KidsVT, June 2015 by Kids VT

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JUNE 2015 V OL.22 NO.5

✱ ✱ ✱ ✱

SUMMER DAY-CATIONS HOMEMADE PIZZA RECIPE BIKE SAFETY TIPS FATHERS IN FOCUS

THE ISSUE

You Are Busy – I Get It! I’ve got three active girls and I understand – some days can be better than others.

ays Some D

Other D

ays

Now add into your busy lives buying a home. I’m Katrina Roberts and I can help! In addition to being a Mom, I’m a Real Estate Broker and Owner of Greentree Real Estate where I have built a business over the past 8 years by providing personalized service.

• I understand you need to talk after the kids go to bed. • I utilize technology to make the process easier. • I am available nights and weekends. kidsvt.com

Contact me today and allow me the opportunity to earn your family’s business!

Kids VT

June 2015

KATRINA E. ROBERTS, Broker/Owner Greentree Real Estate (802) 989-2833 Katrina@vermontgreentree.com www.vermontgreentree.com KVT1T-KRoberts0615-1.indd 1

5/29/15 11:01 AM

THE

VOL.22 NO.5

JUNE 2015

ISSUE

Editor’s Note....................................................................5 See & Say ..........................................................................6 Coloring-Contest Winners ................................7 Habitat: Backyard Teepee .....................................48 Birthday Club..................................................................50 Use Your Words: Essay ..........................................51

CHEESSE & E ALE! WIN June 1st-7th

Fathers in Focus...18 Readers share the stories behind their sweet snapshots

EAT. LEARN. PLAY

SUBMITTE

D BY YVON

Great deals of up to 70% off throughout the store all week long!

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ARAN

The Kids Beat ..................................................................8 Destination Recreation: Bristol .....................10 Fit Families: Road Biking ....................................11 Bookworms: Local Author Q & A ...............12 Writing-Contest Winners ..................................13 Mealtime: Dad’s Homemade Pizza ..............15 Check Up: Body Mass Index ...............................16 The Art of Cartooning .............................................17

1186 Williston Rd., So. Burlington VT 05403 (Next to the Alpine Shop)

CALENDAR

802.863.0143

Day-cations SUMMER

Daily Listings ..................................................................28 Classes ..................................................................................29 Playgroups ........................................................................32 Ongoing Exhibits ........................................................35 Story Times ......................................................................36

Open 7 days 10am-7pm Web & Mobile site: www.cheesetraders.com

“Better With Cheddar” in Cabot & “Can’t Beat Wonderfeet” in Rutland ...24

Real Science. k8v-cheesetraders0615.indd 1

HANDS ON

ON THE COVER

Write Your Own ...........................................................47 Coloring Contest .........................................................49 Puzzle Page ......................................................................50

We’ve got nothing but love for the photos of dads with their kids that our Facebook followers submitted.

✱ SUMMER DAY-CATIONS ✱ HOMEMADE PIZZA RECIPE ✱ BIKE SAFETY TIPS ✱ FATHERS IN FOCUS

JUNE 2015

THE

ISSUE

VISIT

STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS Cathy Resmer Colby Roberts Alison Novak Brooke Bousquet Megan James Corey Grenier Kaitlin Montgomery

cathy@kidsvt.com colby@kidsvt.com alison@kidsvt.com brooke@kidsvt.com megan@kidsvt.com corey@kidsvt.com kaitlin@kidsvt.com

Montshire Museum! ext. 74 ext. 77 ext. 75 ext. 41 ext. 73 ext. 76 ext. 72

Da Capo Publishing shall not be held liable to any advertiser for any loss that results from the incorrect publication of its advertisement. If a mistake is ours, and the advertising purpose has been rendered valueless, Da Capo Publishing may cancel the charges for the advertisement, or a portion thereof as deemed reasonable by the publisher. Da Capo Publishing reserves the right to refuse any advertising, including inserts, at the discretion of the publishers.

•

Photographers: Matt Thorsen, Sam Simon

OPEN DAILY 10-5

Montshire Museum of Science

montshire.org • 802.649.2200 Exit 13 I-91, Norwich, VT k8v-MontshireMuseum0615.indd 1

Contributing Writers: Angela Arsenault, Erik Esckilsen, Grace Per Lee, Ken Picard, Erinn Simon, Laura Sorkin, Sarah Yahm

$2 Off Admission! When you subscribe to Montshire’s eNews at montshire.org.

KIDS VT

Published 11x per year. Circulation: 25,000 at 600+ locations throughout northern and central Vermont.

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Copy Editor Paula Routly Proofreaders Marisa Keller Kathryn Wysockey-Johnson Production Manager John James Creative Director Don Eggert Designers Aaron Shrewsbury Rev. Diane Sullivan Circulation Manager Matt Weiner Business Manager Cheryl Brownell

JUNE 2015

P.O. Box 1184 Burlington, VT 05402 802-985-5482 kidsvt.com

Editorial in Kids VT is for general informational purposes. Parents must use their own discretion for following the advice in any editorial piece. Acceptance of advertising does not constitute service/product endorsement. Kids VT is a proud member of the Parenting Media Association. Kids VT distribution is audited for accuracy.

• 125+ Hands-on Exhibits • Daily Activities • Visiting Exhibitions • David Goudy Science Park • Nature Trails • Live animals & aquariums • Museum Store • Free parking

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SUMMER CAMPS

June 2015

Full Day Camps 1/2 Day Camps Dance Series

$275 $175 $150

Before & After Care

Kids VT

8am-6pm $10/hour preregister

Breakin Hip Hop July 20-24 | 9-4pm ages 7 + Green Yoga & Art July 27-31 9-4pm | age 7-12 10:30-2pm | age 4-6 Funkstyle Hip Hop Aug 3-7 | 9-4pm | ages 7-13 Dance Sampler Hip Hop, Lyrical, Yoga, Break, Jazz Aug 10-14 | 9-4pm | ages 5-9 Yoga Week Aug 17-24 | 9-4pm | age 5-9 Aug 17-24 | 9-4pm | age 10-14

150 Dorset Street (The Blue Mall) South Burlington 497-0136 www.honestyogacenter.com k3v-UVMAthletics0615.indd 1

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5/26/15 2:53 PM

alison with her dad in the early ’80s.

ediTor’s noTe

Come Experience All Regal Has to offer

dear dads

Discovery Adventure Camp JUNE 15 - AUGUST 28

Regal Gymnastics Academy

The Balancing Act Enrichment Center

2 days, 3 days or 5 days per week Ages 3-7

Discovery Adventure Camp

Come June 16th-August 22nd, 2014 *week by week, 3 day & full day* experience Ages 3-7 the excitement of trying your favorite obstacles all 2 Corporate Drive Vermont Ninja while working Essex, Vermont 802-655-3300 Warrior Training towards Center improving your JUNE 15 - AUG 21 performance Kids & teens 10+ and technique.We our are expecting 1st. Grand Opening to be around June May 1st. We will also be offering nightly classes for children 10+.

JUNE 15-19

Farmer’s Market Fun JUNE 22 – JUNE 26

Marvelous Mud JULY 6-JULY 10

Bubblemania

JULY 13-JULY 17

Let’s Go on a Picnic

JULY 20-JULY 24

Oooey Gooey Squishy Stuff

JULY 27-JULY 31

Fairies & Forest Friends

AUGUST 3-AUGUST 7

Wacky Water Play

June 2015

AUGUST 10-AUGUST 14

Bugs & Butterflies AUGUST 17-AUGUST 21

Dynamite Dinos

Kids VT

Sign up at vermontninjawarrior. com or through regalgym.com. Also check Facebook for announcements and info on our grand opening, classes and open gyms. All questions/inquires can be sent to vermontninjawarrior@gmail.com

2015 DISCOVERY CAMP THEMES

KidsVT.com

Laura sorKin (“Habitat” and “Better With Cheddar”) is a freelance writer and farmer who lives in northwestern Vermont with her husband and two children. You’ll most likely find her typing, weeding or making pickles.

week by week Ages 6-14

Essex,VT 05452

Grace Per Lee (“Fit Families”) has come face to face with bears in Yosemite, escaped corrupt police in Mexico and encountered a shark while diving in Australia. She’s now writing and raising a family in Burlington — her most surprising and rewarding adventure yet.

JUNE 22 - AUG 21

2 Corporate Drive

some of this month’s Kids VT contributors:

Summer Instructional Gymnastics Camp

attend a 3 day M-W-F week or 5 day week.

www.regalgym.com • 655-3300

in may, we asKed our Kids VT Facebook followers to send us photos of the dads and kids in their families. We were so bowled over by the cute, silly and touching shots we received neither one of them is into team — and their backstories — that we sports. Apparently, neither are the decided to print some of them in this twin daughters of contributor Erik issue (“Fathers in Focus,” page 18). Those photos made me think about Esckilsen. In this month’s “Use Your the two great fathers in my life. When Words” (“Time Out,” page 51), the former all-state high school soccer I was growing up, my mom, my two player writes about how he felt when younger sisters and I — four opinionhis girls refused to take the field. ated females — outnumbered my dad Food writer Erinn Simon defour to one. But I never heard him scribes her husband’s favorite meal to lament his position as the only guy in prepare for his family in the family. this month’s “Mealtime.” As a kid, I loved THE No, it’s not barbecue; it’s reading with my dad. homemade pizza. Find I remember the two of his dough recipe, and two us sitting side by side, scrumptious pizza variaporing over a thick animal ISSUE tions, on page 15. guide for what seemed You’ll notice there’s no like hours. My dad, who “Go Ask Dad” in this issue. We started got his PhD in computer science, introduced me to science, technology, the feature, in which we asked local pops to sound off on a topic, in 2011. engineering and math long before Frequently Asked Questions then, our parent publication, STEM education became a buzzword. BackQ. My child still wears diapers/pull-ups . . . Can he/she Sevenattend? Days, had just bought Kids He explained scientific concepts by A. No. All children must be potty trained to attend this camp. (However, we are aware that children at this age VT, and we wanted to include more sketching little pictures on napkins. still have occasional accidents, so a change of clothing is male recommended.) voices in our newly redesigned We took apart toasters and computer Q. My child is a picky eater . . . Can he/she bring lunch? magazine. After all, it’s not just moms keyboards to see what was inside. A. Yes. Although we serve lunch and snacks daily, you have the option of bringing a lunch. (Please be sure food who raise about them. Still, when his three girls ultibrought fromkids home is fulland of healthy read choices as that is what we serve. Also, be sure to inform us of any allergy or food restrictions your child may have so we can Four mately decided to pursue careers prepare years accordingly.) later, we feel like we’ve Q. Is Regal Gymnastics facility? managed thata NUT —FREE just look at all the in writing, acting and art, my dad A. No. amazing dads in this issue! To replace supported us wholeheartedly. Q. My child still naps. Is there a nap time? feature, we’re rolling out a new I’ve known my husband, Jeff — dad the old A. No, however there will be time for children to cool down in our air-conditioned facility & enjoy quiet reading, one next month, whichbasiswe interto our kids, 8-year-old Mira and coloring, etc. Staff will decide in on a daily/individual when this time is needed . . . Summer can be hot and can often be exhausting! view exploration a Vermont parent to find out 5-year-old Theo — since we were in What should my child bring to Discovery Camp? howQ.A.he or she manages the demands second grade. His enthusiasm for Please have your child bring a backpack EACH DAY with the following items: water bottle, a set of extra of family and work. It’s called “The life counterbalances my sometimes clothes (science can be messy!), sunscreen, swimsuit & towel for outdoor water play. Be sure to LABEL all items! Balancing Act.” cerebral and serious approach. Jeff’s Q. Can you tell me about the Discovery Camp Counselors? Many of us will need good coordinajust as game to rehearse show tunes A. Our camp counselors will consist of our current Enrichment Centerweeks teachers as well as theActcoming as we juggle with Mira as he is to play an elaborate tion inBalancing trained Regal Gymnastics Academy staff/coaches. All counselors have experience with early learners. Staff are end-of-school picnics and field days action-figure game with Theo. We’re infant/child CPR & first aid certified. Is aftercare only for 3-7 year olds? Does it follow the and Q.transition into summer mode. lucky to have him. science camp themes? Hope itAftercare goesis a off without atohitch! Both Jeff and my dad exercise A. No. less structured time for children play until pick up. This time may also include older campers (ages 7 - 14) from Regal’s Gymnasticsalison Camp. regularly — modeling for their kids the novak Q. Can I sign up for individual days of camp? importance of physical fitness — but managing Editor A. No . . . Discovery Adventure Campers have the option to

AUGUST 24-AUGUST 28

Summertime Luau

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SEE AND SAY

10 QUÉBEC

What a Trip!

In late spring and summer, we send our intrepid writers on day trips — or day-cations — to family-friendly attractions in Vermont and beyond. Then we publish their firsthand dispatches in print and online. This month, Angela Arsenault hit up Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum in Rutland with her brood, and Laura Sorkin and her family visited the Cabot Creamery Visitors Center and Groton State Forest. Find their travelogues on page 24, and look for more day-cations in July and August. Here, we’ve highlighted some of the beautiful, exciting and educational day-cations we’ve published in years past. You can find these write-ups in full at kidsvt.com. Happy day-cationing!

FORT TICONDEROGA, N.Y.

KIDSVT.COM JUNE 2015 KIDS VT

3. ROCK OF AGES The setting is so surreal — sheer, jagged walls of gray granite plunging 600 feet into a pool of fluorescent green water — that Superman’s enemies might mistakenly stop by for Kryptonite. A view of this bedrock would undoubtedly have reduced cartoon quarry worker Fred Flintstone to a pile of rubble. —Nancy Stearns Bercaw, August 2013

4. LAKE CHAMPLAIN MARITIME MUSEUM In the Nautical Archaeology Center, Mira tried on a 1935 dive helmet. A nearby sign cautioned that wearing it may make some people feel claustrophobic, and Mira concurred. “It’s pretty hard to breathe in here,” she said from inside the heavy metal contraption. –Alison Novak, July 2013

6 4

3 8

5. ARBORTREK TREETOP OBSTACLE COURSE After signing waivers, we suited up in fullbody harnesses and helmets and headed to the training area. There we learned how to clip and unclip our harnesses to the ropes at the exchange zones — wooden platforms between obstacles where two ropes meet. —Becky Tharp, July 2013 6. THUNDER ROAD SPEEDBOWL Once the races began, we could see, hear and feel every car that sped by. Our drinks rattled with every turn and our hair blew with each pass. —Tasha Lehman, June 2013

1. GRANBY ZOO We had great views of zebras, ostriches and giraffes wandering and grazing together just as they do on the savannah. We also watched the big cats — lions and leopards — lounging in authentic landscapes. All the animals appeared healthy and happy, although the gargantuan gorilla was a tad grumpy. —Nancy Stearns Bercaw, July 2014 2. FORT TICONDEROGA A group of “soldiers” brought their weapons outside the fort and explained how to load and fire them. This was one of the highlights of the day for my kids. We sat right up front; it was really, really loud. —Cathy Resmer, June 2014

NORTH CONWAY, N.H.

See the full list of day-cations at kidsvt.com/vermont/ vermontday-cations/page.

7. BURTON ISLAND STATE PARK Wildlife sightings while camping are always a treat, and Burton Island didn’t disappoint. We spotted a largish black snake curled beneath a tree, a variety of birds, a live crayfish and a turtle. There were also some large, exotic-looking spiders in the bathroom. —Cathy Resmer, June 2013 8. SANTA’S VILLAGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE The park offers a good mix of low-tech attractions — the climbing structures, playgrounds, ball-toss games and a reindeer petting zoo — combined with typical twisty-turny fair rides. Happily for a mom prone to motion sickness, all of the rides are geared toward young kids, not adventurous teenagers. —Kate Laddison, July 2012 9. BILLINGS FARM & MUSEUM While the museum complex does house exhibits of antique farming implements, 19th-century cultural ephemera and an “authentically restored” Victorian farmhouse, the lure of the place, especially for kids, is the fully functional dairy farm, frozen in time. –Kirk Kardashian, July 2012 10. MONTRÉAL BIODOME The dragon’s blood shrubs, bamboo palms, and Brazil nut and cocoa trees were full of avian life, such as the scarlet ibis and hyacinth macaw, in addition to sweet beasts, such as the gorgeous golden lion tamarin and the grounddwelling cuddly capybara. —Nancy Stearns Bercaw, June 2012

Best of the Blog

The winners of our three gift certificates to Champlain Lanes are…

Get Out: Microadventures BY S A R A H G A LBR A I T H COURTESY OF SARAH GALBRAITH

For me, life is all about the 5 to 9, meaning the hours that I am not at the office. Don’t get me wrong, I love my work as a nonprofit program manager and view it as a contribution to society. Still, my real living happens after I Tristan shut down my computer or punch out and Elise on the time clock. I relish 6 p.m. unwind, exercise and connect hikes, bike trips and paddles Read more into the sunset. at kidsvt.com with nature and friends. Last Thursday, Tristan, I was immediately struck, Elise and I left home at 6:30 then, when I read a recent blog p.m. for a hike in the Marshfield town post by career adventurer Alastair forest. We packed a simple dinner Humphreys. He has biked and backof turkey and vegetable wraps and a packed all over the world and rowed local craft beer for the adults to share, across the Atlantic Ocean. But it was and put Elise in our hiking carrier for only after he and his wife started a the 1-mile walk to a grassy picnic spot family that he learned to make the with a view. The three of us took in most of smaller windows of time in the magic of the evening; we listened the wilderness, closer to his home. He as the spring peepers and snipes came did this so he could find some balance out to sing, and we watched the first between his career as a writer and planets and stars come into view. motivational speaker and his family After we had our fill, we headed home life. wearing our trusty headlamps and Now that we have a 6-month-old Elise fell asleep in her carrier. We daughter, Elise, I want to show her knew that times like these not only how to balance work and life. It’s are vital to our well-being but also important to have a career, make progress on home projects and keep up solidify what’s important to us as a family. with chores, but it’s also important to

COLORING CONTEST

We got some killer entries last month from more than 90 young artists. Some transformed two swimming orcas into everything from rainbow-tailed partygoers to iPod-toting cool kids. Many artists added additional sea creatures to the underwater scene — sharks, jellyfish, crabs, even a clownfish playing the saxophone. Congratulations to all the winners! Keep that creativity flowing.

