2019 Summer Camp Edition by Omaha Magazine

2019 Summer Camp Edition

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VOLUME 4

| ISSUE 1

EDITORIAL Executive Editor

DOUG MEIGS Managing Editor

DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN Senior Editor

TARA SPENCER Editorial Interns

PUMULO KASAJI · ASHTON NANINGA · KATE SMITH Contributing Writers

TAMSEN BUTLER · MEGAN FABRY · LISA LUKECART CAROL CRISSEY NIGRELLI · KARA SCHWEISS · SCOTT STEWART

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Contributions cannot be acknowledged or returned. The information contained within FamilyGuide is for informational purposes only. It is not intended and should not be used to take the place of seeking professional advice, counsel or assistance. Omaha Publications makes no endorsement of and is not responsible for contributors or advertising herein. If you have concerns or questions related to your health, consult with your physician. FamilyGuide is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of Omaha Publications, 402.884.2000. Owned and managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD.

2019 • 3

PERSONALIZED CARE AND EXPERTISE FOR YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH With more than 20 clinic locations, 24/7 virtual care and hundreds of healthcare experts throughout the community, Methodist gives you access to everything you need to keep your family healthy. We know how valuable the relationship is between you and your doctor, which is why we take the time to get to know you and to understand your goals for lifelong health. That’s the kind of care your family deserves, and it’s what you can expect from those of us who wear the Methodist badge. bestcare.org

4 • FamilyGuide

Contents 2019 SUMMER CAMP EDITION

DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN Managing Editor

CORRESPONDENCE

Superintendent Letters

SUPER STUDENT

Cecilia Stevens

FEATURE

Hal Daub on Scouting

YOUNG HEROES

Westbrook Elementary Community Club

FEATURE

Food for Thought

EXEMPLARY EDUCATOR

Julie Humphrey

2019 SUMMER CAMP

Special Advertising Section

MEET THE FAMILY

The Sensers

GUIDE

31 Campgrounds 31 Dance/Gymnastics 32 Hospitals 33 Libraries 34 Outings 35 Parks 35 Summer Camps 38 Support

FamilyGuide • 5

ummer is coming. I am excited by this thought, as I sit in my office looking at the possibility of another six inches of snow. One of my favorite activities is reading. Last summer I read 3, 572 pages— the third-highest number of pages in a summer that I have read. My highest number of pages ever read in a year came was when I was 9 years old. I always participated in the library’s summer reading program, and the year I turned 9, I won third place for the most pages read. This memory is part of why we chose librarian Julie Humphrey for our Exemplary Educator this round. She coordinates the Omaha Public Library Summer Reading Program, and her story can be found on page 14. When I was not devouring books during summers, I spent time exploring the woods around my parents’ house. My sister and I once found a great playhouse—a rotted-out tree stump with loose bark and twigs that we made into plates and flatware. Unfortunately, a family of snakes also decided this rotted-out stump was a great home, so we gave it to them. That is one of my (thankfully) few snake stories, but the Senser kids, who also spent their summers roaming acres of woods, have several more snake stories. Their adventures can be read on page 16. Camping is a big part of many kids’ summers, especially those who are Boy Scouts. My grandfather became an Eagle Scout at age 14, and my nephew Caleb is determined to also reach the rank of Eagle. He is 14 now, and on track to achieve that goal late this year. Only 4 percent of Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts, and most of them have fond memories of scouting. Eagle Scout and former Omaha mayor Hal Daub shares his story on page 10. Do you have a fun camp story? Let me know at daisy@omahapublications.com.

CORRESPONDENCE

MICHAEL W. ASHTON, Ed.D.

JEFF RIPPE, Ed.D.

BARY HABROCK, Ph.D.

Archdiocese of Omaha lovemyschool.com

Bellevue Public bellevuepublicschools.org

Elkhorn Public elkhornweb.org

e invite you to learn about our robust, diverse, and excellent Catholic school options across the metro area and 20 more counties, stretching as far as St. Joseph’s in Atkinson, Nebraska. There are nearly 20,000 students and 1,400 teachers growing in faith, academics, and service every day. Our ultimate goal is being accessible and affordable for every Nebraskan. This 2018-2019 school year has seen significant increases in the number of students from historically underserved populations—children in poverty, nonEnglish speaking families, and students with diagnosed learning disabilities. Academic programs and support services in our schools continue to grow. • Omaha Catholic School Consortium opened the Dual Language Academy at the site of the former St. Stanislaus Catholic School in South Omaha. The academy provides an immersive, bilingual English and Spanish education for children age 3 through first grade. Dual language students will be allowed to continue their education through eighth grade at partner schools. • One-third of our metro elementary schools participate in one of the largest, private school, blended-learning initiatives in math. Since implementation, 20 percent of the students using the program for five months who were below grade level have moved up to grade level, and 5 percent of the students who were at grade level have graduated to above grade level. • The Madonna School is expanding its programming to include high-needs classrooms for students with profound disabilities integrated into some of our parochial schools. Children will have a wider range of pull-out and inclusion options with this new format, bringing them into full community with the students and families of those schools and parishes.

