NW Kids Magazine April 2013

liv e • play • do

magazine

Opal Creek Camp Expeditions | Zenger Farm Overnight Camps | Farm and Cooking Camps An Interview with Calef Brown | Earth Day Events

nwkidsmagazine.com

Apr 2013

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editors’

Corner

Summer camp, especially sleep away camp is considered the pinnacle of summer for some kids. The adventure of leaving the family to play in nature, sit under a blanket of stars, meet up with old friends and learn new skills is an experience that kids wait for every year. We remember anticipating the return of summer and heading to camp for months before school let out each year. For parents, finding the right camp for their kids can mean the difference between a tearful phone call home and a fantastic memory that will keep kids going back for more.

In this issue we focus on overnight, farm and cooking camps. Don’t miss the feature on Opal Creek’s Expedition camps and if your looking to send your kiddo to an urban farm where they can learn about where their food comes from, be sure to check out the feature on Zenger Farm. April is also National Poetry Month, so in honor of the celebration, we’ve included a fantastic interview with beloved children’s poet and illustrator, Calef Brown.

And if you’re looking for more information about camps in the Portland area don’t miss our 2nd Annual Camp Expo. This year the event will be held at OMSI on Saturday, April 6th. With over 30 camps participating, you will have the opportunity to check out all types of camps, plus, have the chance to see us donning our NW Kids camp tees and giving away tons of free camp swag. For those of you with more seasoned campers; if you have a favorite camp, let us know!

We’re so excited to announce our inaugural “best camp” awards contest sponsored by Organic Valley. For more information visit nwkidsmagazine.com/summer-camp-expo.

Voting is open today!

Kelley and Beth 4 | NW Kids Magazine

Kansas City Octopus is wearing fancy slacks.

Bell-bottom, just got ‘em, fifty bucks including tax.

Red corduroy, and boy-oh-boy, they fit like apple-pie.

Multi-pocket snazzy trousers custom made for octopi.

Fantastic plastic stretch elastic keeps ‘em nice and tight.

Kansas City Octopus is looking good tonight!

-Calef Brown from Polka-bats and Octopus Slacks online calendar

Contents april 2013

8 Notes from a Coach: Knowing Your Role at the Field 12 Discovering Wilderness in Opal Creek 18 Resource Guide: Overnight Camps, Farm & Cooking Camps 22 The Art of Rhyme: An Interview with Calef Brown 26 Calendar of Events 30 Urban Farming for Kids: Zenger Farm Camps Cover and Contents Photography by shelby brakken NW Kids Magazine | 5

Listings Amanda Arp.......................................................34 Aprende con Amigos.........................................25 Autism Service Dogs of America.........................9 Barre3.................................................................10 Bennett Suzuki Violin Studio.............................29 Bodhi Tree Chinese School.................................25 Camp Meadowood Springs...............................25 Camp Odakoda..................................................17 Canoe Island French Camp................................21 Catlin Gabel..........................................................9 Chinook Book.....................................................33 Do Jump!............................................................16 Ekone Ranch.......................................................20 Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum............21 Fine Art Starts!...................................................16 French American International School..............10 French American International School..............15 German American School..................................20 Harmony Road Music Center.............................29 Hi 5 Dental.........................................................32 Hidden Valley Camp...........................................25 International Leadership Academy.....................9 Just Between Friends.........................................29 K12.......................................................................7 Kids’ Backyard Store...........................................35 Legacy Health Systems........................................3 Little Fruit Farm Montessori...............................33 Living School.....................................................23 Mad Science.......................................................17 Merry Kitchen....................................................20 MetroArts...........................................................21 Mittleman Jewish Community Center & Portland Jewish Academy.............................16 My Masterpiece Art Studio................................23 Ninja School.......................................................25 North Clackamas Aquatic Park..........................32 NW Children’s Theater..........................................9 NW Kids Best Summer Camp Contest...............11 NW Kids Camp Expo..........................................36 OHSU Adoption Health......................................10 OMSI...................................................................11 Oregon Artist School..........................................25 Oregon Children’s Theatre..................................13 Oregon College of Art and Craft........................20 Oregon Episcopal School...................................15 Oregon Gymnastics Academy...........................20 Oregon Zoo.........................................................21 Pediatric Dental....................................................2 Piccolina.............................................................32 Portland Trampolines........................................35 Portland Rock Gym............................................25 Portland Spirit......................................................2 River Ranch........................................................17 Royal Ridges.......................................................23 School of Rock....................................................15 Schoolita Alegria................................................23 Sister Fresh.........................................................34 Sit Still Salon......................................................34 Spanky’s Legendary Consignment....................33 Spielwerk Toys....................................................34 Summa Academy..............................................33 Summer at Delphi..............................................13 Superkids Resale................................................34 SW Community Center......................................17 Sweet Peas Kidzone...........................................23 Tears of Joy Theatre..............................................7 World Forestry Center Discovery Museum........31 World of Smiles....................................................7 6 | NW Kids Magazine

