FAMILY Magazine March 2016 by FAMILY Magazines of Michiana

March 2016 • Moms Just Know • Free

DIY

Leprechaun

traps

Upcycled Easter Activities

Special Section!

Dog-Gone Responsibility Serving: Granger • Mishawaka • Elkhart • South Bend • Goshen • Niles Edwardsburg • Middlebury & Surrounding Communities

MichianaMom.com CONNECTING THE SAVVY MOM IN MICHIANA

Your online resource for... Family Fun • Baby & Maternity • Education Doctors & Family Health • Kids’ Programs • Services Childcare • Birthday Parties • Summer Camps • Events Contests & Giveaways • And So Much More!

Contributors President & Publisher:

Sue Heinrich Sue@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com Managing Editor: Jessica Haviland

Jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

AD COORDINATOR & INSIDE SALES MANAGER

Amanda Oiler Amanda@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN Manager: Zuzanna Zmud

Zuzanna@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

Medical Editor: S. Jesse Hsieh, M.D. Distribution ManagerS: Leah Elick Taylor Horein Family Magazines of Michiana would love to hear from you! Please submit press releases, event information and inquiries to: Jessy@Michianafamilymagazine.com The FAMILY Magazines P.O. Box 577 Granger, IN 46530 PH: 574.387.5420 â&#x20AC;˘ FX: 574.217.4700 www.MichianaMom.com The FAMILY Magazines March 2016 Established in 2006. All rights reserved. Permission from the publisher is required for any reproduction or reprint of this publication.

On the Cover:

Read The FAMILY Magazines online each month! Go to www.MichianaMom.com and flip the pages, cover-to-cover the organic and green way! Volume 10: Number 2

Thank you so much Trent! With a lucky gold coin!

Find the Hidden Acorn! For your enjoyment and fun!

cover photographer

TheFamilyMagazineOfMichiana

Ann Reiff is one of Michianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premiere Real Life

@FamilyMagazines

Photographers. Her heart and soul define her style, as she is able to capture the moments we wish to always remember. Ann shoots all varieties of sessions at her studio in Southwest Michigan and also loves doing shoots on location. Contact her at: www.studio513east.com ann@studio513east.com 269-228-0373

Have an Upcoming Event? Check out www.MichianaMom.com and post your events to our online calendar for FREE!

FamilyMagazine TheFamilyMag www.MichianaMom.com Please use the information compiled by Michiana Family Magazines for your research. Michiana Family Magazines recommends that parents and families interview each business or organization to make sure that it is safe and a good fit for your family. The information presented here and provided by Michiana Family Magazines is for informational purposes only and although every effort has been made to present accurate information, Michiana Family Magazines does not, in any way, accept responsibility for the accuracy of or consequences from the use of this information and/or for the businesses and organizations presented herein. We urge all parents and families to confirm any information given herein through additional research. The views and opinions expressed by the writers, event organizers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of Michiana Family Publishing LLC, its officers, editors, staff or contributors. THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

F R O M T H E PU B LI S HER

arch is not my favorite month. My first winter after I came back to Michiana to live with my mom, I thought March would never end. The weather was gray and drizzly and the “perma-cloud” lasted forever. March seemed to be two or three months long.

Photography: Ann Reiff

According to tradition, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

Along those same lines, March, to me, is a series of ups and downs, of sadness and hope. The beginning of March is a downer. My mother passed away two years ago at the end of February and her funeral was on March 8th. It was only two years ago so the 8th is still a sad day for me. By contrast, March 17th is St. Patrick’s day, a very happy party day. A few days later spring officially arrives, though local residents know it doesn’t really come until April or May. Fortunately though, the days will once again be longer than the nights. And this year, Easter is the earliest it can possibly be. And what could have more pain and suffering contrasted with such hope and promise than the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ? So this year, March comes in with a tear and goes out full of hope. Maybe I will change my mind about March. Since the groundhog did not see his shadow this year, maybe spring really will come in March. If it doesn’t, there are some great articles to read in this issue as well as some fun things to do. For Easter, we have Upcycled Easter Activities to enjoy with your kids, instructions on how to make your own Leprechaun Trap for St. Patrick’s Day and a recipe for Corned Beef Hash. Get a sneak peek at our Virtual Summer Kids Camp & Care Fair special section! This will go live online on March 19th where you will find several local listings on multiple camp offerings for this summer. And, if you need more to do, checkout the centerfold calendar and see what is happening near you! I hope you enjoy this March issue of Family!

Things We

Love Right Now! (at FAMILY)

1. Jesus 2. Easter Egg Hunts 3. Relaxing & Quiet Bath Time (When We Are Lucky!) 4. Your Sunday Best 5. Sunshine! 6. Gender Reveal Parties 7. Hot Bowl Of Mulligan (Irish Stew) 8. Family Night Board Games 9. Decorating The Nursery 10. Volunteer Work & Giving Back 11. Rain Boots 12. Pastel Colors 13. Spring Time! 14. Accomplishing Small Goals

Check it Out!

MARCH

E GaREE N BR st UNBe er CHer ST

RE L T IG g the HE ION W OR IN W KP H LA SA EN CE YS A 'N WO O' MA Friend N

DATIN GAME G

die s Versio n t& fitn ess THAT KEEP

tra YOU

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

LY MO

Playin

DEFINITE

FRO

INN

ING

AT LO

SIN

2016

RE THAN

COCO

NUT

BENEF OIL ITS SILVER

SNEAKE

N O43

RC H

20 16

4Keeps

By: Casey Kiel

Like '4Keeps' on Facebook or visit CaseyKiel.com

FAMILY contributors

Meagan Church is married to her high-school sweetheart and is the mother of 3 kids. She is a writer and children’s book author. She is also the brainpower of the online resource Unexpectant, exploring the realities of birth, babies and beyond.

Noelle Elliott works in publicity. She is a writer and has been published on several websites and print publications. She is the owner and creator of the esteemed bowchicabowmom.com where she humorously shares the triumphs and failures of raising her four young sons. She is also the creator of the succesful local staged production, The Mamalogues. She happily lives in South Bend.

Reader Testimonials “My friends and I have a ‘FAMILY Magazine Club’ where we talk about the articles in each issue.” – Lisa F.

Jill Lebbin is a wife, mother, craft fanatic and DIY blogger at www.EveryDayisan Occasion.com. She and her husband Marcel have been married for five years and love living in Granger with their two spunky kids, Marcel Jr. and Lilly.

