Charlotte Parent Charlotte Feb 2019 by Morris Media Network

February 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ Free

FAMILY CAMP:

The new vacation

112

WAYS TO PLAY

Spring Consignment Sales

Go on a Mural Scavenger Hunt

BUILDING LEADERS AT

SUMMER CAMP! charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

discovermacs.org

Together We Excel

Financial Aid Available Admissions: 704.370.3273

Now Enrolling: PK-12

YMCA CAMP GREENVILLE Give your kids an opportunity to explore the magic that is camp. A week at Camp Greenville

allows boys and girls of all ages to work together, try new experiences and unplug by exploring our incredible mountaintop setting.

CONTENT › FEBRUARY 2019

The Magic of Family Camp Immerse yourself in adventure and play without distractions

Building Leaders at Summer Camp Add leadership skills to list of summer camp benefits

Go on a Mural Scavenger Hunt Explore Charlotte’s history and art through a walking tour of the city’s murals

18 IN EVERY ISSUE 4

Editor’s Letter

FYI

11 Growing Up 12 Thrive 13 Families Managing Media 22 Excursion 31 Daddy Derek

32 Faces and Places

CALENDAR 23 Our Picks 24 Daily Calendar 25 On Stage 26 On Exhibit 29 Spring Consignment Sales

15 charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Show Your Love This Valentine’s Day

morrismedianetwork.com

EDITOR

tore shelves are filled with bags

Michele Huggins

of shiny red and pink hearts, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates

and cute love messages on cards

ART DIRECTOR Melissa Stutts

SENIOR DIGITAL DIRECTOR, PRODUCTS + MARKETING

that all signal Valentine’s Day is just

Allison Hollins • allison.hollins@morris.com

around the corner. Valentine’s Day has

DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR

become a commercialized holiday that retailers don’t miss. Despite the hype, it’s a holiday to remind the special people in our lives that we appreciate their existence. Every Valentine’s Day since I was a little girl, my dad has given me a box of chocolates. I felt extra special when I saw that heart-shaped box on Valentine’s Day. He kept that tradition going through my high school and college days. It was a sweet reminder that I was loved even if no one was handing me roses or taking me out for a special date. To this day, he sends a little something special on Valentine’s Day, and it still warms my heart. Knowing what I now know about parenting, including the highs and lows, helps me appreciate and understand my parents’ unconditional love and support even more. Love is what keeps us powering through as we protect, advocate,

Andy Smith • andy.smith@morris.com

MEDIA CONSULTANTS Fawn Anderson • fawn.anderson@morris.com Kathy Thompson • kathy.thompson@morris.com

ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR Julianne Clune • julianne.clune@morris.com

MORRIS MEDIA NETWORK DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING Donald Horton

DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING SERVICES Karen Fralick

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Cher Wheeler

teach — and sometimes patiently tolerate — our children. Unconditional love is something that blossoms inside a parent when their baby is born and stays rooted as their child grows. When children are little, our love for them can take the form of laughter, tears and snuggles. As babies become toddlers and personalities surface, love becomes making “boo-boos” better and helping them understand the great big world. When they get bigger, there may be challenges that make us cringe, but we stand by and love them. So pick up a little something special for your little and big loves this year. The smallest gesture can be a great one. Love it or not, it’s time to start thinking about summer camp. Our camp directories on charlotteparent.com are updated with the latest information on local

CONTACT US charlotteparent.com 214 W. Tremont Ave., Suite 302, Charlotte, NC 28203 phone: 704-344-1980 • fax: 704-344-1983 email: info@charlotteparent.com advertising@charlotteparent.com Circulation 35,000. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. Charlotte Parent reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication’s standards. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

day camps and sleep-away camps that can be searched by age and interest. In this issue, we highlight how summer camps are helping kids build lifelong leadership skills through camp adventures (page 18). If you are pondering sleep-away camp for your child, consider introducing the overnight camp experience through family camp. The feature on page 15 spotlights why it’s a good for all in the family. A Publication of the Visitor Publications Division of Morris Communications Company, L.L.C. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901 Chairman President & CEO William S. Morris III William S. Morris IV

HAVE IDEAS TO SHARE? Email editor@charlotteparent.com.

FEBRUARY 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Summer Camps Directory From day camps to sleep-away destinations, our online directory of summer camps is the place to start your summer camp planning, made even easier with convenient searches by age and interest.

.../camps

The Digital Issue Connect to Charlotte Parent when you are on the go with the magazine’s tablet edition available via magzter. com. It’s free with a quick sign-up. magzter.com.

Special Connections CLT Whether it’s guidance on resources for children with special needs or relatable, real-life stories about parenting an exceptional child, check out the Special Connection CLT blog to find a village of parents, therapists and educators that share their experiences, insight and advice.

… /blogs

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FEBRUARY 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Kemba Walker takes it to the hoop at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. Photo by Getty Images

NBA All-Stars Weekend Comes to Charlotte Be on the lookout for NBA players and talent Feb. 15-17 during NBA All-Stars weekend. Tipping off the weekend’s events, some of the biggest stars from film, television, music and sports take to the court for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game presented by Ruffles, Friday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at Bojangles’ Coliseum. On Saturday, Feb. 16 at Bojangles’ Coliseum, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night and NBA All-Star Game participants participate in the NBA All-Star Practice and Media Day. Media Day begins at 9:30 a.m. and gives fans an opportunity to see more than 20 of the NBA’s biggest stars interviewed by media from around the world. There will also be a live, in-arena show featuring interviews with NBA legends and celebrities, as well as autograph and photo opportunities. Following media availability, 2019 NBA All-Star Game players and coaches practice for Sunday’s noon showdown at Spectrum Center. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at nbaevents.com. NBA All-Star at Epicentre in uptown Charlotte offers fans even more ways to get in on the action throughout the weekend. The fan destination features the NBA Crossover, a showcase of the convergance of NBA and pop culture through the art, fashion, music, technology and entertainment that surround today’s game, plus opportunities to meet NBA players, virtual reality demonstrations and an NBA Store, and it’s free to explore.

Find Whimsy at Annual Fairy House Festival Break out the fairy wings and costumes for a day of play and learning about the environment at the annual Fairy House Festival at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve in Huntersville, happening Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include creating fairy houses from natural materials found in the woods in the Fairy Village, crafting fairy wands, storytelling with the Fairy Godmother and free face painting. Work together to make a human-size fairy house at the Fairy Engineering station and don’t pass up the

CMS Launches Career and Tech Education Program

chance to dress up like a magical

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has introduced a new Career and Technical Education outreach program to help students identify and pursue a wide range of careers, offering 19 distinct career pathways that prepare students for college, the military or a career after high school. Pathways include architecture, automotive work, cosmetology and computers, with each having four to six sequenced courses. In some pathways, students can earn industry certifications while still in high school. Other fields of study provide early credit toward a post-secondary degree. The program also ensures students opportunities to connect with future employers through job shadowing and internships. Visit the Career and Technical Education website to learn about the wide range of educational choices offered. Check it out at discovercte.com.

the “Elfie” station. Tickets are $5,

creature and take a picture at and admission is free for children age 4 and younger. Tickets must be purchased in advance at parkandrec.com. Click on Eparks and search for Fairy House. Find more details leading up to the event at facebook.com/ naturecenters. charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

MARCH 2019 PRESENTED BY

Open books. Open minds.

Community Read is an opportunity to address important subjects and start conversations. This March, we invite you to join our community’s biggest book club. Read the books and participate in programs and discussions at Library and partner locations. While we may have different perspectives, we can find common ground. And from there, we’ll build a stronger community. PRESENTED IN COOPERATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS A DDI T I ONA L S U P P ORT F ROM

cmlibrary.org/communityread

Parent

Reason s is Us

BECAUSE I HAVEN’T FINISHED

x 4.5”

BINGE-WATCHING THIS IS US .

#theRealReason

We got you. Offering nearly 200 camps for kids. ProvidenceDay.org/Summer

FEBRUARY 2019 | charlotteparent.com

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FYI

Playing Through Pain Spring sports practices begin soon. If you have a young athlete, you likely know that injuries happen. When a child gets an injury, it’s important he or she takes time to heal. John Colville, a physical therapist with the OrthoCarolina Wellness Center, says that when a young athlete plays through pain, several things can happen: 1. The athlete suffers decreased performance. While in some cases the injury may heal itself, it often won’t. The body naturally looks for ways to avoid the pain during play, which can lead to further injury.

a High-energy, hands-on stem camp

2. The player develops compensatory patterns. In an effort to avoid pain, the athlete may unknowingly teach themselves a new, abnormal pattern of movement to compensate for pain or stiffness. Over time, the body can adapt to these unusual patterns and have a hard time ‘unlearning’ the new pattern. Compensatory patterns can mean a drop in athletic performance, which can eventually show in play. 3. The athlete becomes apprehensive. Because they are trying to avoid pain, the child is now at risk for what’s called fear avoidance – they create a fear pattern where they are afraid to play in a normal manner. Fear avoidance can also affect their mental well-being. If a child is complaining of pain it’s always a good idea to have it assessed by a medical professional. As doctors don’t always have time for extended visits, consider scheduling one physical therapy visit for your young athlete so a physical therapist can check movement patterns.

20+ locations in the greater Charlotte area!

Save $25 using promo code: INNOVATE25RPRINT at invent.org/camp

In partnership with the USPTO

charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

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FYI | people Proudest parenting moment: When my products went into Target, I kept saying to Rosie, “This is such a big deal,” and she would always kind of shrug it off. When we go to Target, we check my shelf before we do our shopping. She kind of complains and says, “Not again, Mom.” One day while shopping at Target, I started talking to an employee who had no idea about my product line or who I was. We were just talking about general stuff. All of a sudden Rosie says, “You know you’re talking to Rachel Roff.” Despite how embarrassing that was, it made me so happy because I knew that though she acts like what I’m doing is regular, she really does know it’s a huge deal and is super proud of me.