magazine Publisher / Advertising Director Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com Editorial Beth Friesenhahn beth@nwkidsmagazine.com Kelley Schaefer-Levi kelley@nwkidsmagazine.com Account Manager Laurel Ackerman laurel@nwkidsmagazine.com Client Services Coordinator / Client Ad Design Karel Chan karel@nwkidsmagazine.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkidsmagazine.com Design Robyn Barbon robyn@folkloremedia.com Accounting & Business Services Heather Rex heather@nwkidsmagazine.com Connect With Us: • Phone: 503.282.2711 • email: contact@nwkidsmagazine.com • Facebook: facebook.com/nwkids • Twitter: @nwkids • Pinterest: pinterest.com/nwkids NW Kids is published monthly by Miche Media, LLC. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy; sometimes we make errors. Please let us know when we do and accept our apologies.

Printed locally; Please recycle.

what we’re READING

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Notes from a Coach: Healthy Tips & Ideas for Keeping Kids Active By joel newman

Knowing Your Role at the Field As coaches, we spend a lot of time talking to kids about how they should behave, but who tells parents what the proper parental etiquette is at kids’ sporting events? I don’t think I’m prepared to lay down the law, but I certainly have some ideas.

Idea 1: Keep on the sunny side.

In cheering, we ask parents to cheer positively, encouraging the behaviors they hope to see rather than suggesting their kids or other players stop doing something. For the 3-yearolds we teach, this could be as simple as changing “stop using your hands” to “try and use your feet.” Coach Kailyn likes parents who cheer for all the kids, not just their own and even opposing players and teams. In the end, your encouragement of all the players shows your kids that playing soccer is about everyone trying, everyone having fun and celebrating great play.

Idea 2: Always play in the long game.

Stay rooted in the reality that sports are about exercising and having fun, regardless of the performance or outcome. Rather than beginning your post scrimmage interaction with a question about their play, start with one about their experience. Instead of, “You almost made that foul shot” or “Did you win?” consider, “Did you have fun playing basketball 8 | NW Kids Magazine

with your friends today?” In the long run, I think parents want healthy kids who have a lifelong engagement with fitness more than they want a Fall 2013 Trophy. Stay focused on that long run.

Idea 3: Spacing is undervalued in sports.

Give your kids and your coach the space to take their own journey. Unless your child’s behavior on the field is unacceptable or unsafe, consider yielding and letting suboptimal behavior or situations play themselves out. Your coach, your child and the other players can work through the situation and letting them do so shows your child, and all the kids, that the coach is the person they should follow during practice.

Through the struggle of in-practice conflict resolution, kids develop increased self reliance, confidence and social skills. If at some point you have positive or negative feedback for your coach, they’ll probably appreciate hearing it, but will be most prepared to digest it in a quiet moment before or after practice, rather than during practice.

Idea 4: A final thought on spacing, it’s that undervalued!

We want to show children that we care about and are interested in them and their forays into sports, but what lesson do we teach them when we turn into rabid fans who never miss a play? By attending some or many events, but not always leaving work early to see every game, or by walking to the coffee shop instead of watching every practice, we show kids that their sports are important to us, but they aren’t everything. On days when you depart, you’ll be helping them forge a joy of sports and competition as something they can experience for themselves and with their team, not just their parents.

