RAK magazine March 2020

MARCH 2020

RaisingARIZONA Kids your partner on the parenting path

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SUMMER CAMPS DIRECTORY

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an

niversa

THEN AND NOW

30 YEARS OF PARENTING

TECHNOLOGY

USING PARENTAL CONTROLS

Audrey LaMarche (2½) of Phoenix enjoys an activity at the new Cactus Clubhouse at Desert Botanical Garden.

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CONTENTS

March 2020 FEATURES

12

30 YEARS OF RAISING ARIZONA KIDS

16

THEN AND NOW

18

THE WAY WE WERE: WISDOM FROM THREE DECADES OF PARENTING BOOKS

Publisher Karen Barr recalls the early days of founding Raising Arizona Kids magazine, the challenges (from floods to recessions) and how she stayed focused on the mission: “to help parents ... find the resources they need to inform, inspire, enhance — and enjoy — the journey.”

A quick look at how society, technology, maternity clothes and more have changed from March 1990 to March 2020.

Debra Citron explores parenting tomes from Dr. Spock’s “Baby and Child Care” to Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish’s “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk.” Plus six books she wishes she’d had when her kids were little.

20

SUMMER CAMPS SECTION • Raising Outdoor Kids: Camping and hiking basics • Preparing kids (and parents) for summer sleepaway camp • Six tips for finding the right summer day camp • Special Advertising Section: Summer Camps Directory

20 12

DEPARTMENTS

2

DIALOGUE

4

AZ GROWN

Celebrating 30 years

• MIM celebrates 10 years • 10-year-old brain cancer survivor to start Run to Fight Children’s Cancer • Walk With Me raises funds for Southwest Human Development • 2020 Newbery and Caldecott winners announced

6

AGES & STAGES

46

FAMILY TIME!

PHOTOS BY ALLEN PATROU

• Babies: How my grandma helped me interpret a newborn’s needs • Elementary: Explore cabbage chemistry rainbows • Tweens: A primer on parental controls

• Top March events • Around Arizona

56

COVER PHOTO: Audrey LaMarche (2½) of Phoenix enjoys an activity at the new Cactus Clubhouse at Desert Botanical Garden

• Fun runs and walks • Onstage performances

FIRST PERSON Happiness is …

COMING NEXT MONTH:

Mother-daughter reflections on 30 years of parenting.

RaisingARIZONAKids.com march 2020

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dialogue

March 2020 | Vol 31 | No 1 PUBLISHER Karen Davis Barr ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Lisa Morrell EDITOR Kara G. Morrison

Clockwise: Hilary Adams and her Pontiac Firebird, Lisa Morrell, Lisa Sorg-Friedman and daughter Ellis, Debra Citron, Shannon Cornall with daughter Kaysie, Michelle Adams, Tina Gerami-Bynum, Carrie Wheeler, Kate Reed with her mother, and Kara Morrison (below)— all in 1990.

Celebrating 30 years RAISING ARIZONA KIDS celebrates its 30th anniversary this month, which had all of us on staff thinking back to March 1990. At that moment in history, our lives varied — to say the least.

Marketing Consultant Kate Reed was five months away from being born at a U.S. military base in Wiesbaden, Germany. Two of us were in high school — new Marketing Consultant Hilary Adams (in Tucson) and me (in rural Nebraska). Hilary worked at the Gap and drove a sweet sports car. I had slightly bigger hair than she did (to be fair, it’s a close call) and drove the antithesis — an Oldsmobile Delta 88 diesel handed down from my brother with a bumper sticker that said “Zero to 60 in 15 minutes.”

Both Art Director Michelle-Renee Adams and Calendar Editor Carrie Wheeler were college freshman — Carrie studying East Asian languages at the University of Arizona, and Michelle at Harris Stowe State Teacher’s College in St. Louis playing basketball and planning to be a middle school math teacher. “I was going to stay in St. Louis, and be a career teacher — but the students broke my spirit!” Michelle recalls. “I had no idea what I wanted to be,” Carrie shared.

“I still don’t!”

Operations Manager Tina Gerami-Bynum was a new bride, setting up a cute house with an English garden not far from our Phoenix office.

Marketing Consultant Shannon Cornall was a leasing consultant and mom to 2-year-old Kaysie.

Associate Publisher Lisa Morrell was a business and investigative reporter at the Arizona Republic.

Marketing Consultant Mary Vandenberg was a Department of Defense staff analyst in Germany.

Who knew we’d all come together three

decades later at the brainchild (and third child) of Publisher Karen Barr, who converted her son’s room into an office and got to work. Karen, our new Projects Editor Lisa Sorg-Friedman and and Copy Editor Debra Citron (both with RAK from the beginning!) were all in the thick of parenthood — each raising two young kids — while they created this publication.

March 1990 was a decidedly different time, as we explore in Then and Now. While Karen looks back on three decades of the magazine, Debra looks at three decades of parenting books.

In April, Lisa Sorg-Friedman will interview her daughter Ellis — a new mom — about what’s changed in three decades. Throughout the year, we’ll continue to explore what past cover kids (and moms) are doing today.

This month, we’re also focused on summer camp, with our sponsored directory featuring dozens of camps in Arizona and beyond that parents and kids can choose for summer adventure.

In 1990, the internet and email weren’t yet part of our everyday lives. Facebook wouldn’t be around for another 14 years. From blogs to podcasts, Instagram to Pinterest, parents have access to more information than ever. Even Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg admits it can be harder than ever to know what’s credible, trustworthy and real. All these years later, it’s why we’re still here.

Kara G. Morrison, Editor kara@RAKmagazine.com

PROJECTS EDITOR Lisa Sorg-Friedman CALENDAR EDITOR Carrie Wheeler COPY EDITOR Debra Citron CONTRIBUTORS Sari Custer, Katie Kurtin, Ilana Lowery, Sheri Smith, Lisa Van Loo, Maggie Zehring ART DIRECTOR Michèlle-Renée Adams COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Allen Patrou OPERATIONS MANAGER Tina Gerami-Bynum MARKETING CONSULTANTS Hilary Adams, Shannon Cornall, Kate Reed, Mary Vandenberg

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 © 2020 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. Make address changes on our website or mail changes to our office. Content guide­lines are avail­able at raisingarizonakids.com.

@RAKmagazine on Twitter; RAKmagazine on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Pinterest.

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 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

2 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

RaisingARIZONAKids.com March 2020

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az grown good to know Angel Carden with his family.

LAST SPRING, ANGEL CARDEN was enjoying third grade and Little League Baseball when he was diagnosed out of the blue with a malignant brain tumor. Today, Angel is in remission and inspiring everyone in his path as he prepares to blow the horn as the official race starter for the 10th annual Children’s Cancer Network’s Run to Fight Children’s Cancer on Saturday, April 5.

“In the span of hours he went from being on the baseball field to having multiple seizures,” Angel’s mom Ashley Carden says about the awful day — May 4, 2018 — that Angel fell ill, having had no prior symptoms. “I thought he was dehydrated.”

At Phoenix Children’s Hospital, a CT scan showed a large tumor on the back of his brain. Neurosurgeon Ruth Bristol diagnosed Angel with Stage 4 medulloblastoma. He needed immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain before any permanent damage was done, and another seven-hour surgery to remove the tumor. The Cardens spent two weeks in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at PCH, where Ashley remembers worrying that her bright, outgoing son was slipping away.

“He was in a diaper, he couldn’t walk, he couldn’t talk, he couldn’t move. It hit him really hard. He was really quiet. He was in a down place,” she recalls. “I had a psychiatrist come in to talk to him … I felt like I was losing my son.”

Ashley says she fought to bring Angel home early to continue his therapy. At the end of May, with Angel in a wheelchair, his dad lifted him into the family car. For four months, Angel went to physical, speech and occupational therapy, then completed proton radiation therapy at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.

Today, Ashley says her son is back to his larger-than-life, superheroloving self. Angel is now 10 and in the fourth grade (having missed almost a year of school because of his treatments) at Espiritu Elementary

RUN TO FIGHT CHILDREN’S CANCER

Run to Fight Children’s Cancer

charter school in Phoenix and getting good grades. He’s officially in remission and has had his chemotherapy port removed.

“Honestly, I feel like it’s been a miracle,” says his mom, adding the whole family was affected by the diagnosis — Angel’s dad, Anthony Carden, and Angel’s three siblings — 12-year-old Anthony Carden Jr., 11-year-old Aaliyah Ordorica and 20-year-old Angelica Carden, who walked away from her full-ride scholarship at Northern Arizona University to be closer to Angel and help him through his treatment.

Today, Angelica is a sports management major at Grand Canyon University. Ashley, a director and operations team leader in legal order and case resolution operations at Bank of America, says the whole family became more outgoing and dedicated to getting out and enjoying events with Angel, who has thrown out pitches at Arizona Diamondbacks games, and helped become a spokesperson for childhood cancer. “We didn’t know how much time we had with Angel,” she explains, adding now that he’s better, the family outings continue — including the Run to Fight at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.

“You have to be the strongest you’ve ever been,” Ashley explains about being the parent of a child diagnosed with cancer. “It changes your whole outlook on life. … I still love my work, but in this instance there is so much more that’s important to me. … It just feels great to be alive. I can’t have a bad day [because] at the end of the day, I have my son.”

MIM celebrates 10 YEARS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM

THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. in Phoenix, celebrates its 10th anniversary next month. Doors opened in April 2010 to the museum and concert venue that displays more than 7,000 instruments collected from 200 countries and territories. The MIM uses state-ofthe-art audio and video for guests to see a wide variety of musical instruments, hear their sounds and observe them being played in their original contexts.

Join the MIM for its 10th Anniversary Weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 24-26 featuring diverse performances, hands-on learning experiences and musical encounters. As always, guests can play instruments from around the world in the Experience Gallery and see instruments from music icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Pablo Casals, Buddy Rich, “King” Sunny Adé, Clara Rockmore, Maroon 5 and more in the Artist Gallery. See details at mim.org

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Walk With Me

SOUTHWEST HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

helps children with disabilities

SOUTHWEST HUMAN DEVELOPMENT hosts its annual Walk With Me Family Fun Walk & Carnival from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at Scottsdale Civic Center Park.

The one-mile walk — presented by the Arizona Coyotes Foundation — benefits Southwest Human Development's Easterseals services for children with disabilities. The event includes activities for all ages, food and drinks and games and crafts. Funds raised help Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development provide the state’s youngest children with disability services and assessments.

Southwest Human Development boasts a staff of about 900 serving more than 135,000 children and their families annually with 40 specialized programs, including its Children’s Developmental Center. At the center, children ages birth to 5 with delays or disabilities and their families get state-of-the-art comprehensive assessment, treatment planning and intervention services.

“When a child gets referred, they get assigned to a care coordinator, so they’re getting someone to listen to what their concerns are,” says Sharon Perugini, a Children's Developmental Center psychologist. The coordinator helps connect the family to services immediately.

Perugini says the center often gets referrals from pediatricians and even from its free Birth to Five Helpline of young children whose caregivers are concerned about disabilities or developmental delays — including feeding difficulties, speech and language delays, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders or childhood traumas. Perugini says the center uses a comprehensive team approach — with a psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist and pediatrician — for its child evaluations. The CDC is also one of the few places that uses Floortime therapy with children.

“Floortime is just one therapy and one intervention families can choose from,” Perugini explains, adding it helps teach parents and caregivers how to do some of the interventions and connect with their child. “In a lot of ways it can be a bit more childdirected and play-based than some of the other interventions.”

For more information about Walk With Me and its impact, visit swhd.org/walk.

“Walk With Me really helps to raise resources for us, so that we can continue to have this unique support for families,” Perugini says.

2020 NEWBERY

and CALDECOTT winners announced FOR THE FIRST time, a graphic novel has won the Newbery Award. “New Kid” by illustrator and cartoonist Jerry Craft, received the top honor from the American Library Association for most outstanding contribution to children’s literature in 2020 for a story about middle schooler Jordan Banks’ struggle to fit in at a prestigious, mostly white private school with a decided diversity problem. Jordan’s efforts to survive in an often hostile environment and make friends are often comic, sometimes awful and always real. “New Kid” captured the 2020 Coretta Scott King Author Award as well.

The Caldecott Medal, also awarded by the ALA for 2020’s most distinguished picture book, went to “The Undefeated,” a moving prose poem celebrating the triumphs and terrors experienced by black Americans throughout our history.

Written by a past Newbery winner (for “The Crossover”) Kwame Alexander, and gorgeously illustrated by Kadir Nelson, “The Undefeated” is one of the first books published

by Alexander’s own Versify imprint with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This passionate, inspiring work intended for elementary school students also won the 2020 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and a Newbery Honor Book citation.

You will never see or feel another history book quite like it.

RaisingARIZONAKids.com March 2020

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ages & stages babies

MIMI’S RULES How my grandma helped me interpret a newborn’s needs

By Maggie Zehring I REMEMBER TAKING our oldest son home from the hospital like it was yesterday. I was walking a tightrope of total confidence and awe, balancing my utter horror at the weight of responsibility.

Anticipating this, I had orchestrated a swift, working maternity leave where I worked a couple of hours a week before going back to the office full-time. I remember firing out emails from the hospital room and feeling so good about the set-up. Those first few months together were unique to us, and just the right balance of newness and sameness. I needed the familiarity of checking emails amid all the unknowns of diaper changing, breastfeeding, nap schedules and baby wearing. Even though I was a nanny to three kids in high school and had changed all of my siblings’ diapers, raising my own child was wildly different. There was so much to be learned!

At week eight, I fully transitioned back to the office, and my Grandma Mimi swooped in to care for my baby while I looked for childcare. When I left Zeke in her capable hands, I had already figured out feeding, burping, swaddling, baby wearing and nighttime sleep. But naps were a lost art on me. Crying spells were a mystery. And playing with a newborn? Forget it. I didn’t know what to do.

That’s where Mimi stepped in and taught me how to interpret some of the basic newborn needs that were still leaving me stumped and exhausted. Here’s what I learned.

Crying isn’t all bad. Crying is your baby’s equivalent to a text, email or quick conversation. Your little one is tipping you off to his or her needs. Mimi and I practiced so I could get the gist of this. We sat in the hallway together after laying my son

6 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

down for a nap and listened to his whimpers and cries while she helped me interpret if he was just confirming his fatigue, needed a brief backrub reassurance, or had just made a mess in his diaper.

Mimi’s rule: Study your child and learn their cries before jumping to react to every one.

Meaningful interactions are key to bonding. I had made a habit of wearing Zeke throughout the day when he wasn’t being changed or sleeping. If I wasn’t wearing him, I was cooking, cleaning or working. If he grew weary of that, and I was free, I’d hold him and stare at him wondering what I was supposed to do. A quick Google or a chat with your pediatrician will tell you it’s our job to initiate positive interactions with our little ones. Mimi taught me this effort doesn’t require planning to be profound.

Mimi’s rule: Take chunks of 10-15 minutes to sit with your baby and talk about your day, read a book to him or her or play with his/her tiny hands.

Avoid changing your normal noise environment. Studies will support this theory — it’s not just Mimi’s opinion. When your baby is in the womb, the noise of the fluids surrounding the uterus is quite loud.

Your babe wasn’t growing in a vacuum, so if it’s silent once they’re out in the world, it can seem quite alarming.

Mimi’s rule: Background noise (white noise) is a helpful assistant in the game of sleep regulation and orientation to your baby’s new world.

A change of scenery nearly always helps stop fussiness. Think of the last time you got in a fight, had a rough day at work or were cranky. Stepping outside of the room or taking a walk can do the trick, right? It’s the same for our littlest humans.

Mimi’s rule: Take a step outside or change the way you’re holding your baby. Sometimes the smallest adjustments can make the biggest difference when other things aren’t helping.

Sometimes we all just need to be held.

When all else fails, a good firm hug and rock can do the trick.

Mimi’s rule: A big deep hug can do wonders for a tired babe. Swoop them up, rock side to side, and soak it up. Babies don’t keep!

Maggie Zehring of Scottsdale juggles her writing and social media skills with being a mom to three rambunctious young boys.

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ages & stages elementary

SARI ON SCIENCE

CABBAGE CHEMISTRY RAINBOWS

By Sari Custer

WHAT’S BETTER THAN cabbage and rainbows in March? Boiled cabbage may be an acquired taste (and smell!), but you can try your luck and some science magic to get your kids to enjoy this red cabbage activity. It won’t yield a pot of gold, but you will get to create a rainbow of kitchen chemistry and fun!

Supplies: • 1 head red cabbage • Safety glasses • 6 cups boiling water • Blender • Strainer • Large bowl or pitcher • Measuring cups • Measuring spoons • Large sealable container to store cabbage juice (clean 2L bottle, milk carton, etc.)

• 5 clear drinking

glasses • Lemon juice (fresh or bottled) • White Vinegar • Baking Soda • Laundry detergent • Spoons or sticks for mixing • Optional: Milk, antacid tablets, ammonia, soda/soft drinks, other fruit juice, sports drinks, etc.

