Eastern Shore Parents March 21 Camp Issue by KeepSharing

Accidents can happen

WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT…

Dr. Jessica Kirk, Pediatric Hospitalist, and family.

When life brings the unexpected, a long car ride doesn’t heal the pain or wipe away the tears. Your child needs medical care that you can trust, close to home. The pediatric hospitalists at Thomas Hospital are here for you 24/7. • Emergency room visits and hospitalizations • Advanced, compassionate care • Treating children from infancy through adolescence For this trip to the hospital, you don’t need to pack a bag. Our children play on the same playground as yours.

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Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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March2021

Volume 13 Number 10

Columns 4 Publisher’s Note Lynn Knighton

Choosing Day Camp

So many options...which is best for your child?

6 Kids Say the Wisest Things

Considering Camp?

Seven benefits for you and your child.

Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA

14 Kids Health Watch sponsored by Magnolia Springs Pediatrics

44 Parenting, Media & Everything in Between Common Sense Media

Summer Camp Guide Day, residential, sports camps and more!

Squash Sibling Rivalry

68 Dave Says Dave Ramsey

Tips to help your kids get along and work out their differences.

Departments On The Cover

Bits and Pieces

Charlie Glies (7), son of Dan and Jenn Glies and brother to Addison (11) and Grady (6). Charlie loves baseball, Minecraft and anything outside!

School Bits

Oran Gillespie (8), son of Judd and Michelle Gillespie and brother to Nathan and Audrey Gillespie, Haley Ryan Gillespie, and Gabi Berlage.

Book Reviews

Oran is very active and loves sports, being outside and playing with his friends and his Xbox!

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Publisher’sNote The Eastern Shore’s Foremost Parenting Source

As I sit here writing this letter, it is an absolutely beautiful, sunny day in the upper 60s. The kind of day that makes you just want to stay outside. This is a welcome change from the freezing, dreary days we had in February for sure! Yes, it is starting to feel like spring... and I love it! Spring is such an exciting time of year where the world feels fresh and new again. The grass turns from brown to green and the trees start to fill up with leaves. It feels as if the world is waking up from a long winter nap. I think it is especially true this year. After a full year now of dealing with the pandemic, there is finally hope on the horizon. Numbers are currently dropping (praying that trend continues) and vaccines are being distributed, giving all of us a glimmer of hope for the summer. As we began working on this month’s “Summer Camp” issue, we could definitely feel the excitement and anticipation as we heard from camps and families who missed out on their summer traditions last year. Yes, everyone admits things may not be back to “normal” but many of the camps already have safety measures in place and are eager to welcome back campers! And, after spending a LOT more family time together, I think both kids and parents are ready for some activities outside of the home too! As excited as you and your child may be for camp, pandemic or not, sometimes sending our children to camp can be scary. Parents wonder if their child will be happy, what safety protocols are in place, if their child will make friends, or if they are going to get homesick. These are very natural feelings parents go through. Turn to page 46 and read Mary Ann Blair’s feature, 7 Reasons Parents Should Consider Sending Their Child to Camp, to discover the many benefits of camp and calm your fears. If you are a parent seeking a full time day camp for the summer I urge you to go ahead and start looking today. Since your child will be spending so much time at the camp, you want to make sure it is an environment that will not only be safe and nurturing, but also enjoyable for your little one. You may want to flip over to page 42 and read Choosing the Right Day Camp, by Christa Melnyk Hines. Also, register early. This will increase your chances of being able to secure the dates and times you need. With this being our annual Summer Camp Issue, we have again included a huge directory of day and overnight camps in our Summer Camp Guide, found on page 48. It does not matter if your child is interested in sports, theater, music, science, or all of it, you will find a huge variety of camp options in this valuable resource. Some of the camps we reached out to are still in the planning stages so make sure you stay tuned for our April issue, when we will have even more camps to share with you! However, if you see a camp you are interested in, please don’t delay. Go ahead and register. Some will fill up before the summer even begins, especially with some camps hosting smaller capacity. Even though we technically still have a couple more weeks of winter, spring has been giving us a wonderful sneak peek, so go outside and soak up some much needed sunshine and vitamin D! Stay Safe and Happy Spring!

Publisher Lynn Knighton lynn@easternshoreparents.com Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@easternshoreparents.com Associate Editor Kelly Watson Research Editor Christa Weinberg Contributing Writers Mary Ann Blair Kristen Hawkes Christa Melnyk Hines Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA Dave Ramsey Robert L. Rux, M.D.

Cover Photography Jenn Glies Photography www.jenngliesphotography.com

President Jason Watson jason@easternshoreparents.com Advertising Opportunities Lynn Knighton ads@easternshoreparents.com (251) 929-2099 Ad Design Tim Welch

Visit us online at www.easternshoreparents.com

Lynn

lynn@easternshoreparents.com

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

Eastern Shore Parents Magazine, is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant, role in our community. Eastern Shore Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.

Eastern Shore Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: P.O. Box 374, Montrose, Alabama, 36559. The phone number for voice and fax is (251) 929-2099. Eastern Shore Parents is copyrighted 2021 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in Eastern Shore 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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by Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA

OVEREMPHASIZE THE GOOD THEY DO! When I started counseling in 2005, I swore I would NEVER work with children. At that time, I had toddlers at home and savored adult only conversation. The older I get, the more boring adults become. Adults sit still while talking about politics, food, and problems. Kids talk best when moving, find tremendous joy in a simple card game, and tell me their deepest thoughts for a few M&Ms. Over the last few years I have been working more and more with children. Do you know what I have learned? That children say the wisest things. I have learned more about how to be a better parent, person, and professional by rolling cars across the floor with three-year-olds than I ever learned in a doctoral class. The wisdom and insight that comes from their little mouths has challenged everything I believed about family life. Now, it is my pleasure to share with all of you the things your children want you to know. The things you miss when you are busy just keeping your children fed, clothed, and alive.

In this month’s article, the one thing I want to share comes from a wise 9-year-old. He was having some problems with his parents and I asked him, “What do you want them to know?” He said, “I want them to listen to me. Not just my words. I want them to see me and know me.” Let me translate what he was saying, “I want them to see the good things I do, not just the bad things.” Kids are that simple; they need you to overemphasize the good they do! I learned this lesson in 2017. I went back to school to learn how to do a type of therapy called Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). My favorite thing about ABA is that it is grounded in positive reinforcement. When parents visit an ABA clinic, they always comment on how often they hear clapping, cheering, and phrases like “Great Job!”, “Good”, and “You are the best!” For two years, my counseling office was inside Great Leaps Learning Center (an excellent ABA clinic). Every day of those two years, all I heard was the staff constantly praising the kids. I heard this encouragement so much that it changed the way I talked to myself and others.

It challenged my former approach, which was to make the most of every teachable moment. My most common phrases had been, “No, not that way”, “That is not right, try it again”, “You can do better than that”, “You just need to try harder” and “Let me just do it.” Now that I focus on overemphasizing the good, I am much happier and so is everyone around me. Please learn from my mistakes and listen to the wisdom of a 9-year-old boy: Focus on the good things they do! Let me give you some very practical examples of how to use positive reinforcement to encourage what you actually want to see in your children. • If your child will not/cannot sit still try having them sit still for 3 seconds and say, “Great job sitting still. I bet you can do it for 5 seconds now!” Instead of, “I don’t know what is wrong with you! Why can’t you just sit still?” • If your child attempts to clean, but does not do it to your liking try, “Thank you so much! You did a good job!” Then, the next time they start to clean, lovingly remind them to complete the part they forgot last time. • If your child HATES homework try having them attempt only one problem at a time, praising them for their effort, and rewarding them with a small break before starting the next problem. Instead of constantly correcting and criticizing. • If your child has behavior problems at school ask, “What did you do well today?” Instead of, “Did you get in trouble?” • If you have a whiny kid prompt them to ask in a non-whiny voice and do a happy dance when they do. Dr. Beth Long received her education in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Beth has worked in six unique clinical environments across the country and currently owns Works of Wonder Therapy in Montgomery. Beth utilizes the knowledge from a variety of different disciplines to give her patients the best care possible. To learn more visit www.worksofwondertherapy.com.

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Warrior Challenge

Health and wellness are important to the staff and families at the American Autism and Rehabilitation Center (AARC). AARC incorporates a variety of indoor and outdoor physical activities in our therapy sessions, camps, and school days. After all, research supports that simple, daily movement improves physical and emotional health. With this understanding, the American Autism & Rehabilitation Foundation is pleased to host the Warrior Challenge! The Warrior Challenge is a walking or running challenge completed during the month of March. You choose your challenge—31 miles, 65 miles, or 100 miles. Pick a goal that stretches you! Here are the details: • The miles can be completed anywhere and anytime throughout the month of March. • You can track your miles with a smart watch, or a free app downloaded to your phone (Run Keeper, Map My Run, Strava, Adidas). • Once registered participants will join our private Facebook group for daily encouragement. Weekly fun challenges will be posted in the private group page. • Miles can be logged through an easily submitted online form. • Participants will be divided into 1 of 2 teams – Team Green or Team Blue. You select the team of your choice – if no selection is made you will be assigned a team based on a balancing scale. Entry fee is $30 for adults or $15 for kids (12 and under) and includes a Warrior Challenge T-shirt. Register at AmericanAutismCenter.org/events The best part is that 100% of the proceeds will go to the rebuilding of the AARC outdoor playground, which was unfortunately destroyed during Hurricane Sally. With your support we can give children with autism and other special needs a place to play, learn, and participate in therapeutic activities.

Spring Fever Chase goes Virtual for 2021

Spring Fever Chase is an annual 10K run and 2-mile fun run/walk, sponsored by Thomas Hospital, an affiliate of Infirmary Health, and Wells Fargo. Due to COVID-19, Spring Fever Chase (SFC) has transitioned to a virtual event for 2021. As a virtual event, participants choose the location of their 10K or 2-mile run/walk and are encouraged submit a photo for the SFC Facebook page. If running with others, remember to stay socially distant. Proceeds from SFC are used to purchase physical education equipment and programs for public, private and parochial schools in Baldwin County. Funds are allocated based on grants submitted by local coaches. Although this year’s Spring Fever Chase is free, donations are being accepted for the 2022 SFC grant program. “Through the years, Spring Fever Chase has given more than $61,000 to local elementary, middle and high schools to help purchase PE equipment,” remarked Jill Everson, Spring Fever Chase race director and manager of Thomas Fitness and Thomas Hospital Cardiac Rehab. She added, “In the past, we’ve fulfilled grants for track equipment, ping pong tables and volleyball equipment, just to name a few. Last year would have been the 42nd annual Spring Fever Chase, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19. Coaches have come to count on the grant money the race provides. Although the registration is free this year, we hope people will consider making a donation on the Spring Fever Chase website to help the schools.” Event registration is open now through Friday, March 27. A limited number of T-shirts are available for purchase. To register, donate or learn more about SFC, visit springfeverchase.org or call 251-279-1684.

BBQ & Blues Cook-Off Turns up the Heat to Support South Baldwin Schools

The South Baldwin Chamber Foundation is cooking up a whole lot of fun while raising funds supporting South Baldwin area schools during the Annual BBQ & Blues Cook-Off! On Saturday, March 13, in Heritage Park, located at the intersection of Hwy 59 & 98 in Downtown Foley, festival-goers will enjoy award-winning barbeque, popular blues bands including The Defrosters, craft and retail vendors, and children’s activities. Sanctioned by the Alabama Barbecue Association Trail and Kansas City Barbeque Society, over 20 backyard division cook teams from across the Gulf Coast will compete for the Grand Championship title and other top prizes. Competition categories are: Chicken, Ribs, Boston Butts, Sauce and Anything “Butt” which includes exotic items, seafood, and desserts. The team earning the most “People’s Choice” donations will be awarded a traveling trophy to display in their business all year! Food trucks will be onsite ready to satisfy that extra appetite. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water will also be for sale, along with the official event T-shirts. Special thanks to Riverview Turf as the Presenting Sponsor of the BBQ & Blues Cook-Off and to the Foley Piggly Wiggly as the Official Meat Sponsor! All proceeds benefit the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation to support thirteen local schools through programs and partnerships that enrich education, develop leadership, and better the community. The committee asks that all festival-goers wear masks, do their best to social distance while standing in lines, and use hand sanitizer provided throughout the festival grounds. 11:00 AM Gates Open and Samples Begin! A public event, admission is $10 per person. Children ages 10 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate. For more information, visit foleybbqandblues.net or follow us on Facebook @bbqandbluescookoff. Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Spring Events at Bellingrath Gardens and Home

Azalea Bloom Out: Each spring, guests at Bellingrath Gardens and Home enjoy the blooms of more than 250,000 vibrant azaleas in an explosion of color throughout the 65-acre estate. Visitors to Mobile may enjoy the newly reestablished Azalea Trail in Mobile and the Azalea Bloom Out at Bellingrath. The Azalea Watch page is updated daily on our website, bellingrath.org. Saturday, March 6: Bellingrath’s Beers & Blooms: All-day craft beer festival and concert series held on the Great Lawn at the heart of the Gardens. Our guests will hear great music from local bands and will enjoy the chance to sample a wide variety of craft brews, shop with local vendors at their booths, and feast with a selection of food trucks. Tickets are on sale on bellingrath.org. Saturday, March 27: Easter Egg Hunt on the Great Lawn: 9 AM to noon! Thousands of Easter eggs will decorate the luxurious Great Lawn for children to scurry and collect. There will be special hunts for different age groups, as well as prizes, candy and “eggtivities,” which makes this a perfect family outing. Sunday, April 4: Easter Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m., open to everyone in the community. Complimentary admission will be given to guests from 6 to 8 a.m. on Easter Sunday. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs. A hot breakfast will be available for purchase after the service. In case of inclement weather, the Service will be moved indoors into the Magnolia Café. Mid to late April: Rose Bloom Out at Bellingrath. For precise times of the blooms, please check Rose Watch at bellingrath.org beginning in mid-April. 9

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The 41st Annual Boys Recital

The 41st annual Boys Recital sponsored by the Baldwin County Music Teachers Association was held February 6 at the Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church. Due to the COVID-19 protocol two separate recitals were held to allow for social distancing, one at 10:00 and the other at 11:15. A total of 22 boys performed for an audience of family and friends and represented the teaching studios of Tammy Dennis, Laurie Gruenloh, Shannon Hastings, Lindsey Hughes, Jeanne O’Connell, Beverly Talley and Vincentine Williams. The audience and performers were treated to a special appearance of professional musician Arthur Bosarge who talked to the boys about ways to overcome performance anxieties. He also performed a Prelude by the French composer, Georges Auric. Founded in l977 BCMTA is an organization of professional music teachers that promotes the study and performance of music in Baldwin County and provides annual performing opportunities for their students. A fall recital was held in October, a keyboard hymn festival in November and this spring there will be auditions sponsored by the Alabama Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers.

