonder, and puppets sure to delight every one of all ages! Each show will feature TWO performances for your entertainment. 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Bark in the Park: Celebration Responsible Dog Ownership Kiesel Park, Auburn. This FREE community event is open to all dog owners and their favorite four-legged friends. Visit a variety of educational booths, shop with local pet vendors and enjoy door prizes and dog-friendly activities all morning. Rescue dogs will be available for adoption! www.auburnalabama. org/parks
62nd Annual Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo See March 14 for details.
Super Saturdays LaGrange Art Museum. Drop in anytime from 1:00 – 4:00 PM every third Saturday of the month. Join us for a tour of the current exhibit and then explore your creative side with an activity in the Center for Creative Learning classrooms. Spend the afternoon or just drop in and experience the arts at a comfortable pace for you and your family. www. lagrangeartmuseum.org
Crawford, will make their Sundilla debut. Showtime at the AUUf is 7:30. Advance tickets are $15 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, World Cup Coffee, and online at sundillamusic.com; admission at the door will be $20. We’ll have free coffee, tea, water and food, and attendees are always welcome to bring whatever food or beverage they prefer. www. sundillamusic.com.
Dancing Community: Cultivating Our Roots See March 21 for details. Human Rights New Works Festival See March 21 for details.
Sunday, March 24 Dancing Community: Cultivating Our Roots See March 21 for details. Human Rights New Works Festival See March 21 for details.
Monday, March 25 Sensigreen CDH Foundation 2nd Annual Golf Classic and Silent Auction 9 AM - 2 PM. www.sensigreencdh.org
Tuesday, March 26 Monthly Market Fourth Tuesday of each month, visit the Harris Center from 4:30 – 6:30 PM to find the best produce, jams, jellies and bounty of Lee County! FREE and open to the public. wmorris@auburnalabama.org.
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FamilyCalendar Hands On Nutrition Harris Center, Auburn. Join Active Auburn as we learn about the importance of nutrition and where our food comes from during our celebration of National Nutrition Month - Hands on Nutrition! Beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Harris Center (425 Perry Street), we will watch the movie “Ingredients” (2009), the story of bringing good food back to the American diet. After the film, we will be joined by Hornsby Farms for a canning workshop! This event is free and open to the public. activeauburn@ auburnalabama.org.
Wednesday, March 27 Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! Columbus Civic Center. Jump to the beat with your friends of Sesame Street! Join the fun with an interactive show that unfolds on the worlds most famous streets at the funniest, furriest party in the neighborhood. www.civiccenter.columbusga.gov/
Friday, March 29 Mother/Son Date Night Frank Brown Recreation Center. 7:00-9:00 PM. www.auburnalabama.org
Commodores Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. www.ticketmaster.com Sips Under the Sea Georgia Aquarium. Join us as we hit rewind, relive the ’70s and enjoy the decade’s top hits, drinks and food. Don’t forget to wear your 70s inspired outfit. Designed for adults ages 21 and over to enjoy Georgia Aquarium after hours. Enjoy cocktails at five full-service bars, tapas provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering, a live DJ and access to all six of the Aquarium’s galleries. www.georgiaaquarium.org
Saturday, March 30 ACT Test Prep Opelika Public Library. 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Free test prep class covers content-specific strategies, pacing and time management skills, test-taking strategies, and tips for the most frequently tested question types. There will also be a full-length practice test. Pizza lunch provided. Space is limited. Registration begins at 8:00 AM. www.opelika-al.gov/ Eggs On The Plains Watson’s Backyard Living, Auburn. “Eggs on the Plains” will provide samplings of delicious foods cooked on the Big Green Egg. Ogletree Village Shopping Center. www.eggsontheplains.com. Race for the Raptors 5K Town Creek Park. www.auburnrunning.org 5th Saturday Sale in Downtown Opelika 10 AM.
Young Eagles Day Columbus Airport, 3250 W. Britt David Road, Columbus, Ga. 8:30-11:30 AM (weather permitting). All kids ages 8-17 are invited to take a free airplane ride over Columbus! Most flights last 20 minutes. The goal is to provide a fun and educational aviation experience. 706-324-2453.
