RAK magazine June July 2017

raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

SUMMER SURVIVAL GUIDE • Staycations • Indoor play places • Nighttime adventures • Exploring the sea in AZ • Summer camps • Top family events

KINSHIP CARE

Taking on the unexpected

EASY SUMMER MEALS Stopping the

“SUMMER SLIDE” in learning Jackson Greene (4) of Peoria.

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CONTENTS

12 FEATURES 12

Arizona’s Children: Kinship care

A grandmother takes on the unexpected. Third in a series about the state’s foster-care crisis.

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Summer Survival Guide

30 tips for getting through the summer, including indoor playcenters and staycations, Disneyland tips and summer camp ideas.

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Easy summer meals

Scottsdale Crock-Pot Girl offers three recipes.

DEPARTMENTS 4

dialogue

All-in-one summer fun.

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azgrown

• Multiply summer fun with math.

• Picture books that teach safety.

• Stop the summer slide in learning.

• Camp Colley offers disadvantaged kids the stars.

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family time!

• Top summer family events • Around Arizona • Onstage

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behind the ’zine

Oh, the places they have gone!

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COVER PHOTO SHOOT Cover: Jackson Greene (4) of Peoria takes a break from play. Shot on location at the splash pad at Pioneer Community Park in Peoria.

PHOTOS BY RICK D’ELIA

raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

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dialogue

COURTESY OF ELIZABETH MOSAIDIS

Elizabeth Mosaidis of Gilbert with her husband Dimitris and her stepdaughter Sophia.

All-in-one SUMMER FUN

Kara G. Morrison, Editor kara@RAKmagazine.com

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WE MADE SOME big decisions this spring that resulted in our first-ever RAK Summer Survival Guide. We wanted to give readers a combined June/July issue packed with all the information they need to get through Arizona’s hottest days.

During these two months, lots of metro-Phoenix families escape the heat, if only for a quick weekend.

Most of us are planning family vacations or staycations and looking for great places kids can play while avoiding the triple digits. Some of us are still finalizing summer-camp decisions or figuring out how to keep the kids occupied (and their brains functioning) while school is out.

Our Summer Survival Guide has something for everyone — local family membership ideas, fun events around the state, ways to stop the “summer slide” in learning, ideas for saving money on vacations — even easy summer meals.

Our staff, along with some help from our Readers Advisory Panel, came up with more than 30 ways to beat the heat in style and to have a great summer. I’d love to hear what you think, especially if we missed any of your favorite summer activities and escapes.

I’d also like to introduce Elizabeth Mosaidis, a senior international educator at Arizona State University, who is the newest member of our Readers Advisory Panel. We met Mosaidis when she sent Publisher Karen Barr a heartfelt note in response to a “Behind the ’Zine” column earlier this year.

Mosaidis wrote: “I appreciated your honesty in sharing how unsure parents are with issues related to raising their children. As a stepparent, I go through those same doubts, but I guess I thought parents have natural instincts about how to raise their children and

JUNE/JULY 2017 raisingarizonakids.com

don’t second guess themselves as much. I realized that was just a myth when I read your article. We’re all going through the same doubts and insecurities.”

Three years ago, Mosaidis married her husband, Dimitris, and became a stepmom to Sophia, now 10.

“The best part about being a stepmom has been seeing my stepdaughter grow as a person over the years,” she says. “I’m really proud of the kind, helpful person she has become.”

Last year, Mosaidis wrote a book, “The Stepmom Project: A 30-Day Personalized Journey for Stepmothers,” and founded thestepmomproject.com as well as the East Valley Stepmoms Meetup group, after she couldn’t find step-parenting classes or support groups in the Gilbert area.

“We get together for coffee, chats, drumming circles, crafts, and even goat yoga” (just like it sounds — yoga classes with goats running around), she told me.

As for the summer, Mosaidis had some creative “summer survival” ideas, including kayaking on the Salt River (offered at saguarolakeranch.com) and a “makeyour-own-sundae night ... while watching a favorite show or playing a card game.”

Some of our summer survival ideas have me pretty excited about these coming months, heat and all.

June also brings some big improvements to our website, where we’re launching an updated events calendar. We know planning family time is incredibly important to our readers, so we’re excited to unveil that new feature. Please check in frequently this summer for the latest daily, weekend and even July 4th family events at raisingarizonakids.com. You can also follow hashtag #RAKfamilytime for daily reminders.

We hope you have a fantastic summer!

Arts Integration Project-based Learning Social Justice

June/July 2017 | Vol 28 | No 4 Publisher Karen Davis Barr Editor Kara G. Morrison Calendar Editor Liz Petroff

E MY T A E D CRE ACA

Copy Editors Debra Citron, Martin Dolan Staff Writers Margaret Beardsley, Dani Horn Contributors Rachel Brockway, Debra Citron, Mary Anne Duggan, Karen Fernau, Sheri Smith, Mindy Zapata Art Director Michèlle-Renée Adams Photographer Rick D’Elia Operations Manager Tina Gerami-Bynum Sales & Marketing Manager Brandy Collet Sales Representatives Shannon Cornall, Kate Greene, Marlene Hanan

Summer School June 5 - June 29 Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

FREE Breakfast and Lunch Reading - Arts Integration - Math

Through an arts integrated curriculum anchored in project-based learning, Create Academy prepares all students for success in college, career, and society by teaching them to collaboratively invent, design, and implement creative solutions that address societal problems and injustices.

Marketing Coordinator Cristina Palmerin

Contact Us: editorial@RAKmagazine.com familytime@RAKmagazine.com advertising@RAKmagazine.com subscriptions@RAKmagazine.com 5229 N. Seventh Ave. #102 Phoenix, AZ 85013-1974 P: 480–991–KIDS (5437) • F: 480–991–5460 raisingarizonakids.com

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R aising A rizona K ids magazine (ISSN 1051-4295) was created to connect Valley families to local resources and share real-life stories about the challenges and joys of raising children. Copy­right © 2017 by R aising A rizona K ids, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Subscription price is $20 for one year or $35 for two years. Back issues are $6 per copy.

The Post Office will not automatically forward in the event of a move. Make address changes on our website or mail changes to our office. Original, locally generated articles, illustrations and photographs are welcome. Guide­lines are avail­able at raisingarizonakids.com.

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az grown summer learning

MULTIPLY SUMMER FUN with

MATH

By Mary Anne Duggan

I HAVE A MATH CHALLENGE FOR YOU: What do you get when you add “X” number of kids plus “Y” weeks of summer, then subtract quiet moments before multiplying by the number of times you hear, “I’m bored!”? The answer? A perfect opportunity to have fun with math at home!

Summer is a stretch that can equal mathlearning losses, but it need not be. I teach a college-level statistics course, and if I had a nickel for every time a student said he or she hated math, I would have ... well, it would involve a large calculation.

Math anxiety is a communicable disease, and the cure is fun with real-life math. The goal with summer math, however, is not an endless stack of worksheets. Rather, summer provides the opportunity to play with math concepts in everyday life.

Here are some fun math activities to try at home. Each activity is connected to the third-grade math standards for Arizona students found on the Arizona Department of Education website. For parents of children in pre-K through second grade, the thirdgrade standards can serve as a guide for what’s coming up. Providing real-life experiences long before it’s time to master them can help students really understand math.

GET COOKING A third-grade math standard says students will be able to “explain equivalence of fractions in special cases, and compare fractions by reasoning about their size.” That doesn’t sound especially fun, but what does is making cookies with your child.

My favorite oatmeal cookie recipe calls for 1½ cups of flour. Pretend that you can’t find

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the one-cup measure, and then ask your child what to do. Cobble together the flour using half- and quarter-cups, and talk about how three half-cups (3 x ½, or 3/2) equals 1½ cups.

Multiplication makes an appearance in the third-grade math curriculum. When putting cookies on the tray, talk about the rows and columns. “I have four rows of three cookies each. How many all together?” Count the cookies one by one and then talk about whenever you have four groups of three (or 4 x 3), the total will be 12.

USE YOUR NOODLE Pool noodle, that is, as a measuring tool.

In third grade, students learn about finding perimeter. To find the perimeter of the pool, count how many noodles it takes to go around the pool. A noodle is what is called a nonstandard measure. But, if your child can use a noodle now, a tape measure later is an easy transition.

If your pool is a rectangle, talk about how knowing two adjacent sides of the rectangle is all you need to know its perimeter. The formula for the perimeter of a rectangle is 2A + 2B. In other words, 2 x (the long side) plus 2 x (the short side) = the perimeter of your pool. If your pool is kidney-shaped, measure any other square or rectangle, such as your patio or living room. Now that’s using your noodle!

SEE THE WORLD Clicking off the miles on a long road trip is the perfect division playground. For a nine-hour road trip with three children and one iPad, each child will have a total of three hours of technology: 9/3 = 3. The trip to Disneyland is 400 miles. If we divide the trip

into two parts, after how many miles should we stop for lunch?

Place value means looking at the number 18 and realizing it means one 10 and eight ones.

Instead of playing Slug Bug (who ever thought a game that involves punching someone at the sight of a Volkswagen Beetle was a good idea?), keep a tally of how many red cars are spotted during a long road trip. Instruct your child to circle the tallies when 10 are spotted, and start a new set of tallies. When you reach your destination, count the circled tallies by 10s and add any leftover tallies. So, three circles (or 10s) and four tallies equals 34 red cars.

SHOP ’TIL YOU’RE A MATH WHIZ In third grade, students are expected to “solve word problems involving money through $20.” The next time you are shopping, reserve a portion of the cart for your child, and give your child a $20 bill to pay for some of the groceries.

Together, add items to your child’s portion of the cart until you’re up to about $18 worth (to leave room for tax and some change). When it comes time to check out, have your child pay for his or her groceries and process how the cost of groceries plus the change given equals $20.

You might be doing some counting of your own come July, such as, “How many more days until school starts?” In the meantime, divide the long days of summer with multiples of math fun.

Mary Anne Duggan, PhD, is an educational psychologist and teaches a social statistics course for Northern Arizona University. Reach her at maduggan31@gmail.com.

Approachable JACOB AMMENTORP LUND

PICTURE BOOKS

teach kids to stay safe

By Debra Citron

FOR ARIZONA KIDS, “summer” is just another word for “more.” More heat, sunshine, sunscreen and ice cream; more hours to fill with friends and family, and with play, screen, swim and sleep time. More popsicles, board games, backyard adventures and bike rides. Maybe even more time to read, daydream and watch the stars come out.

Yes, summer means more — mostly fun things, but also more opportunities for being overstimulated in unfamiliar surroundings, or bored in over-familiar ones, either of which can invite minor league improvisations and judgment lapses, which can lead to major league accidents.

Safety training, especially for 3- to 7-year-olds just beginning to venture into the wide world, is critically necessary, as all parents know. But how best to get kids to pay attention long enough for a summer refresher that is taken seriously without being terrifying?

One answer is to share humorous picture books about safety. The Canadian author-illustrator team of Jean E. Pendziwol and Martine Gourbault have produced a series of funny, rhymed books that tackle bullies, and fire, water and stranger danger in clever, non-threatening ways.

In “No Dragons For Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons),” a girl invites a friendly dragon to a tea party.

His accidental sneeze sets the room ablaze. Embarrassed and scared, dragon wants to hide, but his well-trained hostess saves the day.

Dragon returns to visit the beach with his friend and her dad and learns much-needed lessons in water safety in “A Treasure at Sea for Dragon and Me: Water Safety for Kids (and Dragons).”

In “Once Upon a Dragon: Stranger Safety for Kids (and Dragons),” Dragon and his friend visit fairy tale land, where he gets turned into several famous story characters who keep getting taken in by bad guys. His friend is wise to their tricks, however, and she keeps them safe.

Our spunky girl stands up to a bully in shining armor who’s teasing Dragon in “The Tale of Sir Dragon: Dealing with Bullies for Kids (and Dragons),” and takes her complaint to the king, who holds a royal council to find solutions.

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Debra Citron of Phoenix is a writer and lifelong supporter of children’s literature and literacy.

RaisingaRizonakids.com raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

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az grown summer learning

BIRTH TO 5 Q&A:

BIRTH TO FIVE HELPLINE

1-877705-KIDS (5437)

Southwest Human Development (swhd.org) provides this free resource for anyone — parents, grandparents, caregivers and even medical professionals — with questions or concerns about young children. Bilingual and compassionate early-childhood specialists are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Common topics include: challenging behaviors, potty training, child development, sleep issues, colic or fussiness, feeding and nutrition and overall parenting concerns. Download the Birth to Five Helpline app in the iTunes App Store or get the Android app on Google Play to one-click call, text or email a question. birthtofivehelpline.org.

Please send parenting questions for this column to editorial@ RAKmagazine.com.

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JUNE/JULY 2017 raisingarizonakids.com

Q: A:

ISTOCK

STOP THE SUMMER SLIDE IN LEARNING What can I do with my preschooler to keep him occupied and learning over the summer?

As a parent or caregiver, no one cares more about your child’s education than you do. Get involved in helping your child learn at home this summer. This preparation will help ensure that your child will enter school ready to be successful in the classroom.

Here are simple tips that can help during the summer months: • Encourage your child to read. It’s the single most important thing you can do to help your child succeed in school.

Read aloud with your child for at least 20 minutes each day, and make reading together part of your daily routine (even when summer is over).