Lara West completed her degree in Elementary Education and has spent the last several years working as a ghost writer, completing manuscripts, children stories, research papers and article rewrites.

We’d LOVE to hear from you! CONTAST US AT....jessy@MichianaFamilyMagazine.com

“I was so nervous while I was pregnant with my daughter but reading the FAMILY Magazine helped ease my concerns.” – Kourtney R.

“My favorite column in FAMILY is Dear Mom. Those articles make me laugh, cry and inspire me to be a better mom to my children.” – Kelly F. THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

the FAMILY magazine table

Special Section:

contents

2016

22 Check Out Some Local Camps Near You!

Live Your Best 4 From The Publisher

25 5 Reasons To Give Your Child The Gift Of Summer Camp

4 Things We Love Right Now

By: Gayla Grace

5 4Keeps Comic

28 Camp Fair Listings

5 Contributors 8 The FAMILY Month Calendar

16 Centerfold Calendar

Family Recipe

30 9 Great Benefits Of Teens Attending Camp By: Kerrie McLoughlin

9 Corned Beef Hash By: Katie & Theresa Slott

Family Fun

10 Upcycled Easter Activities To Enjoy With Your Kids

Family Craft

21 How To Make Your Own Leprechaun Trap

By: Christina Katz

Family Kids

By: Jill Lebbin

Family Movie Review 21 Goosebumps

12 Dog-Gone Responsibility By: Lara West

14 The Science Behind Holding Your Baby

By: Cole Pollyea

By: Meagan Church

Mommy and Daddy

20 Product Review: Eyeshadow By: Lara West

18 Dear Mom, Reclaim The Quiet By: Meagan Church

Each Donation… Inspires Hope

donatetogoodwill Goodwill-NI.org FOLLOW US!

Afternoon Tea,

13 14 15 11

2:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., Morris Inn-University Of Notre Dame

Daylight Saving Brit FlyodBegins-Move Space And Time Continuum-World Forward An Hour! Tour 2016, 7:30 P.M. Pi Day

– 10:00 P.M., Morris The Little Mermaid, Performing Arts Center2:00 P.M., Southwestern South Bend Daddy Daughter Dance, Michigan College-Dowagiac, MI 6:30 P.M., Silver Beach Carousel-St. Joseph, MI

4-5

The Little Mermaid,

7:30 P.M. Southwestern Michigan College-Dowagiac, MI

International Women’s Day

Linton’s Easter Eggstraordinair, Wakarusa Children’s Resale,

Wellfield Botanic GardensElkhart

P.M., South Bend

Save That Shirt, 9:00 A.M. – 11:30 P.M., St. Patrick’s County Park

8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M., Wakarusa Missionary Church

Little Sprouts: Forest Animals, 10:00 A.M.,

Twice Is Nice Children’s Resale, 8:00 A.M. – 12:00

8:00 A.M., Linton’s Enchanted Gardens-Elkhart

Palm Sunday First Day Of Spring!

Mom/Son Dance, 6:00 P.M., Century Center-South Bend

Talk With Your Baby Class, 11:30 A.M. –

Good Friday

Happy St. Patty’s Day!

Easter

1:00 P.M., Robinson Community Learning Center South Bend

Community Easter Egg Hunt-Eggstravaganza,

9:30 A.M., Trinity Evangelical Free Church South Bend

Great Golden Egg Hunt, 10:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M., St. Patrick’s County Parks

1 2 9 10 16 18 21 23 24 28 30 31 Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th

5 Ways To

Celebrate Pi Day At Home

Celebrate Pi Day on March 14th with these fun, yet educational, ways with your kids! 1. Make cookies, cakes or even pancakes in the shape of the pi sign.

diy Hair Detangler Who dreads this the most? You combing your child’s hair OR your child getting their hair combed? Try this DIY hair detangler to keep every morning tear free! Materials Needed: - Conditioner - Warm Water - Essential Oil Of Your Choice - Squirt Bottle

2. Have a pi day scavenger hunt where the kids need to find at least three items with the letters “p” and “I” in them.

Directions: 1. Put 2-3 tablespoons of conditioner into squirt bottle and fill it up with warm water. 2. Add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil smell and shake! 3. Enjoy!

Decorative Easter Eggs

3. Pi Day happens to be on Albert Einstein’s birthday! Celebrate his birthday with trivia questions about him while eating a piece of pie! 4. Do a pi mile run/walk around town! 5. And most importantly, make sure you celebrate pi when it’s 1:59 P.M.

Beaded Easter Eggs (www.twosisterscrafting.com)

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

Galaxy Easter Eggs (www.dreamalittlebigger.com)

Hipster Easter Eggs (www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com)

FAMILY recipe

Corned Beef Hash

Recipe & Photo By: Katie & Theresa Slott

Time: 30 Minutes Serves: 4-6 Adults

Ingredients:

Steps:

• 1 T. Olive Oil

1. Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.

• 4 Medium Potatoes, Cubed • 1 Medium Onion, Chopped

2. Cook potatoes and onions until potatoes are brown and fork-tender and the onions are starting to brown. (About 10-15 minutes.)

• About 2 Cups Cooked Corned Beef, Cubed

3. Add corned beef and continue to cook until everything is heated through.

• Salt and Pepper to Taste

4. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Tips: This is a great way to use up leftover corned beef from St. Patrick’s Day for a breakfast, lunch or dinner! Be careful when adding the salt and pepper since the corned beef is already seasonsed.

Katie and Theresa Slott are sisters-in-law who write the food blog, Cooking for the Fam, where they share lots of tips, family-favorite recipes and meal plans. For more recipes like this one, or to see step-by-step photos of this recipe, check out their website, www.cookingforthefam.com. THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

FAMILY fun

Upcycled Easter Activities

To Enjoy With Your Kids

By: Christina Katz

pcycling refers to finding fresh uses for old things

in ways that increase the value of the items. The victory is when you create instead of consume. Once you upcycle your Easter, your kids will not only learn an important lesson that will last a lifetime, but they will likely start begging for more opportunities to re-imagine everyday items that would otherwise be discarded.

So what are you waiting for? Here are five ideas to get you started:

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

"Welcome Spring" Banner With scissors or pinking shears, cut 18 banner-shaped triangles from leftover newspaper. Lay leftover garden twine, string or thin ribbon across the length of a table. Then, starting at one end, fold the widest end of the each triangle over the string and glue it with a glue stick. Write letters on each banner to spell "Welcome Spring," leaving a banner blank in between words, and let the kids color in the letters. You have a couple extra triangles on hand in case of errors. Hang your banner where it can be viewed prominently until summer arrives, then fold flat and put it away for next year.