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Annual Festival of Flowers

The annual Festival of Flowers, sponsored by Wells Fargo, will proudly showcase All Creatures Great and Small: life-size living sculptures created by Mobile area’s best teams of florists, nurseries, landscapers, designers and artists. March 12-13, they will compete for bragging rights for the Festival of Flowers People's Choice Award. Anchored by a Bellingrath Gardens and Home display that is sure to wow, these elaborate plant creations will be viewed from a socially distanced space and voted on with a QR code or link. Enjoy outdoor seminars and select vendors that are in keeping with Festival of Flowers tradition. New events include a Saturday morning Festival of Cars to engage the car enthusiast and Garden Tours of downtown gardens to delight everyone that appreciates Mobile’s natural beauty. Features of the 2021 Festival: ● Life-Size Living Sculptures – Stroll through larger than life displays by regionally acclaimed florists, artists and garden designers ● Festival of Cars - Join us Saturday, March 13th from 9:00-11:00 for a car show ● Bellingrath Gardens and Home – A Spectacular display by Mobile’s world–renowned garden destination ● Art in the Garden – original works by noted Mobile artist, Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough ● Seminars and Demonstrations- expert advice for the home and garden ● Garden Tours - Tours of select downtown area private gardens ● Festival proceeds will be used to purchase HemoSphere Monitors to benefit the Cardiac Care Unit of Providence Hospital. Donation requested for entry-Card, Cash or Paypal. Buds and Brews - $40. Providence Foundation Office (251) 266-2050. Visit us at www.festivalofflowers.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram: @festivalofflowers.

Cotillion Holds Grand Ball

The National League of Junior Cotillions Eastern Shore chapter held its Grand Ball at the Marriott Grand Hotel on January 24, 2021. Young ladies dressed in all white dresses and young men in coats and ties enjoyed ballroom dancing with their parents. Complete with corsages and boutonnieres, favors and a photographer, a lovely time was had by students and their families. The highlight of the event was the Swing Dance Contest where trophies were awarded to the winning parent/child couples. Chapter Director, Kathy Sternenberg, said, “This was a wonderful opportunity for students to practice the social skills and ballroom dance techniques they have been learning all season.” The National League of Junior Cotillions program for sixth grade boys and girls features etiquette, character education, and social dance training and includes five classes, and a Grand Ball over a six-month period. Early registration has begun for the 2021/2022 Season and space in the program is limited. For more information on the Cotillion programs, please go to www.nljc.com/chapter/easternshore or contact Kathy Sternenberg, Director, at 251-9284962. Photo credits to Elizabeth Gelineau Photography.

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Foley Resident & Alabama Sea Turtle Volunteer Publishes Her Second Children’s Book

Linda B. Spangrud, a local resident and an Alabama Sea Turtle Volunteer, has just released her second children’s book, “Miss Sandra and the Turtle People.” Last year Ms. Spangrud published her first children’s book, “Miss Ella and the Turtle People” and now she, writes again about her passion and favorite topic “coastal living and sea turtle preservation”. This book tells, not only the story of Miss Sandra, a young turtle volunteer who comes to a life decision about her future, but also describes how she assists the Gulf Coast with environmental awareness. Miss Sandra, after guidance from her turtle friends, realizes it is more important to follow your dreams and passions. It informs children and families of the appropriate etiquette and rules for turtle protection and proper care of the beach environment in a playful story line with colorful turtle illustrations. The book further encourages children and their families to “Leave Only Footprints”. Meyer Vacation Rentals has agreed to place the “Miss Sandra and the Turtle People” in all their properties (condos and houses on the beach over 1,000 locations). Other rental companies are also considering this initiative. She is organizing a fundraising campaign to cover the cost of the project which has a goal of $10,000+. Spangrud has already raised half. The Alabama Coastal Foundation, Share the Beach Turtle Protection Program will accept and manage all donations. To make a donation visit www. joinACF.org under the “What’s New” section “Turtle Book Fundraiser”. Spangrud will contribute 10% of fundraising efforts to ACF, Share the Beach Program to administrator these funds. In addition, all of Spangrud’s book sales donate a portion of the profit to Alabama Coastal Foundation (www. joinACF.org) to support Share the Beach, Alabama’s Sea Turtle Conversation program Her books are available in a variety of shops, museums, etc. across the nation as well as locally Orange Beach (Tacky Jacks, Cosmo’s Maggie Bottle & Tail, Cobalt’s, G.T.’s on the Bay,) Gulf Shores (Tacky Jacks, DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen, Island Gifts, Fort Morgan Gift Shop, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, etc.), Foley (Wolf Bay Lodge, Groovy Goat- Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar & Restaurant -OWA). Books are available in Eastern Shore (Fairhope, Daphne, and Spanish Fort) and in Mobile as well. Follow her on Facebook to hear more including her silent auction to be launched June 16 on World Sea Turtle Day. To set up a book signing or to pre-order/purchase books contact Linda B. Schmitz Spangrud at lindabspangrud@gmail.com.

June 14 - 25, 2021 I 8:00am- 12:30pm I $85.00 CAMP FEE CAMPS PURPOSE: To expose students to career technical

and manufacturing training careers. Camp also will include a piece on entrepreneurship and students will complete a make-and-take project.

For more information: Symentha McDonald I call us at 251-405-7005 email us at smcdonald@bishop.edu Location will be at Bishop State

NONDISCRIMATION STATEMENT: No employee or applicant for employment or promotion shall be discriminated against on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law.

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Spanish Fort Public Library (SFPL) Receives National Grant for Small and Rural Libraries

Spanish Fort Public Library (SFPL) will participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that helps library workers better serve their communities. The competitive award comes with a $3,000 grant that will help the library engage the community in a shared culture of participating and reading together as a family. The goal is to enhance family literacy engagement for all age readers. “We are so proud to be one of 200 libraries chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Library Director Tracy Cole. “This grant will allow us to explore with our community the power and value of families reading together, and work to create a culture of reading in a world so full of distractions.” As part of the grant, the library will host an online conversation with residents about family literacy engagement, and purchase Beanstack, an app, that will encourage families to participate virtually in reading challenges offered by the library. Story Explorers will be the first family read together challenge introduced in Summer Reading 2021. Research shows that comprehension, vocabulary, learning, joy, quality of life, and even empathy and kindness can all be traced back to reading. The Spanish Fort Public Library would like to strengthen awareness and discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with family literacy engagement. If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Tracy M. Cole at librarian@cityofspanishfort.com or visit www.spanishfortpubliclibrary.org for more information.

Tee Off Fore A Cure

Children’s of Alabama celebrates Tee Off Fore A Cure on March 5 and 6, with a weekend of events designed to celebrate the “sweet 16th” year of the fundraiser and honor Fairhope cancer survivor Frances Grace Hirs. The pre-tournament gala kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 5 at the Lakewood Golf Club (1 Grand Blvd.). On Saturday morning, golfers will gather for the tournament and eighth annual Golf Ball Drop at The Lakewood Club’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Admission to Friday’s “16th Birthday Bash” pre-party is complimentary to participating golfers, donors, sponsors, volunteers and their guests. Admission for all other attendees is $25 per person and includes a safe, outdoor silent auction, food, wine, golf cart drive-in movie and a live DJ. Pre-party guests can bid on the silent auction items including items from coastal artists, travel and local businesses. Saturday’s golf tournament will begin at 1:00 p.m. with two shotgun starts and four-man scramble format. Lakewood members can register for $99 per golfer or $300 per team. Non-member registration fees are $200 per golfer and $800 per team. Gracie’s Golf Ball Drop will take place immediately following the tournament. The first ball in or closest to the hole will win 25% of the proceeds, or as much as $5,000. Participants do not have to be present to win and anyone may purchase golf balls through the event website. The event honors 21 year-old local cancer survivor and honoree Frances Grace Hirs. At age 13, Hirs received the bone marrow transplant that saved her life. Proceeds from Tee Off Fore A Cure benefit the Alabama Centers for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders (ACCCBD) at Children's of Alabama. For more details or to register for the golf tournament contact Kerrie Benson, Children’s development associate, at 251-610-4969, or visit give.childrensal.org/teeoff

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KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Magnolia Springs Pediatrics

Identifying & Preventing Ticks As spring and then summer roll around and the kids and dogs go marching through the woods, we need to be on the lookout for ticks. While everyone’s first thought is dreaded Lyme disease with a tick bite, luckily, down here in lower Alabama, Lyme disease is very rare! However, tick bites can lead to local infection and sometimes rare, but serious tick borne illnesses. Today we will talk about prevention, identification, removal, and what to look for if the bite becomes serious. OK, so as with most things in pediatrics, prevention is key. If you have to go into a heavily wooded or brushy area and it’s in the summer, be on the lookout! First, wear light-colored clothing to easily see if you have ticks crawling on your clothes and be sure to not only wear pants, but tuck them into your socks to reduce exposure. Be sure to apply tick repellents to your skin (those that contain DEET) and clothes (those that contain permethrin). Finally, be sure to check yourself, your children, and your pets head to toe for any ticks after coming inside. Tick bites don’t hurt or itch, so they can be easily missed. Two areas that ticks like to hide are in clothing and in a child’s hair, so be sure to give those areas extra care. Oh my gawsh! Is that a tick? So you listened to my advice and checked your

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

kids and spotted a tick. To start, there are two main types of ticks. Deer ticks that can range from the size of a pinhead to an apple seed, and wood ticks that are bigger like a watermelon seed. Now, before you start grabbing the tick and squeezing it with your fingers, we need to do a few things. First, take a deep breath. You need to be calm so your child will be calm. First try using a credit card and gently scraping the tick. If it is a recent bite, it sometimes will scrape right off! If not, use tweezers or long fingernails to grasp the tick near the head and GENTLY pull back with constant pressure. Be sure to not twist or crush the bug to reduce the chance of tearing it in half. Sometimes, a thread or needle can be inserted under the jaws and gently lifted to remove the bug. If you do leave the head, it’s OK! Clean the area with soap and water and use a sterile needle to remove the biggest portion. If some is left, leave it alone! The body will work it out like a splinter. And, since we also aim to dispel myths and rumors around here, ticks will not come off with application of Vaseline, nail polish, rubbing alcohol or hot needles! After removing the tick, clean the area with soap and water and apply triple antibiotic ointment for a few days to prevent infection.

OK, so does my child have Lyme disease! I don’t think so! A tick has to be attached to the skin for 48 hours before transmission of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, the bug that can cause Lyme disease. So, prompt removal usually is enough. I have had several people ask me if their child needed blood work to test for illnesses and even antibiotics for treatment. The answer is no! Basically you have to watch for signs and symptoms of the tick-borne illnesses including rashes, fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches. The hard part is, these symptoms can present anywhere from three to thirty days after a bite! If you see any of these, then talk to your child’s physician immediately about testing/ treatment and to answer questions about these illnesses!

Robert L. Rux, M.D. is a Board Certified Pediatrician at Magnolia Springs Pediatrics. Originally from Mobile, he attended medical school at The University of Alabama School of Medicine (UAB) and completed residency at The Children’s Hospital of Alabama (UAB). He is married to Jaime and has three children, Adler, Walker and Mary McAtee.

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Autauga County Schools

Spanish Fort HS Student Places 3rd in Wrestling Tournament

A Huge Congratulations to Mia Duran for placing 3rd in the 113# weight class at the first-ever AHSAA Girls State Wrestling Tournament! She went 5-1 with all pins! Mia started the day off with a quick 28 second pin against Daphne, then lost in a tough 9-6 decision against Russell County. This was one of only 3 matches the entire tournament that went the full 6 minutes. She met back up with Daphne in the Consolations and won. Then wrestled back up against Northside Methodist Academy and 2 W.S. Neal girls back to back with 3 more pins 1:28, 33 secs, and a 35 sec pin to secure 3rd Place! We are so proud of Mia and the way she represented Spanish Fort Wrestling! #toronation #spanishforthighschool #baldwinproud #wrestlelikeagirl

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Silverhill Student Wins County Spelling Bee

One student from Baldwin County will represent us in the next level of the Alabama spelling bee program. With the highest score, Colt Jackson from Silverhill Elementary is our county-level champion! We wish him luck in the next level of competition! Congratulations!

Daphne East Honors Breast Cancer Survivor

Daphne East honors our Breast Cancer survivor, Ashley Gardner. Ashley is a 6th grade teacher at East and has been going through treatments since August. She got to ring her bell and is doing well! Pictured are the faculty and staff wearing pink to honor Mrs. Gardner!

Bay Minette Middle School Girls for the Win

Well done ladies! Bay Minette middle school girls basketball All Tournament players are Shanine Williams, Jae Heaton, and Stori Palmer, and Lariah Pogue is MVP. The girls had lots of support from parents and teachers. Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

Lady Tigers Win Cane Cup Classic

The Baldwin County High School Lady Tigers soccer team won the Cane Cup Classic Tournament for the second year in a row. Coach Matt Beckett said the team had a “no quit, no excuses attitude” and won three games within 24 hours (4-0, 6-0, 2-0) to secure the title. “Words cannot express how proud I am of these ladies. Not because they played great soccer (they aren’t there yet), but because they played gutsy soccer,” Beckett said. Not a bad way to kick-off the 2021 season! #playlikeaLadyTiger 16

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Spanish Fort Students Support Pandemic Front Line Workers

The students and families at Spanish Fort Elementary School recently collected items and made cards for the employees of local urgent care clinics and the employees and residents of Westminster Village. We wanted to show a little love to those who are on the front line of the COVID-19 Pandemic and let them know that we appreciate their service to our community. Thank you to our SFES students and families for giving to this project! We are so glad that “Kindness Isn’t Canceled!”

100th Day at Daphne East Elementary

Lauren Shugart’s Kindergarten class at Daphne East Elementary celebrated the 100th day of school.

Bayshore Christian School Science Fair Winners

Bayshore 7th Grade Science Fair was a huge success! Congratulations to winners: 1st Place- Ethan Carrigan "Soil Erosion. Which plant is most effective?" 2nd Place- Kaitlyn McEwan "Oxidation in Apples." 3rd PlaceRebecca Dernlan "Guess That Page!”

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Autauga County Schools

Peer Helpers Show Kindness at Daphne MS

In celebration of "The Great Kindness Challenge and Kindness Week", our Daphne Middle School Peer Helpers volunteered at Prodisee Pantry! The DMS Peer Helper program is co-sponsored by Mrs. Amanda Blake and Mrs. Claudia Miller, with support from Mrs. Jaime Tillman and Mrs. Leah Brymer. Way to serve Peer Helpers!

Math Snack at J. Larry Newton

At J. Larry Newton School Mrs. Henseler’s class is beginning fractions by learning how to share brownies equally! Math is always better when it comes with a snack

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Foley MS Basketball Team Wins County Championship

Congratulations to Foley Middle School Lady Lions basketball team for winning the county championship! Go Lions!

BMMS Art Students Love on Veterans

Bay Minette Middle School visual art students sent their love to residents at the William F. Green Veteran’s State Home in Bay Minette. The student made more than 200 valentines made in the Visual Arts I and II classes, under the direction of teacher Pamela Coffman. The deliveries were made by art student Brooke Sheets, her mother Pamela Sheets and her Veteran Grandfather Wally Lyford. Brooke’s grandfather served in the Army, 35th Artillery Detachment – Javer, Germany.