• Monitor screen time. Set summer limits on time spent watching television, using the computer or tablet and playing video games.

• Create a special summer-learning space.

Make a spot in your home where you and your child can enjoy books and other fun learning activities. Children learn new vocabulary by hearing new words through conversations. Dialogic book reading is also important, because you engage your child during the reading time. Ask them questions, listen to their answers, expand on their responses and ask them more questions.

• Start new projects or activities.

Encourage your child to take on some new summer responsibilities. Parents can help choose activities that build knowledge, responsibility and independence. This could include helping with chores, working on a puzzle together or starting a new

hobby such as rock collecting.

• Create a daily activity calendar. Families can develop a calendar of special daily activities, such as visits to low-cost or no-cost community spaces or the public library.

Most libraries offer children and their parents a variety of storytimes and other events. Also ask your local library if they offer a Culture Pass program, where families are able to attend great learning attractions including the Arizona Science Center and the Desert Botanical Garden for free.

• Encourage healthy summer habits.

Families that maintain good bedtime and sleep routines during the summer are fortifying healthful habits throughout the year. Summer routines that include good eating habits and physical exercise are a great source of fun family experiences.

While summer in Arizona may mean more time indoors, consider including in your daily calendar activities for motor development and exercise. Your child will love to move like their favorite zoo animal, engage in yoga moves or simply dance.

Creating a fun schedule of summer events will help pass the time and offer learning opportunities for a summer of continued growth and development.

Mindy Zapata, M.Ed., is director of Head Start and Early Head Start at Southwest Human Development.

raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

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az grown summer camp

CAMP COLLEY

offers disadvantaged kids the stars

By Margaret Beardsley • Photos courtesy of Camp Colley

ASK SAM POPPEN what he liked about Camp Colley last summer, and the list is long: “Mountain biking, hiking, sleeping in tents, the archery … and we’d get free time to explore!” says the 12-year-old sixth grader from Orangewood Elementary School in north-central Phoenix. “Oh, and the food is delicious.”

Although some families take summercamp experiences for granted, sleepaway camp is financially out of reach for many kids.

That’s where the Camp Colley Foundation comes into play.

“It provides the badly needed resources to allow thousands of children who would otherwise not be able to enjoy the outdoors in a camp setting a chance to do just that,” says Dale Larsen, the foundation’s president.

Jim Colley, the late former director of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, had the idea to create the camp in the 1990s.

When a chance to buy a 30-acre property 50 miles north of Payson on the Mogollon Rim came up, Colley jumped on it. His goal was to give disadvantaged kids a chance to connect with nature through camp.

For years, it worked. But in 2008, in the midst of the Great Recession, the camp was slated for closure. That’s when the foundation stepped in, taking on the role of fundraising.

“Today, it’s a three-way relationship,”

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Larsen says. “The city of Phoenix, which owns the property, our foundation and the Arizona Parks and Recreation Fellowship, which hires the camp director and does the scheduling.”

Audrey Encinas, another Colley camper from Orangewood, says she loved being closer to nature and all the “new adventures” during her three-day stay.

“I really liked it when we went to a pond and went crawdad fishing, because we got to see life in the water. It was really cool!” she says. Not as cool as eating those little critters afterward, the 11-year-old acknowledges, but a learning experience just the same.

Orangewood Elementary is a Title 1 School, which means many students are at a financial disadvantage. Dianna Bonney, a gifted-program teacher who organizes the Camp Colley experience for Orangewood students, says money from the Heritage Foundation pays a portion, and the school and the students come up with the rest.

“As they say, you need to have a little bit of skin in the game, and even in the poorest families you find money in the washing machine. I’ve often taken money for Camp Colley in quarters,” says Bonney, who believes in the camp experience for several reasons, including the educational aspects and the positive emotional impact for kids.

At a Phoenix budget meeting, Orangewood

student Maritza Lopez made it clear to City Council members how important such a camp can be to a kid.

“I liked going to Camp Colley because I got to get away from the city, and in Phoenix you don’t see a lot of stars,” the 12-year-old said. “When you go to Camp Colley, there’s a lot of stars.”

Maritza added that those stars reminded her of her father, who used to take her family camping — something that hadn’t happened since she lost her dad in 2014.

Larsen worries about keeping the funding going for children like Sam, Audrey and Maritza, and hopes the foundation can continue Jim Colley’s dream. Each year, about 800 children get to visit Camp Colley. Dozens of Valley organizations that serve kids in need also rely on Camp Colley to make that experience happen.

LEARN MORE: Camp Colley Foundation, 216 W. Portland St., Phoenix. 602-262-4872 or campcolley.org.

Margaret Beardsley of Phoenix is a staff writer and former television news executive producer. She is the mother of two adult children.

HELP THEM GET THERE Did you know that 90% of a child’s brain growth happens before kindergarten?

Everyday moments count. So talk, read and play with your baby, toddler and preschooler to help them be ready for kindergarten and successful in school.

For tips and resources visit:

FirstThingsFirst.org

One of the TOP RANKED SCHOOLS IN THE NATION is right around the corner!

To find a BASIS school near you, visit enrollBASIS.com

raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

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Third in a series about foster parenting in Arizona

ARIZONA’S CHILDREN

KINSHIP CARE: TAKING ON THE UNEXPECTED

By Sheri Smith

12

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Photos by Rick D’Elia

JUNE/JULY 2017 raisingarizonakids.com

Kelly Ray and her granddaughter share a hug.

FOUR YEARS AGO, Kelly Ray left her job as a special needs instructor in Ohio to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren in Chandler. A recent widow, she looked forward to being near family, especially her grandchildren.

She also had friends in the area and a cousin in Surprise.

She enjoyed life as the “fun grandma,” taking the kids on lunch dates or to the movies. She treasured time dining out with friends or making quick day trips on the weekends. She’d even landed a job as an assistant manager at the Country Inn and Suites near the Phoenix airport.

Things were looking good.

Ray was on her way home from work on Aug. 22, 2016, when her phone rang. A voice on the line explained that Ray’s oldest daughter had been incarcerated. That was tough enough to hear, but it wasn’t all — the person wanted to know if Ray would be willing to take in her four grandchildren — a 12-year-old boy, a 7-year old girl and 6-year-old twin girls — while their mother was in jail.

Of course her answer was yes. What else could it be?

But that split-second decision turned Ray’s world upside down.

IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE When children are removed from their homes for any reason — abuse, neglect or simply because their parents are unable to care for them — the Arizona Department of Child Safety first seeks family members or friends who can step up to provide a temporary home. In most cases, grandparents are contacted. But it could be anyone: aunts, uncles, cousins, distant relatives, even friends and neighbors.

In fact, anyone reading this article could end up on the receiving end of a phone call like the one Ray answered.

Anyone could be asked to provide what’s called “kinship care” to someone else’s children.

It’s a type of foster care, but with significant differences.

And nearly half of Arizona’s children in foster care — 46 percent — are in a kinship-care setting, according Chrissy Edwards, foster care program supervisor for Child Crisis Arizona. The nonprofit provides emergency shelter for Maricopa County children from birth to age 10, licensing for prospective foster care and adoptive families and a myriad of other programs designed to keep children safe and create strong, successful families.

NO TIME TO PREPARE Unlike the process for foster families — where weeks and sometimes years are spent contemplating the decision, taking classes, getting licensed and preparing to take in children — kinship caregivers typically must make the decision in under four hours. That’s the goal DCS has set raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

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licensed to provide foster care, but it is not easy to make time for the classes and paperwork when you have the sudden added obligations of extra children in your home. Still, Ray decided to pursue a license.

“I took the classes after I got the kids, which seems backwards,” she says. While her classmates were preparing for the day when there would be foster children in their lives, Ray says, she was “already in the boat.”

Still, it was worth the effort. “The classes help you understand what the children go through, and the grieving process of being detached from their mom and the life they knew,” she says. “They can’t always verbalize their feelings. I learned what to expect from the children and how to see things through their eyes.”

She pursued licensing through Child Crisis Arizona and found an immediate support system. “The community is pretty awesome,” she says.

Ray describes a Christmas party at the Child Crisis Center where Santa came and brought presents for the children. She says it was wonderful to be with other families in similar situations, and to feel part of a larger community.

A TEMPORARY SOLUTION

Kelly Ray plays outside with her grandson, who shows her the new techniques he’s learning in basketball practice.

for finding appropriate placements for children who have been removed from their homes.

Kinship care providers usually are caught off guard by this sudden turn of events and must immediately make room for extra children in their home.

For Kelly Ray, it meant cramming five people into her two-bedroom apartment and turning her living room into a makeshift bedroom at night. It also meant making sure her car was equipped to handle additional car seats.

On a personal level, the changes were even more significant. Ray had to put all plans for her own future on hold, from trips to Ohio to her lunches out with friends. She no longer had time for such things.

“I had to make adjustments,” Ray says. “But it’s working. For now, it’s working.”

LIMITED SUPPORT Another way kinship care differs from typical foster care is in the amount of supplemental funding the state allots to providers. A licensed foster care family may receive $20.31 to $46.43 per child, depending on the child’s age and medical condition. Because it is not licensed, kinship care allows for just 63 cents to $2.63 per child per day. That doesn’t go far for care providers like Ray, who must stretch limited budgets to feed, clothe and otherwise meet the needs of several growing children.

Kinship care providers qualify for additional funding if they become

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Kinship care, like all foster care, is not a permanent situation.

When children are removed from their homes, they become wards of the state, and this is how it remains until it can be determined whether reunification with their original families is possible.

“Reunification is the top priority for these kids,” says Ray. “We want them to go home.” But because the children are wards of the state, Ray’s grandchildren do not really belong to her in the way that they used to.

Most of the decisions Ray makes for the children have to be approved by the state. This includes everything from haircuts to church activities to doctor’s appointments to discipline measures. “If I want to take them on a trip, I would have to get that verified,” she says.

And because she’s responsible for all four of them at all times, “I don’t get one-on-one time with them anymore,” she says. “We used to enjoy our ‘date’ days.”

The state requires that Ray be accountable for the kids’ therapy sessions, physical wellness checks, visitations, DCS check-ins, court appointments and more.

“It’s very invasive to privacy and time consuming,” says Ray. But she’s willing to do it for her grandchildren.

“My life is now focused on them,” she says. “Since I’ve had them, I’ve had only one day and one full night when I wasn’t with them. There’s no ‘me’ time. I’m back to square one. Sometimes, it’s just havoc. We cannot get away from each other. There are three girls, and then we add to that a big brother who wants to jump in and tease. It was hard getting them into a routine, and I had one with tantrum problems. I had trouble going to the store without someone having a screaming fit on me, or they would all want to go in separate directions. But they’ve adjusted really well now. We’re getting it.”

KEEPING THE FAMILY CONNECTED Ray maintains a close relationship with her daughter, which she recognizes is fortunate. Not all families are able to remain on good terms, which Ray says “makes it ten times worse — like a bad divorce.”

“My daughter appreciates everything I do for the kids,” Ray says.

“She’s a wonderful mother who made some bad decisions. [The kids are]

really looking forward to seeing their mom again.”

She saves pictures and keeps a journal so her daughter will have a record of the milestones she missed in her kids’ lives — like the day her 7-year-old learned to ride a bicycle.

The children keep in touch with their mom through phone calls — three times a week — and postcards, which have strict restrictions on size and content. At least it’s something.

Ray looks forward to the day when her grandchildren can go home. “I tell them moms are the ones that are fun,” she says. “They do crafts. They sing songs. They have the patience and energy that sometimes grandmas do not.”

She may doubt her own capacity for patience and energy, but it is evident in her description of a recent outing to the store, where she waited quietly while the children argued over who would put cans of soup in the basket.

“Sometimes they thank me for taking such good care of them while their mommy can’t,” Ray says. “Sometimes they can’t say it, because they miss their mom so much.”

While family reunification is always the goal, sometimes it is not possible. Reunification is decided by the courts, and parents must meet certain goals to regain custody of their children, according to Edwards.

The DCS website describes these goals, which include the parents’ ability to show that they have adequately addressed whatever factors in their own behavior or the home environment originally put the children at risk.

When children are in kinship care, providers are asked if they would be willing to adopt the children if parental ties are severed. Not all kinship care providers will agree to adoption. Failed reunification efforts can prove devastating to the kids, who must be relocated to other foster care families, Edwards says.

Ray has already agreed to adopt her grandchildren if that becomes necessary. Grandparents in this situation are often forced to choose between loyalty to their own children and the grandchildren who suddenly need them so desperately. If the court determines that parents may no longer have access to their children, adoptive grandparents cannot allow their own children into their home.

Part of what they are taught by caseworkers and licensing agencies is that the grandchildren must come first. The grandchildren need them the most and are the most vulnerable.

PROVIDING SUPPORT Families that provide kinship care have had a difficult situation thrust upon them. They are forced to do their best, often with limited resources.

Sometimes these families are afraid to ask for help, says Edwards.

Kelly Ray colors with her granddaughters.

They develop fears about “the system,” and can view any assistance as an extension of that system. They may be floundering, but fear losing the kids if they admit to it. They may feel isolated.

Connecting with an agency, like Child Crisis Arizona, can be an important first step toward relief. Assistance is available in a number of areas, including respite care, counseling and access to donations, clothing closets or tickets to local events.

