L I V E • PLAY • DO
magazine
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Events, Activities, Resource Guide Summer Camps for All Kids Summer Camp Discounts & Savings Reading & Learning for Diversity nwkidsmagazine.com
MARCH 2017
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Editor’s Note Pat yourselves on the back! We’ve made it through another winter, with the promise of warmth, sunnier days and lots of play in the days ahead. To get you pumped, we’ve packed this issue full of goodies about summer camps: camps for all kids, regardless of ability level, a handy list of discounts to some of our favorite camps out there and a sweet, poignant piece from one of our student writers at Portland Jewish Academy about the wondrous, magical experience that is summer camp. (It really is lovely. If you ever went to camp or sat around a campfire with your besties, it’ll probably bring a tear or two to your eye.) Even as we’re busy getting on with our day-to-day and making plans for spring and summer, we can’t ignore that things are changing on a national and global scale and creating waves that are hitting us where it hurts – our families and our hearts. No matter where you stand on the complicated issues at hand, the collective rise of stress, fear and uncertainty is palpable. As the adage goes, knowledge is power, and we could all stand to feel a little more powerful right now. On p. 13, find books and community events designed for openness, learning and understanding, so that we might find some peace in knowing that we’re all in this together. So march forth, play, learn and grow together! See you next month!
Karel Cover and contents photography by JUSTIN TUCKER for MT. HOOD KIWANIS CAMP
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Contents MARCH 2017 11 Bits & Bytes 13 Cultivating Community in a Critical Time 18 March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 20 Developmental Disabilities Resource Guide 24 Camps for All Kids 30 Sign Up Early & Save! Summer camp discount guide 36 Get Out and Play! This month’s local adventures 38 The PJA Perspective A Campfire Full of Memories
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magazine Connect With Us: • Phone: 503.282.2711 • email: contact@nwkidsmagazine.com • Facebook: facebook.com/nwkids • Instagram : @nwkidsmagazine • 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.
Listings Adventure WILD!............................................32 All Families Surrogacy...................................10 Aprende con Amigos.....................................15 Art of STEM....................................................15 Audubon Society...........................................17 Barre3............................................................... 8 Bella Stella....................................................... 8 Bennett Suzuki...............................................23 Brain Balance.................................................17 BaxterSports Summer Camp.........................40 YMCA Camp Collins.......................................14 Camp Invention..............................................17 Camp Wahoo!.................................................23 Camp Westwind.............................................27 Cedarwood.....................................................28 Circuit Bouldering Gym..................................40 City of Hillsboro..............................................32 Dragonfly Children’s Dance............................15 Dynasty Ford Cheer........................................12 Engineering for Kids......................................22 Friendly House...............................................27 German International School........................28 Girls Build.......................................................27 Haiyan International Dance Academy...........23 Herrold Stables...............................................23 ID Tech............................................................12 iFLY Portland..................................................32 International School......................................14 6 | NW Kids Magazine
Publisher Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com Editor / Client Services Karel Chan karel@nwkidsmagazine.com Advertising Director Laurel Carrasco laurel@nwkidsmagazine.com Graphic Designer Robyn Barbon robyn@folkloremedia.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkidsmagazine.com Accounting & Business Services Heather Rex heather@nwkidsmagazine.com
Jauregui Violin Studio....................................23 Just Between Friends....................................... 8 K12................................................................... 2 Kids Community Learning Center..................32 KLA Schools...................................................10 Little Fruit Farm..............................................10 Mad Science...................................................16 Camp Meadowood Springs...........................23 Metro Arts Inc.................................................. 2 Rita Adewole..................................................40 Modern Domestic..........................................23 NW Children’s Theater....................................22 Omega Gymnastics........................................16 Oregon Ballet Theatre....................................31 Oregon Children’s Theatre................................ 7 Oregon Children’s Theatre Acting Academy.. 33 Oregon College of Art and Craft....................27 Oregon Episcopal School...............................33 Oregon Repertory Singers.............................17 Oregon Zoo....................................................... 3 Philip Foster Farm..........................................23 Play Fit Fun....................................................... 9 Portland Children’s Museum.........................34 Portland Early Learning Project.....................23 Portland Parks and Rec..................................39 Portland Trampoline......................................35 Raindrop Playmates.......................................39 Royal Ridges...................................................21