Directions: 1. Using an adult’s help and wearing safety glasses, bring 6 cups of water to a boil.

2. While the water is heating, set up the blender.

Rip up a few cabbage leaves and place them in the blender.

3. Very slowly add 2 cups of boiling water to the blender. Blend until the leaves are a fine pulp.

Add more water if needed. Use caution. Hot mixture could pop blender lid off.

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4. Pour the resulting cabbage juice into the bowl/ pitcher, using a strainer to remove any small solid pieces/pulp. Discard the cabbage pulp (or add it to your compost pile).

5. Repeat until you’ve used all the water. One head of cabbage can make more than a gallon of juice, so it’s up to you if you want to use all of it.

6. Allow the cabbage juice to cool. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator if not using immediately.

7. Fill all 5 glasses at least ½ full with cabbage juice. Make observations: what does it look like?

8. Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to one glass of cabbage juice. What do you observe?

9. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to a separate glass of cabbage juice. What do you observe?

10. Continue this for each of the materials you want to test (vinegar, laundry detergent, milk, etc.), adding only that material to the cabbage juice. Leave one glass of cabbage juice with nothing in it as your control.

What’s happening?

What did you observe? What color was your cabbage juice to begin with? Red cabbage contains a pigment called anthocyanin, which

causes it to appear purple in color. This chemical changes color depending on the pH of its environment, so we call it a pH indicator.

When we add something acidic, like lemon juice, to the neutral purple, it will change color to a lighter and brighter pink or red. When we add something more basic or alkaline, like baking soda or ammonia, it will turn blue, green or even yellow! Try testing some other materials in your kitchen, like milk or soft drinks, and make predictions about what color you think they will turn. What did you observe?

When you’re done testing, try organizing your colors into most acidic to most basic and snap a rainbow picture. Did you know: A popular tea made from the purple Butterfly Pea flowers also has these same color-changing properties since it contains anthocyanin pigments. What other foods do think might have the same properties?

Love hands-on science? Find more activities at our Camp Innovation during Spring Break (March 9-13 and 16-20) at Arizona Science Center. Find more information at azscience.org Sari Custer is a lifelong science junkie, Chief Science and Curiosity Officer at Arizona Science Center, and mom to daughter Carson (5). Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ SariOnScience

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ages & stages tweens Using Common Sense

A PARENTAL CONTROLS PRIMER

By Ilana Lowery

E

VEN IF YOU’VE TALKED to your kids about setting screen-time limits and responsible online behavior, it’s still hard to manage what they do when you’re not there — or even when you are.

Parental controls can support you in your efforts to keep your kids’ internet experiences safe, fun and productive. But they work best when used openly and honestly in partnership with your kids, and “not as a stealth spying method,” says Caroline Knorr, Common Sense Media’s parenting editor.

There is a wide array of parental-control solutions, from OS settings to monitoring apps to network hardware. Parents can find step-bystep instructions on setting parental controls for specific apps or devices at commonsense.org by searching “parental controls.”

To start, Knorr suggests if you just want to limit what your kids can search for, the best option is to enable Google SafeSearch in the browsers you use. Make sure your browsers use Google as the default search engine, then turn on SafeSearch. This is a good precaution to take as soon as your kids start going online.

If you want to prevent access to specific websites and limit your kids’ exposure to inappropriate content — such as mature games or porn — use the parental controls that are built into your device’s operating

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system. Every major operating system offers settings to keep kids from accessing stuff you don’t want them to see. To get the benefits, you need to use the most updated version of the operating system, and each user has to log in under his or her profile. This is the best solution if your kids are younger and are primarily using a home device.

A full-featured, third-party parental control service such as Qustodio or NetNanny will give you a lot of control over all of your kids’ devices at home as well as their phones. These can be pricey, but cost includes constant device monitoring, offering you visibility into how kids are using their devices. These parental controls can only keep track of accounts that they know your kid is using, and for some apps, you’ll need your child’s password in order to monitor activity. If your kid creates a brand-new profile on Instagram using a friend’s computer without telling you, for example, the parental controls won’t cover that account.

If your goal is to keep tabs on your tween’s or teen’s phone, your best bet is to download an app such as Bark, KidBridge (formerly TeenSafe), or WebWatcher to monitor text messages, social networks, emails and other mobile functions. These are especially helpful

if you’re concerned about potentially risky conversations or iffy topics your kid might be engaging in. Bark, for example, notifies you when it detects “alert” words, such as street names for drugs. To monitor social media, you’ll need your kids’ account information, including passwords.

“I am a huge fan of Bark,” says Suzu Henderson, a Scottsdale mother of five kids ranging in age from 12 to 22. “It allows me to be notified if/when necessary based on content and activity without my having to take the time to scroll through or monitor all my kids’ digital behaviors. I find what I need to know, and I am spared the expense of time and energy on that which is natural, normal and age-appropriate.”

There also are hardware and software solutions to control your home network to manage all devices on a network, limit screen time, filter content and turn off Wi-Fi. A few popular ones include OpenDNS, a download that works with your existing router to filter internet content. Circle Home Plus is a device and subscription service that pairs with your router and lets you pause access to the internet, create time limits and add content filters to all devices on your home network, plus manage phones and tablets outside the home. Some internet

ISTOCK

service providers also offer parental control features that apply to all devices on the network.

“I take advantage of setup restrictions on all devices — TV, phones, etc.,” says Lecia Crider, a Mesa mother of five kids ages 9-25. “And we have Disney Circle, which filters at the router level at home, and Disney Circle Go for when [we’re] not at home.”

Many parents also want to set parental controls in specific apps, such as Snapchat.

In addition to blocking specific people, most apps let you disable features that could pose some risks for kids. For example, you may be able to turn off chatting, restrict conversations to friends only, and hide your profile so that it won’t show up in search results.

Some apps go a step further when you look at their settings. TikTok’s Digital Wellbeing features help curb time spent on the app and limit inappropriate videos.

YouTube lets you set a reminder to take a break. Keep in mind that unless an app offers passcode-protection for its settings (and most don’t), kids can easily reverse them.

“Kids can figure out all sorts of ingenious

methods to keep doing what they want to be doing — talking to friends, staying up late playing Fortnite, and watching videos you don’t want them to see,” Knorr says. “If you notice something fishy, such as a steep dropoff in your parental control notifications, Wi-Fi or data activity after you’ve turned off the network, or anything else that indicates the parental control isn’t working the way it’s supposed to, your kid may have figured out how to get around it.”

Matthew Pittinsky, CEO of Valley ed tech company Parchment Inc. and dad to three children (ages 7, 11 and 12) who are in the Scottsdale Unified School District, says he welcomes some parental controls, but adds there are “huge issues” with making them really work. “We enforce time limits,” he says.

“I’d prefer to restrict through enforcement of expectations versus literally locking capabilities down so they learn self-control and judgment.”

“No control is 100 percent effective,” Crider agrees. “However, my 14-year-old did thank me once for setting time limits on social media usage, because she realized it was sucking her time. On the flip side,” she says,

“all five of my kids have, at some point, seen something that I would consider inappropriate.

But the fact that I know about is a sign of success to me — I think they’ve mostly been willing to tell me about these incidents.”

Henderson says a certain amount of privacy for kids is “normal and healthy. “I just want to know [about anything] dangerous, detrimental, concerning or threatening,” she explains. “They need to know that they can come to me without shame or punishment if there is something alarming. Then, I remind them that having a device is a privilege, not a right, and that spot checks and parent monitoring are part of the deal.”

It’s best to let your kids know you’re monitoring their media usage, not necessarily to catch them, but to help. The ultimate goal is to help kids make good choices on their own.

Ilana Lowery is the Arizona director for the nonprofit Common Sense Media. She can be reached at ilowery@ commonsense.org

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11

1990 – 2020

YEARS OF

RaisingARIZONAKids

By Karen Davis Barr

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HE SHELVES OF STORAGE BOXES take up nearly a full wall on the south side of our garage. I fight off the dust and spiders that attempt to infiltrate these precious plastic bins, which hold the evidence of much of my life’s work.

My goal was to save five magazines from each issue of Raising Arizona Kids, though I’m not sure how I settled on that number, and I didn’t always succeed. I have two sons and strongly doubt that either of them will want to inherit this legacy and what it represents — their mom’s devotion to a magazine she “birthed” 30 years ago this month, then nurtured and protected almost as fiercely as she did their own needs and aspirations.

Five magazines per month. Twelve months per year. Thirty years.

The numbers are mind-boggling. And if anyone had told my starryeyed, entrepreneurial-leaning 33-year-old self that Raising Arizona Kids would still be here 30 years later, I’m sure I would never have believed them.

In fact, one of my most distinct memories of that first publication cycle was returning home from the printer, collapsing on the couch and crying inconsolably to my mom that “I have to do this all over again next month!” She had flown in from Pennsylvania to take care of my two sons, then 2 and 4, while I worked several consecutive all-nighters to meet that first deadline. How would I do it without her?

I know the answer now: By taking it one day at a time. By trusting, and leaning on, so many others. By remembering the story of “The Little Engine That Could”: I think I can, I think I can... chug, chug, chug.

It hasn’t been easy. We’ve weathered plenty of near-insurmountable challenges — from two nationwide recessions and the fast-paced changes in technology that took down so many other small publishers, to three exasperating and exhausting years when we had to evacuate our staff and all of our files, supplies and equipment — four times!! — because of plumbing-related floods that left us without office space for months at a time.

Instead of defeating us, each hurdle became a challenge to hunker down, leverage our limited resources, build resilience, practice tenacity and keep our focus on the reason we do this: to help parents and the other important adults involved in raising Arizona’s next generation find the resources they need to inform, inspire, enhance — and enjoy — the journey.

When we published that first magazine, it carried a statement of our intention: “to be a place for sharing ideas” about raising children. It seems nearly impossible by today’s standards of connectivity, but it was extremely difficult back then to find a supportive community as a new parent, especially if you had no extended family in town, you were new to the Valley or you were among the first of your peers to have a baby. I found that support — and guidance from early childhood professionals — at the North Central Parenting Group, which used to meet at a church I now pass every day on my way to work.

I wanted to make that kind of information and encouragement available to more than the 40 or so women who were then members of the parenting group. I was also itching to return to work, though reluctant to leave my boys in someone else’s care for 40 hours a week.

Starting a magazine seemed like the perfect way to combine my journalism background, my MBA and my passion for being a mom in a way that would allow me to control my own schedule. I dreamed of creating a business that allowed the same flexibility for other parents, too.

Clockwise (above): Karen after an all-nighter completing the first issue of Raising Arizona Kids on Feb. 9, 1990; Karen and former news anchor Debra Brewer in 2014; Brewer and her son on the first cover of Raising Arizona Kids. Clockwise (page 12): Vicki Balint interviews then Gov. Janet Napolitano and Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns in 2008; Karen with Solomon DeGuzman in 2010; RAK staff with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in 2009; RAK staff working from Karen’s home in 2010 after an office flood.

I put together a business plan and began tapping the talents and skills of parenting group members and other moms and dads I met at my sons’ preschool. Little did I know, as we moved fluidly throughout our days — juggling school field trips and client meetings, swim practice and writing, magazine deliveries and “quality time” conversations with our kids — we were pioneers for the current model of working remotely.

We just did it before the technology was there to support it. In 1990, none of us had mobile phones. We couldn’t send text messages or make calls while we were on the road. We didn’t have access to the internet!

Google hadn’t yet been founded. How could we have imagined video chats, websites, digital publishing or social media?

Our first issues were carefully constructed on layout sheets with paper galleys we printed from the IBM 286 personal computer my in-laws had purchased as a gift to our family — making us one of very few families who had home computing capacity. It came with 128 KB of RAM memory and a 20 MB hard disk. I remember many evenings of staring desperately at the grayish-black screen with its green, pixelated type, willing it to complete a task more quickly than it was capable of

RaisingARIZONAKids.com March 2020

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Back row: Shannon Cornall, Karen Barr, Lisa Morrell, Hilary Adams, Tina Gerami-Bynum, Michèlle-Renée Adams. Front row: Carrie Wheeler, Kate Reed, Grayson (13 months), Kara Morrison and Debra Citron. Dec. 2019.

doing. I was always tired — having worked my first job, as a stay-at-home mom, for many long hours each day before I’d put the boys to bed and commute down the hall to my second.

I like to credit the close relationship my sons share to the fact that I kicked David out of his train-motif nursery and made him bunk with Andy so I could have a home office. And to this day, Andy claims he learned to read while browsing comic books in the back seat of our minivan as the three of us traversed the Valley delivering magazines.

In 30 years of running a business, you encounter hundreds of people whose affirmation and encouragement reach out to pull you along as you swim upstream against a risky current. A thankyou note or email from a subscriber. A local business owner who consistently renews an advertising contract. Staff members who keep taking on more and more without complaint. Operations Manager Tina Gerami-Bynum has been with me for 23 consecutive years; Art Director Michelle-Renee Adams for 15. These two well-oiled machines of efficiency remain calm and graceful in any storm, a bedrock of institutional memory and fierce protectors of our brand’s integrity.

Newer staff members — whose children range in age from 1 to the early 20s — exhibit that same loyalty and the willingness to do “whatever it takes.” And then there are two returning staff members, Debra Citron and Lisa Sorg-Friedman. I am grateful for the serendipitous turn of events that brought both of these talented women — who were there with me at the very beginning — back to the RAK family. The melding of ages and experiences we all represent makes for fascinating conversations and offers deeper, wider perspective for Editor Kara Morrison’s editorial direction and decisions.

More and more, I find myself leaning on Associate Publisher Lisa Morrell, who joined our team last fall. The considerable business background and acumen she brings to the mix have been catalysts for significant efficiencies and effective new routines. And thanks to her willingness to shoulder the leadership when I am away, I have newfound

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The MELDING OF AGES and EXPERIENCES we all represent makes for FASCINATING CONVERSATIONS and offers DEEPER, WIDER PERSPECTIVE… freedom to travel and enjoy time off.

Within my closest circle of family and friends, I am thankful for the patience and understanding they always have extended, even when I stubbornly allowed my business to run me, instead of the other way around. Of course no one deserves more credit for holding me together this past 30 years than my husband, Dan. All he’s ever wanted was for me to be able to pursue my dream, and he’s been there every step of the way — as a trusted advisor and “big picture” thinker who can always talk me down if I begin to panic, as a successful professional whose legal career kept a roof over our heads and allowed me to take financial risks, as the magazine’s biggest fan and PR representative.

A milestone this big deserves more than a perfunctory acknowledgement. We plan to have lots of fun with this one, beginning with some of the “then and now”-themed coverage you see in this March issue. Perhaps most ambitious, we’re on a quest to get a current photo of every child or family that has ever graced our cover! We’ll also be revisiting some of our most popular stories over the years to write updates and share progress reports. To follow along, watch for the #RAK@30 hashtag.

In a true “coming full circle” story, this month brings cause for another kind of celebration: Dan and I will welcome our first grandchild, a little girl our son Andy and his wife, Brandi, are expecting mid-month. Dan and I can’t wait to meet her. And we’re looking forward to being cheerleaders and teammates for her parents as they undertake the demanding, disarming and delightful job of raising a California kid.

College of Veterinary Medicine

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Arizona Governor Doug Ducey calls AMS “not just one of the best schools in Arizona, but one of the best schools in the nation.”

Tuition-Free Advanced K-8 Program STEAM-Focused Curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) K-8 Mandarin and Russian classes Students learn music theory, piano, guitar, or sing in choir Robust offering of extracurricular teams and after-school clubs Sports in grades K-8 Before and after-school care Safe, secure environment 9 Arizona Campuses

Find Your School – rak.amscharters.org

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THEN NOW AND

As Raising Arizona Kids magazine celebrates its 30th anniversary this month, we looked at how parenting — and the world around us — has changed in three decades. Here are some fun facts.

1990: • OPTIMISM: The United States is an unparallelled superpower, the Berlin Wall is coming down and the Cold War is ending.

• Maternity clothes are expensive and modest — mostly loose dresses with oversize bows near the neckline to draw the eye away from expanding bellies.

• The federal hourly minimum wage is $3.80.

• Pumps for breastfeeding are manual; workplaces don’t offer “pumping lounges.”

• Pagers are all the rage! Email and the internet are still a few years away from popular usage.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average peaks (in July 1990) at just under 3,000.

• Top baby names in Arizona are (girls) Jessica, Ashley, Amanda, Brittany and Sarah; and (boys) Michael, Christopher, Joshua, Daniel and Matthew.

• U.S. President George H. W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act, protecting disabled Americans from discrimination.

Congress passes the Clean Air Act of 1990.

• Publicly funded charter schools don’t yet exist.

• Paid maternity leave doesn’t exist, nor does unpaid caregiver leave. The 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees certain employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year.