All of us, as a community, can support kinship and foster families by donating to charities that serve them or offering assistance through respite care and mentorship.

In the coming months, RAK will highlight ways to help foster children across Arizona, so we can give these kids, who are victims of circumstances beyond their control, a real chance at life.

Ray says her experience has changed every member of the family.

“In a way, these are going to be totally new kids when they return home. I feel bad that their mother is missing their milestones, but sometimes parents need that wake-up call. They realize what they took for granted.”

She also looks forward to a bright future for her daughter and grandchildren. “No one can take the place of the bond parents have with their kids. Their parents can make some bad choices, but they still love their kids. They just get on the wrong path, and the hope is that they can be gently brought back.”

In the meantime, we need to make sure the kids get a chance to keep learning and growing and feeling loved. Thanks to people like Kelly Ray, and with help from the community, that can happen.

Freelance writer Sheri Smith, of Scottsdale, is the mother of Aidan (17) and Sarah (13). This story is the third in a series she has undertaken this year about Arizona’s foster children.

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 1: ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER Get through summer with memberships to air-conditioned play and learning venues, such as the Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. A one-year membership for a family of four is $130-$145 and includes general admission plus discounts on giant-screen movies, planetarium shows and featured exhibits.

(The center periodically offers deeply discounted memberships on Groupon as well.) Exhibits are geared toward children of all ages, but are especially good for school-age kids. A new exhibition about animation opens this month, and the Create space offers tons of workshops where kids can explore 3-D printing, laser-cutting and more. Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-716-2000 or azscience.org

The Harkins Theatres Summer Movie Fun program offers 10 animated kids movies for $7 (or $2 per person per movie) playing throughout summer at select Valley locations (harkinstheatres.com). Studio Movie Grill, 15515 N. Hayden Road in Scottsdale, offers a Children’s Summer Series for $2-$3 per ticket; kids can sit in a regular movie seat with a tray or eat at a lunch counter while watching films (studiomoviegrill.com). Pollack Tempe Cinemas, 1825 E. Elliot Road in Tempe, offers $3.50 movies anytime, including recent blockbusters and animated films. Fat Cats, 4321 E. Baseline Road in Gilbert, offers $5 movies (current feature films) all day every Tuesday (fatcatsfun.com).

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Not sure which family memberships to buy for the summer months? Try a Pogo Pass. The discounted passes are about $50 per person and include free admission to a number of local kid-friendly attractions, including two Arizona Diamondbacks games, one visit to Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa, two visits to the Phoenix Zoo and i.d.e.a. Museum and much more, including laser tag, trampoline parks, bowling and more. The pass also eases summer boredom by helping you plan family outings. pogopass.com

HARKINS THEATRES

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 2: POGO PASS

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 4: BOWLING Kids Bowl Free is a national program designed by bowling centers to give children a safe, secure, fun — and free — way to spend time in the summer. Each child who registers receives two free games of bowling daily. Let It Roll Bowl in north-central Phoenix participates, as does Glenfair Lanes in Glendale. The offer (kidsbowlfree.com) is available daily to children 15 or younger; others can participate at discounted rates, making it a great family outing. Bowlers still have to rent shoes for about $3.50. Other bowling lanes offer family summer discounts, including AMF’s Summer Game Pass, which is $39.95 for adults and $34.95 for kids 15 or younger. The pass (bowlsummergames.com) gets you three free games of bowling (including shoes) every day, all summer long.

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 5: FREE SUMMER READING PROGRAMS Stop that “summer slide” in learning with Maricopa County Reads (maricopacountyreads.org), a free program at all public libraries within Maricopa County that aims to strengthen children’s literacy skills and positive reading habits. This year’s program is “Build a Better World.” Kids who read 20 minutes per day and track their progress can earn a book and prizes. Changing Hands bookstores in Tempe and Phoenix (changinghands.com) also offer a Summer Reading Road Trip program. Kids can ask for a free map to plot out locations where the stories they are reading take place and earn prizes.

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We can take the kids out to the ballgame all summer long in this air-conditioned, domed stadium.

The Arizona Diamondbacks offer plenty of kid-friendly amenities, including the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Sandlot, where they can bat Wiffle balls on a small diamond, play on a playground, or (for older kids and adults) swing away in a batting cage. Near the Sandlot is the D-backs Kid’s Club headquarters; kids ages 3 to 15 who sign up can get freebies for each game attended plus a free ticket to Sunday home games! See fireworks after every Friday home game, and on Sundays, kids can run the bases. Time your visit right and arrive early on special giveaway nights to get anything from a kids ball-andbat set (Sunday, June 11) to a Paul Goldschmidt Star Wars bobblehead on Star Wars night (Saturday, June 24). Times and ticket prices vary. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602462-6500 or dbacks.com

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 6: CHASE FIELD

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 7: FLASHLIGHT TOURS AND FULL-MOON HIKES

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Dusk in the desert is beautiful. Many of Maricopa County’s parks (maricopacountyparks.net) offer full-moon night hikes for families to get outside and enjoy the scenery at more tolerable temperatures. The Desert Botanical Garden (dbg.org) attracts crowds during the hottest months with its family-friendly flashlight tours 7-9 p.m. every Thursday and Saturday through Sept. 2. Bring your own flashlight to light up the trails. Kids can see desert critters up close, make crafts and learn fun facts from garden volunteers.

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 8: CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX For ages 10 and younger, downtown Phoenix offers the perfect indoor summer playground in the historic Monroe School Building. There’s enough here to tire out the kids: a three-story climber, unlimited crafts and painting, fort-making, a pool-noodle forest and oodles of pretend play — including a well-stocked grocery store and pizza parlor — plus delightful reading nooks. During June and July, the museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. $11 per person; free parking. 215 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-253-0501 or childrensmuseumofphoenix.org

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 9: SPLASH PADS They’re everywhere in metro Phoenix, and with good reason. When you can’t take the heat and don’t want the stress of supervising a pool visit, take the younger kiddos to a splash pad at an outdoor shopping center or area park — preferably before noon or at dusk. Some of our favorites are the Pioneer Community Park splash pad in Peoria and the elegant fountain/splash pad at Scottsdale Quarter. Find one you love at raisingarizonakids.com/splash-pads

CITY OF PEOR IA

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 10: LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER Here’s an indoor playground that offers two amusement-park rides and lots of creative play with Lego bricks. The kids-only play structure is supervised, so adults can sip coffee from the cafe while kids run, climb and slide. There are also 4-D Lego movies, a testing and racing area for Lego cars, a Lego Friends area with pink and purple bricks (and high-rise architecture), and a Duplo playground for babies and toddlers. Miniland, with Lego replicas of Arizona’s major landmarks and attractions, is also worth exploring.

Prices and times vary. Legoland Discovery Center is inside Arizona Mills mall, 5000 Arizona Mills Circle in Tempe. 877-526-3960 or arizona.legolanddiscoverycenter.com SURVIVAL TIP NO. 11: FREE CONCERTS Many of the Valley’s outdoor malls and parks offer free summer concerts. Hear live music Fridays and Saturdays at Desert Ridge Marketplace (21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix; shopdesertridge.com); ThursdaysSaturdays at Westgate Entertainment District (6751 N. Sunset Blvd, Glendale; westgateaz.com) and Fridays and Saturdays at Tempe Marketplace (2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway; tempemarketplace.com). Another favorite is Glendale’s long-running Summer Band Concert that hosts community musicians performing marches, polkas, movie medleys and other classic favorites from 8-9:15 p.m. Thursdays through July 20th at Murphy Park Amphitheatre, 59th Avenue and Glenn Drive (glendaleaz.com). McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (therailroadpark.com) hosts free concerts from 7:30-9 p.m. Sundays through July 2 at 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale.

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 12: I.D.E.A. MUSEUM

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This Mesa children’s museum is dedicated to art and play, which makes for a great morning or afternoon with the kids anytime but Mondays, when the museum is closed. On Friday, June 16, the “My Favorite Monster” exhibit opens, offering dragons, ghosts, zombies and vampires and hands-on activities, including making monster movies to building 3-D creatures in the “monster lab.” Artville, a socks-only area for ages 5 and younger, offers a sprawling play space with giant (soft) building blocks, a dress-up area and art projects. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. $8; free for children younger than 1. 150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa. 480-644-4332 or ideamuseum.org

raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 13: SUMMER SUNDAYS AT THE HEARD This free program for families is back, just as the Heard Museum hosts an important exhibition: “Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera” through Sunday, Aug. 20. That exhibit is $7 per person, even on Summer Sundays, but every fourth Sunday during the summer, you can enjoy free performances, artist demonstrations and family activities from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the Heard is also free (except for the Kahlo & Rivera exhibit) from 6-10 p.m. on First Fridays. 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix.

602-252-8840 or heard.org

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 14: INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS Urban Jungle Fun Park, which originated in San Diego, offers trampolines, indoor climbing walls that look like skyscrapers, a ninja play area, super slides, an obstacle course, interactive video games, a ballblaster arena and a multi-level play structure built for kids and adults. There’s also an Urban Tot play space for ages 5 and younger. Adults can either play, supervise or relax in the parents’ lounge with free Wi-Fi. The Mesa facility opened in March, and a second Arizona location will open in Avondale this summer.

Hours vary. 5741 E. McKellips Road, Mesa. $8-$18 for up to two hours. Jump socks are required or can be purchased for $2.50. 480-256-8749 or urbanjunglefunpark.com. Makutus Island, 6919 W. Ray Road in Chandler (makutusisland.com), PlayGrounds Fun Zone & Cafe, 8190 W. Union Hills Drive in Glendale (playgroundsfunzone.com) and even Ikea’s free Smaland play center in Tempe (ikea.com/us/en/store/ tempe) are other good indoor play options.

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 15: SOCAL PASS If you’re thinking of heading West to a theme park this summer, you might consider the Official Southern California CityPass. The pass is $353 ($324 for ages 3-9) and includes a three-day Park Hopper ticket to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, one-day admission to SeaWorld San Diego, and one day at Legoland California Resort in Carlsbad (between San Diego and Anaheim). The pass saves about $150 per person if used at all the destinations. citypass.com

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 16: MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM

IMPHX

Throughout July, the Musical Instrument Museum in north Phoenix is honoring teachers (and administrators, principals, registered student teachers, and homeschool educators) with free admission and special events. If you’re not an educator, you can still enjoy lots of family-friendly summer events here, including concerts, musical instrument and memorabilia displays and festivals such as Experience Brazil on June 10-11 and Experience France on July 8-9 celebrating the music and culture of those countries. Kids can also take classes to be Junior Museum Guides or simply try out instruments in the Experience Gallery. The MIM, which opened in 2010, has welcomed 2 million guests in seven years and is TripAdvisor’s No. 1 Phoenix tourist attraction. (Note: Because many displays are behind ropes and not under glass, it’s an easier trip with school-age children than with feisty toddlers.) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. $20; $15 ages 13-19; $10 ages 4-12; free for ages 3 and younger. 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000 or mim.org.

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 17: SUMMER MOVIE RELEASES

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It’s the summer of animated trilogies with Disney releasing “Cars 3” on June 16 and Illumination Entertainment’s “Despicable Me 3” debuting on June 30. Gear up for them by watching the originals. You could take all summer getting ready for the December release of “The Last Jedi” by watching all the Star Wars films and prequels. Don’t forget to see what’s playing locally on IMAX and giant-screen theaters this summer. Through June 39, see “Dream Big” about human innovation and engineering on the Arizona Science Center’s giant screen. $7.95; $6.95 ages 3-17. azscience.org.

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"For your child and the child within you"

MUST-SEE EXHIBITION It’s more than teaching.

It’s inspiring a passion to learn.

My Favorite Monster June 16 – Sept. 10, 2017

What makes an outstanding kindergarten program? We believe it starts with outstanding teachers. Teachers who genuinely care about each and every student. Teachers who communicate not just with children but with parents. And teachers whose enthusiasm

A whimsical look at fantastical creatures!

truly makes the classroom come alive. Begin your child’s love of learning in a Tempe Elementary kindergarten class.

Tempe elemenTary KindergarTen program Smart choice. Smart results. www.tempeschools.org/kdg2017 | 480.730.7101

Receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Supports “Access for All – No Barriers to Learning” Programs

UPCOMING EVENTS Monster Mayhem Summer STEAM Camp Monday through Friday, July 10-14 Engage your child’s brain with hands-on STEAM activities.

Register online; for ages 5-10.

My Favorite Monster Family Day

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, July 22 Special activities with museum admission, featuring a visit from Daniel Tiger.

IMAGINE • EXPLORE • LEARN MUSEUM MEMBERSHIPS

Enjoy unlimited* fun all summer long.

Starting at $55!

*Based on membership level.

Save $2 on admission Expires 9/10/17. Coupon code: RAK 150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa, AZ 85201

480-644-2468 | ideaMuseum.org raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 18: PHOENIX MERCURY GAMES The championship WNBA Phoenix Mercury team plays all summer in the air-conditioned Talking Stick Resort Arena, and in addition to pro-level women’s basketball and an exciting team roster, Mercury games are full of family fun. There’s team mascot Scorch, the Mercury’s co-ed Hip Hop Squad, the COURTyard (where young fans can play corn hole, foosball and ping pong), plus post-game free throws and frequent giveaways and promotions. 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. $9 and up. Ticketholders (carrying their tickets) can ride Metro light rail free four hours prior to the game until the end of the transit day. phoenixmercury.com.