Rachel Roff, with her daughter Rosie. Photo courtesy of Rachel Roff

Get to Know: Rachel Roff BY MICHELE HUGGINS

achel Roff is the founder of Urban Skin Solutions, a medical spa and laser center, and the skincare product line Urban Skin Rx. She and her daughter Rosie, 6, live in Dilworth

Tell us about your job. What do you like most about it? What are the challenges? I am the owner and founder of Urban Skin Solutions, a medical spa and laser center that I opened in 2006. About five years ago, I started Urban Skin RX, a clinical skin care product line. Both businesses specialize in the needs of diverse skin tones, specifically darker skin tones. It has been an extremely hard but I have watched my dream, which started as a young girl, turn into an empire. My medical spa started with two employees and one laser in a 1,000-square-foot building. Twelve years later, we have 30 employees, six lasers, doctors on staff, our own pharmacy and a beautiful, 5,600-square-foot building. Urban Skin RX is now sold in Target, and is in more than 2,000 Ulta and CVS stores. It has come with a lot of sacrifice and many sleepless nights. Being an entrepreneur is about being solutionoriented and having extreme discipline. There are so many problems that will knock you down, and you just have to constantly get back up and work on a solution.

FEBRUARY 2019 | charlotteparent.com

What’s the hardest part of juggling family life and work life? I struggle with guilt. I’m constantly calculating the hours a week I’ve spent with my daughter to make sure it’s enough. I travel for work to trade shows, meetings with retailers and speaking engagements. When I get home and want to relax or need to make up for hours I’ve missed in the office, sometimes my daughter is yearning for extra attention. While I feel like an amazing mother, I also realize that I’m often sacrificing the things I need for myself, however, I feel that the discipline I exhibit as a mother is paying off. Rosie is so amazing and well behaved. Best advice ever received: Lead by example. I refuse to talk down about my looks in front of my daughter because I suffered from a really low self-image as a child. My staff may see me on the floor cleaning up at times. I want them to know that the same things I expect of them, I will do if necessary.

Lowest parenting moment: One time, Rosie’s father (who is my ex), and I argued in front of her. That was something I swore I would never do. She cried, and I felt beyond horrible. It was a very low moment, but I’m also proud it never happened again. What is your favorite thing about raising a family in Charlotte? I love how easy it is to get around and go from one activity to the next. We can walk to the light rail or have lunch in Dilworth and then walk to Freedom Park. What are three things you can’t live without? Coffee, family and the gym. Favorite Instagram account? @urbanskinrx of course. Last book read: With what time? I read Entrepreneur and INC magazine each month. What inspires you? Making a difference that will change history. I have never liked any form of inequality. Seeing a form of inequality in an industry I was so passionate about really motivated me. Bringing inclusivity to the skin care industry when so many people thought I was crazy has been really rewarding. I love proving people wrong. Michele Huggins is the editor of Charlotte Parent magazine.

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Stepping Stones Guiding children toward independence

rom birth onward, children are busy building a vast array of skills to help them toward a healthy, independent adulthood. According to child psychiatrist Dr. Vinay Saranga, founder of Saranga Comprehensive Psychiatry, parents and caregivers play a key role in supporting budding independence, but there is such a thing as too much support. “As parents, you want to help your kids as much as you can without micromanaging them. One of the best ways to help build independence is to help when you have to, but mostly let them figure things out for themselves,” say Saranga. Easier said than done, right? Here’s help learning when to step in and when to let go, from babyhood through the teen years.

EARLY YEARS

between helping and hovering. Don’t jump in and take over kids’ academic responsibilities, recommends licensed therapist Caryl Barga, also of Lepage Associates in Chapel Hill. “Think of yourself as a coach, listen to them, observe their social interactions, their behavior and emotional responses. Children develop autonomy as parents learn when to step in to intervene and when to let go,” she says. When it comes to homework, this means setting up structure and providing kids with the resources they need to complete their work, like a dedicated homework spot and a daily routine with adequate time for studying. When kids get stuck on a difficult problem or chapter, don’t swoop in to figure it out yourself. Instead, ask kids where they might search for the answer or find information needed to solve the problem. Helping point them to resources, builds skills they can use to tackle more complex schoolwork in high school. TEEN YEARS

BY MALIA JACOBSON

Symbol Savvy In the first years of life, children use their senses to learn about the world. Very young children can’t yet view themselves as separate from others, and assume others share their thoughts. Helping children develop their ability to think symbolically — that is, understand that an object, word or symbol can represent something else — helps build children’s growing sense of self and lays the groundwork for more complex thought. “Symbolic thought is critical in accessing one’s world and imbuing it with meaning. One thing to be on the lookout for is what’s called the ‘Naming Explosion,’ which starts

GROWING UP

around the 18-month mark and involves naming everything in sight. This process accelerates language accumulation,” says Kevin Metz, licensed therapist of Lepage Associates Psychological and Psychiatric Services in Chapel Hill. Caregivers can support this stage by asking children to label what they see, offering encouragement when needed, he says. ELEMENTARY YEARS

School Rules Grade school provides plenty of chances to build independence, but children often still need parents to support and assistance with homework and school projects. For parents, the challenge becomes striking a balance

Safe Space As teens move through adolescence, they spend less time under a parent or caregiver’s watchful gaze and more time with peers. This crucial step toward independence is normal and healthy, but it can bring up some safety concerns about smart choices. “Safety issues should always be a consideration, but I think teens should be allowed freedom to demonstrate responsibility,” Barga says. “I suggest that parents monitor their teens from a distance. If situations get complicated, parents can decide whether to allow children to learn from natural consequences or intervene on their behalf.” Agreeing on family rules, including curfews, rules for driving, and rules for alcohol, smoking and using other substances, and checking in about those rules regularly, helps communicate your values and expectations. Apps that track a child’s location or a child’s media use offer safeguards that allow teenagers to spread their wings while providing parents some peace of mind. Malia Jacobson is an award-winning health and family journalist. charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

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THRIVE Pride and satisfaction in learning to be more independent shines in the smile of Jacob Moise, son of writer Bea Moise. Photo courtesy of Bea Moise

Exceeding Expectations Consistency and patience pay off BY BEA MOISE

have this group of friends that have been together for a very long time. Our children are about one month apart in age. When our kids were 3 years old, I noticed that my friend’s little girl could independently dress herself. My friend said her daughter had been dressing herself for a while. My immediate thought was that my son Jacob, who has autism, couldn’t do that. I have always accepted any deficits Jacob has, and I celebrate anything that he can do. I have a rule, however, that I will at least introduce new things to see how he will respond. If he doesn’t do it, at least we tried. So when he was 3 years old, I decided to introduce Jacob to getting himself dressed. It initially was hard and very frustrating because he didn’t do anything. He would just stand there. I would say, “OK, this is the shirt. These are your pants. Put on your shirt and then put on your pants.” Each night I would put his clothes on his dresser so he could get dressed the next morning on his own. The next morning, I would go into his room, and the clothes would

FEBRUARY 2019 | charlotteparent.com

be where I left them, and I would help him dress. I would alternate tasks. One day I would put on his shirt, and he would put on his pants. The next day we switched. We were late to his preschool every day. His teachers knew that we were late because I gave him all the time in the world to get this task done all on his own. The joke at the preschool was whenever his dad brought him to school, he was on time, but if it’s mommy, well that was a different story. Every morning felt like a failure, but I didn’t rush him, and I didn’t put any time restrictions on his getting dressed. I wanted to give him extra time so he could succeed. One year later when Jacob was 4

years old, I put his clothes on the dresser before he went to bed like I’d done each day for the past year. The next morning when I went to his room, he was dressed! I walked out of the room and asked my husband, “Hey, did you dress Jake this morning?” He had not. It took one full year, but my son learned to dress himself. I assumed it was just a fluke, and the next morning we would start all over again, but the following morning he put on the clothes I had laid out for him all by himself. I have no idea what changed. I don’t know if it was just consistency or positive interaction with getting dressed, or if he was just ready, or a combination of all three. What I do know is I never gave up on him. I repeatedly gave him the opportunity to do something, and one day he simply did it and gained such great satisfaction and pride with being independent. He eventually started picking out his clothes, and regardless of how his outfit looked, I could not have been any prouder. The pride and joy in his face the minute he wakes up to get dressed for school brings me an immeasurable amount of joy. We are no longer late to school because he is the first one up and the first one ready all by himself. While it was frustrating during this process, I recognized the importance of consistency and following through with a task to help foster independence. Do not give up on your child. The reward for patience and consistency is far greater than you can ever imagine. Beatrice (Bea) Moise is a board-certified cognitive specialist and is the founder of A Child Like Mine, a company created for educating parents of children with unique behavioral and learning needs, a parenting coach at Southeast Psych in Charlotte, and mom to Jacob — who is awesomely autistic — and Abigail who is simply marvelous.

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FAMILIES MANAGING MEDIA Many games and smartphones have been designed to increase the levels of dopamine and oxytocin until they become high enough to stimulate a craving and desire for more. These brain changes happen slowly over the span of a childhood. Parents must balance the “digital oxytocin” children receive as the consequence may be that your kids start to prefer screentime to face-to-face time with real loved ones. Other drawbacks of “digital oxytocin” include problems with downtime and concentration, and the creation of bad habits during childhood that are harder to break in adulthood. Better Alternatives

To ensure that children get healthy balanced doses of natural dopamine and oxytocin, schedule ample real-life experiences every day, such as:

For the Love of Screens How screens ignite ‘love’ receptors

•

Enjoying face-to-face interactions like a hug or rough-and-tumble play with parents.

•

Participating in family-attachment activities like read-alouds, board

BY MELANIE HEMPE

our daughter opens a shoebox covered in red hearts and pink flowers that is filled with Valentines from her classmates. As she reads each one to you, her excitement grows. Her

games, cooking and crafts. •

Spending time outside (exposure to sunlight).

brother nearby plays a game on his tablet. With each level achieved, his enthusiasm grows. You

•

Getting exercise.

might say she loves sharing her Valentines with you, and he loves playing his game.