Colorful Candleholders Collect recyclable wide-mouth jars of all shapes and sizes. Run your glass jars through the dishwasher, removing any labels and tags first. Then gather up whatever colorful leftover tissue paper you have and tear it into half-inch squares. Using Mod Podge or white glue that has been diluted to half strength with water, coat the jar with a thin layer of glue, then add a colorful layer of overlapping tissue pieces as you go. When the jar is covered, go over the tissue layer once more with a thin coat of glue.

When completely dry, add a tea light to each lantern and arrange them on the mantle or in the center of your dining table.

Bookish Eggs It's time for some of those plastic Easter eggs that have been piling up over the years to get a literary makeover. When a favorite volume is damaged by grubby hands or a spill, dry it by hanging it open, then cut out the clean pages. Cut each page into a strip, just a bit wider than the length of the egg and long enough to go all the way around the middle. Paint just the middle of the egg with Mod Podge and roll paper into a tube around egg. Seal the tube with more Mod Podge tucked under the overlap and let dry while you move on to the next egg. Then come back around and make straight cuts a half-inch apart into the ends of the paper, cutting from each end of the egg. This way the pieces will smooth flat onto the tapered ends with more Mod Podge. Let dry and voila, your children will remember their favorite books each year!

Tiny Toy Wreath This playful wreath is a perfect way to create a new home for tiny plastic toys after a hearty round of spring cleaning. Start with a wire wreath shape and wrap it in a long strip of old fabric using a hot glue gun to secure fabric to frame. Have kids help with the selection and sorting of tiny toys and designate one person in charge of gluing toys to the wreath. Let dry, then hang. Create one shared family wreath or create a tiny toy wreath for each child's room.

Terrarium Garden Starters Why should the turtles have all the fun? Use an old fish tank or an old glass baking dish (from home or the local thrift store) lined with one inch of gravel and two inches of lightweight potting soil. Push sections of leftover cardboard egg cartons into the soil and fill with a little more soil. Plant seed starters for the flower or veggie garden in the egg "pots." They can be pulled out after they sprout and replanted outdoors. Decorate your terrarium with cut patches of moss or grass from outdoors. Send children out to gather bark and sticks. Then let your child finish the look with rocks, shells and old toys. Place your terrarium in bright but indirect light and keep well misted with water from a spray bottle until seeds spout.

Yar, ADEC Case Coordinator, runs with Kyle during the 2015 Chicago Marathon.

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

FAMILY kids

Dog-Gone

Responsibility Does Your Teen Have What It Takes? By: Lara West

our teenager has come to you and told you they want a dog. You haven’t considered a dog, and they’ve never expressed an interest in owning one. Do you let your teenager get a dog? Yes, is simply too easy of an answer to this loaded question. We all know there are many benefits to anyone of any age having a loyal companion, such as they can help reduce stress, be a good source of exercise and improve your mood with their love and devotion after a long day. However, there are factors outside of the many benefits to consider. When our children are young we know that most of the burden of raising a dog is going to be on us, as adults, but what about when our children are teenagers? It’s a pivotal time for all of us. We’re trying to prepare them for understanding responsibility and hope that we build them up into successful, driven and well-rounded adults. The question is whether or not the responsibilities that come with owning a dog are going to prove beneficial for your teenager or not. Here are some questions to answer that can help you decide if your teenager (and home) is ready to adopt a dog:

1. Is a dog a feasible option? Don’t make a promise you legally can’t keep. If you rent, you will need to check with your landlord to be certain a dog can become a part of your family. If you have a HOA, be sure to inquire about any restrictions that might be in place.

2. Do you have adequate space for a dog? Just like people, dogs need lots of exercise. It helps if you have a fenced in yard, because taking the dog out for multiple walks a day can quickly become chore-like for many teenagers. If you don’t have a closed yard, check to see if there is a bark park nearby to accommodate the dogs who love to run.

3. How busy is your teenager? Dogs require more physical attention than most other animals. If your teenager is attending school all day, followed by an after school activity or sports practice every day and a part-time job on the weekends, it’s hard to believe they’ll have the time it takes to care for and raise a dog. Ask them to map out a plan explaining how they will make time for the dog in their schedule.

4. Does your teenager have the patience for training a dog? Housebreaking a dog is very difficult if you don’t know the basic mechanics of training, and one technique is not right for every dog. It’s important that your teenager have the focus and the patience to learn the training process, and be able to execute it routinely even when it seems to be failing multiple times over.

5. How will the cost of a dog be managed? The cost of owning a dog is not cheap. Just like humans, animals need basic necessities. Outside of the startup equipment of a collar, leash and a bed, dogs also need reoccurring checkups, shots and toy replacements. A quality food brand (that the dog enjoys) and treats will be constant expense. How (or who) will this be paid? If your teenager is too young for a job, how will they contribute to providing these needs?

6. Who will care for the dog after graduation? A dog is a long-term investment, and their presence needs to be prepared for in the future. If your teenager is only 14, this may seem silly. If your teenager is a senior in high school and knows they are going away for college, it’s a topic that needs to be addressed. Will mom & dad be the care takers? Is there a younger sibling willing to take the reins for a little while? There needs to be a plan for keeping the dog safe and healthy while college calls.

7. What is the backup plan if owning a dog doesn’t work? We all want the best for our children and pets. If promises are made just to be broken, what is the plan for tackling the problem? If your teenager takes the responsibility too seriously and starts losing interest in school and social functions; how will this be addressed? If they fail to uphold their promise of training and caring for the dog, (and it becomes too much for the rest of the family) will the dog be rehomed?

Whether you’ve always been a dog friendly family or not, it’s fair to assume that your children will ask for a dog of their very own at some point. As parents, we have to use our parental wisdom to make an honest assessment of our daily lives and our teenager’s abilities to care for a dog, as this is not a decision to make lightly. It’s important to discuss the questions above with your teenager before agreeing to let them have a dog. Only the results of this discussion can help determine if a dog is right for your teenager. THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

FAMILY kids

The

Science Behind Holding Your Baby

By: Meagan Church “I don’t want to spoil my baby by holding him too much.” It’s a statement that well-intentioned parents have made. Or it’s advice that grandparents sometimes offer. “Don’t hold him too much or you’ll spoil him. He’ll never learn to self-soothe.” Here’s the thing: You cannot spoil a baby. Babies are not manipulative or vindictive. They simply want and need to feel secure, comforted and loved. And that sometimes means holding them. A lot. My own firstborn wanted to be in my arms at all times. He was a champion sleeper as long as he was being held. It was a rude awakening for me, a new mom who had previously entertained visions of him sleeping peacefully in his bassinet in my office, while I wrote the day away. Reality hit when I birthed a high-needs, colicky, comfort-seeker.