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 19: STARGAZING

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Challenger Space Center hosts entertaining and interactive Family Stargazer Nights from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturdays, July 8 and Aug. 12. Admission is $7; free for ages 3 and younger at 21170 N. 83rd Ave. in Peoria. The presentations are by Stargazing for Everyone’s Tony and Carole LaConte, who also make summer appearances at Glendale’s Public Main Library and Buckeye’s Skyline Park. 623-979-1393 or stargazingforeveryone.com. If you get inspired, you can travel to Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff (lowell.edu) or Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson (noao.edu/kpno) — to gaze the galaxy at cooler altitudes.

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 20: DISCOUNT TIRE FREE FAMILY WEEKENDS AT THE PHOENIX ART MUSEUM This major museum offers free general admission to families on the second weekend of each month. The events include family activities, scavenger hunts, live performances, story time, free tours and a chance to make art with a featured local Valley artist. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. second Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. second Sundays. Free. June’s theme is symbols, and July’s theme is hats. Admission to Phoenix Art Museum is also free on First Fridays and 3-9 p.m. Wednesdays, although donations are always appreciated. phxart.org SURVIVAL TIP NO. 21: SUMMER KIDS CLUBS In conjunction with National Geographic Kids, several Valley malls host free kids clubs that offer a fun, interactive environment and themed activities (mallkidsclub.com). Where to find them: • 11 a.m. Tuesdays at Arrowhead Towne Center, Glendale; 623-979-7777 • 11 a.m. to noon first Fridays at Paradise Valley Mall, 4568 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix; 602-456-5230 • 10 a.m. Thursdays at Superstition Springs Center, 6555 E. Southern Ave., Mesa; 480-832-0212 • 10 a.m. Friday, June 2 at SanTan Village, 2218 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert; 480-282-9500

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 22: FREE OUTDOOR MOVIES At 6:30 p.m. on second Fridays, families can bring blankets and chairs to watch a feature film on the outdoor screen at CityScape in downtown Phoenix during City Lights Movie Nights in Patriots Park (cityscapephoenix.com). Goodyear Ballpark (goodyearbp.wcom) and UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle in Maricopa (ultrastarakchin.com) also offer free outdoor summer films. If you’re headed up north, you’ll find Movies on the Square in Flagstaff’s Heritage Square every Saturday night through Sept. 2 (flagdba.com) and Tucson’s Reid Park Demeester Outdoor Performance Center offers movies on First Fridays (saaca.org).

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 23: TUCSON NIGHTS

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The Pima Air & Space Museum features 300 historical aircraft — from a Wright Flyer to a Boeing 787 Dreamliner — plus five exhibit hangars and tram tours of the grounds. From 1-2:30 p.m. on first Saturdays, kids can build model airplanes and experiment with rockets. From 5-9 p.m. select Saturdays (June 24, July 22 and Aug. 26) the museum hosts affordable Night Wings family events ($10; free for kids 12 or younger) with aviation-related kids activities, tours and entertainment. 6000 E Valencia Road, Tucson. 520-574-0462 or pimaair.org. While you’re in the area, check out Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, which is more of an outdoor-zoo-meets-botanical-garden. It stays open from 5-10 p.m. on summer Saturdays and offers different themes each week. $15.50 (Arizona/Sonora residents); $8 ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger. 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson. 520-883-2702 or desertmuseum.org

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 24: DINOSAURS The Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa offers a Prehistoric Preschool program from 9-11 a.m. every Monday in June for ages 4-5. $15-$20. All summer, families can explore this museum’s Dinosaur Hall, pan for gold in the courtyard and much more from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. TuesdayFriday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. $12; $7 ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger; discounts for students and seniors. 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa. arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org

SURVIVAL TIP NO. 25: ARIZONA AUTHORS SUMMERTIME STORYTELLING & CRAFT SATURDAYS Meet Arizona authors and enjoy children’s storytelling and crafts from 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday in June at Pueblo Grande Museum. The event is good for kids in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. $5 admission includes a light snack. All participants must be accompanied by an adult (no program fee for adults). Featured books/authors are: “A Squirrel’s Story” by Jana Bommersbach (June 3); “Burro’s Tortilla’s” by Terri Fields (June 10); “Bad Monkey Business” by Michael Hale (June 17); “Starry’s Haircut” by Phoebe Fox (June 24). While there, check out the museum’s other summer programs.

Pueblo Grande Museum, 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-495-0901 or pueblogrande.com

Specials Every Day:

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 26:

Shana O ’Mara o fG daughte r Cara in ilbert and her Disneyla nd.

GOING TO DISNEYLAND? L A NNER

Local mompreneur simplifies trip-planning

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SHANA O’MARA, a Gilbert mompreneur and an Arizona native, knows “The Happiest Place on Earth” like the back of her hand.

Her parents honeymooned in Disneyland, and weekend trips to the Anaheim, California, theme park quickly became a family entertainment staple.

“My family are all born and raised Phoenicians, but I would say 90 percent of our family vacations were to Disneyland,” says O’Mara, 35. “Even when my parents split up when I was around 8, they still came together a few years later as friends to take my brother, my sister and (me) to Disneyland. So it’s always had a really special place in our hearts.”

For O’Mara and her 9-year-old daughter Cara, whose first Disneyland visit was at age 2, the magic of spending time at the resort has morphed into a love of all things Disney.

O’Mara has been a Disneyland annual passholder for the last six years. She can recommend a good vegan-friendly restaurant or direct you to the closest family restroom in a snap. After planning a few magical yet wallet-friendly trips for friends as favors, the Northern Arizona University grad realized she had a niche.

“I had a friend one day ask me, ‘Why the heck aren’t you doing this as a business?’ after I helped her save hundreds on airfare and her hotel for a trip,” O’Mara explains. “A lot of people just don’t know where to look for deals, and we can help them find those, plus really help them to have a great time at the park.”

A former faculty member at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, O’Mara opened The Pixie Planner travel agency (thepixieplanner.com) on Jan. 1, 2016. It specializes in Disney vacations,

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By Dani Horn

but also books trips to international and U.S. destinations. The fee structure is 10 percent or less of the travel package.

“Our price includes a travel concierge for your entire Disney trip. We’re actually here to guide and to teach our customers how to navigate the world of Disney,” she says. “My favorite question (via text) was, ‘I’m at the castle and I need a bread bowl. Where’s the closest one?’ ”’ When it came time to plan her family’s first visit to Disneyland last year, Avondale mom Venetia Horn decided to book through The Pixie Planner.

“My husband is really good at finding deals, so he looked at all the different travel sites like Travelocity and TripAdvisor,” says Horn. “Then I went ahead and had (O’Mara) quote us, and she was able to beat all of those sites by a couple hundred bucks.

“But honestly, I think even if she hadn’t been able to beat them, I still would have gone with her, because she really is a Disney connoisseur,” Horn explains. “I know people can get a good deal here and there, but will it come with help from someone who lives and eats and breathes Disney? I think not.”

O’Mara’s next venture involves securing free vacations for less-advantaged families.

“The Pixie Promise is a non-profit that we’re in the process of launching. It’s still in the works, but our goal is to send working families

who don’t have paid time off on completely free vacations,” says O’Mara. “We’ll also be focusing on our military families who get such limited time together and often end up just kind of going broke by spending all of their bonuses on that one trip.”

Staff writer Dani Horn is the mother of Victoria (11) and Remy (7).

Learn the ABC's of WATER

SAFETY!

= Adult Supervision Supervise children and adults around all water. The caregiver should be sober and know how to swim.

= Barriers Block children from unexpectedly getting into water. Make sure drain covers meet standards.

Coast-Guard Approved = Life Vests and Classes Take classes to learn how to swim and be able to perform mouth-to-mouth CPR. Wear a life vest while learning to swim.

COU RTESY OF DISN EYLA

NDN EWS .COM

For more information, visit www.PreventDrownings.org

PROBLEM-SOLVER ECOLOGIST RISK-TAKER NATURE LOVER LEADER

Girls thrive when they have a safe place to be themselves, make friends, and have fun! Girl Scouts teaches girls practical life skills, resourceful problemsolving and helps develop them into self-confident, capable leaders, firm in their values.

Isn’t this what you want for your daughter?

JOIN. VOLUNTEER. DONATE.

girlscoutsaz.org

What do you want for your daughter? raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 26:

C O U R TE

TIPS FOR VISITING

DISNEYLAND 1. SAVE ON PARKING BY STAYING AT A NEARBY HOTEL.

Now Enrolling!

“Find a hotel that either has a free shuttle near the (Anaheim) Convention Center or is within in walking distance (to Disneyland) to avoid paying extra for parking,” The Pixie Planner’s Shana O’Mara advises.

2. USE A FASTPASS.

Our Public Charter School Offers: • • • • • •

College Prep Curriculum Personalized Educational Experience Small Classes College Credits & Advisement League Sports/Physical Education STEAM

Serving the community for over 20 years

This free-with-admission system can cut long wait times on popular rides to about 20 minutes or less. Insert your park ticket into a FastPass machine and return at the designated hourlong timeslot printed on the pass. The system takes awhile to understand, from knowing which rides actually offer them to finding FastPass dispensers near the attractions. “A lot of people don’t know that you can get a new FastPass (at) the time printed at the bottom of the ticket,” says O’Mara. “They think they can only get one or two passes per day, but if you’re using them right, you can get five, six, even seven in a day.”

Disneyland will roll out a new digital MaxPass system soon that will let you pre-schedule rides and download all PhotoPass pictures taken in the park for $10 per day.

The free FastPass system will remain.

3. DO SOME RESEARCH. ElEmEntary: 480-292-9819

Kindergarten–6th Grade 4720 E. Lone Mountain Rd., Cave Creek AZ 85331

middlE/HigH ScHool: 480-488-5583 7th–12th Grade 7191 E. Ashler Hills Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85266

onlinE ScHool: 480-488-5583 7th-12th Grade. Anytime. Anywhere.

f o o t H i l l S a c a d E m y. c o m

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Disneyland and neighboring Disney California Adventure can be overwhelming if you don’t have some idea of what you want to ride or see. Disney princess fans should stop by the Fantasy Faire at Royal Hall for (free) princess visits. Fans of the upcoming “Cars 3” movie will love Radiator Springs Racers in DCA’s Cars Land, and Star Wars fans can battle Darth Vader at

Jedi Training in Tomorrowland. Disneyland’s nightly fireworks are worth braving the crowds, and for fans of those sisters from Arendelle, the hourlong “Frozen — Live at the Hyperion” show is a must.

4. DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL DISNEYLAND APP. This smartphone app isn’t perfect, but it’s essential. It gives updated wait times for rides; all park restroom and restaurant locations; daily schedules for parades, shows and fireworks; and even times and places to find Disney characters. You can also make dining reservations and preview PhotoPass pictures.

5. BRING A STROLLER. If you have younger kids, a stroller is a lifeline for long days and also offers a convenient place for souvenirs and water bottles. (Staying hydrated is important.) Stroller parking is located near every attraction. Decorate yours with something to make it stand out, or you’ll waste valuable time looking for it in a sea of similar wheels.

6. STOCK UP ON CHEAPER SOUVENIRS AND NECESSITIES. Stores like Dollar Tree are great for affordable Disneythemed kids items from stickers to notebooks, which may help you avoid too many pricey park souvenirs.

They’re also great for necessities such as ponchos.

“Always pack ponchos, because Southern California can get rainy,” says O’Mara. “They’re also great for water rides — walking around the park in wet clothes for the rest of the day is no good.”

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 27:

CO UR TESY OF HY ATT RE GE NCY SC

OT TSDALE RE SO

RT & SPA

STAY AND PLAY

10 POSH VALLEY STAYCATION SPOTS

By Kara G. Morrison

THIS IS ONE TIME of year when our

Midwestern friends and relatives — who are enjoying blissful 80-degree days — can gloat, while we’re barricaded indoors from tripledigit temps.

Still, there is a reason metro Phoenix is a vacation destination, and because so few visitors show up during our hottest months, we can swoop in to enjoy the Valley’s many posh resorts for enviable rates that are more reasonable than a trip out of town or a single day at a big theme park. Here are a few grand places to stay and play in metro Phoenix.

EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON SCOTTSDALE RESORT 5001 N. Scottsdale Road 480-949-1414 • scottsdale.embassysuites.com

ARIZONA GRAND RESORT

This resort near Old Town Scottsdale and Scottsdale Fashion Square opened in July 2016 after a $25-million renovation. It features a complimentary made-to-order breakfast, evening drinks and appetizers, Saturday night dive-in movies, live music poolside on Fridays and more.

The Suite Summer Escape with a two-room suite starts at $99 per night. The Pokemon Go Family Package (the 21-acre resort has three Poke stops and a Pokemon Gym) includes a $20 Google Play or iTunes gift card to buy Poke coins.

8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix 602-438-9000 • arizonagrandresort.com

FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS

This family-friendly resort boasts a sevenacre Oasis Water Park with an eight-story Slide Canyon Tower featuring two dramatic waterslides, plus a Zuni lazy river and a zero-entry Oasis Wave Pool. The resort hosts nightly family-friendly activities. And Rustler’s Rooste — a hilltop Western steak house adjacent to the resort — offers an Old West atmosphere, great views, a live steer and an indoor slide that younger kids love.