•

Listening to and playing music.

But what’s love got to do with it? Turns out, a lot. Both children are experiencing a complex

There’s a high cost to falling in love

cocktail of “love” chemicals firing off in their brains. As parents, when we’re aware of the brain

with your tablet, smartphone or video game,

science, we can help our children keep their activities in balance and develop their abilities to

especially when you’re young. Brain chemistry

love and respond to love. The way children relate to you, their friends and their screens — as well

affects your children’s moods, their happiness

as shoeboxes stuffed with Valentines — builds pathways for how they relate to real people and

and their future relationships. But when

real love in the future.

they’re young, you have complete control over

A Powerful Concoction of Chemicals On MRI brain scans, the same area of the brain lights up when the subject is thinking about an actual loved one as when he or she looks at the phone. Just the sound of a smartphone can generate the same response as being in the presence of a loved one. These love chemicals — dopamine and oxytocin — create a powerful concoction carefully calculated by neuroscientists to arrive with just the right timing to keep us hooked to screen activity. Dopamine is the “feel good” hormone

many people associate with screens, but what about oxytocin? Sometimes referred to as “the cuddle chemical” because it’s released when you kiss or hug, oxytocin stimulates empathy, generosity and trust. Like a social glue that bonds families and communities, oxytocin can also create a strong bond between your children and their screens. According to one study, social media can raise the level of oxytocin as much as 13 percent in just 10 minutes of use. That’s a spike some people experience on their wedding day.

how much “digital oxytocin” they receive. So know the facts and help them choose more ways to experience real love, including lots of real love from you. Melanie Hempe is the founder of Families Managing Media, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families reduce childhood screen overuse. For more information on reclaiming your kids, and reconnecting your family, visit familiesmanagingmedia.com.

charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

FEBRUARY 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Photo courtesy of Camp Kahdalea

The Magic of

FAMILY CAMP

Tune out the rest of the world and tune in to what really matters

BY CRYSTAL O’GORMAN Family camp is the getaway that brings families closer together. Forget about chores and the schedule of events. Bring your attention and imagination. Immerse yourself into adventure and play. Huddle up and get cozy by the campfire. Family camp gives parents the opportunity to fully engage with their children without having to compete with digital devices, the never-ending to-do list or daily routines.

FAMILYOWNED FAMILY CAMP Anne Trufant, co-owner of Camp Kahdalea for girls and Camp Chosatonga for boys holds passionate beliefs about how family camping experiences have improved the lives of her family and other families she has worked with. “It’s been a profound experience, not only to bring up our children here, but there have been thousands of folks to come up here,” she says of the camps, both located in Brevard. “We are about impacting lives and helping families come together. We want to create a space where they can come and just be together.” Anne and her husband, David, purchased Camp Kahdalea and Camp Chosatonga 30 years ago. The two share a love for summer camp spawned from their younger years as campers, and their mission is to pass that on to the next generation. As a mother of seven children, Trufant says it was life changing to move from Louisiana to the Blue Ridge Mountains and create “something of great value” for children and parents. She continues to share her passion for camp with her son, Jeffrey,

who works as program director of the camps; and with her grandchildren, whom attend camp now. Family camp takes place at Camp Kahdalea — also known for its all-girls summer camp — over one long weekend each August. Located near Pisgah National Forest, the camp spreads over 180 acres of wooded land offering hiking trails, streams and Lake Kahdalea. Camp Kahdalea’s family camp agenda also includes community meals, games, social events and a wide array of activities for parents and children to join in together, such as arts and crafts, archery, field sports, paddling, swimming and horseback riding. Full-day and half-day excursions are also offered and include hikes to waterfalls at DuPont State Forest and explorations of places like Black Balsam Knob and Devil’s Courthouse. There are no additional costs for any of these excursions. “It has always been important for us to make it financially reasonable for families,” Trufant says. She understands how challenging it can be to pay for vacations for a large family. For that reason, Camp Kahdalea’s family camps take a come-as-you-are and receive-what-youneed approach. “We want to be a place of rest, joy, peace and fun,” she says. “Our intention is to bring families together and create something they’ll remember for a long time.”

A DIFFERENT KIND OF VACATION Shanna Molitor, a mother of six who lives in Augusta, Georgia, has attended family camp at Camp Kahdalea five consecutive summers. Molitor has children ages 2, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 12, and feels the diverse amount of activities fit the needs of her entire family. She says unlike some trips that require a lot of work and planning, family camp feels like a true vacation for her and her husband. “Vacations are more work in a new place. So much time making food and trying to plan activities everyone wants to do,” Molitor says. “Family camp takes away all the planning and prepping and you just get to spend time with your kids.” The primary reason the Molitars chose to attend Camp Kahdalea’s family camp, charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

Left: Family camp activities at Camp Kahdalea, include canoeing, field sports, swimming and horseback riding. Photos courtesy of Camp Kahdalea Right: Allen Perkins teaches his son, Will, archery at father-son weekend camp at Camp Rockmont. Photo courtesy of Allen Perkins

however, was to scope out the facilities and camp dynamic for the possibility of both Camp Kahdalea and Camp Chosatonga serving as future sleepaway camps for their children. “We wanted to make sure they were safe, supported and felt comfortable going out on their own,” Molitar says. The Trufants have seen a tremendous return rate from families who attended family camp who decide to send their child(ren) back when they are older to work as camp counselors for sleepaway camp. “There’s a camaraderie and sense of community built from the start; the joy and enthusiasm is palpable,” Trufant says. “We make sure no child is lost here — even the child who is never picked.” Family camp helped Molitar’s son, Max, come out of his shell. “He was real quiet and kind of shy, and there was a counselor working nicknamed Bit. She was so great to him, encouraging him to try new things,” Molitar says. “When you meet someone that’s really nice to your kid, then you love them instantly. She drew something out of him that we couldn’t and that’s priceless.”

Molitar’s oldest daughter has attended Camp Kahdalea’s summer camp, and her son, Max, looks forward to attending Camp Chosatonga this summer.

BUILDING THE FATHERSON EXPERIENCE Creating a space for fathers and sons to spend time together was important to father and Camp Rockmont Director Dan Davis. Located 13 miles east of Asheville in Black Mountain on Lake Eden, Camp Rockmont offers father-son camps during two weekends each fall that feature activities such as canoeing, kayaking, swimming, archery, blacksmithing, shooting and field sports, as well as classic camp activities like building campfires and playing games. Davis started the father-son camps 13 years ago after realizing his own need to be intentional about getting outside and exploring nature in an unencumbered way to become more present with his son, Micha, who is now a sophomore at Clemson University. Davis' son and 90-year-old dad, Cornelius, still join him during father-son weekends. Davis says these experiences have been vital for his and his son’s personal growth,

FEBRUARY 2019 | charlotteparent.com

and for the development of a strong father-son relationship. The weekend camps are designed to create a sacred space where dads can let go of day-to-day responsibilities and fully engage with their sons in a safe space. “Going back to the best of your younger self, being free and adventurous, you’re never too old to appreciate that,” Davis says. Camp Rockmont enjoys a more than 80-percent return rate, so it’s important to plan ahead and register before the camps fill up, since there are only two each year. Allen Perkins and his son, Will, started attending Camp Rockmont’s father-son camp three years ago and have attended four thus far. “We have so many wonderful memories from those weekends,” Perkins says. “It’s a great investment in my time and the return far exceeds what you can imagine.” Perkins, who attended summer camp in western North Carolina as a child, says it’s special to relive those experiences with his son. One standout memory, he says, was teaching his son archery, a sport he thoroughly enjoyed during his childhood. It’s

also a great way to connect with other dads, he says. “We’ve even come with our neighbors — four sons and four dads from our neighborhood this year,” he says. “We are all friends, but it gave us the space to develop more depth in our relationships, and it was enriching to share this experience with our boys.” Perkins believes attending father-son camp is one of the best ways he can provide an opportunity for his son to grow. “My hope is for Will to develop skills away from an iPad and TV, communication skills and other interpersonal skills,” he says. Davis hopes Camp Rockmont’s father-son camp offers attendees experiences from which they can build upon at home. “We’re all in this same journey, as parents,” Davis says. “We find the best of ourselves when we’re mindful and we can pass that on to our sons.” Crystal O’Gorman is a freelance writer who lives in Indian Land, S.C. with her husband Ryan and her children, Mikey, 8, and Bella, 6.

SPORTS CAMPS AT QUEENS.

Engage your child in a fun and exciting athletic experience at a premier institution with an outstanding coaching staff. Half and full day options all summer Ages 2 - 18 30+ camps Camps will be held at Queens athletic facilities.

704.337.2509 queensathletics.com/camps

Summer Camp at Chesterbrook Academy • Sports & games • Arts and crafts • Field trips and events • Nature and science • Music, dance and drama Charlotte · Denver Huntersville · Weddington

877-959-4181 For more information, visit ChesterbrookAcademy.com/Camp CBA_CharlotteParent-Camp-Feb19_7.125x4.5.indd 1

12/17/18 2:41 PM

charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

LEADING

THE

WAY

How summer camp can help your child become a leader

BY COURTNEY MCLAUGHLIN

When a child meets new people and explores outside of his comfort zone at summer camp, he returns home with more than dirty clothes, lifelong friends and wonderful memories. Summer camp can also serve as the catalyst for developing leadership skills — a benefit that comes in handy long after those camp days are over. Many summer camps intentionally put leadership opportunities at the forefront of each camper’s experience. A PLACE TO SORT THINGS OUT Michelle Icard has spent a good portion of her career helping parents and middle schoolers survive and thrive during the preteen years. Athena’s Path (for girls) and Hero’s Pursuit (for boys) camps, which Icard developed, are replicated throughout the country and teach the importance of social leadership through games, discussion and role-playing activities. Creating a leadership philosophy is one of the goals campers work toward during their time at Athena’s Path or Hero’s Pursuit. Whether at camp or engaging in new experiences outside the home, the first step in helping kids develop leadership smarts is giving them space to figure things out, Icard says. “Kids learn best when they have the opportunity to take risks and step outside their comfort zone,” Icard says. “At home parents can foster leadership skills by letting their kids make mistakes. Kids need the opportunity to try new things, mess up, be resilient and try again.” During the week of Athena's Path or Hero's Pursuit camps, participants explore topics such as redefining leadership, responding to criticism, exiting toxic friendships and responding to media influence. “Social leadership means knowing how to handle the challenges middle schoolers face using confidence, critical thinking, problemsolving and empathy,” Icard says. “At my camps we ask kids to redefine leadership. [Campers] come in thinking leaders are the few people who occupy limited roles — captain of the team, smartest kid in class — they leave understanding a leader is a person who thinks for themself and chooses their own path instead of blindly following someone else.”