Joel Newman coaches and runs Soccer Shots of Portland, a fun, noncompetitive soccer program for kids ages 2-8. Joel holds a BA in Religious Studies and an MBA from OSU. For more information, email joel@soccershots.org.

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Discovering Wilderness in Opal Creek by Jamie Lober

Photographs courtesy of Opal Creek ancient Forest Center

Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center in Jawbone Flats is considered Oregon’s uncut gem, promoting conservation through educational experiences in wilderness. For the child who is interested in the outdoors, science and nature, it is the perfect setting for summer camp. “Opal Creek has an interesting story in that we were originally the organization that fought to save the forest and once it was saved we changed our tune to education,” said Katie Ryan, executive director. The background behind Opal Creek is compelling and the goal of staff is to share the green space with others. “The overarching philosophy behind everything we do is that in order to care about wild places, we need our kids to experience them,” said Ryan. The 2013 Beyond the Gate Expeditions will take kids to two new locations this season, the Middle Santiam Wilderness and the Tillamook State Forest.

Any boy or girl between ages 10 and 16 is sure to fall in love with these camps. “What is unique about us in comparison to other summer camps is our remote location, as students will be in a wilderness setting that brings a different vibe to the whole thing,” said Ryan. Activities are obviously tailored accordingly. “Our programs are science-based so they are all about having fun, collecting information and data along the way, and looking at things from a scientific point of view,” said Ryan. Most trips start on a Sunday.

“We spend Sunday night in our facility and head out on Monday,” said Ryan. Kids are able to cook breakfast as a group, pack up their stuff and hike to the next spot. “Our programs have different themes, so one might be more water-based and do snorkeling in the lakes,” said Ryan. Sediment testing and a rafting trip on the McKenzie River are two other continued on p. 14

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highlights of the experience. Kids eat lunch, dinner and are provided an evening program like wilderness medicine where they go over what to do with a sprained ankle and how to make sure you are hydrated. “We give all of the campers opportunities to journal so there is time open in the day to reflect about how things are going,” said Ryan.

they reach small goals. “We teach mapping, GPS and basic skills like how to set your tent up and what you should pack,” said Ryan.

Health and safety are the utmost priorities.

“Since we are in the heart of the wilderness, we do a variety of wilderness medicine like what to do if one of your group members gets hurt,” said Ryan.

There are a variety of levels so it does not matter if your child could master all of the challenges on the show Survivor or if they don’t spend a lot of time outdoors and have a fear of insects. “There is a beginning program for students who have never done it before and we spend more time talking about logistics, preparation and go on a couple training hikes before we actually put the backpack on,” said Ryan. There are advanced programs as well. All kids experience different emotions before coming to camp. “They may be nervous because they will be away from home for a week but our staff works hard to address that from the beginning by working on group dynamics and team challenges,” said Ryan. The staff to student ratio is 1 to 5 and they are all certified and trained at length to be prepared for any medical emergencies that may arise. Kids build independence quickly as the camp does not offer an opportunity to stay in touch with their families. “The point of the wilderness program is that you check out, which in my opinion is a positive thing,” said Ryan. Typically when parents have a good attitude about the camp it will be contagious and the child will do quite well.

Instructors build strong bonds with the kids. “I enjoy my relationships with the kids and the group dynamics are fun to work with,” said Ryan. Kids recognize that they are often learning skills and undertaking challenges that they would not otherwise be able to. “The kids are proud of themselves when they are done and it is a big morale and confidence booster because they have to rely on themselves and their group to be comfortable, healthy and safe,” said Ryan. Since there are two orientation meetings where kids can come to Portland and meet the staff before the program starts, they typically feel at ease. At the orientation you can address any questions or concerns and learn some of the basics like proper gear, backpack sizing and view the itinerary and hiking routes. Camp registration is underway and the expeditions are something your kids wouldn’t want to miss. “We are giving them the fundamentals for a lifetime of wilderness travel,” said Ryan. For more information you can visit opalcreek.org.