• Raising Arizona Kids magazine prints its first issue in March 1990.

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• Rose Mofford, a Democrat, is Arizona’s first female governor. John McCain, a Republican, and Dennis DeConcini, a Democrat, represent Arizona in the United States Senate.

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• Conventional wisdom (now debunked!) is that babies should sleep on their stomachs.

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2020: • DIVISION: A polarized country heads into a presidential election year. Arizona gets attention as a possible swing state.

• Maternity clothes are affordable and comfortable, with confident moms-to-be showing off baby bumps in fashionable, close-fitting garments.

• The federal hourly minimum wage (unchanged since 2009) is $7.25; Arizona’s hourly minimum wage is $12.

• Electric breast pumps are covered by the Affordable Care Act. Workplace lounges and high-tech wearable pumps make pumping at work (slightly) easier.

• We’ve come a long way from pagers — maybe too far!

Many Americans consider Facebook a news source (no fact-checking here!) and are addicted to smartphones.

Struggles of parenting “in the Digital Age” is a thing.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average tops 29,000 in January.

• Babies must sleep on their backs in cribs or bassinets free from upholstered bumpers or frilly blankets, says the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommends infants share their parents’ room (not their bed) for the first six months to a year.

• For the first time, two women — Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat - elected) and Martha McSally (Republican - appointed) — represent Arizona in the United States Senate. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, a Republican, is in his second term.

• Top baby names in Arizona are (girls) Olivia, Emma, Isabella, Sophia and Mia and (boys) Liam, Noah, Sebastian, Oliver and Elijah.

• Teens rise up! 17-year-old Greta Thunberg, a Swedish environmental activist with Asperger’s, is Time’s 2019 Person of the Year. Teens across the country and in Arizona organize March for Our Lives groups to protest gun violence and school shootings.

• Arizona boasts hundreds of charter schools. Despite gains after a 2018 teacher’s strike, the state still lags toward the bottom of national rankings for school funding and teacher pay.

• The United States remains the only developed nation with no paid maternity leave; Mexico is next. to last, offering 12 paid weeks.

KRUWT

• Raising Arizona Kids is a multimedia company with a daily website, weekly eNewsletter, monthly magazine, annual “Schools, etc.” issue and two yearly family events: Camp Fair AZ and Special Needs Resource Fair.

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The way we were

Wisdom from three decades of parenting books

By Debra Citron

IT’S A GOOD THING that I have a sympathetic editor, because I’m behind schedule — again. She understands that unplanned kid stuff happens, because her daughter is an adorable 7-year-old. My sons, however, are decidedly less-adorable 30-somethings. Nevertheless, I spent the major part of the last few days not writing about parenting, but actually parenting. So, news flash! It never ends, not really. It’s just a matter of degree. Years ago, when my mother-in-law told me “once a parent, always a parent,” I didn’t believe her. Shame on me.

So, parenting. Hmm. As they say in the weight-loss testimonials, “Individual results may vary.”

“Parenting,” i.e., “the toughest job you’ll ever love,” is a social construct that didn’t exist when I was a kid. Boomers were raised, not parented. The term popped up in 1970 in “How to Parent” by Fitzhugh Dodson, but the concept was still uncommon when some of my friends married and had kids directly post-high school.

Dr. Benjamin Spock’s book, “Baby and Child Care,” (and his phrase, child care) was the most popular on the planet. But the idea of “parenting” spread as the world got more technological, complex and less controllable. By the ’90s, the boomers-all-grown-up cottage industry had become big business. Media, medicine and sociology embraced “parenting” and produced content guaranteed to alternately stoke and soothe the anxieties of young parents.

As a bewildered and beleaguered mother of two, I needed reassurance and a coherent skill set to cope with the brave new world that was emerging. My youngest son’s first word wasn’t “mama” or “dada,” it was

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“ATM.” I felt like a failure. There was hope, though. Parenting books told me I wasn’t the crazy, incompetent child abuser I feared I was; but I was either too permissive or too strict, I needed to relax or I needed to get tough. They told me why my kids were behaving the way they were: Too much structure, not enough structure or too much sugar and/or TV; I was afraid to discipline or I had too many rules; I needed to work, I should never work.

I read a zillion parenting books, as did every other mom I knew, mainly because all the conflicting advice left our heads spinning, as did the implication that not choosing the proper “parenting style” would damage our little darlings.

So what were we — the parents of you, the current crop of young parents — reading back then, and did any of the advice work? Is any of it relevant today? What about recent bestsellers? Of course, the subtext of those questions is, did we get it, any of it, mostly or even a little right?

Again, individual results may vary.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind: all parenting books are inherently reactionary. Dr. Spock originally wrote “Baby and Child Care” in 1946 to counter the detached, strict, often harsh regimen of his childhood. Dodson’s book was in reaction to his dislike of Spock’s “permissiveness” (and his anti-Vietnam War stance). And so on and so on. Of course, this back-and-forth has increasingly become more political and religious, like everything else in American life.

Parents evaluate and use information based on their personal circumstances, feelings and abilities. We make a lot of choices: book, no

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books I wish I’d had when my kids were little

“Bringing Up Bebe” by Pamela Druckerman. An American in Paris susses out French parenting techniques and tries them on her daughter. Magnifique. Knowing about “le pause” would have made all the difference.

“All Joy and No Fun” by Jennifer Senior. A hilarious, sobering look at how having kids changes everything. You’re not alone.

“How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids” by Clara Naumburg. For those times when your kids outfox your Faber and Mazlish strategies. A therapist’s irreverent, non-judgmental guide to happier times.

“Expecting Better” by Emily Oster. The subtitle says it all: “Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong — and What You Really Need to Know.” An economist looks at the data, crunches the numbers and sorts it all out.

“Cribsheet” by Emily Oster. What she did for pregnancy, Oster does for birth to preschool. Eyeopening.

“Go the F**k to Sleep” by Adam Mansbach (author) and Ricardo Cortés (illustrator). A pacifier for exhausted, over-the-edge parents.

book, which book, which chapters. Depending, we swallow the advice whole, nibble bits and pieces or just drop the whole mess in the trash. For most parents, the goal is a Goldilocks recipe — not too hard or soft, not too hot or cold, but “just right.”

Judgments made in the evaluation process are generally visceral and not nuanced. (As I’m about to demonstrate. Stay tuned.) Almost all parenting books have something worthwhile in them, even if you have to dig around for it, but definitely go with your gut if something seems off.

Parenting is a job parents or persons acting in loco parentis do. We own it. We have all the responsibility. We take all the blame for bad outcomes. But there is secret sauce on this Happy Meal.

Parents may choose a parenting approach that suits them, but their kids may have their own ideas.

Paraphrasing the great American philosopher Donald Rumsfeld, we parent with the kids we have, not the teachable, suddenly compliant case study kids we wish we had. Smart parents respond to conditions on the ground. “Rules cannot be a substitute for judgment,” Rumsfeld reminds us.

Surprisingly, most of the popular parenting books of 30 years ago are still around and ringing up sales. Some have been revised multiple times to appeal to today’s parents and reflect societal changes. Most have spawned multi-volume series partially or wholly based on the originals.

Spock’s “Baby and Child Care” is in its 10th edition and continues to be calm, sane and supportive of parents and encyclopedic in coverage.

Truly, the permissiveness is misrepresented.

Dodson’s “How to Parent” is out of print, but available. It takes an authoritarian approach, advocating spanking, sexism and letting babies cry it out and fussy eaters go hungry. I remember thinking this guy was over the top.

Ditto for William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N., and “The Baby Book.” Even the recently revised version of their attachment

parenting approach encourages same-bed co-sleeping, two to three years of breastfeeding, wearing baby in a sling constantly and mothers doing most of the child care. (The Sears family medical empire encompasses negative views of vaccinations and involvement in dubious claims about children’s supplements.)

“The Good Enough Parent” by Bruno Bettelheim helped insecure parents understand that they don’t have to be perfect, they just need to help their children become their best selves. He wrote that kids are resilient little critters and, absent actual abuse, they will be fine.

Very reassuring, until it was discovered that the good doctor faked his academic credentials, demonized mothers of autistic kids, plagiarized some of his work and was accused of abusing some of the child patients under his care. But his books are still in print.

Other favorites of the 1990s were “What Every Baby Knows” and “Touchpoints” by beloved pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton of television and newspaper fame. His books were founts of wisdom, warmth and common sense about all aspects of child development. Revised editions are available today.

“Your Baby and Child: From Birth to Age 5” by British psychologist Penelope Leach recommends creating a virtuous circle of child development knowledge and listening to your child that allows you to make her happy, which will make you a happier, better parent. A partisan of deep mother-child bonding, Leach relaxed her views on mothers working in later book revisions.

“Positive Discipline” by Jane Nelsen, D. Ed., advocates for discipline that is kind, but firm, and doesn’t rely on punitive punishment.

Watchwords are connection, respect, encouragement and intrinsic rewards. This approach is used in schools all over the country.

The books that have had the greatest staying power over the years are “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” by Heidi Murkoff and “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Murkoff ’s chatty volume answers the questions that plague pregnant women in a month-by-month format.

According to USA Today, an astonishing 93 percent of women who read a pregnancy book in this country read it, and Murkoff landed on Time magazine’s 2011 list of most influential people. The “What to Expect” brand now has 14 titles.

Faber and Mazlish’s “How to Talk,” besides having one of those titles that you never forget, but never get quite right, either, is a gem. Learning to effectively communicate with your kids is the gift that will keep on giving. The authors’ tips are deceptively simple, but if practiced and used regularly, make a huge difference in families’ quality of life.

Parenting, it seems, hasn’t changed all that much in 30 years, because babies and children still come with the same equipment and baggage.

I think that maybe parents have changed though. Just a bit. The millennial parents I know are more focused and confident and more able to stake out their own identities, separate from their offspring. Could that possibly be because of how they were parented? Or do we chalk up another one for the Google machine?

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

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Summer Camps

RAISING OUTDOOR KIDS

Camping and hiking basics Story by Lisa Van Loo

Photos by Ron Abelar

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here are certain milestones that come with childhood — losing teeth, earning scars and ditching training wheels are among them. But so is learning to pitch a tent. And figuring out the right way to start a fire — absent a starter log and wads of newspaper.

It’s safe to say a solid percentage of grownups may need to learn these things, too. I did recently, and it was a game-changer — although I’m still getting comfortable with the ax I need to use to trim planks of wood down to starter twigs.

The outdoors is stunning and peaceful, magical and gorgeous, but it can also be ruthless, uncompromising and daunting at times. Exploration, especially with kids, requires a little advance planning and a few preemptive conversations on safety. We do it.

Before we start out on a trail, we ask them what they shouldn’t do.

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“Run” is one of the answers. “Get too close to the edge” is another. They give the responses begrudgingly, and we have to remind them along the way, but it’s nice to drill in those safety measures before they find themselves in a pickle.

When you think about getting outside, the needs are limited. Here are a few things we think kids need to have, and things they need to know to have the best experience possible:

WHAT TO HAVE Appropriate shoes. Kids need appropriate shoes for exploring. Leave the smooth-soled sneakers at home with the flip flops, and lace up a pair of shoes with real traction. If you’re hiking through water or mud, make sure they’re wearing water shoes or mud shoes that can get wet and filthy. Because they will. Even if you buy a cheap pair second hand, it’s better

than ruining a pair of Vans or climbing with no traction in a pair of Converse.

Hydration packs. For everyone’s sake, it’s best if kids wear their water rather than carry it. If you plan on exploring more than once — which we hope you do — understand that investing in hydration packs for your kids is money well spent. Then, they have their hands free and can carry more than a bottle’s worth of water and you don’t have to schlep anything for them! Hydration packs that get the job done start at about $15 online. (Note: Hydration bags with wide-mouth bladders are easier to clean and dry out to avoid mold.)

A sense of adventure. Exploring goes hand in hand with a sense of adventure. And kids need that, or at least need to feel that from a parent, in order to get the most out of the

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experience. Of course, that sense of adventure should be balanced with a respect for the fragility of the land. It goes hand in hand with the knowledge that the world is bigger than their neighborhood, and that they can aspire to see it all — even the spots that are up high, in the shadows or in the water. Let them lead, and see how that sense of adventure shines.

WHAT TO KNOW Geographic awareness. Make sure they understand landmarks, especially when hiking.

Outfitting a kid with a compass is great, if for nothing more than the whistle on it, but if they don’t know what it means to be facing east, it’s pointless. And most kids don’t. In lieu of directional markers, make sure they understand landmarks and how to read trail markers, in case they get too far ahead of you.

Show them the lake in the distance or point out the reflectors or paint spots on the trail, and let them know they should follow those if they get to a spot that is confusing. Cairns, or stacks of rocks on trails, are often trail markers, too.

Map reading. Kids need to know how to read a paper map — not a digital one. Parks offer maps, and kids need to know how to read hard copies, since many of the prettiest places are outside of cell range. We keep an atlas at home, and have them practice plotting adventures.

We navigated one trip entirely with an atlas, as directed by a 10-year-old backseat driver.

Starting a camp fire. First, make sure that you’re in a space where you’re allowed to build a fire — that the conditions are safe and that it is permitted. Find small twigs and kindling

Arizona State Parks Family Campout Program Have you thought about taking the family camping but didn’t feel confident in your wilderness skills — or your kids’ attention spans for roughing it? Here’s a fun way to experience camping with a little expert help. The Arizona State Parks Family Campout Program is designed for families with little or no camping experience and meant to encourage an appreciation for the great outdoors.

During activity-filled weekends in parks across the state, camping experts teach kids and families how to set up tents, build a campfire and prepare food. Participants enjoy activities such as fishing, archery, mountain biking, guided hikes, geocaching and a service project during the two-day, one-night trips. The cost is $90 for a family of four, plus $5 for each additional family member (10 campers maximum). Children must be 6 or older to attend, and pets are not allowed. Tents, sleeping mats, flashlights, chairs and all activity equipment is provided. Families should bring food (enough for two lunches, dinner and breakfast), sleeping bags and bedding, camping chairs, clothing, sturdy shoes, towels, soap and toiletries. Reserve a spot at azstateparks.com/family

or chop a large piece of firewood into small slivers using a small ax. Fire requires oxygen, so it’s important to start the campfire really small. Use the small slivers of wood in a teepee configuration to get the fire going. Gradually add larger pieces once the small wood is engulfed and going strong. We separate the wood into piles of various sizes and build as we go. Before leaving your campsite, make sure the fire is out entirely.

How to handle a wildlife encounter. Kids need to know what they might encounter while out exploring, and what to do if they have a run-in with wildlife. We’ve encountered deer, sheep, bison and elk while exploring national parks, and we’ve told the kids if they can’t close one eye, hold up one thumb and cover the entire animal with that thumb, they’re too close. When you’re hiking on a trail where you know potentially dangerous wildlife may be, hike loud enough so that you don’t startle the animals. Rangers often recommend if you’re hiking in an area known for bears that you carry bear spray, which is like mace for bears.

Keep an eye out, and if you see big, fresh scat droppings, you may be near an animal you don’t want to come face to face with. Overall, kids need to have a general respect for wildlife, knowing that while exploring they are guests in some other animal’s backyard.

Lisa Van Loo is a Gilbert freelance journalist. Ron Abelar is an avid outdoorsman and photographer. Together, they are parenting five children. Follow them on Instagram @RaisingOutdoorKids

FAMILY CAMPOUT PROGRAM SPRING DATES: ❱ MARCH 14-15: Lost Dutchman State Park – Apache Junction ❱ MARCH 21-22: Catalina State Park – Tucson ❱ APRIL 4-5: Patagonia Lake State Park – Patagonia ❱ APRIL 18-19: Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area – Show Low ❱ APRIL 25-26: Red Rock State Park – Sedona ❱ MAY 9-10: River Island State Park – Parker ❱ MAY 16-17: Dead Horse Ranch State Park – Cottonwood

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Summer Camps

Preparing kids

(and parents) for summer

sleepaway camp

By Carrie Wheeler

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leepaway camp conjures images of idyllic sunny days filled with sing-alongs, matching T-shirts, lake activities, close friendships, crafts, and, with some luck, a few life lessons. Many parents want their children to have the special opportunity to grow that comes from sleepaway camp — a chance to be independent, to make new friends, learn new skills, unplug and enjoy nature and supervised adventuring away from screens and social media.

On the flip side, there’s also the potential for

Clockwise: Canoeing at Friendly Pines Camp in Prescott. Enjoying nature at Crazzy’s Wasewagan Camps & Retreat in California. Archery at Camp Sky-Y in Prescott. Ropes course at a Girl Scouts - Arizona Cactus-Pine Council camp.

uncomfortable transitions: sleeping in an unfamiliar setting, navigating new people, activities and situations … any of which can create anxiety for kids. Trying something completely new and different can be stressful at any age, and doing it on your own, even more so. Many parents also worry: Will my kid freak out sleeping away from home? Who will take care of my kid if he gets hurt? Will my child get teased or embraced for any eccentricities?