s one school year comes to a close, we move into summer mode, and begin preparing for a new school year and start all over again. It is good to remember that learning is a year-round activity. Here are some of Bellevue Public Schools’ big accomplishments: • We began work on a strategic plan—a roadmap to help guide and challenge us towards even greater success. • We continued to renovate, rehabilitate, and improve existing facilities through our bond program—providing students with access to cutting-edge technology, educational and recreational resources, and safe, secure environments where they can learn and grow. • We received a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to support advanced STEM education. The grant will support the three-year College Readiness Program from the National Math and Science Initiative. • We received a five-year, $1.25 million grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). The partnership will provide elementary teachers access to STEM resources, curriculum, activities, and professional learning. Students have the opportunity to remain involved through the break with summer school, offered to students in all grades in June, and STEM camps, offered to incoming sixth- and seventh-grade students in three one-week sessions in late June and early July. Providing opportunities for students such as these allow them to remain engaged during the summer months with not only their academic development, but their overall well-being.

lkhorn Public Schools is grateful for a truly supportive community and another year with many celebrations. In 2018, our students excelled in the classroom, through extracurricular activities, and in their community. Our staff continues to believe in the potential of all students, and they remain dedicated to maintaining a sense of community while managing the challenges that come with the unprecedented growth of welcoming over 1,000 new students every two years. As we move forward in our 31st consecutive year of significant student population growth, our ability to live out our mission remains the same as we “unite students, families, educators, and the community to ensure a challenging and enriching academic environment that inspires students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become responsible citizens and lifelong learners.” Some of Elkhorn Public Schools’ many highlights from this year include: • Results from Nebraska’s AQuESTT (Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow) rating system show EPS as the only district in Nebraska to consistently maintain the state’s highest rating—excellent. • EPS, for the seventh consecutive year, was named to the 2018 Advanced Placement Honor Roll. • EPS successfully launched a new summer enrichment program, offering increased summer learning opportunities in exciting new skill and subject areas to nearly 400 students. EPS remains dedicated to preparing students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead while shaping them into responsible, lifelong learners. We’re already looking forward to the upcoming school year—another year of excellence in all facets of our students’ education.

SUPERINTENDENT LETTERS

JIM SUTFIN, Ed.D.

CHERYL J. LOGAN, Ed.D.

BLANE MCCANN, Ph.D.

Millard Public mpsomaha.org

Omaha Public district.ops.org

Westside Community westside66.org

any people notice the birds in spring. Around Millard Public Schools, we tend to keep our eyes open for other things flying through the air—specifically baseballs, tennis balls, golf balls, soccer balls, kickballs, and the occasional Frisbee. Our buildings are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods, and they are busy far beyond the regular school day. It is easy to see that in the warm months when you drive by on a nice evening while families gather on the playgrounds and green spaces. That’s just outside. There’s so much more going on inside, and it happens year-round. Teams practice before and after school; our swimming pools open in the early mornings and the water doesn’t settle until late in the evening. Clubs meet, local sports groups reserve our gyms, Metro Community College night classes commence, and many other organizations rely on us for space for their activities. We truly serve our community, and we are happy to do so. Millard Public Schools are neighborhood schools, both before and after the last bell.

s the end of our first school year together comes to a close, I remain truly grateful for the honor to serve this community. Our students are eager to receive second-semester report cards and head off to summer break. We know reading habits can suffer during school breaks, particularly summer break. Families, please encourage our kids to spend time maintaining a healthy reading regimen. Let’s be sure we’re having them pick up a book each day for a minimum of 20 minutes. I’d also like to extend another “thank you” to Omaha voters for passing the Phase 2 bond. We’re eager to start construction on two new high schools, two new elementary schools, and a new middle school. We’re also eager to begin renovation work. Our kids deserve to learn in schools that are up-to-date and conducive to the needs of the 21st century learning environment. We’re preparing them to compete on a global scale and your support of Omaha Public Schools is sincerely appreciated. Enjoy a wonder ful and relaxing summer break.

y youngest daughter, Audrey, is a sophomore at Loyola in Chicago and recently spent a semester studying in Ireland. Over winter break we talked about planning for a summer internship here in the Omaha metro area. “What do you want to do?” I asked her. Her response was, “I’m not sure.” Part of me was delighted by that response. I hope it means that my creative, talented, and driven daughter will keep exploring different jobs and careers that will help her use her talents and strengths to find her passion and purpose in life. The Chicago Sun-Times has published an article entitled, “Let’s Stop Brainwashing Our Kids That It’s a College Degree Or Nothing.” As superintendent of Westside Community Schools, I am proud to have contributed to the formulation of our strategic plan, which serves the needs of all our learners. Many of our students attend college, others come alive with a welding torch in their hands; we are preparing them for trades with an expanded welding lab and experience at businesses like Owen Industries. We provide students interested in health care with opportunities for certification and positions with companies like Home Instead Senior Care. Whatever our learners want to do, we are helping each student use their talents and strengths. Discuss with your children how they want to spend their time this summer, then find activities to match those talents. Omaha provides countless opportunities to develop many interests. Google’s Jaime Casap tells us to no longer ask our children what they want to be when they grow up. Rather, we should ask them what problem they want to solve and then help them develop their talents and strengths to solve that problem. We all have a path that provides fulfillment, and it’s our job as parents and educators to help children use their strengths and passions to thrive and do their best work daily.

SUPER STUDENT written by SCOTT STEWART photography by SARAH LEMKE design by MADY BESCH

LIFEGUARD PL ANS CAREER SAVING LIVES

ecilia Stevens grew up in the water. She says her parents took her and her two brothers swimming as toddlers. “I have always loved swimming and being in the water,” Cecilia says. The 17-year-old says she would see lifeguards as a child and thought it would be an interesting job.

“I’VE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN HELPING PEOPLE. I HAVE KNOWN THAT I WANTED TO GO INTO THE MEDICAL FIELD.”