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Bucket Filling at Belforest Elementary

Belforest Elementary PTO had the best time hosting our 2nd grade club which encourages “bucket filling”. Bucket fillers take the time to give, share, and show kindness towards others to fill their emotional buckets. Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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SFHS Volleyball Coach Gets 800th Win

800 WINS! Congratulations to Coach Gretchen Boykin! She was honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association for earning her 800th career win this year! We are so blessed to have Coach Boykin on our team! Congratulations and GO TOROS!

Fairhope East Students Practice Math with Ozobots

Money Money Money Money! Our 2nd graders used Ozobots to practice their math skills. The Ozobot randomly chose the money amount. The students had to determine the sum of their money. Thank you FEEF (Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation) for our Ozobot grant.

Students Analyze Data at Bay Minette Elementary

Students in Mrs. Sellers 4th Grade classroom at Bay Minette Elementary School completed a Data Driven Inquiry lesson on the influx of the population in Alabama during the 19th Century. Students analyzed data and came up with a Claim, Evidence and Reason of the influx. Then the students divided Alabama into the five regions analyzing which regions had the largest population growth and why. 19

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Autauga County Schools

Mother Theresa Service Club Collects Baby Items for Donation

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St. Michael's newly formed club - Mother Theresa Service Club - led by juniors Sydney Wilhelm and Molly Sims donated mounds of baby items that the students collected for The Women’s Resource Center in Mobile!

Daphne HS Dance Team Wins Awards at Regionals

Daphne High School's Dance team, the Jubilee Girls competed at the UDA Magic City Regionals in Alabaster, finishing 2nd place- Varsity Jazz. 4th placeVarsity HipHop, and Judges Choice: Best Dressed/ Costume for Red Jazz!

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Christ the King Red Ribbon Service Project: Veterans and Valentines

Reagan Chin, CTKCS 2020-21 Superintendent Red Ribbon leadership award recipient, chose Veterans and Valentines for her service project. Valentine cards were created by our students over the days before the holiday. Reagan delivered them to the William F. Green Veterans Home in Bay Minette for Valentine's Day.

Bayside Academy Junior Rhia Tkac Named to AHSAA Student Leadership Team

Bayside Academy student Rhia Tkac ’22 has been named to the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) 2021 Student Leadership Team. Rhia and 15 other Alabama high school juniors will join the 16 returning seniors who will form the leadership team for the 2020–2021 school year. Rhia will represent the Southwest District, and we are so proud of her for her willingness to represent her school and state. The AHSAA Student Leadership Team is comprised of student leaders from each of the eight districts who provide input to the AHSAA. The participants meet for a two-day conference each year. The Student Leadership Team is a two-year commitment with students serving on the committee for their junior and senior years of high school.

J. Larry Newton Students Visit Pelicans Nest

Ms. Welch’s first graders at J. Larry Newton School had a wonderful time exploring at Pelicans Nest and down by the bay! They explored various wildlife and habitats that can be found in Mobile Bay!

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Autauga County Schools

Secretary of State Celebrates Centennial Year Anniversary at St. Benedict School

Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill recently visited St. Benedict School in Elberta to recognize and celebrate its Centennial Year anniversary. “This is a truly momentous occasion for St. Benedict Catholic School and its 100th graduating class. As we celebrate the school’s rich history and revel in the outstanding accomplishments of the many alumni that have walked before you, go confidently towards the future. St. Benedict has helped you build a robust academic foundation and steadfast moral compass that will enable you to achieve great things, as long as you always hold these gifts close to your heart,” stated the Honorable Secretary of State Merrill as he addressed the upcoming St. Benedict Eighth Grade graduates. During his campus tour, Merrill discussed the aspects of public service, the importance of voting, and the role that young people can play in shaping the future through civic engagement and participation. Dr. Kathy McCool, Principal of St. Benedict stated, “We were so very honored to have the Honorable Secretary of State Merrill dedicate time out of his busy schedule to spend with our students. His natural ability to make learning about governmental processes and positions fun made a huge impact on each of them. They especially loved hearing about the various civic volunteer opportunities available in our state government. In fact, many of the older students approached me afterwards saying they were excited about potentially becoming a page at the state capital!” While on the St. Benedict campus, the Honorable Secretary of State Merrill was accompanied by St. Benedict alumnus, the Honorable Judge of Probate Tim Russell (Baldwin County, retired) and his wife & retired St. Benedict teacher, Mrs. Sandy Russell. Before leaving St. Benedict, the Honorable Secretary of State Merrill told the students “If I can leave you with one piece of advice, it is to read. Read a lot. Read about anything you enjoy. Never stop. This is the single best tool for success.”

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Pine Grove Elementary Thanks Nurses

Pine Grove Elementary School students gathered up tons of love for the ICU Nurses at North Baldwin Infirmary. The students made cards, signs, and even researched motivational messages that will help to keep the nurses going day in and day out while they face this pandemic. The students and faculty are very thankful for the dedication of these amazing nurses!

These fourth graders at Bay Minette Elementary built landform models and then created and observed the effects of weathering, erosion, and decomposition. This innovative lesson took place in Terry Janes’ classroom at Bay Minette Elementary School. #baldwinproud #BMES

St. Michael Students Selected for Dogwood Trail Court

Congratulations to St. Michael junior Sarah Caroline Lott, and sophomore Ava Cocke for being selected for the Dogwood Trail Court for 2021. Ava and Sarah Caroline will be excellent ambassadors for this wonderful program that is sponsored by the Eastern Shore Optimist Club and was established in 1960!

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Autauga County Schools

Elberta Middle School Wins Wyland National Conservation Art Award

Elberta Middle School in Baldwin County was recently announced as a 2020 Classroom Mural Award winner in the Wyland National Art Challenge. The contest encourages students across the nation to think about various conservation issues and how to interpret those issues through art. Winning classrooms in the contest each receive $500 from the Wyland Foundation for classroom art supplies. A group of 7th and 8th graders in Elberta’s recently established art program participated in the project with guidance from their art teacher Linda Hill. “I only had the students for three months before we took on this large task,” Hill said. “With help from the Weeks Bay Reserve we put together a 5-foot by 10-foot mural that represents our estuaries and the wildlife that inhabits them.” The mural is currently on display in the Elberta Middle School front office. Before work began on the mural, Education Coordinator Angela Underwood and Education Assistant Clara Zubrick with the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve provided the students with hands-on learning experiences that highlighted the state’s various estuarine habitats. “State Lands staff continue to develop innovative ways to connect classrooms with the outdoors,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. “I appreciate all of their efforts to support conservation education during the pandemic.” “The students learned about the importance of estuaries to the state’s ecosystem and created the mural to demonstrate what they learned,” Zubrick said. “Since many schools haven’t taken field trips due to the pandemic, we took the estuary to the classroom to help them prepare for the project.” In addition to the mural award, Elberta 8th grader Charlotte Hoang tied for first place in the individual 8th grade category of the contest with her painting of a sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus). “My students are very excited about winning the contest,” Hill said. “This is a huge accomplishment for them and their school.” Learn more about the Wyland National Art Challenge at www.wylandfoundation.org/programs/wyland-national-art-challenge.

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Daphne East Peer Helpers Attend Peer Helper Jubilee

Peer Helpers from Daphne East Elementary School virtually attended their Annual Peer Helper Jubilee and heard from speaker Reggie Dabbs. Then, we held a discussion with other peer helpers in our district. They were treated to chicken biscuits from our local Chickfil-A Daphne, since we couldn’t get the normal chicken sandwiches that we do each year at the in-person Jubilee. Thank you, Chick-fil-A and The Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation!

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St. Michael Varsity Cheer Squad Wins State Championship

Congratulations to the St. Michael Catholic High School Varsity Cheer squad for Winning the AHSAA 4A State Championship, held in Birmingham on February 4. We are proud of these Cardinals!

Send School News and Photos to: lynn@easternshoreparents.com!

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Autauga County Schools

Science in Motion at Christ the King

An interesting experiment in Mrs. Williams’ science class - 8th grade designed and built Rube Goldberg machines to coincide with their unit in the transfer of energy. A Rube Goldberg apparatus is one in which there is a chain reaction-type machine or contraption intentionally designed to perform a simple task in an overly complicated way. This was a lot harder than it looked! Everyone had great ideas and most worked well.

Send School News and Photos to: lynn@easternshoreparents.com!

100th Day at Bayshore Christian School

Bayshore Christian School Kindergartners celebrated the 100th Day of School in style! No matter how you count the days, be it buttons, chicken stamps, googly eyes, or toy soldiers, every day with these children is a blessing!

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

SUMMER INTENSIVE 2021

MARCH 20-21

J U N E 7 - J U LY 2

MOBILE BALLET Artistic Director Katia Garza

W W W. M O B I L E B A L L E T. O R G 251-342-2241 Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Daphne ES Student Submits Manuscripts to Library

Aspiring author, Porsche, submitted three manuscripts to the Daphne Elementary School Library. Titles include Under the Christmas Tree, Facts About Dinosaurs, and The Second Part of the Snow Globe. Porsche’s books will be available for student check out. Great job, Porsche!

Pine Grove ES Spelling Bee Winners

Gracen D. was the winner of the Pine Grove Elementary Spelling Bee. After 13 rounds, she correctly spelled the word “dangerous” to become the 2020-2021 champion. Lyla R. was the runner-up. Congratulations ladies! Thank you to Joe Emer (of Studio 10 at Fox10 News) for hosting as the guest pronouncer.

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Autauga County Schools

SBCT Construction Class Building Mini Houses

Learning How Rocks are Made at Daphne East ES

Ms. Holton’s class at Daphne East Elementary School used starburst to show the different stages of the rock cycle. First they cut the pieces and rolled them into a ball to represent sedimentary rock. Next, they used their hands to apply heat to the ball to form metamorphic rock. They heated it in the microwave to form magma. Finally, they let the rock cool to form igneous rock. Thank you to our cafeteria ladies for letting us use the cafeteria!

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Mr. Moore's building construction class at South Baldwin Center for Technology is learning how to frame mini houses. Next, they will be applying the felt and shingles to the roof. Before you know it, these students will be building houses in a neighborhood near you.

Send School News and Photos to: lynn@easternshoreparents.com!

Daphne HS Bowling 15-1

Daphne High School Trojans Bowling team finished it's 2020-2021 season 15-1. Go Trojans!

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Students Learn 500 Sight Words at Florence B Mathis ES

Mrs. Carpenter’s kindergartners at Florence B Mathis Elementary School are out of this world! They reached their goal of 500 sight words. At Mathis Elementary we set goals and reach for the stars. Now these students are counting down until their Glow Party celebration!

Christ the King Begins Lenten Season

CTKCS students received ashes at the beginning of the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday.

Club Day at Daphne ES

Daphne Elementary School held their first club day of the year and it was a huge success. Schools throughout the district offer a variety of clubs for students to participate in.

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Autauga County Schools

Diamond Dolls Mentoring Program at Daphne MS

The Diamond Dolls of Daphne Middle School met in the Library recently to do some goal-setting activities and receive recognition for first semester accomplishments. Guest speaker and Counselor Amanda Blake talked about the importance of setting goals and taking steps to accomplish them. Members had the opportunity to work with sponsors to put their pens to paper, because students are more successful at accomplishing goals if they are written down. The Diamond Dolls is a new mentoring program for girls, and has been enhanced by funding from several grant agencies including SEEDS and Baldwin EMC. We are grateful for these opportunities to help our girls grow and succeed!

Robertsdale HS Volleyball Players Selected to All-County

Congratulations to Robertsdale High School Bear Nation Volleyball Players Reese Skipper & Felicity Evans who were selected as All-County Volleyball Players.

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Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Foley Elementary STEAM Lab

Mrs. Henderson’s 1st graders at Foley Elementary had a blast at STEAM Lab! They engineered their own playgrounds, skate parks, and tree houses! It’s awesome seeing their creativity merge with problem-solving skills!

Sign Language Club at Swift ES

Swift Elementary Sign Language Club learned some new signs pertaining to Valentine’s Day and made a card for someone special.

Forensic Science in Action at St. Michael!

Senior students in the Forensics class spent time analyzing over-the-counter drugs as part of their toxicology unit.

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Autauga County Schools

Foley HS Girls Wrestlers Place in Championship

Loxley Students Design Houses

Coach Slater led the Foley High Girls Wrestling team as they competed in the 1st ever all-girls state championships! Olivia Lanier placed 2nd, Gracelyn Pierce placed 6th, and Breanna Heaton placed 5th. Congrats to these ladies. Way to represent!

Mrs. Wilson read If I Built a House to Ms. Mason’s class at Loxley Elementary School. The students designed their own house by drawing blueprints and building a model with supplies.

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Art Class at Magnolia School

It has been exciting in Art class at Magnolia School learning how to weave with paper and yarn. Ms. Hadley’s 4th grade is showing off their work.

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Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Technology at Spanish Fort ES

Check out the amazing activities Spanish Fort Elementary students have been able to experience with technology! The students are benefiting greatly by the funds generated by the citizens of Spanish Fort! Thank you city of Spanish Fort, 3Mil Committee and citizens for your support of our students’ education!

Mrs. Ellis’ 1st grade class at Belforest Elementary received books to finish out their Sounds Abound Storybook Activity Library. This grant from SEEDS (Supporting Educational Excellence in Daphne Schools) allows students to take picture walks, apply sound awareness skills and complete word awareness activities by sequencing words.

Foley High Class Builds Ukulele Cart for Florence B. Mathis Class Florence B. Mathis Elementary School music teacher Christy Engell is so appreciative to the Foley High agriculture class for building a custom ukulele cart for her classroom. Teamwork at its best!

Belforest ES Class Receives Books from SEEDS Grant

Bayshore Wrestlers Qualify for State Tournament

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Bayshore is so proud of our Wrestling Team! William Rainer & Zeke Dernlan qualified for the State Tournament in wrestling!

Shooting 2 Change at Spanish Fort HS

Thank you to everyone who helped with Shooting 2 Change! It was a truly great and successful night! We couldn’t have done it without your support!