5 and under

Kaya Rubin, 5 BURLINGTON

“At the Pool”

HONORABLE MENTIONS WHALES WITH WANDERLUST

Linden Stelma-Leonard, 10, Westfield #AWESOME

Maria “Fern” Murphy, 9, Plattsburgh, N.Y. ARTFUL DOODLE

Charlotte Moriarty, 12, Jericho

6 to 8

FUN WITH PUNS

Manuela Jaramillo, 9, South Burlington UNDERWATER SWEETNESS

Hallie Miller, 5, Colchester

Val Keepin, 8 BURLINGTON

“POD”

WACKY WATER

Emma Tremblay, 3, St. Albans COOL CRITTERS

Abby Booth, 5, Burlington AQUAMARINE SCENE

Carter Hart, 5, Salisbury SWELL PASTELS

Avery Mulligan, 7, Hyde Park BRIMMING WITH SEA LIFE

Audrey Acosta, 8, Montpelier

Find the full recipe at kidsvt.com

Lily Williams, 8, Shelburne

❑ 1 cup shelled fresh or frozen peas ❑ 1 tablespoon tahini ❑ 1-2 whole cloves garlic ❑ 1 tablespoon lemon juice ❑ 2 teaspoons kosher salt ❑ black pepper to taste ❑ sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

MUSICAL MASTERPIECE

TOP TITLES “I’M HAPPIEST WHEN I’M FLOATING IN THE SEA”

Emelia McCalla, 11

9 to 12

RUTLAND

“Orca Races”

Nora Engisch, 11, Williston “ORCA — WHAT’S UP DOG?”

Sidney Harris, 5, Montpelier “KILLY”

Mania Rae Tibbits, 5, Fairfield

Find this month’s coloring contest on page 49. The deadline for submissions is June 15.

KIDS VT

Every day, my kids come home from school famished. I’ve learned that I need to get a snack in front of them immediately if I want homework, violin practice or playdate success. To keep things interesting, I’m always searching for new, healthy ideas...

❑ 1 15-ounce can or one cup garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

JUNE 2015

FILE: SAM SIMON

B Y ER I NN SI M O N

Here’s what you’ll need:

KIDSVT.COM

Home Cookin’: Green Pea Hummus

STRIPES & SWIRLS

Theo Fallis, 7, Hubbardton

THE

BEAT

PRESENT

PERFORMING ARTS CAMP July 27-31 • 9am to 3pm

Snacks provided! Bring bagged lunch.

MUSIC

New Arrival

This year for Father’s Day, musician Chris Dorman is getting a special gift — his debut CD. The Shelburne dad of two, better known in kids music circles 16t-whiterivervalleyplayers0615.indd 1 5/26/15 1:52 PM as Mister Chris, releases ALWAYS THERE on June 21. He first shared with his vision with the album’s producer, Amy LePage-Hansen Jared Slomoff, more than two years ago. Then last summer, Dorman raised Mother Nurture: more than $16,000 via Kickstarter to Creating Space for You fund the project. Many local musicians — including Caleb Bronz, Tyler Bolles A Day-Long Retreat and Lowell Thompson — lend their talents to the CD. And students from South Burlington’s the Schoolhouse, as well as Saturday, June 27 • 9am-3pm Dorman’s 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter, sing on several tracks. “So much went into it,” Dorman says, “and I have to Montpelier • Registration Ends: June 19 admit that when we got toward the end, it was hard to let go. I can relate it directly to parenting: When we’re getting ready for amy.emergeyoga@gmail.com our kiddos to be born, sometimes we think, Wait, maybe you should stay in there a little longer.” — A.N. 802-778-0300 • www.emergeyoga.net

Reconnect, Rejuvenate, Nourish and Revitalize YOU

KIDSVT.COM

KIDS VT

JUNE 2015

w Open Registration No

(802) 475-2022

www.lcmm.org

k8v-LCMM0815.indd 1

2/26/15 11:22 AM

✱ ONE TO WATCH

SAM SIMON

New for 2015! e Lake Adventur Camps

ALWAYS THERE: Dorman celebrates his album’s release with a concert in the offices of Burlington-based Parent Co., livestreamed on the parent.co website and at Dorman’s Music For Sprouts site on June 21 at 6 p.m. He’ll also perform a free albumrelease concert at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier on June 27 at 10:30 a.m., and another free performance at the Huntington Public Library on June 28 at 11 a.m. Find more information about the concerts and Dorman’s music at musicforsprouts.com.

NAME: Ben Sprenger AGE: 13 TOWN: Essex SEVENTH GRADER BEN SPRENGER knows how to mix it up. Over the last couple of years, Ben has been performing as DJ Necutron, a madeup name that references his favorite movie, Tron. He’s spun tunes at a skateboarding competition at Talent Skatepark and at dances and lunch periods at Essex Middle School. In March, he had his biggest gig yet: the Kids Are Alright benefit concert at Higher Ground in South Burlington. “It was awesome,” says Ben of performing on the same stage where he’d recently watched one of his favorite electric dance music (EDM) duos, Adventure Club. At 13, Ben already displays a striking sense of style. On a recent afternoon he’s wearing two black stud earrings, black sweatpants and a black T-shirt emblazoned with the logo for Neurobotik — the video game his dad’s company, Xemory Software, created. A pair of red high-top Converse All-Stars, printed with the Campbell’s tomato

Ben Sprenger

soup logo, adorn his feet. Ben was inspired to start DJing at 11 when a counselor at his YMCA camp brought in a Yamaha DJX keyboard. “I thought it was so cool,” Ben recalls. “I’d create beats on it.” Soon after, Ben got a similar used keyboard for his birthday. “Boom,” he says. “That was my opening.” He’s accumulated quite a bit of equipment since then, saving up

his money — from paid DJ gigs — to buy a laptop, a speaker set, a minikeyboard and a Numark Mixtrack Pro turntable. All of that gear takes up prime real estate in his bedroom. Ben mixes beats at home on a digital turntable and laptop set up on a plastic craft table. An enormous speaker looms over his twin bed. He’s honed his technique watching YouTube tutorials and local DJs like C-Note Entertainment’s Charlie Rice, who works the school dances with him. Inspired by artists such as Daft Punk and the Canadian EDM producer deadmau5, he’s started mixing his own songs, too. Those musicians, Ben says, “amaze me.” Ben hopes he can parlay his hobby into a career one day. “I really want this to be my job,” he says. “Creating music is awesome. I get that adrenaline rush and it makes me feel happy.” — M.J.

“ONE TO WATCH” shines a spotlight on a young Vermonter who is going places. Know a local kid, age 17 or under, who’s recently done something amazing? Nominate him or her at kidsvt.com/vermont/ kidsvtonetowatch/page.

COURTESY OF KAREN PIKE

For Grades 2-8 at Rochester School 222 South Main Street, Rochester, VT

EAT. LEARN. PLAY. B Y M E GAN J AM E S A N D A L I S ON N OVA K

IT’S THE SUMMER TO DISCOVER

TRANSPORATION

Easy Rider Shuttling kids from one summer camp or activity to the next can be a logistical nightmare. The YOUTH SUMMER FUN PASS aims to make it a little easier. The program, a joint effort by the Chittenden County Transportation Authority and the Green Mountain Transit Agency, gives children ages 7 to 17 unlimited reduced-price access to local bus-service routes between June 15 and August 25. For $15 or $25, depending on which carrier they patronize, kids get a waterproof, silicone bracelet they can show the bus driver when boarding, eliminating the need for cash or a paper pass; parents still have to pay full fare. Says CCTA’s general manager Karen Walton, “This program is a great opportunity to reinforce bus service as an asset to the community and to train the next generation of riders.” — A.N. YOUTH SUMMER FUN PASS: Visit cctaride.org or gmtaride.org to buy wristbands and for more information.

Still looking for summer camp ideas? From camps on the shores of Lake Champlain to specialty day camps in your community, the Y has plenty of fun experiences to offer. More information and registration at www.gbymca.org or 652-9622

k4t-GBYMCA0615.indd 1

SHOPPING

Buckle Up

better solution” for shopping with an infant in tow, Hancock says. “I wish I would have had the opportunity to shop with them.” — A.N.

LEFT TO RIGHT: DR. CHRIS LUNDBERG DR. FRED ZIEGLER DR. MATT ROGERS DR. TOM FISCHER

THESE GUYS CAN PUT A HEALTHY SMILE ON YOUR FACE. Each orthodontist at Timberlane Dental Group is board-certified, and has the additional training and experience to make sure you get the best smile. Our orthodontists are well versed in all the treatment options for straightening teeth, and creating healthy smiles for you and your family. To arrange an initial consultation at no-charge, please call Timberlane Dental Group at 802-864-6881, or visit timberlanedental.com

SAFE-SHO

• Interceptive treatment of developing bite problems for children • Comprehensive orthodontic treatment for adolescents and adults • Treatment of complex bite problems and jaw deformities

BURLINGTON 1127 NORTH AVENUE

ESSEX JUNCTION 87 MAIN STREET

SOUTH BURLINGTON 60 TIMBER LANE

SHELBURNE 5070 SHELBURNE ROAD

• Clear and metal braces • Removable Clear Aligners including Clear Correct and Invisalign®

KIDS VT

OF COURTESY

The orthodontists at Timberlane Dental Group are pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Matthew Rogers to the practice. With extensive experience treating adults, Matt is looking forward to providing patients of all ages with the care they need for beautiful smiles.

JUNE 2015

Shopping carts outfitted with the SAFE-DOCK SYSTEM are available at 17 Hannaford locations in Vermont, including Barre, Bennington, Bradford, Brandon, Brattleboro, Burlington, Enosburg Falls, Essex Junction, Middlebury, Milton, Morrisville,

KIDSVT.COM

Vermont Hannaford stores recently became a little safer for their youngest customers. Last summer, the retailer rolled out several new shopping carts at each of its Vermont locations outfitted with a SAFE-DOCK SYSTEM for infants. The specially designed carts allow parents to snap infant car seats into a plastic dock and secure them with a strap, so that baby’s not precariously balanced on top of the cart. Sara Hancock, manager of the Swanton Hannaford and mom to an almost 3-year-old, says customers use the docks frequently. She says they’re far superior to the carts they’ve replaced, which had builtin infant seats that didn’t fit older babies and weren’t desirable for “germophobes” like her. The new carts provide customers with “a

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✱ DESTINATION RECREATION

e t t h a eL r b Bristol Green a e s of the Burlin l w e i k gto e Tv S E n Ch the B Fir e Playground ew July 3, 2015

it W

6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

tivities to ECHO Live DJ Dance Party & Ac s s s t M c f e i us C ra Acc ting Food for hrooms e Cash Bar C n s i a a p u r ch l e a n Bat Fa c e P

Fu l l

CMY

NEW !

UNVEILED IN THE FALL OF 2014, this play area in the center of Bristol gives young kids lots of options. The eye-pleasing natural wood structure boasts a wheelchair-accessible ramp leading up to a slide and a large wooden platform covered by a roof. AstroTurf blankets the ground. There’s a circular set of monkey bars and a smaller structure geared toward the preschool set, with a small slide, tunnel and climbing features. A simpler, separate play area features logs protruding from the sandy ground at different heights, perfect for scampering across. A swing set includes two toddler swings, three regular swings and one handicapped-accessible swing.

PLUSES

• Wheelchair-accessible play structure • Convenient parking

ECHO Member Adult: $25 ECHO Member Youth: $15

B Y A L IS O N N OVAK

Non-member Adult: $30 Non-member Youth: $20

• Picnic table, benches and gazebo on the green make for easy snacking and nursing.

All proceeds support ECHO’s vision of a healthier Lake Champlain. Limited tickets available. Purchase your tickets at echovermont.org.

• Peace Garden created by students at Bristol Elementary School adds to the picturesque surroundings. • A stone’s throw from lots of yummy food options including gourmet ice cream parlor lu•lu (11 Main Street), and “from scratch” Bristol Bakery & Café (16 Main Street)

BU R L I N GTO N, V T

E C H O V E R M O N T.O R G

Pre-school through grade 8 classes are filling quickly! Visit us at WWW.MCSCHOOL.ORG and call 802-658-3992 today to schedule a personal tour.

Don’t miss Little Adventurers Summer Camp for ages 3 to 5 (weekly themes, full and half-day options). ©Ambient Photography

k4t-MaterChristi0615.indd 1

5/29/15 9:17 AM

COURTESY OF BRISTOL RECREATION DEPARTMENT

5/28/15 12:10 PM

NOW ENROLLING for 2015-2016

KIDS VT

JUNE 2015

KIDSVT.COM

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MINUSES: • No bathrooms on-site • Older children may find the play structures too small or basic.

“Destination Recreation” is a new feature that reviews a different play space each month. Got a spot you’d like us to feature? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

EAT. LEARN. PLAY. Q FIT FAMILIES

by G ra c e P e r L e e

Road Biking

Gearing Up Here’s what you’ll need to help make your next family bike ride safe and fun: Bell: Alert other riders or walkers to your presence. Bells are especially handy when passing pedestrians on the bike path. Footwear: Avoid open-toed or loose-fitting shoes, and make sure laces are tied so they don’t get tangled in pedals. Helmet: Don’t leave home without it. Be sure to check for proper fit (see safety tips).

Matthew Thorsen

Patch kit: A flat doesn’t have to be the end of a ride! A simple patch kit takes up as much space as a box of raisins. A Local Motion kids’ biking workshop this spring

Here are some gear and safety tips, courtesy of Local Motion, that will help your family get rolling. • Wear a helmet. Two of your fingers should fit between your eyebrows and the helmet brim. No more than two fingers should fit between the strap and your neck. Ensure that the strap around the crown of the head is tightened so that you can shake your head without the helmet sliding around.

• Be predictable. Ride in a relatively straight line. When turning or changing lanes, signal first by pointing in the direction you’re headed. • Stay to the right and ride single file. Adults should always ride first and, when possible, last in line, and ride a little farther out in the road than the kids.

• Bike on the road, not on the sidewalk. Drivers don’t expect to see bikers on sidewalks — so they don’t. Small children are even more For more information on difficult to see; they’re family biking, including a also less aware of likely free parents’ guide to bike danger spots. When it safety and a curriculum comes to biking, streets guide for teaching bike are safest. If you must skills to kids ages 8-14, visit take to the sidewalk, localmotion.org/education/ treat each driveway as a bikeskillstraining. four-way stop. K

Reflective wear: Even in daytime, reflective vests and other clothing let drivers know you’re there. Tag-along: Kids ages 3-5 who can’t keep up on a family bike ride can use a tag-along, which includes regular handlebars, a bike seat and one wheel and attaches to an adult bike. When is a kid ready for one? They have to be able to reliably sit still, says Van Dreische. If they shift their weight suddenly, they can throw you off balance. Trailer: Young children can come along for the ride in a bike trailer once they’re able to hold their head up without wobbling; that’s usually between 9 months and a year old. They should always wear a helmet. Consult your pediatrician if you’re not sure your little one is ready.

Kids VT

“Fit Families” is a monthly feature that offers easy and affordable ways to stay active. Got an idea for a future FF? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

June 2015

• Know your ABCs. Air pressure: Keep tires properly inflated for a safer, comfier ride with fewer flats. Brakes: Check that each of your brakes works before you ride. Chain: Make sure it’s rust-free and in good working order.

Rain gear: Choose gear that packs up small.

kidsvt.com

Want to hit the road with your family — on two wheels instead of four? Local Motion, a Burlington-based bike-advocacy nonprofit, can help. The group hosts cycling workshops that teach kids and adults to ride with confidence. Jason Van Dreische, Local Motion’s director of advocacy and education, advises caution when it comes to riding with children. “They need to consistently exhibit control and awareness,” he says. “Not just of the road itself, but of other road users and their likely actions.” He recommends working up to riding with children by practicing on quiet streets where the stakes are low, and observing how kids react to obstacles and surprises. One of Van Dreische’s favorite family biking spots is Thompson’s Point in Charlotte, which has winding roads, minimal traffic and gorgeous scenery. Park on Deer Point Road, just north of Thompson’s Point Road. Or, for a longer ride, park at the Charlotte ferry dock, then take Converse Bay Road to Lake Road to Thompson’s Point Road.

Pump: Whether or not you patch it, you can reinflate a flat tire and, if it’s not too bad, ride it home.

✱ BOOKWORMS

Behind the Books For this month’s issue, Kids VT interviewed local children’s book authors and illustrators about their recent and upcoming projects.

anya Lee Stone is the author of almost 100 books for kids and young adults, including nonfiction works — one about Barbie dolls, another about the first black paratroopers in World War II — and picture book biographies shining a spotlight on strong women in history. Her newest biography, The House that Jane Built, comes out this month. A Connecticut native, Stone and her family have called South Burlington home for the past 18 years.