—CECILIA STEVENS “I’ve always been interested in helping people,” Stevens says. “I have known that I wanted to go into the medical field.” Not many jobs in health care are available for teenagers, but lifeguarding involves first aid and CPR, so Stevens took a certification class at Mockingbird Hills Community Center. She was offered a job at Mockingbird Hills, and began lifeguarding, in May 2017. “It’s more preventative than anything,” Stevens says. “We can prevent people from falling by telling them to walk or we can prevent people from drowning by telling them not to dunk each other.” The Mockingbird Hills pool doesn’t see many saves, she says, but Stevens did save an 11-year-old her first summer on the job. “There was a kid who went off the diving board who couldn’t swim,” she says. “It was in the deep end, and we have a higher chair over there. So I just jumped in the water, and swam up to him, and grabbed him, and we just swam up to the wall. He was fine.” Stevens says her lifeguarding experience will be helpful in her future career, as will knowing how to react while remaining calm during an emergency situation.

The Millard North High School junior is part of Millard’s Health Sciences Academy, from which she will earn certified nursing assistant and emergency medical technician credentials. She says she’s more focused and enjoys taking college classes while juggling her high school coursework. “It is really good that I can get a jumpstart there,” Stevens says. “My grades are higher now than they’ve ever been. I think it is because now I know where I am going.” Part of the appeal of the academy is that seniors have an opportunity to ride along with, and assist, EMTs. The prospect sparked her initial interest in the program. “I thought it would be exciting to be an EMT,” Stevens says. “The more I thought about it, the more I realized I was a caring person and I think that I could be smart enough to go to med school.” Stevens hopes someday to become an emergency room doctor. In the meantime, she plans to stay on as a lifeguard at Mockingbird Hills and, when she’s 18, become a pool operator. Alex Garcia, recreation supervisor of Mockingbird Hills Community Center, says Stevens has always been reliable, mature, and a hard worker. “She was one of our strongest guards as a 15-year-old,” Garcia says. “Most kids struggle talking to parents, but she takes that in stride.” Stevens started teaching adult water aerobics in fall 2018. She says a lot of the clients are grandparents, but she finds it easy to talk to them. “They like her and they relate to her,” Garcia says. “She’s super personable and her swim lessons are great. She always has really good reviews.” Mockingbird Hills also offers therapeutic recreation classes for people with disabilities. Stevens says she looks forward to teaching those classes. “It is nice to get to know them,” she says. “It’s always fun. They always have something interesting to say. They’re always nice. They’re very caring.” Stevens says she doesn’t swim competitively, but she appreciates being able to spend time around the pool and share her passion for swimming. “I enjoy teaching it,” Stevens says. “I love all the kids.” 2019 • 9

al Daub could probably fill several pages of a resume with his titles and life experiences: musician, soldier, attorney, businessman, congressman, Omaha mayor, regent, elder statesman. But the title Distinguished Eagle Scout visibly elicits Daub’s greatest reverence and pride. The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award represents the highest honor the Boy Scouts of America can give to an adult. The criteria for the award set the bar high and few men make the grade. “You have to live at least 25 years after you make Eagle Scout. Mind you, less than 4 percent of all boys who start scouting make it to Eagle Scout,” explains Daub,

Daub took to scouting the way Husker Nation takes to Scott Frost: all in. “I loved it,” Daub says quietly, reflecting on all the friends he made, including some who remain his close friends to this day. “I loved the camaraderie and teamwork, doing things together. That appealed to me.” The life skills he learned as he progressed through scouting—problem solving as a group, leadership, responsibility, a sense of community—all factored in his decision to become involved in Republican politics after he obtained a law degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1966 and finished his tour of duty as a captain in the Army two years later.

scoutmaster caught him puffing away, a definite no-no. Daub didn’t smoke again until college and quit in 1981. But he’s never forgotten his earlier embarrassment. “When you talk to former Boy Scouts, that’s their memory—camping,” says Lisa Russell, communications director of the Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts, an organization that covers 58 counties in Iowa and Nebraska. “Camping is still a big aspect of scouting.” Russell points to five years of steady growth, making the Mid-America Council one of the most successful in the country. Scout membership boasts almost 21,000 boys and over 7,000 volunteer leaders. Girls can now join the ranks of Boy Scouts,

But for young Hal Daub of Pack 13, Den 13, who lived on an old farmstead near 60th Street and Ames Avenue with his parents and younger brother, Russ, lofty ideals didn’t stoke the fires of love for scouting. Campouts did. “I loved to go out on a cold Saturday and Sunday, build a fire, and go through whatever the adults had planned for us to learn on that particular campout. We cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner over a campfire,” recalls Daub. “I learned about nature and conservation. I earned my astronomy merit badge by learning the constellations during one camping trip.” The young scout excelled at outdoor activities, also earning merit badges in hiking, swimming, cooking, and lifesaving. Daub’s only stor y of bad behavior occurred at Camp Cedars in Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska, outside Fremont. A group of older scouts cajoled the 12-year-old Daub to light up a cigarette. Sure enough, his

a 2018 change in policy embraced and encouraged by Daub. “Scouting will take a young boy or girl and stimulate their interest in doing well and performing well, which can apply to academics, extracurricular, and community activities,” he says. Daub still attends Eagle Scout Award ceremonies throughout the area, often as a guest speaker. He sits on the Mid-America Council board of directors and, according to Russell, can still open doors. “He’s great at opening dialog with superintendents and people of that caliber to help us promote or get a pack going,” she says. Why does Daub still devote so much time to scouting? Because it changed his life. “If I had to rank the things that made the most significant contribution to any success I may have had,” says Daub, “I’d put scouting first.” Visit mac-bsa.org for more information.