The main advantage of Opal Creek’s summer expedition camps is that kids get exposure to backpacking and other outdoor adventures for longer periods of time without school and other interferences. “A lot of studies show that extended experience with wilderness has a stronger impact,” said Ryan.

Many of the lessons learned at camp can be applied throughout life. “Kids learn how to travel in the tree and access various wild places safely and accurately,” said Ryan. They build a sense of confidence and accomplishment as 14 | NW Kids Magazine

Jamie Lober is the author of Pink Power and is dedicated to providing information on women’s and pediatric health care issues. She has been exploring the four corners of Oregon for over a decade. For more information contact, jamie@getpinkpower.com

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resource guide:

Camps

farm and cooking camps 4-H Discovery Farm Day Camp Day camp for ages 5-7 and 7-12.

Location: Alpenrose Dairy, SW Portland extension.orgeonstate.edu/metro4h 4-H Wildlife Stewards For children ages 6-12.

Location: Forest Park, NW Portland 4hwildlifestewards.org Cooking Thyme Camp Day camp for ages 7-12.

Location: Happy Valley cookingthymepdx.com Farm Experience Day Camp at Midway Farms Farm day camp for ages 5-12.

Location: Albany, OR midwayfarmsoregon.com/camp Jump For Joy Farm Camps For children ages 5-12.

Location: Oregon City jump4joyfarm.com Kids Cooking Corner Farm and cooking camp for ages 7-13.

Location: Vancouver, WA kidscookingcorner.com Portland’s Culinary Workshop For ages 8-11 and 12-18.

Location: North Portland portlandculinaryworkshop.com Mother Earth School For ages 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12.

Location: TLC Farm in SW Portland and Jean’s Farm in SE Portland motherearthschool.com 18 | NW Kids Magazine

Old McDonald’s Farm Camps For children entering grades 2-6.

Location: Corbett, OR oldmcdonaldsfarm.org OMSI Farm Camp For kids entering grades 2-3 and 4-5.

Location: Sauvie Island, OR omsi.edu/camps-classes Sauvie Island Center Camp For children entering grades 3-5.

Location: Sauvie Island sauvieislandcenter.org The Merry Kitchen For children ages 6-14.

Location: NE Portland themerrykitchen.com Trackers PDX For children ages 4 and up.

Location: SE Portland trackerspdx.com Zenger Farm For children entering grades 1-9.

Location: SE Portland zengerfarm.org

overnight camps Audubon Society Coed camps for grades 4-5, 6-8 and 9-12.

Locations: Portland and San Juan Islands audubonportland.org Big Lake Youth Camp Coed camp for ages 10-17.

Religious Affiliation: Christian Location: Sisters, OR biglake.org B’nai B’rith Camp For kids ages 8-16.

Religious affiliation: Jewish Location: Oregon Coast bbcamp.org

Camp Angelos Fishing Camp Coed camp for ages 9-14.

Location: Corbett, OR campangelos.org Camp Howard Coed camp for ages 6-15.

Religious affiliation: Catholic Location: Corbett, OR cyocamphoward.org Camp Magruder Coed camp for ages 8-18.

Location: Rockaway Beach, OR campmagruder.org Camp Meadowood Springs Coed and family camp for children with communication challenges.

Location: Pendelton, OR meadowoodsprings.org camp Namanu Coed camp for ages 6-17.

Location: Sandy, OR portlandcampfire.org Camp Tilikum Coed camp for ages 6-21.

Religious affiliation: Quaker Location: Newberg, OR camptilikum.org Canoe Island French Camp for ages 9-16.

Location: Orcas Island, WA canoeisland.org Ekone Summer Camp Coed and girls only ranch camp for ages 10-19.

Location: Goldendale, WA ekone.org Girl Scout Resident Camps For girls entering grades K-12.

Location: OR & WA girlscoutsosw.org/camp/resident_camps Hidden Valley Camp Coed camp for ages 7-16.

Location: Granite Falls, WA hvc.wa.com

High Cascades Snowboard Camp Coed camp for ages 9-21.

Location: Mt. Hood, OR highcascade.com Junior 4-H Wildlife Stewards Camp Overnight camp for grades 3-6.