April April 2: Norwegian Trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth Brass Ensemble Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. 7:309:30 PM. Following her 2013 BBC Proms debut performance of Matthias Pintscher’s Chute d’étoiles with the BBC Scottish Symphony, Norwegian trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth has rapidly established herself as one of the foremost trumpet soloists of our time, garnering critical acclaim for her soulful, lyrical sound and collaborative approach to music-making. www.eastalabamaarts.org. April 4-7: American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course Opelika SportsPlex. Become a lifeguard by completing this course. Participants will learn how to perform CPR and First-Aid along with water rescue skills. Participants must be able to swim 300 yards continuously, tread water without the use of hands, and support themselves with added weight in the water. Fee: $225; Bobby Poer • bpoer@opelika-al.gov April 5: Glowga Party Boykin Community Center. 7-9 PM. Wear your best neon and come get your glow on with 90 minutes of relaxing, stretching and fun! Yoga instructors from Auburn, Opelika and the surrounding areas will take
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FamilyCalendar turns leading participants in various styles and levels of yoga poses with this yoga marathon. FREE to the public. www.facebook.com/activeauburn April 5 - 6: Empowered to Connect Conference First Baptist Church of Opelika is simulcasting the Empowered to Connect Conference to empower foster and adoptive parents in the foster/adoptive parent journey! We are planning to have an RSVP online but there will not be tickets sold for the event. NO Childcare! 9 AM - 5 PM daily. RSVP at www.127fostercare.com. Light refreshments served. April 5 - 7: 54th Annual Eufaula Pilgrimage Eufaula hosts Alabama’s oldest tour of homes and has more than 700 structures listed on the National Register. Each spring, the city of Eufaula opens its doors to share this historical wealth. Visitors can take guided tours of homes and sites and also enjoy an art show, concerts, a wax museum and much more. www.eufaulapilgrimage.com. April 6: Backpack International Family 5K Town Creek Park. 8 AM. The Backpack International Family 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run is a great way to promote health and wellness for the entire family while supporting a worthy cause. Participants may run or walk any of the races and are asked to bring a hygiene product, toy or school supply item for Backpack International’s annual summer mission trip to Guyana, South America. www.runsignup.com/ Race/Al/Auburn/Backpackinternationalfamily5K April 6: Fisheries Field Day E. W. Shell Fisheries Center. 334-844-4667. 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM. April 5 - 14: Spring Fling Columbus Civic Center. Free admission. Rides, concessions, games and more. www.civiccenter.columbusga.gov/ April 7 - 13: National Library Week Opelika Public Library. Stop by the library to celebrate with us all week long! We’ll have treats and giveaways. library@opelika-al.gov April 11 - 14: Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream Columbus Civic Center. www.civiccenter.columbusga.gov/ April 12 - 13: 2nd Annual Lutzie 5K Samford Hall, Auburn University. This 3.1-mile timed race will take you all over Auburn University’s beautiful campus as we celebrate the legacy of former Auburn football player Philip Lutzenkirchen and the impact he had on Auburn University, as well as the impact the University had on him. www.lutzie43.org. April 12 - 13: Adaptive PE Field Day Duck Samford, Auburn. www.lutzie43.org. April 13: Auburn Football A-Day 2019 Jordan-Hare Stadium. 3 PM. Lots of Auburn activities and football game. www.auburntigers. com. April 13: 19th Annual Old 280 Boogie Standard Deluxe, Waverly. The Annual “OLD 280” Boogie is renowned for it’s beautiful scenery and hospitable spring weather, which only adds to the Southern ambiance that sets the background for the fine bands and musicians that are featured during this one day gathering. The Boogie is also home to a row or two of select eclectic artisans, delicious food
Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
vendors and modern farmers that market their goods and wares. www.standarddeluxe.com. April 13: Flip For a Cure Trampoline Expo Denson Drive Rec. 10 AM. We’re moving the trampolines outside! Stop by and watch the OTT Team flip to fight against cancer. In the event of rain, the event will be moved inside the gym. www.opelikasportsplex.com. April 13: 22nd Annual LaFayette Day for Valley Haven LaFayette. Courthouse Square--Arts and crafts, antique cars, children’s games and rides, a motorcycle ride, live family entertainment, a variety of food available and much more. 8 AM - 3 PM CDT. 334-756-2868 or 334-219-1890. www. valleyhavenschool.org. April 13: Organic Gardening Workshop Kreher Preserve and Nature Center. Join us to learn organic gardening techniques. Organic gardening is gardening without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Meet at North Parking lot and walk to garden. Learn how to seed a log with mushroom spores. Help us plant the KPNC vegetable garden. Register on-line at www. auburn.edu/preserve. April 13: Coosa Fest 2019 Childersburg. A celebration of Childersburg’s birthday featuring grits for sale from the Kymulga Grist Mill, live music, arts and crafts, antique car show, 5K run and children’s activities at the Childersburg Kiwanis Park. 10 AM - 5 PM. www.childersburg.com. April 13: Saturday at Pioneer Park Loachapoka. On the second Saturday of every month, a group of history re-enactors gather at the LCHS Museum in period attire to demonstrate their arts and crafts. Blacksmiths are working at the forge, spinners and weavers are in the textile room, the gardeners are in the gardens, crafts and seasonal activities are scheduled, and someone is always cooking up a meal in the fireplace or outdoors. The Whistle Stop Pickers dulcimer group meets at the Museum at 1 PM. www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org April 13: Second Saturday at Columbus Museum See March 9 for details. April 16: Spring Treats Covington Rec Center. Learn easy spring treats and bring your own recipes to share! Fee: $15/resident, $17/non-resident. Ages 6-7. PLipscomb@opelika-al.gov April 18: Flashlight Egg Hunt Moore Stadium, Opelika. 