Saturday Academy.........................................15 Scuola Italiana...............................................23 Seam Divas.....................................................16 Serpa Audiology.............................................. 8 Sit Still.............................................................. 7 Skinner Montessori........................................31 Sky High Sports..............................................21 Small Friends School.....................................34 Smart Baby Preschool....................................41 Soccer Shots...................................................43 Sound Roots...................................................21 Spielwerk Toys.................................................. 9 Steve and Kate’s Camp...................................41 Sunshine Montessori....................................... 9 SW Kids Adventure Camp..............................41 SW Community Center..................................21 The Kids’ Backyard Store................................35 Trackers Earth.................................................44 Tree to Tree......................................................34 Trinity Lutheran..............................................22 Tucker Maxon.................................................41 Uniquely Wise................................................16 USTA RecTennis..............................................34 VillaSport.......................................................29 World of Speed..............................................41 Yeates Academy.............................................16 Yoga Playgrounds..........................................40 Youngset Preschool........................................16
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BITS & BYTES Red Yarn is Back! Seven years ago, Portland musician and educator Andy Furgeson began a deep exploration of American folk music, adapting and recording dozens of songs under the name Red Yarn. He imagined a forest called the Deep Woods and created a cast of “critter” puppets to inhabit it. His homespun aesthetic caught on in Portland, where he has built a successful career performing for thousands of families. Three award-winning albums and many music videos later, Red Yarn culminates his Deep Woods project with Born in the Deep Woods, his boldest and most wide-ranging musical statement yet. Born in the Deep Woods will be released nationally on March 10, and on Saturday, March 11, Red Yarn, Miss Jessie, a full band and a suitcase full of critters will perform a celebratory allages concert at Mississippi Studios.
Performances Flora & Ulysses
Born in the Deep Woods explores the genres that grew out of American folk music, from bluegrass to heartland rock. At the heart of the album are Furgeson’s harmonies with his wife Jessie Eller-Isaacs, an educator and singer. Recorded while Eller-Isaacs was expecting their second child, many songs channel the joys and fears of bringing new life into the world. While Furgeson built his career on his kind-hearted performances for children, he hopes that Born in the Deep Woods will also speak to parents. “I’m always trying to strike a balance between light and dark, silly and serious. The old animal folksongs are a perfect guide. Beneath their playful surface is an honest reckoning with mortality.” To get the latest news about Red Yarn, visit redyarnproductions.com and follow him on Facebook at facebook. com/redyarn. And save the date for a Fambly Ramble concert with Red Yarn and two-time Grammy nominee Justin Roberts at Mission Theater on April 22. Buy tickets for Red Yarn at Mississippi Studios on March 11: mississippistudios.com.
Castles and Wizards Mar 19, $10-40 orsymphony.org
Thru Mar 26, $14-32 octc.org
Beauty and the Beast Jr
Red Yarn
The Little Mermaid Jr
Mar 11, $12 mississippistudios.com
Mar 3-12, $10-18
Mar 10-19, $10-18 journeytheater.org
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a Cultivating in critical Community time Well, let’s face it: there’s a lot of stress in the air right now. Questions, confusion and far more information than our grownup brains can handle at once – let alone kid brains! As well, our daily lives continue and those kid brains crave activity, stimulation and fun amidst this information overload. We asked Multnomah County Library – information central! – for ideas on how and where families can share important learning experiences to help them solidify and understand how they fit into their local, national and global communities.
Events al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here! Poetry Reading
Children’s Folk Songs from the Rural South
Mar 5 - Central Library, 801 SW 10th Spoken word poetry in Arabic and English on the anniversary of the 2007 bombing of Baghdad’s al-Mutanabbi Street, a historic literary and bookselling haven. No age restrictions, but may be more appropriate for middle school and up.