So how do you get ready to tackle an overnight camp? Here are a few pointers from local camp experts.

Explore trial runs. If your kid is showing trepidation about spending nights away, start slowly, says Vianca Navarete, a spokeswoman for Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, who is familiar with new camper conundrums. She recommends having a “practice” overnighter at a friend’s or a family member’s home for a night or weekend to see how he or she does.

There are also camping situations that can make the transition easier. The Girl Scouts offers weeklong urban camps at South Mountain with a one-night overnight option for younger girls so they can ease into a sleepaway, Navarete says. Katie Kurtin, a local teacher and child development and behavior specialist, says enlisting a small group of friends to go together to sleepaway camp for the first time can also create a sense of safety and connection and make the experience less intimidating.

Another option for easing into camp is family camp. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Friendly Pines and the YMCA all offer family camp options. At family camp, kids can experience all the trappings of sleepaway camp along with their parents or family members.

Once they experience camp life with a support system, they’ll know what to expect when it comes time to go it alone.

Address potential concerns. Parents should have detailed discussions with camp staff prior to camp week. If your child has a history of bed wetting, wears diapers, can only relax with a certain nighttime routine or anything else that might need to be addressed, let the camp staff know. Counselors are well-versed in many of the typical childhood hurdles and can often deal with issues discreetly if given a heads-up. Kurtin also urges parents to ask camp directors plenty of questions about how they

Open House at Friendly Pines Camp Friendly Pines Camp — located in the Bradshaw Mountains at 933 E. Friendly Pines Road, Prescott — hosts an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, to answer any and all questions from interested families about the sleepaway camp experience. Potential campers and family members can enjoy camp tours, wagon rides, toasting marshmallows, zip line rides, refreshments and more. A complimentary buffet lunch, hot Dutch oven biscuits with honey butter and ice cream cones will be served. The camp will also host a special 80th birthday celebration; this year marks the camp’s 80th summer. Friendly Pines offers a wide range of traditional camp activities for boys and girls ages 6-13: sports, horseback riding, waterskiing, rock climbing, performing arts, fine arts, pets, hiking, canoeing and kayaking. There are four-day, weeklong, two-week, four-week, and six-week camp sessions available from May 23 through Aug. 2. Advanced registration for the Open House is requested by calling 928- 445-2128 or visiting friendlypines.com

deal with situations like homesickness, when/ how kids can communicate with parents while at camp and who your child can go to for help or a hug. Parents can help prepare kids with this information. Also, know good camps are pros at dealing with kids missing home: “The camp staff is trained to address homesickness issues and will work to ease any problems,” Navarete says.

Let them pack their own bags. The Girl Scout camp advises incoming campers to pack their own bags. When kids pack their own bags, they know what they have and where it’s located. So if accidents happen, kids have that much more control in figuring out a solutions.

“Knowing what they packed and where [their stuff] is helps build their confidence,” says Navarete.

Send comforts from home. Send kids with something that gives them comfort, like a favorite stuffed animal or blanket they can turn to if homesickness sets in. While kids are often too busy with activities during the day to focus on missing family, during breaks and at night when things slow down and minds wander, it can be helpful to have a connection with home.

Girl Scout culture promotes writing in journals so kids can process their homesick feelings.

They also recommend sending kids with prestamped envelopes to encourage letter writing as another method of addressing emotions and creating a link to family. Kurtin suggests parents send surprise notes with their kids for them to open when they need to feel close to Mom or Dad.

Understand a little homesickness is normal. Craig Johnson, owner of Crazzy’s Wasewagan Camps & Retreat in California, assures kids and parents it’s OK to be homesick. Considering kids are leaving parents and all the familiar comforts, it’s not unexpected that they’ll miss home, Johnson explains. But he hopes they’ll get to this mindset: “When I’m at camp, I’m homesick.

When I’m at home, I’m campsick.”

Calendar Editor Carrie Wheeler is the mother of Wilson (8). Send calendar submissions to Carrie@ RAKmagazine.com.

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Summer Camps

Speaking with representatives of Cactus Day Camp at Camp Fair AZ.

T

here are so many summer camps out there these days that there’s bound to be one that suits your child’s interests. The downside is that it can be challenging to know where to start — especially for preschoolers or early elementary children. Here are six tips to make your summer camp research and selection process a little easier and to help you find a summer day camp that is the best fit for your family.

Make a checklist. A great place to start is to ask your child to talk about his or her interests.

It might be art today, and horses tomorrow, but getting a short list of your child’s current interests can help you narrow down the endless options. Knowing what you need from a camp and your expectations for your child’s experience will help narrow your search. Create a list of what you’re hoping to get out of the camp. This list should include answers to these questions: What kind of care am I looking for? How long will my child’s day be? What’s my budget? What kind of environment does my child need? What outcomes am I expecting from a camp?

Ask questions. The absolute best way to know what a camp offers and whether it will be a good fit for your family is to ask questions.

Do some research, browse websites, make phone calls, talk to other parents or attend a camp fair [like Raising Arizona Kids magazine’s 17th annual Camp Fair AZ on Saturday, Feb.

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tips for finding the right summer day camp

29 at Ability 360 Sports & Fitness Center in Phoenix]. Talk to the camp staff and ask for a tour of the camp facilities.

Make sure the camp is optimal for your child’s age and abilities. Many camps are designed with a certain age group in mind, and often that target age group is extended to accommodate more campers. Maybe your child loves robots, and you think you’ve found the perfect camp, but upon further inspection, the camp asks children to read instructions and build a robot from a kit while sitting at a table. This may not be the best fit for your 5-year-old who isn’t reading yet or needs more open-ended play.

Just because a camp is open to younger children does not necessarily mean that the camp staff has been trained to understand Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) for young children.

Knowing what the curriculum of a camp looks like and what variations there are for each age group can help to ensure your child will be engaged in a meaningful way.

Look for safe spaces. Know where the camp will be held and find out what safety precautions are in place. If the camp is at a school, you know that there are likely certain existing safety routines and structures. If the camp doesn’t offer structured space specifically designed for children — such as a dog shelter or an art studio — you may have some questions

By Katie Kurtin about safety, toileting, lunch, field trips or how time is spent in public spaces.

Ask about the caregivers’ experience.

The staff is the most important part of any camp. Having wonderful projects and content is great, but caregivers, counselors and teachers who understand child development, behavior and DAP can make or break the camp experience for families. You will want to know who the people staffing the camp are, and what their backgrounds are. Ask about the caregivers’ experience with early childhood education (birth to age 8) as opposed to higher elementary or older grades. The needs of a 4- or 5-year-old are much different than those of a child who is 10.

Ask camp organizers about discipline.

What is their procedure for handling behaviors that they find challenging? Are caregivers’ expectations for what children should be able to do (sit still, listen to lengthy explanations, follow multi-step directions) realistic and developmentally appropriate for your child? Do those expectations and discipline procedures align well with those of your family?

Katie Kurtin is a child development and behavior specialist and an early childhood teacher. She serves on the board of the Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children (AzAEYC).

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Summer Camps

Summer Camps Directory 26 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

ISTOCK

Special Advertising Section

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT All Around Learning Center

Locations in Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Scottsdale • 480-833-7338 • allaroundmath.com Ages 4-13. STEM educational weekly and monthly enrichment camps. Robotics with Lego Mindstorms, Fortnite, Minecraft, Computer Game Design, Game of Drones, Eager Engineering, Mixing Magic, Superhero Training and more. Students are grouped by age and ability level. Intensive summer tutoring for all learning styles in all subjects is available. SAT/ACT Prep. Full- and half-day camps June 1-July 31. $175 and up/week.

Mathnasium Fun Summer Math Camps

Gilbert: 756 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 103 • 480-782-7987 • mathnasium.com/gilbert Gilbert East: 3244 E. Guadalupe Road, Suite 104 • 480-214-3118 • mathnasium.com/gilberteast Mesa: 9221 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103 • 480-646-3005 • mathnasium.com/mesasouth Grades K-8. Stop the summer math slide! Keep your child’s mind fresh over the summer by refreshing the previous year’s math concepts or jumping ahead to the upcoming school year’s math concepts. Customized math learning program based on an in-depth math assessment. We provide math instruction in a lively, fun environment with experienced instructors certified in the Mathnasium method. We have dozens of fun, interactive math games to entertain your child! Half-day camps June 1-July 31. $175 and up/week.

Phoenix Country Day School Summer Program

3901 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley • 602-955-8200 • pcds.org/summer Grades K-12. Our 6-week program runs in two-week sessions June 8-July 19. Through grade 8, students create their own half-day or full-day schedule with academic classes and enrichment options in technology, music, sports, theater and art. High school students register per class. Facilities include swimming pools, tennis courts, art studios and computer labs. Full-service lunch and extended day available. $450 and up.

ANIMALS Arizona Animal Welfare League’s Summer Camp 15 N. 40th St., Phoenix • 602-273-6852 • aawl.org/camp

Ages 6-17. Our camps cover a variety of topics for young animal lovers including veterinary science, animal care, art and wildlife education! Your child will have fun learning about STEM-based topics, responsible pet ownership, performing scientific experiments, reading to dogs and animal encounters with our exotic animal ambassadors! Weekly sessions June 1-July 31. $225 and up.

Arizona Humane Society Summer Camp

1521 W. Dobbins Road, Phoenix • 602-997-7585, Ext. 2005 • azhumane.org/camps Ages 6-17. AHS offers a whole lineup of summer animal camps for kids interested in learning more about animals and animal careers. Summer animal camps teach kids how to train and care for animals, be responsible pet guardians, align their choices with their values and make our community a safer place for all animals. Campers will have hands-on learning opportunities with a variety of animals. Weekly sessions June 1-July 24. $275 and up/week.

Phoenix Herpetological Society

28011 N. 78th St., Scottsdale • 602-501-2930 • phoenixherp.com/eduction/camps/summercamp Reptile Encounters Summer Camp. Ages 6-15. Reptile conservation education, interactions with animals, how to coexist with wildlife, guest speakers from other organizations in the Valley, STEAM-based activities. Weekly sessions May 25-Aug. 7. $200 and up.

Camp Zoo at the Phoenix Zoo

455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix • 602-914-4333 • phoenixzoo.org Grades K-8. Children will have fascinating adventures with the natural world this summer at Camp Zoo. Each age-appropriate, weeklong session is filled with up-close animal encounters, hands-on activities, games, in-depth investigations and organized free time. During the mornings, we’ll take advantage of the cooler temperatures and participate in outdoor activities such as water play and hiking. In the afternoons, we will spend more time participating in indoor activities. Weekly full- and half-day sessions. June -July 31. $159 and up/half day; $254 and up/full day.

ARTS — Performance and Visual As You Wish Pottery Summer Classes Valleywide • asyouwishpottery.com

Ages 5 and up. Our rainbow of classes will color up some fun each week as your child paints their way through a kaleidoscope of colors with creative tools like bubbles, Q-tips, and more! Kids will be saturated in color as they brush, flick, splatter, sponge, and paint pottery while capturing the rainbow with expert, step-by-step instruction. June 1-July 17. Schedules online. $25/class.

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Special Advertising Section: 2020 Summer Camps Directory

AZ Idol Performing Arts Summer Camp

19021 N. 32nd St., Phoenix • 602-558-5455 • scottsdaleconservatory.com Ages 7-17. This is a fun-filled, performing arts camp for every skill level. Each camper will be part of an elaborate production and showcase each Friday.

They will sing, act and dance in a whimsical parade, sharing their talents and skills with friends, families and the community. We perform all over the Valley and at Disneyland, and our Shooting Stars appeared on “America’s Got Talent.” May 25-July 31. $150/week.

Carrie Curran Art Studios

8300 N. Hayden Road, Suite A-100, Scottsdale • 480-478-8121 • carriecurranart.com Ages 6-8, 9-13 and teens. Young Vincents Summer Fine Art Camp exploreshildren’s creativity, developing skills painting with acrylics, drawing, sculpting and creating mixed-media projects. Our skilled artists/instructors guide children to develop an eye for color, composition and design. Parents agree that this one-of-a-kind program is the perfect blend of creative fun and fine-arts education. Students, beginners to advanced, will enjoy new thematic projects each session. Monday-Thursday sessions May 26-Aug. 6. $305.

Centrestage Dance Studio Summer Camp

7399 E. Tierra Buena Lane, Suite 102, Scottsdale • 480-368-8788 • centrestagedancestudio.com Ages 5-11. Welcome to one of the friendliest dance studios in Arizona! Our summer camp offers dance, tumbling, crafts, games, special guests and more. Four-day camp sessions offered June 1-July 23. $189/week full-day session, $95/week half-day, $50/day drop-in.

Childsplay Theatre Academy

900 S. Mitchell Drive, Tempe • 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe • 480-921-5700 • childsplayaz.org/summer20 Ages 4-17. At Childsplay Theatre Academy, young people build confidence, develop performance skills and have fun all summer long! Every week our professional teaching artists craft lessons that ignite imaginations and foster a love for the performing arts. Weekly sessions May 26-July 31. $115 and up/week.

Desert Stages Theatre Summer Camp

7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 0586, Scottsdale • 480-483-1664 • desertstages.org Ages 3-12. Young actors receive hands-on theatrical experience in a non-competitive, fun environment. Each session covers all aspects of a musical production, including auditions, staging and choreography. A typical day includes voice, dance, acting, games, and arts and crafts. Sessions conclude with a free performance. Big Camp session: $625 per child; $575 for second child or session; $1,575 for all three sessions if paid by April 1; campers must bring a sack lunch. Full- and half-day camps available: Honk Jr. (May 26-June 12); Gerry Cullity’s Cinderella (June 15-July 3); Dear Edwina Jr. (July 6-July 24). Camp Jr.: $300/child; $275 for second child or session; $750 for all three sessions if paid by April 1.

Do Re Mi School of the Arts - Summer Company 2020

8050 E. Mountain View Road, Scottsdale • 480-616-0888 • doremischool.com/summer-camp Ages 4-18. From our Fine Arts Camp to our Musical Theatre Camp, students will receive professional instruction in theater, music and dance. Our three-week summer camp immerses students in a hands-on musical theater experience. From auditioning, learning the material, staging the show, and incorporating props, lights and costumes, the entire process happens in only 12 rehearsals. Each camp culminates with a full production of theater, song and dance. Join the Do Re Mi family this summer! July 6-July 25. $300-$750.

East Valley Children’s Theatre

4501 E. Main St., Mesa • 480-756-3828 • evct.org Ages 5-15. East Valley Children’s Theatre offers one- and two-week theater camps with activities to help young actors think creatively and build selfconfidence through participation in music, dance and acting. Participants learn skills from rehearsal through a final performance working with great teachers, staff and volunteers — all highly trained and experienced in theater. Half- or full-day sessions June-July. $215-$325.

Greasepaint Youtheatre Summer Camp

7020 E. Second St., Scottsdale • 480-949-7529 • greasepaint.org Ages 6-13. Campers learn to sing, dance, act, improvise and shine in every possible way on stage! Campers participate in a final showcase on the last day of each camp. One-, two- and three-week full-day camps June 1-July 31. $175/week.

Master Ballet Academy’s Ballet Summer School

7625 E. Redfield Road, Suite 200, Scottsdale • 15795 N. 76th St., Scottsdale • 602-996-8000 • masterballetacademy.com Ages. 3-21. Fun, engaging classes for both beginners and those with ballet training; different levels based on age and skill. Our Ballet Summer School includes ballet, tumbling, acting, creative movement and more! Our studio also offers world-class training for ballet students age 9 to professional. Fulland half-day camps June 8-July 24. Starting at $20 per day.

28 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

IMAGINE THAT! SUMMER CAMP Summer 2020 | Celebrating 41 years of fun!

Over 30+ camps for 3-11 year olds: American Girl, Indoor Sports, Hogwarts, CSI: Super Sleuths, Construction Zone, Xtreme Games, Dance: Descendants 3, Fine Arts, News Reporter, Gymnastics, Showtime, Kitchen Tales, STEM based programs: Fairy Tales & Dinosaurs, Cup Cake Wars, Play-Well Teknologies: Lego; Young Investigators, Princess, Inventive Tinkering, Lego Animation, Young Mad Scientists, theme based camps for 3 & 4 year olds

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Special Advertising Section: 2020 Summer Camps Directory

The Phoenix Theatre Company Summer Camp and Master Classes

1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix • 602-889-7608 • phoenixtheatre.com/summercamp Ages 4-18. In our inclusive Summer Theatre Camps, campers learn to express themselves through song and dance, building confidence and friendships while developing skills such as creativity, goal-setting, public speaking and sight-reading music. Our weekly workshops are inspired by a fun Broadway theme that culminates in a public performance for friends and families on Friday afternoons. Our Master Classes are for serious-minded students who want to learn about the industry and dive deeper into their craft. Class size is very limited to enhance the experience of our various offerings. Full- and half-day camps June 1-July 31. $169-$269/week.