7:30-9:00 PM. For students in 3rd-5th grade and is free to the public. www.opelikasportsplex.com. April 20: Auburn Azalea Festival 2019 Donald E. Davis Arboretum. 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Bright bursts of orange, yellow, red and pink flowers make up the Donald E. Davis Arboretum’s native azalea collection, which is one of the largest in the entire nation. Admission is free for the annual community celebration. The native plant sale will feature the Auburn Azalea series, food trucks, local artists and much more. The Auburn Azaleas are the product of three generations of dedication through breeding and trials. Each plant is grown from tissue culture to ensure accuracy. www.auburn.edu/cosam/arboretum
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April 20: Easter On the Square Opelika Courthouse Square. For 2nd graders and younger. 10 AM - noon. www.opelikasportsplex.com. April 20: 38th Annual Easter Egg Hunt Kiesel Park. 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Sponsored by Wells Fargo and Auburn Parks and Recreation will be hosted at beautiful Kiesel Park. Come join us for some great musical entertainment, free sodas and balloons, and a chance to meet and take pictures with the Easter Bunny! www.auburnalabama.org/ parks. April 20: Opelika Twirlers Kiddie Camp All participants will learn a baton routine based on their skill level and will perform at Garden in the Park at Opelika’s Municipal Park on Saturday, 5/4. Batons will be provided the day of the clinic, and can be ordered that day for $17. All participants must have their own baton for the performance. $25/resident, $28/non-resident ($5 discount for siblings. 9 AM noon. jaj0017@auburn.edu April 21: Don Your Costume & Save the Seas! Atlanta Aquarium. Learn how you can help protect marine life through interactive activities held in the atrium, including a recycling and compost prize wheel, pot decorating craft, The Home Depot kids workshop, a photo station and Superhero Academy! Kids 12 and under who come dressed as a superhero will receive FREE admission* with each paying adult from 9 AM - 4 PM. One FREE child age 12 and under in superhero costume with each paid adult or Member. www.georgiaaquarium.org April 22 - 23: Earth Day Safari Montgomery Zoo. Designed with elementary-aged school groups in mind. Students and teachers roam the zoo collecting valuable information using a fun and educational Earth Day Scavenger Hunt. As they answer questions, their passport is stamped at five different realm stations earning points to win a prize when completed. www.montgomeryzoo.com
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April 27: Auburn CityFest Kiesel Park. 9 AM - 4 PM. Auburn’s largest free outdoor festival with live music, arts & crafts and fine arts vendors, children’s activities, food, and more! www.auburncityfest.com.
Ongoing/Multiple Dates Kids Clothes Connection March 9 - 29. Opelika. For over 25 years, Kids Clothes Connection, has been a biannual children’s consignment sale. We offer gently used (and new) children’s & maternity clothing, accessories, toys, baby equipment/furniture, both ride-on and large outdoor toys, sports items/equipment, just about ANYTHING to do with kids! www. kidsclothesconnection.com. Market Days on Broadway Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. Columbus, 1000 & 1100 blocks of Broadway. 9:00 AM - noon. The Market features over 100 local vendors and local and organic farmers selling produce, along with soap vendors, home goods, jewelry vendors and baked goods. 706.596.0111. Visit the Market Days on Broadway Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MarketDaysOnBroadway/ Board Game Hangout Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25. Opelika Public Library. From Monopoly to Betrayal at the House on the Hill to Sushi Go, Monday is for board games. BYOB (that’s Bring Your Own Board game) or play one of ours. Board Game Hangout is geared towards ages 16 and up. 5:00-7:00 PM. www.opelika.al/gov
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Calendar Baby Time Feb. 26, Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26. Auburn Public Library. Babies and their favorite adults enjoy 20 minutes of stories, songs, bounces, and tickles during Baby Time. Stay afterwards to socialize and play! Ages birth-24 months. Tuesdays, 9:30-10:00 AM, 10:0010:30 AM or 1:00-1:30 PM. www.auburnalabama. org/library. Toddler Time Feb. 27, Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27. Auburn Public Library. Toddlers and their favorite adults enjoy 30 minutes of interactive stories, songs, movement rhymes, and a fun craft during Toddler Time. Stay afterwards to socialize and play! Ages 18 months-3 years. 9:3010:00 AM or 10:30-11:00 AM or 1:00-1:30 PM. www.auburnalabama.org/library. Mommy and Me Preschool Art Class Mar. 1, 8. Preschoolers are invited to come and explore a variety of art materials, experience new textures, improve fine motor skills and enjoy being creative in a group setting. Each lesson is process oriented and planned to expose the children to an element of art, new art material, and basic art skills. 10-11 AM. www.facebook.com/theartstudioauburnal Preschool Time Feb. 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28. Preschoolers and their favorite adults enjoy 30 minutes of interactive stories, songs, movement rhymes, and a fun craft during Preschool Time. Stay afterwards to socialize and play! 3 – 5 years. Wednesdays, 9:30-10:00 AM, 10:30-11:00 AM or 1:00-1:30 PM. www. auburnalabama.org/library. Story Time Feb. 25, Mar. 