“IF I HAD TO RANK THE THINGS THAT MADE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO ANY SUCCESS I MAY HAVE HAD... I’D PUT SCOUTING FIRST.” —HAL DAUB 76, as he proudly shows the framed medal hanging in his law office at Husch Blackwell. “You have to have been community-oriented as well as made a significant contribution to your profession.” The Mid-America Council has extended the DESA to 12 men, including Daub, former U.S. Senator Ben Nelson, former Creighton basketball coach Dana Altman, and the late Rev. John Schlegel, former president of Creighton University. Another framed memory of Daub’s scouting days sits on his desk. A 1955 color photo taken of him the day he became an Eagle Scout at age 14 shows his extensive collection of merit badges. “I had about 21 or so merit badges. Now, they have about 150!” he laughs. The path to Eagle Scout started when he entered second grade at Mount View Elementary School on 52nd Street near Fort Street. His grandmother suggested he join Cub Scouts. From that moment,

FEATURE written by CAROL CRISSEY NIGRELLI photography by BILL SITZMANN design by MADY BESCH

HAL DAUB Achievements in Scouting Led to a Life of Public Service

12 YOUNG HEROES

written by MEGAN FABRY photography by SARAH LEMKE design by MADY BESCH

Westbrook Elementary Community Club

S O C K I N G I T TO C O L D F E E T F O R T H O S E I N N E E D

tudents and staff members at Westbrook Elementary believe in service to their city, and they prefer to show this to people rather than simply tell them about it. That’s why the school has created the Westbrook Elementary Community Club. The club, organized by parents, wanted to help spread good in the community. “We wanted to do an event to get people in the building and get people together,” Westbrook Elementary Prin-

cipal Tyler Hottovy says. “From there, we star ted talking about, instead of doing a fundraiser, how can we make it service-oriented? I had heard from church [St. Thomas Lutheran] that one of the biggest things homeless shelters need is socks.” That motivated the group to hold a dance—specifically, a sock hop—and bake sale in December. They collected socks and money to donate to the Open Door Mission, a homeless shelter in Omaha.

Shauna Nemetz, V.P. of the community club, says, “People dropped socks off as they entered, and we decorated and made a playlist. The kids had a ball dancing and running around.” The Westbrook Elementary Community Club put together the event in about a month. They helped spread the word about the sock hop and came up with creative ideas to get students excited about the event, such as purchasing glow sticks and beach balls for all who attended to enjoy.

“We were able to show the kids, and explain what we were doing, and it turned into another opportunity to model what we want to see in our kids.” —T Y LE R H OT TOV Y

Back row, from left: Finley Evans, Ella Horton, Cierra Lewis-Horton, Cadence Barr, and Olivia Barr. Front row, from left: Arbor Nemetz, Abigail Harris, and Alexander Sandoval

“One of the things I love about our community club is we do a lot of fundraising for our school,” Hottovy says. “We have a small but dedicated community club and I just couldn’t be more proud of them.” Westbrook Elementary stresses the impor tance of empathy and respect in their halls. Hottovy says the school believes students are affected by the behavior of their educators, so the staff works every day to set an example.

“The more I started to research it, the more I realized how difficult it is to teach someone to be respectful,” Hottovy says. “It’s a lot easier and has a bigger impact to teach empathy and service to others, and respect kind of comes with that. We have been trying to do a lot more of that this year and model that for the kids as well.” A bin was set up at the door the night of the sock hop and families were encouraged to give what they could, but also were told to take socks from the bin if they

were in need. The evening generated 320 pairs of socks along with more than $100 in monetary donations, which were subsequently sent to the Open Door Mission. This District 66 school didn’t stop their philanthropic tendencies at the sock drive. Teachers also stayed late one night in December and made fleece blankets that were donated to Project Harmony, a nonprofit with a goal of ending child abuse and neglect. “We were able to show the kids, and explain what we were doing, and it turned into another opportunity to model what we want to see in our kids,” Hottovy says. Westbrook Elementary is a school with a high rate of poverty, about two-thirds of the students are given free or reducedpriced lunches, but that doesn’t stop them from giving in other ways. The school participated in a “Kindness Challenge” that consisted of each student performing a different act of kindness each day. Positive notes were written and put in lockers, patience was exhibited, and hands of friendship were extended. Hottovy says Westbrook will put on their second annual sock hop next year and hopes to surpass this year’s amount of socks donated. 2019 • 1 3

Julie Hum phr ey: OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LOVER OF BOOKS, CHAMPION OF LEARNING

EXEMPLARY EDUCATOR 15

written by TAMSEN BUTLER photography by SARAH LEMKE design by MADY BESCH

ulie Humphrey started her career path at age 14 in South Dakota. “I had to volunteer as an assignment for a class. I figured I loved libraries and I loved reading, so I volunteered at the library.” Humphrey once thought she might like to be a teacher, and both her parents were educators, but she discovered she does not have the patience required for teaching. And the lure of the library proved too compelling. She became a library aide while studying at the University of South Dakota-Vermillion, and, by the time she applied to the University of Missouri-Columbia, the choice seemed clear. Humphrey moved to Columbia to earn her master’s degree in library science. “After that,” she admits, “I just kept going.” Today she is the Youth and Family Services Manager for the Omaha Public Library, and is also the person in charge of putting together the popular Summer Reading Program. With thousands of registered participants (34,154 in 2018), coordinating this annual program is a large task. “There’s no way we could do all the great things we do if it was just me,” Humphrey says. “It is a whole team effort.” Her team consists of seven other library professionals who assist to “find prizes, find coupon sponsors, and select free books.” Each program at the library’s 12 branches differs based on what the staff thinks will be most appealing and useful to their participants. Humphrey likes to “encourage the team to think outside the box—we’re not the same through the entire city.”