Rachel’s Young At Art Studio

6990 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 115, Scottsdale • 480-621-6155 • rachelsyoungatart.com/camps Ages 2-8 (must be potty trained). Arts and crafts, story time, dramatic play, sensory activities and lots and lots of fun! Each child will come home with a bag full of art relating to the day’s theme. There will be plenty of opportunities to get messy during camp days and you can customize your child’s schedule. Weekly and daily sessions 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 18-Aug. 14. $60-$105/day or $270-$472.50/week; sibling discount.

School of Rock/Rock 101 Camp

Scottsdale: 13610 N. Scottsdale Road • Ahwatukee/Phoenix: 4645 E. Chandler Blvd.

Gilbert: 885 E. Warner Road • 480-483-7625 • schoolofrock.com Ages 7-12. Want to play in a band onstage? Our Rock 101 camp is designed for beginners with little to no experience. Students will explore their instruments through a set of rock songs in a live band setting. Our nurturing environment makes this the perfect camp for budding musicians. Students will work on songs Monday through Friday and the camp will culminate in a performance. No experience or instruments needed; we’ll bring the stage to you! Full-day camps, Scottsdale: June 15-19 and July 20-24; Phoenix/Ahwatukee: June 8-12 and July 13-17; Gilbert: July 6-10. $500/week.

Scottsdale Artists’ School Youth & Teen Summer Camp

3720 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale • 480-990-1422 • scottsdaleartschool.org Ages 6-18. The Scottsdale Artists’ School Youth & Teen Academy is Arizona’s premier art school for the youth and teens, providing engaging fine art classes in professional art studios equipped with studio lighting, easels, props and tools. Our professional teaching artists have experience working with students of all skill levels and share a wealth of artistic knowledge in a wide variety of mediums. Weekly sessions May 26-Aug. 2. $300 and up.

Spotlight Youth Theatre

10620 N. 43rd Ave., Glendale • 623-332-7201 • spotlightyouththeatre.org Ages 6-16. One of the following musical productions will be featured every two weeks: Do-Little; Snow Queen II: A Frozen Tale; Avengerz: A Musical Adventure; or Newzzzies: “Sleep Squad” vs. “Team No Sleep.” Two-week sessions June 1-July 21. $325/session.

Summer Art + Architecture Camps at Taliesin West

12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale • 480-627-5360 • franklloydwright.org/summer-camps Grades 3-12. Combining creativity with academic relevance, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s innovative camps give students the opportunity to think and work outside the box. Located at Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and desert laboratory, the camps encourage students to explore, create and design. Students will see how their unique ideas can have an impact on the world around them, as they engage in fun, educational activities. Half- and full-day weekly sessions June 1-July 31. $250-$350.

Summer Break Camp at Phoenix Center for the Arts

1202 N Third St., Phoenix • 602-254-3100 • phoenixcenterforthearts.org/camp Ages 6-14. Campers will experience a full day of professional instruction in visual and performing arts. Classes include music, dance, drama, and visual arts. At the end of each session, the Center will hold a performance showcasing what the campers have learned and created. Two-week sessions (Monday-Friday) June 1-31 (skipping the week of July 4). $325 and up/session.

Stage Dreams Youth Theater

North Phoenix Area • 623-252-9001 • stagedreams.net Grades K-8. Weeklong camps provide an opportunity to learn performing skills through acting games, singing lessons and dance practice. A two-week camp lets campers experience auditions, rehearsals and performances. Full- and half-day camps. Weeklong sessions: June 8-12, June 15-19, July 13-17. Two-week session: July 20-Aug 1. After care available. $300 and up/week.

Theater Works SummerWorks Camps

10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria • 623-815-7930 • theaterworks.org Ages 3-18. Theater Works SummerWorks camps are the perfect summer activity for kids who love theater. There are classes for all ages and skill levels, indulging the just-for-fun campers and those who want to hone their theater skills. With many camp themes, from Broadway to superheroes, campers will have a fun-filled, creative summer learning theater skills. Each camp concludes with a production or performance for friends and family. May 26-July 31. $165-$575.

30 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Whether your student is a seasoned performer or looking for a place to start … Valley Youth Theatre Camps and Classes are fun, engaging and give students a place to feel supported and encouraged to express themselves.

1-WEEK • AGES 7-15 Session I: March 9–13 Session II: March 16–20 Monday– Friday, 9am–3pm $275

4-WEEK • AGES 7-15 Session I: June 1–26 Session II: July 6–31 Monday– Friday, 9am–3pm $750

Location: Valley Youth Theatre • 525 N. 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

To register or for more information visit:

www.vyt.com/education or call 602.253.8188 x302

SUMMER ART & ARCHITECTURE CAMPS

AT TALIE SIN WE ST

FrankLloydWright.org/2020Camp

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Special Advertising Section: 2020 Summer Camps Directory

Valley Youth Theatre - Musical Theatre Camp

525 N. First St., Phoenix • 602-253-8188 x302 • vyt.com/education/musical-theatre-camps/ Ages 7-15. The magic of musical theater comes to life! Campers experience what it takes to create a full musical production from audition to performance, alongside professional teaching artists who provide foundational training in acting, singing and dance. Fun and interactive classes in these three disciplines help build self confidence and teach campers to work as an ensemble to bring their musical performance to life. Family and friends will applaud their hard work on the final day of camp with a performance where all are welcomed. Four-week camps June 1-July 31.

Extended hours available. $775/session. Early-bird pricing before May 1.

MIXED ACTIVITIES Cactus Day Camp

6050 N. Invergordon Road, Paradise Valley • 480-836-CAMP (2267) • cactusdaycamp.com Ages 3 to 13. A “traditional” summer program where safety is a priority, friendships are fostered, healthy lifestyles are encouraged and the fun is unlimited. Days are filled with many of our over 20 activities — including archery, swimming, dance, cooking, sports, crafts, climbing, gaga, game room and more. Fridays culminate each week with a special event. Transportation, extended hours and lunch program optional. Accredited by the American Camp Association. Five-day sessions for two, four, six or eight weeks. June 1-July 24 (closed July 3). $850-$950.

Camelback Desert School

9606 E. Kalil Drive, Scottsdale • 480-451-3130 • camelbackdesertschool.com/programs/summer-camp Ages 1-grade 8. Our preschool-K camp offers a fun-filled summer program for children ages 1 to kindergarten. Each week, campers jump into action, participating in fun and exciting activities and special events. Our two swimming pools are a huge hit! Campers going into grades 1-8 select weekly camp class schedules from a variety of options, such as cooking, swimming, chess, field trips and more, in addition to attending special events! Fulland half-day weekly sessions May 26-July 24 (no camp July 3). Prices vary by age.

Camp at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix

215 N. Seventh St., Phoenix • 6026482777 • childrensmuseumofphoenix.org Ages 5-8. When school is out, send your kiddos to the museum for an epic camp adventure! Campers will have an unforgettable experience exploring the museum’s imaginative exhibits, participating in hands-on, educational activities and building lasting friendships! Weekly sessions June 1-July 31. $235/week for members; $280/week for nonmembers.

Camp Gecko at GateWay Community College

108 N. 40th St., Phoenix • 602-286-8130 • gatewaycc.edu/discover Ages 6-12. Each week children will engage in educational learning opportunities, field trips and memories that will last a lifetime. All meals, snacks and field trips are included in the cost of camp. Full-day camps May 25-July 31. $175/ week.

Camp Kroc

1375 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix • 602-425-5000 • krocphoenix.org Ages 4-13. Through programming designed to stimulate the mind, body, and spirit, campers will discover new talents, build life skills, and make new friends. Campers have the opportunity to participate in more than a dozen specialty activities ranging from athletics to art and science. Camp Kroc is located in a 144,000-square-foot facility with an indoor pool, rock wall and three-court basketball gymnasium in the South Mountain community.

Weekly sessions May 25-July 31. $119 and up.

Coyote Camp

7677 N. 16th St., Phoenix • 602-906-3806 • squawpeakhilton.com Ages 4-12. The award-winning Coyote Camp at Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort offers a variety of educational activities. Children receive a T-shirt on their first full day to remember this special experience! If you have children with lots of energy, a visit to Coyote Camp is a must with kid-friendly activities available. With 25 years of experience, our staff offers exciting activities with full-day, half-day and evening programs. $35/day and up.

Dobson Montessori Super Summer

K-12: 745 S. Extension, Mesa • Preschool: 1130 S. San Jose, Mesa • 480-962-1432 • dobsonmontessori.com Ages 2 ½-18. Dobson Montessori Super Summer camp offers more than 40 workshops featuring strong academic reinforcement and outstanding enrichment. Hands-on science, drama, gourmet cooking, fantasy role play, film study, gardening, farm animals, creative writing and so much more. Call for a free brochure! Both full- and half-day camps available May 26-Aug. 21. From $115/week.

32 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

UNIQUE SUMMER CAMPS AT SCOTTSDALE! SCC offers many diverse programs for fun, engaging and hands-on educational experiences, for teens and kids: Acting & Technical Theatre | Culinary Arts Cybersecurity | Choir | Film | Orchestra String Instruments Simply Cooking Camp: Kids age 11-15 create a series of made-from-scratch meals, with a strong focus on healthy cooking techniques and ingredients.

Make it happen at Scottsdale www.scottsdalecc.edu/summer-camp The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District.

The Maricopa County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.

SING! DANCE! ACT! HAVE FUN!

Ages 3-12 School Recess Dates & Summer Break

day camps Health & fitness while having a blast!

THEATER CAMPS Ages 5 – 7 and Ages 7 – 18 1-week & 2-week camps available!

Locations in the North West Valley

Register online at (480) 596-3543 xtremegymnastics.com 14000 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85260

StageDreams.net

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Special Advertising Section: 2020 Summer Camps Directory

Imagine That! Summer Camp

4455 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley • 480-570-5234 • imaginethatsummercamp.com Ages 3-11. Celebrating 41 years of fun! 30-plus specialty camps including: Fine Art, Sports, Jr. Chef, Invention Tinkering, Super Sleuths, Young Mad Scientist, Hogwarts, American Girl Memories, Playwell-Teknologies, Stop Motion Animation, Gymnastics, Dance: Descendants 3, Mixture Commotions, Showtime for the Young, STEAM Dinosaurs, STEAM Fairy Tales, Pop Art and more. Full- and half-day camps June 1-June 18 and June 22-July 2. $260 and up.

JGS Summer Fun

4800 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Paradise Valley • 480-563-5588 • jonesgordon.org Grades 1-8. Ignite your child’s imagination and curiosity at The Jones-Gordon School. We offer imaginative, thematic, weeklong recreational camps designed for stress-free fun, including Harry Potter Camp, Animal Training & Rescue, Candy-Making Camp and more. June 1-26. $350/week.

Mesa Community College

Southern & Dobson Campus: 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa • mesacc.edu/summercamp Grades K-12. MCC hosts music, theatre, sports, app and multimedia camps by age group during May and June. Kids hone instrument and voice skills at the FREE Music Camp. Musical Theatre Camp culminates in a performance. App Camp programs a robot and shares submitting to iTunes App Store.

Multimedia Madness explores photo, audio and animation for fun and marketable social media skills. Fundamental ball-handling rules at basketball camp. Affordable tuition from $125 to $300. Camps fill quickly.

Paradise Valley Community College Summer Camps

18401 N. 32nd St., Phoenix • 602-787-7182 • paradisevalley.edu/summercamps Grades 1-12. Join Paradise Valley Community College for faculty-led one- and two-week camps! Camps center on STEAM themes and range from music technology to musical theater to Journey of the Mind — A Planet Earth and Theme Park Odyssey for sixth- to ninth-graders and STEAM Summer Camp — Fighting Cancer for juniors and seniors. Both full- and half-day camps. $150/week and up.

Scottsdale Unified School District Summer Camp

Hopi Elementary, 5110 E. Lafayette Blvd, Scottsdale • Pima Elementary, 8330 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale • Redfield Elementary, 9181 E. Redfield Road, Scottsdale • 480-484-7900 • susd.org/summercamp Ages 3-14. Our fun, safe and affordable summer camp includes a variety of activities, field trips, games and so much more, including FREE snacks.

Full-day camps May 26-July 31. $30-35 per day.

Unique Camps at Scottsdale Community College

9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale • 480-423-6700 • scottsdalecc.edu/summer-camp Elementary-high school. Scottsdale Community College offers many diverse programs for fun, engaging and hands-on educational experiences, including Acting & Technical Theatre, Choir, Culinary Arts, Cybersecurity, Film, Orchestra and String Instruments. Full- and half-day camps. Sessions vary.

UU Kids Kamp

4027 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley • 602-840-8400 • phoenixuu.org/childrensministries/kids-kamp-2020/ Ages 3-13. Kids Kamp is for kids by kids, run by a core group of kids ages 13-18. All decisions are made by this council with guidance from senior camp staff. Kamp has been happening for over 50 years. Daily activities include dance, cooking, drumming, arts and crafts, water play, and fun and games! Full- and half-day. June 1-June 25. $240 per week. After care is available.

OVERNIGHT/RESIDENT Army and Navy Academy Camp Challenge

2605 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, California • 760-547-5288 • anasummercamp.com Grades 7-12. Overseen by dedicated staff focused on mentoring in a supportive setting, Army and Navy Academy’s Camp Challenge offers coeds a summer leadership experience that motivates and encourages involvement, accountability, skill development and personal growth. In addition to a progressive leadership curriculum recognized for its excellence by the United States Service Academies and many universities, new specialties this year include Aviation and Computer Science. Two- and four-week sessions June 29-July 25. $3,200 and up.

Camp Wildwood

Bridgton, Maine • 301-592-7760 • campwildwood.com Boys ages 7-15. Since 1953, Wildwood has flourished as a family-owned-and-operated summer camp for boys on the secluded shores of Woods Pond in Bridgton, Maine. Our mission is to create a fun, active, educational, and safe environment for campers to maximize their social, emotional and personal development. We strive to promote social balance, diversity and positive growth within the Camp Wildwood community. Our goal is to enrich the lives of campers through positive relationships and activities. Four- to seven-week options available. $9,000 and up.

34 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Summer Academy Enroll your grade 1-12 student today

outreach.engineering.asu.edu

RaisingARIZONAKids.com March 2020

35

Special Advertising Section: 2020 Summer Camps Directory

Catalina Island Camps

100 Howlands Landing, Avalon, California • 626-296-4040 • catalinaislandcamps.com Grades 1-10. A sleepaway camp on a protected cove of Catalina Island. Campers live in cabins with up to 10 of their peers and two counselors. Cabin friendships and unity is a big part of the overall camp experience. Camp activities include snorkeling, sailing, tubing, water-skiing, kayaking, stand-up paddling, crafts, ropes course, climbing wall, archery, riflery, nature and more. One- and two-week sessions June 15-Aug. 10. $2,000 and up; sibling discount and early-bird discount.

Chapel Rock Camp and Conference Center

1131 Country Club Drive, Prescott • 877-445-3499 • chapelrock.net/camps Grades K-12. Kids will experience outdoor fun, arts and crafts, music, campfire, prayer, and friendships new and old! May 31-June-27. $415 and up/week.

Crazzy’s Wasewagan Camp and Retreat

42121 Seven Oaks Road, Angelus Oaks, California • 805-498-5572 • wasewagan.com Ages 5-16. Campers will enjoy all the activities offered at Camp Wasewagan like archery, riflery, paintball, high ropes course, swimming, river volleyball and so much more! Each camper creates his or her own unique experience by choosing an exciting field trip from these options: stand-up paddle boarding, alpine water slides, biking around Big Bear Lake, horseback riding, roller skating and glow bowling. Come create unforgettable memories!

June 14-Aug 8.$1,360/week or $2,600/two weeks.

Colvig Silver Camps

9665 Florida Road, Durango, Colorado • 970-247-2564 • colvigsilvercamps.com Grades 2-11 (completed). 50 summers of fun and adventure connecting campers with themselves, each other and the world around them. Traditional and innovative activities, plentiful and inspired staff, and a significant wilderness camping component combine for an individualized program designed to provide them authentic interaction and to help them become confident, capable and caring people. Two- and four-week sessions June 11-Aug. 10. $2,985/two weeks; $5,780/four weeks.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Summer Programs Prescott, Arizona • 928-777-3956 • summercamps.erau.edu/camps/

Ages 14-18. We offer many hands-on summer programs specializing in technology, flight, cyber intelligence and game application and creation. Want to experience firsthand what it’s like to be a spy, construct and fly drones, fly a helicopter or plane? We offer state-of-the-art facilities and instruction by ERAU’s world-class faculty. Weekly sessions May 31-July 31. $750-$2,500. Scholarships available.