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29. Opelika Public Library. Join us for an interactive and engaging preschool program that is sure to delight and entertain. They won’t even know they are learning! Meets Mondays and Fridays. library@ opelika-al.gov. Saturday STEM Storytime Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. Auburn Public Library. Preschoolers - 2nd grade children and their caregivers are invited to join us for a storytime on Saturday mornings that is all about STEM. 10:0011:00 AM. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math This storytime will focus on these concepts in a fun, interactive, story-driven format Please note: Some activities may involve messy fun! (334) 501-3296. Brick Builders Club Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. Opelika Public Library. If you love creating with Lego bricks, then this is the place to be! Open to all ages, but geared towards schoolaged children, your creativity will take the spotlight as you build whatever you can imagine. Lego bricks provided. library@opelika-al.gov. Gamers Society Feb. 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28. Auburn Public Library. Thursdays, 4:00 – 5:00 PM. It’s Game On at the Auburn Public Library The Programming Room will be open for Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, and video games Gamers must bring their own materials The library will provide materials for video game play. Games must be rated E, E10, or T; no rated M games. Ages 10-18 years. www.auburnalabama.org/library.
Allen Orthodontics is pleased to be moving to Moores Mill in Spring 2019. is move will improve our patient experience by accommodating our expanding orthodontic services and technology, greatly increasing space for treatment and allowing easy parking and access to our office for all of our patients. Allen Orthodontics is thrilled to be joining a great mix of signature businesses that will be steps away from our new location.
Code Club Feb. 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28. Opelika Public Library. Code Club at the Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library is going to teach your kids how to make website, apps, and games in a fun environment. Bring your own laptop if you have one, but it is not required. Thursdays. Code Club, Jr. Feb. 27, Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27. Opelika Public Library. Code Club at the Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library is going to teach your kids how to make website, apps, and games in a fun environment. Wednesdays, 3:30 PM. library@opelika-al.gov Mixed Media and More! Feb. 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28. The Art Studio. 4-5 PM. Mix it up! Join the fun of experimenting with and combining painting, paper mache, fiber and more to create unique mixed media art projects. Students will utilize a variety of materials and learn
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new methods and techniques for creating art. www. facebook.com/theartstudioauburnal Crazy Clay and Silly Sculptures Feb. 26, Mar. 5. The Art Studio. 4-5 PM. Students will explore the world of 3D art through various artists and materials. Clay, wire, and found objects are just some of the things that students will use to create these fun sculptures. www.facebook.com/ theartstudioauburnal Studio Time Feb. 27, Mar. 6. The Art Studio. 3:30-5 PM. This creative-process based class will be the perfect fit for the artist who enjoys independence and implementing their own ideas within the supportive environment of the studio. Working with paint, printmaking, and more, students will be encouraged to use the materials in their own way after a brief mini-lesson, fostering plenty of creativity, choice, and expression. www.facebook.com/theartstudioauburnal
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FamilyCalendar Teen Draw: Animals Feb. 25, Mar. 4. The Art Studio. 5-6 PM. Take your drawing skills to the next level with our animal drawing class. This class will focus on the realistic drawing of animals, learning and building on charcoal techniques. Students will learn to use the elements and principles of design to create animals with various textures such as fur and feathers as well as different angles and compositions. Bring a sketchbook! www.facebook.com/theartstudioauburnal Imagination Lab Feb. 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21. 28. Opelika Public Library. The Imagination Lab is for young minds to explore and create. From magnetic circuits making sound to programming a small robot, the lab is waiting for BRAIN power to create a spark! Thursdays, 3:00-4:00 PM. library@opelika-al.gov Photo XX Juried Photography Exhibition Mar. 25 - April 30. Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. A competitive exhibition open to regional artists and photographers. www.auburnalabama.com. Celebrate Spring! March 22 - April 28. Visit the world’s largest azalea bowl then explore Callaway Resort & Gardens from every angle with special events and themed activities for visitors of all ages. Annual Plant Fair & Sale: March 22-24, Sip & Savor Spring: March 28-31. www.callawaygardens.com. Expressions of a BraveHeart Program A fine arts program for teens and young adults with special needs (ages 11–21), sponsored by Opelika Parks and Recreation, utilizing Auburn University faculty and students, as well as community volunteers. Two 30-minute sessions of art, dance/creative movement and music will be offered and participants will select 2 of the 3 classes. Expressions meets every 2nd and 4th Monday twice a month for 1.5 hours. Opelika Sportsplex, 334.705.5560. www.opelikasportsplex.com. Meditation Garden and Labyrinth Come and Find the Quiet Center... in the Meditation Garden and Labyrinth, provided as a community service by Village Christian Church, 700 East University Drive, (across from Auburn Early Ed.). 334-887-5111. Try the practice of walking meditation or simply sit and enjoy the sights and sounds. The garden and labyrinth are always open and guests are always welcome.