“When you touch your newborn baby, you are teaching him that he is loved and wanted.” 14

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

The thing is, he didn’t cry because he was spoiled. He didn’t cry to be difficult or demanding. He cried because he was a baby and that’s what they do. That’s how they communicate. That’s how they alert us to their needs. And, when we touch our babies, we are actually encouraging their brain development. But, don’t take my word for it; take a look at what science says: Researchers in the UK found that loving touch, characterized by a slow caress or gentle stroking increases the brain’s ability to construct a sense of body ownership and plays a big part in creating and sustaining a healthy sense of self. [Christopher Bergland, “Loving Touch is Key to Healthy Brain Development, Psychology Today] And, this: Every time you hold and gently touch your baby, a message is sent to his brain and a connection is made between brain cells. These connections make it possible for your baby to talk, see, feel, move and learn. When you touch your newborn baby, you are teaching him that he is loved and wanted. Studies show that gentle touching helps to calm a baby and reduces stress. A baby who is calm can take in the sights, sounds, textures and smells around him. And these experiences build connections in his brain. [Diane Trister Dodge and Cate Heroman, Building Your Baby’s Brain, University of Notre Dame] In other words, we are not spoiling our babies when we hold them. We are actually helping them feel secure and loved as their brain makes important connections between cells. So, don’t fear spoiling your baby. I know it’s not always easy to tote around a little one, but don’t ever think that when you answer his cries and meet his needs that what you are doing is spoiling him. You are loving him. You are building into him. You are strengthening the bond between you. You are comforting him as you were designed to do. Don’t ever fear holding them “too much.” Those words don’t exist in a baby’s vocabulary.

donateshopdonateshop · Inspire hope · Donate today · Shop trends · Instill dignity

Good Points Reward Card

GPood

Coming Soon!

INTS

Goodwill-NI.org Goodwill FAMILY Retail Shop ad.indd 1

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016 2/17/16

12:28 PM

1 9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., Free Time Kids PlaycareMishawaka

Early Child Learning Program,

2 9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., Free Time Kids PlaycareMishawaka

Early Child Learning Program,

2:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., Morris Inn-Notre Dame

Afternoon Tea,

9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., Free Time Kids PlaycareMishawaka

Early Child Learning Program,

~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations 4

7:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M., Southwestern Michigan College-Dowagiac, MI

The Little Mermaid,

2:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., Morris Inn-Notre Dame

Afternoon Tea,

7:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M., Southwestern Michigan CollegeDowagiac, MI

The Little Mermaid,

Laser Retro, 6:30 P.M., PHM Digital Video Theater/ Planetarium-Mishawaka

Afternoon Tea,

2:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., Morris Inn-Notre Dame

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”

MARCH

2016

Get connected to our online calendar at MichianaMom.com to see additional events and submit events of your own!

Want to check out even more things to do in Michiana?

2:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., Morris Inn-Notre Dame

Afternoon Tea,

Easter

First Day Of Spring!

Palm Sunday

Move Forward An Hour!

Daylight

Saving Begins

2:00 P.M., Southwestern Michigan College-Dowagiac, MI

The Little Mermaid,

7:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend

Pi Day

6:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M., Frederick S. Upton Education Center-St. Joseph, MI

Breastfeeding Classes,

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” ~Robin Williams

Brit Floyd-Space And Time ContinuumWorld Tour 2016,

7 Early Child Learning Program,

International Women’s Day

Talk With Your Baby Class,

11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M., Robinson Community Learning Center South Bend

Talk With Your Baby Class,

9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., Free Time Kids PlaycareMishawaka

Early Child Learning Program,

6:00 P.M., Century Center-South Bend

Mom/Son Dance,

11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M., Robinson Community Learning Center South Bend

Wellfield Botanic GardensElkhart

Little Sprouts: Forest Animals, 10:00 A.M.,

7:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M., Morris Performing Arts Center-South Bend

Star Trek-The Ultimate Voyage,

9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., Free Time Kids PlaycareMishawaka

Early Child Learning Program,

9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., Free Time Kids PlaycareMishawaka

Early Child Learning Program,

National Puppy Day

9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., Free Time Kids PlaycareMishawaka

Early Child Learning Program,

9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., Free Time Kids PlaycareMishawaka

Early Child Learning Program,

Happy

Early Child Learning Program,

Afternoon Tea,

2:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., Morris Inn-University Of Notre Dame

9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., Free Time Kids PlaycareMishawaka

Early Child Learning Program,

2:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., Morris Inn-Notre Dame

Afternoon Tea,

9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., Free Time Kids PlaycareMishawaka

St. Patty’s Day!

Afternoon Tea,

2:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., Morris Inn-Notre Dame

9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M., Free Time Kids PlaycareMishawaka

Early Child Learning Program,

2:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., Morris Inn-Notre Dame

Afternoon Tea,

6:30 P.M., Silver Beach CarouselSt. Joseph, MI

Daddy Daughter Dance,

Good Friday

April Fools Day!

APRIL 1

6:00 P.M., Grissom Middle School-Mishawaka

Trivia Night For Riley Hospital For Children,

Afternoon Tea,

2:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., Morris Inn-Notre Dame

Linton’s Easter Eggstraordinair, 8:00 A.M.,

2 9:00 A.M., St. Mary's School Gym-Niles

Spring Craft Bazaar,

10:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M., St. Patrick’s County Parks

Great Golden Egg Hunt,

9:30 A.M., Trinity Evangelical Free Church South Bend

Community Easter Egg Hunt-Eggstravaganza,

Wakarusa Missionary Church

Wakarusa Children’s Resale, 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.,

8:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M., Lakeland Community Hospital-Niles

Babysitting With Confidence,

Linton’s Enchanted Gardens-Elkhart

9:00 A.M. – 11:30 P.M., St. Patrick’s County Park

Save That Shirt,

8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M., South Bend

Twice Is Nice Children’s Resale,

Northern Indiana Event Center At RV/MH Hall of Fame-Elkhart

Elkhart For The Love Of Art Fair, 10:00 A.M.,

FAMILY mommy & daddy

What mom can’t use a bit of encouragement?