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Autauga County Schools

Bayside Academy’s News Magazine and Literary Magazine Receive National Awards

Bayside Academy’s news magazine, BA Today, won two national awards in the 2020 American Scholastic Press Association Contest/Review for yearbooks, magazines, and newspapers: First Place with Special Merit and Most Outstanding Private School General Magazine. This is a tremendous accomplishment! Congratulations to the Bayside students involved in the awardwinning BA Today: Cole Boswell ‘22, Camille Buckner ‘22, Caroline Cunningham ‘20, Wilson Engeriser ‘23, Jenny Florey ‘20, Spencer Gaberino ‘20, Kate Ginger ‘23, Audrey Hudson ‘20, Leah Jha ‘22, Ben Lane ‘20, Annie Loper ‘20, Geneva Martin ‘20, Isabella McCormick ‘21, Gavin Mims ‘20, Millison Mixon ‘23, Marlee Moore ‘23, Evelyn Prickett ‘20, Grace Steele ‘22, and Ben VanDerHeyden ‘22. The magazine was sponsored by Bayside English teachers Cathe Shubert and the late Debbie Denniston. For the second year in a row, Bayside Academy’s literary and arts magazine, Azimuth Circle, won First Place overall in its division in the American Scholastic Press Association Contest/Review for magazines. We are proud of the staff for winning this national award, especially since the magazine was entirely completed by the student staff virtually. Bayside students Isabella McCormick ‘21 and Hannah Wieland ‘21 were wonderful leaders who made incredible efforts to go above and beyond during the pandemic. Congratulations to the Bayside students involved in the award-winning Azimuth Circle: Cole Boswell ‘22, Camille Buckner ‘22, Elizabeth Chen ‘23, Elsa Engeriser ‘20, Wilson Engeriser ‘23, Spencer Gaberino ‘20, Kate Ginger ‘23, Catherine Hawkins ‘21, Ally Higginbotham ‘20, David Klimjack ‘22, Isabella McCormick ‘21, Miriam McCoy ‘21, Kai McCullins ‘23, Liam Nagle ‘21, Madison Pinkston ‘23, Anna Schmidt ‘20, Rhia Tkac ‘22, Ben VanDerHeyden ‘22, and Hannah Wieland ‘21. The magazine is sponsored by Bayside English teacher Cathe Shubert.

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Spanish Fort HS Biology Lab Fun

Recently Mrs. Hyde’s 9th grade Honors Biology students performed a DNA gel electrophoresis simulation to solve a fictional paternity case. Special thanks to Mrs. Menas for trading classrooms for the day so they could do this cool lab!

Fairhope HS Student Artwork

Pictured is Mrs. McClays' Advanced Art student at Fairhope High, Senior Greta Fritz with her drawing “The Musician”. This is a pen and ink drawing of Greta’s dad, Kris.

Two Bayside Academy Seniors Sign Letters of Intent

Bayside Academy is proud to have two student-athletes who signed letters of intent with Division III schools on February 3. Emily Buhl will play volleyball at Birmingham-Southern College, and Steadman Jones will play football at Trinity University in San Antonio.

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Autauga County Schools

Laws of Motion at Daphne HS

Fairhope West ES Reading Buddies

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Fun Friday! Students in Mrs. Clarke’s class at Daphne High School Trojans are learning all about Newton’s Laws of Motion and how they apply in life.

At Fairhope West Elementary reading buddies are the best! The students couldn’t meet face to face so our buddies recorded themselves reading a book and shared it with their buddy in Mrs. Duell’s class. Thank you Mrs. Gilmore’s fifth graders!

Fairhope HS Marine Life Club

Fairhope HS Marine Life Club had their monthly cleanup recently at Fairhope Docks Marina! Twenty-three students participated and collected trash and recycling. It was a gorgeous morning on Mobile Bay.

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Fairhope West Has New Playground Equipment Mrs. H. Norris & Mrs. Maceina’s first grade classes at Fairhope West Elementary enjoy the new equipment at recess.

Foley ES has New Playground

Foley Elementary is excited about its new playground! Students are having a great time on this new slide tower! Thank you to the Baldwin County Board of Education for always supporting students in every aspect of their education!

Bayside Academy Students Win Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Bayside Academy’s Visual Arts Department congratulates the Bayside students who have been honored with a Scholastic Art & Writing Award in one of the most prestigious art competitions for high school students in the United States. According to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards website, “Since 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have recognized the vision, ingenuity, and talent of our nation’s youth, and provided opportunities for creative teens to be celebrated. Each year, increasing numbers of teens participate in the program, and become a part of our community—young artists and writers, filmmakers and photographers, poets and sculptors, video game artists and science fiction writers—along with countless educators who support and encourage the creative process.” Students across America submitted original works this year in different categories of art. Outstanding works are honored with gold keys, silver keys, and honorable mentions. Bayside’s 2021 Scholastic Art & Writing Award Winners Silver Keys: • Senior Kelley Wright: Silver Key, “Caught in Limbo” • Senior Hannah Wieland: Silver Key, “Teenagers” Honorable Mentions: • Senior Kelley Wright: Honorable Mention, “Carpe Diem” • Junior O’Melia Macpherson: Honorable Mention, “Elizabeth” Pictured, students Kelley Wright, O’Melia Macpherson, and Hannah Wieland hold their winning entries.

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20s Day at Fairhope East Elementary School

Autauga County Schools Mathis Elementary Spelling Bee Winners

Adjective Hat Parade at Belforest ES

The 2nd graders at Belforest Elementary had a super cute Adjective Hat Parade! They worked so hard on their hats.

Fairhope East 6th graders are looking dapper as they experience 20s Day! Social studies, language arts, math, and science classes are all full of the fun of the roaring 20s!

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

Great job to all of our Mathis Elementary School Spelling Bee participants. Congratulations to Isabel Jimenez our Spelling Bee Champion and Runner-Up, Riley Nelson!

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Bay Minette MS Basketball Team Wins Championship

Another championship win for Bay Minette Middle. We are so proud of our boys. Thanks to the parents and teachers who came out to support.

Send School News and Photos to: lynn@easternshoreparents.com!

Fairhope HS Students Participate in Summit

Mrs. Jaynes’ AP Environmental Science students at Fairhope High School participated virtually in the Alabama Coastal Foundation’s annual Sustainability Summit.

Text Surgery at Fairhope West ES

The doctors at Fairhope West successfully completed text feature surgery in operating room 101 this morning. Medical students prepared for surgery by passing their “board exams” on Kahoot and then went to work locating various text features from nonfiction texts.

Mobile and Baldwin County’s Board Certified Allergy Experts coastalallergyasthma.com 39

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Autauga County Schools

Daphne HS Women Wrestlers Win State Championship

Learning is Fun at Foley Middle School

Daphne High School Trojans Women’s Wrestling Team won the first women’s state championship in Alabama history. Way to Go trojans!

Mrs. Howard’s class at Foley Middle School had a blast learning about probability through an inquiry-based mark and recapture ecology lab. What a fun way to teach this concept!

3D Printing at Fairhope East ES

Fairhope East Elementary students are in LOVE with 3D printing! We are designing and printing conversation hearts in the STEAM lab! Thank you Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation for our 3D printer!

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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SUMMERS AT BAYSIDE BAYSIDE ACADEMY SUMMER CAMPS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Register today at baysideacademy.org/summer-camps

303 Dryer Ave. | Daphne, AL 36526 | 251.338.6300 | www.baysideacademy.org Bayside Academy is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school 41 offering a superior educational opportunity to students in grades PK3–12.

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Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Day camps come in all shapes and sizes, appealing to a range of interests and ages. Here’s how to find a camp that invests in your youngster by creating an unforgettable xperience where they’ll meet new friends, gain self-confidence and learn new skills -all while giving you peace of mind. Begin with basics. First determine

your schedule needs. Some camps are only a few hours a day while others are structured to work well with a working parent’s schedule. Figure out if you’ll need to arrange before or after care. From there, seek a camp with “caring staff, fun programs and a dedication to the health and safety of the campers,” says DD Gass, a director of camps and school-age services for a faith-based community center.

Match the camp with your child’s interests. From computer

coding to robotics and sports, day camps offer kids the opportunity to try all kinds of new activities. If your child isn’t interested in a camp that specializes in one activity, choose a more traditional camp that offers a wide range of activities throughout the session. “Make sure there’s a healthy balance between structure and choice,” says Jim Spearin, senior vice president of Youth Development for the YMCA.

camp expo or camp fair to find out what options exist in the area. Some organizations feature their own camp fairs and mini-camps during the spring for families to try. “As a parent you know your child best and what program would be best for them. Trust your instincts,” Ball says.

Calm butterflies. Many youngsters

Consider the culture. Ask for

referrals from trusted family and friends.”Choose a camp that welcomes parents as partners in their experience,” Spearin says. “Parents should always feel welcome to come visit during camp. There should be planned activities for both parent and camper to enjoy together such as special events or campouts.”

Seek qualified, organized staff.

Camp employees should be licensed, certified and trained in sexual/child abuse prevention, first aid and CPR. Find out how camp leaders are supervised and how they plan for emergencies, including natural disasters, intruders and other threats. Also consider the child-tostaff ratio. Will your child feel lost in a group that’s too big, even if it meets state criteria? “It’s vitally important for staff to have child development knowledge and experience to ensure that appropriate, engaging and enriching activities are offered,” says Katrina Ball, a childcare resource and referral director.

Try it before you buy. Attend a

have a hard time adjusting to new situations and people and may feel scared or intimidated. Include them in the process of choosing a camp. Discuss the schedule of activities and what a typical day will look like. “Children can help pack their lunch (if needed) and pack their backpack with the items they’ll need for camp. This helps them know what they have in their backpack and know what they will need to bring home,” Gass says. Find out if one of your child’s friends would like to attend the camp with him. Attending orientations, visiting the camp site and meeting the staff prior to the beginning of camp can also help reduce any pre-camp jitters. ESP

Freelance journalist, Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two happy day campers. Christa’s latest book is Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.

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Parents’ Ultimate Guide to

use it to build consumer profiles to make educated guesses about what you’re likely to buy in the future. These models are valuable, and they use them to sell you stuff or sell your data profile to other companies. For example, your fridge could sell your data to an ice cream company or a health insurance provider.

Smart Devices

More than six in 10 parents say their young kids interact with voiceactivated assistants. Are you one of them? If you’re weighing the pros and cons of products such as smart watches, smart speakers, and even smartphones that track pretty much everything you do, a peek behind the curtain will help you determine whether the benefits to your family are worth it. This guide tells you all about smart devices -- what they are, what they can do for you and your family, how to use them as safely as possible, and how to protect your family’s privacy in a world increasingly powered by data.

What is COPPA, and how does it protect my child? COPPA

stands for the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. It’s a federal law enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). COPPA prevents online companies from collecting and using data from kids under 13 without parental consent. This is why nearly all social media companies set their minimum age requirement at 13--because their business models depend on tracking users. Smart devices aren’t allowed to knowingly track kids because of the COPPA rule, but when the devices are used in the home, they don’t necessarily know the ages of all users. When you set up individual profiles for your kids on smart speakers, it somewhat limits what information the device can collect and store when it knows a kid is using it.

What are smart devices? The “smart” part refers to any device that communicates with other devices over the internet. But the kinds of smart products designed for home or personal use, such Apple HomePod, Amazon Echo, Facebook Portal, and Google Home smart speakers, can also adapt to their owners using artificial intelligence technology that “learns” your behavior. These types of products can save time, effort, money, and even human life. They make it easy to play music, get homework help, and make a grocery list. Smart thermostats and lights, for example, can reduce your energy bill. And smart medical devices can alert your doctor when your kid’s asthma flares up.

How can I limit the data my smart devices collect? Most connected products

have privacy settings that put limits on the use of your data, such as how much the company can collect, what they use it for, how long they can keep it, and how you--as the source of that data--can interact with it. You can usually find privacy settings in your account profile on the company’s website or on an associated app (which is often required to run a smart device). Some privacy features, such as location services, can only be turned on or off. Some you can fine-tune. In the Alexa app that works with Amazon’s Echo, for example, you can restrict Amazon from using your voice recordings for certain purposes. They may still collect this information; they just can’t use it for purposes you’ve opted out of.

How do smart products work? Unlike “dumb” electronics, smart products use a combination of data and sophisticated software calculations to do what you want them to do. They can take information from a variety of sources, including human voices, sensors that monitor the environment, biometrics (thumbprints and faces), and apps, so every product performs a little differently for each person. But the biggest difference between smart devices and regular ones are that they need you--specifically your data-to customize to your needs. And all that data needs to go somewhere, so it’s usually stored in the “cloud” (basically, giant computer servers) out of your sight and mostly out of your control.

What’s the safest way for my family to use smart devices? • Use strong passwords -- and make sure your kids do, too. Strong, well-protected passwords can thwart hackers looking for easy combinations to gain access to your information. Also, take advantage of additional security measures such as two-factor authentication. • Protect children with parental consent. If kids will be interacting with smart devices and companies give you the option of setting up profiles for them, take advantage of that feature, as it can limit what’s collected. If you want your kids to have, say, their own home assistant for their room, just make sure you enable all the privacy settings you can. To be ultra safe (some might think paranoid), you can turn off the device’s microphone at night after the kids go to bed. • Remind your kids to connect safely. Public networks are prime targets for hackers (both local and international), so try to avoid them. If you have to use a public network, consider downloading a VPN (virtual private network) and make sure to enable the browser setting “always use HTTPS” to add another layer of encryption to your data.

What kinds of information do smart devices collect? Smart

devices collect--at the very least--the data they need to provide you with the service they’re offering. For example, your kid’s location-aware watch tracks his whereabouts. A smart refrigerator tracks what food you buy. Home assistants track your requests. But they typically collect way more data than they technically need to do their job. The watch still monitors your kid’s location even when he’s at home eating dinner and may also log which other watches are nearby it or track fitness metrics. The fridge may track every time someone opens the door. It’s unclear how much smart speakers pick up of your home chatter, since they sometimes butt in to conversations unexpectedly. Companies claim that they need this data to make their products work better. But they also Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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We are with you and for you! Weekly family ministry offered from birth to 12th grade

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Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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screen hiatus, especially during the summer months. Spending time outdoors, learning a new skill, having fun, and forming new friendships is good for the body and soul!

If you have never sent your kids to a summer camp, here are 7 reasons why you should consider it!

With so many options, it’s easy to find a great fit for your child. From sports camps and art camps to STEM-based camps

Sending kids to camp is beneficial for you, too. Driving

away from your child(ren) on the first day might be a little gutwrenching. But entrusting your kids to someone else for a while can be truly beneficial. Maybe it will free up time for some overdue self-care, or give you and your partner time to reconnect. Maybe it will provide an opportunity to hit the reset button with your tween or teen. After all, absence makes the heart grow fonder! Parenting is tough work, so don’t feel guilty if you enjoy this time to yourself. Chances are, your kids are having a blast without you!

and more traditional overnight options, summer camps are designed to serve a variety of ages and interests. The length of camp can range from a few mornings for younger kiddos to weeklong sleep-away camps for older kids. Local churches, school districts, and other organizations like the YMCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire, and 4-H offer a wide range of camps. With a little bit of research, you can easily find a camp well-suited for your child.

Camps provide kids with experiences they might not have access to in “everyday” life. Horseback riding. Paddling

Your child’s experience as a camper could help land a summer job in the future. Camps are staffed by amazing

a canoe across the lake. Wilderness survival. Conquering a ropes course. Sleeping under the stars. Adventures are endless at camp, and your child will have an opportunity to try something brand new. For the youngest campers, trying a new craft activity or learning a new camp song can be so much fun!

counselors who provide kids with all kinds of good, clean fun. Most of these counselors were campers once, too. Now they get to help a new set of youngsters make unforgettable summer memories, all while sharpening their own teamwork and leadership skills. Your child might have that same opportunity one day. What great way to spend a summer!