KIDS VT

JUNE 2015

KIDSVT.COM

Kids VT: Tell us a little about your latest book, The House that Jane Built. Why did you choose to write about Jane Addams? TLS: In 1900, Jane Addams was more famous than Oprah Winfrey is today. She did a lot of remarkable things, one of which was bringing the concept of community centers to America. My book tells the story of how she founded Hull House, the precursor of all American community centers. KVT: A number of your books are about strong females. What do you hope that readers, especially girls or young women, take away from your work? TLS: There are many missing stories in our history, primarily of women and people of color. I love discovering extraordinary stories of people who have shaped our world and filling in some of those missing gaps! KVT: What are you working on now? TLS: It’s called Girl Rising and is a nonfiction book that will expand the content and stories of the

powerful 2013 documentary of the same name by Richard E. Robbins. It’s about why there are 62 million girls worldwide who are not being educated. KVT: What’s your favorite part of being a writer? TLS: Getting up every day and being immersed in learning. I never know what I am going to find out, or on what adventure I may embark!

Tanya Lee Stone

uthor and illustrator Sarah Dillard’s first book, Perfectly Arugula — about a hedgehog who plans a tea party — came out in 2009. In 2014, she published two books about a bespectacled chicken who becomes an unlikely superhero, Extraordinary Warren: A Super Chicken and Extraordinary Warren Saves the Day, as well as First Day at Zoo School, a picture book for 5to 7-year olds about animals getting ready to start school. Mouse Scouts, her new chapter book series for kids ages 7 to 10, comes out in early 2016. She’s lived with her husband and beloved dog at the base of Mad River Glen in Fayston since 1999.

Kids VT: How did you get into writing and illustrating children’s books? Sarah Dillard: I loved books when I was a kid and loved to draw. In college, I majored in studio art with a minor in English literature. After I graduated, I went to RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) for a year and took illustration courses. It set me on a path to being an illustrator, but it wasn’t a straight line. KVT: How did you get the idea for Extraordinary Warren? Why did you decide to write about a chicken? SD: I did a little doodle of a chicken talking to an egg, and I wondered what was going on there. I always love the idea of characters who appear very ordinary but have great dreams. I love drawing animals. I find drawing animals is for me nicer than drawing people. When kids look at pictures of children, they’re looking for themselves. You

Sarah DIllard

can relate to animals in a broader way than you would people. KVT: Your Extraordinary Warren books are a mix of picture book and graphic novel. Why did you decide to create them this way? SD: It kind of just started to come out this way. I think it’s a really nice way to tell a story. It works very well for reluctant readers. I just love the sequential story telling. Perfectly Arugula was done the same way. It just seems to be the way I tell the story. KVT: Tell us a little about your upcoming chapter book series, Mouse Scouts. SD: It’s about a troop of mice that are very much like Girl Scouts. They live in our world, so they’re always kind of scavenging and avoiding people and cats and other predators. Every chapter ends with a page from the Mouse Scout Handbook, like a craft or a how-to page. KVT: What makes Vermont a great place to be a writer? SD: I think it’s a beautiful place to live. I think as an author or illustrator, you can live anywhere, so why not pick a beautiful place? It’s inspiring to be here.

EAT. LEARN. PLAY.

Other notable books by local authors published in 2014 and 2015:

FOR EARLY READERS

usband and wife Jason Chin and Deirdre Gill both write and illustrate children’s books. The newest of these, an investigation of the water cycle that Chin illustrated, entitled Water is Water, was released in May. Gravity, a book Chin wrote and illustrated, came out in 2014. Chin has also written and illustrated nonfiction picture books about the Galapagos Islands, the redwoods and coral reefs. Gill’s first picture book, Outside — about a boy’s imaginative snowy adventure — was released in 2014. She’s currently working on illustrations for a picture book about trains. Both Chin and Gill grew up in Vermont and moved back to their home state from Brooklyn five years ago. They live with their 4-yearold son and 1-year-old daughter in Middlebury.

Tap Tap Boom Boom by Elizabeth Bluemle

KVT: Deirdre, can you talk a little about the process of writing and illusJason Chin trating Outside? Deirdre Gill: I was working on a blog about what kids can do to help the environment, The Green Guide for Kids. That’s when the idea for Outside took root. From the first idea to the published book it took four years. The manuscript was accepted when my son was 1. It was finished two days before our daughter was born. When I finished the book, I looked back at my sketchbooks and realized I had done probably 4,000 sketches. For me, it can take a couple of months to go from a drawing to a finished painting. One picture can go through 30 to 40 drafts before I’m ready to paint it.

Little Red Henry by Linda Urban

Elvis: The Story of the Rock and Roll King by Bonnie Christensen DG: Especially with our son, now that he’s old enough that we can watch his reaction when we’re reading him books, I have a better understanding of what kids understand. And knowing what piques his interest and what fascinates him is very insightful when coming up with story ideas or what to include in the picture. JC: I’m much more concerned with the clarity of my pictures. Consistency is so important. Sometimes I read my son books and have to explain to him, “Now that picture is in shadow so it’s not red anymore.” Now when I’m making pictures, I keep that in the back of my mind. KVT: Any big ideas you try to get across in your work? JC: One thing Deirdre and I both have in common is real admiration for kids’ imaginations, a desire to make books that help kids use their own imagination, that will hopefully encourage kids to go out in nature and develop their own fantasies around the book. KVT: How do your balance work with parenting? JC: We do most of our work when our kids are sleeping. Chin will read from his new picture book, Water is Water, at Phoenix Books in Burlington on June 13 at 11 a.m.

FOR MIDDLE-GRADES READERS The Expeditioners and the Secret of King Triton’s Lair by S.S. Taylor Smashie McPerter and the Mystery of Room 11 by N. Griffin Treasure Town by Doug Wilhem Hide and Seek and All the Answers by Kate Messner FOR YOUNG ADULTS No Easy Way Out and No Dawn Without Darkness by Dayna Lorentz Living with Jackie Chan and Read Between the Lines by Jo Knowles Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath

Book Review Winners

Congratulations to these talented young storytellers who submitted stories. Each wins a $25 gift certificate to Crow Bookshop in Burlington.

Maria “Fern” Murphy, 9 Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Mary Jane McKenziekis, 9 Craftsbury

Interviews compiled and condensed by Alison Novak

KIDS VT

KVT: How has becoming parents informed your work as writers and illustrators?

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner

JUNE 2015

KVT: Any funny anecdotes about how your kids have Deidre Gill reacted to your work? JC: My book Gravity came out last year. After I read it to my son, a few weeks later he told me that sometimes he gets up in the morning and gravity wants him to lie right back down.

Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too by Anna Dewdney

KIDSVT.COM

Kids VT: Jason, in your books, you sometimes use stories to introduce nonfiction topics and your illustrations are very detailed. Can you talk about this approach? Jason Chin: Adding a story to nonfiction is kind of like the sugar that helps the science go down. Stories are really memorable and engaging and have a way of interesting kids. The science in my books is pretty advanced, but the picture story makes the book accessible. The pictures give beginning readers a point of entry and a way to be successful at reading the book

without being successful at understanding all the science.

THE LEARNING CENTER at Healthy Living JUMBLEBERRY JAM INGREDIENTS 1 lb fresh strawberries; hulled 1/2 lb fresh blackberries 1/2 lb fresh raspberries 4 cups white sugar 1/4 cup lemon juice DIRECTIONS In a wide bowl, crush berries in batches until you have 4 cups of mashed berry. In a heavy boÂ&#x2022;omed saucepan, mix together the berries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to high, and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil, stirring oÂ&#x2122;en, until the mixture reaches 220Â° F. Transfer to hot sterile jars, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch headspace, and seal. If the jam is going to be eaten right away, just refrigerate.

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN IN JUNE

Kids VT

June 2015

kidsvt.com

â&#x20AC;˘ Strawberry Shortcake â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesday, 6/10 Âˇ 4:00 - 5:00pm â&#x20AC;˘ $20 â&#x20AC;˘ Chicken Pad Thai â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, 6/16 Âˇ 4:00 - 5:00pm â&#x20AC;˘ $20 â&#x20AC;˘ Local Berry FroYo â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesday, 6/24 Âˇ 4:00 - 5:00pm â&#x20AC;˘ $20 â&#x20AC;˘ Taco Salad Bowls â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, 6/30 Âˇ 4:00 - 5:00pm â&#x20AC;˘ $20 All classes require pre-registration. For a full schedule, or to register, go to healthylivingmarket.com; or call Customer Service at 802.863.2569. DORSET STREET, SOUTH BURLINGTON Ă&#x2014; . . Ă&#x2014; HEALTHYLIVINGMARKET.COM Ă&#x2014; AM- PM SEVEN DAYS A WEEK k1-HealthyLiving0615.indd 1

5/27/15 1:03 PM

Q Mealtime By E rinn Sim o n

Dad’s Homemade Pizza

Homemade pizza dough Ingredients:

½ cup very warm water (100-110 degrees) 2 tablespoons sugar

THE ISSUE

sam Simon

My husband, Sam, is a terrific dad, a talented photographer and a dedicated Little League coach. He’s also an accomplished baker. Before we were married, Sam co-owned a pizza shop in Shelburne. For two years, he made about 50 pounds of pizza dough from scratch every day, and he got pretty good at it. One might even say he became obsessed with the alchemy of flour, water and yeast. I still dream of those years, when he would come home late after a long shift, smelling of dough and carrying still-warm boxes of my favorite pies: bacon-feta-caramelized onion or spinach-roasted red pepper-Parmesan. The shop didn’t last, but our passion for pizza has endured. More than a decade and three kids later, we have Pizza Movie Night every Friday at our house. And while dinner is usually my domain, Sam is our chief pizza maker. In most families I know, one parent cooks the majority of the meals and the other whips up a few specialties. It’s a stereotype, but many dads gravitate to the grill. Making dough is my husband’s barbecue. In honor of Father’s Day, Sam agreed to share his recipe for homemade pizza dough, plus two of our favorite Pizza Movie Night pies. K

Sam’s Chicken Salad Pizza with Arugula

4 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the bowl 2 tablespoons kosher salt

¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Prepare a pan with cooking spray or brush with olive or vegetable oil.

1 ball homemade dough

For the chicken salad:

¾ cup diced apple (Mac and Honeycrisp work well)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Once it’s preheated, immediately turn it off. Combine water, yeast and sugar in a large mixing bowl and stir. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until the yeast has dissolved and foamy bubbles appear. This is known as “proofing” the yeast. The bubbles mean the yeast is active. If no bubbles appear, the yeast might be expired; start over with another packet. Add the olive oil and salt and mix. Slowly add in the flour, a cup at a time, mixing well, first with a wooden spoon, then with your hands when the dough starts to come together. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and continue to knead for about 6 to 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.

¾ cup diced sharp cheddar cheese ½ cup dried cranberries 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fresh dill kosher salt and pepper to taste ¼ cup mayonnaise or plain yogurt

Roll or stretch out the dough to fit your pan. We usually use a 12-by-18-inch baking sheet, but a pizza stone or 16-inch round pan will work, too. Brush dough with olive oil, then spread the chicken salad evenly on top, leaving a ½- to 1-inch border around the edges. Top with the shredded cheddar and black pepper to taste. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, until the top is bubbly and the crust is crisp on the bottom and starting to brown. Let cool for a couple of minutes, then top with fresh arugula and serve.

Spicy (or not) Tex-Mex Pizza Ingredients:

Directions:

½ cup mild salsa (we love salsa verde)

Stretch out the dough to fit your oiled pan, as explained in the Chicken Salad Pizza recipe.

1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Spread salsa evenly over the dough.

1 ball homemade dough

2/3 cup black beans, drained and rinsed

Use the dough immediately, or freeze, wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap, for up to 3 months. A freezer bag would also work. Just make sure you squeeze any air out before sealing.

Handful of cilantro leaves, roughly chopped, for garnish

2 whole scallions, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeños, roughly chopped (optional)

Sprinkle cheese over the salsa, then layer on the toppings, saving the cilantro and the salt and pepper for after the pizza has cooked. Follow Chicken Salad Pizza baking directions. When the pizza comes out of the oven, sprinkle cilantro over the top and add salt and pepper.

Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

“Mealtime” is a feature about families and food. Got a topic you’d like us to explore? Email it to ideas@kidsvt.com.

Kids VT

½ medium red onion, sliced into thin half moons

june 2015

Once the dough has doubled in size, put your fist right into the middle to deflate it (this is known as “punching down” the dough) and turn it out onto your kneading surface. Knead once or twice, and then cut into three equal pieces for three large pizzas.

kidsvt.com

Clean out your mixing bowl with hot water and dry it well. Coat the inside with a tablespoon or so of olive oil. Form the dough into a ball and place it into the bowl, turning it a few times to make sure it’s coated with oil on all sides. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let rise for an hour in the warm oven.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine the chicken-salad ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

2 cups cooked chicken, roughly chopped into 1-inch pieces

6 cups King Arthur bread flour

Directions:

Ingredients:

a handful or two of arugula

2 packets rapid-rise yeast

EAT. LEARN. PLAY.

sen

f il e

at t

Q cHecK UP w It h dr. l e w IS fI r S t

What should parents know about their child’s body mass index? ParenTs ofTen see their children in the best possible light. A recent study of more than 3,000 overweight or obese children found that nearly 95 percent of their parents describe their kids’ weight as “just right.” While such findings, published in the June edition of the journal Childhood Obesity, might be good news for those kids’ self-esteem, they’re alarming to public health advocates struggling to combat a national epidemic of childhood obesity. This month, Dr. Lewis First, head of pediatrics at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, explains why a child’s body mass index matters — and what parents can do to improve it.

Pediatrics and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend calculating this number before age 2. Because the amount of fat that children carry changes by age and gender until they become young adults, we tend to track that number on a growth curve similar to tracking their height and weight. And, unlike adults who have finished growing, where we can look at a single number, with kids we watch the trend line over time to decide if we need to address it.

elevated Bmi tends to increase a child’s risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes as they get older.

Kids VT: What is body mass index? LEWIS FIRST: Body mass index, or BMI, is a calculation that uses your child’s height and weight to estimate their body fat. It’s a way to determine whether they’re accumulating excess pounds due to fat that could become a problem later in life. KVT: When do pediatricians typically start measuring Bmi? LF: The American Academy of

KVT: Why are Bmi trends so important? LF: If a child’s BMI stays elevated, we know it tends to increase the child’s risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes as they get older. So, if we can reverse that trend early on, we can put kids at less risk for significant health problems that are associated with being overweight or obese. Once we see elevated BMI numbers, we begin to ask questions such as: What do other family members look like in terms of their shape and size? How often does the child exercise? What does his or her diet consist of ? We might take additional measurements, such as a skin fold thickness test, to

confirm that the increase is due to fat. We also look at family history, diet and other indicators. KVT: When are Bmi numbers considered elevated? LF: Any child who is between the 85th and 95th percentile, we consider to be overweight. If a child is above the 95th percentile for BMI, we consider that obese. However, parents should be very careful not to use those words with their kids. KVT: Why? LF: The goal is to help kids develop good self-esteem by calling attention to what they do well and not what they look like on the outside in terms of their body shape. With good selfesteem, children and teens are more willing and motivated to work on their weight issues than if they’re told repeatedly, “You’re fat.” A better idea is to say, “You’re really working hard on your basketball skills and it shows. Would you like to work on getting into even better shape, which may make you even faster on the court?” KVT: can other factors besides weight gain elevate Bmi? LF: Yes. If you have a child with a lot of muscle and not a lot of excess fat, their BMI can also be elevated. So, it’s possible that a middle-school child who’s

a superb athlete could have an elevated body mass index but it’s mostly muscle mass. But that’s a rarity in kids. KVT: Why do some parents not recognize that their child’s Bmi is high? LF: There are several reasons. It may be that parents have a level of denial about their own weight. Because more kids than ever before qualify as overweight or obese, some parents don’t know what an overweight child really looks like. Some parents believe that everything will get better in regard to excess fat once their child hits puberty, and, sadly, that is not what often happens. KVT: What tips can you offer for lowering a child’s Bmi? LF: I advocate using the 5-4-3-2-1-0 formula. Each day the entire family should aim for consuming at least five servings of fruit and vegetables, four servings of water, three servings of low-fat dairy products, two hours or less of screen time, one hour or more of exercise and zero sugar-sweetened beverages. That tends to be a good formula for families to work together to move the BMI curve in a healthier direction. K

Got questions for the doctor? Send them to ideas@kidsvt.com.

Calling Young Writers... Summer break is almost here! Draw a scene from a past summer outing, add a caption, and share it with us by June 15 for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Crow Bookshop!

June 2015

KidsVT.com

IntervIew compIled and condenSed by ken pIcard

Kids VT

See page 47 for details. K4h-Bookworms0515.indd 1

5/29/15 10:53 AM

Q THE ART OF

By Sara h Ya hm

EAT. LEARN. PLAY.