Performances Alabama Ballet presents “The Sleeping Beauty Mar. 8 - 10. Get swept away by the timeless tale of how the villainous Carabosse and the noble Lilac Fairy cast dueling spells over Princess Aurora, which can only be broken by her truelove’s first kiss. The Sleeping Beauty, choreographed by Marius Petipa, features spectacular sets, vibrant costumes and the beautiful score by Tchaikovsky. With the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. www.alabamaballet.org. “Beauty and the Beast” March 1 - 3. The Alabama Dance Theatre, will present the long-awaited full length production of “Beauty & the Beast” at Troy University’s Davis Theatre. Performances are Friday at 7:00 PM, Saturday at 2:30 PM and Sunday at 2:30 PM. www.alabamadancetheatre.com. “Chicago”, The Broadway Musical National Tour March 24. Oxford Performing Arts Center. Whether you’re looking for your first Broadway musical, whether you’ve seen the Academy Award®-winning film and want to experience the show live on stage or whether you’ve seen it before and want to recapture the magic, CHICAGO always delivers. www.oxfordpac.org. “Cinderella”, The Broadway Musical -
Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
National Tour April 4. Oxford Performing Arts Center. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jawdropping transformations and all the moments you love—the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more—plus some surprising new twists! www.oxfordpac.org “Come Home, It’s Suppertime” April 4 - 13. The characters in “Come Home” are composite characters - a little of one and a bit of another so they mix and blend to tell the story of the rural South during “Hard Times.” www.piddle.org. “Driving Miss Daisy” April 4 - 7 and 11 - 14. Springer Opera House. When Daisy Werthan, a widowed, 72-year-old Jewish woman living in midcentury Atlanta, is deemed too old to drive, her son hires Hoke Colburn, an African American man, to serve as her chauffeur. What begins as a troubled and hostile pairing, soon blossoms into a life-altering friendship that transcends all the societal boundaries placed between them. www.springeroperahouse.org “Evita” Mar. 8-10, 14-17, 22-24. Springer Opera House. Based on the historical story of Eva Duarte de Perón, a poor Argentinian girl who grows up to be the wife of the president of Argentina, worshipped by her people. This blockbuster musical shows both the righteous determination, and the ruthless power, of Argentina’s 20th century matriarch. www.springeroperahouse.org. “Jungle Book” Mar. 21 - 23. Lafayette Theatre Academy. www.lsparts.org. “Once Upon a Time” Mar. 15 - 17. Lafayette Theatre Company. www.lsparts.org. “Our Town” Feb. 21 - April 27. Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Recommended ages 11+; “Our Town” follows young lovers Emily and George and their neighbors through a life journey that delivers universal truths about what it means to be human. www.asf.net. “Romeo and Juliet” Feb. 28 - April 28. Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Recommended ages 12+; www.asf.net. “She Kills Monsters” Mar. 1 - 3 and 7 - 9. Columbus State University Theatre. A high-octane dramatic comedy populated with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and 90s pop culture. Call the box office at 706-507-8444 to get tickets or for questions. “Steel Magnolias” Mar. 21 -May 5. Alabama Shakespeare Festival. The hilarious and heartwarming story of six Southern women who gather and gossip at the local beauty parlor. With wit, warmth, and intelligence, they rise to meet whatever challenges life sends their way. www.asf.net. “Winnie-the-Pooh” Mar. 3 - May 5. Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Join Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and friends in this charming musical adaptation of A.A. Milne’s classic stories. www.asf.net.