Location: Salem, OR 4hwildlifestewards.org Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp Coed camp for ages 9-21.

Location: Mt. Hood, OR mhkc.org OMSI Coed camp for grades 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

Locations: OR, WA, CA and Canada omsi.org Opal Creek Coed camp for ages 10-12 and 12-16.

Location: Willamette National Forest opalcreek.org/2013-expeditions.org Royal Ridges Coed and girls only camp for grades 4-9 and 6-12.

Religious Affiliation: Christian Location: Yacolt, WA royalridges.org Trackers PDX Coed camp for ages 10-13, 10-14 and 14-17.

Location: Sandy, OR trackerspdx.com YMCA Camp Collins Coed camp for ages 6-16.

Location: Sandy River near Gresham, OR campcollins.org YMCA Camp Silver Creek Coed camps for grades 1-4, 2-4, and 5-8.

Location: Silver Falls State Park, OR youry.org/camp/ymca-camp-silver-creek/ YWCA Camp Westwind Coed camp for grades 1-5, 2-8, and 9-12.

Family camp for ages 3 and up.

Location: Salmon River, OR ywca.org NW Kids Magazine | 19

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The Art of Rhyme: An

Interview with

Calef Brown by Elizabeth Pusack of Green Bean Books Children’s poet and illustrator Calef Brown is a rhyming machine!

Each “eardrum surprise” will bring tears to your eyes. Calef, who teaches art in Vancouver, Canada, is the creator of Polkabats and Octopus Slacks, Dutch Sneakers and Fleakeepers, Tippintown, Flamingos on the Roof, Soup for Breakfast, Hallowilloween, Boy Wonders, Dragon, Robot, Gatorbunny, Pirateria and We Go Together!

In celebration of Poetry Month, Elizabeth Pusack of Alberta Arts district children’s book store Green Bean Books chats with Calef about dream-dinners, love poems, perplexity, and bad advice.

Do you ever dream in rhymes?

Is eating frog raw worse than foie gras?

I can’t say that I ever have. I’ve gotten visual and concept ideas from dreams, but no rhyming as of yet. Now that you brought it up, I want to make an effort, if that’s somehow possible. I’m going to read some Ogden Nash tonight right before I go to sleep.

Will I someday be able to make a complete mockery? Our of oak, perhaps? or maybe hickory?

The boy in Boy Wonders is vexed and perplexed. Are you full of questions too? What are the five most pressing questions on your mind this morning?

Yes, I am indeed often vexed. Five things that I need to know asap: Why does the nectar from nectarines turn to goop in soup tureens?

Do I have some sort of synapse collapse whenever I begin naps? Is this the reason I sleep heavily and soundly even with revelry around me?

Are those that are gnome-schooled required to recite “The Pledge of the Wee Gents?”

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The poems in your latest book, We Go Together: A Curious Selection of Affectionate Verse, celebrate best friends, bandmates, scrootin’-eyed flirters, roller-buddies, and fellow scallywags! What’s love? What’s your favorite love poem?

In We Go Together! I tried to focus on nonromantic love, and find ways to express the beautiful aspects of friendship, affection, and devotion, while keeping my own voice and love of nonsense there. I want the feelings that the poems evoke to be strong and absolutely genuine, but expressed in a sometimes loopy offbeat way. I can’t think of a favorite love poem offhand , but one of my favorite love songs is “Dear Prudence.” continued on p. 24

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Your new doodle and drawing book called Dragon, Robot, Gatorbunny encourages “artists aged 5 to 105” to play with language and image-making through snail improv, insect assembly, and stickers! What role does “play” play in your own artistic process?

What was the first poem you ever loved? ”Chicken Soup with Rice.” (Maurice Sendak) What is poetry? What makes a poem a poem?

I don’t think I’m qualified to give a meaningful definition of something so elemental, but for me, poetry is most like music. I never studied poetry, (or writing, for that matter) and my work is very much inspired by music and lyrics.

I think of writing poems as akin to solving a puzzle that keeps shifting as you work on it.