Reclaim the Quiet By: Meagan Church

Dear Mom, I’ve come to realize lately that I have forgotten how to be quiet. And that’s really disturbing. I am an introvert who has always craved alone time, quiet time, time to reflect and clear my mind. Anymore, when those rare moments do happen, I’m typically reflecting on the to-do list that hasn’t been done. Or, the fact that I should stop watching the sunset and fold that load of laundry. Or, that the kids are napping, so I should probably not spend time brainstorming my novel, but instead clocking billable hours for clients.

In recent years, I have fallen into the trap of productivity, of making sure every minute matters. When did this happen? Well, about nine years. Yes, I can track the steady trend and rise in the need to be productive with every spare minute of my day to when I first became a mother. As a mother, it’s hard to find that space to relax and simply breathe. Even when we do carve out that time, our minds are often bombarded by noise and notifications, to-dos and what-ifs. And, if you’re like me, you sometimes feel guilty about kicking back in the hammock when you could be accomplishing so many other things in those few spare moments. But, you know what? I’ve never been a fan of mom guilt. Then I read this: “What kind of value do we place on a day with nothing planned? On a day not filled with lists of accomplishments, but with peace and quiet: a long walk to a coffee shop to enjoy a book, a phone conversation with a family member with whom we’ve lost touch. Will we tell those stories, or leave them out? There is value in both the busy days and the slow, reflective ones. There is value in finding time for oneself.” [excerpt from “With the Kids Off at School, How I Answer, ‘So What do You do All Day?’” by Lauren Knight] And, you know what? She’s right. There is as much value in the reflective days and moments as there is in the busy ones. The truth is that we were designed to thrive on a rhythm of on-time and off-time. We were created with a need for rest and that by honoring that, our lives function with peace and contentment because “Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:6) I know that the novel I’m writing will come together so much better if I give more time to brainstorming and less time to powering through because I have 20 minutes before the youngest is scheduled to wake. That friendship will thrive when I make time to meet face-to-face and spend a few hours chatting instead of firing off a few text messages during spliced moments throughout the day. That bond with my daughter will deepen if I forget about the messy kitchen, ignore the notification pings and instead watch her practice cartwheels in the backyard.

“We were created with a need for rest...”

It’s time I remember how to be quiet, how to be slow, how to not fall into the trap of productivity, how to simply say, “Enough!” Sometimes it takes a bit of creativity to find that quiet time in the midst of motherhood. But when we do, we find it’s more than just enough. It’s necessary.

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

FAMILY mommy & daddy

Product Testing:

Eyeshadow

By: Lara West

Let’s take a look at the results: Color After Application: Complicated!

      

Bold Cat Candle lit Sexy Shimmery Smoky Sultry

What do all these words have in common? Hint: “Easy on the … Eyes!” They are some of the most popular words used to describe eye shadow styles and looks. As you know, I am not a makeup artist, but “I don’t know a thing about putting on makeup,” is no longer a valid excuse to not put any on for a date night, not with such easy access to hundreds of makeup application tutorials. We’ve already put the kibosh on expensive mascara, and it’s time to decipher the truth about eye shadow. For this test, I bought several brands of inexpensive eyeshadow from a local drugstore, and I bought several of the expensive name brand shadows that are similar in color and shade to those. Using my finger, I applied the similar colors side-by-side my arm. I then applied a more expensive brand to my right eye and the inexpensive brand to my left using a clean eyeshadow brush. I compared the brightness of the color in the morning, midday and when getting ready for bed. Then, I took note of how easy each one was to remove with just water and a cloth.

I discovered two interesting things during this test:

1. The price difference is huge. I almost fainted at the price difference between the $3.00 color from the drugstore and the $22 high-end specialty product. 2. Your eye shape might play a role in which type of eye shadow you buy. Both eye shadow sticks had a terrible time transferring to my lids. Apparently I have hooded eyelids, which makes me prone to having oily lids. 20

THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

For the lighter colors, the swatches of drugstore shadows were strikingly more pronounced with only two swipes, while the expensive brands took twice as much to reach the same intensity. This was also true for the facial application. However, this was only partially true for both darker and brighter shades. Some of the drugstore shadows took nearly three times as many applications as the expensive brands and vice-versa. There was no clear winner here, because one $3 shadow went on great while another performed not-so-great and it was the same with the expensive shadows.

Length of Wear: Depends on need!

The more expensive brands were the hands down winner for full-day wear, but the cheaper brands held their own at the midday checkpoint. If you want your eye shadow on from sunup to sundown without reapplying, then you’ll want to go with an expensive brand. If you just want something to last for the workday, or only a couple hours for a meeting or date night then you can go with a less expensive shadow and still be beautiful.

Makeup Removal: Either!

The eyeshadows were both difficult to remove with just water based on how dark the pigment was, if they had a shimmer, and if they were creamy versus powder. The shimmery shadows were a little harder to remove than the solid colors, while the creamy shadows were easy.

Recommendations: If at first you don’t succeed,

try again. Not all eyeshadows at their price point are created equal. I preferred the inexpensive light colors, but would be happy with either of the darker shadows. One of the cheaper dark colors was almost excessively powdery, making for a lot of wasted product and a bigger mess. Most of the inexpensive brands will save you money and do the job. Your best bet is to definitely give the cheaper brands a try first, because they can make you look and feel fantastic while saving your hard earned money.

FAMILY movie review

Goosebumps

’m an older brother of three who have no doubt sifted through my old viewing habits. They have more or less seen all of the TV shows and movies that I watched when I was their age because, well, that seems to be how it goes for big families. An essential component of childhood media consumption was the campy, low budget, cringe worthily acted TV series, Goosebumps. Jump forward 20 years (the show aired from ‘95 - ’98), and original creator of the series, R.L. Stine, and director Rob Letterman, helm a 125 minute, Jack Black starring reboot of the series that, if anything is certain, demands our attention. Black plays the ever watchful father whose new next door neighbor, a teenage boy who’s just trying to fit in, stumbles upon what he believes to be Black’s character abusing his

FAMILY craft

By: Cole Pollyea

daughter. This, of course, just turns out to be nothing, and, over the next few hours, one thing leads to another, and the two teens wind up nosing their way into Black’s character’s things. This includes a sacred Goosebumps book collection that, if opened, can summon all of the evil characters to life. Naturally, that is exactly what happens. Now, it’s obvious that Goosebumps never tries to reinstate the same scares that Stine did back in the day, and it’s obvious that the same mood, that claustrophobic sort of inescapability, is never achieved. Despite this, the charming cast, made up of Dylan Minnette, Jack Black, Odeya Rush and countless others, along with the large scale CGI, make it an enjoyable enough family movie going experience. Making its DVD release in late January, Goosebumps is

Photo Courtesy:

www.recentmovi

eposters.com

currently hunkering down into most DVD hubs and OnDemand streaming services. Ultimately, it’s worth a rent, just as long as the family can recall the roots of Stine’s genius. This 2015 entry is a playful companion to the enduring series, despite the fact that this spectacle doesn’t quite feel like it did when we were young and witnessing the horror of the “Cuckoo Clock of Doom.”