FEBRUARY 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Lydia Crenshaw, 12, attended Athena’s Path for two summers. This summer she is taking it to the next level, serving as an intern and mentor for girls in middle school, and she can easily articulate what it means to be a leader. “To be a leader you have to stand out to do good and encourage others to do good,” she says. As an Athena’s Path intern, Crenshaw will help organize games and activities, assist other counselors, and share her insights and personal experiences. She is excited for the challenge. “For an intern, showing leadership is if somebody is doing something bad, you might show them a correct way to do it,” she says. “You can be a leader to them by doing the right thing and not the wrong thing.” ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP For tweens and teens who have a passion for a certain subject, summer camp can be a great opportunity to develop skills and become a leader in their field of interest. MarineQuest in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a dream come true for students who have a passion for working with marine life and the environment, or who want to pursue marine science as a career. Over the course of the program, students receive a hands-on education that includes tours of North Carolina Fort Fisher Aquarium and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital, collecting water samples, identifying fish species, participating in research cruises and working side by side with a marine scientist. MarineQuest also offers an opportunity for likeminded kids to come together. “Being surrounded by peers with their

same interests and goals provides them with a safe social environment to express their enthusiasm for marine science and make friends,” says Deirdre Scanlon, a registration, marketing and communications associate for MarineQuest. At the end of the program, students give presentations about their MarineQuest experiences, an exercise that goes beyond just giving a report. “We encourage public speaking so students can develop their voice in advocacy for the environment,” Scanlon says. “This is a lesson they can take back to their home communities to share.” In the Oceans of Change program, students examine environmental policies then reach out to local and state representatives about the issues most important to them. Students are also given access to videorecording equipment and the opportunity to make public service announcements. “MarineQuest offers students a space to become empowered, Scanlon says. “They know their voice matters and that they have the ability to take action,” she says. GROUP LEADERSHIP Imagine being a preschooler and getting up in front of an audience to introduce yourself and answer questions. For many adults, the idea is enough to make them break into a cold sweat, but that is one of the activities preschool-age children are challenged with at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s summer camps. Becoming self-confident and performing in front of a group of people with ease are just a few of the skills that attending a performancebased camp brings out in kids who rotate through a half or full day of art, drama, music and dance classes. “Our acting and musical theatre classes and camps focus on leadership through activities and games, and builds on skills related to music, movement, drama and storytelling,” says Tommy Prudenti, educational programs coordinator for the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. At the end of the week the class comes together for group performance. These showcases are successful only when

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Athena’s Path & Hero’s Pursuit: michelleinthemiddle.com/camps

MarineQuest: uncw.edu/marinequest Children’s Theatre of Charlotte: ctcharlotte.org

Schoolhouse of Wonder: schoolhouseofwonder.org

Camp Thunderbird: ymcacharlotte. org/camps/camp-thunderbird.aspx

participants commit to learning their parts and want the group to succeed as a whole. “These social-emotional theatre skills are not only important for the stage, they are valuable life skills as well,” Prudenti says. SELF-GUIDED LEADERSHIP Spending the day outside exploring and playing in the forest, creeks and rivers, and interacting with living plants and animals lends itself to a less structured, highly creative environment. These natural settings can provide opportunities for campers to take initiative and see the consequences of their actions in real time. Two types of campers come to Schoolhouse of Wonder, which offers outdoor field trip and camp experiences to develop kind, curious and confident kids through nature-based outdoor adventures in Durham, Orange and Wake counties. “These programs are for “those who already love nature and being outdoors, and those who are nervous about it,” says Wendy Tonker, executive director of Schoolhouse of Wonder. “The magical thing about our program is that typically, by the end of the week, we can no longer tell the difference.” As campers spend the day building forts, jumping in creeks, playing in the mud and going on hikes, everyone meets each other right where they are. “One of our values is we celebrate individuality — different is just different,” Tonker says. At YMCA Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie, South Carolina, the bandana skillbased recognition program awards campers for mastering specific skills in individual

land and water sports. TOP :: Scuba diving at Each camper receives a MarineQuest summer camp. Photo by UNCW handbook that includes MarineQuest a list of activities, the skill RIGHT :: Working or task to be mastered as a team is part of and the corresponding leadership learning at point value for each skill. Children's Theatre of At the end of the session Charlotte camps. Photo courtesy of Children's points are tallied and the Theatre of Charlotte. camper is awarded a red, blue, silver, gold or double gold bandana. Returning campers continue attaining points each year with the ultimate goal of earning the highest honor — the double gold bandana. Receiving the double gold bandana is a big deal and parents are invited to the ceremony in celebration of this top achievement. This and other leadership programs are very intentional says Laurel Zitney, associate executive director of youth development at Camp Thunderbird. “We want campers to discover their best self while they are here. It’s a safe space for them to speak their minds, express their feelings and grow to appreciate the larger world via relationships with campers and staff from across the world.” For 13- to 15-year-olds, Camp Thunderbird offers the Achievement Through Leadership and Service (A.T.L.A.S) program, which focuses on sharpening participant’s leadership skills so they can readily apply them to their community, school and camp environments. COUNSELORS-IN-TRAINING PROGRAMS Many camps, including Schoolhouse of Wonder, offer enhanced leadership programs

through a counselor-in-training program. "Part of our goal in our leadership program is to make kids comfortable and confident in who they are,” Tonker says. “Our hope is we can guide teens in discovering their own leadership style.” Camp Thunderbird also has a counselor-in-training program for rising high school juniors. This program involves an extensive selection process that includes a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. Being chosen as a counselor-in-training is a huge accomplishment. These young leaders spend four weeks in a cabin with campers and senior counselors, and meet with the program director daily to discuss how they can lead campers most effectively. “The entire four-week experience is full of training, education and implementation of the skills that they are learning,” Zitney says. Courtney McLaughlin is a freelance writer and mom in Charlotte. Her daughter is counting the days to when she can return to Camp Thunderbird, a.k.a. her “happy place.”

charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

Go on a Mural Scavenger Hunt Charlotte’s Gold District wall murals tell stories of the past and present, with a nod to the future BY DARLA DESIDERIO

The ongoing compilation of mural art projects around town has created an opportunity for a self-guided outdoor, educational experience, free for everyone to enjoy any time of year. Wall art is growing by leaps and bounds with hand-painted murals adorning the walls of buildings in many sections of the city. Thanks to nonprofits, numerous grants and local business owners, stories come to life, told through art created by local artistic talent. The Gold District to the west of uptown is a particular section of the city that offers the chance to learn a bit of history while enjoying a mural art as a family. HISTORY LESSON The streets of the Gold District have a story to tell. Children may be fascinated to learn that underneath the soles of their sneakers there really could be glittery gold nuggets waiting to be unearthed. There were 60 mines in operation in Charlotte by 1891, and there was a whopping $2.6 million in gold extracted from the ground. If it couldn’t get any more interesting, royalty owned and leased gold mines in the district. In fact, in the 1830s, a charismatic Italian Count by the name of Don Vincenzo de Riva Finoli had his very own mine called, the Rudisill Gold Mine. The mysterious Count Don Vincenzo de Riva Finoli walked a secret path while on his way to visit his gold mine that is now the alley next to the Magnolia Emporium store. Close to his side was his trusted canine companion, a golden retriever named Augie (AU the chemical symbol for gold).

be sitting atop a gold mine. “We struck gold when we came to the gold district four years ago. Every day I discover amazing facts that I was never aware of before. Living in the Gold District honestly feels just like a scavenger hunt.” James is right. The history goes back to the times of the conquistadors, dating back from 1799 to the present day. More historical facts can be found online at thegolddistrict.org. James decorated the once-secret passageway next to his shop with quaint tables, chairs, clay pots and hand-painted signs that create a welcoming space for visitors. Illuminated by lighted

FAST FORWARD Randolph James, owner of the Magnolia Emporium, Gold District board member and interior designer, is animated when he describes how he feels to

FEBRUARY 2019 | charlotteparent.com

spheres strung overhead, it’s an invitation to walk the brick-lined path that the Count did so many years ago. THE MURALS Mural art in the Gold District started with the idea of bringing

People the River.

Skyline Superette. QCity Angels.

Solstice.

Murals are brightening bland brick walls of Charlotte neighborhood businesses throughout the city. From the Gold District to NoDa and Plaza Midwood, new murals are popping up on a regular basis. Join in a Mural Scavenger Hunt in Charlotte's Gold District, Feb. 9. More details in box on page 21.

GO ON A MURAL SCAVENGER HUNT On Saturday, Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., families are invited to go on a walking tour in the Gold District in search of murals. The Mural Scavenger Hunt event begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. Snap pictures in front of the murals and tag Charlotte Parent (@ charlotteparent) and The Gold District (@thegolddistrict) on Instagram, then show the posts to the staff at Magnolia Emporium to claim a cupcake (while supplies last). Mural artist Sam Guzzi also will be at Magnolia Emporium with a hands-on project that teaches the basics of color theory. Below is a list of the district’s murals and locations. Note: Stay on the main streets and avoid cutting through alleyways.

Geometric Unknown.