Mar 27 – Rockwood Library, 17917 SE Stark Singer-songwriter Newel Briggs’ grandmother, the first American generation of his family to be born free, performs old slave songs with his guitar, mandolin and banjo.
¡Día de los Niños y Día de los Libros! (Children’s Day and Books Day!)
Misinformation and Political Propoganda Mar 14 – Albina Library, 3605 NE 15th Apr 9 – Central Library, 801 SW 10th For adults only. A workshop to help you learn to read the news with a discerning eye and determine the facts, so you can confidently answer any questions your kiddos might have.
Apr 15 – Gresham Library, 385 NW Miller Ave Apr 22 – St. Johns Library, 7510 N Charleston Apr 29 – Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Celebrate children and bilingual literacy with stories, music, books, crafts and community. Visit multcolib.org for event times and details.
Books Grades K-3
Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey by Margriet Ruurs A story of a Syrian refugee family’s walk to freedom, illustrated with stone artwork by Nizar Ali Badr.
Emma’s Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty by Linda Glaser Learn about the poet behind the sonnet at the base of the Statue of Liberty, which symbolizes the immigrant history of our nation. continued on p.14
The Best Eid Ever by Asma Mobin-Uddin Aneesa celebrates Eid while her parents are away for Hajj and finds deeper meaning in the Muslim holiday. NW Kids Magazine | 13
Books (continued) Grades 4-8
Return to Sender
Inside Out & Back Again
by Julia Alvarez This Pura BelprĂŠ Awardwinning YA novel tells the friendship story of 11-yearold American Tyler and Mari, the daughter of an undocumented Mexican worker.
by Thanhha Lai Narrative poems about the author’s childhood experience fleeing Vietnam and resettling in Alabama.
This Land is Our Land: The History of American Immigration by Linda Barrett Osborne An age-appropriate nonfiction exploration of immigration in the United States and how government policy and public response has evolved over the years.
For more book recommendations, visit weneeddiversebooks.org and imyourneighborbooks.org.
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events Sibshops
Sat Mar 4, 9:30am-12pm Sibshops is a “lively, pedal-to-the-metal, awardwinning celebration of the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of kids with special needs.” $10 donation appreciated. Family Life Church Common Grounds Coffee Shop 502 St. Paul Hwy, Newberg oregon.providence.org/our-services/s/ swindells-resource-center/events
Anytime is a great time, really, abilities. Enjoy inclusivity with Photograph courtesy of ADVENTURES WITHOUT LIMITS
Preparing for a Successful Transition to Kindergarten
Wed Mar 22, 5:30-7:30pm This free event hosted by FACTOregon helps parents and family members of children with special needs understand the transition to kindergarten. Available in English and Spanish. Portland Public Schools BESC, Mazama Room 501 N Dixon factoregon.org
Playgroups and Networking Open Arms Play Group
Northwest Down Syndrome Association (NWDSA) 1st Sat 2:30-4:30pm (Vancouver), 2nd Tues 10am-12pm (Portland) Open Arms is a free, parent-driven play group for children 0-5 with disabilities. Parents have the opportunity to connect and children play, snack, learn and grow together. Siblings are welcome. Vancouver: Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 E 18th Portland: Earl Boyles Elementary School, 10822 SE Bush nwdsa.org
Multnomah Game Night
Oregon Family Support Network 4th Fri (except Nov & Dec), 6:30-9:30pm Game Night is a family and youth run monthly event that provides children with developmental, mental health and other special health needs and their families social and recreational opportunities. $5 donation and a food item requested. 909 NE 30th ofsn.org 18 | NW Kids Magazine
March is Developmental Awareness Fun Access Play
Portland Children’s Museum 3rd Tues thru Jul 2017 Access Play is a low sensory playtime that is calmer and less crowded. These monthly events are reserved for families with children experiencing disabilities, and their friends. 4015 SW Canyon Road portlandcm.org/visit/accessibility
Adventures Without Limits
AWL facilitates outdoor adventures for people of all ability levels and empowers individuals through outdoor recreation. Equipment is provided. info@awloutdoors.org 503-359-2568 awloutdoors.org
to celebrate people of all everyone in your family!