Camps are a safe place to practice social skills. It might be awkward or uncomfortable for your child during those first few hours of camp when they don’t know a single soul. After all, stepping into a new social environment can be challenging. But the ability to comfortably communicate with new people is a life skill that all kids need, and a camp is a great place to practice! Camps also provide kids an opportunity to form friendships.

Camp is just plain fun. So many adults have fond memories from their days spent at camp, and kids who have been often say it’s a favorite part of their summer. Odds are, your kids are going to love it! And for that reason alone, it’s worth sending them to camp. ESP

Mary Ann Blair is a mom of two boisterous boys. Besides chronicling her adventures in motherhood at maryannblair.com, she loves the outdoors, reading, and all things crafty.

Camps give kids a much-needed technology break. No

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• Chorus • Drama • Arts & Crafts • CIT Program • Campfires every night • Optional trips & more!

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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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Art Camps Eastern Shore Art Center ad on page 32

401 Oak Street, Fairhope, AL 36532 Summer Art Bash 2021-May 31st-July 16th. Monday-Friday, Full day (10am-3pm) and half day (10am-12pm). Ages 5-15. Explore our Art Bash 2021 catalog to find a variety of courses like Creative Writing, Pottery, Painting, Photography, and Digital Arts. Register Today! (251) 928-2228 (Ext. 107) info@esartcenter.org www.esartcenter.org

Coastal Arts Center

26389 Canal Road, Orange Beach, AL 36561 June 7 -11, 9:00am-12:00pm for rising 3rd-6th grade. Ignite your child’s creative side at the Gulf Coast’s premier children’s art program! (251) 981-ARTS abrewton@orangebeachal.gov www.coastalartscenter.com

Coastal Makers, LLC

70 North Joachim (Suite F), Mobile, AL 36602 Prepare to get messy, have fun, and create cool art! Designed for ages 6-12. (251) 455-2909 coastalmakers@gmail.com www.coastalmakers.com

Kaleidoscope Fine Arts Camp

First Presbyterian Church, 309 East 21st Avenue, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 2021 Dates TBD - camp from 9:00am - 3:00pm for Grades 2nd - 8th. Visual Art, Dance, Writing, Music and Drama/Theater classes. (251) 978-8130 or (251) 948-2627 www.gulfcoastartsalliance.com/kaliedoscope

Painting with Shannon

Country Day School, 23800 Highway 98, Fairhope, AL 36532 Follow Painting with Shannon on Facebook and on Instagram @paintwithshannon. www.shannonnobleart.com

Wooden it be Fun!

314 Greeno Rd S (Suite C), Fairhope, AL 36532 Summer camps - dates TBD.

(251) 422-8052 woodenitbefunfairhope@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/woodenitbefunfairhope

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

Cheer/Dance/ Gymnastics Creative Outlet Dance Academy

ad on page 37

66 South Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532 Royal Ball” - June 7-10 10:00-12:30; July 12-15 10:00-12:30. “Fairies and Fireflies” - June 14-17 10:00-12:30; July 19-22 10:00-12:30. “Jumping Jungle Jam” - June 21-24 10:00-12:30; July 26-29 10:00-12:30. Cost $150. Ages 3-5 and 6-8. In- studio “performance” at 12:00, end of each session! Once weekly classes in creative movement, ballet, hip hop, jazz, actor and tap. Fun Friday Camps!! Ages 4-10, 10:00-2:00. $50. Ballet Technique/Pointe-Variation/Jazz Mini Intensive’s - June 14-17, 2:00-5:00; July 19-22 2:00-5:00. $175. Ages 9-12; Ages 13-up. (251) 928-9511 www.creativeoutletdance.com

Eastern Shore Dance Academy ad on page 23

9063 Merritt Lane, Daphne, AL 36526 Please call or visit our website for up to date information on our super summer camps and dance intensives!

(251) 626-2300 easternshoredance@gmail.com www.facebook.com/easternshoredance

Gulf Coast Dance Alliance ad on page 57

30752 Ember Lane, Spanish Fort, AL 36527 Summer Dance Camp dates are June 7-11. Ballet Princess Camp for ages 3-4 ($150) 10am - 12pm. Dance Jams for ages 5-7 ($200) 9am 12pm. Dance Boot Camp for ages 8-11 ($200) 9am - 12pm. Register before March 15 for a $25 discount! Regular weekly summer classes held June 1 - July 30. (251) 621-9755 info@gcdadance.com www.gcdadance.com

Mobile Ballet Eastern Shore ad on page 26

26436-B Kensington Place, Daphne, AL 36526 Let’s Dance Camp – Ballet, Jazz (Ages 6 – 8) June 7 – 10, 2021 & July TBA Little Ballerina Camp - Ballet Creative Movement (Ages 3 - 5) June 7 – 10, 2021 & July TBA (251) 342-2241 info@mobileballet.org www.mobileballet.org

Next Level Tumbling and Training Center ad on page 55

26090 Equity Drive, Daphne, AL 36526 June 14-18, July 12-16 and August 9-13, 2021. Monday-Thursday 8:45am-12pm, Friday 8:45am-2:00pm. Open to ages 5-12 years. Nonrefundable Registration fee $50. $200/week per camper. Space is limited so register online Today! (251) 621-5797 www.nextleveltumbling.com

Susan’s Academy of Dance ad on page 30

7966 American Way, Daphne, AL 36526 Several dance camps and workshops will be offered this summer! Follow us on Facebook or visit us online for updates! (251) 626-3835 director@susansacademyofdance.com www.susansacademyofdance.com

Auburn University Gymnastics Camps

703 West Samford Avenue, Auburn, AL 36849 Auburn Gymnastics Camps in Alabama offer an opportunity for gymnasts to receive valuable instruction on the fundamentals of gymnastics while addressing new skills. Visit our website for specific camp details. (334) 844-5047 AUgymcamp@auburn.edu www.auburngymnasticscamps.com

Flip City

9332 Hard Drive, Foley, AL 36535 Camp dates coming soon! Check our website for more information. (251) 747-0404 flipcityfoley@outlook.com www.flipcityfoley.com

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Sheffield School of Dance - Eastern Shore The Shoppes at Fairhope Village, 151 Fly Creek Avenue (Suite 430 & 432), Fairhope, AL 36532 July 26-29, August 2-5. West Mobile & Eastern Shore locations! Follow us at @sheffielddance.

(251) 219-7877 sheffieldschoolofthedance@gmail.com www.sheffielddance.com

Day Camps Bay Camp

ad on page 51

Celebration Church, 8180 Dyer Road, Fairhope, AL 36532 Explore the Shore with Bay Camp this summer! Explorative field trips, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, art, movies, friends and great memories! Also offering Spring Break Camp, Mon-Fri April 5th-9th 7:30am-6:00pm, Summer Camp starts Tuesday, June 1-offering all summer or you may pick your weeks. Monday-Friday from 7:00am6:00pm for ages 5-12. Now also registering for Afterschool 2021/2022. (251) 752-4897 lisa@easternshorebaycamp.com baycamp.org

Bayside Summer Day Camp ad on page 41

Bayside Academy, 303 Dryer Avenue, Daphne, AL 36526 2021 Summer Camp will open on Wednesday, June 2nd and run every week day through Friday, August 6th for ages 5-12 years from 7:00am6:00pm. (251) 338-6473 summercamp@baysideacademy.org www.facebook.com/baysidesummercamp

Camp 3Circle | Daphne Campus

Dauphin Island Sea Lab Summer Day Camps

10080 County Road 64, Daphne, AL 36526 June 7 - 11, 2021. (Daphne Campus) Camp 3Circle is a fun-filled week for kids ages 4 years - 4th grade. We incorporate worship, Bible study and games to point children to God’s great love for them.

101 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, AL 36528 Oceans Alive! June 2, July 2 (ages 5 - 8); BIO Blitz-June 7 (ages 8 - 10); Ocean Bytes-June 3, June 25 (ages 9-11); Survivor: Dauphin Island June 4, June 18, July 30 (ages 10-13). Registration/camp specifics are available online.

ad on page 45

(251) 990-3112 info@3circlechurch.com www.3circlechurch.com/camp

(251) 861-2141 (ext. 7515) DHPsummer@disl.org www.disl.org

Camp 3Circle | Fairhope Campus ad on page 45

10274 State Highway 104, Fairhope, AL 36532 June 21 - 25, 2021. (Fairhope Campus) Camp 3Circle is a fun-filled week for kids ages 4 years - 4th grade. We incorporate worship, Bible study and games to point children to God’s great love for them. (251) 990-3112 info@3circlechurch.com www.3circlechurch.com/camp

Central Christian School Summer Day Camp ad on page 17

17395 Highway 104 West, Robertsdale, AL 36567 Camp May 24-August 6 , 2021. Monday - Friday 7:00am-5:30pm. Ages K3 - 6th grade. Registration is $35 (includes a t-shirt). Cost: $125 per week or $35 per day. Swimming, Arts/Crafts, Field trips, Movies, Water Play, Bible Stories, Outdoor Activities and Gym Play. Lunch and snack provided. Register today! (251) 947-5043 lhadley@ccssaints.com www.ccssaints.com

ad on page 28

Exceptional Foundation Gulf Coast ad on page 59

28788 North Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526 Exception Foundation of the Gulf Coast presents a summer program, June 7th to July 29th 2021. This program will be filled with friends, fun, field trips and more!. M-F 8:00am – 5:30pm. 10 years and up. EFGC is a non profit 501 (c) (3) program that provides social and recreational opportunities for the special needs communities of Baldwin and Mobile counties. Limited Spots. (251) 625-8955 efgulfcoast@gmail.com www.exceptionalfoundationgc.org

Fairhope Point Clear Rotary Youth Summer Enrichment Camps ad on page 7

19128 Young Street, Fairhope, AL 36532 June 1-June 30, 2021 and July 6 - 30, 2021 Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:30pm. Ages K-12th grade. Arts, Education, Sports, Leadership,

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Character, Recreation and more! Members $365 per month per child and includes all field trips and fees. Scholarships available!

6th grade. A summer of excitement and empowerment for the mind, body, and soul! Cost: $250 for the first child. Please call for more information.

(251) 928-9148 info@rotaryyouthclub.org www.rotaryyouthclub.org

(251) 621-7171 executive.director@rwyo.org

Kids In Motion Academy

The Mobile Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will be holding its annual Cub Scout Summer Day Camp. Please visit our website for summer camp information coming soon.

ad on page 31

Kids In Motion will focus on teaching the basic skills of sports including basketball, soccer, flag football, Tball/softball and volleyball, tennis and golf. We will challenge your child’s imagination with Art and Music - Teach Spanish and French and explore the world of Science all with the help of professional Instructors. Field Trips and Swimming included too! Ages 6 - 12. $175/weekly. 7:30am - 5:30pm. (251) 209-9986

St. James Episcopal School ad on page 19

860 North Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532 St. James Episcopal Summer Day Camp, June 14 through July 30, welcomes ages PreK3 (fully pottytrained) through rising 2nd graders. Students that do not attend St. James School may participate. Full-day (7:30am - 2:30pm), and half-day (9:00am - 1:00pm) options. Weekly camp schedule and registration packet available on our website at stjamesfairhope.school. Registration begins March 1.

(251) 928-2912 schooldirector@stjamesfairhope.org www.stjamesfairhope.school

St. Paul’s Episcopal Preschool Summer Camps ad on page 52

St. Paul’s Episcopal Preschool, 28788 North Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526 Seuss Camp: July 5-9, Kiddie Cotillion (Manners Camp for Little Ones): July 19-23, Happy, Healthy Kids Camp: August 2-6. Register Online at stpaulspreschooldaphne.com.

(251) 626-2774 stpaulspreschooldaphne@gmail.com www.stpaulspreschooldaphne.com

A Summer to RememberLet’s Have Fun at The Ruff

Ruff Wilson Youth Center, 1317 Johnson Road, Daphne, AL 36526 June 1-July 30, 2021, 8:00am-5:00pm. Ages K-

Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout Day Camp

(251) 476-4600 bernadette.toler@scouting.org www.bsamac.org

Camp Chandler Tonsmeire

2701 Shelton Beach Rd Ext, Mobile, AL 36618 Camp Chandler Tonsmeire is an outdoor education program focused on character and leadership development and curbing summer learning loss. Offering S.T.E.M. activities in a traditional fun day camp program. This is the place where kids can be kids and enjoy a day of adventure. Dates-June 7-11, June 14-18, June 21-25, June 28-July 2, July 5-9, July 12-16,July 19-23. Ages 6-13. (251) 432-1235 ghall@bgcsouthal.org Find us on Facebook!

Eastern Shore Academy of Excellence

23946-B US Highway 98, Fairhope, AL 36532 Monday - Friday 6:30am-5:00pm for gges 6 weeks–12 years. Summer programs offer field trips, arts/crafts, music, science & discovery, swimming and more! Please call to register. (251) 928-1854 Jamie.snowden76@gmail.com www.facebook.com/EasternShoreAcademy

Eastern Shore Montessori

980 Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526 Children will enjoy many activities including arts and crafts, play dough, hands-on projects, activities and games. Programs run June - August, 2021 from 7:00am-5:30pm. Ages 18 months 5 years. (251) 626-7505 esmontessorischool@gmail.com www.easternshoremontessori.com

Expect Excellence Program

4849 South Wilson Boulevard, Orange Beach, AL 36561 Summer program begins June 1, 2021 for rising 3rd - 7th grade. Academics, Arts and Athletics for children and youth. (251) 981-6028 www.orangebeachal.gov/facilities/ recreation-center/expect-excellence

Fairhope Rec Center Summer of Fun

Volanta Park & Municipal Pool , 803 North Greeno Road, Fairhope, AL 36532 Camp is open June 1 - July 31. No camp the week of July 5. Call the Fairhope Rec Center for dates, times and registration. (251) 928-7270 or (251) 990-0174

First Kids Summer Day Camp

First Baptist Church, 300 South Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532 Field trips, music, arts/crafts, sign language, drama, Bible study, movies, tech days, outdoor play and more.. 7:30am–5:30pm. Ages: completed Kindergarten- 6th grade. Full time/Part time options. Registration begins April 1st. (251) 928-8685 fairhopesdc@gmail.com firstfairhope.org

GulfQuest

155 Water Street, Mobile, AL 36602 STEAM-based adventure Camps: Traditional museum-based week-long day camp, virtual camp, stand-alone day events, take-home lessons, art, building projects. (Ages 4-15). 251-436-8901 education@gulfquest.org www.gulfquest.org

Hot Wheels Skate Center

616 Whispering Pines Drive, Daphne, AL 36526 Summer camp begins May 26, 2021 and runs August 10th Monday - Friday from 7:00am 6:00pm for completed Kindergarten - 6th grade. Register Online at hotwheelsdaphne.com (251) 626-5120 www.hotwheelsdaphne.com

Kelly’s Kids

Bay Minette Rec Center, 611 McMeans Avenue, Bay Minette, AL 36507 Games, swimming, skating, movies, and much more fun!! Participants should bring a lunch and two snacks everyday. Registration will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. (251) 580-2546 marisa.lund@ci.bay-minette.al.us www.facebook.com/BayMinetteRecreationDept

KidCam CAMPS

Gulf State Park, 22120 Campground Road, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 June 1–August 6, 2021. Monday-Friday 9:00am3:00pm. Ages: 5-13 years. extended care options.