MURAL: Wilmore Gold Mine

Wake the Queen.

together neighbors in the Gold District, Wilmore and Historic Southend to paint a wall. The community wall is found on a sidewall of Magnolia Emporium parallel to the alleyway and is a public table of contents that includes the logos of community business owners. Wake the Queen, located on the front of Magnolia Emporium, was the virgin voyage of mural art in The Gold District. It showcases Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg, a supporter of the arts. The Gold District board and local businesses have a consensus of thought and

More Notable Murals

Take your scavenger hunt to even higher heights by venturing into a wider geography. Although the list of mural art is too long to include all of them, here are a few notable murals that are not to be missed. For more information on Charlotte's art murals, check out Talking Walls Festival Instagram page @talkingwallscharlotte.

a dedicated plan to commission more mural art, with five already brightening bland brick walls in the area. “The plan is to elevate and enrich the experience for all of the parents, kids, and friends that journey to see us," James says. "What is really exciting is that The Mint Museum is bequeathing mining equipment, once used to dig for gold, which will be placed in a nearby park. And the metal rails used to transport mining carts will become sculpture. All of it could not be accomplished without a community of people working together to make it happen.”

MURAL: Skyline Superette MURAL: Solstice

THE FUTURE Being family friendly is on an upward trend thanks to educator, Gold District board member, and CFO of Magnolia Emporium, Robert Naylor. He fuels educational initiatives for the district, including a plan for a downloadable mobile phone app for visitors. The app will provide a self-guided tour that takes visitors on a historical journey through noteworthy sections of the area rich with historical facts and modern-day fun stuff. Darla Desiderio is a local freelance writer and author of the children's book series "Gage the Flying Whippet."

LOCATION: 1725 Statesville Ave., Charlotte LOCATION: NoDa, former Solstice Tavern,

3221 N. Davidson St. MURAL: Fibonacci

LOCATION: NoDa, former Solstice Tavern,

(side wall), 3221 N. Davidson St. MURAL: Adorable Ice

Cream Monsters

LOCATION: Plaza-Midwood, 913 Central Ave.

ARTIST: Tim Parati LOCATION Max and Lola’s Bodega, 1501 S. Mint St. MURAL: QCity Angels ARTIST: Rosalia Torres-Weiner | redcalacastudio.com LOCATION: Max and Lola’s Bodega, 1501 S. Mint St. MURAL: Geometric Unknown ARTIST: Andy Rocco | andyrocco. bigcartel.com LOCATION: The Unknown Brewery, 1327 S. Mint St. MURAL: People the River LOCATION: Magnolia Emporium, 307 Lincoln St. Rivafinoli Passage (by Craft Growler Shop Patio). ARTIST: Miouxnie MURAL: Wake the Queen LOCATION: Magnolia Emporium, 307 Lincoln St. ARTIST: Sam Guzzie | samguzzie.com

ARTIST: Bree Stallings | breestallings.com ARTIST: Nick Napoletano |

napoletanoart.com ARTIST: Jonay Di Ragno |

jonaydiragno.com ARTIST: Miriam Medrano-Yumet |

facebook.com/miriam.medranoyumet

›

EXCURSION Enjoy all the fun with fewer crowds during the off-season at Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Young Doo

3 Days at Carolina Beach Plan an off-season visit to this iconic North Carolina town BY BETH SHUGG

ant to experience the Carolina coast before the summer crowds arrive — and while hotel and bed-and-breakfast rates are lower? Plan a visit between March and May — just before what Heather Hawkins, co-owner of the Beacon House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carolina Beach calls “the calm before the storm — before the kids get out of school and everything gets crazy.” Hawkins co-owns the six-room bed and breakfast with her husband Mike Truffa, a chef and craftsman. Originally built in the 1940s as a boarding house, the Beacon House Bed and Breakfast also offers clean, cozy and dog-friendly beach vacation cottages on the property. My husband, son, daughter and daughter’s friend stayed in one of the cottages that provided the perfect place to kick up our feet after each adventurous day exploring. Here’s how you can spend three funfilled days during the off-season in Carolina Beach, an iconic oceanfront town that offers year-round attractions and entertainment. DAY 1 Upon arriving at the Beacon House Inn Bed and Breakfast, we tossed our luggage into the bedrooms and headed across the street to the Oystershell Lane public beach access point. Pristine sand dunes opened up to an expansive view of the sparsely populated beach. We took a relaxing walk toward the Carolina Beach Fishing Pier, which is one mile from the bed and breakfast. We had dinner at Havana’s, an island-themed restaurant. I had the Scallops Casino. Pickier members of our party ordered the pasta carbonara and BT’s Chicken. We spent the rest of the evening shopping along Lake Park Boulevard. One

of our favorite stores, The Mermaid Castle, offers an eclectic collection of mermaid and fairy figurines, jewelry, clothing and crystals. DAY 2 The next day, we headed to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, where we gazed upon vibrant tanks filled with sharks, jellyfish, tropical fish, sea urchins, coral and more. If you want to see more, book a behindthe-scenes tour of the aquarium. Our next stop was Fort Fisher, of which only 10 percent remains today. This famous fort kept North Carolina’s Port of Wilmington open to blockade-runners during most of the Civil War so they could supply the Confederate Army with war necessities. Fort Fisher fell Jan. 15, 1865, after undergoing a massive federal, amphibious assault. Fort Fisher’s trail winds through beautiful, gnarled live oaks to grass-covered mounds that envelope what’s left of the structure. Shepherd’s Battery features a reconstructed, fully operational seacoast cannon. Exhibits in the welcome center include a fiber-optic battle map, salvaged weapons and various items recovered from the sunken blockade-runner “Modern Greece.” For dinner, we drove a half mile from Fort Fisher to Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill in nearby Kure Beach, where we ordered seafood penne, cajun chicken alfredo, shrimp scampi, island jerk chicken, and

FEBRUARY 2019 | charlotteparent.com

rum-and-plantain chicken. We managed to save room for dessert and drove 3 miles north toward Carolina Beach to experience Britts Donut Shop, located on the beach boardwalk. We had been told — and now understand why — that no visit to Carolina Beach is complete without trying a fresh, hot Britts donut. Eat them as soon as they hand you that glorious, steaming, brown paper bag. Best. Donuts. Ever. The girls rode the Ferris wheel and swings at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park before we headed back to our cottage and took an evening stroll along the beach. DAY 3 We said goodbye to our kind hosts and prepared to embark on one last adventure: a kayak tour of the Cape Fear River. We met up with our Paddle NC guide at Carolina Beach State Park, put on life jackets and listened as our guide covered safety tips and operational instructions. Then we hopped into three twoperson kayaks and coasted away to explore the Cape Fear River. For more ideas on how to spend a long weekend in the area, visit the Official Tourism Development Authority for New Hanover County Wilmington and Beaches CVB website at gowilmingtonandbeaches.com. Beth Shugg is the editor of Carolina Parent.

FEBRUARY 2019 OUR PICKS

COMPILED BY TIFFANY WOLFF

Art activities for children are part of Family Day at the Bechtler Museum, Feb. 9. Photo by Tyrus Ortega Gaines

Family Dance Party | Feb. 9 Local dance contestants bring their best moves to the Family Dance Party, hosted by 107.9 The Link’s Ramona Holloway, to support A Child’s Place. Contestants include one child and one adult family member showing off 60 seconds of their best dance steps. The daytime dance party takes place from 1 to 5 p.m., and features DJ Arroe Collins from LA Productions, dance contests, games and snacks. Tickets are $10. Roxbury Nightclub, 116 W. Fifth St., Charlotte. familydancepartyclt.eventbrite.com.

NBA All-Star at Epicentre | Feb. 15-17 If you love the NBA, head uptown to the Epicentre for this weekend event in conjunction with the NBA All-Star game. See how NBA and pop culture have converged in fashion, music and entertainment, experience interactive basketball activities, virtual-reality demonstrations, and the chance to catch a glimpse of NBA players. nbaevents.com.

Family Day at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | Feb. 9 Introduce the kids to modern art through special hands-on art activities and familyfocused museum tours at the Bechtler of Modern Art’s Family Day, happening noon4:30 p.m. Complimentary guided tours of the galleries take place at 1 and 3 p.m. Children are admistted free, $8 for adults. Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. bechtler.org.

Fossil Fair | Feb. 23 Dinosaur and gem-rock lovers don’t want to miss the return of the annual Fossil Fair at The Schiele Museum. See natural treasures from the earth, including fossils, rocks and minerals. Mine for gemstones and meet animated prehistoric characters, including a full-size T-rex. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $9-$10, includes museum admission. The Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. schielemuseum.org.