How To Make Your Own

Leprechaun

Trap

By: Jill Lebbin

Materials: • Birdhouses

Steps: 1. Paint your bird houses.

(I got mine from Michaels for $1.)

2. Then, it’s time to decorate! We used glue and then glittered a rainbow. We also used foam glitter stickers.

• Acrylic Paint • Glitter • Glue

3. Enjoy!

• Foam Brushes

(For more details and pictures please visit: everydayisanoccasion.com/how-tomake-your-own-leprechaun-trap)

• Clover Foam Stickers Photo Provided By: Jill Lebbin THE

FAMILY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2016

What are you doing this summer?

Martin Luther King Center

Call 574.299.4765 or search www.sbpark.org

Summer Camps and so much more! Excellence, Accountability, Innovation, Inclusion, Empowerment

The FAMILY Magazine Presents...

2016

Starting Saturday

March 19th, 2016 The Virtual Camp & Kid’s Care Fair starts March 19th and will continue to be online through August 31st 2016!

Join Us! • Summer Camps • Summer School • Classes & Workshops • Daycares • Athletic Camps • Art Camps • Specialty Camps • Faith Based Camps • Day Camps • Many More!

Contests and giveaways during the month of March on www.MichianaMom.com and the FAMILY Magazine’s Facebook Page!

Want a reminder?

Come visit local and regional summer camps and kid’s care from the comfort of your own home!

The unique Kumon method can give your child an academic advantage.

WE MAKE YOUR SMART KID EVEN

SMARTER

OR AG

Kumon Math & Reading Center of GRANGER 14500 State Road 23, Granger, IN 46530 574-273-3032 • kumon.com/granger

SCHEDULE A PARENT ORIENTATION TODAY!

At Kumon, we personalize our math and reading programs to fit the skill level of each child. So students of all levels learn to grasp concepts on their own, and take full ownership of their success. It’s how Kumon builds an academic advantage, in school and beyond.

2016

Reasons to Give Your Child the Gift of Summer Camp

“Camp encourages kids to try new things and teaches them confidence through new experiences.”

By: Gayla Grace I treasure the stories my children tell after arriving home from summer camp. The weeklong adventures include experiences sure to build character and bond relationships. Every camp has a unique way of teaching kids their value while giving them opportunities to experience all kinds of fun they would never find at home. The spring months are the perfect time to begin exploring summer camps. To find one that fits your child's needs, seek out opinions from friends and neighbors; ask teachers and church counselors what camps they recommend. Whether day camp or overnight camp, there's sure to be one your child will love and gain valuable skills from while attending. Camp counselor Jamie Newman, who has worked the past two summers at a children's camp for kids ages 5-16, expresses her enthusiasm for sending kids to camp. She says, "Camp encourages kids to try new things and teaches them confidence through new experiences. They learn valuable life lessons when encouraged to work through their fears and try something even if it doesn't feel comfortable to them. Also, when kids are thrown together in a cabin for a week, they're forced to learn how to get along with others and often build lasting relationships that can continue when they return home."   

2016

Our five kids have attended summer camps ranging from athletic camps to church camps to choir and band camps. Each camp plays a unique role in building character qualities and creating life-long memories through everyday activities and interactions with others.

If you need some encouragement to give your child the gift of summer camp, here are a few thoughts to consider: 1) Camp encourages independence and allows children a chance to make decisions on their own in a safe, caring environment. Kids benefit from new relationships with camp counselors who care about them and want to help them with everyday struggles. 2) Camp forces kids to unplug from technology and enjoy the beauty and benefits of nature. Through outside activities, kids find new hobbies they can't experience at home, without academic pressure or expectations. Kids gain self-confidence through trying new things and discovering talents they didn't know they had. 3) Camp teaches good sportsmanship by encouraging each child to be fair and kind, win or lose. Team activities teach kids how to cooperate with another and the value of getting along with others through working together and supporting one another. 4) Camp fosters new friendships with kids who come from varying backgrounds--helping kids gain an understanding of how others live outside their community. In a relaxed atmosphere, kids easily make friends while they play, sing, work, eat and bunk together. 5) Camp creates life-long memories of new adventures in places they've never experienced before. Camp offers carefree days where kids can learn how to thrive outside the structure of overscheduled days. So what are you waiting for? Have you signed your child up for camp yet? There's week-long adventure and character-building experiences waiting for your child this summer!

2016

Camp fair Listings Check out these local Camps and Kid's Care for summer fun! To find even more information on these camps and others visit MichianaMom.com! Camp Name

Phone

Website

Contact Info

Ages

Dates

Cost

Bethel College Sports Camps

574-807-7808

www.bethelcollege.edu/ sports/camps

Andrea Natali andrea.natali@ bethelcollege.edu

Ages 7-18 depending on the camp.

June 8th – July 18th Depending On Camp.

Please check website for camp cost.

1001 Bethel Circle Mishawaka, IN 46545-5591

Bethel College Sports Camps has been a leader in sports camps for more than 40 years. College coaches and student athletes alike, help develop campers and provide them with skills to participate and succeed in the sports they love. Coaches focus not only on player development but character development as well. Camp Awareness Summer Day Camp

574-299-4765

http://sbpark.org

Karen Myers kmyers@southbendin.gov

7-12 Years Old

June 6th-Aug 5th

$120.00

Camp Ideal

574-233-1164

thejewishfed.org/ camp-ideal

Rowan Kelley rkelley@thejewishfed.org

Kindergarten -9th Grade

June 27th – August 5th (View all dates online.)