(877) 454-3226 SummersRock@KidcamCamps.com www.kidcamcamp.com/city/gulf-shores/

HOME STUDIO ART PROJECTS Designed by Museum educators, these art projects allow families to explore creativity from home, utilizing materials that might already be around the house. From learning about color theory and designing paper quilt collages, to using art as a form of expressive reflection, there is an activity for everyone in the whole family to enjoy! Find activities to enjoy at mmfa.org.

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Light of the City

Douglasville School of Arts & recreation, 1000 Shedrick Parkway, Bay Minette, AL 36507 Camp runs June 8-July 30, 2021. Fun, field trips and enrichment opportunities. (251) 421-3381 barbara5270@att.net Find us on Facebook

Snook Youth Club Of Foley

1391 South Cedar Street, Foley, AL 36535 Summer Camp-Monday-Friday 7:30AM - 5:30PM. Age groups will be 5 - 7 years, 8 - 10 years and 11 - 15 years. (251) 943-1483

www.snookyouthclub.weebly.com

YMCA of South Alabama

Bounds Family YMCA, 8051 Whispering Pines Road, Daphne, AL 36526 May - August 2021. Monday - Friday from 7am 6pm for ages 5-14 years. (251) 626-0888 ejohnson@ysal.org www.ysal.org

Educational / Miscellaneous Huntington Learning Center

Mathnasium

for boys and girls in the sixth grade, begins in August and ends in February.

ad on page 23

Mobile, AL Summer is time for fun, but it’s also when kids lose up to 3 months of their math skills. Called “the summer slide,” this seasonal learning loss can result in lower self-confidence and a lower chance of school success in the fall. In only 2-3 sessions per week at Mathnasium, your child can avoid the summer slide and start the school year strong. 251-490-8890 www.mathnasium.com/mobile

Nature Connect Outdoor Summer Day Camps ad on page 25

Various locations, Fairhope, AL 36532 Weekly summer sessions from June 7 - August 6, 2021. Ages 3 - 13 years. Join us for adventurous outdoor camps where we learn about plants and animals, explore local waterways, go fishing, swimming, and climb trees! Create art from natural materials, play games, and much more! Visit our website to see detailed sessions and activities. (251) 747-7846 info@natureconnectalabama.org www.natureconnectalabama.org/camps

ad on page 27

Pre-Cotillion Program Manners/Etiquette Classes

(251) 621-1055 daphneal@hlcmail.com www.huntingtonhelps.com/daphne

Belforest Pointe, 26503 Highway 181, Daphne, AL 36526 June 22-24 or July 20-22. The Pre-Cotillion program is for boys and girls entering 1st through 4th grades. Multiple Pre-Cotillion programs are offered throughout the year. The Cotillion program,

Jubilee Square Shopping Center, 6880 US Highway 90 (Suite 13), Daphne, AL 36526 We provide reading, phonics, writing, and math tutoring for K-12th grades. ACT/SAT Prep. Proven results!

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

ad on page 20

(251) 928-4962 kathy.sternenberg@nljc.com www.nljc.com/chapter/easternshore

American Autism & Rehabilitation Center

8909 Rand Avenue, Daphne, AL 36526 The American Autism and Rehabilitation Center will offer a cooking camp Monday-Thursday July 12-15th 9am-12pm noon. No diagnosis is required. Please visit our website for additional camp information.

(251) 210-1632 (Ext. 104) info@american autismcenter.com www.AmericanAutismCenter.com

Wildcat Contraption Camp ad on page 27

Bishop State, 351 N Broad St, Mobile, AL 36603 Wildcat Contraption Camp will expose students to career technical and manufacturing training careers. Camp will also include a piece on entrepreneurship and students will complete a makeand-take project. June 14 - 25, 2021. 8:00am - 12:30pm. $85 camp fee.

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Auburn University Youth Camps

(334) 844-5100 auyouth@auburn.edu www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/auburnyouthprograms/index.htm

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Aviation Challenge Camp

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Auburn, AL 36849 Auburn Youth Camps are an extension of University Outreach that offer summer programs designed to educate and inspire youth in a variety of academic, athletic, and extracurricular endeavors.

One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805 See more details under Overnight Camps. (800) 637-7223 camps@rocketcenter.com www.spacecamp.com/aviation

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ESL Summer Writing Workshop

Fairhope, AL 36532 June 22-24. Tuesday–Thursday, 12:30pm 3:30pm. Ages 11-14 years (6th-9th grades). $150/ week with $50 non-refundable deposit. Contact Benita Stewart to register. (251) 472-6064 benitastewart@gmail.com

Exploreum Science Center

65 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602 Experience the most amazing, science-based summer camps in Mobile! Summer camps at the Exploreum Science Center are a great way to keep budding young minds engaged all summer long. Each camp will include activities from various STEM topics, as well as access to our galleries and Digital Dome theater. 251-208-6892 www.exploreum.com

Fairhope Sewing School

11161 John Deere Lane, Fairhope, AL 36532 Weekly Children Camps. June 7, 2021 - July 29, 2021 for Campers ages 6-13 years. See Website for details. Contact us for registration forms: fairhopesewingschool@gmail.com (251) 442-4472 www.fairhopesewingschool.com

FEEF Summer Enrichment Camps

Fairhope, AL 36532 Multiple Dates, Ages K - Adult. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Match) Summer Enrichment Camps. Specific camp info and registration available online. (251) 990-3333

www.feefonline.org

Graham Creek Nature Preserve Summer Camps

Graham Creek Nature Preserve, 23030 Wolf Bay Dr., Foley, AL 36535 Creek Camp dates are June 7-11 for Explorers (grades K-3) and June 21-25 for Pioneers (grades 4-8). Survival Camp dates: July 12-16 for Explor-

ers (grades 1-4) and July 26-30 for Pioneers (grades 4-8). 8am–12:30pm, Cost-$100.

Destiny Farm, LLC

Industrial Design Workshop

(251) 767-7770 alison.destinyfarm@gmail.com Find us on Facebook!

13442 County Road 3, Fairhope, AL 36532 Riding lessons, Horse Training, Shows, Boarding, Clinics, Summer Camps, Horse and Pony Sales.

(251) 923-GCNP summer-camps/

301 Conti Street, Mobile, AL 36602 Auburn University’s Mobile Industrial Design Workshop offers an engaging program for rising 9th - 12th grade students interested in a professional career in Industrial Design. June 7-11, 2021. www.auburn.edu/outreach/opce/auburnyouth programs/mobiledesign.htm

Lake Forest Stables

268 Equine Circle, Daphne, AL 36526 Summer Camps - June, July and August. (770) 355-6514

Mississippi State Veterinary Camp

MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, 240 Wise Center Drive, Mississippi State, MS 39762 Explore veterinary career options from small to large animal, public health, pathology, research and pet health. Ages 10 - 17 years.

(662) 325-0465 www.facebook.com/MSUVetCamp

The Learning Tree at First Fairhope

www.lakeforeststables.org

Valley View Ranch Equestrian Camp for Girls

606 Valley View Ranch Rd, Cloudland, GA 30731 One or two-week sessions June 6 – August 6, 2021. Overnight camps for girls, ages 8-17 years. English, Western, Barrels, Vaulting, and Trails. Beginner and Advanced riders. CHA instructors. (706) 862-2231 info@valleyviewranch.com www.valleyviewranch.com

First Baptist Fairhope, 300 South Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532 TLT’s Summer of Fun program is for ages 2-6 and will run June 15-July 15, 9:00am-12:30pm, Tuesday through Thursday each week.

Music / Theatre

Horseback Riding

ad on page 11

(251) 928-0496 Tlt@firstfairhope.org www.firstfairhope.org/the-learning-tree

Riverview Camp for Girls ad on page 47

757 County Road 614, Mentone, AL 35984 See listing details under Overnight Camps. (800) 882-0722 info@riverviewcamp.com www.riverviewcamp.com

Baldwin County Youth Orchestra

Lifeway Community Church, 16373 Thompson Rd, Loxley, AL 36551 Band Camp July 19-23 and Strings Camp July 26-30 (251) 279-0848 bcyorchestra@gmail.com www.bcyorchestra.com

Bay Area Performing Arts

8724 Rand Avenue, Daphne, AL 36526 5 different Summer Camps during the months

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of June and July! All ages welcome, preschool through 12th grade! More info coming soon, follow us in Facebook and Instagram! (251) 455-0355 info@bayareaperformingarts.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram

Bay Music

409-C North Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532 Summer music lessons for all ages and all levels. Voted Big Beautiful Baldwin’s Best 2020. (251) 517-7636 Find us on Facebook!

SummerTide Drama Camp South Baldwin Community Theatre

George C. Meyer Performing Arts Center, 2022 West 2nd Street , Gulf Shores, AL 36542 SummerTide Drama Camp returns for its annual three-week session of summer camp for young people. The camp is conducted by the University of Alabama’s SummerTide Theatre group. Learn elements of theatre such as story theatre, dance and music. (205) 348-3400 theatre.dance@ua.edu www.sbct.biz/theatre-camp.html

The Studio

25350 Friendship Rd Suite 4, Daphne, AL 36526 Educational Performing Arts Studio offering private, one-on-one training in Acting, Dance, Piano, Stage Makeup, Voice, and more! Visit our website for more information - Summer 2021 Coming Soon! (251) 895-6075 www.thestudioal.com

Overnight Camps Camp Beckwith ad on page 29

10400 Beckwith Lane, Fairhope, AL 36532 Join us for the “Best Week Ever!” at Beckwith, packed with sailing, swimming, arts & crafts, zip-lining, and so much more! Visit our website for information about dates and rates. (251) 928-7844 rachel@beckwithal.com www.beckwithal.com

Dauphin Island Sea Lab Summer Residential Camp ad on page 28

101 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528 Barrier Island Explorers: Rising 5th-6th graders June 20-June 23, July 18-July 21; Marine DeTECHtives: Rising 7th-8th grade June 8-11, July 6-9; Gulf Island Journey: Rising 7th-9th grades June 6-11, June 27-July 2, July 11-16, July 25-30; Bay Voyager: Rising 9th-12th grade June 13-18, July 25-30; Coastal Fisheries Camp: Rising 9th-12th graders May 30-June 4. Registration/camp specifics are available online. (251) 861-2141 (Ext. 7515) DHPsummer@disl.org www.disl.org

Dauphin Island Sea Lab Marine Science Course ad on page 28

101 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528 Marine Science High School Course: June 20-July 16. An immersive 4-week academic class which introduces high school students to a better understanding of the various fields in marine science. Registration/camp specifics are available online. (251) 861-2141 (Ext. 7515) DHPsummer@disl.org www.disl.org

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

Riverview Camp for Girls ad on page 47

757 County Road 614, Mentone, AL 35984 2021 Camps run from June 6-August 1. An all girls overnight camp with short and long-term sessions for girls ages 6-16. Horseback riding, swimming, nature trails, arts and crafts, and much more! Also offering weekend retreats for mother-daughter adventures. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. (800) 882-0722 info@riverviewcamp.com www.riverviewcamp.com

Aviation Challenge Camp

One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805 Camp sessions begin June and run through August 2021 for ages 9 - 18 years. Visit our website for session options,dates and registration. (800) 637-7223 camps@rocketcenter.com www.spacecamp.com/aviation

Baldwin County, Alabama 4-H

Alabama 4-H Center, 892 Four H Road, Columbiana, AL 35051 June 9-11, 2021-Ages 9-14. Camp includes 3 days/2 nights lodging, 6 meals, 3 snacks, a camp t-shirt and lots of summer fun! Charter bus transportation from Bay Minette to and from the 4-H Center provided. (251) 937-7176 sfb0010@auburn.edu v2.4honline.com/

Camp ASCCA

5278 Camp Ascca Dr., Jacksons Gap, AL 36861 Camp ASCCA offers campers a wide variety of traditional recreational and educational activities with a unique design for accessibility. Summer sessions begin July 4, 2021. (256) 825-9226 info@campascca.org www.campascca.org

Camp Cosby

2290 Paul Bear Bryant Road, Alpine, AL 35014 Camp Cosby offers a traditional overnight summer camp. Activities include archery, canoeing, horseback riding, water-skiing, arts and crafts. Dates: June 6-July 31 Ages: 6-15. (800) 85-COSBY cosby@ymcabham.org campcosby.ymcabham.org

Camp Dixie Outdoor Ministry

29711 Josephine Drive, Elberta , AL 36530 A private, traditional overnight camp for boys and girls grades 2nd-12th grade. 2021 dates/ rates $275-June 06-11–B.A.S.I.C. (5th-8th), June 13-18–Jr. B.A.S.I.C. (2nd-5th Gr.), June 27-July 02–Jr. B.A.S.I.C./B.A.S.I.C. (2nd to 8th Gr.), July 11-16–CAPSTONE (7th to 12th Gr.) (251) 987-1201 director@campdixieministries.org www.campdixieministries.org

Camp Mac for Boys and Girls

2671 Cheaha Road, Munford, AL 36268 Summer camp nestled in the Talladega National Forest where kids learn stuff, do things and have fun! Join us for our 74th summer! (256) 362-7449 office@campmac.com www.campmac.com

Camp Marannook

10425 Veterans Memorial Parkway, La Fayette, AL 36862 Camps run June 2-July 26, 2021. Several sessions to choose from. (334) 864-7504 marannook@gmail.com www.marannook.org

Camp Marymount

1318 Fairview Boulevard, Fairview, TN 37062 We offer four sessions ranging from one to five weeks for campers age 6-16. Girls’ dates: May 33- June 11 and June 13- July 2. Boys’ dates: July 11- July 16 and July 18 – July 30. (615) 799-0410 www.campmarymount.com

Camp Seale Harris

various locations, Camp Seale Harris is for kids & teens with diabetes and their family members. Camps & programs available in several cities

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(205) 402-0415 www.campsealeharris.org

City Hope Youth Camp

Camp Blue Lake, 8500 Oakwood Lane, Andalusia, AL 36420 June 1 - 5, 2021. Middle & High School students. Games, worship, small groups and more. Buses will leave from the Mobile and Malbis campuses. (251) 626-0123 lindsey@cityhope.cc cityhope.cc/youth

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama

3483 Springhill Avenue, Mobile, Al 36608 During June and July, we offer opportunities for Residential or Sail Away camp for every girl, whether they are a Girl Scout or not. (800) 239-6636 customercare@girlscoutssa.org www.girlscoutssa.org

Sports Camps Auburn Swim Camp

664 Biggio Drive, Auburn, AL 36849 Camp focuses on training swimmers energy systems for success in summer swimming as well as developing and enhancing the training and racing skills of competitive swimmers. aucampdirector@gmail.com www.auburnwareagleswimcamps.com