Explore gems and other natural treasures at the Schiele Museum’s Fossil Fair. Photo: Schiele Museum

charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

› CALENDAR 1 FRIDAY On Stage: Innovative Works; Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt. See page 25. Crews Family Fun Night. Crews Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road, Matthews. 6-9pm. FREE. 704-708-1289. Have dinner and play a round of mini golf. matthewsfun.com. Harry Potter Night at The Checkers Game. Bojangles’ Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 7-9:30pm. $18.50+. Come for Harry Potter Night and the school supply drive. Bring at least 10 donated items for Classroom Central and receive a free ticket for a future game. gocheckers.com. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 4-15. 10:3011:30am. FREE. Create a Valentine using materials found in nature. parkandrec.com. MyGym Lake Norman Puppet Show. Barnes and Noble Birkdale Village, 8725 Townley Road, Huntersville. 10:30am. FREE. A local puppeteer troupe from MyGym Lake Norman leads a puppet show with songs and book readings. barnesandnoble.com. Our Carolina Sky. Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 7-8pm. $5. 704-866-6900. Discover how the Carolina sky changes with the seasons. No late admission permitted. schielemuseum.org

2 SATURDAY GROUNDHOG DAY On Stage: Innovative Works; Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt; and Tosco Music Party. See page 25. #STEAMSaturdays. Hurt Hub@Davidson, 210 Delburg St., Davidson. Grades K-8. 9-10:30am. $30. Digi-Bridge hosts a activities, including Lego WeDo 2.0 kits. Other locations include Hygge West on Remount Road in Charlotte and Ballantyne Hotel. digi-bridge.org. ASC Culture Block: Visual Art Workshop. Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. 2-4pm. FREE. An art workshop for ages, plus live music. cmlibrary.org. Bright Star Touring Theatre: Black History Hall of Fame. Gaston County Public Library, 1555 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 11am-noon. FREE. Maya Angelou, Aretha Franklin, Mae Jemison and the Buffalo Soldiers are just a few of the famous people showcased in this

fast-paced, live celebration of black history. gastonlibrary.org. Collards + Culture: LATIBAH Learn. Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. Ages 3-11. 2-3pm. FREE. Learn about the history of the middle passage through dance, music and theater. cmlibrary.org. Family First Presented by Novant Health: Hands-On Theatre Basics for the Stage. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture, 551 S. Tryon St. Ages 9-12. 1:30-3pm. $5. Learn the art of auditioning, creating characters, working as a team and overcoming stage fright. ganttcenter.org. Family First Presented by Novant Health: Lights, Set, Action. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture, 551 S. Tryon St. Ages 3-8. 11am-1pm. $5. Learn the basics of drama in this beginner theater workshop. ganttcenter.org. Groundhog Day Celebration. Discovery Place Nature, 1658 Sterling Road, Gastonia. 9 a.m. to noon. $8, children under age 2 admitted free. Meet Queen Charlotte, Charlotte’s resident groundhog forecaster, and explore how critters of the Carolinas deal with cold winter months. nature.discoveryplace.org. Make Your Own Fairy Wings. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 5-14. 12:30-2:30pm. $5. Create a pair of fairy wings. Child registration and adult participation required. parkandrec.com.

5 TUESDAY

8 FRIDAY

Dakota and Friends. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 3-11. 11am-2pm. FREE. Meet and interact with Dakota, pet a baby T-Rex or maybe watch a dinosaur egg being hatched. Participate in “Reading, Writing and Roaring” where kids can read aloud to dinosaurs. cmlibrary.org. Toddler Time at Sky Zone. Sky Zone, 10200 Centrum Pkwy., Pineville. Ages 5 and younger. 10-11am. $8. Little ones bounce under the supervision of their parents and without interference from bigger kids. skyzone.com.

On Stage: Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds; Innovative Works; and Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt. See page 25. Date Night Drop-Off. Crews Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road, Matthews. Ages 6-13. 5-9pm. $10 per child; $5 per additional child. 704-708-1289. Children are invited to join in a variety of different games and activities. Pizza and refreshments are served. matthewsfun.com. Teddy Bear Tea. The Billy Graham Library, 4330 Westmont Drive, Charlotte. Ages 5 and older. 6-7:30pm. $10-$20. Enjoy holiday treats, festive entertainment and a stuffed animal to take home. Purchase tickets to online to reserve a spot. billygrahamlibrary.org. Valentine’s Pop-Up Fun. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. Ages 3-6. 10:30-11:30am. FREE. Hear a Valentine‘s Day story, and create a pop-up card for someone special. ci.mooresville.nc.us/225/Library.

6 WEDNESDAY ASC Presents: The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Scaleybark Library, 101 Scaleybark Road. 4-5pm. FREE. Work with local artists to contribute to a permanent art installation to be displayed at the Scaleybark Library. cmlibrary.org. A Visit with Harriet Tubman. Main Library Rock Hill, 138 E. Black St., Rock Hill. Ages 11-17. 5-6:30pm. FREE. 803-981-5830. Historical re-enactor Barbara Robinson visits as Harriet Tubman and share her stories of the Underground Railroad. yclibrary.org. Wee Wednesday. Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. Ages 3 and younger. 10:30-11:30am. $5-$8, free for children 3 and younger. Enjoy stories, movement with music and making a craft. chmuseums.org.

3 SUNDAY

7 THURSDAY

On Stage: Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt. See page 25. There’s No Place Like Gnome. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. Ages 1 and older. 2-3pm. FREE. Construct a fairy or gnome home in the forest. parkandrec.com. Nature’s Folklore: Animal Weather Predictions. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 5-12. 2-3pm. $4. Explore how people use animals to help predict the weather. Parent participation is required. parkandrec.com.

On Stage: Innovative Works. See page 25. Board Game Night at Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble, 3327 Pineville-Matthews Road. 6pm. FREE. Bring some friends, and come ready to play. barnesandnoble.com. Sketching Club. Naomi Drenan Recreation Center, 750 Beal St. Ages 7 and older. 6-7:30pm. FREE. Learn the basics of drawing including composition and proportions. parkandrec.com. Toddler Fitness. Tuckaseegee Recreation Center, 4820 Tuckaseegee Road. Ages 1-4. 10-11am. FREE. Join in a fun, kid-friendly workout. parkandrec.com. Toddler Time at Big Air. Big Air Trampoline Park, 2408 Sardis Road N. Ages 6 and younger. 10am-1pm. $8. Big Air Trampoline Park opens its doors for little ones to jump at their own speed and comfort level. bigairusa.com/ charlotte/toddler-time.

4 MONDAY Toddler Theater Club. Tuckaseegee Recreation Center, 4820 Tuckaseegee Road. Ages 1-4. 9:30-10:15am. FREE. Social development, public speaking and theatre concepts combine in this creative exploration. parkandrec.com.

FEBRUARY 2019 | charlotteparent.com

9 SATURDAY On Stage: Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds; Innovative Works; Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt. See page 25. 2nd Saturday at NASCAR Hall of Fame: Getting Drafty. NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. $12$25, children 2 and younger admitted free, includes museum admission. 10am-5pm. During National Engineers Week, discover a big influencer in racing: aerodynamics. Conduct air experiments. Delve into the career of an aerodynamicist, and test a car in a wind tunnel. nascarhall.com. Fairy House Festival. Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. 10am-4pm. $5, free for children 4 and younger. The annual festival inspires appreciation of the environment with storytelling, crafts, activities and games. Fairy, gnome and other appropriate costumes are encouraged. Advance purchase of tickets is required. parkandrec.com. Family Dance Party. Roxbury Nightclub, 116 W. 5th St. 1-5pm. $10. The event will feature a DJ, dance contests, games and snacks to benefit A Child‘s Place. facebook.com/ events/496006027538485/. Super Saturday: Cotton Club. ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, 300 E. 7th St. Ages = VALENTINE’S EVENTS

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CALENDAR

10+. 1-1:45pm. FREE. See various artists perform jazz music, storytelling and poetry. cmlibrary.org. Valentine Dance. Crews Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road, Matthews. 4-7pm. $15. 704-321-7275. Any significant adult-and-child combo is welcome to come enjoy dinner, dancing, desserts and crafts. matthewsfun.com.

10 SUNDAY On Stage: Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds; and Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt. See page 25. Family Cooking Workshop: Valentine’s Treats. Morrison Family YMCA, 9405 Bryant Farms Road. 2-3:30pm. $25-$30. A professional instructor leads families in making tasty and nutritious Valentine’s themed foods. ymcacharlotte.org.

See the Kratt brothers of PBS “Wild Kratts” fame and some “wild” entertainment at Wild Kratts LIVE 2.0., Feb. 23 at Ovens Auditorium. Courtesy of Michael Penn

11 MONDAY Museum of York County Homeschool Days. The Museum of York County, 4621 Mt. Gallant Road, Rock Hill. Ages 7-11. 1-3pm. $7. 803981-9182. Come study astronomy and visit the Settlemyre Planetarium. Learn how telescopes, rocket and rovers help astronomers gather information. Registration required. chmuseums.org. Owlets Nature Play Dates. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. Ages 3-6. 10-11:15am. FREE. Explore nature with handson experiences that enthrall the senses and engage the imagination. parkandrec.com.

12 TUESDAY Story Explorers: STEAM. Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews. Ages 5-7. 4-5pm. FREE. 704-416-5000. Explore books and stories in creative ways through interactive activities including math, science and games. Registration required. cmlibrary.org. Valentine Drop-In. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. 4:30-6:30pm. FREE. Drop in for Valentine card making and other fun activities. ci.mooresville.nc.us/225/Library. Victory Bounce Sessions at BounceU Matthews. BounceU of Matthews, 9129 Monroe Road, Ste. 145-150, Matthews; and BounceU of Charlotte, 10624 Metromont Pkwy., Suite 300. Ages 2 and older. Call for jump times. FREE. 704-921-8771. Children with special needs and their siblings can jump for free every second Tuesday of the month. bounceu.com.

13 WEDNESDAY Community Service Project for Teens: Sorting Socks. Hickory Grove Library, 5935 Hickory Grove Road. Ages 10-18. 5:30-6:30pm. FREE. Earn community service hours while also giving back to the city of Charlotte by sorting socks for those in need. Register online. cmlibrary.org. Itsy Bitsy Music Time. Lanti Music, 323-E Unionville Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail. Ages 5 and younger. 11am-noon. $5 per child; $10 per family. Little ones enjoy music, movement and story time followed by open play. Registration is required, and payment is cash only. lantimusic.com. Kitchen Chemistry. University City Regional Library, 301 E. W.T. Harris Blvd. 4-5pm. FREE. 704-416-7200. Teens can explore chemistry as seen

ON STAGE Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt. (Through Feb. 10). ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, Wells Fargo Playhouse, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 4 and older. $25+. Judy and her brother, Stink, set sail to find Scurvy Sam’s secret pirate treasure. To find the loot, they’ll have to race their swashbuckling rivals, Tall Boy and Smart Girl, to see who reaches the treasure first! Performances Friday-Sunday. ctcharlotte.org.

The Jungle Book. (Feb. 22-March 3). Matthews Playhouse, 100 McDowell St. E., Matthews. $12$14. Raised by a family of wolves, Mowgli must leave home when the fearsome tiger, Shere Khan unleashes his mighty roar. Guided by a no-nonsense panther and a free-spirited bear, the young boy meets an array of jungle animals, including a slithery python and a smooth-talking ape. matthewsplayhouse.com.