$125

321 E. Walter St. South Bend, IN 46614 3202 Shalom Way South Bend, IN 46615

For over 50 years, Camp Ideal has brought fun and learning to area children, and left them with a lifetime of memories. Music, arts and crafts, sports, nature and field trips, all with a Jewish twist, make our camp the Ideal place for your child's summer! Camp Millhouse 25600 Kelly Rd. South Bend, IN 46614

574-233-2202

www.campmillhouse.org

Diana or Liz campmillhouse@gmail. com

Ages 7 to 75+

One week sessions from June 19th thru July 29th.

Residential $500, Day Camp $375

Camp Millhouse is a residential summer camp for people of all ages with varying disabilities. We have 24-hour on-site nursing w/medication management. Low camper to staff ratios. Activities include arts and crafts, recreation, music, aquatics, low ropes course, dances and more! Questions about spring/fall camps and pre-camp tours welcome. Camp Tannadoonah 14751 Harvey St. Vandalia, MI 49095

574-387-6095

tannadoonah.org

Amber Grundy Amber@tannadoonah.org

Ages 6yrs-17yrs

June 12 August 13

$275-800

(More information on Website)

Camp Tannadoonah is a resident camp for boys and girls 5-17. A variety of activities appeal to all ages, including swimming, waterskiing, wakeboarding, boating, archery, arts, nature, sports, science, robotics, theater and more! Camp Tannadoonah is accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA) and licensed by the State of Michigan. DNA Center Summer Science Camps

574-631-1506

139 Jordan Hall of Science, Notre Dame, IN 46556

DNAcenter.nd.edu/ summer-camps

Linda Rock AsstDNAcenter@nd.edu

Grades 6th-9th

June 19th-July 29th Week Long Sessions

$60-$1350 Depending On Camp

The DNA Center offers residential and day camps for students interested in science, particularly genetics. Camps will be filled with hands-on experiments spanning all areas of genetics including testing for genetically modified food, identifying plant species for DNA, and genotyping themselves! Holy Cross College Youth Basketball Camp

574-239-8335

www.hcsaints.com

Mike McBride mmcbride@hcc-nd.edu

Boys & Girls Ages 8-14

June 13-17

$100

Holy Cross College State Road 933 N 54515

Each camper will work with the Holy Cross coaching staff & current players during a week-long camp instructing campers on the basics of basketball. Through detailed teaching, games and demonstrations campers will experience a week of basketball learning and fun. Kid’s World Summer Day Camp

574-299-4765

Kroc Summer Camp

574-233-9471

http://sbpark.org

321 E. Walter St. South Bend, IN 46614

Salvation Army Kroc Center900 W. Western Ave. South Bend, IN 46619

mykroc.org

Karen Myers kmyers@southbendin.gov

Jackie Davis jackie_davis@usc.salvationarmy.org

5-12 Years Old

June 6th-Aug 5th

3-day rate: $72 4-day rate: $96 5-day rate: $110

3 Years 18 Years

June 5, 2016 August 12, 2016

$90-125

(Must have completed kindergarten.)

See the Welcome Desk for cost for specialty camps

Spend the summer with friends, fun and adventure! Bring your child to The Kroc Center this summer for 10 weeks of adventure. We will have so much fun splashing in the Aquatics Center, climbing on the rock wall and becoming a rock star in the Recording Studio. Camp is from 7A.M. – 6 P.M. , Monday through Friday and breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, t-shirts and field trips included.

Camp Name

Phone

Website

Contact Info

Ages

Dates

Cost

Kumon Math & Reading Center of Granger

(574)273-3032

www.kumon.com/granger

Angie Riskovitch kumonofgranger@gmail. com

3 Years 18 Years

Open Enrollment all year round. Two Classes per week.

Please contact us for rates.

14500 IN-23, Granger, IN 46530

Kumon students actively develop self-learning skills by doing a small amount of work every day. Working through an individualized lesson plan, students study examples to learn new concepts step by step. Students build a solid grasp of math and reading, and become more confident and motivated with each worksheet. Mini-Tennis Camp

574-235-9504

www.sbpark.org

Jennifer Paul jpaul@southbendin.gov

5-17

August 3-5

$100

Nature Detectives Day Camp

574-235-9455

http://sbpark.org/ activities/camps/naturedetectives

Hannah Teshka hteshka@southbendin.gov

6-12 Years Old

June 27th-July 28th (Visit online for more information.)

$35-$40

Prairie Winds Nature Farm

574-344-1753

www.eventbrite.com/o/ prairie-winds-naturefarm-6275030877

Charlotte Wolfe pwindsfarm@gmail.com

Ages 3-12+

June 20-July 22

Ages 3-7 $75/ week Ages 8-12+ $250/ week

321 E. Walter St., South Bend, IN 46614

Camp Rum Village Nature Center2626 S. Gertrude St South Bend, IN 46614

21439 Osborne Road Lakeville, IN 46536

Good times down on the farm! Kids enjoy supervised choices on a working farm. Hands on with animals; gardening; nature walks; and free time. Relaxed atmosphere includes pony & horseback riding, outdoor skill building and age appropriate activities on 85 acres. Learn about our rural heritage and make some memories! Summer Camps at Star Martial Arts

(574) 522-5425

123 N. Elkhart Ave. Elkhart, IN 46516 5776 Grape Rd. #48 Mishawaka, IN 46545

(574)277-5425

(Elkhart location)

www.startkd.com

Seth or Melanie Birky kick@startkd.com

Ages 4-12

June 6th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 5th

(Full List Of Dates Online)

$115-$150 (Complete Listing Online)

(Mishawaka location)

Star Martial Arts camps are designed for children ages 5-12 and no martial arts experience is necessary. Camp activities, including a weekly field trip, are based around a weekly theme and, of course, martial arts! With trained instructors, you are guaranteed a structured, high energy, well supervised, safe environment.

Summer Camp Unleashed

574 231-1122

www.petrefuge.com

Nancy Whiteman whitey102@att.net

Ages 10-15

4626 Burnett Drive South Bend, IN 46614

June 20-24, July 11-15, August 1-5

$150.00 per week

Interact with animals of all kinds. Lots of activities to support the animals in our community. Learn responsible animal care. Hear speakers from our community who help animals every day. The First Tee of Indiana - Michiana

574-631-4830

Treasure PO Box 385 South Bend, IN 46624

www.thefirstteeindiana. org/michiana

Susan Holt, Notre Dame 7- 14 Years June 8th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July Head Coach Women's Golf Old 28th Depending Firstteemichiana@gmail.com On Camp

$50.00/child per session. $15.00/child for additional sibling(s).

Scholarship opportunities available.