Cartooning

Drawings by Isabella Hall

Ava Kathleen Albrecht poses for Isabella Hall during the opening exercise

Photos: Sarah Yahm

Ava Kathleen Albrecht is just 8 years old, but she’s already juggling multiple publishing projects. More specifically, three original comics: The Samurai’s Plans, The Lady and the Magic Creatures and Minecraft Magic. Ava was one of 12 kids drawing furiously on a Saturday morning in May at the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction. On weekdays, adult students work in the school’s refurbished post office studio. But the Saturday Morning Cartoon Club is for kids ages 9 and up. Across the sun-dappled classroom from Ava, 10-year-old Olivia Ferraro worked on a one-page comic chronicling the evil deeds of her seemingly innocent cat, Lucy. Avery Swett, also 10, labored over the surprisingly heroic story of The Unuseful Magician. And Bradlee Smith dispensed career advice in the Guide to Being a Ninja. One tip: Obtain nunchuks as soon as possible. Four fashionably dressed students from CCS’s cartooning MFA program were running the show, the goal of which is to nurture a love of comic storytelling and sneak in some real drawing instruction. Lessons differ every month, but the structure of the class is always the same. Lead teachers Rebecca Roher and Stephanie Zuppo launch it with some quick aerobic stretches to get everyone’s blood pumping, followed by an introductory drawing activity. Students then focus on one particular

skill or theme, such as gestures or expressions. Roher wants kids to look at published comics with a critical eye and incorporate what they notice into their own work. This particular class fell on Free Comic Book Day — May 2 — when stores across the country give away comics produced and distributed by the major comic book publishers. Building on that idea, Roher and Zuppo told students that they’d each create an original comic book, which they could photocopy and share with their peers. The kids began to draw immediately, without a hint of shyness.

friends ... It cultivates their interest Turns out girls like ninjas and and … provides a deeper experience.” zombies as much as boys do. Defying She hopes to create more programthe stereotype that comics are more ming that will help young Vermonters popular with males, the genders were pursue cartooning and pretty equally repreother careers. sented in the class, and Dave Lloyd, CCS’s three of the four teachers operations manager, bewere women. lieves that these kids are Isabella Hall, 13, fills learning things that will her stories with strong prove useful down the female characters. “I line. “Cartoonists convey sometimes relate to difficult messages in [being] curious and Ava Kathleen very simple imagery,” adventurous,” she Albrecht, 8 he explains, and that’s remarked while drawing a desirable skill in an swords. “But I don’t increasingly complex digital world. really want to adventure when I grow The students in the cartoon club up. I just want to draw comics all day.” seemed to know they’re gaining “You can’t stop these kids from valuable experience. Ninja aficionado drawing,” said CCS president Bradlee said that he’s learned how to Michelle Ollie, as she looked around smudge ink to create a sense of motion the classroom of concentrating kids. when he draws comets and asteroids. “And to get them in a room like this Isabella explained that she’s gotten where they’re around their peers and much better at making drawings that propel the story forward. Find information about an upcomThe kids also seemed to be aware of ing summer Cartoon Club for kids some of the more intangible benefits. ages 9 and up — and a weeklong “I’ve learned that drawing makes your “Create Comics” boot camp for imagination grow,” Ava reflected. teens — at cartoonstudies.org/index. Then she turned back to her samurais, php/programs/summer-workshops. hoping that, this time, she’d get the shoulders just right. K

I’ve learned that drawing makes your imagination grow.

kidsvt.com June 2015 Kids VT

“The Art of” spotlights creative skills that enrich kids’ lives. Got a class or teacher to recommend? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com

Fathers in Focus Kids VT readers share the stories behind their sweet snapshots

picture may be worth 1,000 words, but sometimes images alone can’t tell the whole story. When we asked our Facebook friends to send us photos of the dads in their lives for our Father’s Dayinspired issue, we were overwhelmed by the response. We received dozens of heartwarming snapshots of men sharing tender and silly moments with their kids. It made us want to know more about these guys. Who are they? What inspired the photo? What makes these dudes such good dads? We asked the photo submitters to answer these questions, and their responses surprised us, made us smile and sometimes moved us to tears. We thought you’d enjoy reading some of them, too.

This was the firs t time Jackson slurped his pasta. Despite the busy world of Disney arou us, Joe and Jack nd son were focuse d only on each other. What makes Jo e such a great pa pa ... Wow, I’m getting teary-ey ed. A memory Jo e likes to share is when Jackson was born. He sa ys that Jackson entered the wo rld with his eyes wide open, look ing around, fille d with curiosity. Since then Joe has helped Jack son explore the world around us Recently, they . have been patie ntly watching a bird’s nest. Firs t, they would st and together an watch the mam d a bird as she sa t, day after day. Then after the birds hatched, Jo e would stand with Jackson an d wait for the th ree little baby birds to poke th eir heads out of the nest as their mother fed them . It’s the simple moments, shar ed at the dinner table or on the front porch, that show how wonderful Joe is as a papa to our son.

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Joe Victory and son, Jackson, slurping pasta at Disney World in March, 2015. Submitted by Sara Victory, Winooski

Submitted by Simone Tefts

Submitted by Honi Bean Barrett

Submitted by Meredith Coeyman

Submitted by Ceili Quigley

THE we’ve school in New Hampshire; My husband and I met in high I loved gs thin rst fi the years. One of been together for almost 18 who was 7 er, sist e littl his h wit was about him was how good he when we started dating. na were living in New York whe Less than three years ago we ped jum he and , area in the Burlington job opportunity popped up that this all love ld wou s boy our ch on it. We both knew how mu beautiful area has to offer. trip three our family house-hunting I took the sunset photo on y, tall men and lly ted, both physica years ago. We were exhaus ve us to the dro n Bria se. hou a on n and we had to make a decisio ted our utiful time of day and mel waterfront at the most bea troubles away. lers’ Notch, our oldest skiing at Smugg Since then he has brought h us at the wit d hike , tram the on k Pea taken us all to the top of Jay l Hoot a, listened for owls on an Ow Eagle Mountain Natural Are He listens, re. mo ch mu so and s, farm Hike, visited museums and our sons’ er. Nothing beats the look in cares and loves like no oth . them h wit eyes when Daddy is playing

ISSUE Phin, our oldest, had gotten a boomerang for his birthday in March, but it was too cold to use it until just recently. Phin is autistic, so to get him to understand that we couldn’t use the boomerang inside, we read to him the package that des cribes the “soft, outdoor fun.” It was nearly impossible for Phin to wai t for the weather outside to improv e. Finally, the day came to try the new toy, and within minute s “soft, outdoor fun” was stuck in a tree. Daddy came to the rescue with a nice long stick. Daddy does more than resc ue boomerangs, though. He is a tireless source of support, not only for Phin, but for me and our younge r son as well. He is an equal advoca te for our son’s rights and he stands alongside his family with pride.

Brian Cuddy and Logan at the Burlington waterfront in 2012. Submitted by Sarah Cuddy, St. Albans

Chris Bourdeau helping his son Phin get a boomerang out of a tree in their backyard earlier this spring. Submitted by Kele Bourdeau, Burlington

is. They create daddyPosie loves being with Chr erent locations. In diff t daughter dates and visi ill request for her ie w Pos ces, stan um certain circ sper “I’m a little whi will daddy to pick her up and e. What makes eez squ big a him give shy” and then id to show her afra not he’s is Chris a great dad that in crowded her h wit silly gets . He self his truest of soccer by saving a places, shares his passion bench, tells her stories ch’s coa the on seat for her ories, and shows her of his own childhood mem all beings. ect resp and for how to care

Chris George giving Posie a ride at the Old Brick Store in Charlotte last June. Submitted by Niki George, North Ferrisburgh

Submitted by Ashley Cleveland

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Submitted by Alaura Dubray

Submitted by Greta D’Agostino

Submitted by Ali Lewis Bigenho

I work mainly at night, so whe n my wife, Alaina, went back to work during the day after both pregnancies, it only mad e sense for me to take care of the kids. I was nervous as hell to be taking care of two of them , both under the age of 3. This photo helps remind me of something larger, though. I’ve always had a poor body image and a family history of heart disease. After Jude (our first) was bor n, both my wife and I decided we needed to take better care of ourselves. We began exercis ing and eating right. The only way I can ensure I’ll be around for my kids for a long time is to kee p being healthy. Recently I’ve been training for the Vermont City Marathon. When my wife’s working, I push the kids in a double stroller as I run. This picture was taken afte r a six-mile run. Looking at it makes me wan t to continue to run and be healthy for them. Andrew Ede with Jude and Margot last month in Essex Junction. Submitted by Andrew Ede, Essex Junction

, s: Ramona, 14 er to three girl th ing fa ar is , ep pr dy as An ago, as he w My husband, e tiv , 8. Nine years si ia ad po e Ac th d ed an , er Gemma, 11 Andy rediscov process, he ther of three, nning. In the ru of to become a fa s ct pa im l na io erful impact w ot po em e d th physical an ced firsthand en ri pe ex d an ort. lost 90 pounds g it with supp nd al and achievin a pink headba on t pu to of setting a go te ta si he t a no m d m di ughter Ge In 2013, Andy r when our da the tive supporte rough Girls on th 5K er and be a posi ev trs fi r To e. he e lin et sh pl m ed at the fini prepared to co oto was captur tement, ph ta rs is de Th t. un on an Run Verm tant runner is oud, ma was a hesi father and a pr say that Gem d, supportive ou pr a e se I o ot ph so in this tle girl. empowered lit

e tiller — trated that th Craig was frus . While up ouldn’t start yet again — w th-old on -m 18 it, ng with he was tinkeri d an er d a screwdriv Eloise grabbe t. Craig is very ou p” el “h to scooted in volving r and loves in patient with he sense es ak m when it her in projects re she is he w e ag an at to do so. She’s e things we rious about th increasingly cu do what se, we want to do and, of cour arms my w . It at foster th her. The we can to help ith w good he is w iate heart to see ho ec pr ap e m e has mad rted ea role of “Dada” -h nd ki e the patient, so much mor . soul that he is

Andy Bilodeau and daughter Gemma finishing the Girls on the Run 5K in 2013. Submitted by Betzi Bilodeau, Essex

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Eloise Luce “helping” dad, Craig Luce, with the tillerlast month. Submitted by Morgan Luce, Underhill.

Submitted by Tara Gravelin

Submitted by Jenn Adams

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Submitted by Samantha Bate

Kids Pirate Festival June 13 - 14 June 14-15

My husban d is Chinese , and thus ou Chinese. M r son is half y husband lo ves all food his joy for it and shares by cooking for our won all kinds of ethnic food derfully blen ded family. two childre We each ha n from a pr ve evious mar 6, 5 and 3 — riage — ages as well as th 9, is little 20-m together. M onth-old gu itchell is th e y m os t am top of balanc azing dad ev er, on ing a busy ca reer as a ph ysician! Mitchell and Parker Tsai eating Chinese food in Providence, R.I. in April. Submitted by Sheramy Tsai, South Burlington

Abenaki Heritage June 27 - 28 Weekend June 28-29

4472 Basin Harbor Road Vergennes, VT 05491

(802) 475-2022 Open Daily 10-5

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It’s a handful!

This picture was taken on a break away at Glens Falls, N.Y. My husband, Preeth, is a wonderful dad. He lives for his children, and in this picture he is bonding with his little boy and taking in eve ry second of his tininess. Pre eth is kind, patient and loves play ing and snuggling with his children. I feel blessed that they have such a loving fath er who would do anything for them. He works so hard, but on his time off, his children are his priority, always.

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Preeth Sundaran and Kaelen in April. Submitted by Yvonne Sundaran, South Burlington

Submitted by Jessica Chenette

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Submitted by Jessic Bazarnick Karpinski

Submitted by Jane Ledoux

Submitted by Alison Novak

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Ari loves the fact that her dad is strong enough to hold her up while she tries to do tricks! My husband, Heath, is an amazing dad to our three children. He works hard all day but still finds the time to coach our son’s baseball team, chauffeur our daughter from gymnastics, help with homework and take time for himself in the gym — he’s been a bodybuilder for over 10 years. He is always there for our kids, to give them advice about a problem they are having, listen to a story or simply hang out.

Kris Perkins with Kristopher Jr. and Katherine in 2014. Submitted by Melissa Perkins, South Burlington

his senior year mmer before su e th ed ri r first ar m e expecting ou Kris, and I got r, that we wer te s after My husband, la th th on on m m 10 a born exactly d discovered, as an w , . ge Jr s lle in co rk of el Pe er Sean Micha child: Kristoph than 25 hours y. working more da as ng w di is ed Kr w e, r ag cal middle ou ri taught at a lo rst year of mar and studentis During that fi es as 6 th w e n ag so -p r e wrote a 30 11 — when ou years later. a week while h m laude in 20 o cu tw na rn ag bo m as d uate abeth, w school. He grad erine Sara Eliz vacation last daughter, Kath our first family of y da st la weeks old. Our e th but decided to on e, n m ke ho ta as ave to go back le This picture w to t ou ab t. e ou re heading aine. We wer ore time befo summer, in M m e and playing. on g h in lk ac ta Be h, chard alked the beac w d stop by Old Or an s veral silly ie se od r new ho ddy. We took We put on ou e with their da run off to ur ct to pi d a te ke ar ta st d to t before they gh ri The kids wante e, re letting on fo st la be eir hands this was the cided to kiss th pictures and de on and d s s an hi sb s hu ve y lo ean. M it’s so clear he e us play in the oc ca be e ur ve this pict first them play. I lo ul for them. ocean for the is very gratef nd a er could see the his dad ey th daught ith w so n ne tio ai ds to M went on vaca is Kr e o ac We took the ki tw pl , er st e la lost his fath cause it was th s old when he ar ye 8 time — and be as w d . My husban before he died when he and explored at vacation. th r te af s aces my husb pl e month joy our th en g y in ul or tr rful expl e we got to tim t rs fi It was wonde e th e lt lik y. This trip fe our was a little bo supporter of . sole financial e th ee be gr little family to de s his master’s who continue from getting le My husband, ay hi w aw , ol its ho ed sc cr te only a few As in gradua ht ig ra st family, is now en tt go ation. He has . Kris he’s only 26. in special educ entary school s a week. And ur ho 65 to r a local elem fo r or he at or uc working 40 m ed l hi and helping ill be a specia r ild’s potential This fall, he w ou r ch a fo el ng ei od se m rful gift of terrific role has the wonde selves. He’s a version of them er tt be . a e m hi ev achi proud of we’re beyond children, and

Ariana gets a lift from her dad, Heath Badger, in March. Submitted by Kacie Badger, Georgia

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Submitted by Sofi Gonella

Submitted by Amanda Gilman-Bogie

Submitted by Katherine Dodds

Submitted by Walter Peterson

Submitted by Jessica Foerst-Bilodeau

I love this ph oto of my family, taken on a lazy Sunda y afternoon, because it sh ows how comfortable , loving, content and relaxed we can be to gether. I felt pure jo y seeing them snuggl ed up, and I was inspir ed, because sometimes the quiet moments ar e the best.

Dennis Wygmans and daughter, Thalia last year. Submitted by Nicole Curvin, South Burlington

Explore your universe at the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium!

Over 170,000 animals and artifacts from around the world and Vermont’s only public planetarium make the perfect family destination.

1302 Main Street | St. Johnsbury, VT 802-748-2372 | Fairbanksmuseum.org k6h-FairbanksMuseum0615.indd 1

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Family Days are Here! g an ows Tyler bein This photo sh and d an sb hu d d an incredible da ns so at his twin making sure th thing but love no d ce en ri expe tly ed away shor ss pa before they d an r da Ce h. after their birt edly born unexpect Sojourn were stage ys da ve fi d at 20 weeks an es e our first babi tion. They wer , we ly ib ed cr In d. ve and deeply lo and I in boys again conceived tw . It is nt na eg pr ks ee am now 28 w get ill w e babies likely that thes we d an us ith w e to come hom for this second are so grateful chance. Tyler Mast looks on as his wife holds twins Cedar and Sojourn last October. Submitted by Alexandria Kerrigan, Huntington

Family fun awaits at Vermont PBS Family Days! Vermont Lake Monsters Baseball Game Tuesday, June 30, 7 p.m.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort Saturday, Sept. 12 10 a. m. – 2 p.m.

Billings Farm & Museum Montshire Museum of Science Saturday, Sept. 19 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Family Club members will recieve info via email. Not a Family member?

Visit vermontpbs.org/support or call 1-800-639-7811 A $72 membership gets your family into all Family Day events! KIDSVT.COM

Join the fun!

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IS EW PAT L FILE:

SUMMER

JUNE 2015 KIDS VT

Henry, Lucy and Graden

Better With Cheddar

COURTESY OF CABOT CREAMERY

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chool’s almost out, and “Day-cations” are in. Every summer, Kids VT seeks out familyfriendly destinations where you and your kids can experience the natural beauty and unique culture of the region. They’re all places you can visit with your kids in a day. Each of our three summer issues features two recommended trips, complete with tips on nearby dining and attractions. This month, Laura Sorkin takes her family for some cheese sampling at the Cabot Creamery Visitors Center, followed by a hike at Groton State Forest, while Angela Arsenault brings her brood to play at the Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum in Rutland.

BY LAU R A SOR KI N Cabot Creamery Visitors Center, 2878 Main Street, Cabot, cabotcheese.coop/ cabot-vistor-center-tours Groton State Forest, vtstateparks.com

I indulge in all types of cheese, from runny Camembert to zingy chèvre. So do my husband, Eric, and 11-year-old son, Henry. But my daughter, Lucy, 8, is a pickier eater who’s just beginning to consider Muenster an acceptable food. Even so, we can all agree on one variety: Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar. My family consumes so much of the stuff that I usually buy it by the two-pound block. The Cabot Creamery Visitors Center and production plant are

located just an hour from our home in Cambridge, but we’d never visited. The time had come to make a pilgrimage. We set out around 10 a.m., stopping in Jeffersonville to pick up Lucy’s friend, 8-year-old Graden. We were all feeling upbeat on that first truly warm spring day. The drive along Route 15 was easy, and the factory was a cinch to find, thanks to helpful signage on the road. The creamery, established in 1919, has been updated over the years; the Visitors Center was added in 1987.