A second location at Gateway Park is slated for a fall 2017 open, and funding is almost complete for a third at Couch Park! Free! Arbor Lodge Park, 2525 N Dekum harpersplayground.org
Special Needs Jump
Disabilities Month
by ERIN CROUCH
Happy Hips Adaptive Bellydance
G6 Airpark Tuesdays 3-5pm The indoor trampoline park with wall-towall trampolines and a separate court for small children offers a special time to jump for children with disabilities and their caregivers. $5/hr per jumper, caregivers over 18 jump free. Portland: 10414 SE Washington St Vancouver: 2200 NE Andresen Rd g6portland.com, g6vancouver.com
All Star/Sensory Sunday
Oregon Gymnastics All Stars Sundays 9-11am OGA believes all students deserve the opportunity to have a positive gymnastics experience. Sensory Sundays are an open gym time designed for families of children affected by any disability. $10/child. 16305 NW Bethany Ct, Ste 109, Beaverton ogagym.org
Happy Hips is open to dancers of all ages and genders experiencing cognitive and physical challenges. Kids’ classes for ages 3-7 use instruments, toys and streamers to introduce music and dance basics. Bellydance classes are all-age and inclusive. $15 drop-in, discounts and scholarships available. Various locations in Portland and Vancouver facebook.com/happyhipsadapteddance
Yoga Visual
Harper’s Playground
Erin Crouch is from Alaska and lives with her family in Portland, Oregon and Tallinn, Estonia. She likes piña coladas, and getting caught in the rain, which is convenient for the Pacific Northwest. You can read more of her writing on thebillfold.com, theestablishment.com and in other publications, or find her doing stand-up comedy around town.
A visionary, inclusive playround designed for kids (and adults!) of all abilities to play together, with slides, net climbers, seesaws, swings and sand play. Guided tours available first Monday of each month (RSVP by emailing beth@harpersplayground.org).
Yoga Visual evolved from the desire to share yoga with the deaf and special needs communities. Safe, supportive sessions give everyone a chance to develop their practice. 3300 NW 185th Ave #266 yogavisual.com
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Developmental Disabilities RESOURCE GUIDE
Recreation Community Organizations HANDS AND VOICES OF OREGON handsandvoicesor.org FACT OREGON 13455 SE 97th Ave, Clackamas factoregon.org NW DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION 11611 NE Ainsworth Circle nwdsa.org
ADVENTURES WITHOUT LIMITS awloutdoors.org BUSTIN’ BARRIERS bustinbarriers.org HAPPY HIPS ADAPTIVE BELLYDANCE facebook.com/happyhipsadapteddance OREGON GYMNASTICS ALL STARS 16305 NW Bethany Ct, Ste 109, Beaverton ogagym.org/recreational/allstars
SPECIAL OLYMPICS OREGON OREGON FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK soor.org MULTNOMAH REGIONAL OFFICE DD RG 524 NE 52nd Ave (TO COME ROUND 2) ofsn.org SWINDELLS RESOUCE CENTER 830 NE 47th Ave oregon.providence.org/our-services/s/ swindells-resource-center
Camps and Enrichment Programs
Social Services
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM 6443 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Ste. 300 thechildrensprogram.com FAMILY TIES COUNSELING CENTER 0333 SW Flower St familytiescounselingcenter.com
CAMP RIVENDALE 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton thprd.org/camprivendale
FORWARD STRIDE THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER 18218 SW Horse Tale Drive, Beaverton forwardstride.org
EASTER SEALS OREGON 7300 SW Hunziker St, #103 easterseals.com/oregon
GROUNDPLAY THERAPY WORKS 5220 NE Sacramento St groundplaytherapy.com
SAMARA LEARNING CENTER 1735 SW Chandler Ave, Bend samaralearningcenter.org
NEW LEAVES CLINIC 1525 NE Arrington Rd, Hillsboro newleavesclinic.com
COMMUNITY BASED ACTIVITY PROGRAM (CBAP) 1341 Pacific Ave, Forest Grove cbapkids.com
PLAY2GROW 8050 Warm Springs St, Ste 130, Tualatin weplay2grow.com
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OREGON COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 4506 SE Belmont Street, Ste 101 ocdd.org
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summer theater camps June 19 - Aug 25 • 503-222-2190 • NWCTS.ORG
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CAMPS FOR
ALL KIDS by AFTON NELSON Photograph by JUSTIN TUCKER for MT. HOOD KIWANIS CAMP
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Every kid should be able to enjoy summer camp, but if your child has special needs, you might think this quintessential kid experience is not possible. You’ll be happy to know this is not the case! There are camps for kids of all abilities, where trained, caring counselors are ready to make sure your child gets the full summer camp experience. Here are just a few of the fantastic programs in our area.