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7575 E. Princess Drive 480-585-4848 • scottsdaleprincess.com

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess celebrates its 30th birthday and three decades as a favorite staycation destination this year. It’s sixth — and largest — pool, with a white-sand beach, opened in May 2016. The resort also boasts waterslides, summer pool parties and dive-in movies, swimming with “mermaids,” lagoon fishing, nature walks and weekend fireworks. The

resort’s seventh annual Fourth of July Freedom Fest offers concerts, a vintage air show and more.

Summer Splash Birthday Bash rates start at $169 per night with a $50 daily resort credit.

FOUR SEASONS RESORT SCOTTSDALE AT TROON NORTH 10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive 480-513-5039 • fourseasons.com/scottsdale

With a complimentary Kids for All Seasons program (offering games, Legos, crafts, movies, behind-the-scenes hotel tours and more daily for ages 5 to 12), free stargazing every Thursday night, dive-in movies on Saturdays, free poolside cabanas (with smoothie and fruit-kabob samples) and live music, there is something for every family member to enjoy.

Summer rates start at $189 per night.

HYATT REGENCY SCOTTSDALE RESORT & SPA AT GAINEY RANCH 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road 480-444-1234 • scottsdale.regency.hyatt.com

This picturesque resort offers 10 pools, 20 fountains, 45 waterfalls, a sand beach and a three-story waterslide in its updated “water playground.” Family activities include a rock-

climbing wall, poolside games and movies, horseback riding, desert tours and more. Splash into Summer rates start at $149 per night with a $50 resort credit and free self-parking.

POINTE HILTON SQUAW PEAK RESORT 7677 N. 16th St., Phoenix 602-997-2626 • squawpeakhilton.com

The four-acre River Ranch waterpark includes a lazy river, sports pool, waterslide, waterfalls and more. There are also a mini-golf course, tennis courts and dive-in movies. Coyote Camp teaches ages 4 to 12 about Western folklore, culture and geography, with fun activities including gold panning. Squaw Peak Fun rates start at $124 per night (plus a $26 resort fee).

SHERATON WILD HORSE PASS RESORT & SPA 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Gila River Reservation 602-225-0100 • wildhorsepassresort.com

Relax at the resort pool with a waterslide or try paddleboarding at this south Phoenix destination. Family activities include Native American-inspired storytelling and arts and crafts; poolside activities and movies; horsebackriding adventures at Koi Equestrian Center and easy access to nearby Rawhide, the 1880s

Western theme park with cowboy stunt shows, stagecoach and train rides and entertainment.

Enjoy storytelling around the campfire during Stories and S’mores. The Adventure Club for kids offers supervised activities. Summer rates start at $119 per night ($99 for teachers, military members or caregivers).

THE PHOENICIAN 6000 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix 480-941-8200 • thephoenician.com

This longtime Phoenix resort is under renovation this summer, which means even bigger deals.

Rates start at $119 per night and include a renovated room, in-room movie and half off the Funicians Kids Club program for ages 5 to 12 that offers sports, tours, games and arts and crafts. The resort hosts AquaMermaid classes (for ages 7 and older), plus stargazing, koi fish feeding, animal encounters, hiking, water games, iScavenger hunts, family activities, dive-in movies, a waterslide, splashpad and more.

THE WESTIN KIERLAND RESORT & SPA 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Phoenix 480-624-1000 • kierlandresort.com

The Westin Kierland’s Adventure Water Park boasts a FlowRider, which is part surfing, part

10 MOVIES

10 WEEKS

wakeboarding, plus a lazy river and waterslide, a shaded poolside OK Corral with lawn games, basketball, table games and campfires for s’mores. There is a Digital Kids Club for ages 8 to 13, with classes in animation and videogame design. The Westin Family Kids Club (for ages 4 to 12) offers swimming, scavenger hunts, hotel tours, movies, video games, soccer, tennis and more. The Big Chill Package for summer starts at $149 per night and includes a $50 resort dining credit or two free sessions on the Kierland FlowRider wave simulator.

THE WIGWAM 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park 623-935-3811 • wigwamarizona.com

This historic Arizona resort offers all the resort musts, including pools, water slides, golf, tennis and bocce courts. But there are also sand volleyball, dive-in movies, family game nights, character breakfasts and Wildlife World Zoo animal encounter shows. Summer rates are as low as $89 Sunday through Thursday and $119 Friday and Saturday.

Kara G. Morrison is the editor of R aising A rizona K ids and the mother of Sofia (4). Reach her at kara@ rakmagazine.com.

7 DOLLARS

MAY 29 - AUGUST 4 | TICKETS ON SALE NOW! HARKINSTHEATRES.COM/SMF

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 28:

AQ UA RI UM

4

WAYS TO EXPLORE THE SEA

OF ODYS EA

(in the middle of the desert)

FROM OUR LANDLOCKED Sonoran Desert spot, Phoenix still offers plenty of ways for kids to explore the oceans, from the new OdySea Aquarium that opened east of Scottsdale in August to an expansion at Sea Life Arizona Aquarium in Tempe. Here are four great places to explore under the sea this summer — no road trip required.

ODYSEA AQUARIUM 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale 480-291-8000 • odyseaaquarium.com With 200,000 square feet of watery wonderland to explore and 16 all-new exhibits, this aquarium is a massive desert oasis. The largest aquarium in the Southwest, OdySea offers a mini version of the Great Barrier Reef, a Penguin Point attraction and The Otter Banks, where otters frolic and play. It’s also the only place we can think of where you can watch sharks (and vice versa) from inside the restrooms.

The aquarium houses more than 30,000 animals and lots of interactive exhibits, such as the Stingray Bay Touch Pools and the SeaTREK Dive where (for an additional fee) participants in oxygenated helmets can walk into OdySea’s fish-filled tanks. “Mermaids” have also made appearances here! 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. MondayFriday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday. $34.95; $29.95 for ages 13-17; $24.95 for ages 3-12. The aquarium is part of the OdySea in the Desert entertainment district that includes Butterfly Wonderland and OdySea Mirror Maze, so discounted combo tickets for those attractions are available.

PHOENIX ZOO 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix 602-914-4333 • phoenixzoo.org You may not think “ocean” when contemplating a trip to the Phoenix Zoo, but don’t forget Stingray Bay,

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where kids can touch and even feed (for $2) cownose stingrays in a 15,000-gallon interactive pool. Then, little ones can cool off in the zoo’s Leapin’ Lagoon splash pad and enjoy other water features. Summer hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. June through August. $28.95; $18.95 for ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger (includes general and Stingray Bay admission).

WILDLIFE WORLD ZOO 16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park 623-935-9543 • wildlifeworld.com This west-side zoo’s aquarium boasts 180,000 gallons of freshwater and saltwater.The four-building aquarium is open until 9 p.m. daily and features hundreds of fish and amphibians. Two years ago, Wildlife World Zoo welcomed three gregarious sea lions. Guests can feed and interact with them and watch daily sea-lion shows at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in Shipwreck Cove.

Kids can also feed penguins and explore marine life from the South Pacific, Caribbean and more. One of the popular aquarium attractions is the Predators exhibit featuring piranha and a rare albino alligator. The zoo is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; the aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Admission to both is $39.99; $19.99 for ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger. Aquarium-only admission from 5-9 p.m. is $16.99; $8.99 for ages 3-12.

Onsite Dillon’s restaurant, featuring Kansas-City-style barbecue, offers tables with shark-tank views.

CO UR TE SY

By Dani Horn

million new Colorado River Adventure room that helps kids learn about water conservation and Arizona’s water supply. It includes a large-scale, interactive model of the Colorado River as it runs from the mountains through the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam all the way to the Sea of Cortez.

“The real hands-on part is that (visitors) get to twist, turn and manipulate the water on our interactive play table,” says Elizabeth Mathews, Sea Life’s marketing manager. “They’ll see the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam and how the water filters through all of that,” she says. “Kids won’t get wet necessarily, but they’ll be able to play with the water.”

Other Sea Life features include a 360-degree ocean tunnel, diggable marine fossils, a touch tide pool teeming with sea urchins and crabs, behind-the-scenes tours, talks and feeding times. Visitors also learn about local conservation efforts such as monthly cleanups of the Salt River and a successful breeding program for the endangered Desert Pupfish, which used to inhabit the Gila River basin. 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. $18; $13 ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger. Sea Life and Legoland Discovery Center (located next door) are both owned by Merlin Entertainments, so discounted combo tickets and passes are available when you visit both attractions.

SEA LIFE AQUARIUM 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle #145, Tempe 877-526-3960 • visitsealife.com/arizona This 26,000-square-foot aquarium located inside Arizona Mills mall was built for kids, with viewing bubbles at children’s eye level, letting them observe sea creatures up close. Sea Life recently unveiled a $1

Staff writer Dani Horn is the mother of Victoria (11) and Remy (7).

Summer Reading Program June 1 – August 1, 2017 read20az.com/rak Maricopa County

READS

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 29:

SUMMER VOLUNTEERING Ways to give back during your vacation

By Rachel Brockway IF YOUR FAMILY is traveling to escape the Phoenix heat this summer, consider adding a new element to your vacation: volunteering. It’s a great way to spend quality time together, learn more about the community you’re visiting and make a difference.

Before your trip, do some online research about volunteer opportunities in or near your destination. Two websites — volunteermatch.com and handsonnetwork.org — offer detailed information.

Maybe you want to reconsider notions of a “typical” summer vacation and embrace a volunteer-focused trip. A number of companies in the United States and abroad specialize in “voluntourism,” which can help families learn about other cultures and understand how a community’s needs differ from their own. Trips like these can be incredibly educational and fulfilling, but they also can be physically and emotionally challenging, depending on the type of work and conditions involved. Because of this, they usually are recommended for families with older children and teenagers.

Here are more ideas that your family can incorporate into your next vacation: • Read books about helping others. Reading volunteering or serviceoriented books are a fun, simple and effective way to teach your children about the importance of helping others. They also serve as great conversation starters to instill the importance of giving back.

• Park and/or beach clean-ups. Bring garbage bags with you before heading out to the park or the beach. Make it a family goal to pick up as much trash as possible.

• Local food-bank donations. Drive your family to a local grocery store to pick up some non-perishable food items to donate to a local food shelter.

Throughout the summer months, there are also plenty of at-home projects your family can do to benefit the Valley’s many nonprofits.

Some examples: • Assemble “Hope Totes.” The Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Hope Totes provide water, food and essential toiletries to the homeless. Get your family together and fill gallon-sized zipper bags with toiletries — toothbrushes, toothpaste, lip balm, disposable razors, shaving cream, soap, deodorant and shampoo — to donate to the Rescue Mission for distribution.

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• Make a kindness jar that is filled with ideas of random acts of kindness that your kids can do or that you can do as a family. Acts of kindness can be simple things children say or do that demonstrate a concern or care for others.

• Make laundry-detergent bags. The nonprofit Ronald McDonald House provides a “home-away-from-home” for families who have a child facing a medical challenge. RMH is in constant need of laundry detergent for the laundry rooms on their campuses. Your family can help by making individual laundry detergent bags (one scoop of detergent and a dryer sheet in a zipper bag) for families staying at the RHM. • Deliver water. Homeless men, women and children in our community suffer from the extreme summer heat, which places them at great risk for dehydration and sun exposure. Your family can help by purchasing bottled water and delivering it to any of these organizations: Phoenix Rescue Mission donation warehouse: 1468 N. 26th Ave., Phoenix; Parsons Family Health Clinic, 3522 N. Third Ave., Phoenix; Central Arizona Shelter Service’s Single Adult Shelter, 230 S. 12th Ave., Phoenix; Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter, 1050 W. Mountain View Road, Phoenix.

Water donations also can be dropped off at your local fire station.

Visit familiesgivingback.org for a detailed list of water drop-off locations and more local volunteer projects and opportunities.

Rachel Brockway of Phoenix is a Families Giving Back board member and the mother of Aiden (10).

Horizontal Discover, learn and have fun with us!

RESOURCE FAIR 2017 Sat, Aug 26, 2017 9am - 1pm

Halle Heart Children’s Museum 2929 S 48th St, Tempe

RESOURCE FAIR 2017

• Meet with dozens of local organizations that support families with special needs.

• Informative speakers and demonstrations.

This annual event is sponsored by:

• Free admission and family fun for all ages in the Halle Heart Children’s Museum.

Register online: RaisingArizonaKids.com

raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

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SURVIVAL TIP NO. 30:

SUMMER CAMPS

for kids — up north

By RAK Staff

IS YOUR FAMILY headed to Flagstaff this summer? As much as you will enjoy every minute of family time in the cooler pines of the Coconino Forest, there might be days when you prefer the company of adults, or even a few hours of solitude.

Maybe you’ve been pining to hike Humphrey’s Peak or try a challenging trail on your mountain bike. Maybe you want to peruse quaint boutiques in downtown Flagstaff, have a glass of wine with lunch or just take a nap!

Sound good? We thought so, too. That’s why we put together a quick list of summer day camps that will welcome your children — and keep them engaged and happy — while you are off doing some exploring of your own.