And somewhere along the line it becomes a song. My books are meant to be read aloud.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? The first drawing you ever drew? The first combo?

I think the first drawing I made was of Cannonball, my cat. The first illustrated story I created was about an island in Maine that gets inundated with dead porgies, which causes a huge stink. Not much of an arc to the plot.

I spent most of my effort in drawing a huge tsunami of fish that was inspired by Hokusai’s The Great Wave.

If you could invite any four famous folks over for dinner and serve a fancy no nonsense barred four-course meal who would you choose and what would they eat?

Paul Klee, Patti Smith, Hieronymus Bosch and Lord Buckley. We would have tiramisu and asparagus stew.

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I spend time everyday drawing and writing without any planning or intention beyond following trains of thought and improvisation.

Many of the characters in my books have come out of playing in sketchbooks. Sometimes you just need a place to begin, and putting pencil or pen to paper is the starting point.

What is it like to be an art teacher? What is the most important thing you learned from a teacher?

I loved my time in art school, every minute of it, even when it was difficult or frustrating. It just feels very comfortable to me, the school environment. My great teachers made such a huge difference in my life, and teaching is, sorry for the cliché, a way to give back. It also keeps me present in thinking about my own work in a critical way when I’m discussing projects with students and trying to help them. I also love going to elementary schools and presenting my work to younger kids; something I do a dozen or so times a year. It’s so inspiring; the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity that kids have.

The most important thing I learned from my teachers was to be able to learn from failures.

What is the worst advice you’ve ever gotten?

Well, once when I was showing someone my just-out-of-school portfolio I was told I should consider another line of work. But I’d rather end on a positive note and say that the best advice I’ve ever gotten is to just keep working at what you love. Being an artist is difficult, but very rewarding.

Visit Green Bean Books at greenbeanbookspdx.com

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Monthly

Calendar

Performances Apr 5-6, 11-13

Oregon Children’s Theatre Young Professionals Company - Impulse

Portland’s funniest teens perform improvisational comedy that’s sure to be a hoot! For ages 7 and up, $5-10, 7pm. octc.org/onstage/ypco

Apr 9

19th Annual Young Artists Debut!

The Van Buren Concerto Concert

Eight young musicians were chosen as winners of this annual competition; see their performance debut with a full professional orchestra in this very special concert. $12-25, 7:30pm. metroartsinc.org

Apr 12-14, 20-21

Tears of Joy Theatre - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

A TOJT world premiere! Two Jules Verne fans re-tell the famous sci-fi adventure in a way you’ve never seen before. $17-21, Fri 7:30pm, Sat 11am & 1pm, Sun 1pm & 3pm. tojt.org

Apr 19-20

Tears of Joy Theatre Entertaining Thoughts Starring Leslie Carrara-Rudolph

A cabaret performance starring the awardwinning puppeteer, best for middle school aged kids and older. $14-17, 7:30pm. tojt.org

Apr 27-28

Northwest Childrens Theater – Cinderella

This Broadway-inspired musical will have you dancing along with familiar characters from this classic fairy tale! $18-$22, 12pm & 4pm. nwcts.org

Apr 27-28

Oregon Children’s Theatre – Gathering Blue

Best for kids a bit older (ages 9 and up), a collaboration between author Lois Lowry and OCT based on the book about a young weaver with an important mission. $15-28, Sat 2pm & 5pm, Sun 2pm. octc.org

Earth Day Events Apr 20

Oregon Garden Earth Day at The Oregon Garden Visit the plentiful booths to learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle! Free, 10am4pm. oregongarden.org

Apr 20

Clark Public Utitilies Streamteam - EcoFair

Live entertainment and free activities and workshops for kids and families. Free, 10am-2pm. clarkpublicutilities.com/index.cfm/ourenvironment/stream-team

Please confirm calendar events and performances as scheduling changes may occur.

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April 2013 Apr 20

Concord Elementary School Earth Day Celebration!