French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts

199 Bouchoux Brook Road, Hancock, New York • 800-634-1703 • frenchwoods.com Ages 7-17. We offer individualized specialty programs in music, theatre, dance, circus, art, magic, rock, cooking, video, tech theater (lighting, sound, set design, stagecraft), sports, tennis, cooking, waterfront, and horseback riding for three-, six-, nine- or twelve-week sessions. Perform in a Broadway show with full orchestra, play another camp in soccer, basketball or baseball, fly on the high trapeze, bake a souffle, produce your own movie, record original music, make a stained glass window, ride a horse, dance in a ballet, play in the symphony, water ski, play tennis or jam with a rock band. June 7-Sept. 6. $5,000-$6,300/three-week sessions, multiple-session discount.

Friendly Pines Camp

933 E. Friendly Pines Road, Prescott • 928-445-2128 • friendlypines.com Ages 6-13. Friendly Pines Camp celebrates our 80th summer offering a wide range of traditional camp activities: sports, horseback riding, waterskiing, rock climbing, performing arts, fine arts, pets, hiking, canoeing, kayaking and more. Three-day, weeklong, two-week, four-week, and six-week camp sessions May 23-Aug. 2. Sibling discount. $495 and up.

Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Summer Camps

Parsons Leadership, 1611 E. Dobbins Road, Phoenix • Camp Maripai, 201 E. Maripai Road, Prescott • Shadow Rim Ranch, 530 N. Shadow Rim Road, Payson • Willow Springs Program Center, 775 N. Camp Willow Springs Road, Prescott • 602-452-7030 • girlscoutsaz.org/camp Grades K-12. GSACPC’s unique all-girl environments give girls the space to continue to develop a positive self-image, build courage, confidence and character by connecting with others and their natural environment. Our camps offer a wide range of programs, including STEM, archery, swimming, field trips, canoeing, horsemanship, hiking, travel sessions, outdoor cooking, zip-lining, theater, aviation, ropes challenge course and more! All four camps offer sessions that vary in length, as well as overnight and three-weeklong quests. Our camp is open to nonmembers! May 31-July 31. $265 and up.

36 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

C on t u s to a c t v a c l a i s it s s!

Discover the power of family music-making.

Find a location near you in the Valley of the Sun: musictogether.com/GreaterPhoenix

AZR Summer Camp

BEST OF OUR VALLEY

2019 WINNER

azfoothills.com

2019 WINNER

BEST OF OUR VALLEY

azfoothills.com

BEST OF OUR VALLEY

azfoothills.com

azfoothills.com

Traditional Day Camping in the Desert

2019 WINNER

BEST OF OUR VALLEY

2019 WINNER

DATES: JUNE 1 _ JULY 24 Weekly from

June 1st to August 7th

Registration begins April 1st.

ROCK CLIMBING | NINJA COURSE OBSTACLES | YOGA GAMES | OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES • Before- and After-care • Optional lunch packages: $7 per day / $35 per week (Pita Jungle Monday thru Thursday with pizza on Friday) • Half-day: $58 per day / $290 per week • Full-day: $70 per day / $350 per week • Last minute drop-ins welcome

Registration is easy online at

WWW.AZONTHEROCKS.COM

16447 N. 91ST. STREET #105 SCOTTSDALE AZ 85260 • 480.502.9777

• Ages 3-13 • Full-Day Program • Five Days a Week • 2, 4, 6, or 8 Weeks • 2 Pools On Campus

• Tween Campers Field Trips • Extended Hours Available • Transportation Available • Optional Lunch Program • Friday Special Events

Swimming • Archery • Rock Wall • Cooking Tumbling • Arts & Crafts • Dance • Gaga • Rocketry Game Show • Team Sports • Improv • Water Slide Movie Making • Mini Golf • & more!

Located in Paradise Valley

480-836-CAMP(2267) For more information & to register go to

CactusDayCamp.com RaisingARIZONAKids.com March 2020

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Special Advertising Section: 2020 Summer Camps Directory

New York Film Academy

New York; Los Angeles; South Beach, Florida; Harvard University, Boston; Paris, France; Florence, Italy and Gold Coast, Australia 818-333-3558 • nyfa.edu/summer Ages 10-13 and 14-17. Our summer camps are like no other in the world. Whether you enroll in our filmmaking, acting for film, screenwriting, broadcast journalism, photography, musical theatre, game design, music video, documentary filmmaking or 3D animation programs, you will gain intensive study in your discipline. Students develop new skills, make lasting friendships, develop their portfolios and grow as artists. Full-day camps. Weeklong to six-week options June 21-Aug. 29. $1,140-$7,755. Housing for ages 14-17 available for an extra cost.

Pali Adventures Summer Camp

Running Springs, near Los Angeles, California • 909-867-5743 • paliadventures.com Ages 8-16. A one-of-a-kind summer camp experience, where campers design their unique adventure. Over 25 morning specialty camps offer the chance to learn something new and amazing — from Hollywood stunts to flying trapeze! Free choice elective program with 70+ options. Weekly sessions June 12-Aug. 15. Starting at $1,850/week.

Prescott Pines Camp

Prescott • 928-445-5225 • prescottpines.org Grades 3-12. It is our desire that your child’s week at Frontier becomes a memory that lasts a lifetime. With that as our goal, we have been carefully working to create a camp that balances your child’s spiritual growth with exciting and engaging activities. In addition to daily chapel and Bible study times, activities include Zipline, Pool Time, Arts and Crafts, Archery, Rock Wall, a lake day and more! Weekly sessions June 1-July 17. $228 and up.

Saguaro Camp Cedarbrook

3000 Spence Springs Road, Prescott • 623-979-1984 • saguarocampcedarbrook.com Ages 7-18. We are a Christian outdoor camp that helps campers come to know Christ and develop daily habits of Christian living. By participating in Christ-centered outdoor programs, campers develop positive self-concepts, experience God’s beautiful creation, explore His Word and build meaningful relationships with staff members and other campers. Separate camps for girls and boys. June 21-27. Sibling discounts and need-based financial assistance.

Summer at Santa Catalina

1500 Mark Thomas Drive, Monterey, California • 831-655-9386 • santacatalina.org/summer-at-sc Grades 3-9. Summer at Santa Catalina is dedicated to the mental, emotional, and spiritual growth of girls through experiential education. Our summer camp program strives to nurture girls as they begin to build their independence and self-reliance. We aim to help campers develop the virtues of honesty, kindness and respect for others. Our goal is that campers receive and contribute to the support of a caring community and leave camp with greater selfconfidence, eager to be contributing members of their own communities. Two, three- and five-week sessions, June 21-July 25. $1,700-$6,500.

YMCA Camp Sky-Y

5725 S. Senator Highway, Prescott • 800-660-1385 • azycamps.org 7-16. A full week of activities ranging from high ropes and our new Sky Park to shooting sports programs, media and performance, and all the camp crafts a camper can handle. We offer canoeing, horseback riding, hiking and orienteering to get campers into nature and the outdoors. Weekly sessions May 31-July 25. YMCA members $625/week; nonmembers $725/week.

SCIENCE and NATURE Arizona Museum of Natural History

53 N. Macdonald, Mesa • 480-644-3553 • azmnh.org Dino Discovery Camp: Ages 6-10 and 11-15. Ages 6-10 will explore the science of paleontology, the history of the earth, dinosaurs and other remarkable creatures who lived here then. Each day includes specialty tours, experiments, fossils, games and crafts. At Paleontology Bootcamp, ages 11-15 will participate in two programs with a paleontologist to learn the basics of research and interpretation. Camp includes a lab visit and hands-on experience for the more serious Dino fan. Half-day camps. Ages 11-15: June 13 and 20. $50. Ages 6-10: July 20-24. $165/nonmembers; $145/members.

Prehistoric Preschool: Ages 4-5. A fun-filled morning camp June 2,4, 9 and 11. Activities include creative movement, crafts, and a special interactive learning circle based on themes that include dino superheros, dino detectives, dino pals and dino giants. $65/nonmembers; $55/members.

Camp Ocean at OdySea Aquarium

OdySea Aquarium, 9500 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale • 480-291-8193 • odyseaaquarium.com/campocean Grades K-8. Experience the coolest summer camp in the Valley at OdySea Aquarium’s Camp Ocean! Our indoor camp provides a fun and unique learning environment for exploring the ocean and its amazing inhabitants. Campers will enjoy learning about diverse fresh and saltwater species, different ecosystems, animal adaptations, marine biology, and conservation through classroom activities, behind-the-scenes tours and hands-on learning experiences. Full- and half-day sessions. June 1-July 31. $150 and up/week.

38 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

MULTI-ARTS CAMP AT

THEME:

RECYCLED ARTS!

Partial funding provided by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture through appropriations from the Phoenix City Council.

MARCH 9 - 13 | 2020

MONDAY - FRIDAY | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Ages 7-14 | Early Arrival & Extended Pickup Available!

Price: $220 A sibling discount of $15 off is available upon request.

1202 N 3RD ST | PHOENIX, AZ 85004 | 602-254-3100

phoenixcenterforthearts.org/camp

Experience an

Animal Ed-Venture Summer Camp your child will never forget!

June-July Ages 6-17 azhumane.org/camps education@azhumane.org

RaisingARIZONAKids.com March 2020

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Special Advertising Section: 2020 Summer Camps Directory

Desert Botanical Garden’s Garden Camp Adventures

1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix • 480-481-8123 • dbg.org/learn Rising K-6th grade. Garden Camp Adventures turns kids into scientists as they use their powers of observation to learn about the world around them.

Garden instructors encourage exploratory learning in a fun and safe environment. Each week packs new nature-based adventures, art projects and creativity into engaging and educational experiences. Campers bring their own lunch; snack provided. Weekly sessions June 1-July 17 feature these themes: Wonderful Water, Real Life Transformers, Locomotion Commotion and Amazing Adaptations. $153-225/week.

Mad Science Camps

Valleywide and Mad Science Party Room, 2701 E. Thomas Road, Suite I, Phoenix • 480-222-2233 • nephoenix.madscience.org Grades K-5. Mad Science camps give kids the opportunity to become junior scientists for the summer and embark on a series of science adventures like no other! Full- and half-day camp experiences that are sure to entertain, while campers learn! They will be wowed by green glowing liquid, messages written in secret code, autonomous robots, and mystery substances that change from solid to liquid in seconds. June-July. $130 and up/week.

SPECIAL NEEDS Camp Rockwood

2510 E. Hunt Highway, Queen Creek • 480-530-0886 • rockwoodprep.com Ages 3-18. Campers can beat the heat with pool activities, field trips, arts and crafts, all centered around the needs of children with different abilities.

Camp activities include sensory-themed activities, social skills groups, emotional regulation workshops, and peer group activities centered around life skills and community awareness skills. We also offer an ABA kindergarten-readiness camp focused on preparing young campers with Autism for their first school year experience. DDD and ABA services available. Full- and half-day camps. Two sessions: June 1-26 and July 6–31. $150 and up/week.

Warrior Camp

3939 E. Shea Blvd, Phoenix • 480-998-1071 • gatewayacademy.us Grades 6-12. Warrior Camp offers two two-week sessions for students diagnosed with Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder. 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Each week is themed: robotics, anime, Nerf warz, Pokemon trainers club, tabletop gamers and more. Weekly trips to water parks, baseball games, movies, etc. OT/SLP therapists oversee social skills, team building and collaboration between peers. We accept ESA funding! Full-day camps June 1-12 and 15-26. $1,000 per session includes all materials and field trip transportation.

SPORTS Arizona Sports Complex

3555 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale: 623-587-7171 • ASC Training Center, 425 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix: 623-326-4267 arizonasportscomplex.com/home Ages 4-17. Our youth sports programs — basketball, volleyball and soccer — are designed to teach fundamental and advanced skills with a clear path to a high level of performance. We work closely with athletes to instill a strong foundation of hard work, leadership, sportsmanship, accountability, commitment, compassion, citizenship and resourcefulness. We want them to not only become great, knowledgeable players but great people. All ASC coaches are trained staff coaches who follow a curriculum developed to provide all players the tools for success. Full- and half-day camps. June-July. $180 and up.

Arizona Sunrays SuperCamp

3923 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix • 5801 N. 32nd St., Phoenix • 602-992-5790 • arizonasunrays.com Ages 3-13. Gymnastics, dance, sports, ninja zone, trampoline, bounce house, weekly special guests. Full- and half-day camps May 26-August 7. $220 and up/week. Daily prices also offered.

AZ on the Rocks

16447 N. 91st St., Suite 105, Scottsdale • 480-502-9777 • azontherocks.com/kids-camps Ages 6-12. Need a way to keep the kids active, moving and happy during their school breaks and doing more than playing video games? Our Kids Camps offer the only place where it’s okay to climb the walls. Activities include rock climbing, yoga, ninja course obstacles, games and other fun activities. High-energy, well-qualified counselors help your child build new friendships, discover new interests and improve self-esteem, all in an inviting environment. No experience is required. Camps focus on movement, physical activity and having fun. Weeklong sessions June 1-Aug. 7. Half day: $58 per day/$290 per week. Full day: $70 per day/$350 per week.

Beginners Edge Sports Training Sports Camp

7432 E. Tierra Buena Lane, Scottsdale • 623-748-9453 • thebestinaz.com Bathroom independent to age 15. B.E.S.T. Indoor Sports Camps offer a wide variety of sports, games and activities to keep your kids active and learning each day in our new 6,000-square-foot facility. Enjoy a safe, clean and fun camp with air-conditioned indoor facilities. Weekly full- or half-day or individual day camps at multiple locations in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. May 26-July 31. $65/day, $200/week and up.

40 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

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Nurture creative thinking!

Shachi Kale

Sign-up for Wonder Camp March 9 -13 & July 13-17

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150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa, AZ 85201 RaisingARIZONAKids.com March 2020

41

Special Advertising Section: 2020 Summer Camps Directory

Breakthrough Basketball Camp

Locations: Phoenix, Apache Junction, Ottawa, Chino Valley, Gilbert, Tucson • 866-846-7892 • breakthroughbasketball.com/camps/arizona Grades 4-12. Skills-development basketball camps. In addition to individual skill instruction/drills, campers will gain valuable off-court life skills. March 20-22, April 17-19, April 24-26, May 26-28, June 23-25 and July 28-30. $156-$295.

Camp Hubbard

Phoenix, Scottsdale • 602-786-6789 • camphubbardaz.com Ages 4½-14. Every week campers will play a variety of sports, games and activities. Weekly themes inspire creativity, challenges, teams and a different focus around the sports and games, creating a desire for campers to come every week. Fridays are BIG theme days, full of games, competitions and dress up. Full- and half-day weekly sessions. May 26-July 31. $220 and up.

Challenger Sports International Soccer Camps

Locations Valleywide • 760-536-4468 • challengersports.com Ages 2-16. Innovative soccer curriculum for all ages and abilities covering the main areas of the game! Full- and half-day camps. June-August. $100-$250/week.

DreamTeam Academy Youth Basketball

15955 N. Dial Blvd., Suite 3, Scottsdale • 480-825-7598 • dreamteamacademy.com Ages 6-13. Basketball skills development program featuring ball-handling skills, shooting drills, scrimmages, PG and G movies and wind-down time in The Club Level Lounge. Daily capacity is limited to 25. Half- and full-day camps daily, weekly or monthly, June 1-Aug. 5. $50-$75/day; drop-in rates & weekly packages available from $325.

Fit-N-Fun at Xtreme Gymnastics

14000 N. Hayden, Suite 104, Scottsdale • 480-596-3543 • xtremegymnastics.com Ages 3-12. Fit-N-Fun camps promote health and fitness while having a blast. With a new theme every week, Campers will enjoy gymnastics, trampoline, group challenge activities, obstacle courses, relay races, inflatables and much much more. The Xtreme Gymnastics staff is high energy, USAG Safety Certified with complete background checks. Our fully air conditioned facility is state of the art. Both full- and half-day camps May 26-July 31. $199 and up/week, $52 and up/day.

Kidtastics Swim Program

Your home or one of our heated pools • 480-994-KIDS (5437) • kidtastics.com/phoenix Ages 6 months-12 years. Two-week swim programs. Class philosophy is “safety comes first,” which results in children and parents learning watersafety rules and responsibilities. We want your family to be safe in and around the water. Two-week sessions April 27-August 20. (No classes May 25-31, June 29-July 5 and Aug. 3-9). $190-$500; sibling and early-bird discount. Save $25 with code RAK20.

Phoenix Mercury Matinee Camp Day

Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix • 602-252-WNBA • mercury.wnba.com/campday Ages 5-18. Join us for an action-packed, kid-focused afternoon with the WNBA Phoenix Mercury! Witness the Phoenix Mercury take on the Las Vegas Aces at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8. Group prices start as low as $8.

Sportball Sports Camp

13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 115, Scottsdale • 480-275-7419 • sportball.us/phoenix Ages 3-6. Sportball’s action-packed indoor camps introduce children to 8 different sports throughout the week, plus crafts, waterplay, story time, co-operative games and more! Full- and half-day camps May 26-Aug 7. Five-day packages (any five days) and daily registration is available. $175 and up/week. Early and extended hours available.