Advantage Basketball Camps offer three- and fiveday sessions in ball handling and shooting for ages 6-18 (all skill levels). Full-day camps (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at Sinagua Middle School July 24-26 or July 24-28. $225$295. advantagebasketball.com ARTshop Sewing and Craft Camps for ages 9-14 features basic machine-sewing, beading, paper-making, scrapbooking and gift-making. Weekly sessions 8 a.m. to noon June 5-July 28. $60/day or $150/week includes materials. Contact fiber artist and certified teacher Vera Baron at artshop524@gmail.com

Flagstaff Athletic Club summer camp for ages 4-12 includes daily swimming, activities, games and hiking on nearby trail systems (weather permitting). Half- and full-day options June 2-Aug. 9; daily, partial week and weekly rates available. flagstaffathleticclub.com Flagstaff Climbing Club’s “Iwannaclimbalot” camps require no prior experience. 8:30 a.m. to noon June 5-9, June 19-23, July 10-14 and July 24-28 (ages 4-8) or June 12-16, June 26-30, July 17-21 and July 31-Aug. 4 (ages 9-13). $199/week. Older kids and teens (ages 11-17) can try outdoor climbing at “Rock Trip” camps June 5-9, June 19-23, July 10-14 and July 24-28. $399/ week. flagstaffclimbing.com/climbing-gym/programs/ summer-camps Lowell Observatory offers STEM-inspired preschool camps the first and third Saturdays of each month (10:30 a.m. to noon, $20). Lowell Observatory Camps for Kids (LOCKs), for grades 1-6, offers hands-on science experiments and astronomy activities during weekly sessions June 12-July 21 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $225/week). LOCKS Middle School, for grades 7-9, has kids identify constellations, locate deep-sky objects and operate portable telescopes (4-10 p.m. June 12-16 and June 19-23, $275/week). lowell.edu

Boys and Girls Club of Flagstaff offers full-day camps June 12-Aug. 4. Themes include Spy, Amazing Race, Mad Science, Wilderness Adventure and more. Registration information was pending at press time. bgcflag.org

Museum of Northern Arizona runs a Discovery Program for ages 4-17 designed to be a “gateway into the wonders of the Colorado Plateau.” Hands-on learning opportunities about the region’s traditions of fine arts, natural sciences, Native cultures and ecology are taught by experienced educators.

Travel opportunities for older kids. One-week sessions (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for ages 4-5; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 6-17) run June 5-July 28. $140-$675/week. musnaz.org

Coconino County Parks and Recreation offers several weeks of outdoor recreation camps (for ages 8-13) and mountain-bike camps (for ages 10-12) throughout the summer, as well as one-day activity clinics on topics like archery, river rafting, Minecraft, Lego/STEM and more. coconino.az.gov/calendar

Northern Arizona University operates summer camps for the children of faculty, students or alumni, but members of the community are welcome, too.

Grades K-8 will enjoy a variety of activities and weekly themes. $150/week (no daily rates). nau.edu/CampusRecreation/Summer-Youth-Programs

Flagstaff Aerial Arts offers five-day intensives in silks, trapeze and lyra (aerial hoops). Half-day sessions June 12-16 (ages 6-8) and June 19-23 (ages 9-11). $40/day or $175/week. flagstaffaerial.org

NAU Volleyball Camps. In addition to elite programs for high school girls (or teams), NAU offers a “no experience necessary” volleyball skills camp for girls in grades 5-12. Includes six two-hour sessions over three

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JUNE/JULY 2017 raisingarizonakids.com

days. Resident and commuter options July 21-23. $255$355. camps.jumpforward.com/nauvb The Arboretum at Flagstaff offers Eco Explorers Summer Camps for ages 5-12. These nature-based, experiential STEAM-centered camps featuring art, hikes, games, digging in the dirt, visits to the butterfly house and visitors from the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary.

Weekly sessions run June 5-July 21 (no camp July 4).

9am-1pm (ages 5-6) or 9am-4pm (ages 7-12); $160$250/week. thearb.org/learn/summer-camps The Flagstaff branch of Valley of the Sun YMCA offers camps for ages 5-12 with specialty activities, field trips, swimming, games and more. One-week sessions run through August, with full- and half-day options. $125 and up/week. valleyymca.org/daycamp

Have suggestions for camps or activities we’ve missed? We’ll be updating this list online at raisingarizonakids.com/summer

10% off through 7/31/17 - use code RAKMag

THE SCHOOL OF BALLET ARIZONA

Summer Ballet School June 12 – July 21, 2017 | ages 4 – 12 Sessions from 2 to 6 weeks

Billyo GoG

for little adventure rs

™ • Rugged canvas backpacks your kids can take on adventures • Designed and tested in Arizona • Sized to fit ages 4 to 8 • Made in USA

Visit us at www.billygogo.com

@teambillygogo

Your child’s chance to explore his or her love of ballet, at the only school associated with the acclaimed Ballet Arizona professional company.

Featuring: • live piano accompaniment • internationally-renowned faculty • studios of the Ballet Arizona professional company The tradition of ballet comes alive at the official dance school of Ballet Arizona. The School of Ballet Arizona offers instruction on the highest level – where internationally recognized artists serve as instructors. For more information, go to balletaz.org/school/summer-programs/.

To schedule a placement class, contact School Manager Alison Morse at school@balletaz.org or 602.381.0188.

Thinking About Expanding Your Family?

You and your family are invited to our

facebook.com/school.BAZ

Maternity Center

instagram.com/schoolofballetarizona

Open House Tuesday, June 13 | 5 – 7 p.m.

Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital 1500 S. Mill Ave., Tempe Thursday, June 15 | 5 – 7 p.m.

Mountain Vista Medical Center 1301 S. Crismon Rd., Mesa

Meet

physicians and our women’s services care team

Learn

Enjoy

about your personalized birthing choices such as nitrous oxide

Tour

our Maternity Centers

some pampering

Nosh

on munchies and refreshments

Pre-register to let us know you’re coming and be automatically entered into a prize drawing awarded at your chosen event!

yourAZhealth.com/baby

Photo by Rosalie O’Connor.

raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

35

SCOTTSDALE’S

CROCKPOT PRO OFFERS EASY SUMMER MEALS

By Karen Fernau | Photos by Rick D’Elia SLOW COOKERS built their reputation on ribsticking meals to ward off a cold winter’s night.

Today, savvy local cooks like Jenn Bare are turning to these kitchen workhorses to take the edge off of hot summer nights.

“The slow cooker can change with the season, and more important, make it easy to cook all summer without standing in front of a hot oven or grill,” says Bare, a Scottsdale mom and cookbook author.

A former ambassador for Crock-Pot, Bare began dabbling a decade ago with slow cooker recipes while traveling internationally for work.

“I could make meals for my husband when I was gone, and for us when I came home,” says Bare, who received her MBA from Arizona State University. After her daughter Bali (now 9) was born, she added family-friendly creations to her repertoire.

Bare eventually branded herself Crock-Pot Girl, and in 2011 began sharing her recipes and tips on her website getcrocked.com. Between that and her two recent Get Crocked cookbooks, “Slow Cooker 5 Ingredient Favorites” and “Slow Cooker Soups & Stews,” she proves that slow cookers can be as versatile as they are convenient.

The key for summer is lightening up flavors to appeal to appetites zapped by 100-degree days with in-season ingredients — from berries to corn and tomatoes.

Whether for a family dinner or pool party, Bare creates summer dishes that run from traditional to ethnic, from fried chicken and macaroni and cheese to curried quinoa and vegetables or pork carnitas. She also brings the slow cooker to the breakfast table with a summer vegetable frittata and to dessert with a classic rhubarb crisp.

“There’s really very little you can’t do in a slow cooker,” said Bare, an expert at replicating

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Jenn Bare of Scottsdale gets help from her daughter Bali (8) on a barbeque chicken recipe.

restaurant favorites in her slow cooker.

Her slow-cooker meals also help stretch the family food budget. The long, moist cooking tenderizes cheaper cuts of meat, from pork shoulder to chuck roasts and whole chickens.

Her recipes tap into modern sensibilities, but the purpose of slow-cooker meals has remained the same since debuting in the 1970s as a bean cooker. The motto of the trademarked Crock-Pot — “Cooks all day while the cook’s away” — still hits the mark with busy families, Bare says.

Another benefit is that slow cooking appeals to the novice cook, requiring entrylevel cooking skills. Prep ingredients, add them to the slow cooker and press start. A few recipes, however, do require more work, such as browning beef and sautéing chicken.

Slow cookers are also kid-friendly, and Bare encourages parents to include kids in the simple preparations, from measuring spices to adding ingredients into the pot.

“My kids are like others. They are more likely to eat what they help make,” says Bare, who is also mom to 3-year-old son Maverick.

When grilling this summer, Bare advises turning to the slow cooker for side dishes such as corn on the cob. Simply wrap each ear in aluminum foil, place in the slow cooker, cover

and cook on high for two hours.

When using a slow cooker, Bare offers the following advice: • Cut food into uniform-size pieces to make sure that the ingredients cook evenly. Place slow-cooking root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots and turnips at the bottom of the crock.

• Herbs such as parsley, basil and cilantro lose their potency quickly in a slow cooker. To bring out their bright, potent flavors, stir in during the last few minutes of cooking.

• Timing matters. The lid traps steam and prevents liquid from evaporating, which dilutes flavors if cooked too long.

• Don’t peek. Lifting the lid and peeking slows down the cooking. Every look adds 15-20 minutes of cooking time.

• For healthier meals, trim fat. When possible, remove chicken skin, too.

• Avoid overcrowding. Fill the crock halfway to two-thirds full.

• Use fresh ingredients. Take advantage of the summer harvest with vegetarian meals, from ratatouille to asparagus and fennel risotto.

• Visit getcrocked.com for more summer favorites.

Karen Fernau is a longtime journalist and former food writer at The Arizona Republic.

3

SUMMER RECIPES

FROM LOCAL CROCK-POT GIRL JENN BARE BBQ Chicken Sliders • 4 chicken breasts, skin removed • 1½ cups favorite barbecue sauce • ½ cup tangy Italian dressing • 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional) Place chicken into the crock and top with barbecue sauce, dressing and sugar. Cover and cook on high heat for 4 hours. Remove and allow to cool slightly before shredding.

Return to pot to keep warm. Stir before serving. Place equal amounts on four hamburger buns or, for sliders, on eight Hawaiian slider rolls. Makes 4 servings.

Mixed Berry Fruit Punch

Sunrise Granola

• 3 cups frozen mixed berries • Juice of 1 lemon, plus slices to garnish

• 5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats • 1 tablespoon flax seeds • ¼ cup slivered almonds • ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds • ¼ cup unsweetened shredded

• ½ cup sugar or ¼ cup honey • Filtered water • Lime slices to garnish

Place the frozen mixed berries in a slow cooker. Pour lemon juice over the berries, and add sugar or honey. Cover with filtered water until the slow cooker is 1/3 cup full. Cover and cook on high heat for 2 hours. Whisk fruit punch to make sure sugar and honey is dissolved. Strain the fruit punch into a pitcher and refrigerate. Serve over ice with lemon and lime slices to garnish.

Makes 10-12 servings.

coconut (optional) • ½ cup raisins, dried cranberries or chocolate chips • ¾ cup honey • ¼ cup butter, melted

Add all dry ingredients to slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix together honey and butter. Pour honey-butter mixture over dry ingredients. Toss to coat well. Cover slow cooker, keeping lid cracked to allow steam to escape. Cook on high for 2 hours, stirring often to prevent burning. Spread granola out on cooking sheets to cool. Store in an airtight container. Makes 21 servings.

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37

family time!

TOP SUMMER EVENTS

By Liz Petroff

Hello-o-o summer! Goodbye homework, early bedtimes, hustling from one activity to another. It’s time for movie nights, camps, swim play dates, vacations and carefree moods. These months are hot, but that won’t keep us from enjoying great activities. Create structure with weekly kids clubs or camps, or be spontaneous and go to an outdoor concert, movie or Desert Botanical Garden Flashlight Tour. At whatever speed your family needs to move this summer, use these top events and our summer survival tips as a helpful guide.

Find more extensive day-by-day event listings at raisingarizonakids.com/calendar

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JUNE/JULY 2017 raisingarizonakids.com

MAY 27-SEPT. 2 Desert Botanical Garden Flashlight Tours Nights in the desert can be lovely once the sun is no longer blazing down. The garden celebrates this and attract crowds during the hottest months with its family-friendly flashlight tours 7-9 p.m. every Thursday and Saturday through Sept. 2. Bring your own flashlight to light up the trails and explore night-blooming plants and elusive animals. New activities each week promote play, learning and adventure. Kids get to see desert critters up close, make crafts and learn fun facts from garden volunteers. $24.95; $12.95 for ages 3-17; free for ages 2 and younger. 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. 480-941-1225 or dbg.org

JUNE 2-JULY 16

JUNE 9-30

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Arizona Broadway Theatre presents the enchanted tale of Belle and the Beast who is trapped under a spell and must learn to love before time runs out. Showtimes vary. $37.50$77.50. See it June 2 through July 2 at Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane in Peoria. From July 7-16 the production moves to Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. 623-776-8400 or azbroadway.org

Itty Bitty Beach Parties The beach comes to you this summer when Cigna HealthCare of Arizona and the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department host poolside parties. Designed for swimmers ages 6 and younger (and their parents), these free beach parties include water safety instruction, games, dance and swimsuit contests and a whole lot of fun from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Fridays in June. Paradise Valley Pool, 17648 N. 40th St. (June 9); Deer Valley Pool, 19400 N. 19th Ave. (June 16); Pecos Pool, 17010 S. 48th St., (June 23); University Pool, 1102 W. Van Buren St. (June 30). phoenix.gov/parks/pools

COURTESY OF FINGER PAINT MARKETING

JUNE 9-25 The Wizard of Oz: The Musical Valley Youth Theatre brings Dorothy and her little dog, Toto, to the Herberger Theater. As they are swept away by a tornado from Dorothy’s farm in Kansas to the magical land of Oz, they meet new friends and enemies in this classic tale. 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m.