When we arrived, the place looked clean, well-maintained and freshly painted. We stepped inside to find a bounty of dairy products, Cabot merchandise and a selection of locally made items such as maple syrup and cookbooks. We gravitated to the sample table, which was loaded with about 25 cheeses to try. Our group was not shy. We tasted the standard fare — including mild, sharp and seriously sharp cheddars — as well as more uncommon flavors such as Everything Bagel Cheddar, which had been hand-rubbed with onion, poppy seeds and garlic. It was unexpectedly delicious. Pro tip: You may want to warn your children that a few of the samples are hot-pepper varieties. Henry unwittingly tried a piece of habanero cheddar, then cleaned out the bowl of sample crackers trying to put out the fire. We’d come for the factory tour, DAY-CATIONS: CABOT P. 26 »

COURTESY OF LAURA SORKIN

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Lunch in Middlebury

Lio and Dash watch a fan blow scarves out of a tube

Lio and Ryan

courtesy of angela arsenault

Can’t Beat Wonderfeet B y A n g e l a Arsen a u lt Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum, 11 Center Street, Rutland, 282-2678, wonderfeetkidsmuseum.org

Inside, kids “draw” by shining little LED lights on walls covered with phosphorescent paint.

day-cations: wonderfeet p.27 »

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it to the sand table, where they got their hands on some kinetic sand, which can be shaped and molded thanks to a bit of added silicone. From there, they took in the surroundings and planned their next move — to the light-and-shadow cave. This darkened area can be accessed through an adult-size door or a short tunnel. Inside, kids “draw” by shining little LED lights on walls covered with phosphorescent paint. The lights leave traces that linger for a few moments before slowly fading away. Lio was fascinated. “It’s like these walls are specially designed, and these lights are like ink on them,” she said, eyes wide. Through the museum’s partnership with General Electric, executive director Myra Peffer told me, this room will eventually include a flashing light that “captures” a child’s shadow on the glowing wall, enabling the kid to examine the silhouette before it vanishes. The affiliation with GE also helped

June 2015

Thankfully, the Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum is so engaging that we soon forgot about our lunch experience. The idea for the children’s museum emerged from a community forum hosted by the Rutland Creative Economy in 2010. The following summer, Wonderfeet was presented as a pop-up museum at the city’s summer block party series, Friday Night Live. It was so popular that it moved to a year-round location in August 2013. The museum’s February expansion to a 2,400-squarefoot space was powered by community and corporate donations. Inside the museum, Ryan purchased tickets — $5 each — from two smiling adults sitting behind a miniature train-station facade. Our kids bee-lined

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We set out for the Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum without much of a plan. I knew only two things: We were going to Rutland, and we needed to eat lunch before we got there. My husband, Ryan, 7-year old daughter, Lio, and 5-year-old son, Dash, had been game earlier that morning. But our moods quickly shifted once we hit the road. We were still on I-189, between our Williston home and South Burlington, when Dash asked if we were “getting warmer,” which is his version of “Are we there yet?” He asked another five times between Shelburne and Vergennes.

“No, Dash. We’re cold. Freezing cold,” Ryan and I explained. “We’ll let you know when we’re getting warm.” Five minutes later, he asked again, in his whiniest voice. The force and volume of my reaction made me realize I was hangry. Lunch could not wait. Under duress, we settled on a deli in Middlebury. Bad decision. Three out of the four of us could barely eat the sandwiches we ordered, which were either soggy, oozing or grotesquely overstuffed. Back on the road, we were now a half-full-but-no-less-cranky bunch with seriously low expectations for the rest of the trip. I was afraid that we wouldn’t be able to snap out of our collective funk and enjoy our destination.

Day-cations: Cabot continued from p. 24

so we paid the small fee — $3 per adult; kids are free — and waited five minutes for the next guide, who led us, along with six other visitors, into a small theater. There we watched an interesting eight-minute video about the company’s history, featuring 100-year-old photos of the creamery. Cabot is a co-op, meaning it is coowned by the 1,200 dairies — all within a 65-mile radius of the town of Cabot — that supply the milk. When the video ended, our guide gave us protective foot coverings and led us to the cheesemaking facility in an adjacent building. We walked down a hallway lined with windows. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to see the morning of our visit. Workers make cheese daily at the plant, but not round the clock; we had arrived during a lull. We only got to see the final stage of the process: workers and machines packaging finished blocks of cheese in plastic. Nevertheless, the kids enjoyed looking at the intricate machinery. And our guide was engaging, peppering the tour with trivia about the company and cheesemaking in general. We wrapped up our hourlong visit around midday. When we asked our guide for a lunch recommendation, she explained the two options in tiny Cabot: You can pick up sandwiches at the Cabot Village Store or eat at Sarah’s Country Diner, located at the back of the Cabot Hardware Store. There was no question — we were headed to the hardware store. Sarah’s is located just a few hundred yards down the road from the creamery, but we may as well have traveled back a century. We entered through the store, past walls of rakes and paintbrushes, to reach the restaurant, which is in a room of its own. The classic American diner consists of just two tables and a small counter. Sarah, a friendly young woman, takes orders and cooks the food. We munched on BLTs and burgers while listening to the paint mixer rattle up front. It was a scene right out of a Norman Rockwell painting and one of the highlights of the day. After lunch, we drove 20 minutes south to Groton State Forest. Since we were visiting in early May, some of the facilities and state parks were still closed, but there were many options

for year-round hiking. We chose the 1.5 mile trail to Owl’s Head, rated as “moderate” in the Groton State Forest Summer Trails Guide. The hike began with about 45 minutes of easy uphill walking, followed by 15 minutes of a steeper ascent to reach a small lookout tower. From the top, we could see nearby Kettle Pond and Lake Groton, and all the way to Camel’s Hump, 60 miles away. We stayed up there for half an hour, relaxing and draining our water bottles. On the way down, the kids started losing steam, so we opted to walk along the traffic-free dirt road instead of on the trail. We ended the excursion with a terrific Italian meal at Sarducci’s in Montpelier. A great hike, beautiful views, the first warm day of the year and the World’s Best Cheddar — it was a seriously excellent day.

The top of Owls Head at Groton State Forest

Kids VT

Lunch at an old-fashioned diner inside a hardware store

Know before you go: Cabot factory tours cost $3 for adults and are free for kids under 12. The Cabot website explains that the plant is not always making cheese. To time it right, call ahead. If you plan on picking up some Cabot products, bring a cooler with ice packs. For a hike in Groton State Forest, pack plenty of water, a snack, bug spray, sunblock and hats. Montpelier is a 20-minute drive from the forest. Bring a change of clothes if you plan on swinging through the capital city for dinner.

Where to eat: Sarah’s Country Diner, 3087 Main Street in Cabot, is a must. You can also pack a picnic — perhaps leaving room on your sandwiches for some Cabot cheddar — and eat lunch during the hike.

Also nearby: Groton State Forest offers hundreds of miles of biking, hiking and horse trails. Find more info, plus a map, at vtstateparks.com/pdfs/groton_trails.pdf. The Groton Nature Center, 1595 Boulder Beach Road, is open on weekends and features exhibits, programs and concerts in the summer. Info, 584-3827 In the summer, head to Boulder Beach, 2278 Boulder Beach Road, also in Groton State Forest. The beach has everything one could want post-hike: bathroom facilities, a snack shack with cold beverages and a beautiful lake for cooling off. Info, 584-3827

courtesy of laura sorkin

June 2015

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We gravitated to the sample table, which was loaded with about 25 cheeses to try.

Day-cations: Wonderfeet

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Classes & Camps 2015 SUMMER

• Week-long ballet themed camps for ages 3-9

• Weekly ballet classes for young dancers - adults - beginner - advanced

Beginner-Intermediate July 27 - July 31 & August 3 - August 8 Week-long dance intensive for the teen dancer who wants to take their dance training to a higher level, prepare for dance in college, musical theater, or high school dance team. Or maybe your dream has been to dance en pointe? Classes oﬀered in ballet, variations, pointe, pointe prep, jazz, lyrical, modern, choreography and more.

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June 2015

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Summer Intensive for Teens Ages 13 - 18

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establish Wonderfeet’s fledgling in the meal, we accidentally neglected robotics station. This area — the most our evening routine of discussing the suitable in the museum for kids older day’s rose, thorn and bud (or favorite than 8 — is enclosed by a toddler-proof part, least favorite part and what we’re gate and houses a cache of Legos and a most looking forward to). Just after the sloped drag-race track where kids can creemee stop, a tired Dash perked up create and test Legomobiles. A pair in the backseat and said, “Mama, you of computer stations, where kids can know what was my rose?” I would have program a small Lego robot to move bet money on the ice cream, but instead around a raised platform, is coming he said, “Going to the kids’ museum!” K soon. I chatted with Peffer while my kids swirled around us, excitedly blurting out the occasional, “Mom! Did you see the …” or “Mama, look at this!” She told me about plans to add a play train and a pretend credit union and town hall to the museum’s kid village, which currently features the ticket-booth train station, a diner and a farmers market. Though the one-room museum feels small, it wasn’t crowded during our visit. My husband remarked that the team behind Wonderfeet has “done a lot with a little,” referring to both the space and its annual operating budget of $223,000. An exhibit composed of a fan and a few scarves Know before you go: held Lio and Dash rapt Wonderfeet Kids museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the last 15 minutes on tuesday, thursday, friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 per person; free of our roughly two-hour for babies under 1. Group reservations can be made for visit. Over and over again, Wednesdays. they placed the scarves A variety of annual memberships are available, ranging into a clear plastic tube from $65 for one adult and one child to $500 for the held in place just above special Benefactor membership, which covers up to six people per visit and includes participation in the the fan. The kids squealed Association of children’s museums’ reciprocal network and danced every time and a private party at Wonderfeet. the featherweight fabrics shot up and out of the Where to eat: tube and then floated We grabbed a couple of sweet treats and coffee just a few back down to earth. doors down from the museum at the coffee Exchange I watched, thinking, café, 101 merchants row. We could totally make if you’re traveling to rutland from chittenden county, one of those at home. Bristol is a great side trip for dinner or lunch. We went And, later, we tried. to cubbers Restaurant, 8 main Street, for pizza and the But as I suspect is the venerable Village creeme stand, 41 West Street, for dessert. case with many of the simple-seeming exhibits at Wonderfeet, it’s not as Also nearby: easy to pull off as it looks. Had we been able to hold out a little longer for lunch, On the way home, we we would have checked out the downtown Farmers market, which takes place in rutland’s Depot park on stopped for a kid-friendly Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., may through october. dinner of pizza and creeVisit vtfarmersmarket.org for more info. mees in Bristol. Caught up

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Five Corners Farmers Market: Baby & Maternity From natural meats to breads and Chace Mill Postnatal Core wines, farmers share the bounty Class: See June 3, 9-10 a.m. of the growing season at an outChace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See door exchange, complete with live See Dr. First videos June 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m. entertainment and kids activities. “First With Kids” at Lincoln Place, Essex Junction, 3:30 uvmhealth.org Community p.m. Free. Info, 5cornersfarmersmarket@gmail.com. Walk for Animals: Walkers complete a short loop — with Richmond Farmers Market: Venor without leashed dogs — to raise funds for dors peddle maple iced tea, honey ice cream, the Central Vermont Humane Society. A postvegan chocolates, just-picked produce and walk celebration includes cake and ice cream. much more at this lively showcase of locaMontpelier High School, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Donavorism. All ages. Volunteers Green, Richmond, tions and pledges encouraged; preregister. Info, 3-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 343-9778. 476-3811.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See June 2.

Library & Books

Early Bird Math: Young children and their caregivers put two and two together using interactive books, songs and games to explore arithmetic concepts. Ages 3-6. Richmond Free Library, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 434-3036. Essex Junction Drop-in Story Time: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers stop by for picture books and finger plays. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Movies

Family Movie: Viewers screen a familyfriendly flick about a small fairy and a gentle giant. Popcorn and drinks provided. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Music Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: Toe-tapping tunes captivate kiddies. Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 660-9346. Village Harmony Concert: Young adult singers and instrumentalists perform traditional music from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Georgia and South Africa. Located in Fritz’s Barn at 693 McCrillis Road in Marshfield, 7:30 p.m. $5-10; proceeds benefit the Jaquith Public Library. Info, 426-3210.

Nature & Science

Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup: Little explorers ages 5 and under and their caregivers discover the sights, sounds and sensations of the forests and fields while learning how the natural environment can be used as a tool for learning and play. Dress in water- and mudproof clothing. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free; donations welcome. Info, 229-6206.

6 SATURDAY

Arts & Crafts

Waterbury Kids Fest: Music, dancing, crafts and kids activities come to tents in the heart of town. Rusty Parker Memorial Park, Waterbury, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 244-5605.

Food

Burlington Farmers Market: Producers and artisans offer fresh and prepared foods, crafts and more in a bustling marketplace. All ages. Burlington City Hall Park, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 310-5172. Capital City Farmers Market: Veggies, honey, maple syrup and more change hands at a celebration of locally grown food. All ages. Downtown Montpelier, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-2958. Rutland Farmers Market: Local vendors sell farm-fresh veggies and fruits, artisan cheese, handcrafted breads and more at this outdoor emporium. Downtown Rutland, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 753-7269.

Health & Fitness Gems Summer Celebration 5K & Kids Dash: Games, music and local vendors make for a fun end-of-school-year celebration. Medals are awarded to all race finishers, in addition to awards for “Craziest Socks,” “Wildest Hairdo” and more. Georgia Elementary & Middle School, St. Albans, 8 a.m.-noon. Free admission; cost for race. Info, 524-6358. Lincoln Mountain Magic Run: Athletic types pound the pavement for 1K and 5K races — or opt for the stroller fun run — to raise money for the Lincoln Cooperative Preschool. Lincoln Elementary School, 9:30 a.m.-noon. $10-20; $35 per family. Info, 453-3113.

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Library & Books

Cleo the Therapy Dog: Canine enthusiasts visit with Cleo, a friendly pooch from Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Ages 3 and up. Milton Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Nature & Science

Let’s Go Fishing: Families cast off for a fun day of learning, followed by an outdoor excursion to find the catch of the day. Milton Municipal Complex, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4922. My Sky: Astronomy enthusiasts learn about celestial objects in this 20-minute program geared toward kids ages 4-8. Arrive 15 minutes in advance of presentation. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, 12:30 p.m. $3 per person; call to reserve tickets. Info, 748-2372.

KIDSVT.COM JUNE 2015

Craft School Saturday Drop-In: Artsy types create seasonal clay objects in this ever-changing weekly series. Projects available for pickup at a later date. Ages 5-15 with an adult. Shelburne Craft School, 10-11 a.m. $10 per child. Info, 985-3648. Kids Building Workshop: Handy helpers learn do-it-yourself skills and tool safety as they construct seasonal projects. Ages 5-12. Home Depot, Williston, 9 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister at workshops.homedepot.com. Info, 872-0039.

Fairs & Festivals

Freestyle, Parkour and ninja Warrior training!

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KIDS VT

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JUNE

CALENDAR

Playgroups MONDAY Barre Open Gym: Sunrise Gymnastics, 10 a.m.-noon, $10 per child; $5 for additional siblings. Info, 223-0517. Burlington Crawlers, Waddlers & Toddlers: St. Joseph School, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 862-2121. Burlington Playgroup: Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 578-6471. Charlotte Playgroup: Charlotte Central School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 764-5820. Jericho Playgroup: Jericho Community Center, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415. Richford Playgroup: Richford Elementary, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 370-4797. Swanton Playgroup: Swanton Elementary School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426. Williston Playgroup: Alice in Noodleland: Buttered Noodles, 10-11 a.m. Free. Does not meet June 23. Info, 764-1810. TUESDAY Bradford Playgroup: Grace United Methodist Church, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24. Brookfield Playgroup: First Congregational Church of Brookfield, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24. Burlington Dad’s Night: VNA Family Room, 3-7 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420. Essex Junction Building Bright Futures Playgroup: Maple Street Recreation Center, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 876-7555. Johnson Baby Chat: Church of the Nazarene, fourth Tuesday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.

6 SATURDAY (CONTINUED)

National Trails Day Celebration: Visitors explore a nature trail to the Quechee Gorge, attend raptor programs and go on a guided children’s scavenger hunt. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $11-13; free for members and kids under 4. Info, 359-5000.

7 SUNDAY

KIDS VT

JUNE 2015

KIDSVT.COM

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See June 2, 12:15-1:30 p.m. Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 10:05-11:30 a.m.

Community

Camp Hochelaga Open House: Parents of prospective campers ages 6-11 visit the grounds of this camp for girls with day and sleepaway options, meet counselors and learn more about its offerings. Camp Hochelaga YWCA VT, Essex Junction, 1-4 p.m. Free. Info, 862-7520.

Kids enjoy fun and games during these informal get-togethers, and caregivers connect with other local parents and peers. The groups are usually free and often include snacks, arts and crafts, or music. Contact the playgroup organizer or visit kidsvt.com for site-specific details. Most playgroups follow the school calendar and many end in June. Winooski Early Learning Readiness Program: Winooski Memorial Library, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 655-6424. WEDNESDAY Barre Open Gym: See Monday. Burlington Playgroup: See Monday. Chace Mill New Mothers/Infants Playgroup: Prenatal Method Studio, 1:30-2:45 p.m. $3 suggested donation. Info, 829-0211. Essex Building Bright Futures Baby Playgroup: Move You Fitness Studio, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 876-7555. Fairfield Playgroup: Bent Northrop Memorial Library, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 827-3945. Hinesburg Playgroup: Hinesburg Town Hall, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 482-4667. Richmond Playgroup: Richmond Free Library, 8:45-10:15 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415. Shelburne Playgroup: Trinity Episcopal Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 764-5820. South Royalton Playgroup: United Church on the Green, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 6852264, ext. 24. St. Albans Building Better Families Playgroup: NCSS Family Center, St. Albans, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426. Williston Babytime Playgroup: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, first Wednesday of every month, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918. Williston Evening Playgroup: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, first Wednesday of every month, 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 876-7555. THURSDAY Alburgh Playgroup: NCSS Family Center, Alburgh, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Silent Auction & Community Potluck: Music by Bud Leeds & the Dixie Six and a communal meal herald the end of spring. All Souls Interfaith Gathering, Shelburne, 5-8 p.m. Free; RSVP. Info, 985-3819.