STEM and STEAM Arizona Science Center Camp Innovation

600 E. Washington St., Phoenix • 602-716-2028 • azscience.org/camps Grades K-12. When school’s out, Camp Innovation is in! Arizona Science Center’s camps will inspire and engage curious minds through STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) learning, sparking scientific curiosity through hands-on interactive programs that incorporate learning through fun and relevant themes, including forensics, space, and bioengineering. Camps themes include Campfire Science, Wild Weather and Dinosaurs! Fulland half-day camps June 1-July 24. $150-$315.

42 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

CA

Arizona Museum of Natural History

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Have a roaring good time at the Arizona Museum of Natural History

AT PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL DETAILS & REGISTRATION AT WWW.PCDS.ORG/SUMMER JUNE 8 - JUNE 19 JUNE 22 - JULY 3 JULY 6 - JULY 17 PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL 3901 E. STANFORD DRIVE PARADISE VALLEY, AZ 85253

Summer camps from preschool to 15 years of age, Dino-mite birthday parties and more.

GRADES K-12 ART ACADEMICS TECHNOLOGY THEATRE SPORTS TENNIS COURTS AQUATIC CENTER FULL LUNCH EXTENDED DAY

Diving in to teach your child to

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For more information visit our website at AzMNH.org “Like” us on Facebook www.facebook.com/azmnh1, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @AzMNH

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Individualized Curriculum Animals ■ Gardening ■ Science ■ Phonics Art ■ Music ■ Drama ■ Practical Life 1:8 Teacher/Child Ratio

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One-on-one lessons

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480-962-1432

• Singing, Acting and Dancing • Theater games, Black light Dance, Music groups • One week or all summer long • Every cast member (camper) will be part of an Elaborate Production and Showcase each Friday!

ScottsdaleConservatory.com

19021 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85050

602-558-5455

www.DOBSONMONTESSORI.com RaisingARIZONAKids.com March 2020

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Special Advertising Section: 2020 Summer Camps Directory

CodaKid Coding and Game Design Camps

4254 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale • 480-405-2734 • codakid.com Ages 6-15. CodaKid teaches students how to code like the pros with professional languages and tools, including Roblox Game Development, Minecraft Modding, Python Game Development, JavaScript App Development, Robotics, AI, Web Development and more. Our director is a former game designer for the Sony Playstation, Sega and PC and brings real Silicon Valley skills to the Valley. Camp includes outdoor activities, off-computer activities, free time and more. May 26-July 31. $319-$425/week.

Engineering for Kids

Locations Valleywide • 480-779-8184 • engineeringforkids.com/phoenixmetro Ages 4-14. Engineering for Kids is Arizona’s No. 1 STEAM summer camp with more than 10 Valley locations including Urban Air Adventure Park, Octane Raceway and Phoenix Coding Academy! We partner with the coolest kid-friendly and fun entertainment facilities so kids can have fun and learn all summer long! We offer the most comprehensive science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum: drones, 3D printing, LEGO, robotics, video game design, programming, Minecraft, VR/ AR, and engineering concepts. Full- and half-day sessions. May 26-Aug. 7. $175/week and up.

Fulton Summer Academy

ASU Tempe and Polytechnic campuses • 480-965-0100 • outreach.engineering.asu.edu/summer-programs Grades 1-12. Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering offer fun and engaging hands-on summer camps for students who like to build, create, solve problems and learn about science, technology, engineering and math. Weekly sessions June 1-July 17. $250 and up/week; scholarships and need-based financial assistance available.

i.d.e.a Museum Summer Wonder Camp

150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa • 480-644-2468 • ideamuseum.org/camps Ages 6-12. Creativity and science collide with hands-on STEAM activities based on this summer’s robot-themed exhibition. Wonder Camp is for kids curious about how stuff is made. Campers experience fun projects featuring science, technology, engineering, art and math that aim to inspire problem-solving, imagination and innovation. July 13-17. $8/half day; $190/full day; member discount.

iD Tech

Arizona State University, Tempe • 888-709-8324 • idtech.com/locations/arizona-summer-camps/arizona-state-university Ages 7-18. Kids and teens learn to code, design video games, mod Minecraft, create with Roblox, engineer robots, print 3D characters, work with AI and machine learning, and more! Your child can explore the ASU campus, make friends as they master new tech skills, and join a community of 450,000 iD alumni. Choose from iD Tech Camps (weeklong, co-ed, 7-17), Alexa Café (weeklong, all-girls, 10-15), and iD Tech Academies (two-week, teen-only, 13-18). Full-day camps June-July with overnight option.

Playful Digital Learning Seasonal Camp

1900 S. Arrowhead Drive, Chandler • 520-485-8658 • playfuldigitallearning.com/seasonal-camps Age 7-18. Our after-school and seasonal camp programs use the innovation and fun of video games to provide young learners with the opportunity to practice STEM, Coding and English literacy skills in a collaborative, creative, and tech-infused environment. Our STEM and writing camps teach students to be researchers, builders, creators, and writers. In our coding and game design camps, students will learn the basics of programming and design to create their very own video games. Full or half day options. Extended care provided. Weekly sessions May 26-July 31. $149 and up/week; early-bird and sibling discounts.

THEMES Leadership Society of Arizona’s Logic and Leadership Academy

Arizona State University (specific locations TBD) • 480-779-8592 • leadaz.org/summer-program Grades 7-12. This leadership course prepares students for the future – how to be successful, happy and productive wherever they go. It’s based on 26 years of professional development research (2,000+ tests valued at $6.6B). Students learn how to use natural laws and logical thinking skills to learn 10 times faster, manage their stress and solve problems by utilizing expertise from their parents and other mentors. As a result, 75 percent feel less stressed and 64 percent feel more confident about their futures. Weekly sessions May 26-July 24. $350/session. $25 Discount Code: RAK20.

Little Big Minds Spanish Immersion Camp

1973 E. Maryland Ave., Phoenix • 602-900-0404 • littlebigmindspreschool.com Ages 3-8. We don’t teach Spanish. We teach in Spanish! Our camp is not a sit-down Spanish class. Just like you would expect of any summer program, your children will work on art projects, explore, make new friends and play games, listen to music, dance, cook, eat lunch, etc. The difference is that ALL our activities are led in Spanish by experienced instructors who are native speakers of the language. Little Explorers and Adventure Seekers Ages 3 to 5. Globetrotters Ages 6-8. Weekly sessions $270/week; early-bird discount.

44 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Meng Chinese Academy - Chinese Immersion Summer Camp

16674 N. 91st St., Suite D-103, Scottsdale • 480-206-3469 • mengacademy.com Ages 3-16. Chinese language and culture, including lessons and activities such as shadow puppets, calligraphy, origami, crafts and abacus. No Chinese background is needed. Children are divided into groups based on their Chinese levels. Curriculum for ages 5-11 and 12-16, lines up with HSK (Chinese Standard Tests). The end session performance is Aug. 7; performance costumes are free. Friday lunch (Chinese dumplings) is included. Fulland half-day sessions June 1-Aug. 7. Extended hours available. $175/week and up. $10 family registration fee. Sibling discount.

More Than Modeling

4425 N. Granite Reef Road, Scottsdale • 480-442-9833 • morethanmodeling.com Ages 6-12. Various fun-themed modeling and fashion camps for girls. Learn essential life skills about fashion, modeling, skin care, makeup and nutrition and take part in a photo shoot! Each camp ends in a fun runway show parents can watch! TBD May 25-Aug. 7. $100 and up per session.

Paula Jacqueline Baking Camp

4151 N. Marshall Way, Suite 8, Scottsdale • 602-432-0444 • paulajacqueline.com Ages 5-14. Paula Jacqueline Baking Camp is 100 percent hands-on! We create everything from pie crust to petit fours, ice cream to sculpted cakes.

Bakers will learn a new technique and recipe every day and then bring home their delicious creations to share! Half-day camps. May 2-July 30 (no camp June 29-July 3). $295-350.

The Be Kind People Project/Be Kind Summer Camp

Locations Valleywide • 602-559-9399 • thebekindpeopleproject.org Grades K-8. Looking for a chance to see The Be Kind Crew this summer? The Be Kind People Project will hold summer camps in several locations throughout the Valley. Full- and half-day camps. June-August. $160 and up/week.

Find more camps at raisingarizonakids.com/summer-camps

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45

family time!

Disney on Ice: Celebrate Memories (March 12-14) at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

MARCH TOP EVENTS

By Carrie Wheeler

Spring training, festivals and more festivals! March is a great month to be outdoors, and there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. Get a taste of a new food, take a walk back in time, commune with nature or just play a game and have some fun at these Valley events.

NOTE: Because last-minute schedule changes can occur, please confirm dates and times on event websites.

Visit raisingarizonakids.com for Spring Break events and more.

46 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

FEB. 21-MARCH 24 Cactus League Spring Training. With 10 facilities hosting 15 Major League Baseball teams, there are plenty of opportunities for fans to catch an affordable Spring Training game in greater Phoenix daily through March. Game times and ticket prices vary. For team schedules, tickets and stadium information, visit cactusleague.com

MARCH 1 Tres Rios Nature Festival. Get to know the rich diversity of wildlife habitat, history and culture of the Gila, Salt and Agua Fria Rivers. From guided bird tours, canoeing on the river, archery, fishing and learning about Southwest wildlife, there is something for everyone. 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free. Base & Meridian Wildlife Recreation Area, 7602 S. Avondale Blvd., Avondale. 623-333-2400 or tresriosnaturefestival.com

MARCH 6, 13, 20, 27 March Movie Mania. Every Friday for five weeks, grab a blanket and watch a free movie under the stars at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Food and refreshments for sale. March 6: Lion King, March 13: The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, March 20: The Secret Life of Pets 2, March 27: The Incredibles 2.

7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. therailroadpark.com

MARCH 7

MARCH 8

4th Trimester Arizona Conference. The third annual event aimed at helping new and expecting parents, The 4th Trimester Arizona Conference features workshops that tackle topics — from intimacy to parenting trends and self-care — at the i.d.e.a. Museum from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $25; free to WIC and AHCCCS participants.150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa. 4thtrimesteraz.org

The Allan J. Flader Community-Wide J Purim Carnival. All ages can enjoy an afternoon of carnival rides, bounce houses, inflatable slides, face painting, separate teen and toddler areas, kosher BBQ and entertainment by Event Smart Productions. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. vosjcc.org

Costume Storytime with Pete the Cat. Listen to a Pete the Cat story, then meet the blue cat himself for photos and hugs. 10 a.m. Free. Changing Hands Bookstore Tempe, 6428 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe. changinghands.com Family Fit Fest. This superhero-themed fitness and health event includes a Kids Fit Zone, free haircuts, a superhero training academy, Superheroes Dance Parade and an ice cream eating contest. Plus dancing, contests, games, giveaways and shopping. Costumes encouraged. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. 9500 E. Via De Ventura, Scottsdale. 480-291-8000 or odyseainthedesert.com

MARCH 12-14 Disney on Ice: Celebrate Memories. Scenes from favorite Disney movies come to life on the ice. See stars from Toy Story, Moana, Frozen, Fantasia, Inside Out, Finding Dory, the Disney Princesses and Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy. VIP tickets let guests meet performers an hour before the show. 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 11 a.m., 3 and 6:30 p.m.

Saturday. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. disneyonice.com

Sound + Cinema: Enjoy live music followed by classic movies under the stars on a giant screen every first Saturday at Mesa Arts Center. Food vendors available and costumes encouraged. 7 p.m. music by People Who Could Fly; 8 p.m. “Princess Bride” screening. 1 E. Main St., Mesa. mesaartscenter.com Pee-wee’s Big Adventure 35th Anniversary Tour. Watch the cult classic, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, followed by Paul Reubens telling stories about making the movie. 7:30 p.m. $39-$59. Arizona Federal Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. arizonafederaltheatre.com

Roots ‘n Boots (March 12-15) at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre.

MARCH 7-8

MARCH 12-15

Scottish Games. The Caledonian Society of Arizona hosts the 56th annual Scottish games with food, fun, entertainment and history. You don’t have to be Scottish to attend! Trace family roots, try on a kilt, enjoy traditional and modern Scottish tunes, Highland dancing, pipe bands, athletics, historical re-enactments and kids activities. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday. $5-$40; free for ages 5 and younger. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. phoenixscottishgames.com

Roots ‘n Boots. This three-day event includes a carnival, rodeo dance, petting zoo, pony rides, vendors, horse meet-and-greet and demonstrations. 1-11 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. to midnight Friday, 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Prices vary.

Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre, 20464 E. Riggs Road, Queen Creek. rootsnboots.org

Indian Fair & Market. The Heard Museum Guild hosts its annual event showcasing Native American jewelry, art, pottery, basketry, photography and sculpture from all over the U.S. and Canada. Enjoy cultural dances, artist demonstrations, storytelling and crafts for kids. $25; $9 for ages 6-17; free for ages 5 and younger. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-252-8840 or heard.org Indian Fair & Market (March 7-8) at Heard Museum.

MARCH 13-15 Ostrich Festival. It’s a festival, a fair and a parade! The 32nd annual Ostrich Festival is a family event featuring live ostrich races, ostrich-themed activities, local and regional music and more. Main stage performers include 98 Degrees and Blues Traveler. 2 p.m to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, 10 a.m to 11 p.m. Sunday. $15; $8 for ages 5-12; free for ages 4 and younger. Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler. ostrichfestival.com Scottsdale Arts Festival. A three-day celebration of art, music, food and family fun celebrates 50 years offering more than 150 juried artists, continuous live music and entertainment, gourmet food trucks and creative activities for kids at the Imagine Nation family area. Includes free admission to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Sunday. $10; free for ages 12 and younger. Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. scottsdaleartsfestival.org

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ROOTS N BOOTS QUEEN CREEK

FELD ENTERTAINMENT

Melrose on 7th Avenue Street Fair. Explore more than 200 booths with local artisans and indie crafts, food trucks, live music, a classic car show and a kid zone with bounce houses, face painting and more. Located on Seventh Avenue between Camelback and Indian School roads. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. m7streetfair.com

family time! around arizona

Arizona Renaissance Festival (Feb 8-March 29). Huzzah! Travel back to the 16th century at the annual Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace. See knights joust and explore the nonstop pageantry that fills a 30-acre village nestled in the shadows of the Superstition Mountains. Live entertainment, food and artisan shops.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $27; $17 for ages 5-12; free for ages 4 and younger. Discounted tickets online and at Fry’s Food stores and online. East of Apache Junction on U.S. 60. 520-4632700 or arizona.renfestinfo.com Star Party at Lost Dutchman State Park (March 28). Some large telescopes will be viewing the solar system and deep-sky objects including the Orion Nebula (a star nursery) and other gas clouds, the Andromeda Galaxy (2.5 million light years away), double star systems, star clusters and other fascinating objects. 7-9:30 p.m.

Free. Lost Dutchman State Park, 6109 N. Apache Trail, Apache Junction. azstateparks.com

CASA GRANDE Pinal County Fair (March 18-22). This five-day event brings entertainment, thrill rides and fair food to town. From eating turkey legs to screaming on the “Zipper,” the fair offers plenty of family fun. 4-10 p.m.

Wednesday-Thursday, 9 a.m to 11 p.m Friday, 11 a.m to midnight Saturday, 11 a.m to 9 p.m Sunday. $9; $4 for ages 6-12; free for ages 5 and younger. Pinal Fairgrounds and Event Center, 512 S. 11 Mile Corner Road, Casa Grande. 520723-7881 or pinalfairgrounds.com

colorful worlds to retrieve the stolen light. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 4 p.m. Saturday. $62-$145. Findlay Toyota Center, 3201 N. Main St., Prescott Valley. cirquedusoleil.com

TUCSON Asian Lantern Festival (March 5-29). See more than 400 colorful, interactive, customized lanterns exhibited at Reid Park Zoo during this family-friendly event. Experience Asian-inspired entertainment, cuisine and culture as guests explore magical worlds like diving into the sea, walking with dinosaurs and traversing the plains of Africa. 6-9 p.m. $18; $16 for ages 2-14; free for babies 1 and younger.

Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court, Tucson.