Innovative Works. (Through Feb. 16). The Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance, 701 N. Tryon St. $25-$80. In a daring experiment, the works of William Shakespeare come to life at through a creative collaboration of Charlotte Ballet and UNC Charlotte. See website for showtimes. charlotteballet.org.

Classical Kids Live: Beethoven Lives Upstairs. (Feb. 23). Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. 11am. $14+. A grouchy old man moves into the apartment above Christoph in Vienna. Christoph is not pleased by Beethoven‘s arrival, but he begins to understand his genius and the beauty of his music. Come early for the pre-concert festival, featuring drum circles, crafts and musical petting zoo, which begins at 10am. charlottesymphony.org.

Tosco Music Party. (Feb. 2). Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. 7:30pm. $15.50-$34.50. 704-372-1000. See an eclectic mix of music styles and engage the audience with singalongs throughout the evening. toscomusic.org. Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds. (Feb. 8- 24). ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, McColl Family Theater, 300 E. 7th St. Ages 6 and older. $19+. Inspired by the music of the legendary reggae artist Bob Marley, this jammin’ show takes audiences to the beautiful island of Jamaica with friends, Ziggy and Nansi. See website for showtimes. ctcharlotte.org.

Sweet Jenn: A Living Exhibit. (Feb. 23). Matthews Playhouse, 100 McDowell St. E., Matthews. 7:30 p.m. $5. Ages 5 and older. Go back in time to the antebellum south just after emancipation and meet Jenny Butler, a slave who opens the window to her life as she awaits the return of her love, Charles and her lost children. matthewsplayhouse.com. Wild Kratts LIVE 2.0. (Feb. 23). Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 1pm. $30$100. The all-new action-packed touring production of Wild Kratts LIVE 2.0, Activate Creature Power! brings the stars of the Emmy-nominated hit PBS KIDS series live, on stage. ovensauditorium.com.

charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

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CALENDAR in cooking, one of the oldest and most widespread uses of applied chemistry. cmlibrary.org. Little Aviators. Carolina’s Aviation Museum, 4672 1st Flight Drive. Ages 3-5. 9-10am. $5 per child with paid adult admission of $12. Explore aviation through stories, crafts and hands-on experiences that are STEM-focused and aligned with NC Pre-K curriculum standards. carolinasaviation.org. Nature Detectives: Love Bugs. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 4-6. 1:30-3pm. $6. Become a nature detective; explore through stories, crafts and activities related to the topic. parkandrec.com. Rookie Science. Mint Hill Library, 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill. Ages 5-11. 4-5pm. FREE. Discover the world of science through books, hands-on educational activities, and experiments. cmlibrary.org.

Learn all about bugs at the Bug Lab exhibit at Discovery Place. Photo courtesy of Te Papa

14 THURSDAY

ON EXHIBIT African American Miners in North Carolina. (Feb. 2-23). Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site, 9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland. $2, children 7 and younger admitted free. Learn about the origins and impact of slavery in Cabarrus County, and the benefits of slave labor to Reed Gold Mine. 704-7214653. nchistoricsites.org/reed. African-Print Fashion Now! A Story of Taste, Globalization and Style. (Through April 28). Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road. $15-$6; Free for children 4 and younger, included in admission. 704-337-2000. See popular garments, runway fashions designed by Africa’s newest generation of couturiers and styles favored in Africa’s urban centers. mintmuseum.org. Through This Lens. (Through April 30). Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. $6-$10, children 5 and younger free. A look through the many lenses of the immigrant experience. museumofthenewsouth.org.

Bug Lab. (Through May 5). Discovery Place Science, 301 N. Tryon St. $13-$17, children younger than 2 free, includes museum admission. 704-3726261. Larger-than-life bug models guide a journey through hands-on activities and challenges. science.discoveryplace.org. Welcome to Brookhill. (Through Sept. 1). The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture, 551 S. Tryon St. $7-$9, Children 5 and younger free. See a collection of images that, like poetry, stir emotion. The photographs reveal what how this Charlotte neighborhood is home to many. ganttcenter.org. Creepy Nature. (Through May 31, 2020). Schiele Museum, 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. $6-$7, includes museum admission. 704-8666908. Creepy Nature is designed to share the actual science of weird and unusual plants and animals. This exhibit features horror fiction concepts like vampires, zombies, mummies and alien invaders. schielemuseum.org.

SEE MORE EXHIBITS AT CHARLOTTEPARENT.COM/CALENDAR

VALENTINE’S DAY On Stage: Innovative Works. See page 25. Family Cooking Workshop: Valentine’s Dinner. Morrison Family YMCA, 9405 Bryant Farms Road. 6:15-7:45pm. $25-$30. A professional instructor leads families in making tasty and nutritious Valentine’s themed foods. ymcacharlotte.org. Holiday Party: Valentine’s Day. Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 800 E. MLK Jr. Blvd. Ages 2.5-5. 10-11am. $5. Make cards, play games and enjoy a mini tea party with a snack and lemonade. parkandrec.com. My Messy Valentine Workshop. Kidcreate Studio, 636 Crown Pointe Lane, Suite 101, Rock Hill. Ages 18 months-6 years. 9:30-10:30am. $13.50$15. Splatter paint on a canvas board to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. kidcreatestudio.com/organizer/kidcreate-studio-rock-hill. Parents Date Night. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 S. York Road. Ages 5-11. 5:30-9pm. $10. Drop the kids off to explore nature on a night hike, and learning how to safely start fires. Pizza is served. Preregistration required. parkandrec.com. Valentine’s Day: The Love Monster. Discovery Place Kids, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville. 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. $10, includes museum admission. Hear the story “The Love Monster” at the Town Hall Main Stage and then make special Valentine’s Day crafts. 704-372-6261. discoveryplacekids.org.

15 FRIDAY On Stage: Innovative Works. See page 25. Chinese New Year. Mooresville Public Library, 304 S. Main St., Mooresville. Ages 3-6. 10:30-11:30am. FREE. Celebrate the year of the pig by helping the three

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CALENDAR

little pigs create a safe dwelling from the big bad wolf. ci.mooresville. nc.us/225/Library. Fire n’ Cocoa. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 S. York Road. 3-4:30pm. FREE. Warm up next to a campfire while sipping on hot cocoa. parkandrec.com.

16 SATURDAY On Stage: Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds; and Innovative Works. See page 25. Mini-Masters Adult and Child Art Hour. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road. Ages 3-7. 1-2pm. $12-$16. 704-337-2090. Little artists and their adult companions can explore the museum galleries and create art. Projects vary each month. Registration required. mintmuseum.org. NBA All-Star Practice and Media Day. Bojangles’ Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 9:30am. See website for ticket pricing. Watch players of the NBA All-Star Game and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night practice for Sunday’s all-star game showcase. nbaevents.com. Pocket-Sized Survival. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 7-12. 9:30-11:30am. $5. Put survival skills to the test by keeping little green soldiers alive through wilderness scenarios. parkandrec.com.

17 SUNDAY Frog Fables and Turtle Tales. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. 3-3:45pm. FREE. Step inside the world of turtles, frogs and snakes through a literary adventure and animal meet-and-greet. parkandrec.com. Great Backyard Bird Count. Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary, 260 Ridgewood Ave. 8am-5pm. FREE. 704-331-0664. Count and observe birds in the gardens to help scientists in their study of birds. Register in advance. winghavengardens.org.

18 MONDAY Tot Time. Perfect Balance, 8850 Monroe Road. Ages 5 and younger. 11:30am-12:30pm. $5-$6. 980-299-8445. Bring your little one for an hour of free play in the gym. perfectbalancecharlotte.com/tot-time.

19 TUESDAY PRESIDENT’S DAY President’s Day Celebration. Discovery Place Kids, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville. 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. $10, includes museum admission. Hear the story “Presidents’ Day” by Anne Rockwell and make patriotic crafts. 704-372-6261. discoveryplacekids.org. Story Time and More. Children’s Garden at Wing Haven, 260 Ridgewood Ave. 10-11am. Free for members; $10 for nonmembers. Enjoy a seasonally themed story and craft activity in the Children’s Garden. Recommended for children younger than 10. winghavengardens.org.

20 WEDNESDAY Free Wednesday Evenings at the Mint Museum. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road, Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St. 5-9pm. FREE. 704-337-2000. Explore the Mint Museum’s exhibitions. mintmuseum.org.

Score some great deals at upcoming consignment sales, including the Harris Y Kids Consignment Sale happening March 1-3. Photo courtesy of Harris YMCA.

SPRING CONSIGNMENT Charlotte Moms of Multiples (CMOMS) Consignment Sale. (Feb. 2). The Park Expo and Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road. 8:30am-3pm. Early-bird shopping, 7:30-8:30am. $2 entry for early-bird shopping. 877-902-6667. cmoms.clubexpress.com. TTB KidZ Children’s Consignment Sale. (Feb. 8-10). The Park Expo and Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road. Fri., 9am-7pm; Sat., 9am-4pm; and Sun., 9am-3pm. Early-bird shopping Fri. and Sun., 8-9am. $2 entry for early-bird shopping. ttbkidz.com. The Posh Closet Fine Children’s Consignment Sale. (Feb. 20-22). South Charlotte Banquet Center, 9009 Bryant Farms Road. Thurs., 10am-5pm; Fri., 10am- noon. Presale, Wed., 6-9pm. $25 entry per two guests to presale. theposhclosetsale.com. Tar Heel Kids Consignment Sale. (Feb. 28-March 2). Cabarrus Arena, 4751 US Hwy. 49 N., Concord. Thurs., 6-9pm; Fri., 9am-4pm; and Sat., 9am-5pm. 704-644-3972. tarheelkidsconsignment.com. Covenant Community Preschool Children’s Consignment Sale. (March 1-2). Christ United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 3415 Union Road, Gastonia. Fri., 6-9pm; Sat., 8am-noon. 704616-9253. covenantcommunitypreschool.com/ ccp-kid-s-consignment-sale. Harris Y Kids Consignment Sale. (March 1-3). Harris YMCA, 5900 Quail Hollow Road. Fri., 9am-7pm. Sat., 11am-2pm (half-price sale); and