Food

Brandon Stories & Crafts: Brandon Free Public Library, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 247-8230. Burlington EvoMamas Playgroup: Evolution Yoga, second Thursday of every month, 10:2011:50 a.m. Free. Info, 864-9642. Burlington Playgroup: See Monday. Essex Junction Building Bright Futures Playgroup: See Tuesday. 9:30-11 a.m. Essex Junction Building Bright Futures Spanish Playgroup: Maple Street Recreation Center, first Thursday of every month, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 876-7555. Montgomery Playgroup: Montgomery Town Library, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426. Morrisville Baby Chat: First Congregational Church of Morrisville, first Thursday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3470. Randolph Playgroup: White River Craft Center, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24. Spanish Playgroup: Maple Street Recreation Center, first Thursday of every month, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 655-9739. West Fairlee Playgroup: Westshire Elementary Playgroup, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24. FRIDAY Ferrisburgh Open Gym: Ferrisburgh Central School, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, mary.neffinger@gmail.com. Huntington Playgroup: Huntington Public Library, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 899-4415. Marshfield Open Gym: Jaquith Public Library, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581. Montgomery Tumble Time: Montgomery Elementary School, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 347-1780.

Games See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org

Stowe Farmers Market: Live music, face painting and cooking demos complement an array of food and craft vendors. All ages. Stowe Farmers Market, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 472-8027. Winooski Farmers Market: Local produce, farm goods, artisan crafts, kids activities and tunes come together on the banks of the Winooski River. Champlain Mill, Winooski, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, winooskimarket@gmail. com.

Family Fun Sunday: 12-and-under gamers cap off the weekend with a kids meal and two tokens. Tilt Classic Arcade & Ale House, South Burlington, 3-7 p.m. $7 per child. Info, 489-5350.

Health & Fitness

ChildLight Yoga for Kids: Young yogis come together to explore the beauty of new beginnings. Recommended for ages 3-6 with parents or caregivers. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1-1:45 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Nature & Science

Bird-Monitoring Walk: Eagle-eyed participants bring binoculars to search the museum’s property for fluttering feathers. Best for adults and older children. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 7-9 a.m. Donations welcome; preregister. Info, 434-2167. My Sky: See June 6.

Submit your July events for print by June 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.

Randolph Toddler Time: Kimball Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 728-5073. Swanton Playgroup: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 868-3033. Underhill Playgroup: Underhill Central School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415. Winooski Early Learning Readiness Program: See Tuesday. Worcester Playgroup: Doty Memorial School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 223-1312. SUNDAY Barre Older Kid Open Gym: Sunrise Gymnastics, 5-7 p.m. $10 for one child; $5 for additional siblings. Info, 223-0517.

8 MONDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 5:45-7:15 p.m. Chace Mill Prenatal Barre: See June 3, 12:15-1:15 p.m. Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Montpelier Prenatal Yoga: Mothers-to-be in all stages of pregnancy nourish and nurture their babies through movement while learning how to prepare for birth. Yoga Mountain Center, Montpelier, 5:30-7 p.m. $15. Info, 778-0300. Pee Wee Pilates: New moms strengthen their cores with their babies in tow. Prenatal Method Studio, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $15. Info, 646-206-0514.

8 MONDAY, P.34

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JUNE

CALENDAR

8 MONDAY (CONTINUED)

Movies

Games

Lego Fun: Budding builders share blocks. Grades K and up; kids under 5 are welcome to participate with adult supervision. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Music

Children’s Sing-Along: See June 2. Colchester Preschool Music: See June 2. Music With Mr. Chris: See June 2.

Family Game Night: Players sit down for friendly competitions of Candy Land, checkers and Monopoly. Bring your own board or borrow from the library. Georgia Public Library, Fairfax, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 524-4643.

Health & Fitness

Nature & Science

Health & Fitness

Games

Essex Open Gym: See June 2.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See June 4, 11 a.m.

9 TUESDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington La Leche League: New moms bring their questions to a breast-feeding support group. Babies and older children welcome. Lending library available. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 985-8228. Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See June 2. Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2. Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See June 2.

Health & Fitness

Baby Pump: See June 2. Essex Open Gym: See June 2. Trail Running Series: See June 2.

Library & Books

Dads are Superheros!: Thoughtful sons and daughters make a special Father’s Day gift for their papas. Highgate Public Library, Highgate Center, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 868-3970. Gaming For Teens & Adults: See June 2.

Youth Media Lab: See June 2.

Storytime in the Nestlings Nook: Little ones listen to stories about feathered friends. Tales are followed by a nature walk, craft project or music. Intended for preschoolers but all ages are welcome. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free with museum admission, $3.50-7; free for children under 3. Info, 434-2167.

10 WEDNESDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 5:457:15 p.m. Chace Mill Postnatal Core Class: See June 3. Chace Mill Prenatal Barre: See June 3. Montpelier Mom & Baby Yoga: See June 3. Montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See June 3.

Food

Colchester Farmers Market: Rain or shine, local farmers, artisans, food vendors and musicians gather on the green. All ages. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660. Kids in the Kitchen: Strawberry Shortcakes: Chefs-in-training whip up flaky, warm biscuits and top ’em with local berries and cream. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per child; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

Music See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org

Essex Open Gym: See June 2.

Music

Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: See June 3.

11 THURSDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 12:15-1:15 p.m. Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See June 2.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See June 2. Walk/Run Trail Series: See June 4. Yoga with Danielle: See June 4.

Library & Books

Colchester Lego Club: See June 4. Spanish Musical Kids: Niños celebrate Latin American culture through songs and games en español. Bring food to share and stay for a Latin potluck lunch after class. Ages 1-5 with a caregiver. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216. St. Albans Library Legos: Young building enthusiasts engage in creative construction with their peers. St. Albans Free Library, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

Music for Preschoolers: See June 4.

Nature & Science

Whirligigs & Water Tigers: Little learners gather ’round the Peeper Pond to study aquatic insects through a puppet show, dragonfly dance and hands-on exploration. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 9-10:30 a.m. $8-10 per adult/child pair; $4 per additional child; preregister. Info, 434-3068.

12 FRIDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 8:309:30 a.m.

Education

Burlington Fire Department Visits: Community helpers teach about fire safety and show off their gear and trucks in conjunction with the “Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl” traveling exhibit. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. Regular museum admission, $10.50-13.50; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848. Milton Homeschool Project Day: Out-of-classroom learners share their current projects with an audience of parents and siblings. Grades K through 12. Milton Public Library, 2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Food

ArtsRiot Truck Stop Burlington: See June 5. Five Corners Farmers Market: See June 5. Richmond Farmers Market: See June 5.

The food trucks are coming! The food trucks are coming! Culinary whizzes from all over the state descend on downtown Middlebury for the first-ever FOODAROO. The all-ages festival is the brainchild of MUD, or Middlebury Underground, a new, freewheeling event series focused on “anything cool that deserves to be heard.” Families sample scrumptious treats while street performers and local musicians — including Josh Panda, the Grift and Kat Wright & the Indomitable Soul Band — keep the beat.

KIDS VT

FOODAROO: Sunday, June 21, 3-8 p.m. on Merchants Row in Middlebury. All ages. Free; food for sale. Info, 388-4277. mudtalks.org

Submit your July events for print by June 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.

COURTESY OF JAM BAKERY

JUNE 2015

KIDSVT.COM

Just Eat It

games

dungeons & dragons: Players exercise their problem-solving skills in imaginary battles and adventures. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Health & Fitness

Essex open gym: See June 2.

Library & Books

Early Bird math: See June 5. songs & stories With matthew: Musician Matthew Witten helps kids start the day with tunes and tales of adventure. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Ongoing Exhibits EcHo LAKE AQuARium ANd sciENcE cENTER, BuRLiNgToN Info, 864-1848 smokey Bear & Woodsy owl: Home sweet Home: This traveling exhibit, created in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, teaches young woodland stewards how to care for natural resources through on-the-job forest-ranger training. Every other Friday from 10 a.m. to noon the Burlington Fire Department teaches about preventing fires locally. Through September 13. moNTsHiRE musEum oF sciENcE, NoRWicH Info, 649-2200 Prehistoric menagerie: Life-size sculptures of animals from the Cenozic Age — including a wooly mammoth, a tiny horse and a 7-foot-tall carnivore with the head of a warthog — transport visitors back in time. Through September 7. sHELBuRNE musEum

VERmoNT iNsTiTuTE oF NATuRAL sciENcE NATuRE cENTER, QuEcHEE

13 SATURDAY

Arts & crafts

craft school saturday drop-in: See June 6.

Baby & maternity

chace mill Postnatal core class: See June 3, 9-10 a.m. chace mill Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

community

The clothes Exchange: Fashion-minded peeps shop ’til they drop for gently used and new clothing for the whole family. Located in the space formerly occupied by Coldwater Creek. Burlington Town Center, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free; sales proceeds go to the Vermont Foodbank. Info, clothesexchange@seaba.com. Touch-A-Truck: Families get up close and personal with big, shiny vehicles. Clowns and a bounce house add to the fun. Montpelier High School, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $3 per adult; $2 per child; $8 per family. Info, 225-8699.

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Fairs & Festivals

Kids Pirate Festival: Small swashbucklers swing back in time for nautical fun. Two days of activities include treasure hunting, tugo-war, crafts and musical entertainment by Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate. (See spotlight on page 50.) Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $8-12; free for children under 6. Info, 475-2022.

July 18 • 3-9 p.m. • Lawn of National Life Group in Montpelier

Food

Burlington Farmers market: See June 6. Rutland Farmers market: See June 6.

Library & Books

Jason chin Book Reading: The local nonfiction author reads from his latest book about the water cycle, Water is Water. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 448-3350. Kids craft: Kids engage in a cool summerthemed craft. St. Albans Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

FEATURING

Nature & science

Bird-monitoring Walk: Beginning birders embrace ornithology on an identification walk. Appropriate for older children. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 7-9 a.m. Donations appreciated. Info, 434-3068. children’s Fishing Festival: Kids and adults alike get hooked on the joys of angling with knot-tying and lure-making workshops, a fish cookout and the opportunity to catch a trout in the property’s pond. Ed Weed Fish Culture Station, Grand Isle, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 372-3171. my sky: See June 6. Vermont days: Green Mountain State parks and historic sites kick off summer with two days of free admission and on-site activities. No license required for fishing. (See spotlight on page 48.) Various locations statewide. Free. Info, 800-837-6668.

FREE! Parking fees are $10 a vehicle before 5 p.m. and $20 a vehicle after 5 p.m.

An afternoon and evening of music to support BRANCHES OF HOPE, the cancer patient fund at Central Vermont Medical Center. Children's activities begin at 3 p.m. and music from the main stage starts at 4 p.m.

Find more info at DoGoodFest.com SPONSORED BY

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Kids VT

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ADMISSION IS

June 2015

Info, 359-5000 Birds Are dinosaurs Exhibit: Are dinosaurs still alive today? Amateur paleontologists dig into the amazing story of how birds evolved from dinosaurs through skeletons, life-size replicas, and hands-on activities.

Kids music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See June 5.

KidsVT.com

Info, 985-3346 Walter Wick: games, gizmos & Toys in the Attic: This retrospective exhibition of the photographic illustrator and award-winning co-author of the “I SPY” children’s books, features large scale photographs, meticulous models and behind-the-scenes videos. Through July 5.

music

JUNE

CALENDAR

Story Times MONDAY

MUSIC DAY CAMP JUNE 22-26

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Barre Children’s Story Hour: Aldrich Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-7550. Essex Drop-In Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313. Essex Junction Drop-In Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313. Northfield Children’s Story Time: Brown Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 485-4621. St. Albans Story Hour: St. Albans Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 524-1507. Stowe Story Time for 2- to 3-Year-Olds: Stowe Free Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 253-6145. Waitsfield Story Time: Joslin Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 496-4205. Waterbury Baby & Toddler Story Time: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. June 22. Info, 244-7036. Woodstock Baby Story Time: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295. TUESDAY Alburgh Story Hour: Alburgh Community Education Center, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 796-6077. Barre Children’s Story Hour: See Monday. Colchester Toddler Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660. Georgia Pajama Story Time: Georgia Public Library, third Tuesday of every month, 6:307:30 p.m. Free. Info, 524-4643. Highgate Story Time: Highgate Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 868-3970. Hinesburg Baby & Toddler Story Time: Carpenter-Carse Library, first Tuesday of every month, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 482-2878. Hinesburg Youngsters Story Time: Carpenter-Carse Library, 9:30-10 a.m. Free. Info, 482-2878. Montpelier Story Time: Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644. Richmond Story Time: Richmond Free Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 434-3036. South Burlington Tiny Tot Time: South Burlington Community Library, 9:15 & 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080. Woodstock Preschool Story Time: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295. WEDNESDAY Barnes & Noble Morning Story Time: Barnes & Noble, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 864-8001. Essex Toddler Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313. Highgate Story Time: See Tuesday. Johnson Story Time: Johnson Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 635-7141. Marshfield Story & Activity Time: Jaquith

Early-literacy skills get special attention during these read-aloud sessions. Some locations provide additional activities such as music, crafts or foreign-language instruction. Contact the story-time organizer or visit kidsvt.com for details.

Most story times follow the school calendar.

Public Library, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581. Marshfield Story Time & Playgroup: Jaquith Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581. Norwich Story Time: Norwich Public Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 649-1184. Quechee Story Time: Quechee Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 295-1232. Randolph Morning Story Time: Kimball Public Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 728-5073. South Burlington Baby Book Time: South Burlington Community Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7539. Swanton Story Hour: Swanton Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 868-7656. Warren Preschool Story & Enrichment Hour: Warren Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 595-2582. THURSDAY Colchester Preschool Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, June 11, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660. Essex Preschool Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313. Northfield Children’s Story Time: See Monday. Rutland Story Time: Rutland Free Library, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 773-1860. Shelburne Story Time: Pierson Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 985-5124. St. Albans Story Hour: See Monday. Vergennes Story Time: Bixby Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 877-2211. Westford Story Time: Westford Public Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-5639. Winooski Preschool Story Time: Winooski Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 655-6424. FRIDAY Brandon Preschool Story Time: Brandon Free Public Library, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 247-8230. Essex Musical Story Time: Essex Free Library, third Friday of every month, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313. Enosburg Story Hour: Enosburg Public Library, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 370-4797. Fletcher Story Time: Fletcher Memorial Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 228-8921. Georgia Preschool Story Time: Georgia Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 524-4643. Huntington Story Time: Huntington Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 434-4583. Lincoln Toddler/Preschool Story Time: Lincoln Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 453-2665.

Milton Preschool Story Time: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644. Montpelier Story Time: See Tuesday. Rock, Roll & Read Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313. South Burlington Pajamarama: Barnes & Noble, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 864-8001. South Burlington Story Time Adventures: South Burlington Community Library, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7539. St. Johnsbury Story Time: St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 748-8291. Stowe Baby & Toddler Story Time: Stowe Free Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 253-6145. Waterbury Preschool Story Time: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Meets June 26. Info, 244-7036. SATURDAY Barnes & Noble Saturday Morning Story Time: Barnes & Noble, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 864-8001. Barre Story Time: Next Chapter Bookstore, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-3114. Burlington Story Time at Phoenix Books: Phoenix Books, 11 a.m.-noon, Free. Info, 448-3350. Colchester Saturday Drop-In Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660. Franklin Story Time: Haston Library, first Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 285-6505. St. Johnsbury Story Time: See Friday. first Saturday of every month. Swanton Story Hour: See Wednesday. 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY Williston Russian Story Time: Buttered Noodles, 11-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 730-2673.

YOUTH SUMMER FUN PASS

14 SUNDAY

Baby & Maternity Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See June 2, 12:15-1:30 p.m. Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 10:05-11:30 a.m.

UNLIMITED LOCAL SERVICE

THIS SUMMER Give your family the freedom to explore!

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org

Fairs & Festivals

Historic Open House: Families meet a Bald Eagle, learn about Vermont wildlife and enjoy a live performance from the Boys Night Out band. Justin Morrill Homestead, Strafford Village, 2-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 765-4288. Kids Pirate Festival: See June 13.

Food

Stowe Farmers Market: See June 7. Winooski Farmers Market: See June 7.

VALID

Games

JUNE 15 t–hru AUGUST 2 5

Family Fun Sunday: See June 7.

Nature & Science

Bird-Monitoring Walk: See June 7. My Sky: See June 6. Sundays for Fledglings: Aspiring junior birders learn all about the work birds do through observation, research and goofing around. Ages 5-9; siblings welcome. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 2-2:45 p.m. Free with museum admission, $3.50-7; preregister. Info, 434-2167. Vermont Days: See June 13.

ALL SU

MMER

ALL SUMMER

15 MONDAY

UNLIMITED

Baby & Maternity

Health & Fitness

Library & Books

7-17

CCTA's NEW Youth Summer Fun Youth Pass gives your family access to convenient, safe, reliable transportation while gaining the freedom and independence you’ve been looking for! This wristband provides UNLIMITED LOCAL SERVICE for your children giving them access to a variety of summer programs, parks, beaches, practice and friends & family.

KIDSVT.COM

Essex Open Gym: See June 2. Shelburne Open Gym: Tumbling tots burn energy on trampolines, balance beams, rings and more. Gymstar Gymnastics, Shelburne, 8:30 a.m. $3-6. Info, 985-8948.

AGES

LOCAL SERVICE

Games

Milton Lego Club: Builders fashion architecturally sound constructions. Ages 7-12. Milton Public Library, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

KIDS

JUNE 2015

Babies & Toddlers Rock: Little musicians ages 24 months and under sing songs and engage in early literacy activities. Rutland Free Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 773-1860.