Blue Compass Camps
Camp Rivendale, Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation Jenkins Estate, Beaverton, Oregon Promoting dignity, self-respect and independence! Kids and young adults with physical, developmental, emotional or social disabilities participate in arts and crafts, skits, songs, hands-on nature discussions and outdoor play with two off-site visits a week which might include swimming, OMSI, Washington County Fair or the Oregon Zoo. Day campers enjoy a 1:3 trained staff-to-camper ratio; 12 additional volunteers bring the ratio to 1:2. Ages: 6-12, 13-21, 16-21 Dates: Jul 3-Aug 25, M-F. Price: In district $200/wk, out of district $335/wk thprd.org/camprivendale
Blue Compass Camps Poulsbo and Oak Harbor, Washington Kids with high-functioning autism and ADHD can enjoy a week of horseback riding, swimming, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, archery, paintball target shooting, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts and, of course, campfire with s’mores. Camps take place in Port Orchard or Poulsbo, Washington, but friendship meet-ups happen throughout the rest of the year in Tualatin to maintain the connections made at camp. Ages: 10-13, 13-18 Dates: Jul 23-Aug 3, Aug 13-24, M-F Price: $1,095/wk bluecompasscamps.com
Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp Government Camp, Oregon For over 84 years, MHKC has partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to provide individuals with disabilities an outstanding overnight recreational opportunity in the Mt. Hood National Forest. MHKC offers a unique opportunity for more than 588 campers ages 11 and over to experience the outdoors in its fully accessible 22-acre campsite and nurture personal growth in self-esteem, communications, social skills, sense of achievement and independence. Ages: 11 and up Dates: Jun 18-Aug 11, M-Sa Price: Main camp $1,300/wk, off-site programs $1,375/wk. Financial aid available. mhkc.org
Camp Meadowood Springs Pendleton, Oregon The quintessential outdoor adventure camp experience, specifically designed for kids and their families impacted by communication and social learning challenges. Speech-language therapy and social skills development are weaved seamlessly into activites like canoeing, mini golf, zip line, arts and crafts, fishing and so much more – kids won’t feel like they’re in an intensive therapy program because they’ll be too busy having fun! Ages: 6-14 Dates: Overnight: Jul 2-9, Jul 15-22; Day: Jul 4-7, Jul 18-21, 8am-5pm Price: $500 day camp, $1350 residential; $35 registration fee meadowoodsprings.org continued on p. 26 NW Kids Magazine | 25
Photograph by JUSTIN TUCKER for MT. HOOD KIWANIS CAMP
Autistic Community Activity Program (ACAP) Milwaukie, Oregon ACAP offers a unique program that combines a morning classroom routine with daily recreational community activities and learning experiences. ACAP’s summer-long program services include: life-skills education, relationship development, social skills, communication skills, travel training, teaching appropriate community behaviors and reading environmental cues, all while having fun in urban camp settings! 1:1 attendant care. Ages: 7 through adult Dates: Jul 5-Aug 18 Price: $1,964-5,401, for 6-7 wk packages of 2, 3 or 5 days/wk acappdx.org
Spectra Gymnastics Camp Beaverton, Oregon Campers on the autism spectrum with active minds and bodies learn how to engage in positive self-talk and increase self-confidence, body awareness in space and self-regulation. Through structured gymnastics, obstacle courses, facilitated games, sensory tables, trampolines, climbing 26 | NW Kids Magazine
structures and balance beams, they develop friendship connections, interactions and positive relationships. Ages: 3 and up Dates: Jun 26-Sept 1, M-F, 9am-12pm Price: $300/wk spectrapdx.com/camps