Sun., 2:30-4:30pm ($10 fill-a-bag sale). No children age 9 or under or strollers are allowed in the sales area. 704-716-6843. ymcacharlotte.org/events. Weddington Kids Consignment Sale. (March 8-9). Family Life Center of Weddington United Methodist Church, 13901 Providence Road, Weddington. Sat. 8am-noon; 1-3pm (half-price sale). Public pre-sale, Fri., 5-8pm. $15-$16 for public presale. weddingtonkidsconsignmentsale.com. Myers Park Presbyterian Church Children’s Consignment Sale. (March 9). Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place. 8-11am and Noon-2pm. 704-927-1245. myersparkpres.org. Green Jeans Consignment Sale. (March 12-17). Levine Senior Center, 1050 Devore Lane, Matthews. See website for sale hours. greenjeanssale.com. Flint Groves Baptist Church Children’s Consignment Sale. (March 15-16). Flint Groves Baptist Church Family Life Center, 2017 E. Ozark Ave., Gastonia. Fri., 6-9pm; Sat., 8am-noon. Matthews UMC “Reduce Reuse Consign” Sale. (March 16). Matthews United Methodist Church, 801 S. Trade St., Matthews. 8am-noon and 1-3pm. reducereuseconsign.com. For Every Season Spring Consignment Sale. (March 17-18 and 22-23). The River Place, 8400 Regent Pkwy., Fort Mill. Sun., noon-5pm; Mon., 10am-7pm; Fri., 12am-7pm; and Sat., 10am-5pm (half-price sale). foreveryseason.net.

charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

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CALENDAR

Hip-Hop Social Club. Sugar Creek Recreation Center, 943 W. Sugar Creek Road. Ages 6-16. 4-5:30pm. FREE. Hip-hop lovers come express themselves while learning more about hip-hop culture. parkandrec.com. Puppet Show. Mint Hill Library, 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill. 6:30-7pm. FREE. Enjoy puppet shows, songs and movement activities. cmlibrary.org.

21 THURSDAY ASC Culture Blocks and CM Library Present: Clayworks. Scaleybark Library, 101 Scaleybark Road. Ages 10-18. 5:30-7pm. FREE. Join in a hands-on workshop to learn how to texturize and manipulate clay to create artwork. cmlibrary.org. Feathered Friends. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 S. York Road. Ages 4 and older. 10-11am. FREE. Learn about different birds while creating a pine cone bird feeder. parkandrec.com.

22 FRIDAY On Stage: Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds; and The Jungle Book. See page 25. Collards + Culture: LATIBAH Alive. Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. 3-5pm. FREE. Watch historical reenactments performed by the LATIBAH Ensemble Theater Group that highlight Black history. cmlibrary.org. Little Bit Fit Time. Charlotte Allstar Gymnastics and Cheerleading, 11011 Monroe Road, Matthews. Ages 5 and younger. 10:30am-noon. $3-$5. 704-246-8611. With parental guidance, toddlers can jump on the trampoline, play in the foam pit and crawl through obstacles. Cash only. charlotteallstars.net. Nature Exploratorium. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. Ages 6-11. 3:30-4:30pm. FREE. 980-314-1128. Create games and activities while learning from nature. Registration required. parkandrec.com.

23 SATURDAY

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On Stage: Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds; Classical Kids Live: Beethoven Lives Upstairs; and The Jungle Book; Sweet Jenn, A Living Exhibit; and Wild Kratts LIVE 2.0. See page 25. Charlotte Checkers Family Night. Bojangles’ Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 6-8:30pm. $18.50+. Come for Family Night to save 40 percent on groups of four tickets when purchasing online. Stick around after the game to take a shot on the ice for Slap Shot Saturday. gocheckers.com/schedule/promotions. Winter Walk. UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, 9090 Craver Road. 1pm. $5 per person, $15 for families of three or more. Winter walks highlight the wonders of the gardens in the winter. Children can complete a scavenger hunt. gardens.uncc.edu.

CALENDAR POLICY

24 SUNDAY On Stage: Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds; and The Jungle Book. See page 25. Getting Twiggy With It. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Road. Ages 12 and older. 2-3pm. FREE. Learn how to identify a handful of trees just by looking at the twigs and their buds. parkandrec.com. Stories in the Woods. UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, 9090 Craver Road. 2-3pm. FREE. Visit the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens for picture books and literacy activities revolving around “Seeds!” gardens.uncc.edu.

25 MONDAY Kids’ Day at Dish It Out. Dish It Out, 7828 Rea Road, #C. Ages 15 and younger. 10am-8pm. $3 per hour. 704-544-4848. On Mondays from September to May, all children under the age of 16 can come paint pottery for just $3/hour. dishitout.net.

26 TUESDAY Hickory Grove Happy Heart Girls. Hickory Grove Recreation Center, 6709 Pence Road. Ages 8-12. 6:15-7:15pm. FREE. 980314-1122. Girls can express themselves, gain an experience in different activities and assist in developmental growth through socialization. parkandrec.com. Toddler Tuesdays at Barnes and Noble Arboretum. Barnes and Noble, 3327 Pineville-Matthews Road. 9:30am. FREE. This weekly story time includes classic tales and new favorites. barnesandnoble.com.

27 WEDNESDAY Learn, Connect, Play: Dewey and Dragons. Beatties Ford Road Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. Teen. 5-7:30pm. FREE. Participate in the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game that encourages cooperation, problem solving, letter and word recognition and critical-thinking skills. cmlibrary.org. Nature Detectives: Water Wonders. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 4-6. 1:30-3pm. $6. Become a nature detective; explore through stories, crafts and activities related to water. parkandrec.com. Young Explorers: Water Wonders. Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Ages 2-3. 10:15-11am. $4. 980-3141129. Discover nature through stories, crafts and activities related to water. parkandrec.com.

28 THURSDAY Preschool Explorers: Winter Trees. McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road. Ages 2-5. $4. 980-314-1128. Little ones and adults discover nature together through crafts, games, songs, animal encounters and outdoor exploration. Registration is required. Time slots are 10-10:45am and 11-11:45am. parkandrec.com.

The Charlotte Parent calendar lists free and low-cost local and regional events for children and families. To submit an event for consideration, go to charlotteparent.com/calendar, then click on Submit an Event. Submission deadline for print is the 1st of the month prior to the next month’s publication. Time, dates and details of events are subject to change. Call venue to confirm.

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DADDY DEREK

Giving the Kids Their Space BY DEREK JAMES

fter my parents divorced when I was in first grade, my mom rented apartments or small homes throughout my childhood. While I always had my own room, the lack of home ownership limited how much I could personalize my room: no new paint, no new floors and no changes to the window treatments. Sure, I could put up some posters, but we even tried to limit how many nail holes we put in the walls. I remember using that horrible putty-like stuff to put up a “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” poster in my room. All those childhood years, the one thing I really wanted was to paint my room a different color. It seems like such a small thing, but when you can’t change something you wish you could, you want it even more. Fast forward to today. We had some unexpected repairs made to our home after some HVAC problems and flood damage from Hurricane Florence. The repairs included fresh paint downstairs and it was strange how great it made me feel to have that nice new coat of paint applied. When we moved into our current home, we decided that the bonus room above our garage would be a playroom for the kids. It was also ideal for some of my things that my wife didn’t want put up anywhere else. This collection features all of my Green Bay Packers memorabilia, including those huge giant Fatheads stickers that go on the wall. I also hung up some of my platinum records that I received from record companies when I worked in the programming department

Books, games, toys and all the things that mean so much to kids can have a space in a designated kids room like this one created with a game-room theme for Derek James’ sons. Photo by Derek James

at 107.9 The Link. All this stuff was mixed in with my kids’ Pokémon and video game posters, and all of their toys and video games. Those themes combine to create a room has never really looked as good as it could. I decided it would be better to give the kids the room they really wanted. The first thing I did was take down my stickers, which sounds even more embarrassing than saying “Fatheads,” and my records. The other issue with the playroom was the fact that it had the same beige walls as the rest of the house. It was time to finally give the kids that fresh coat of paint that I never could get myself. With it decided that the room would solely be the boys’ moving forward, they decided they wanted to have a game-room theme. The focus would be on Nintendo and should highlight our family’s experience on the “Nintendo Switch Family Showdown” game show.

The boys helped me choose from a couple of grayih/silver colors for the walls and helped determine the layout for the room. I ordered a large canvas print of a photo taken at the game show, and our championship trophy will be on a shelf in the room. While the project isn’t yet complete, the space itself already has a better feel and reminds us of one of our favorite family memories. The best part? I finally got to choose a paint color for a kid’s room even … if it wasn’t my own. Maybe this summer I should convert the garage into Manland. I’m thinking blue and gray. Derek James is a host on WCCB News Rising. He and his wife live in Charlotte with their sons who are ages 7 and 10.

charlotteparent.com | FEBRUARY 2019

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FACES & PLACES

All this girl needed on her 7th birthday was sunshine and bubbles. Photo and memory by Erin Van Dorn of Monroe.

Share your real-life moment at charlotteparent.com/contests.

FEBRUARY 2019 | charlotteparent.com

Arts

PLUS Camps Add more to your summer with Arts+ camps. Arts+ camps are designed to give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in arts training and develop their skills at an accelerated rate, plus they’re a lot of fun!

Registration Now Open! June 10 – July 26, 2019 Featuring Camp Victor

Charlotte Latin Summer Day Camps offer an amazing range of activities for campers age 5-15. If your camper is interested in Arts and Sciences, Technology or Sports, we have just the right fun-filled option. In addition, Camp Victor is a weekly, themed day camp with morning, afternoon and full day options. Count on Charlotte Latin Day Camps to think of everything to make your summer easy and your camper’s summer the best ever! We have lunch options, before and after care and transportation. Our facilities and counselors are unparalleled. Spend the summer with us!

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