KIDS VT

For more information, visit CCTAride.org

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June

Calendar

15 monday (Continued)

Every Hero Has a story!: Face painting and a visit from the mayor help launch the library’s summer reading program. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1-5 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

YOGA BARRE

music

P O S T N ATA L

music for Preschoolers: See June 4, 11 a.m.

YOGA FOR FERTILITY C H I L D B I R T H E D U C AT I O N

16 TUESDAY

P R E N ATA L Y O G A T E A C H E R T R A I N I N G

arts & crafts

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Preschool story Hour: Young art connoisseurs and their caregivers listen to a picture book, look at original works of art and create a project to take home. Ages 3-5. Plattsburgh State Art Museum, N.Y., 10-11:30 a.m. Free; preregistration appreciated. Info, 518-564-2498.

marshfield Family-Themed movies: A wholesome flick entertains viewers of all ages. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

music

Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: See June 3.

18 THURSDAY

music

Burlington Prenatal yoga: See June 2, 12:15-1:15 p.m. chace mill Prenatal yoga: See June 2.

children’s sing-along: See June 2. colchester Preschool music: See June 2. music With mr. chris: See June 2.

Theater Kamikaze comedy 20th anniversary Extravaganza: Audience suggestions are woven into hilarious scenes in this improvisational show. Ages 12 and up. FlynnSpace, Burlington, 8 p.m. $17.50 for adults; $10 for children under 16. Info, 578-4200. KidsVT.com

Library & Books

movies

youth media Lab: See June 2.

17 WEDNESDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal yoga: See June 2, 5:45-7:15 p.m. chace mill Postnatal core class: See June 3. chace mill Prenatal Barre: See June 3.

June 2015

Essex open Gym: See June 2.

movies

Gaming For Teens & adults: See June 2. summer nature Writer club: Middle schoolers connect with the natural world through journal, fiction and nonfiction writing in this three-day workshop presented by the Young Writers Project. Nature walks guaranteed! Ages 12-15. Stowe Free Library, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 253-6145.

Kids VT

Health & Fitness

Library & Books

Health & Fitness

Scholarships and tuition incentive available

colchester Farmers market: See June 10. Kids in the Kitchen: chicken Pad Thai: Fledgling foodies learn basic sauce-making tips and proper meat handling and veggie-cooking skills while creating this Southeast Asian dish. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per child; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

Essex open Gym: See June 2. shelburne open Gym: See June 15, 8:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Trail Running series: See June 2.

Breastfeeding cafe: Moms nurse their babies, chat and pose questions to a certified lactation consultant. Pregnant women, dads and siblings welcome. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 349-3825. Burlington Postnatal yoga: See June 2. Burlington Prenatal yoga: See June 2. chace mill Prenatal yoga: See June 2.

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Food

colchester Pajama story Time: Small ones curl up for bedtime tales, cookies and milk. Ages 18 months-5 years. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660. Father’s day craft: Thoughtful sons and daughters drop into the library to make a personalized card for Pop. St. Albans Free Library, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507. magic show with Tom Joyce: Sleights of hand amaze spectators to kick off the summer reading program. All ages. Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644. Read to a dog: Adorable pups from Therapy Dogs of Vermont listen to read-aloud tails — er, tales. Ages 5 and up. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister for event times. Info, 865-7216. summer nature Writer club: See June 16.

Baby & maternity

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montpelier mom & Baby yoga: See June 3. montpelier Postnatal yoga: See June 3.

Baby & maternity

Health & Fitness

Essex open Gym: See June 2. Walk/Run Trail series: See June 4. yoga with danielle: See June 4.

Library & Books

colchester Lego club: See June 4. milton PJ story Time: Small tots drop in with their jammies on for bedtime tales. Milton Public Library, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644. spanish musical Kids: See June 11. summer nature Writer club: See June 16.

music

music for Preschoolers: See June 4.

submit your July events for print by June 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com. k4t-vtdayschool0615.indd 1

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Visit our website for our

2015 Class Schedule

19 FRIDAY

Food

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Farmers Market: See June 6. Rutland Farmers Market: See June 6.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Fairs & Festivals

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org

Quechee Hot-Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival: Up, up and away! Watch inflatable rides rise into the sky, then hear music, play games and visit craft vendors. (See spotlight page 40.) Quechee Village Green, 3 p.m. $5-15 general admission tickets are good for the entire weekend; children under 6 are free; $10 for dads accompanied by a child on Father’s Day. Info, 295-7990.

Food

ArtsRiot Truck Stop Burlington: See June 5. Five Corners Farmers Market: See June 5. Richmond Farmers Market: See June 5.

Games

Magic: The Gathering: Planeswalkers seek knowledge and glory in this trading-card game. New players welcome. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See June 2. Shelburne Open Gym: See June 15.

Library & Books

Axis & Allies: War at Sea: Teens play a World War II game of strategy using battleships, air fleets and submarines to decide the fate of the world. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:305 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956. Early Bird Math: See June 5. Essex Junction Drop-in Story Time: See June 5. Marshmallow Roast & Lawn Games: Brownell Teens hosts this delicious event with hopscotch, marbles, bocce and badminton on the library lawn. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

Music

Health & Fitness

Parents Night Out: Adults looking for some alone time drop off their young yogis for dancing, game playing, pizza eating and relaxation activities with different themes each month. Ages 4-11. Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $25 for one child; $15 for siblings; preregister. Info, 864-9643.

Library & Books

Superhero Parade with Champ: Costumed children pound a path around the building with a furry friend — or stuffed animal — in tow to kick off the summer reading program. Superhero slime and face painting follow. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

Nature & Science

A Peek at Nesting Peregine Falcons: Biologist Margaret Fowle brings participants to a breeding site in Bolton for a chance to spot young birds of prey. Come with your binoculars or spotting scopes. Adults and children ages 8 and up. Audubon Vermont, Huntington, 9-11 a.m. $10-12 per adult-child pair; $4-5 for each additional child; preregister. Info, 434-3068. My Sky: See June 6.

Theater

21 SUNDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See June 2, 12:15-1:30 p.m. Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 10:05-11:30 a.m.

Education

20 SATURDAY

Fairs & Festivals

Baby & Maternity

Quechee Hot-Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival: See June 19, 5:30 a.m.

Call or email to hold a spot in our summer camps! Classes offered in Williston & Middlebury

Beth Anne McFadden T.C.R.G. (802) 999-5041 celtikutie@aol.com www.mcfaddenirishdance.com

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Walter’s World: A huge scavenger hunt and art activities inspired by the museum’s Walter Wick exhibit make for a playful Father’s Day celebration. Shelburne Museum, noon-4 p.m. Regular museum admission, $7-24; free for children under 5 and members. Info, 985-3346.

Food

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Find information about local events and parenting resources every Thursday in the Kids VT Wee-Mail. Visit kidsvt.com/wee-mail to subscribe today.

KIDS VT

Foodaroo: Food trucks and craft purveyors give attendees a taste of the best Vermont has to offer at this inaugural event presented by Middlebury Underground and Town Hall Theater. Street performers and leading local bands provide additional entertainment. Merchants Row, Randolph, 3-8 p.m. Free. Info, 388-4277. Stowe Farmers Market: See June 7. Winooski Farmers Market: See June 7.

Wee-Mail sponsored by:

JUNE 2015

Quechee Hot-Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival: See June 19, 5:30 a.m. Summer Revels: Little revelers help Robin Hood and his friends from Sherwood Forest ring in the Summer Solstice with singing, dancing around the maypole and a folk play. Norwich Town Green, 5:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 866-556-3083.

Did you enjoy watching Riverdance? Why not learn some of the steps!

KIDSVT.COM

Fairs & Festivals

All Ages…All Levels

Backpack Theater Performance: The local dramatic company puts their spin on two k8v-McFaddenAcademy0215.indd tales — The Wild Things and Sleeping Beauty. Franklin Central School, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 285-6505.

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See June 5. Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: A buccaneer sings songs and shares the legend of Black Sam Bellamy, the Robin Hood of the sea. Kindergarten and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 1-2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6956.

Chace Mill Postnatal Core Class: See June 3, 9-10 a.m. Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 10:3011:30 a.m.

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June through August All levels welcome Enrollment is limited — don’t miss out! Ashley Meacham (Trainer) 802-324-7384 • ashley.meacham@ymail.com Sarah Oemcke (Barn Manager) 802-377-7287 • soemcke79@gmail.com

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Get Out … Gratis!

Kids VT

June 2015

KidsVT.com

Need to get outside this summer? We’ve got what you need! Footwear, Swimwear, Raingear and much, much more...

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curious about chimney Point in addison or the Justin Morrill Homestead in Strafford Village? Want to check out Half Moon Pond State Park in Hubbardton, one of Vermont’s 2014 Parks of the Year? now’s your chance. during VermoNT dAYs, residents of the Green Mountain State can visit more than 50 state parks and nine historic sites without spending a dime and fish without a license. on Saturday, families also get free admission to the Vermont History center in Barre and the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier. at the latter, they can view a full-size abenaki wigwam and a railroad station complete with a working telegraph. Who said nothing in life is free?

VermoNT dAYs: Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14 at multiple locations throughout the state. All ages. Free. Info, 800-837-6668. vermontvacation.com/ vermont-days

21 suNdAY (continued)

Games

Family Fun sunday: See June 7.

Health & Fitness

childLight Yoga for Kids: See June 7. Father’s day Paddling Adventure: Families partake in a watery canoeing or kayaking adventure in celebration of dads, followed by games and refreshments. Canoes and life jackets provided. Meet at the Waterbury Reservoir entrance. Waterbury Center State Park, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; space is limited; preregister. Info, 595-7953.

Nature & science

Bird-monitoring Walk: See June 7. Father’s day celebration: Underwater explorer Ben Maddox describes his snorkeling adventures in Vermont waters and shows clips from his video series, then kids make and take crafts to give to dad. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 12:30 p.m. Regular museum admission; $10.50-13.50; free for members and children under 3. Info, 864-1848. my sky: See June 6.

22 MONDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 5:45-7:15 p.m. chace mill Prenatal Barre: See June 3, 12:15-1:15 p.m. chace mill Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m. montpelier Prenatal Yoga: See June 8. Pee Wee Pilates: See June 8.

submit your July events for print by June 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.

Looking for a babysitter? Games

Burlington Chess Club: Strategic players make moves on a black-and-white board. Ages 9-13. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 2-4 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Library & Books See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See June 2. Shelburne Open Gym: See June 15.

Library & Books Burlington Stories With Megan: Preschoolers have a ball with rhymes, songs and books. Ages 3-6. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216. Garden Heros: Green-thumbed kids harvest and cook with just-grown ingredients. Milton Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644. Meet K-9 Heroes: Police K-9 instructor Wade Labrecque brings trained dogs to show their police-work skills. Grades 1 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 2-2:45 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6956. Teen Puppeteer Workshop: Young adults learn puppetry skills to display during Preschool Story Time on July 1. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See June 4, 11 a.m.

23 TUESDAY

Arts & Crafts

Heroic Crafting: Creative types make hero-themed projects. Ages 4-12. Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See June 2. Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2. Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See June 2. Shelburne Prenatal Yoga: See June 2.

Food

Health & Fitness

Movies

Kids Movie Matinee: Dim the lights and pass the popcorn! Kids screen an animated feature film featuring Gotham’s favorite superhero. St. Albans Free Library, 2 p.m. Free; attendance capped at 30 people. Info, 524-1507. Youth Media Lab: See June 2.

Our providers have undergone an intensive screening process.

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June 20, 11am–4pm Fun for the whole family!

Flowering Baskets, Flower & Veggie Transplants, Potted Herbs & More

Mike & The Big Blue Truck will be there!

Check our website for pick-your-own dates! Farm Market • Bakery • Greenhouses

Music

Children’s Sing-Along: See June 2. Colchester Preschool Music: See June 2. Music With Mr. Chris: See June 2.

Nature & Science

Nature at Night: Whooo’s out and about in the dark? This presentation teaches how to look and listen for owls and other creatures once the the sun goes down. Milton Public Library, 6:307:30 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

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Theater

The Wild Things & Sleeping Beauty: A traveling troupe of youth performers puts on two classic tales to the delight of young audiences. Grades K and up. Highgate Elementary School, Highgate Center, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 863-3970.

24 WEDNESDAY

Arts & Crafts

‘Readers are Heroes’ Stitch-In: Members of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America showcase a variety of needlework techniques. Spectators choose an embroidered READ bookmark to take home. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-6955.

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 5:45-7:15 p.m. Chace Mill Postnatal Core Class: See June 3. Chace Mill Prenatal Barre: See June 3. Montpelier Mom & Baby Yoga: See June 3. Montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See June 3.

Dance

Folk Dancing: Sue Morris teaches traditional moves to hoofers of all ages and abilities. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

Prenatal care, education & support

we do that here

Healthy Beginnings combines group-based care with one-on-one visits with your delivering physician to help improve healthy outcomes for moms and babies. This innovative program provides opportunities to learn about maternal-child health, quality time with each NMC care provider, connections with other women at similar stages of pregnancy and an introduction to valuable community resources.

Food

Colchester Farmers Market: See June 10.

Conveniently located at 12 Crest Road in Doctors’ Office Commons, St Albans, VT

KIDS VT

Learn more at 524-BABY (2229) or Northwestern.org

JUNE 2015

Essex Open Gym: See June 2. Shelburne Open Gym: See June 15, 8:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Trail Running Series: See June 2.

1:30 p.m. Superhero Story Time: Listeners enjoy spectacular stories and a craft. All ages. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918. Telling Your Own Stories with Comics: Kids ages 7 and up illustrate panels to tell a tale. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

We are Vt’s oldest & most experienced childcare placement agency.

KIDSVT.COM

Garden Heroes: Young patrons walk to the library’s plot at Summit Street School to tend to the plants, pull weeds and harvest veggies, then return to the library to prepare delicious dishes. Grades 1 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6956. Lunch at the Library: The Burlington School Food Project provides nutritious meals to kids and teens ages 18 and under from any town. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11:45 a.m.12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See June 2. Pirate Craft Day: Young swashbucklers craft a hat, patch and other accessories befitting a high-seas adventurer. Grades Pre-K and up. Aldrich Public Library, Barre, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 476-7550. Read to a Dog: See June 17, 12:30-

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Balance in Childhood and Adolescence Holistic Approach

ADD • ADHD • PDD • Dyslexia • Dysgraphia Executive Function • Autism Spectrum Anxiety • Learning & Behavior Issues Connie Helms, M.Ed. Announcing New Associates WILLISTON & MONTPELIER

Shari Carlson

CHITTENDEN & ADDISON COUNTY

CENTRAL VT

Carrie Fitz

Wise Child Therapeutics www.wisechildvt.com 802 272-7992

Mary Fettig

802.660.0555 • www.balanceinchildhood.com • conniehelms@gmavt.net

JUNE

CALENDAR Movies

24 WEDNESDAY (CONTINUED)

Kids in the Kitchen: Knife Skills & Fro-Yo: Little choppers learn how to handle a blade as they prep a variety of local berries and add them to homemade frozen yogurt. Ages 7 and up. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per child; preregister. Info, 863-2569. Lunch at the Library: See June 23.

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See June 2. K8h-BalancingAct0615-bw.indd 1

5/26/15 11:19 AM

Maybe it’s time to tryit’scamping again. Maybe time to try camping again.

Library & Books

Pirate Maps & Treasure Hunt: Library-going kids learn about maps, make one of their own, then go on a search for booty in the library. Ages 5 and up. Aldrich Public Library, Barre, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 476-7550. Read to a Dog: See June 17.

Movies

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‘The Wild Things’ & ‘Sleeping Beauty’: A talented teen troupe from Swanton performs two treasured stories for kids in grades K and up. Essex CHIPS & Teen Center, Essex Junction, 2-3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6955.

26 FRIDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 8:309:30 a.m.

Food

Burlington Fire Department Visits: See June 12.

25 THURSDAY

ArtsRiot Truck Stop Burlington: See June 5. Five Corners Farmers Market: See June 5. Richmond Farmers Market: See June 5.

Baby & Maternity

Games

Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: See June 3.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 12:15-1:15 p.m. Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See June 2.

Food

Lunch at the Library: See June 23.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See June 2. Walk/Run Trail Series: See June 4. Yoga with Danielle: See June 4.

Cleo the Therapy Dog: See June 6, 10:30 a.m. Colchester Lego Club: See June 4. Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: Ahoy, matey! The musical aquatic adventurer performs entertaining and educational songs from his latest album. Ages Pre-K and up. Aldrich Public Library, Barre, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 476-7550. Spanish Musical Kids: See June 11. Summer Reading Kick-Off: Devoted bookworms blast off for adventures in lit and craft some superhero masks for the journey. All ages. St. Albans Free Library, 2-4 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507. Super Storyteller Peter: A local raconteur shares kid-friendly tales. Ages 4 and up. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Dungeons & Dragons: See June 12.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See June 2. Shelburne Open Gym: See June 15.

Library & Books

Early Bird Math: See June 5. Family Film Night: Kids and adults cozy up in the library’s community room for a G- or PG-rated movie and popcorn. Call for title. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 482-2878. Songs & Stories With Matthew: See June 12. Summer Book Sale: Gently used books and AV materials for kids and adults tempt bargain hunters. Colchester High School, 5-8 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

Movies

Teen Movie: Middle and high schoolers cozy up for a film about a young soprano who becomes the obsession of a disfigured musical genius. Drinks and popcorn provided. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:15 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

Music Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See June 5.

Theater

Central Vermont Medical Center

Theater

Music

7 days 4.75 x 5.56

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Music for Preschoolers: See June 4.