And there’s another part of the team that Humphrey says is involved with this project. “We couldn’t do the program without the wonderful support of the Omaha Public Library Foundation and the Friends of Omaha Public Library.” Still, Humphrey leads this busy team by example. She loves planning activities and particularly enjoys organizing programming for kids and teens. “I also love suppor ting my team in different endeavors,” she adds, listing gaming, crafting, and STEM among her favorite activities her team has offered to young library visitors. “It all depends on the interests of the community,” she explains. “Each branch does what they want; we give them free rein.” The summer reading program awards prizes to both children and adults for time spent reading or listening to audio books. The program is open to everyone, whether they reside within the city limits of Omaha or not. It also includes special events. “Stor y time, adult gardening programs—there is a little bit of everything,” says Humphrey. Humphrey believes that anyone who thinks they do not like to read simply has not found a book that hooks them. “We’ll help them find the perfect book,” she promises, adding that just about any book counts for the program. She points out that a book of jokes counts just as much as a thick novel. The first mention of the Summer Reading Program for the Omaha Public Library was in 1909. The 110-year-old program continues to impact residents in the present day. Alexis Conaway, 6, of La Vista is already wondering when this favorite activity of hers will begin this year, adding, “I can’t wait! I wonder what prizes they will have this year?”

“THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM HELPS PREVENT THE ‘SUMMER SLIDE.’” —J U LI E H UM PH REY Mom Sarah Conaway reveals that Alexis participates in the summer reading program with her best friend. “They race to see who can read the most books. It’s healthy competition. She looks forward to it each summer.” Beyond being a healthy competition, the program is valuable to student’s retention of information. “The Summer Reading Program helps prevent the ‘summer slide,’” Humphrey says. She suggests that 15 minutes a day of reading is possible, even for the busiest people. “How many minutes a day do you spend checking your phone? It’s probably more than 15 minutes.” The program also helps students learn life skills. Sarah says that the book Have You Filled a Bucket Today? was a summer read that helped Alexis better understand the feelings of others and changed the way Sarah and husband Daniel help Alexis verbalize her feelings. The Omaha Public Librar y Summer Reading Program begins June 1 and goes through July 31. Participants can register online or at a library branch. And when perusing the shelves for the next summer book, patrons may spy Humphrey standing nearby, beaming about another successful year of summer reading. She probably won’t stand there for long, though; she will need to move to another program or project. Visit omahalibrar y.org/browse_ program/summer-reading-program for more information.

16 MEET THE FAMILY

written by LISA LUKECART photography by SARAH LEMKE design by MADY BESCH

toy chest with a gruesome clown face on the front creaks open. A collective gasp escapes the crowd of onlookers. A single red helium balloon drifts out. Children scream as two luminescent hands appear over the edge of the chest. A clown rises with an evil chuckle. His face is bright white, his nose red, and his orange hair juts out like a devil’s horns. The clown clinches one gloved hand…and, pop! The balloon explodes over his head and he dives back down into the chest. So began the 2017 YMCA Camp Kitaki Blacklight Show. John Senser put some leftover blacklight paint to good use, adding an extra scare factor at Halloween Camp. His main goal, though, was to spend more time with his three children. The show is one way John, along with his family, has revolutionized Camp Kitaki. As the facility manager, John is responsible for maintenance at YMCA Camp Kitaki near Louisville, Nebraska. His job includes everything from plunging a toilet to moving dead deer off the property to fixing the doorknobs. John previously worked in facilities at Union Bank Trust in Lincoln. He always dreamed of living on a big acreage, but could never afford it. But when YMCA was looking for a new manager to live on the property, John took the chance. The interview process took eight hours, but John was offered the job. The Senser family, which includes John’s wife, Angie, soon found themselves on 200 acres of lush forest, sandbars, and cool ponds. The Sensers’ children roamed, becoming obsessed with the resident wildlife. “Our house became a bed and breakfast for local reptiles,” Angie recalls. A snake might come home in a box. Angie believes nine snakes have been lost in the house at one point or another (all were found and released back into the wild). Turtles often stopped in for a visit. Angie worked in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning for the campers with her sidekick, George, nearby. The 10-yearold coon-hound mix has been known to sneak food away from an unsuspecting guest. George sometimes also hangs out