Dribble ‘til You Drop - Youth Basketball Skills Training Clinic for Boys and Girls

TBD, Beginners & experienced players in grades 3-8. Several sessions of your choiceeach session lasts 5 weeks, one night a week. Dates, time and place TBD. Call/Text/Email Coach Ali at 251-278-7464 or DribbletilYouDrop@gmail.com for more information. (251) 278-7464 dribbletilyoudrop@gmail.com

Eastern Shore Wrestling Club

Yamane Championship Mixed Martial Arts, 1410 US Highway 98 (Suite D), Daphne, AL 36526 Wrestling Camps: June 1st-3rd (Special Princeton University Wrestling Camp), 9:30-12, June 14th18th, June 28th-July 2, July 12th-16th, July 26th30th Strength/Conditioning Camps: 9:20-11:30, June 7th-11th, June 21st-25th, July 6th-9th, July 19th-23rd (1st - 12th grade) (251) 621-0304 info@ycmma.com www.ycmma.com

Junior Golf & Tennis Camp

Peninsula Golf Club, 20 Peninsula Boulevard, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Contact the golf shop for summer junior golf programs. (251) 256-0122 or (855) 995-9149 www.PeninsulaGolfClub.com

Junior Golf Clinics

Craft Farms Golf Club, 3840 Cotton Creek Circle, Gulf Shores , AL 36542 Summer Golf program information coming soon! Please call for updates. (251) 968-3002 www.CraftFarms.com

Swimming & Water Fun City of Fairhope Swim Lessons

Volanta Park & Municipal Pool, US Highway 98, Fairhope, AL 36532 Call or stop by the Rec Center to register. Group or Private Lessons. (251) 990-0175 or (334) 559-8364 fairhopeswim@gmail.com www.cofairhope.com

Fairhope Yacht Club Sailing Camp

101 Volanta Avenue, Fairhope, AL 36532 Session 1: May 31–June 11, Session 2: June 14–June 25, Session 3: June 28–July 9, Session 4: July 12–July 23, Morning Sessions 8am-12pm/ Afternoon Sessions 1pm-5pm, Bay Buddy Camp (5-7 year old) is 2nd week of each session 8am12pm (228) 363-0073 holly@fairhopeyachtclub.com www.facebook.com/fycjuniors

Gulf Shores Swim Team

Lake Forest Golf Course

1 Golf Terrace, Daphne, AL 36526 Junior golf program begins June 28, 2021. Call or stop by the golf shop to for questions and to register.

(251) 626-9324 lfproshop@lakeforestdaphne.com www.lakeforestdaphne.com/junior-golf.html

TimberCreek Golf Course

9650 TimberCreek Boulevard, Daphne, AL 36526 Junior Golf Clinics are offered in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Call the golf shop for clinic schedules. (251) 621-9900 www.golftimbercreek.com

310 West 19th Avenue, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Please call or follow our Facebook page for program information. (251) 968-9819 www.facebook.com/GulfShoresSwimTeam

Haley’s Little Fish

Eastern Shore Aquatic Center, 10580 County Road 64, Daphne, AL 36526 Visit our Facebook page or contact Haley for program information. (251) 800-1619 haleyslittlefish@gmail.com www.facebook.com/haleyslittlefish ESP

Now Scheduling Camp/Sports Physicals

North Baldwin Pediatrics Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

Jessica Hagemeier, MD Natalie Sharp, MD Becky Emmons, CRNP

251-580-8475

2002 McMillan Ave. • Bay Minette, AL 36507 56

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Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Whether they arrive in the family biologically, through adoption or remarriage, kids don’t get to choose their siblings. With diverse personalities collected under one roof, it’s no wonder brothers and sisters have antagonized each other—and aggravated their parents—since time began. Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

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Instead of losing your cool with your clashing kids, try a few of these tips to enjoy a more harmonious household and teach valuable life skills in the process.

Take breaks. Instead of playing judge and jury, separate your quarreling offspring for awhile. “We need to take a break, and we need to calm down. It doesn’t have to be a punishment. It’s just learning to cope and get through the situation,” Jackson-Rice says. Foster problem solving. Ask your kids to consider each other’s feelings and work toward problem-solving their disagreements, with empathy-building questions like: “How would it make you feel if your brother/sister said that to you?” and solution-seeking queries like: “What can you do to help the situation?” “It’s important for siblings to resolve their issues on their own so they can practice managing challenging interpersonal interactions,” says child and adolescent psychologist Dr. Simone Moody. “As a parent you will not always be there to rescue your children and solve their problems.” Developing conflict resolution skills will not only help kids better manage a dispute on the playground, but will also serve them well later in life as they navigate confrontations in their personal relationships or with a pesky co-worker.

Take a step back. Unless a sibling squabble is ramping up into a hair-pulling, cat-scratching, fist-fighting kind of affair, allow your kids to work out their disagreement on their own. “I give parents permission to not get involved. When we intervene, we are not allowing the skills of conflict resolution or problem-solving,” says Jennifer Jackson-Rice, MSW-LSCSW, a therapist certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy.

Don’t take sides. When your child complains to you of an injustice committed by their sib, you may be tempted to take sides, especially if one child got hit. But, it takes two to tangle. You can’t know for sure how the situation unfolded or what instigated the physical aggression. Jackson-Rice encourages parents not to get into the weeds of who-did-what-when. “There’s nothing positive that can come out of refereeing a sibling disagreement,” she says. “The only reason we’re involved is because someone wants attention from us, and it’s negative attention.”

Establish house rules. “Make sure your kids understand your family values in terms of kindness and treating each other with love and respect,” says parent coach Sara Minges. Sit down with your children to discuss your family’s values and a simple code of conduct, like keeping hands to yourself, using respectful language and sharing. Reward the positive. “Set an attainable goal for following the rules to earn a desired reward,” Moody says. “Catch your children following these rules often. Provide praise immediately

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If you have thirty minutes or more to listen, ask Antonio what he dreams of being in ten years. WE DO WHAT WE DO BECAUSE CHILDREN HAVE DREAMS.

BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 (205) 638-9100 | ChildrensAL.org

Know your hot buttons. “As parents, we are models for our children. It’s important to remain calm and respectful so that we can teach our children to treat others in the same manner,” Moody says. Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

Acknowledge conflict resolution in action. “Remember to praise your children when they resolve an issue appropriately,” Moody says. “If only one child is managing the situation appropriately, give praise and attention to that child’s behavior (‘great job staying calm!’) and ignore minor misbehavior of the other child (taunting, boasting and complaining).” By focusing on the positive interactions, the negative interactions are likely to decrease. “Whatever we water grows. Whatever we pay attention to or whatever we give our kids attention for will grow,” JacksonRice says.

Don’t compare your kids. While competition can be healthy, it shouldn’t fuel all out war in your household. Try not to perpetuate sibling rivalry by drawing comparisons between your kids. One child may learn to ride a bike sooner than another, while the other figures out how to cross the monkey bars faster. One may be better at basketball while the other excels at art. “Focus on each child’s individual strengths. Encourage your children to participate in activities that foster their unique strengths,” Moody says. Also, spend time one-on-one with your kids by engaging them in their favorite activities, playing a game or going for walks together. Individual time strengthens parent-child bonds and helps kids feel valued for who they are rather than how well they perform at a particular activity.

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and give them a token to represent each step toward their goal.” For example, you might create a sticker chart or marble/cotton ball jar and every time your kids work well as a team, they receive a token in the jar or a sticker on the chart. When the tokens reach a certain number, they earn a special family activity.

consistently follow through whenever necessary. “Kids will learn ‘Hey, I’m not going to be able to get mom or dad angry so that they just give in,’” Minges says. “If this is how it happens all of the time, it makes it harder for them to take advantage of the situation or try to get out of something.”

When creating your house rules, consider the types of behaviors that your kids do that flip your patience. “What are the things that drive you bonkers? Try to come out with as comprehensive or realistic a list as possible, whether it’s yelling and screaming, throwing things, stomping feet or using foul language,” Minges says. With a plan in place, it will be easier to keep your cool. For example, you might say: “You know our rule about name-calling. This is your first warning. Do it again and you’ll lose your video game time today.” Calmly and 62

Promote a team atmosphere. Initiate team-building opportunities like playing a game as team rather than as opponents, helping to prepare dinner, cleaning up after a meal or doing yard work together. And, again, reinforce positive interactions by praising your kids whenever they work or play well together. ESP

Freelance writer Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of a pair of squabbling siblings, who are forced to work out their differences while doing yard work and post-dinner clean up.

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FamilyCalendar Thursday March 4

Alabama School of the Arts Piano Festival AllSteinway School Anniversary Concert 6:30 PM University of Mobile Dorsett Auditorium, 5735 College Pkwy Mobile, AL, 36613 All events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited; for reservations and information on streaming of performances, visit umobile.edu/pas or call. 251-442-2383 umobile.edu/pas

Friday March 5

Boat Show on the Bay 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM, USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Pkwy Mobile, AL, 36603 EZN and Auto Lighting of Alabama have teamed up to bring boats to the Battleship for the first ever Boat Show on the Bay! This three day event will be jam packed with food, entertainment, activities, vendors and of course....BOATS! We can’t wait to see you there! boat-show-on-the-bay.ticketleap.com/boat-show-onthe-bay Jermaine “Funnymaine” Johnson 7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 www.mobilesaenger.com Tee Off Fore A Cure Lakewood Golf Club, 1 Grand Blvd Fairhope, AL, 36532 Children’s of Alabama celebrates Tee Off Fore A Cure, with a weekend of events designed to celebrate the “sweet 16th” year of the fundraiser and honor Fairhope cancer survivor Frances Grace Hirs. give.childrensal.org/teeoff

Saturday March 6

Daphne’s Arbor Day Drive-Thru Event 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM, The Plaza at Daphne Public Library, Daphne, AL, 36526 Join us for Daphne’s Arbor Day Drive-Thru Event on Saturday, March 6 at 8am. Over 600 ornamental and fruit trees will be given away! 251-620-2100 Boat Show on the Bay 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Pkwy Mobile, AL, 36603 EZN and Auto Lighting of Alabama have teamed up to bring boats to the Battleship for the first ever Boat Show on the Bay! This three day event will be jam packed with food, entertainment, activities, vendors and of course....BOATS! We can’t wait to see you there! boat-show-on-the-bay.ticketleap.com/boat-show-onthe-bay Bellingrath’s Beers & Blooms Bellingrath Gardens, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, AL, 36582 Bellingrath’s Great Lawn is the place to be then. This inaugural event will have local bands, a wide variety of craft brews, local vendors, and a selection of food trucks to feast off! All that in the middle of the springtime gardens of Bellingrath, this is an event you don’t want to miss. 251-973-2217 bellingrath.org/beers_blooms/ Tee Off Fore A Cure Lakewood Golf Club, 1 Grand Blvd Fairhope, AL, 36532 Children’s of Alabama celebrates Tee Off Fore A Cure, with a weekend of events designed to celebrate the “sweet 16th” year of the fundraiser and honor Fairhope cancer survivor Frances Grace Hirs. give.childrensal.org/teeoff

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

Sunday March 7

Boat Show on the Bay 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Pkwy Mobile, AL, 36603 EZN and Auto Lighting of Alabama have teamed up to bring boats to the Battleship for the first ever Boat Show on the Bay! This three day event will be jam packed with food, entertainment, activities, vendors and of course....BOATS! We can’t wait to see you there! boat-show-on-the-bay.ticketleap.com/boat-show-onthe-bay

Friday March 12

Orange Beach Car Invasion 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, The Wharf, Orange Beach, AL, 36561 Featuring the hottest cars, trucks and bikes on the Gulf Coast. Come out March 12-14 to Main Street for food, cars and fun! alwharf.com South Baldwin Community Theater presents “Couples Troubles” 7:30 PM South Baldwin Community Theater, 2022 West 2nd Street Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 251-968-6721 sbct.biz Festival of FlowersLoDa Style Cathedral Square, Mobile, AL, 36602 Festival of Flowers open to the public.(displays, possible seminars, garden tours, limited vendors) festivalofflowers.com

Saturday March 13

Orange Beach Car Invasion 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, The Wharf, Orange Beach, AL, 36561 Featuring the hottest cars, trucks and bikes on the Gulf Coast. Come out March 12-14 to Main Street for food, cars and fun! alwharf.com TRI Hearts Duathlon 2mi-11mi-2mi 8:00 AM Mullet Point Park, Fairhope, AL, 36532 Join the Tortugaman Tri Hearts Triathlon Club on Saturday March 13th for our Inaugural Tri Hearts Duathlon 251-635-6250 Rainbow Run 9:00 AM OWA, 1501 South OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 Participants will jog, walk, sprint (your choice!) through OWA as neon powder fills the air, turning you into a bright and colorful runner in the streets! visitowa.com/event/rainbowrun/ Delta 5 FPV Race 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Memorial Drive Mobile, AL Come enjoy a morning of remote control racing as airplanes and drones compete. Race course is located behind the B-52. Bring a lawn chair. $4 Parking fee. Orange Beach Festival of Art 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Orange Beach Waterfront Park, 26389 Canal Rd Orange Beach, AL, 36561 The Orange Beach Festival of Art celebrates an extraordinary amount of arts including visual, performing, musical and culinary. With more than 100 vendors displaying a variety of media, festival attendees will have plenty to see, touch, taste and hear. The event also has a kid’s art alley, a culinary arts court featuring local fare, and a music and songwriter’s stage. 251-981-2787 www.orangebeachal.gov/facilities/ festival-arts/about

BBQ & Blues Cook-Off 2021 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Heritage Park, 101 E Laurel Ave Foley, AL, 36535 In addition to great food, enjoy live blues music, arts and crafts, and children’s activities. 251-943-5590 www.foleybbqandblues.net/ Food Truck in the Park 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Blakeley State Park, 34745 State Highway 225 Spanish Fort, AL Enjoy a great meal and day out in the park! Cars and Coffee of Mobile Bay “After Dark Roast” 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, The Fort Park, 29001 Bass Pro Drive Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Welcome to our first “After Dark Roast” of 2021. This is an evening event to showcase your ride under the lights. South Baldwin Community Theater presents “Couples Troubles” 7:30 PM South Baldwin Community Theater, 2022 West 2nd Street Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 251-968-6721 sbct.biz Festival of Flowers- LoDa Style Cathedral Square, Mobile, AL, 36602 Festival of Flowers open to the public.(displays, possible seminars, garden tours, limited vendors) festivalofflowers.com

Sunday March 14

Orange Beach Car Invasion 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, The Wharf, Orange Beach, AL, 36561 Featuring the hottest cars, trucks and bikes on the Gulf Coast. Come out March 12-14 to Main Street for food, cars and fun! alwharf.com Orange Beach Festival of Art 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Orange Beach Waterfront Park, 26389 Canal Rd Orange Beach, AL, 36561 The Orange Beach Festival of Art celebrates an extraordinary amount of arts including visual, performing, musical and culinary. With more than 100 vendors displaying a variety of media, festival attendees will have plenty to see, touch, taste and hear. The event also has a kid’s art alley, a culinary arts court featuring local fare, and a music and songwriter’s stage. 251-981-2787 www.orangebeachal.gov/facilities/ festival-arts/about South Baldwin Community Theater presents “Couples Troubles” 2:30 PM 2022 West 2nd St Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 251-968-6721 sbct.biz