The Concord Green Team hosts a day to celebrate our beautiful planet with upcycled products, recycling and composting workshops, plant sales, and Jimmy Dean the pig. Free, 9am-2pm. nclack.k12.or.us/concord

Apr 20

SOLV Earth Day

Choose from an extensive list of environmental projects all over the Portland metro area to nurture Earth, from planting trees to park restoration, nature area cleanup to weeding. Check website for projects and to register. Free, 9am-1pm. solv.org/get-involved/volunteer-event

Apr 21

Cathedral Park Earth Day Celebration

Care for, preserve, and protect the environment by pitching in to clean up and beautify the banks of the Willamette.

Meet under the St. Johns bridge at N. Edison and N. Pittsburgh wearing slip- and water-resistant shoes and a smile. Free, 11am-1pm. portlandoregon.gov/parks

Apr 21

Portland Children’s Museum Earth Day

music by Recycleman and the Dumpster Divers, take in storytime, and more. $8-10, additional craft fees may apply, 10am-3pm. portlandcm.org

Events All Apr

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm 2013 Annual Tulip Fest

Rows and rows of beautiful, colorful tulips!

Great family photo op. Food, games, activities, and more. $10/car, 9am-6pm, woodenshoe.com/tulip-fest

Weds in Apr

Cafe au Play Krafty Kids Art Classes

Age appropriate art and tactile play for little ones not yet in school, with a different theme every week. Suggested $2 donation per child, 10:30am. cafeauplay.org

Sats in Apr

Portland Spirit Queen Melissa High Tea Cruise

Queen Melissa of Maybeland from the world of Cinnamon Bear invites you to join her for a tea party on the river! Tea, snacks, games, and photo ops included. $18-25, 11:30am. portlandspirit.com

Make a recycled clock or bug craft, enjoy

Remember to check the NW Kids online calendar for dozens more outings and activities each day. Share with friends, subscribe to the RSS, add directly to your calendar, and more features. There’s something going on you don’t want to miss!! nwkidsmagazine.com NW Kids Magazine | 27

Calendar cont’d Apr 3

Apr 6-7

Experience the museum’s kid-friendly exhibits for just $3. Check out their newest special exhibit, all about treehouses and the animals (and people!) who live in these majestic homes. 10am-5pm. worldforestry.org

Welcome spring and the blooming of the trillium flower with guided hikes, kids’ activities, food and artisan vendors, and more. Free, 10am-4pm. tryonfriends.org

World Forestry Center Discovery Museum - Wondrous Wednesdays

Apr 5

Portland Children’s Museum Free First Friday

Come play, discover, and learn - for free!

4-8pm. portlandcm.org

Apr 5

Friends of Tryon Creek Annual Trillium Festival

Apr 9

Oregon Zoo - Second Tuesday

Enjoy $4 admission to the zoo. 9am-4pm. oregonzoo.org

Apr 13

The Portland Ballet Spring Concert Preview

Unleash some of that creative energy for just $2, or bring some recycled craft supplies, toys, or trinkets as a trade for admission.

10am-5pm. artalacartepdx.com

Experience excerpts from the youth ballet company’s spring show, including Don Quixote: When I Close My Eyes and George Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes. At the Jessie Mays Community Center. Free, 1pm. theportlandballet.org

Apr 5

Apr 18-21

Bring the whole family for dancing fun, complete with a DJ, costumes, and plenty of choices for drawing, play, and snuggling. $5 per family, 10am. facebook.com/WaggleNFlap

At Gresham Town Fair. The annual consignment super event is back! Free parking and free admission to shop for quality kids and baby clothing, toys, gear, and more at discounted prices. Thurs-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm. superkidsresale.com

Art a la Carte PDX - $2 First Friday

Village Ballroom - Waggle n Flap Family Dance Party

Apr 6

2nd Annual NW Kids Camp Expo Sponsored by OES

A “one-stop shop” opportunity for you to learn about over 30 camps, meet camp staff and directors, and win some fun prizes!