with John during the work day, ensuring everything is running smoothly. On what appears to be a lazy, snowy December night, George is curled up on the sofa, snoring contently. He is a little annoyed by a new addition to the Senser family, Maya, a tan-and-white Husky puppy with mischievous blue eyes. Angie bakes homemade oatmeal-chocolate-chip cookies and brews a pot of coffee. John reclines in his chair, yawning after a long day. From the living room window, the Platte River stretches out like a frozen mirage. Three of the horses (at least 30 horses reside at the camp during summer) huddle in the red barn. It wasn’t always easy for the now-adult Senser children to grow up under the watchful eyes of so many adults. If they headed into parts of camp restricted from campers, counselors would yell at them, not realizing they lived on the property. Although the trio (Sam 22; Wrenn, 20; and Lia, 18) tried Camp Kitaki for a week, it was too easy to walk home to retrieve an extra pillow, see their parents, or sleep in their own beds. Therefore, John and Angie sent the kids to camp in Colorado. Lia is still counseling at the same camp she first attended 10 years ago. She is now completing her senior year at The Link School in Colorado. The alternative school’s curriculum includes yearly expeditions such as rock climbing in Peru. “[Kitaki] gave me a sense of adventure,” Lia explains. She had no qualms showing off her bravery even when little, along with her brothers, if a shrieking camper found a snake in their rooms. The crew felt a bit like the Crocodile Hunter, using a paint roller rod to pick-up and remove any slithering visitors. Sam plays a huge part in promoting Camp Kitaki. The videographer shoots the ending shows. He uses a mixture of creativity, angles, and footage. A summertime staffer video begins with an artsy black-and-white shot of the audience clapping, then zooms in on a needle hitting the record player, and follows with clips of a deserted wintry Kitaki. Later, the sun rises in full color on a summer day. A boombox next to the lake flips on to the song “I’ll Be There For You” by the Rembrandts. The highlights of 2017 begin.

Sam hopes to one day become a wellknown director. He created the anti-texting and driving video, “It’s Not Safe for Anyone,” which earned him national acclaim. Sam won the Project Yellow Light contest twice. He credits his home with assisting in his award-winning videos. Sam shot a film in the Western town on Camp Kitaki, “The Legend of Wolfe Canyon.” Sam also runs the music at the blacklight shows. It takes about five days to set up the stage, and keeps getting more elaborate. The family has now added a hand-carved, neon Styrofoam T-rex that bursts through a purple brick wall made from leftover foam mattresses. Each of John’s children has made an appearance in the shows. Lia has been a glowing skeleton. Wrenn has played many roles, including the dinosaur hunter and storyteller for nursery rhymes. (He left the camp for the Navy as an aviation rescuer.) Sam jams as the guitarist Slash and battles Darth Vader. Angie fills in when needed. John, at one point, created Yeti costumes for both of them from white feather boas. The couple danced on stage until dizzy. Performing comes naturally to John, who was once in a circus at Triton Junior College. He has been known to don an Uncle Sam outfit and stilts for a tall-man act during the Fourth of July. And he puts on a Weird Science presentation. “Most maintenance guys are not doing all that at other camps,” executive director Jason Smith says. “He is building memories kids can take with them.” This will be John’s 17th summer at Camp Kitaki. Although he might be busy maintaining the property, he takes the time to create rainy-day accessible trails, sledding hills, and sandy slip-and-slides. “I see it through their eyes,” John says. “What can be a better job than helping make things fun for kids? This has been an amazing experience. Being able to come home every day at the end of the day and see my family, to sleep in my own bed, to have dinner with my wife and son every night...that wasn’t possible in my old career.” Visit ymcacampkitaki.org for more information on Camp Kitaki.

NATURAL THEATRICS

THE SENSERS

“OUR HOUSE BECAME A BED AND BREAKFAST FOR LOCAL REPTILES.” —A N G I E S E N S E R

From left: Sam with Maya, John, Angie Senser, and George

Food t h g u o Th for

CHILDHOOD HUNGER

IN OMAHA chool lunch is a memory for nearly ever yone. Some people have memories of rejecting the “mystery meat” served daily, while others have memories of being able to eat a meal that day because of the service. According to the latest statistics available through Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, 18.2 percent of Douglas County’s children are food insecure, meaning they lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of nutritious food. In Sarpy County, the food-insecurity rate is 15.3 percent, and the study shows similar rates in other counties surrounding the metro Omaha area. Local families may struggle to put food on the table due to a wide range of temporary or long-term conditions that create financial hardship, but circumstances don’t really matter when a growing child isn’t getting enough to eat, says Tammy Yarmon, the Nutrition Services director for Omaha Public Schools. 1 8 • FamilyGuide

“Hungry kids just don’t learn,” Yarmon says. “They spend their time in school thinking about how hungry they are.” Many hungry schoolchildren can count on receiving lunch daily during the school

“WE WORK TOGETHER HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE FOOD BANK. IT’S A GREAT PARTNERSHIP, WE LOVE WORKING WITH THEM. IT’S ALL TO HELP KIDS IN OMAHA WHO DESPERATELY NEED FOOD.”

—JOEL ARTHUR

year. The National School Lunch Program, a federally assisted meal program, provides nutritionally balanced low-cost or free lunches. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service administers the program at the federal level, and the Nebraska Department of Education’s Office of Nutrition Services facilitates the program throughout the state via agreements with local school districts and private schools. Despite the relatively low prices of school lunches, some families find that a couple of dollars a day—especially if those families have several children—is hard to come by five days a week. Susan Eustice, a spokesperson for the Omahaarea Salvation Army, says more than 40 percent of children in Nebraska receive free or reduced-rate school lunches with eligibility based on household income. “In some schools, these numbers climb as high as 80 or 90 percent,” she says.