Camp Yakety Yak Lake Oswego, Oregon Kids with special needs and their siblings grow socially and emotionally by improving their communication skills. The camps feature a different theme each week such as: pirates, space, science, gaming and construction. Camp Yakety Yak provides children with instruction in social and emotional skills, as well as an opportunity for future professionals in educational and therapeutic fields to gain knowledge and hands-on experience in working with children with special needs. Ages: 5-15 Dates: Jun 26-Aug 4, M-F Price: $650-2,540 for 1-5 wk packages campyaketyyak.org
Afton Nelson is a freelance writer and Portland mother of three boys. Learn more about her at aftonnelson.com.
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Sign Up Early & Save! ADVENTURE WILD! friendsofoutdoorschool.org
$35 off by Apr 1
CAMP INVENTION campinvention.org
$25 off (online code EARLYFB25) by Mar 20
CAMP MEADOWOOD SPRINGS meadowoodsprings.org
Refer a friend and mention NW Kids; you each save $35-90 by Jun 1
CAMP WAHOO campwahoo.com
$50 family member discount; $50 refer a friend discount
DRAGONFLY CHILDREN’S CREATIVE DANCE dragonflychildrensdance.com
$25 off early bird; $20 sibling discount by Apr 30 (early bird only)
FRIENDLY HOUSE friendlyhouseinc.org
$10 off early bird; $25 sibling discount by Mar 13 (early bird only)
HAIYAN INTERNATIONAL DANCE ACADEMY haiyanballet.net
$25-180 off before Mar 19
HERROLD STABLES herroldstables.com
$10 off single lesson, $20 off 3-day camp by Apr 1
JAUREGUI VIOLIN STUDIO jaureguiviolinstudio.com
50% off class tuition for qualifying families
METRO ARTS INC metroartsinc.org
25% off 2 wks; 35% off 3 wks; 45% off 4 wks
OREGON COLLEGE OF ART AND CRAFT cms.ocac.edu
$25 off by Mar 15
OREGON REPERTORY SINGERS orsingers.org
$50 off sibling discount
PORTLAND PARKS AND REC portlandoregon.gov/parks
5 off half-day, $10 off whole-day $ for each week by Apr 9
ROYAL RIDGES royalridges.org
$5-25 off family discount (except week of Jul 4)
SEAM DIVAS SEWING LOUNGE seamdivas.com
0% off all camps (online code EARLY); 1 15% off 2 or more campers or camps (online code TIMESTWO) by Apr 30
SW COMMUNITY CENTER portlandoregon.gov/parks/60161
5 off half-day, $10 off whole-day $ for each week by Apr 9
THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL intlschool.org
20% sibling discount
TUCKER ARTS CAMP tuckermaxon.org/artscamp
10-15% off multiple weeks
USTA RECTENNIS rectennis.com/portland
20% off by Apr 30
VILLASPORT villasport.com/bv
referred pricing; P see website for details by Apr 4
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BRICKS CASCADE 2017
Get Out and Play! This month’s local adventures
Thru Mar 26
Oregon Children’s Theatre presents Flora & Ulysses This adaption of the popular Kate DiCamillo novel is bound to be popular with the school-age set. Ten year-old Flora befriends a squirrel after his accident with a vacuum cleaner – only to discover his many superpowers! $14-28, octc.org/flora-ulysses FLORA & ULYSSES
Mar 4-5
SE Area Artwalk This is your chance to meet local artists and get a peek inside their studios. The tour is self-guided, with several walking-friendly clusters throughout SE Portland. What a great way to introduce young people to local art! Free, seareaartwalk.wordpress.com
Mar 7
SCRAP Crafternoon: Bookbinding in SW PDX Children six and up, accompanied by a favorite adult, are invited to learn how to make their own books from recycled materials. A great activity for budding authors and artists alike! $10, scrappdx.org
Mar 11
Celebrate World Water Day at the Vancouver Water Center World Water Day was created by the United Nations in 1992 to encourage Please confirm calendar events and performances as scheduling changes may occur. 36 | NW Kids Magazine