Support & Parenting Groups A2Z Local Homeschooler’s Association For homeschooling families in the Auburn/Opelika Lee County area of Alabama. A2Z Loop is an allinclusive support group open to all homeschool families in the Auburn/Opelika area regardless of differences in beliefs, cultures, nationality, race, religion, or method of home schooling. For more
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information call 334-728-1162 or email: momofpnk@ gmail.com. Alabama Mentor’s Foster Parent Training Classes Offered in the Opelika Auburn area. Call 334-7058877 x 18 to register or email: Deanna.Hand@thementornetwork.com. Auburn UMC Children’s Day Out Program Every Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.–12 noon. $10 per child for the entire morning, $2 each additional child. Attendance will be on a first come-first served basis. Contact Barbara Dawsey at 826-8800 for more information. Auburn United Methodist Church. Auburn Mommies, a fun group of moms in the Auburn/Opelika area that meet weekly for playgroups and Mommy and Me walking twice a week. We also have a Mommies Night Out once a month. Http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ auburnmommiesinalabama/. Auburn Mommy and Me Big Dog Running Co, Auburn. 10–11 a.m. Social time, story time, music/movement, arts & crafts. Ages 9 months–3 years. Free! 334-209-2580. Auburn/Opelika MOPS & MOMSnext We meet the first and third Thursdays of the month at Trinity United Methodist Church in Opelika. We offer fellowship and fun for moms of kiddos from infancy through age 15. We offer play dates, moms nights out, and special events! For more information check us out on Facebook at Facebook.com/AuburnOpelikaMOPS or email us at auburnopelikamops@gmail.com. Bible Study Fellowship Held at Parkway Baptist Church, Thursdays at 10 a.m., (334) 546-1386. Bosom Buddies (a breast cancer support group) Meets at The Health Resource Center the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. (334) 528-1260. www.eamc.org. Breast Feeding class meets the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon on EAMC’s third floor. Call 528-1260 to register. Caregiver Support Group Caring for a family member or friends can be rewarding, but it’s not easy. Whether you are the caregiver for your parents, spouse or a dependent child, this group is for you! Learn ways to cope with every day stresses of caring for someone you love. Gain tools and resources to help you on your journey. This program is supported by the Opelika Sportsplex, Lee-Russell Agency on Aging and HomeInstead Senior Care. This group is open to the public. Meets the last Monday of each month at 12:30 p.m. at Opelika Sportsplex AAC. Instructors are: Valeri White (Sportsplex), Bridgette Sager (Home Instead Senior Care), Lisa Askew (Lee-Russell Council of Gov). Food Allergy Support of East Alabama The Food Allergy Support of East Alabama group offers support through the sharing of information and resources. We are also working to increase awareness of food allergies in the state of Alabama. For more information, visit our website at www. foodallergysupporteastal.org or call Barbara at 334826-3082; bkg2007@bellsouth.net. Grandparents and Non-Parent Relatives or Friends Raising Children Support Group For grandparents or any non-parent involved in raising younger children. Meetings first Monday of every month @ Auburn United Methodist Church Annex, Room D134, 6 - 7 p.m. Various speakers and
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Calendar lots of support from others in your same situation. Childcare is provided. Phone Lisa @ 334-421-7163 or Debra @ 334-332-9703. La Leche League, a support group for nursing moms, meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. @ Cornerstone Family Chiropractic, Airport Plaza, 323 Airport Road Suite E, Auburn. For more information call LLL of Auburn/Opelika, Leader, Josie Ettinger (h)334-257-3950 or (c)334-740-8780. Lee County Department of Human Resources Now recruiting foster/adoptive families. To learn more about fostering and adoption please call our office at 334-737-1100. Please join us in this endeavor to help our foster children. Lee County Parents of Chinese Children helps children understand, see and grow up with other families that look like their family (white parents/ Asian child). The group is 100% free! We try to eat out at Asian establishments monthly and have playdates. Families that are waiting to adopt are welcome! We accept any families with adopted children from all Asian countries. Contact Melody at mmhilyer@bellsouth.net for more information. Miracle League To volunteer or for more information, www. miraclefield.org or eamiracleleague@gmail.com. MOMS Club of Auburn, a group of stay-at-home moms that meets about twice a week to provide support for each other and fun interaction for kids. New website is www.auburnmoms.com.
PHYSICIANS TO CHILDREN
welcomes
MOPS of Auburn We meet the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at Auburn United Methodist Church from 9:30 - 11:30. Childcare is provided, although we ask that you make reservations if possible. Meetings are open to mothers with children ages 5 and under. www. facebook.com/mopsofauburn mopsofauburn@gmail. com.
DR. MALISSA HOY Now accepting new patients ages newborn to 18 years
Opelika-Auburn Newcomers Club A club for new women in town which offers fun social activities, meets for lunch on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Call Joan at 501-4974.