Held at Notre Dame Burke Golf Course with additional sites and times available at courses throughout Michiana. The First Tee program strives to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. YMCA of Michiana, Inc.

574.287.9622

michianaymca.org/ michiana/camp

1201 Northside Blvd, South Bend, IN 46615

Jessie Emmons jemmons@ michianaymca.org

Day Camps: June 6thAges 5-12 August 12th Resident Camp: Ages 7-16

$130-$685

The YMCA offers multiple camp options: Day Camp at both Michiana Family YMCA, Camp Eberhart (SB pick-up available) and our Edison Lakes Location. We also have resident camp at Camp Eberhart in Three Rivers, MI. Experience the BEST SUMMER EVER at the YMCA! Visit our website for details. Youth Co-Ed Kickball League

574-235-9504

www.sbpark.org

Jennifer Paul jpaul@southbendin.gov

9-12 as of June 1

June 15-July 20

$25

Youth Tennis Lessons

574-235-9504

www.sbpark.org

Jennifer Paul jpaul@southbendin.gov

3yrs-17yrs

Weekly beginning June 20 through July 25

$35 per week

321 E. Walter St., South Bend, IN 46614 321 E. Walter St., South Bend, IN 46614

Find more detailed listings at MichianaMom.com!

See pictures, videos and more summer fun online!

2016

9 Great Benefits

of Teens Attending Camp By: Kerrie McLoughlin

Summer camp is often a place to send elementary-age kids so they aren’t sitting around the house bored and so they’ll make

friends and learn new things while having fun. As kids grow out of their “little kid years,” we sometimes forget that they still need those kinds of experiences they had when they were younger, just in a different form. Maybe you don’t think your teen needs summer camp. Your teen should be babysitting, mowing lawns, working at the pool, hanging around with friends, right? Well, sure! But why not send them off for a week or more of summer fun and learning this year for a break?

Here are some great benefits of teens attending summer camp: 1. Learning how to give back. Community service camps offer a great chance for your teen to make a difference and help out in the community while also learning skills that will carry them through their life. Kids get to spend their days helping others, which just feels good to everyone involved. Maybe your teen will learn how to pack food for the homeless, teach kids how to read or work on a project that will benefit the community like cleaning up a playground or fixing equipment. They could even learn how to paint a house, care for a yard for an elderly person who is unable to do so anymore … or they may even learn how to plan and build a house for someone who is need. 2. Making new friends. It’s important to continue to grow and change, and adding new friends to one’s life enriches it at any age. Some teens attend the same camp or camps every summer and might find the same friends there year after year. Many are attending for the very first time and need to hone their social skills to make new friends and get to know other kids in

their age range outside of a school setting. Being in close proximity for days or weeks helps kids get closer, faster. 3. Learning new things. Whether your teen attends a camp to learn more about horses, adventure, a specific sport or any other type of camp, they have an entire day, week or longer to focus on that one activity and really immerse themselves in it. Who knows? Your teen might find a new passion that he never thought of before that could be helpful in his educational or work life later on down the road. 4. Deepening their faith. If your teen enjoys church youth groups and activities, a church or other organized religious camp might just be the ticket. The day might begin with a church service, followed by breakfast, a hike, some time spent in the cabin with friends memorizing Bible verses for a competition at the end of the week. Later there could be singing songs around a bonfire while roasting s’mores.

5. Developing a hobby. When your child is unplugged from the TV, video game player, smartphone, etc., they can really focus on developing a hobby in a creative way. It seems like these days there’s a camp for pretty much any interest your kid has. There are camps for horse and other animal lovers, sports lovers of all types (think developing soccer skills, swimming, football, volleyball, baseball … anything!), Boy Scout camp (covers so many different hobbies and topics), Girl Scout camp (also covers so many great skills) … the list goes on! 6. Working as a team. Your child will be meeting kids of different ages and from different backgrounds. Learning how to get along and work as a team is a huge life skill that will be reinforced at camp. Some camps even have kids do team-building and trust activities to help kids get to know each other. 7. Staying active. Forget sitting around doing “screen time” all day long during the summer! When a teen attends summer camp, they often forget all about those things

away to camp for even a short period of time helps teach independence. There is a daily structure at camp that’s already in place that teens need to follow. Parents aren’t the ones doing the nagging so teens don’t tune it out and they learn to respect and learn from other adults.

and focus on having fun with their friends going on hikes, paddle boating, swimming and more, depending on the camp they choose! Bonus points for activity if they choose a camp targeted to a sport your kid is passionate about. 8. Standing on their own. Let’s face it, as our kids get older they start to grow away from us. They are simply preparing to head out on their own and they are also preparing you for that by perhaps being a little distant. They are stuck in between childhood and adulthood, and it’s a confusing time. Going

9. Appreciating everything. Away from screens (yes, I keep focusing on this one), it’s easier to focus on nature, learning, forming relationships and more. Being away from parents, kids will come home with a new appreciation for what it takes to be in a family and what it takes to help out in the running of the household. Your teen will probably also appreciate funny things like a full pantry that’s open all day, their comfy bed and privacy! Teen summer camp has so many benefits that cover all the bases, from physical, social, mental and spiritual. As for the rest of the summer? Well, your teen can spend plenty of time doing those odd jobs to help pay for camp next year!

Star Martial Arts camps are designed for children ages 5-12, and no martial arts experience is necessary. Camp activities, including a weekly field trip, are based around a weekly theme and of course, martial arts! With trained instructors, you are guaranteed a structured, high energy, well supervised, safe environment. To maintain a safe atmosphere, each camp has a limited number of spots so reserve your spot today!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Week, June 6th-10th Space Camp, June 13th-17th Nerf Camp, June 20th-24th Star Wars Camp, June 18th-22nd Our camps are tax deductible! $20 to register-includes a summer camp t-shirt! Early Bird Discount $115 until March 26th Regular pricing of $135 until April 30th Late registration of $150 after April 30th

Detective Spy kids Camp, July 25-29th Olympic Camp, August 1st-5th *Family discount: After 2 campers, everyone in the household is free! **Campers will need a snack and packed lunch each day.

Summer Is Coming â&#x20AC;Ś Are Your Legs Ready? Do you suffer from burning or itchy legs? Are your legs swollen after being on your feet all day? Is leg heaviness, pain or discomfort a frequent problem for you? If you said yes to any of these questions, you may have varicose veins. Call our office at 574.647.3990 for a consultation or visit us at BeaconVeins.com.

233 Florence Ave. | Granger, IN 46530