Monday March 15

SPOTLIGHT: A Gulf Coast Talent Showcase Virtual, Free to enter, the competition is open to boys and girls in grades 1-12. A solo/duet and group winner will be chosen in each age division. First-prize winners will be awarded a cash prize for an arts program at their school and will be a featured performer during Distinguished Young Women’s Community Night in June as part of the 63rd Annual National Finals. www.gulfcoastspotlight.com

Friday March 19

Street’s Exquisite Plants & Aquatic Gardens 9:00 AM Street’s Exquisite Plants & Aquatic Gardens, 17750 S Greeno Rd Fairhope, AL, 36532 Come share

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FamilyCalendar the fun of spring with us. Our new spring shipments are here!! Free BBQ , Live Music , festival atmosphere! 251-990-0901 Mobile Opera presents “The Secret Marriage” 7:30 PM Murphy Auditorium, 100 S Carlen St Mobile, AL, 36606 The Intermezzo Season (brought to you, in part, by the Coronavirus) is Mobile Opera’s gift to the community for the 2020-2021 season. There is no ticket to buy, but we ask that you please continue to support Mobile Opera with your donation. www.mobileopera.org South Baldwin Community Theater presents “Couples Troubles” 7:30 PM South Baldwin Community Theater, 2022 West 2nd Street Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 South Baldwin Community Theater presents “Couples Troubles” 251-968-6721 sbct.biz

Saturday March 20

Gulf Coast Regional Mustang & Mega Car Show 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM, OWA, 1501 South OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 1st annual Gulf Coast Regional Mustang & Mega Car Show visitowa.com Bunny Hop 5K 8:30 AM The Wharf, Orange Beach, AL, 36561 Hop over to The Wharf and join in on the fun while benefiting a great cause. The Pleasure Island Junior Woman’s Club is hosting the 10th annual Bunny Hop 5K and Fun Run in memory of precious Ann Reese Grote. The 5K will begin at 8:30 am with the one-mile fun run immediately following. alwharf.com

Easter Photos 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM, The Wharf, Orange Beach, AL, 36561 It’s springtime, peeps! And on select weekends in March and April, live and fuzzy bunnies will be here for professional, keepsake family photos. alwharf.com South Baldwin Community Theater presents “Couples Troubles” 7:30 PM South Baldwin Community Theater, 2022 West 2nd Street Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 251-968-6721 sbct.biz

Sunday March 21

University of Mobile RamCorps 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Heritage Park, 101 E. Violet Ave. Foley, AL, 36535 Mark you calendar for March 21 at 10:00 a.m. at Heritage Park. RamCorps is a Christcentered, 35-member, high impact, visual brass and percussion ensemble from the University of Mobile. 251-943-4393 Mobile Opera presents “The Secret Marriage” 2:30 PM Murphy Auditorium, 100 S Carlen St Mobile, AL, 36606 The Intermezzo Season (brought to you, in part, by the Coronavirus) is Mobile Opera’s gift to the community for the 2020-2021 season. There is no ticket to buy, but we ask that you please continue to support Mobile Opera with your donation. www.mobileopera.org South Baldwin Community Theater presents “Couples Troubles” 7:30 PM South Baldwin Community Theater, 2022 West 2nd Street Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 251-968-6721 sbct.biz

Tuesday March 23

Alabama School of the Arts-Elite 88 Piano Ensemble “Showtunes and the 88s 7:00 PM University of Mobile , 5735 College Pkwy Mobile, AL, 36613 All events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited; for reservations and information on streaming of performances, visit umobile.edu/pas. 251-442-2383 umobile.edu/pas

Thursday March 25

Alabama School of the Arts Piano Festival Junior Recital – Rebecca Reed 6:00 PM University of Mobile Moorer Auditorium, 5735 College Pkwy Mobile, AL, 36613 All events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited; for reservations and information on streaming of performances, visit umobile.edu/pas or call. 251-442-2383 umobile.edu/pas Music at Meyer Park 6:00 PM Meyer Park, 400 E 22nd Ave Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 Free and open to the public. www.gulfshoresal.gov/1428/Music-at-Meyer-Park

Friday March 26

33rd Annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament benefiting FEEF 8:00 AM Quail Creek , Fairhope, AL, 36532 251-990-3333

Saturday March 27

Easter Egg Hunt 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Trione Football Fields, 8600 Whispering Pines Road Daphne, AL 251-620-2700

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FamilyCalendar

Easter Egg Hunt on the Great Lawn 9:00 AM Bellingrath Gardens, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, AL, 36582 Hop on down to the Gardens and join us for some “eggstra” special Easter fun! On March 27, Bellingrath will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt on the Great Lawn. Thousands of Easter eggs will decorate the luxurious lawn for children to scurry and collect. bellingrath.org/experiences/events/easter-egghunt-2021/

limited; for reservations and information on streaming of performances, visit umobile.edu/pas or call. 251-442-2383 umobile.edu/pas

Easter in the Park 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Heritage Park Atmore, Atmore, AL The Easter Bunny along with the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, its trustees, and special event sponsors are busy preparing over 3,000 eggs and so much more for this year’s annual Easter in the Park.

Friday April 2

Mobile Symphony Orchestra 6:00PM, 8:30PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Join the MSO on a whirlwind flight around the world, with masterworks from Russia, France, Austria and the USA. mobilesymphony.org/event/music-around-the-world Easter Egg Hunt The Wharf, Orange Beach, AL, 36561 Hippity, Hoppity, Easter is HERE! In grand style, Marina Lawn will be speckled with more than 5,000 colorful eggs for youngsters to claim including several golden eggs! There will be separate age group areas designated for the hoppy hunt: 0-2, 3-4, 5-7 and 8-10. A special section for children that are sensory sensitive or have special needs requiring guardian assistance will be available as well. A wide variety of free kids’ activities will be offered onsite, including a bouncy house, inflatable slide, balloon artist, giant coloring sheets and more. Pony rides will be available for $5. alwharf.com Spring Fling OWA, 1501 South OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 Spring Fling - Enjoy a Madd Hatter Tea Party, photos with Mr. & Mrs. Bunny, and to a special Easter egg hunt. visitowa.com

Thursday April 1

Music at Meyer Park 6:00 PM Meyer Park, 400 E 22nd Ave Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 All Music at Meyer Park concerts are free and open to the public. www.gulfshoresal.gov/1428/Music-at-Meyer-Park

Saturday April 3

Breakfast with the Bunny 8:00 AM Erie H. Meyer Civic Center, 1930 W 2nd St Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 Kick off your Easter celebration with the City of Gulf Shores as they host Breakfast with the Bunny at 8 a.m. at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center. www.gulfshoresal.gov/1429/Breakfast-with-the-Bunny Easter Photos 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM, The Wharf, Orange Beach, AL, 36561 It’s springtime, peeps! And on select weekends in March and April, live and fuzzy bunnies will be here for professional, keepsake family photos. alwharf.com Flora-Bama Easter Eggstravaganza 1:00 PM Flora-Bama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr Perdido Key, FL, 32507 Kids’ crafts and face painting will begin at 1pm. Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 2pm and the Easter Bunny will skydive onto the beach shortly after! Kids will have a chance to meet the Easter Bunny and have their picture taken inside the tent after he lands. Participants must bring their own baskets and cameras for this event! www.florabama.com/easter-egg-hunt

Sunday March 28

Easter Egg Festival 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, 51233 Hwy 225 Stockton, AL, 36579 Easter Egg Festival Bicentennial Park Stockton AL-Hay Rides, Petting Zoo, Cake Walk, Pony Rides, Kids Train, and More! Easter Egg Hunt at 3pm! baldwincountyal.gov/home Mobile Symphony Orchestra 1:00pm; 3:30pm Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Join the MSO on a whirlwind flight around the world, with masterworks from Russia, France, Austria and the USA. mobilesymphony.org/event/music-around-the-world Spring Fling OWA, 1501 South OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 Spring Fling - Enjoy a Madd Hatter Tea Party, photos with Mr. & Mrs. Bunny, and to a special Easter egg hunt. visitowa.com

Tuesday March 30

Alabama School of the Arts-Piano Faculty Recital 7:00 PM 5735 College Pkwy Mobile, AL, 36613 All events are free and open to the public. Seating is

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

and to a special Easter egg hunt. visitowa.com

Spring Fling OWA, 1501 South OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 Spring Fling - Enjoy a Madd Hatter Tea Party, photos with Mr. & Mrs. Bunny,

Sunday April 4

Easter Sunrise Service 6:30 AM Bellingrath Gardens, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, AL, 36582 As the sun rises over Bellingrath Gardens and Home on Easter Sunday, April 4, guests are invited to join us at a special Sunrise Service with friends and family on Live Oak Plaza. bellingrath.org Sunrise Easter Service 7:30 AM USS Alabama, 2703 Battleship Memorial Parkway Mobile, AL, 36603 Celebrate Easter Sunday at the annual Sunrise Easter Service on the grounds of Battleship Memorial Park.. The service conducted by Government Street Baptist Church. All denominations are welcomed.

Thursday April 8

Music at Meyer Park 6:00 PM Meyer Park, 400 E 22nd Ave Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 All Music at Meyer Park concerts are free and open to the public. www.gulfshoresal.gov/1428/Music-at-Meyer-Park Alabama School of the Arts presents “The Tempest”

($15 General Admission (Bring your blankets and lawn chairs))

7:00 PM University of Mobile, Academic Park Lawn, 5735 College Pkwy Mobile, AL, 36613 Alabama School of the Arts presents “The Tempest”. Tickets for In-Person Viewing: www.itickets. com/universityofmobile. Online Streaming: http:// www.showtix4u.com/events/umobile 251-442-2383 www.itickets.com/universityofmobile

Friday April 9

Alabama School of the Arts presents “The Tempest” Details April 8.

Saturday April 10

Alabama School of the Arts presents “The Tempest” Details April 8.

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Alabama School of the Arts presents “The Tempest” Details April 8.

Saturday April 17

Living History Drill 8:00 AM USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Pkwy Mobile, AL, 36603 Come see history history come to life during our WWII historical reenactments. Learn about life aboard the USS ALABAMA and USS DRUM during war time. Colors posted at 8:30 a.m. Be on deck of the ALABAMA at 1:00 p.m. for call to battle stations and watch vintage airplanes attack the ship. The Crew will defend her with guns blazing. www.ussalabama.com

Thursday April 22

Music at Meyer Park 6:00 PM Meyer Park, 400 E 22nd Ave Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 All Music at Meyer Park concerts are free and open to the public. www.gulfshoresal.gov/1428/Music-at-Meyer-Park

Tuesdays

Lap Babies-Virtual (Facebook) Children’s Story Times 10:30 AM Virtual, Daphne, AL, 36526 Lap BabiesVirtual (Facebook) Children’s Story Times (251) 620-2500 Find us on Facebook

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Wednesdays

Virtual Storytime 10:00 AM Virtual, Join Miss Mary and Cupcake for online Story Time via her YouTube Page. New videos posted every Wednesday at 10 a.m. www.youtube.com/channel/UCLn_szBaZss2w0ha0iNwelA

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Calendar Leaders are Readers 10:30 AM Virtual, Join us on Wednesdays at 10:30am for our Readers are Leaders Storytime on @pageandpalette facebook page. www.facebook.com/PageAndPalette

Thursdays

Pre-K-Virtual (Facebook) Children’s Story Times 10:30 AM Virtual, Daphne, AL, 36526 Pre-K-Virtual (Facebook) Children’s Story Times (251) 620-2500 Find us on Facebook K-3rd Book Club -Virtual (Facebook) Children’s Story Times 3:30 PM Virtual, Daphne, AL, 36526 K-3rd Book Club -Virtual (Facebook) Children’s Story Times (251) 620-2500 Find us on Facebook

Saturdays and Sundays March 13-April 3

Hoppy Easter Photos Tanger Outlets, 2601 S McKenzie Street Foley, AL, 36535 Hoppy Easter Photos - Saturdays, March 13th - April 3rd from 11 AM - 6 PM, Sundays, March 14th March 28th from 12 PM - 6 PM, Good Friday, April 2nd from 11 AM - 6 PM (251) 943-9303 www.tangeroutlet.com/foley/events/ march

Select Saturdays

Ocean Explorer Saturdays Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, AL Discovery Hall Programs is now offering its popular summer camps during the school year, too. On the chosen Saturdays of each month, we are offering an ocean-themed program full of science, activities, and fun. Preregistration is required. bit.ly/OceanExplorerSaturdays

Saturdays and Sundays March 6-April 3

Wales West Cotontail Express Wales West RV Park and Light Railway, 13670 Smiley Street Silverhill, AL, 36576 Enjoy a steam train ride to meet the Easter Bunny this holiday season! Guests will travel by train to the “Bunny Hutch” and enjoy an egg hunt, crafts, refreshments, a miniature train ride, hayless hay ride, playground and bounce house. 10:00am–3:00pm. Tickets must be purchased online. 888-569-5337 www.waleswest.com

Because of ever-changing circumstances due to Covid-19, please check with each venue prior to attending the event to verify the information provided is still accurate and up to date.

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Retirement Funding Comes Before College Savings Q. A friend told me about your Baby Steps program. I have one question, though. I noticed that according to your plan, saving for retirement should come before saving up a college fund for your kids. Why is this? A. In short, college funding is not a necessity. Being able to set aside money for college is a great thing to do if parents can afford that sort of thing. But you can fund your education in other ways. There are loads of scholarships out there just for getting good grades. You can also work while you’re taking classes. And one of the biggest things when it comes to getting an education is choosing a school or training program you can afford. Trust

Eastern Shore Parents I March 2021

me, I believe in education. But there are lots of ways to get a college degree, or other career training, without your parents having to foot the bill or taking out student loans. Another reason I advise this approach is because everyone is going to retire someday—unless, unfortunately, they happen to die before reaching retirement age. Retiring and eating are necessities. College is a luxury. Lots of people succeed in life without going to college, and thousands have worked their way through college. I worked 40-plus hours a week in college,

and still graduated in four years. The only good way to retire is by planning for it years ahead of time, and that means saving and investing. Sure, you should try to help your kids with their educations if you can. Even a little bit each month over the course of several years can help a lot. But some parents might not be able to put a dime toward their kids’ educations after high school. That doesn’t make them bad people or bad parents. And it doesn’t mean their kids can’t still go to college, and avoid debt doing it!

www.easternshoreparents.com

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• It’s safe, simple, and free of charge. • It could keep you from getting COVID-19. If you still get COVID-19, it could keep you from becoming seriously ill. • It will help you do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of your family, your friends and your community. • It’s an mRNA vaccine. These types of vaccines have been studied for more than two decades to evaluate their safety and effectiveness. • It’s the first step toward life returning to normal.

alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19 1