P H YS ICIA N S TO C H IL D R E N Taylor Medical Complex 470 Taylor Rd, Suite 210 Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 293-5033
Parent Educational Workshop - Autism Lee County Autism Resource and Advocacy. 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 800 2nd Avenue, Opelika. Parent Support Group - Autism Lee County Autism Resource and Advocacy meets the 1st Monday (unless national holiday), 9:00-11:00 a.m. and the next evening (Tuesday) from 6-7:30 p.m. Visit www.leecountyautism.com for complete information. Email info@leecountyautism.com or call 334-740-0716. Single Moms Outreach of East Alabama Single Moms Outreach of East Alabama offers 2nd Saturdays, group classes, and more. Contact Penny Messer at 334-444-6827. Email smoea@bellsouth. net. Website www.smoea.vpweb.com or find us on facebook. Teen Moms (for moms under 20) is a ministry that connects trained adults with pregnant girls and teenage moms. Support meetings, classes, job preparation, devotions and games. Call Laura Fuller at laura@insideyfc.com or 334-501-5637. www.insideyfc.com. Therapeutic Foster Care Program Foster a Child’s Future Today - Become a Therapeutic Foster Parent! Certification classes are free. Please
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P H YS I C I A N S TO C H I L D R E N C h i l d re n s A L . o rg / p hys i c i a n s - t o - c h i l d re n
call Ms. Shanquetta France at Lee County Youth Development Center’s Therapeutic Foster Care Program. (334) 749-2296, Ext. 1812 - You can make an eternal difference in a child’s life! Trinity UMC (Opelika) Mom’s Morning Out Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:45–12. $15 per child, $5 each additional. Trinity United Methodist Church.
Sports Auburn University Men’s Basketball Mar. 2, 9, 17, 24, 28 Auburn University Baseball Mar. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 Auburn University Softball Mar. 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 27, 29, 30, 31 Auburn University Swim & Dive Mar. 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13
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Auburn University Tennis Mar. 1, 8, 10, 16, 22 Auburn University Equestrian Mar. 8 Auburn University Golf Mar. 23, 24, 25 Auburn University Gymnastics Mar. 15 Auburn University Soccer Mar. 30
Please send your calendar events to Kendra@ auburnopelikaparents.com! www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents
The Lego Movie 2
Isn’t It Romantic?
MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B Violence: C+ Sexual Content: A Profanity: AAlcohol / Drug Use: A Everything isn’t awesome anymore. Lego Duplo invaders have been attacking the Lego world for five years, destroying all attempts at rebuilding. Giving up in despair, the citizens finally stop trying, harden themselves, and rename their community Apocalypseburg. But for Emmet Brickowski (voiced by Chris Pratt), awesomeness is a state of mind. Emmet remains relentlessly upbeat, focusing on the good things in life like his friend Lucy (voiced by Elizabeth Banks) and his brand new house. Even when he tries to assume a brooding attitude, his cheerfulness keeps breaking through. Until the aliens return. This time their ship destroys Emmet’s home and seizes Lucy and some other friends – and it’s partly Emmet’s fault. Torn apart by grief and guilt, Emmet builds a spaceship and launches himself into outer space, determined to turn himself into the kind of strong, tough guy who is capable of rescuing his friends. And then he meets Rex Dangervest, who is the kind of guy Emmet wants to be. “You need to be a master breaker”, Rex tells the master builder and encourages him to tap into his dark feelings to make that transformation. Can Emmet change? Should he? Parents will be happy to have their youngsters exposed to messages about having a positive attitude, remaining hopeful in hard times, working together, being open to different perspectives, and – here’s the motherlode – getting along with siblings. Best of all, this production delivers all of these uplifting messages without profanity, vulgar jokes or potty humor. There is a fair bit of Lego violence but none of it is scary and, obviously, it isn’t gory either.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: BViolence: B Sexual Content: BProfanity: CAlcohol / Drug Use: CNatalie (Rebel Wilson) hates romantic comedies. She complains to her friends, Josh (Adam Devine) and Whitney (Betty Gilpin) about the clichés found in the genre – the gay best friend who doesn’t have a job, the female office nemesis, the iconic stopping-the-wedding scene. Natalie looks at her life - small apartment, lonely social calendar, and a job where she is overlooked and undervalued – and decrees that rom-coms are deceptive fantasies. Then everything changes. Natalie is concussed after a subway mugging and wakes up in a different world. Her apartment is large and full of shoes, her terse neighbor, Donny (Brandon Scott Jones) has morphed into her gay sidekick, Whitney is trying to destroy her career, and she is being determinedly pursued by handsome billionaire Blake (Liam Hemsworth). The only thing that feels familiar is Josh – until he has a meet-cute with swimsuit model Isabella. Panicking in this unfamiliar universe, Natalie frantically tries to figure out how to get back to her own reality. Isn’t It Romantic? covers familiar ground but it does so with a pronounced wink to the audience. The song and dance numbers, the overthe-top dinner dates, the kiss in the rain – all the quintessential rom-com elements are here but are presented tongue in cheek. What viewers are likely to complain about is the production’s excessive use of profanity. A feel good movie like this doesn’t need the almost four dozen curses, terms of deity and crude words. And it doesn’t need the vulgar sexual innuendo. These negative content issues are particularly disappointing because they spoil a film that is otherwise a great product for teens.