Hosted by OMSI. Free, 10am-5pm. nwkidsmagazine.com

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Superkids Resale

Apr 20

Portland’s Largest Garage Sale

Love garage sales, but hate driving all over town to find them? Hit over 100 sellers in one day at this Expo Center event. $5 (kids 12 and under free), 8am-5pm. portlandgsale.com

Apr 23

Gregory Heights Library A Good Yarn

Knitting for all levels of learning. Bring your own supplies! Free, 6-7:30pm. multcolib.org

takes to live on and run a farm. Petting zoo, horse and wagon rides, tractor races, and many more interactive experiences for kids and families. $9 (kids 12 and under free), Sat 8:30am5pm, Sun 10am-5pm. oragfest.com

Apr 21

11th Annual Autism Walk-A-Thon

Hosted by Oaks Park! Walk with your loved ones to raise support and awareness for autism. Event starts at 9am, walk at 10:45am, rides open at 12pm. Crafts, resource tables, face painters, and more.

Registration $8-12, ride bracelets $12.50. autismsocietyoregon.org

Apr 25-28

Just Between Friends Sale

Stock up for spring and summer at this consignment extravaganza, with clothing, toys, outdoor gear, furniture, shoes, maternity items, and so much more. 50% off all items on Sun! Free, Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 9am-2pm. portland.jbfsale.com

Apr 27

St. Johns Library - Dinolandia

Penny’s Puppet Productions brings you a performance about dinosaurs and technology. Free, 11am. multcolib.org

Apr 27

Gresham Library - Batik for Kids

Learn the fabric-dyeing technique from Emily Purdin of Hedgehog Hiker and bring home your very own textiles! Free, 2pm. multcolib.org

Apr 27-28

Oregon Ag Fest

Spend a weekend day learning what it NW Kids Magazine | 29

Urban Farming for Kids: Zenger Farm Camps by Jana wingate

Photographs by Jana wingate & Laura Jost

Spring is here. The days are getting longer, bees and ladybugs are beginning to make an appearance and the Daffodils are in full bloom, but what is right around the corner? Summer!

Remember being a kid and dreaming of summer, playing outside until dusk with your friends, not a care in the world. But parents are thinking about how to keep kids engaged. A great solution is summer camp.

Zenger Farm is no run of the mill summer camp. Their week long camps get kids digging in the dirt, planting vegetables, growing fruit and creating meals from farm to table. This quaint urban farm located in SE Portland has roots all the way back to the 19th Century and was eventually purchased in 1913 by Ulrich Zenger. Jump several decades when the land was purchased by the City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services to help preserve the farm and the wetlands at the base of the farm. But more importantly in 1999 the Zenger Farm nonprofit was established to promote education.

Zenger is the perfect place for kids of all ages to learn from an amazing group farmers.

It is a small, but beautiful property located on a sloping hill covered with crops, a fruit orchard, 30+ egg laying hens, six active bee 30 | NW Kids Magazine

hives, and two green houses that overlook a one-acre wetland. Every acre of the farm is put to use, and then integrated into the summer camps.

Each camp has been designated for an age group, ranging from 1st to 9th grade, and in each camp they utilize the farm differently.

For the 1st graders, the Little Chickens Camp creates an atmosphere for the younger children to focus on the farm and wild animals located around the farm and in the wetlands. The 2nd and 3rd graders can join the Bugs and Slugs or the Fruitopia Camp, combining two different aspects of farming.

For 4th–6th graders harvesting really comes into play with a Cooking and a Potions Camp. These two camps allow your kid to

discover the multiple uses of plants. Finally for the 7th–9th graders, a Chef de Cuisine Camp, provides teens the chance to get their creative juices flowing, challenging them to come up with their best farm to table entrée.

Alice Froehlich, the Education Director at Zenger Farm sees this direct connection between the kids and the farm as incredibly positive. “We combine this farm, healthy food and healthy land to grow food on, with this natural aspect, this natural element and it is very cool to be able to do both, bring in the natural world and food together and it really connects to a lot of kids.”

Regardless of your child’s age or the camp they are in, they will be able to take away a real love of the land, an appreciation of their environment and a genuine feeling that they made a difference in creating something special. To find out more about Zenger Farm and their amazing summer camps, please visit their website, zengerfarm.org.

Jana is the mother of 5-year-old Rowyn, and lives with her husband and daughter in North Portland. She graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a BA Degree in Journalism.

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