people to think about one of our most important natural resources. The Vancouver Water Center hosts activities for the whole family, focusing on where water comes from and how we can work together to conserve it. Free, cityofvancouver.us
Mar 11
Washington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade For the past 40 years families in the Hillsboro area have been enjoying this annual tradition. The parade starts at 11am from Hare Field and is followed by a traditional Irish lunch and an array of activities for kids. Free, murphysfurniture.net
Mar 11-12
Bricks Cascade 2017: Public Exposition
Mar 29
Best of Funny Shakespeare at the Gresham Library You won’t want to miss this improvisational mashup of Shakespeare’s comedies presented by the Original Practice Shakespeare Company. This interactive presentation will keep school-age kids engaged and may just give them the theater bug. Free, multcolib.org
Mar 31
Penny’s Puppets: Super Hero Machine Have you ever wondered what your super power is? Well, Super Donkey is sure that you have one and he has built a special machine to help you discover it! Penny’s Puppets is at it again and you won’t want to miss the fun. $5, pennypuppets.com
Come see Lego® creations beyond your wildest dreams at this two day public exposition at the convention center. There is also a DUPLO® play area and a vendor area where you can purchase those lego earrings you’ve always wanted! $10, brickscascade.com
Mar 17
Portlanders Stand with Refugees & Immigrants Gather at East Portland Community Center with friends, neighbors and community for a fun evening in support of all who call Portland home, with Bollywood, African and Middle Eastern music and dance! Free, facebook.com/ events/414731158861905
PENNY’S PUPPETS
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The PJA Perspective Portland Jewish Academy (pjaproud.org) provides a rich academic and cultural learning experience for kids from early childhood through 8th grade. We’ve invited budding journalists from PJA’s writing club for 6th-8th graders to join our team for a series that gives you a glimpse into thoughts and life – from their perspective.
A Campfire Full of Memories by RUTHIE ZEIDMAN
It’s a sad night for the campers. They want to stay in that camp wonder, that sense of mischief and trouble, that ray of freedom, that flame of adventure. As you walk to a lake soon full of tears, you remember that best friend and how you met them on the bus going to a camp full of life. How you were scared but your counselors kept you going. How you learned to make friendship bracelets and sing Seasons of Love. As you sit shivering next to your friends, singing Jet Plane while a campfire burns, sparks of memories flying in the air, you think about next summer and the new friends you’ll meet and things you’ll learn. Icy tears roll down your cheeks as you walk through the blazing candles, hugging your favorite counselors on the way back to your cabin. Hugs and tears surround you. You know you’ll come back to this beautiful, amazing, fun place. You hear, I’ll see you next year!s all around. You swim through memories: bad food, cold pools, caring counselors, campfires, late-night secrets and dance parties. Camp packages, tacky crafts, unstoppable giggles, catchy songs and tears of homesickness. As you walk, you realize camp is home, the pool is your pool, the dining hall is your dining room. Good night lake, with all of your splashes. Goodbye camp and all of your wonder, beauty, and memories.
Ruthie Zeidman is a dog-loving 6th grader at PJA. She loves writing because it helps her express herself. Ruthie loves dancing, reading, cooking and traveling. She is so excited that she is published in NW Kids magazine.
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