Alita: Battle Angel
Happy Death Day 2U
MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: BViolence: C Sexual Content: A Profanity: C+ Alcohol / Drug Use: AWhen Dr. Ido (Christoph Waltz) discovers a robotic head with an intact brain in the scrap pile below the flying city of Zalem, he takes it home and brings it to life. When she awakes, she remembers nothing, and asks Dr. Ido for a name: he calls her “Alita” (Rosa Salazar). Though she learns quickly and adapts well to her new life, Ido is worried about her headstrong nature and tendency to find trouble. However, when Alita helps him track down a fugitive killer, they both realize that there may be something bigger going on in Iron Town. With the help of her friend, junk dealer Hugo (Keean Johnson), Alita and Ido prepare to take on the biggest players in the criminal world. Alita: Battle Angel feels kind of like a mashup between Mortal Engines and Robocop: It adopts the sprawling dystopian future from the former and replaces its steampunk aspects with the cyberpunk and cybernetic ideas from the latter. It’s not a terrible combination, and the world-building in the movie is one of its strongest points. That said, Alita:Battle Angel isn’t without its own problems. Foremost among these, the pacing is very strange. For the first twothirds of the movie, things move along at a consistent pace, with a sense of an impending dramatic climax. By the middle of the third act, however, it becomes abundantly clear that the film is going somewhere else altogether. Moviegoers may or may not object to these technical problems, but they will be relieved with the minimal content issues in this film. Despite its “C” grade for violence, Alita: Battle Angel is surprisingly not gory. It’s a fun movie for older kids and teens.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: C+ Violence: D Sexual Content: B+ Profanity: CAlcohol / Drug Use: A Jessica Rothe reprises her role as Theresa “Tree” Gelbman, a young college student who recently escaped a lethal time loop by realizing that her roommate was trying to kill her all along. Now safely in “tomorrow”, Tree believes she is safe. That is, until fellow student Ryan Phan (Phi Vu) starts fiddling with his high-powered science project, launching her not only into another time loop, but into a separate dimension. In this dimension, not only are she and her boyfriend not together, but her roommate never tried to kill her, and her mother is still alive. With a little help from Ryan and some other science majors, Tree might be able to get back to her own dimension: but will she even want to? The best way to describe this film to anyone who hasn’t seen the original Happy Death Day is that it’s Groundhog Day meets Scary Movie. Thankfully, however, it manages to avoid some of the exceptionally explicit and coarse humor of the latter and sticks to a more darkly funny tone. By balancing the dark comedy with genuine emotion, Happy Death Day 2U, while still not a spectacular film, becomes pretty darn watchable. Parental concerns are fairly obvious, with a laundry list of comedic (but somewhat gruesome) violent scenes and a similar list of profanities. That said, as far as horror comedies go, this one dodges a lot of the typical genre concerns. There is almost no sex whatsoever, beyond the usual college couples making out, and not a single scene involving drugs or alcohol. Although it probably isn’t terribly appropriate for younger teens, and certainly not for children, this would work well for mature teens with a taste for horror movies.
Auburn Opelika Parents I March 2019
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THE ADVENTURES IN
Math & Science 2019 Summer Camp Sessions
HOSTED BY THE ALABAMA SCHOOL OF MATH AND SCIENCE MOBILE, AL
June 3-7, June 10-14, and June 17-21 | Grades 6-10 Register by April 1: $360 Overnight Camp (all inclusive), $260 Day Camp (includes lunch) Register after April 1: $385 Overnight Camp (all inclusive), $285 Day Camp (includes lunch) Cost to stay weekend between a session is an additional $185 (includes trip to water park)
Course Sampling
ACT Prep, Algebra Review, Exploring Inner Space, Marine Biology, CSI: Mobile, Phun Physics, Using Java, Robotics, Field Biology, Psychology, Math Puzzles, Labs of Doom, Rocketry, Origami, Speak Up, Light Metals and Enameling, Apps for Smart Devices, and many more. Applications, more information, and course descriptions are online at www.asms.net.
Deadline to register is May 1, 2019!
1255 DAUPHIN ST. • MOBILE, AL 36604 • 251.441.2100 • WWW.ASMS.NET • AIMS@ASMS.NET
Congratulations to
Brian aiyana Velazquez Escobar winners of the second annual “ Share Your Smile Alabama Department of Public photo Health Oral Health Office with Alabama”contest
For smiles like aiyana and Brian that last a lifetime: • C hildren ages 1-17 years old need to have preventive dental visits twice yearly • Optimal levels of Community Water Fluoridation should be present where you live
alabamapublichealth.gov/oralhealth
ORAL HEALTH OFFICE Promoting Smiles Across a Lifetime