Sunday. $16.50-$34.50. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St, Phoenix. 602-254-7399 or vyt.com

Cars 3: Road to the Races Tour Disney/Pixar’s “Cars 3” speeds into theaters June 16, but Lightning McQueen fans can meet the five-time Piston-Cup champion, his new tech-savvy trainer, Cruz Ramirez, and the sleek new next-gen racer, Jackson Storm, when they make a pit stop in Phoenix. Meet these life-size characters from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 3 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 4. Fans can color a giant mural of the movie characters, experience a racer pit crew tire change, and enjoy an interactive play area. Catch a sneak peek of the movie in a Cinetransformer Mobile Movie Theatre.

Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. shopdesertridge.com

COURTESY OF CITY OF SCOTTSDALE

COURTESY OF DESERT BONTANICAL GARDEN

JUNE 3-4

JUNE 4-JULY 2

JUNE 10

Summer Concerts at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park This gem of a city park in Scottsdale offers a great way to enjoy its playgrounds, grass lawns and kids activities as temperatures heat up. From 7:30-9 p.m. every Sunday through July 2, bring blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy local bands playing a variety of music, from Top 40 to 1960s tunes. Food, ice cream and other treats are available for purchase, and kids (and adults) can ride the carousel and small-scale train for $2 per ride until 9 p.m. Free admission. 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. 480-312-2312 or therailroadpark.com

Mighty Mud Mania This popular annual event offers free, muddy obstacle courses for all ages. New this year, The Muddy Tot is for ages 1-3. The Mini Mud Course for ages 4-6 and The Original Mud Obstacle Course for ages 7-12 include a foot race, mud pits, a slide and ropes for swinging into the mud. The Extreme Course is a more challenging option for ages 13 and older. Adults (ages 18 and older) who participate in the Extreme Course pay $10; otherwise the event is free. Also new this year, one-time-use Fast Passes for the Original and Extreme courses. The event includes inflatable water slides, food vendors, open-play mud pits and wash stations. 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 10 at Chaparral Park, 5401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. scottsdaleaz.gov/mighty-mud-mania

raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

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TOP SUMMER EVENTS Continued JUNE 10 AND AUG. 5

PHOENIX ZOO

Prowl & Play at the Phoenix Zoo It’s the first summer in the Valley for LouLou, the zoo’s new white rhino, which means it’s also her first Prowl & Play. From 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10 (Kids Street Fest) and Saturday, Aug. 5 (Dinosaurs), the zoo will celebrate children and animals with musicians, artists, dancing and performers on themed Prowl & Play nights. Kiddos can stay cool on waterslides and water features. $24.95; $14.95 ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway. 602286-3800 or phoenixzoo.org

JUNE 16-SEPT. 4 “Get Animated!” at the Arizona Science Center Step into the world of animators and try your hand at animation this summer when the Arizona Science Center unveils its new “Get Animated!” exhibit.

Explore the entertaining world of animation, from traditional hand-drawn cel animation to stop-motion and CGI. Highlights include “The Simpsons,” “Scooby-Doo” and “Mr.Toad’s Wild Ride” photo opps, a “Shrek” castle, cartoons from animation pioneers and drawing and stop-motion animation stations. Price TBA plus general admission: $18; $13 ages 3-17; free for ages 2 and younger.

Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-716-2000 or azscience.org

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I.D.E.A. MUSEUM

ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER

Birthday celebration at Children’s Museum of Phoenix Help celebrate the ninth year of this museum dedicated to hands-on play and learning for ages 10 and younger. You’ll find all the birthday necessities: sweet treats, balloons and giveaways! 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 14.

(The museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily in June and July.) $11; free parking. 215 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-253-0501 or childrensmuseumofphoenix.org

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX

JUNE 14

JUNE 16-SEPT. 10 “My Favorite Monster” at i.d.e.a. Museum This new exhibit offers “light-hearted look” at our fascination with fantastical creatures — including dragons, ghosts, zombies and vampires — in animation, gaming, books, TV shows and films. Hands-on activities including storytelling, dressing up as goofy monsters, “monstrous” games, making monster movies, building 3-D creatures in the “monster lab,” and a monster dance party. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. $8; free for children younger than 1. 150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa. 480644-4332 or ideamuseum.org

JUNE 18 Happy Father’s Day. Dads get free admission to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix and the i.d.e.a. Museum in Mesa today!

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TOP SUMMER EVENTS Continued JULY 22

All-American Festival Have a blast this 4th of July at one of the most entertaining patriotic parties in town. The Peoria Sports Complex transforms into a family-friendly environment with a kid zone, water zone, food-eating contests, a beanbag toss tournament, live entertainment and a colorful fireworks display. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. $10; free for ages 12 and younger. Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Ave. 623-773-8700 or peoriasportscomplex.com

Rubble from PAW Patrol at Tilt Studio.

PAW Patrol’s construction pup will visit Tilt Studio at Arizona Mills Mall on Saturday, July 22. See the Nick Jr. character at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The free event includes drawings for prizes. Tilt Studio, an arcade and eatery, is offering $30 game cards for $20 through Thursday, Aug. 31. 5000 Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 669, Tempe. 480-648-1222 or tiltstudio.com

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JULY 4

JULY 4 4th of Zooly It doesn’t get any more American than spending the 4th of July at the Phoenix Zoo. At 7p.m., enjoy an all-American catered barbecue feast lakeside. The night includes special animal encounters, carousel rides, live music and bounce houses. Gather at the back of the zoo at 9 p.m. for a special view of the Tempe Town Lake Fireworks Spectacular show. Reservations are required. $45; $35 for ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger. The Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway. 602-2863800 or phoenixzoo.org

JULY 8 Christmas in July Deck the halls on Saturday, July 8 when the City of Glendale’s annual Christmas in July celebration jingles into town. Enjoy free holiday crafts, sweet treats and discounts at the shops in Old Towne and Catlin Court. Santa Claus is even taking time away from his tropical vacation to visit and take pictures with the whole family. 10 a.m to 4 p.m in downtown Glendale. visitglendale.com

JULY 15 Winter in July The forecast is calling for snow in Phoenix on July 15. You won’t even remember it is 100-plus degrees outside when The Phoenix Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland. Families can chill out and play in snow, splash around at the wet and wild play areas, and watch animals cool off and enjoy icy treats from 7-11 a.m. $24.95; $14.95 ages 3-12; free for ages 2 years and younger. 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. 602-286-3800 or phoenixzoo.org

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JULY 23 Shark Week It’s one of the most anticipated weeks for fans of these ocean predators. But this year, you can ditch your TV and see the fierce creatures up close at both Sea Life Arizona Aquarium (visitsealife.com/arizona) and OdySea Aquarium, which is hosting “SOS” (Summer of Sharks) events all month long. These mysterious creatures will be celebrated with activities and educational programs that are free with admission. The “Sharks of the Deep” exhibit, a 10-minute film “Underwater Giants” and the Living Sea Carousel are just a few of the many ways guest can view sandbar, sand tiger, scalloped hammerhead and lemon sharks. $34.95; $24.95 ages 3-12. OdySea Aquarium, 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale. 480-291-8000 or odyseaaquarium.com

Calendar Editor Liz Petroff of Phoenix is the mother of Jack (9) and Lucy (7). Send event info to liz@RAKmagazine.com.

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family time! around arizona

STATEWIDE National Trails Day (Sat June 3).

The American Hiking Society’s annual celebration of trails features hikes, biking and horseback rides, paddling trips, birdwatching, geocaching, gear demonstrations and stewardship projects in Arizona and all across the country.

Times and locations vary. Some parks have entry fees. nationaltrailsday.org.

CLARKDALE Old Fashioned 4th of July (Tues July 4). Pancake breakfast, fire truck rides, parades, patriotic music, games. 7-11am.

Free; pancake breakfast $5; $4 for ages 12 and younger. Clarkdale Park, 1001 Main St, Clarkdale. 928-634-9591 or clarkdale.az.gov.

FLAGSTAFF Arizona Highland Celtic Festival (July 15-16). Bagpipes, dancers, workshops, children’s activities and traditional foods.

9am-6pm Sat, 9am-4pm Sun. $15-$25; $5 ages 3-12. Foxglenn Park, 4200 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff. 928-556-3161 or nachs.info/festival.

Flag Wool & Fiber Festival (June 3-4). Sheep, alpaca, and goat shearing; fiber arts competition, fleece judging, demonstrations, vendors, food and more.

9am-4pm. Free. The Pioneer Museum, 2340 N Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff. flagwool.com.

Flagstaff Folk Festival (June 24-25).

Workshops, jams and more than 100 acts on five stages. 10am-6pm. $5/person or $15/family. Coconino Center for the Arts & Pioneer Museum, 2300 N Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff. 928-606-2064 or flagfolkfest.org.

Flagstaff Hullabaloo (June 3-4).

A community festival featuring giant puppets, a bike parade, costume contests, circus performers, two performance stages, a huge kids area, local vendors, microbrews and more.

10am-9pm Sat; 11am-6pm Sun. $8 ($5 in advance). Free for the first 250 people who bring two cans of food for the Flagstaff Family Food Center. Wheeler

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Flagstaff Hulabaloo (Sat-Sun Jun 3-4) in Flagstaff.

Park, 212 W Aspen Ave, Flagstaff. 877435-9849 or flaghulla.com.

Movies on the Square (Saturdays through Sept 2). Live entertainment, food vendors and movies for all audiences.

4pm activities; movie at dusk. Free.

Heritage Square, downtown Flagstaff. flagdba.com/movies-on-the-square.

Museum of Northern Arizona STEAM Second Saturdays (June 10 and July 8). All ages. Kids programs, hands-on activities and creative crafts.

New topics each month. 2-4pm. $12; $8 ages 10-17; free for ages 9 and younger.

3101 N Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff. 928774-5213 or musnaz.org.

Riordan Second Sunday Special Tour: Historic Milton Walking Tour (Sun June 11). Ages 12 & up. A 90-minute guided walk from Riordan Mansion to explore the Arizona Lumber and Timber Company property and the town site of Milton. 2-3:30pm. $12.

Reservations required. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, 409 W Riordan Rd, Flagstaff. 928-779-4395 or azstateparks. com/riordan-mansion.

Payson Book Festival (Sat July 22). More than 70 Arizona authors, presentations, storytime, food, entertainment and a young people’s writing workshop. 9am-3:30pm. Free.

Mazatzal Hotel and Casino, Tonto National Forest, Highway 87. 928-4786793 or paysonbookfestival.org.

Summer Concert Series (First Saturdays June-Sept.). Musical performance under the shade of the pines. Bring blankets, concert chairs, food and non-alcoholic beverages; beer and wine available for purchase. 5:30pm. $18; $14 members; free for ages 12 and younger. The Arboretum at Flagstaff, 4001 S Woody Mountain Rd, Flagstaff.

928-774-1442 or thearb.org.

Payson Farmers Market (Saturdays through Sept 16). Buy fresh, local, organically grown food and enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities, contests, special events and more.

Watermelon eating contest on Saturday, July 1. 8am-noon. Free.

Sawmill Crossing Plaza, 816 S Beeline Highway, Payson. 928-468-0961 or paysonfarmersmarket.com.

PAYSON

Summer Concert Series (Saturdays in June and July). Bring the family and a picnic (or buy food from local vendors) and enjoy live music under the stars.

Dogs must be on leash at all times. No smoking or alcohol. 7pm. Free. Green Valley Park, 1000 W Country Club Dr, Payson. paysonrimcountry.com.

4th of July Hometown Celebration (Mon July 4). Bring chairs, a picnic basket and blanket or grab some food from local vendors. Fireworks show, games, bouncy houses, prizes, music and more. 8am patriotic ceremony, 1-3pm family games and activities, 4-9pm live music, 9pm fireworks. Free.

Green Valley Park, 1000 W Country Club Dr, Payson. 928-472-5110 or paysonrimcountry.com.

JUNE/JULY 2017 raisingarizonakids.com

PINE-STRAWBERRY Pine-Strawberry Arts & Crafts Festival (July 1-2). Juried vendor and boutique

exhibits, pancake breakfast, food and beverages. Sponsored by Pine-Strawberry Arts and Crafts Guild. 8am-5pm Sat, 8am-4pm Sun. Free. Pine Community Center grounds, 3886 N Highway 87.

Pinestrawberryartscrafts.com.

Pine-Strawberry Festival in Pine (June 17-18). Strawberry treats, live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors. 9am-5pm Sat, 9am-4pm Sun. Free. Pine/Strawberry Community Center Ramada, 3886 N Highway 87, Pine. strawberryfestivalaz.com.