Education

1311 Barre Montpelier Road (next to Burger King)

KIDS VT

JUNE 2015

KIDSVT.COM

No Appointment Needed

Music

LCATV Young Producers Camp: Aspiring directors learn to use video equipment and create a film of their own. Milton Public Library, 1:303 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.

Library & Books

EVERY DAY / 9am - 7pm

5/27/15 12:10 PM

Middle School Books-to-Film Discussion: Bookworms read a novel in advance, then watch the movie version over snacks. Call library for book title. Snack provided. Milton Public Library, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.

‘The Little Mermaid’ Jr.: Young actors from the Flynn Youth Theater Company take audience members on a magical journey under the sea. FlynnSpace, Burlington, 3 & 6 p.m. $5-10. Info, 863-5966.

CouRTeSy oF Lake ChaMPLain MaRiTiMe MuSeuM

Jolly Rager Sailors, sirens and mutineers gather on local shores for the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s annual Kids PiRATe FesTiVAL. Thek12v-Wonderfeet0615.indd new england Brethren of Pirates, an entertainment troupe made up of professional reenactors, takes over the museum’s outdoor campus for storytelling, interactive roleplay and raucous fun. Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate belts out swashbuckling tunes while little scallywags make pirate-themed crafts, participate in a rowdy game of tug-o-war and hunt for treasure. Revelers are encouraged to come in costume; don’t forget your eye patch!

29th Annual Stoweflake 1

5/28/15 12:04 PM

Balloon Festival July 10-12, 2015

Kids PiRATe FesTiVAL: Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes. $8-12; free for children under 6. Info, 475-2022. lcmm.org

27 SATURDAY

Baby & maternity

Fairs & Festivals

Library & Books

summer Book sale: See June 26, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Nature & science

Fantastic Physicists: Science-minded kids engage in experiments with balloons, electricity and more. Franklin Town Hall, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 285-6505. my sky: See June 6.

Theater

‘The Little mermaid’ Jr.: See June 26, 1 & 4 p.m.

28 SUNDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See June 2, 12:15-1:30 p.m. Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 10:05-11:30 a.m.

• Live Music • Kids Activities • • Spa Tent • • Balloon Rides & Tethers • More Info: 802-253-7355 Starts at 4pm Friday & Saturday $10 Admission, Kids Under 12 Free

On the Mountain Road, Stowe stoweflake.com/balloon

No beverages, food or refunds, no pets

Kids VT

submit your July events for print by June 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.

28 suNdAY, P.44

• Great Food, Beer & Wine Garden •

June 2015

Abenaki Heritage Weekend: Members of the Native American tribe demonstrate singing, drumming, basket making, cooking, dancing and other skills. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $8-12; free for children under 6. Info, 457-2022.

Burlington Farmers market: See June 6. Rutland Farmers market: See June 6.

KidsVT.com

chace mill Postnatal core class: See June 3, 9-10 a.m. chace mill Prenatal Yoga: See June 2, 10:3011:30 a.m.

Food

Celebrate your Birthday at the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory!

All parties include: • A private tour • A Make a Friend for Life® Bear for each child

JUNE

CALENDAR

28 SUNDAY (CONTINUED)

Fairs & Festivals

• Private party space staffed by a Vermont Teddy Bear Ambassador.

Abenaki Heritage Weekend: See June 27.

Food

Stowe Farmers Market: See June 7. Winooski Farmers Market: See June 7.

Games

Family Fun Sunday: See June 7.

Health & Fitness

Race 4 Sundaes: A 1-mile fun run is followed by a 5K and 10K at 9 a.m. Finishers each receive an ice cream sundae. Community Church of Huntington, 8:30 a.m. $10-20; proceeds raised benefit Neighbor Helping Neighbor. Info, 434-6715.

Ask about our different party packages! The Vermont Teddy Bear Company 6655 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT (802)985-3001 ext. 1700 • birthdayparties@vtbear.com k6h-VTTeddyBear0614.indd 1

5/28/14 5:03 PM

Library & Books

Summer Book Sale: See June 26, 10 a.m.-noon.

Nature & Science Bird-Monitoring Walk: See June 7. My Sky: See June 6. Sundays for Fledglings: See June 14.

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org

Theater Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour Opening Weekend: Bon Appetit! Spectators of all ages dig into this culinary-themed performance, featuring talented youth ages 10-18. Circus Smirkus, Greensboro, 1 & 6 p.m. $12.50-20.50; free for children under 2. Info, 877-764-7587.

29 MONDAY

Baby & Maternity

Games

Burlington Chess Club: See June 22.

Health & Fitness KIDSVT.COM

Essex Open Gym: See June 2. Shelburne Open Gym: See June 15.

Library & Books

JUNE 2015

Burlington Stories With Megan: See June 22. Garden Heros: See June 22. Green Mountain Book Award Reader’s Club: Book enthusiasts ages 14 and up discuss Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson while enjoying snacks. Adults welcome. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

KIDS VT

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See June 4, 11 a.m.

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3/27/15 10:13 AM

Nature & Science

Farm Heroes: Kids ages 5 and up meet at the Big Red Barn at Whitcomb Farm for a picnic lunch and a tour of the grounds. Whitcomb’s Land of Pumpkins, Williston, noon-1:30 & 3-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6955. STEAM Mondays: Science, technology, engineering, art and math concepts are explored through hands-on activities and experiments. Grades K-5. Highgate Public Library, Highgate Center, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 868-3970.

30 TUESDAY

Arts & Crafts

Heroic Crafting: See June 23.

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Postnatal Yoga: See June 2. Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See June 2. Chace Mill Prenatal Yoga: See June 2.

Food

Garden Heroes: See June 23. Kids in the Kitchen: Vegetarian Taco Salad Bowls: Chefs-in-training make taco bowls from scratch, then fill them up with beans, veggies and gorgeously green guacamole. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per child; preregister. Info, 863-2569. Lunch at the Library: See June 23.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See June 2. Shelburne Open Gym: See June 15, 8:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Trail Running Series: See June 2.

Library & Books

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See June 2. Project Micro: Participants of all ages view water, leaves and other items under the microscope, with help from UVM lab technician Janet Schwartz. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581. Read to a Dog: See June 17, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Superhero-Costume Making: Heroic kids listen to superhero stories, then make outfits appropriate for saving the world, including a cape and mask. Ages Pre-K and up. Aldrich Public Library, Barre, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 476-7550.

Movies

Youth Media Lab: See June 2.

Music

Children’s Sing-Along: See June 2. Colchester Preschool Music: See June 2. Music With Mr. Chris: See June 2.

Nature & Science

Fun With Mr. K: Budding biologists learn about beavers through hands-on discovery. Highgate Public Library, Highgate Center, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 868-3970.

Theater

‘Robin Hood’: Very Merry Theatre presents a classic tale on the library lawn. All ages. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, noon. Free. Info, 878-4918.

IT’S TIME FOR THE

It’s our first annual

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Vote for your favorites in the 13th annual best-of readers’ survey!

CATEGORIES INCLUDE Best Children’s Clothing Store Best Children’s Toy Store Best Family Restaurant ...and many more!

CAST YOUR VOTES JUNE 15-30 AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM Winners will be announced in Seven Days on August 5!

Enter Now Until Labor Day! 1. “Like” Champlain Orthodontics on Facebook 2. Post your selfie to our Facebook Page (include your name)

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June 2015

Free Breastfeeding Classes by certified instructors Water Birth Available

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CALLING ALL KIDS, 6-14. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!

June 2015

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GIANT PORCH SALE!

JUNE -

Jamie Two Coats Toyshop Located in the â?¤ of Shelburne Village Monday-Saturday 10-6 Sunday 11-5 802-985-3221

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14 Church Street Burlington crowbooks.com 862-0848

Now enrolling fall 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Pre-K thru 8th grade Contact us to schedule a personal tour: 655-2600 or info@sfxvt.org or sfxwinooski.org

Kids VT

New Books, Used Books, Remainders at GREAT PRICES!

Academic excellence since 1862

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send your entries to: Kids VT, attn: Book Review, P.o. Box 1184, Burlington, VT 05402.

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Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll pick the four most creative entries and publish one of them in the next issue. Winners receive a $25 gift certificate to crow Bookshop. deadline to enter is june 15.

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Q habitat B y l aura so rkin PHOTOS: matthew thorsen

Silvio Mazzarese, Teresa Bobel, Liliana and Valentina

Kids VT

june 2015

kidsvt.com

Backyard Teepee If you plan on spending time inside the Mazzarese sisters’ backyard teepee, you’d better be less than five feet tall. There’s just enough room inside for “three tiny kids or two middle-size kids,” says 8-year-old Parents: Silvio Valentina. Mazzarese, She and her Teresa Bobel 11-year old sister, Liliana, Kids: Liliana, 11, Valentina, 8 got the idea for the teepee two years ago while cleaning up their Jeffersonville yard. As their father, Silvio, leaned sticks and dead branches against a maple tree, the three of them realized he had created a cool space underneath. They used one of the tree’s live branches to support even more sticks — and, later, cornstalks — until their structure was roughly seven feet tall. The interior has been evolving ever since. A ring of rocks topped with an

old camp stove is a pretend fireplace. Small tree stumps serve as kid-size seats. The girls use rocks and sticks to create shelves where they display found treasures, including centuryold pieces of glass and iron gleaned from a nearby farm. Their favorite teepee item is the lump of charcoal they took from an extinguished bonfire; they use it to draw on any flat surface they can find. Liliana and Valentina play in the teepee year-round. In summer, they while away the hours immersed in imaginative play and “searching for gold” among nearby rocks. In winter, they cover the teepee with a felt blanket for insulation. Liliana says she likes having a space that she and her sister can use and rearrange as they please — though she’s happy to share it with some of the neighborhood’s smaller residents. They put the blanket over it, she explains, “so the animals could use it.” K

The family’s chicken inside the teepee

• Using a live tree as an anchor provides a place to start laying sticks and stabilizes the structure in wind and bad weather.

• The cornstalks — an homage to Native Americans, the original teepee builders — were leftover Halloween decorations the family cut from a nearby field.

• The teepee has never completely fallen down, but it has needed occasional repairs. The girls simply pile on new sticks, weaving them together to hold them in place.

COLORING CONTEST! Three winners will each receive a one-day pass to Petra Cliffs. Send Kids VT your work of art by June 15. Be sure to include the info at right with your submission. Winners will be chosen in the following categories: (1) ages 5 and younger, (2) ages 6-8 and (3) ages 9-12. Winners will be named in the July issue of Kids VT. Send your high-resolution scans to art@kidsvt.com or mail a copy to Kids VT, PO Box 1184, Burlington, VT 05402.

HANDS ON Title _______________________________________________ Artist _____________________________________________ Age _______________________________________________ Town _____________________________________________ Email _____________________________________________ Phone _____________________________________________

KIDSVT.COM JUNE 2015 KIDS VT

HANDS ON ANSWERS P.51

PUZZLE PAGE Jumble

Birthday Club These winners get gift certificates to:

BY DAVID L. HOYT & JEFF KNUREK

The letters of these crazy words are all mixed up. To play the game, put them back into the right order so that they make real words you can find in your dictionary. Write the letters of each real word under each crazy word, but only one letter to a square.

Congratulations GRAND-PRIZE WINNER EVA lives in Colchester and turns 9 on June 7. She’s a happy, energetic and artistic third grader who enjoys school and spending time with friends. She loves outdoor activities, especially soccer, skiing and riding her bike. Eva wins a birthday-party package for up to 10 kids.

You are now ready to solve this month’s Jumble For Kids. Study the picture for a hint. Then play around with the letters in the circles. You’ll find you can put them in order so that they make your funny answer.

GIANNA lives in Barre and turns 4

on June 10. She loves music, dancing and camping with her family. She can’t wait to have a monster-truck bouncy house at her birthday party.

VT’S BIRTHDAY CAPITAL

BY HELENA HOVANEC

More to do under one roof than anywhere in VT!

JUNE 2015

KIDSVT.COM

Riddle Search — Sweet Foods

KIDS VT

To enter, submit information using the online form at kidsvt.com/birthday-club.

Gianna, Sara and Mason each win a player pass.

Puzzles4Kids

Join the Club!

Just give us your contact info, your children’s names and birth dates, and a photo, and they’re automatically enrolled.

Print your answer here:

Maze

Search up, down and diagonally, both forward and backward to find every word on the list. Circle each one as you find it. When all the words are circled, take the UNUSED letters and write them on the blanks below. Read from left to right, top to bottom to answer this riddle: Why are jazz musicians so sweet?

CAKE CANDY CHOCOLATE FLAN FUDGE GELATO ICING MAPLE SYRUP

to our June Birthday Club winners!

MOLASSES PIE A LA MODE PUDDING SCONE S’MORES SUGAR SUNDAE

SARA lives in Colchester and

Riddle Answer:

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ .

turns 8 on June 22. She loves hanging out with friends from 4-H Club and Girl Scouts. In the summer, she enjoys swimming.

MINI-GOLF • GIANT PLAY STRUCTURE PIZZA • CAKES • LASER TAG ARCADE • BATTING CAGES BIRTHDAY CROWN OR TIARA

MASON lives in South Burlington and turns 3 on June 25. He’s an imaginative and energetic little guy who loves to laugh and act silly. He has two older siblings, Tanner and Naomi.

1205 Airport Pky • So. Burlington (802) 862-7888

THE

ISSUE

We failed to motivate our daughters to play more than a few minutes here and there.

Submit your info by the 15th of the month online at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com

calendar

PUZZLE PAGE ANSWERS (see p.50)

K-UYW-calendar.indd 1

4/23/15 11:20 AM

KIDS VT

“Use Your Words” is a monthly essay in which writers reflect on parenting and childhood. Got a story to share? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

List your events for free in the Kids VT monthly calendar.

JUNE 2015

This last option, I’m a little embarrassed to admit, had never occurred to me before. I grew up in a pretty sporty household. My father had been an elite college athlete, a basketball player. He wasn’t much of a role model for me, but my older brother was — he lettered in four varsity sports at South Burlington High School before playing varsity soccer at a midwestern university. I played soccer at SBHS, too — well enough to make the all-state team. Being on a sports team was my family norm. I guess I’ve always assumed my girls would play team sports, too. I’d love for them to enjoy the social benefits of playing on an athletic team, to bond with other kids over some common goal and learn to put the group’s success above their own glory. The pre-K soccer team seemed like a great place to begin. In our hypercompetitive culture, kids who get a late start can find themselves at a disadvantage against kids who have been playing longer, attending sports-themed camps and so on. But maybe my girls just weren’t ready yet. After all, I wasn’t playing soccer at their age. I learned to juggle a ball on the sidelines of flag-football games because there was no soccer league for elementary school-age kids. Or maybe they’re not cut out for team sports. And maybe that’s OK. After all, my longer-term goals for them are really more about wellness than about winning or losing. The community they’re growing up in has a broader, more enlightened sense of the value of physical activity — and the many different ways to pursue it — than the one of my youth. Check out YMCA, parks and rec and daycamp programs: There’s swimming, dance, kayaking, wall climbing, fitness walking, biking, yoga. As skeptical as I remain about the benefits of baby yoga, I’m glad that today my daughters and their peers can develop strength, agility and coordination in myriad ways that don’t require wearing pads and a mouth guard. And then I look at my own household, headed by two parents who exercise regularly. We’re not athletes, Laura and I, and we’re not in training for anything — except, we hope, a healthy and active life. That’s our family norm. We don’t talk about it much. We just do it. Maybe that was the mistake we made with youth soccer. It all started with the parents talking up an activity that we enjoyed as kids. Maybe this season we start by listening.

KIDSVT.COM

MY TWIN 4-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTERS were superexcited about their first real soccer match. At least, they said they were. They’d given my wife and me no reason to doubt them. Their practices had been a blast. A couple of their teammates were pals from school. One of their favorite preschool teachers was a coach. Every kid had her or his own ball, a team T-shirt and shin pads. This was going to be great. Only, come game time, it wasn’t great. It wasn’t even soccer. My daughters flat-out refused to play. This made no sense to me. They’d been so psyched. Why the sudden change of heart? I wondered if they might be insecure about not being as good as the other kids. But that seemed unlikely. As any pre-K soccer spectator knows, it’s the rare 4- or 5-year-old who can stand out amidst the tangle of feet kicking the ball haphazardly around the field. Had my wife, Laura, and I inadvertently pressured our girls into playing? Had we conveyed too strongly how much we’d enjoyed playing soccer as kids? Were they now paying us back? It was hard to tell. Variations on “I don’t want to” and “I don’t feel like it” were all they’d give us — before, during and after every game. Over the next six weeks of the fall soccer season, we tried everything we could think of to get them to take the field. Each weekend game became a new competition — parents versus kids. Sometimes we played defense: “Please tell us how we can make this more fun for you.” Sometimes we played offense: “You know, it’s really hot out today, and it’s kind of selfish not to go out there so some of your teammates can take a rest.” Sometimes we made post-game treats contingent on playing time. Nothing worked. We failed to motivate our daughters to play more than a few minutes here and there. Our first soccer season ended for us in a nil-nil tie. Looking back almost a year later, I’m still confused about what happened. Do my daughters even like soccer? They won’t say, definitively, one way or the other. Now Laura and I are wondering whether we’ll sign them up again this year, or try a different sport, or — gasp — not sign up for any sport at all.

JUmbLES toy. hand. worm. melt.

What does it mean when kids refuse to play ball?

RIDDLE ANSWER: the farmer didn’t need to cut his grass because he had a — LAWN “moo-ER”

Time Out

Planning a kids event?

RIDDLE SEARCH ANSWER: they play in jam sessions.

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