FEATURE 19

written by KARA SCHWEISS photography by SARAH LEMKE design by MADY BESCH

Yarmon emphasizes that the application process for free or reduced-rate lunches “is the same everywhere” and that families can apply at any time if their financial situation changes. And the program keeps in mind the privacy of the students. Children use ID codes connected to lunch accounts, so their peers have no way of knowing how much their families are paying. Other school-based, government-backed programs provide breakfast, snacks, and/or dinner associated with before-school and af ter-school enrichment ac tivities. Various community organizations fill the gap through “backpack” programs that send eligible children home with food for the weekend and mobile food pantries that reach families in need directly at school. “We’re here for our kids and we will do whatever we can to make sure they get a meal,” Yarmon says. “We all have the same focus: our eye is on the child.” But what happens over the long summer break when kids aren’t eating meals at school and parents may also be incurring additional childcare costs? “Families must seek other resources for meals when school is out of session,” Eustice says. For eight years, a partnership between The Food Bank for the Heartland and the Salvation Army has offered Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen, a program that brings meals direc tly to hungry kids. “We help provide canteen units and help serve the kids,” says Joel Arthur, divisional director of emergency disaster services for the Salvation Army. Arthur works with KCK. “We work together hand-in-hand with the Food Bank. It’s a great partnership, we love working with them. It’s all to help kids in Omaha who desperately need food.”

Through KCK, meals are delivered by four mobile distribution units throughout Omaha, Bellevue, Rals ton, L a Vis t a, Valley, and Blair from early June through mid-August. KCK sites don’t have to be associated with enrichment programs, and families don’t have to go through an application process or provide proof of income. “Last summer we served 82,782 meals. It’s a great program that’s filling an important need during a critical time of the year when not as many resources are available with school out of session,” says Angie Grote, communications manager at Food Bank for the Heartland. “[Without that daily meal to rely on,] we’ve heard parents say their children would have had to choose between having only lunch or having only dinner.” Meal assistance opens the door for participation in other assistance programs. Yarmon says that families experiencing economic insecurity or financial hardship may be less likely to be able to stay in one home long-term, so “going through the schools and through the children, we’re more apt to reach the families,” she explains. “We’ve had a really good experience with the school-based mobile pantries and we’re considering expanding the program,” Grote says. A r t h u r ag r e e s t hat fo o d programs that assist children are often the key to connecting a family with other services that can help insure improved safety and stability. “The parents know the children are there,” Arthur says. “They come with the kids sometimes, so information is often passed on to the parents as to where they can get more food and other help.”

How to Help T

here are numerous ways to support the effort to feed local children and families, says Angie Grote, communications manager for Food Bank for the Heartland. “We are grateful for all donations we receive, whether they’re food, funds or someone’s time. It’s important to us to make the best possible use of resources we are given. There are a lot of ways for folks in the community to get involved,” she says. The organization’s website, foodbankheartland. org, is a great source for information on how to organize a food drive or donate food, how to make financial contributions, and for what tasks volunteers are needed. The number of volunteer hours annually equates approximately 20 full-time workers, and helps make it possible for the Food Bank to distribute food to 600 nonprofit organizations in Nebraska and western Iowa which serve individuals and families in their communities. “We have tremendous community support, and our operations wouldn’t be what they are without that support,” Grote says. The local Salvation Army also accepts contributions and volunteers, spokesperson Susan Eustice says. Interested individuals can find out more on the website, centralusa.salvationarmy.org/omaha, and potential volunteers are encouraged to contact the local volunteer coordinator at 402-898-6000. “It’s not too early to sign up for the summer program [Kids Cruisin’ Kitchen],” Eustice says. Families who are struggling but don’t quite meet the income requirements for free or reduced-rate lunches for their children can receive assistance through donations to The Omaha Public Schools Foundation, says Tammy Yarmon, the Nutrition Services director for Omaha Public Schools. Through a website link at ops.thankyou4caring.org/donation-programs, donors can direct their contributions to pay off a school’s lunch debts, for instance. “You determine where it goes,” she says. For more information on how to help, contact The Nutrition Services office at 531-299-0230 or email Yarmon at tammy.yarmon@ops.org.

2019

S P EC I a L A DV E rT I SI N G S EC T IO N

Many parents will soon need to sit down and have “the talk” with their children. This serious discussion could have an impact on a child’s entire future. The subject matter—what summer camp should they attend? This is a right of passage and tradition for some; for others, it is an introduction to what will become a career or lifelong passion. The following special advertising section highlights several summer camps around the area. Campfires, canoes, and “Kumbaya” are associated with some, while others focus on the arts, sports, and other activities.

2 0 • FamilyGuide

SUMMER CAMP SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

2019 â&#x20AC;¢ 2 1

“Explore” SUMMER 2019

J UNE 3 -28 DA N C E C A M P S , C L ASS E S AND MUCH MORE!

VISIT SMITTYSPAC-OMAHA.COM OR CALL 402-999-6368 TO REGISTER TODAY! REGISTER BY APRIL 1ST FOR CAMP AND CLASS DISCOUNTS

Grades 4-12, College, and Adults! Questions? Contact: David Martin fine-lines@cox.net 402-871-3682

Creative Writing Summer Camp 2019 Fine Lines writing summer camp is for students of all ages. Join writers who add clarity and passion to their lives with the written word.

Space is limited, register today!

S u mm e r C a mp s Wild Day camps for the kids close to the office for you!

2 2 • FamilyGuide

SUMMER CAMP SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

For more information visit

finelines.org

VE CO R

DIS

Buried Treasure

LEARN HOW GOD WANTS TO USE YOU!