PRESCOTT Breakfast with the Animals: Mule Deer (Sat June 10). Continental breakfast, crafts and a chance for kids to learn about the featured animal.

9-10:30am. $20; $12 for ages 3-12.

Reservations required. Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, 1403 Heritage Park Road, Prescott. 928-778-4242 or heritageparkzoo.org.

Woof Down Lunch (Sat June 3).

Bring your dog for lunch, raffles, dog contest, kids activities, dog agility and obedience demonstrations, K-9 units.

10am-3pm. Free; $20 donation for picnic lunch and choice of pet bowl or

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raffle tickets. Courthouse Square, 120 S Cortez St, Prescott. 928-778-2924 or unitedanimalfriends.org.

World’s Oldest Rodeo (June 28 through July 4). Judged events (bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding) and timed events (steer wrestling, tie-down, team roping, barrel racing). 7:30pm Wed-Fri, 1:30 and 7:30pm Sat, 7:30 Sun-Mon, 1:30pm Tue. $12-$25. Rodeo Grounds, 840 Rodeo Dr, Prescott. 928-445-3103 or worldsoldestrodeo.com.

Zoo by Moonlight (June 9 and July 8).

Visit nocturnal residents of Prescott’s Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary at night. Bring a flashlight. 8-9:30pm. $6.

1403 Heritage Park Road, Prescott. 928778-4242 or heritageparkzoo.org.

SEDONA

Cool Summer Nights (Saturdays May 20-Sept 2). Weekly themes, special programs, family activities and a chance to see the museum at night. 5-10pm. $15.50 Arizona/Sonora residents; $8 ages 3-12, free to ages 2 and younger.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson. 520-883-3070 or desertmuseum.org.

Fort Lowell Museum Cavalry Crafts (Saturdays through Aug 26). Educational, hands-on crafts that give a glimpse into the lives of the men and women

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S.T.E.A.M. Sunday (Sundays through Sept 3). Ages 10 and younger.

Educational activities and special guests throughout museum. 10am-5pm. $3/ person. Children’s Museum Tucson, 200 S 6th Ave, Tucson. 520-792-9985 or childrensmuseumtucson.org.

Soap Making at the Fort Lowell Museum (Sat June 10 and July 8). All ages. Discover the history of soap as you make your own (oatmeal, coffee, lemon-verbena, lavender and honey bee). Plus: kids confetti or hidden-prize soap. 11am-3pm. $4. Arizona Historical Society Fort Lowell Museum, 2900 N Craycroft Road, Tucson. 520-628-5774 or arizonahistoricalsociety.org.

Summer Safari Friday Nights (Fridays through Aug 4). Animal encounters, zookeeper talks, games, crafts and face painting. 6-8pm. $9; $7 seniors; $5 ages 2-14; free for ages 1 and younger.

Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E Zoo Court Drive, Tucson. 520-881-4753 or reidparkzoo. org/events/public/summer-safari-nights.

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2nd Saturdays Downtown (June 10 and July 8). Family-friendly music festival, vendors, street performers. 6-10pm. Free. Congress Street from Toole Avenue to Church Avenue, Tucson. 520-545-1102 or 2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com.

Night Wings (Sat June 24 and July 22).

View the aircraft in the evening light and participate in aviation-related activity stations. 5-9pm. $10; free for ages 12 and younger. Pima Air & Space Museum, 6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson. 520-5740462 or pimaair.org.

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Model Airplane Make ‘n Take (June 3 and July 1). Ages 5 and older (with an adult). Children build snap-together airplanes they can take home and have a chance to view models made by expert builders from Sonoran Desert Model Builders. 1-2:30pm. $15.50; $9 ages 5-12; free for ages 4 and younger. Pima Air & Space Museum, 6000 E Valencia Road, Tucson. 520-574-0462 or pimaair.org.

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Sedona Community Farmers Market (Fridays through Sept 29). Farm fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, grass-fed beef, goat products, tamales, breads and pastries, hand-made chocolates, live music.

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family time! summer onstage

“Topia” (through Jun 10) at Desert Bontanical garden.

DANCE Topia (through June 10). Ib Andersen’s vision for dance in the desert combines movement, sound and multimedia on a stage that embraces the desert as a background. Performed by Ballet Arizona.

8pm. $36. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N Galvin Parkway. 602-381-1096 or balletaz.org.

MUSIC Desert Ridge Marketplace Outdoor Concerts (every Friday and Saturday).

Enjoy the sounds of summer as local musicians perform live. 7pm. Free. Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd, Phoenix. shopdesertridge.com.

First Friday Concert Series (June 2).

Hear ’80s cover band Rock Lobster at The Eastmark Great Park. Food trucks will be on site. 6:30-8:30pm. Free. 10100 E Ray Road, Mesa. 480-625-3005 or eastmark.com.

Glendale Summer Band Series (Thursdays, June 1-July 20). A concert series for music lovers of all ages. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. 7:30pm. Free.

Murphy Park Amphitheater, 58th and Glenn drives, Glendale. 623-930-2299 or glendaleaz.com/events.

Saturday Concert Series (Apr 22-June 10). Dance along to music from local bands in the outdoor amphitheater. 7-9pm.

Free. Superstition Springs Center, 6555 E Southern Ave, Mesa. 480-396-2570 or superstitionsprings.com.

Tempe Marketplace Concerts (every Friday and Saturday). Live music on the District Stage. 7-10pm. Free. 2000 E Rio Salado Parkway. tempemarketplace.com Westgate Outdoor Concerts (every Thursday through Saturday). After a day of shopping, treat yourself to music at an outdoor concert. 7pm. Free. Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N Sunset Blvd, Glendale. westgateaz.com.

THEATER Aida (through July 1). Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida” is an epic tale of love, loyalty and betrayal, chronicling the love

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triangle between two princesses and the soldier they both love. 7pm Thur, 7:30pm Fri, 3 and 7:30pm Sat. $30; $22; $18 ages 5-12. Hale Center Theatre, 50 W Page Ave, Gilbert. 480-497-1181 or haletheatrearizona.com.

Beauty and the Beast (June 2-July 16) Arizona Broadway Theatre presents Disney’s enchanted tale of Belle and the Beast who is trapped under a spell and must learn to love before time runs out. Showtimes vary. $37.50-$77.50.

See it June 2 through July 2 at Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. Production moves to Herberger Theater Center July 7-16. 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. 623-776-8400 or azbroadway.org Jack and the Beanstalk (June 14-July 2). A funny puppet version of the classic tale about a brave boy, a giant and an overgrown beanstalk. 10am Wed-Fri, 10am and 2pm Sat, 2pm Sun. $10; $7 ages 12 and younger. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W Latham, Phoenix.

602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org.

Legally Blonde (through June 11).

Recommended for ages 14 and older. Elle Woods tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in the pursuit of her dreams.

7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Call for prices.

Spotlight Youth Theatre, 10620 N

JUNE/JULY 2017 raisingarizonakids.com

43rd Ave, Glendale. 623-521-8093 or spotlightyouththeatre.org.

My Pet Dinosaur (July 5-16). A little boy gets an unusual present for his birthday - a dinosaur egg! 10am Wed-Fri, 10am and 2pm Sat, 2pm Sun. $10; $7 ages 12 and younger. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W Latham St, Phoenix. 602-2622050 or azpuppets.org.

Rapunzel (through June 11). The classic tale of the maiden with really long hair and the prince who loves her.

Scenery from this production appears from an antique trunk as the story unfolds. 10am Wed-Fri, 10am and 2pm Sat, 2pm Sun. $10; $7 ages 12 and younger. Reservations recommended.

Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W Latham St, Phoenix. 602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org.

Rumpelstiltskin (July 26-Aug 13). The classic tale about a strange fellow with the hard-to-guess name and the miller’s daughter who must spin straw into gold.

10am Wed-Fri, 10am and 2pm Sat, 2pm Sun. $10 adults; $7 ages 12 and younger.

Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W Latham St, Phoenix. 602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org.

Seussical (July 14-30). Together with MasterWorks and YouthWorks, Theater

Works presents a family musical that brings favorite Dr. Seuss characters to life. 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. $38; $16 students and seniors. Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 8355 W Peoria Ave. 623-815-7930 or theaterworks.org.

The Jungle Book, Kids (June 2-18).

The jungle will be jumping when Fountain Hills Theatre brings Disney’s beloved animated film to the stage. Mowgli learns what it means to be human while living in a jungle. 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. $18; $15 children. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N Saguaro Blvd. 480-837-9661 or fhtaz.org.

The Little Mermaid (July 7-Aug 19).

Sing along to Disney’s timeless, joyful music as Ariel defies her father and leaves to be part of the world above the sea. Times vary. $20-$30. Hale Center Theatre, 50 W Page Ave, Gilbert. 480497-1181 or haletheatrearizona.com.

The Wizard of Oz: The Musical (June 9-25). Follow Dorothy and her dog, Toto, as they are swept away by a tornado from her farm in Kansas to the magical land of Oz, where they meet new friends and enemies, too. Presented by Valley Youth Theatre.

7pm Thur-Fri, 2 and 7pm Sat, 2pm Sun. $16.50-$34.50 Herberger Theater Center (Center Stage), 222 E. Monroe St, Phoenix.

602-254-7399 or vyt.com.

TIM FULLER

LIVE ON

STAGE! Arizona Broadway Theatre

June 2 - July 2 Herberger Theater Center

July 7 - 16

Buy ONE regular priced ADULT ticket and get ONE CHILD ticket FREE! Coupon Code: BATBKIDS | Some Restrictions Apply

623.776.8400 | azbroadway.org/beauty | 602.252.8497 raisingarizonakids.com JUNE/JULY 2017

47

United States Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Robert Balint and his grandfather Francis J. Balint at his commissioning ceremony in November 2015.

OH,

THE PLACES THEY HAVE GONE!

I CAN’T THINK about summer without remembering the many summer interns who have passed through our doors over the years.

Every once in awhile, usually thanks to social media, I’ll get an unexpected update that brings me a smile and a huge sense of pride as I see the many interesting and important ways their lives have evolved.

Most recently, that reminder came courtesy of Instagram, where I saw a delightful image of Emma Zhang-Schwartz, who first came to RAK as a high school junior. (That is much younger than we typically accepted interns, but she was an honors student who came highly recommended). I will never forget the resilience of this young woman, who suffered from a chronic, months-long laryngitis caused by a virus. Though she could barely speak above a whisper that entire time she was with us, she always came to work with a smile and optimism that her voice would eventually heal.

When in June 2010 our office was severely flooded (a pipe burst in the suite overhead), Emma jumped in to salvage furniture, computers and supplies. She helped us move our office into temporary headquarters in my home and move back to the office three

48

ED CHRISTESEN

behind the ’zine

JUNE/JULY 2017 raisingarizonakids.com

months later. She was a true member of our team and our magazine family.

Emma went on to graduate from HarveyMudd College in California and got her master’s degree in sociomedical sciences at Columbia.

She is currently working in educational programming at Sesame Workshop.

Melissa Eddy (now Campana) came to us as a college intern. She worked as a fulltime staff member for a short time after she graduated. She moved to a different job, got married, had a daughter, moved to Italy (!), had twin daughters (!!), came back to us for a short time as a writer and then decided she was spending enough time in “parenting” mode and wanted to move her writing in a different direction. She is now a frequent contributor to Phoenix New Times and recently performed a reading of her work at one of the newspaper’s Barflies storytelling events.

Amy Vogelsang came to us through the internship program at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She was a talented writer and photographer who did a sensitive and wonderful story about a local family in which both parents are profoundly deaf but their

children have typical hearing. (Amy is fluent in American Sign Language and conducted part of her interview that way.) I couldn’t have been more thrilled when Amy graduated and landed a job as a reporter at the Roswell Daily Record in New Mexico (though we couldn’t help teasing her about avoiding the UFOs).

The roster of former RAK interns is too large for me to give you updates on all of them.

But I can’t leave this space without a shout out to my favorite former male intern, Robert Balint. Robert’s mother, Vicki Louk Balint, worked with RAK for many years before she and her husband moved to Virginia to be closer to family. She knew that Robert, a Brophy College Preparatory graduate, had skills we could put to good use.

When I gave Robert a few story assignments, I was blown away. This kid had a real talent and a unique voice as a writer. He also had a “can do” attitude that meant he never said “no” to anything — including a request that he model for a photo shoot about sports physicals for high-school athletes.

I was privileged to write a letter of recommendation for Robert when he applied to be a Fulbright Scholar, and was delighted (but not surprised) when he got it. After spending some time living and teaching in South America, he returned home. He and some buddies spent months hiking the nearly 2,200-mile long Appalachian Trail.

(Robert blogged throughout the experience, painstakingly typing on his iPhone keypad).

Apparently that wasn’t enough of a challenge: Soon after he returned, he joined the Marine Corps, where he recently completed a grueling physical endurance test as part of his training.

I am pleased to report that Robert continues to write. In fact, he just won firstplace honors in the Gen. Robert A. Hogaboom Leadership Writing Contest. The application website describes the contest as requiring authors to “take an honest, realistic look at what leadership, either positive or negative, means to them and then articulate ways and methods of being an effective leader of Marines.”

Karen Davis Barr, Publisher karen@RAKmagazine.com

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