THE REGION’S PREMIER CHRISTIAN CAMP EXPERIENCE

ses

sio

N’T

WA IT l

sel

—

ry y

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! 1-12 GRADES

FOR MORE INFORMATION or to REGISTER: CAMPRIVERCREST.ORG or 402.628.6465

201 9

Discover the fun! www.duchesneacademy.org

Spring Soccer league & Summer Soccer camp FIVE ONE-WEEK CAMPS www.duchesneacademy.org

JUNE 10-JULY 25

Tiny Toes 3-5 Yr Olds and Recreational 6-12 Yr Olds Outdoor Soccer League 6 Week League begins April 2nd at 4 locations in NW, SW, Midtown Omaha & Papillion 4 Day Summer Soccer Camp for 5-12 Yr Olds July 22-25 Registration now open at EvolutionSoccerClub.com

Leagues, clinics, play days & team golf SNAG GOLF - 5-8 YRS

SNAG is the first step of the pathway for all players new to the game.

DEVELOPMENT CAMP

Tennis & Golf Clinics

Each session will consist of golf swing instructions, activities and on course skill building.

for the Summer

INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE

For experienced to advanced golfers. 45 minutes of activities with on course play each week.

/ 402.498.0220 / 1401 N. 120th St

Babysitting Training

Teen Driver’s Education

SUMMER CAMP SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

First Aid/CPR Training

2019 • 2 3

Letting kids with cancer be kids again.

Summer Camp 2019

July 9 - 13 | Camp Calvin Crest in Fremont, Ne. Camp Quality Heartland is a non-profit organization that serves children with cancer and their families through five days of unique summer camping, special events, and support at no cost to the family.

www.campqualityusa.org/htl

HIKING

WWW.GOCUBCAMPING.ORG or call 402-431-9272 to book your best summer camp ever! Not a Scout? Wanna be one? Visit: WWW.SIGNUP4SCOUTING.ORG today!

NATURE

402.330.3470 2518 S. 132nd Ct. (Orchard Plz. West) Omaha, NE 68144

Destination...

‘ART ’rageous 2019 Tuesday & Thursdays - 1pm-3pm Twilight Wednesdays - 6pm-8pm june 11, 12, 13, 25, 26, 27 july 9, 10, 11, 23, 24, 25 august 6, 7, 8 Perfect for your aspiring ARTISTS age 6 years plus!

itsyourspottery.com

2 4 • FamilyGuide

SUMMER CAMP SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CAMPFIRE

Hike, fish, run, learn, camp, grow... all in one weekend at Camp Amikaro Cub Scout Camp at Little Sioux Scout Ranch. Camps available for youth male and female in 1st thru 5th grade.

EXPERIMENTS

CLIMB TO NEW HEIGHTS AT CUB SCOUT CAMP!

SHOOTING

CLIMBING

AQUATICS

+ Year-Round Soccer Leagues, Including 3 Indoor Soccer Leagues + Individual Skill Development + Fun, Professional Coaches and a Proven Curriculum + Weekly Daycare & Preschool Classes

402-932-5571 • HAPPYFEETGREATEROMAHA.COM

KID KART

OFFERING CAREGIVERS, WHO CAN HELP GET YOUR CHILDREN TO:

Learn about animal behavior, care, and nutrition!

• ACTIVITIES • PRACTICE • GAMES • LESSONS • CAMPS • TO/FROM SCHOOL

Interact with live animals each day! Perform a simulated exploratory surgery!

Junior Vet Camp

Students completing 2nd - 5th grade Mon.-Thurs. 8 am - 4 pm | June & July

SAVE $25

Intermediate Vet Camp

ENTER THIS CODE AT CHECKOUT:

Students completing 6th - 8th grade Mon.-Fri. 8 am - 4 pm | June & July

OM19

For more details, class dates, and to register visit

www.oxbowvetcamp.com

402-224-6900 kidkartomaha.com

4-H Summer Camps & Trips 9 1 0 2

Open to members & Non members!

» Open to All Youth!

Nebraska 4-H Camps

June - August • Weekly • K-7TH GRADES

SUMMER

Transportatio n for Resident Camp provided on sel ect weeks from Gr etn and Grand Isla a nd!

Nebraska National Forest, Halsey Schramm State Park, Gretna • Day and Resident Camps • Open to all youth ages 5-18

EACH TRIP IS CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR NEEDS.

Camps

Big Red Summer

Academic Camps

Premiere , Sports & Day Camps 333 S. 132nd St. | Omaha, NE 68154 | 402-334-6426

• Discover the University of Nebraska - Lincoln Campus and Careers View our camp brochure online at 4H.UNL.EDU/CAMP

Save BIG by registering before April 15th, 2019!

• Open to all youth entering grades 10-12 next fall View our camp brochure online at BIGREDCAMPS.UNL.EDU

For more information, reach us at

(402) 332-4496

Sponsered by University of Nebraska Lincoln - Extension 4-H Youth Development. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.

SUMMER CAMP SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

2019 • 2 5

“GIVING CHILDREN BACK THEIR SUMMER, ONE ADVENTURE AT A TIME”

2019 SUMMER CAMPS est. 2008

REGISTRATION OPEN!!! Half and Full-Day Camps Available

RoboPro | CoDrones | Roblox JavaScript | Minecraft Website Building/Coding Video Game Building... and MORE!

CHILDREN GRADES K-6 EXPERIENCE DAILY:

*Two swimming pools *Archery *Zip Line *Sports *Obstacle Course *Art & Crafts *Team Building *Nature Lessons

CampLegacyOmaha.com | 402.884.2242 | Located off of 167th & Ida Street

June 3 - 7, 2019

180th & Harrison / 402.819.0769 southwestomahane@codeninjas.com codeninjas.com / @CodeNinjasOmahaSW

OMAHA’S MOST STYLISH SUMMER CAMP WEBSITE DESIGN

402.937.1061 | info@omahafashioncamp.com

Nebraska Debate Institute Summer Camp 2019