520-791-3204 or reidparkzoo.org Tucson Festival of Books (March 14-15). This two-day festival is a community celebration of literacy with more than 350 authors participating in panels, signings and workshops. There are exhibition areas, food trucks and special events for kids and teens. 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Free. University of Arizona Campus. tucsonfestivalofbooks.org

PRESCOTT VALLEY

Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention (March 5-8). America’s only Western-style Steampunk Theme Park boasts a “Magic and Mystery” theme year and features concerts, street performers, special events, rides, games and more. More than 60 vendors, contests, panelists, makeand-take workshops, entertainment, a fashion show, artists, authors, performers and a kids zone. 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Admission varies. Old Tucson Studios, 201 S. Kinney Road. 520883-0100 or wildwestcon.com

Cirque du Soleil’s AXEL (March 19-21). Cirque du Soleil’s AXEL combines spectacular skating, breathtaking acrobatics, live music and stunning graphics in an adrenalinefueled show. After Axel falls for the captivating Lei, they embark on a fastmoving quest through fantastic and

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival (March 15). Get in the Irish spirit with music, dancers and entertainment at the 33rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival featuring a children’s game area, food and vendors. Festival opens at 10

48 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Cirque du Soleil’s Axel (March 19-21) in Prescott Valley.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

APACHE JUNCTION

a.m and the parade starts at 11 a.m. at Armory Park, 220 S. Fifth Ave., Tucson. tucsonstpatricksday.com

ORACLE Star Party at Oracle State Park (March 14). Large telescopes will be viewing the solar system and deep-sky objects including the Orion Nebula (a star nursery) and other gas clouds, the Andromeda Galaxy (2.5 million light years away), double star systems, star clusters and other fascinating objects.

7-9 p.m. Free. Oracle State Park, 3820 E. Wildlife Drive, Oracle. azstateparks. com

YUMA Midnight at the Oasis (March 6-8). Yuma’s annual Midnight at the Oasis features more than 1,000 classic cars on display, and evening concerts with classic rock and tributes.

8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m to 12:30 p.m Sunday. Ticket prices vary. Ray Kroc Complex at Desert Sun Stadium, 3500 S. Ave. A, Yuma. 928-343-1715 or midnightattheoasis.net

Yuma Airshow (March 13-14).

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma is opening its gates to the public to deliver a world-class airshow with military and civilian air acts, modern aircraft displays, ground performances, interactive exhibits, a kids zone, food vendors and more.

4-8:30 p.m. Friday (Twilight Show); 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday with aerial performances from 11:40 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free; some VIP tickets available. yumaairshow.com

WICKENBURG Cowgirl Up! (March 27-29).

Celebrate the opening weekend for one of the major national events for Western women artists. More than 200 original paintings and sculptures by female artists express the uniqueness of the West. Frontier Street transforms into a tented venue for catered dinners, dancing, live auctions and an artists’ quick draw.

Times vary. $10-$275. Caballeros Western Museum, 21 N. Frontier St., Wickenburg. 928-684-2272 or westernmuseum.org

MARCH TOP EVENTS continued

MARCH 14 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Family Faire. It’s the 37th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and faire in downtown Phoenix. The 10 a.m. parade travels south from Third and Sheridan streets to Willetta Street and includes marching bands, Irish step dancers, bagpipers, floats and more. Faire follows at Margaret T. Hance Park with three stages of performers, food and craft vendors and merchandise. $12; $10 for seniors and military; free for ages 12 and younger. 602-280-9221 or stpatricksdayphoenix.org Costume Storytime with Pete the Cat. Listen to a Pete the Cat story then meet the blue cat himself for photos and hugs. 10 a.m. Free. Changing Hands Phoenix, 300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix. changinghands.com Free Movies in the Desert. OdySea in the Desert hosts a free 6:30 p.m. screening of “The Lion King” along with music, games, prizes and activities. Bring your own blankets or folding chairs. Character meet-and-greets, crafts and giveaways start at 5 p.m. Free.

9500 E. Via De Ventura, Scottsdale. 480-291-8000 or odyseainthedesert.com

MARCH 15 ArchiePalooza 2.0. Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley, along with teammates and other local athletes and celebrities, hosts an all-ages street carnival with music, food, fashion and games, including ax throwing, archery, putt-putt, pop-shot and corn hole. 4-10 p.m. $25-$100. OdySea in the Desert, 9500 E. Via De Ventura, Scottsdale. archiepalooza.com

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MARCH 14-15

Arizona Aloha Festival. Experience the sights, sounds and flavors of Hawaiian culture at this 26th annual festival. Enjoy songs and dances from the islands, traditional crafts, travel information and kid activities. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway. azalohafest.org Italian Festival of Arizona. This event attracted more than 10,000 people last year with its authentic Italian foods and entertainment. Chef demonstrations, pizza-making, pasta-eating contests and musical and cultural entertainment. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. $15-$20. East Jackson Street Between Fourth and First streets in downtown Phoenix. italianfestivalaz.com

MARCH 18 Geeks’ Night Out. All ages are invited to discover the joys of science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics at this free event. Enjoy interactive STEAM displays and hands-on activities hosted by students from local Tempe elementary, middle and high schools, colleges and universities, community organizations and local businesses. 4:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Tempe Community Complex, 3500 S. Rural Road, Tempe. scitechinstitute.org

G

Experience Ireland at the MIM. The Musical Instrument Museum’s celebration of Irish music and culture offers Irish dancing demonstrations and hands-on activities.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $20; $15 ages 13-19; $10 ages 4-12; free for ages 3 and younger. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-4786000 or mim.org

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K-8 / 520.568.7800

K-12 / 480.545.6646

» Queen Creek

K-8 / 480.984.5645

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K-8 / 480.655.6787

6-12 / 480.257.5362

LeadingEdgeAcademy.com

In accordance with Federal Law, Leading Edge Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability.

RaisingARIZONAKids.com March 2020

49

MARCH TOP EVENTS continued MARCH 20-22

MARCH 27-29

Art Detour. Downtown Phoenix’s original art walk and longest-running arts festival, celebrates its 32nd year. Step into 100 artist studios, galleries and pop-up spaces and enjoy cultural performances and familyfriendly activities, including the 13th annual Mutant Piñata Show. Free. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. artdetour.com

Tempe Festival of the Arts. As many as 375 artist booths line Mill Avenue and the surrounding streets with photography, ceramics, wearable art, jewelry and more. Enjoy kids art, professional chalk muralists, food and beverage vendors, live entertainment and more. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Free. Downtown Tempe. tempefestivalofthearts.com

MARCH 21 Autism Expo. A free resource fair for families and caregivers with more than 70 exhibitors showcasing autism services, workshops with experts, a Kid Zone and onsite food trucks. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center, 5031 E. Washington St., Phoenix. azautism.org Gilbert Pizza Festival. The inaugural Gilbert Pizza Festival celebrates everyone’s favorite food!

There will be lawn games, live bands, a kids craft zone, bounce houses, and, of course, a ton of pizza.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10; free for ages 12 and younger. $2-$4 pizza slices. Gilbert Civic Center, 50 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert. Gilbertpizzafest.com Arizona Bao and Dumpling Festival. Find bao and dumplings, local food purveyors, creative Asian dishes, a marketplace with local pop-culture artists, games and live performances at this Chandler food festival. 12:30-5 p.m. $8-$13; $4 for ages 7-12; free for ages 6 and younger with a paid adult. Food and beverages sold separately. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler.

MARCH 21-22

JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN OF PHOENIX

Arab American Festival. Enjoy a weekend of Middle Eastern culture including singing, dancing, food, vendors, a hookah lounge, a kid zone with inflatables, games and more. 4-10 p.m. $5 from 4-6 p.m.; $10 after 6 p.m. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. arabamericanfestival.org

Jurassic Quest. America’s largest and most realistic dinosaur event allows guests to walk through the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods and experience for themselves what it was like to be among the dinosaurs. Dinosaurs roar and move, some even walk around. 3-8 p.m.

Friday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. $20-$36.

Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St., Phoenix. jurassicquest.com

MARCH 28 Celebration Saturday: The Science of Sound. The Musical Instrument Museum hosts a day of learning about the deep ties between music and science with an interactive STEM workshop and a talk by Dr. Joseph Nagyvary, professor emeritus of biochemistry at Texas A&M, on “Unlocking the Mystery of the Stradivarius.” $20; $15 for ages 13-19; $10 for ages 4-12; free for ages 3 and younger. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000 or mim.org Kids Day at the Phoenix Film Festival. Free activities include coloring, acting and creating short films. Kids can compose a musical soundtrack or write a “Mad Lib”-style script. Age-appropriate stations run the gamut of filmmaking. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Harkins Scottsdale 101, 7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 602-955-6444 or phoenixfilmfestival.com Spring into QC. Hop into spring with Queen Creek’s annual familyfriendly event with local music, demonstrations, billy goat bingo, animal races, an egg hunt and a special play area for the toddler set. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A $12 wristband grants access to an array of inflatables.

Mansel Carter Oasis Park, 19535 E. Appleby Road, Queen Creek. queencreek.org

Haru in the Garden Festival (March 22) at Japanese Friendship Garden (Ro Ho En).

MARCH 22 Haru in the Garden Festival. This Japanese-style celebration offers culture, art, live music, family-friendly entertainment and activities, drinks and Japanese fusion eats. Internationally renowned Japanese puppet group Yumemi Trunk performs “Urashima Taro.” Kids can play with traditional Japanese toys or rake a mini Zen garden. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $20; $10 for ages 12 and younger. Japanese Friendship Garden (Ro Ho En). 1125 N. Third Ave., Phoenix. 602-256-3204 or japanesefriendshipgarden.org Dino Day. Enjoy raptor appearances, live reptiles, inflatables, face painting, a fossil dig pit, dinosaur crafts and more. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. OdySea in the Desert, 9500 E. Via De Ventura, Scottsdale.

480-291-8000 or odyseainthedesert.com

50 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Creative Saturdays at Phoenix Art Museum. The last Saturday of each month throughout 2020, kids ages 17 and younger get free admission to the Phoenix Art Museum for special-engagement exhibitions in an effort to remove economic barriers for visitors of all ages. Kids are invited to join hands-on experiences inspired by the Museum’s collection and special exhibitions. March’s theme is “Big.” Noon to 4 p.m. 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. phxart.org CulturePOP. Avondale and Goodyear host this pop-up street fest (formerly the Tale of Two Cities Festival) that’s a celebration of local arts and culture with live entertainment, carnival rides, street performers, cultural demonstrations, kids activities and food, beer and wine from around the world. Plus, a 5:30 p.m. naturalization ceremony.

Free. 6-10 p.m. Estrella Mountain Community College, 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale. azculturepop.org

WHEN A BABY CRIES FOR METH INSTEAD OF MILK.

TAX DOLLARS CAN SAVE LIVES. Abuse and neglect are all too real in Arizona. But this tax season, you can help. Take advantage of the Arizona Income Tax Credit for Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organizations.

YOU CAN SAVE UP TO $1,000. HERE’S HOW: 1. DONATE at GenJustice.org/donate-az-tax-credit 2. CLAIM the tax credit on Form 352 with GenJustice Qualifying Number 10053 JUSTICE CAN’T WAIT

RaisingARIZONAKids.com March 2020

51

family time! fun runs and walks

SOUTHWEST HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Walk With Me (March 28) at Scottsdale Civic Center.

Hike for the Homeless 2020 (March 7). Gather your friends and colleagues, put on your hiking boots, and enjoy the beautiful desert scenery! Proceeds help those experiencing homelessness and poverty gain self-sufficiency through quality employment. Hike for the Homeless helped St. Joseph The Worker empower 3,681 people to get jobs last year! 8 a.m. to noon. $35; $20 for youth; free for toddlers.

McDowell Mountain Regional Park, 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Drive, Scottsdale. sjwjobs.org

Zoo Move and Groove (March 7).

Trek to the Phoenix Zoo for a day of moving and grooving! The event benefits the Phoenix Zoo’s 3,000 animals, including the Sumatran tigers. The 8 a.m. timed 5K run/walk will be followed at 8:10 a.m. with a one-mile leisure loop.

Enjoy the Fun-Fit Festival, featuring zoo ninja warriors, animal discoveries, sports inflatables, fitness classes, dance and more until 1 p.m. $35; $45 day of event.

All registered runners/walkers get free zoo admission. Phoenix Zoo, 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. 602-286-3800 or phoenixzoo.org

Desert Nun Run (March 7).

Presented by Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Homes, this 10th annual event offers a 10K, 5K and 1-mile run. Proceeds help the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Tonopah complete construction of a monastery.

7:30 a.m. $25-$40. Kiwanis Park, 95 W. Baseline Road, Tempe.

4peaksracing.com

Walk With Me (March 28). This onemile family fun walk presented by the Arizona Coyotes Foundation benefits Southwest Human Development’s Easterseals disabilities services.

Participation helps make a difference in the lives of Arizona’s youngest children with disabilities and their families. Enjoy activities for adults and kids of all ages, food and drinks, games and crafts. 8 a.m. to noon. Registration fee/donations

52 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

vary. Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. swhd.org/walk Superhero 5K (March 28). Don your superhero gear and run/walk for Put on the Cape: A Foundation for Hope!

Plus: music, booths and games at Steele Indian School Park to benefit child victims of abuse, neglect and trauma throughout the Valley. 8-11 a.m. $35. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. putonthecape.com Phoenix Heart Walk (March 28).

Kick-start your heart with a 3-mile or 1-mile noncompetitive race, bringing awareness to heart disease and stroke.

Proceeds go to the American Heart Association. Strollers and leashed dogs allowed. The Heart Healthy Festival during the run offers health screenings, educational booths, live bands and a kids zone. 8 a.m to noon. Wesley Bolin Plaza, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-414-

5320 or phoenixheartwalk.org Children’s Cancer Network’s Run to Fight Children’s Cancer (April 5). The largest race in Arizona dedicated solely to pediatric cancer celebrates its 10th anniversary with a new location: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. The event features a 7 a.m. 10K run, a 7: 45 a.m. 5K run/ walk and a 9 a.m. Cancer Hero Walk to honor children who have fought, are fighting or have defeated cancer.

This year’s event takes place at Major League Baseball spring-training facility for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. Run to Fight has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for pediatric cancer research and care, along with a full-time family therapist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. A post-race festival continues after the Cancer Hero Walk with music, vendor booths and family activities.

Registration is $35-$45. Cancer Hero Walk around the bases at the main stadium is free. runtofightcancer.com

MARCH TOP EVENTS continued

There are schools, AND THERE ARE CANDEO SCHOOLS.

ONCE UPON A TIARA EVENTS

CLASSICAL LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION

Snowy Slumber Party (March 29) at Starz In Motion Dance School.

MARCH 28-29 Cactus Clubhouse. Visit the Desert Botanical Garden’s newly constructed Cactus Clubhouse and experience featured activities that invite kids to participate in naturebased play. 9 a.m. to noon. Free with general admission: $12.95-$29.95; free for ages 2 and younger. 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. 480-941-1225 or dbg.org Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo. Families can try loads of outdoor activities: shoot a bow and arrow, fish at one of two large catch-and-release ponds, paddle a kayak and see wildlife. Also, try target shooting, learn firearm safety and watch a shooting competition. Plus outdoor recreation tips and food concessions. Free admission and parking. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday. Ben Avery Shooting Facility, 4044 W. Black Canyon Blvd., Phoenix. 623236-7392 or azgfd.gov

RANKED TOP IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA

RIGOROUS CONTENT CURRICULUM

CANDEO PEORIA AND CANDEO NORTH SCOTTSDALE ARE NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR! Space is limited. Apply today at candeoschools.com.

Choose one of Phoenix Union’s nationally recognized specialty schools.

MARCH 29 Mask Alive! Festival. This family-friendly event celebrates diverse cultures with giant puppets, mask performers and music. Performances include Chinese lion dancers, Mexican folklórico dancers and Mariachis and African music and dancers, plus Japanese Taiko and Brazilian Capoeira drummers. Also: kids art activities, vendors and food trucks. Free. 2-6 p.m. Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main St., Mesa. culturalcoalition.com Snowy Slumber Party. Join the Snow Queen and Ice Princess for a craft, snacks, a mini-makeover and braid bar, storytime, singing and more! The sisters will be dressed in their royal pajamas; attendees are encouraged to wear PJs and bring stuffed animals, pillows and blankets. 5-6 p.m. $25. Starz In Motion Dance School, 1880 S. Alma School Road, Chandler. onceuponatiara.com Calendar Editor Carrie Wheeler is the mother of Wilson (9). Send calendar info to carrie@RAKmagazine.com.

We are doers, seekers, strivers, champions, and achievers. We are coders, engineers, scientists, writers, thinkers, and dreamers.

We are Phoenix Union.

RaisingARIZONAKids.com March 2020

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family time! onstage

Rosie Kay’s 5 Soldiers (March 11-14) at Mesa Arts Center.

MUSIC Sunday A’Fair (March 1, 8, 22, 29). On select Sundays this month, Scottsdale A’Fair showcases Arizonabased musicians playing blues, country, jazz, R&B, rock, pop and more. Noon to 4 p.m. Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. scottsdaleperformingarts.org Innings Festival (Feb. 29-March 1).

This two-day music festival features rock, pop and country performances from the Dave Matthews Band, Weezer, Death Cab for Cutie and more. Plus food vendors, family activities and appearances from professional baseball players. One-day general admission starts at $99; free for ages 7 and younger. Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. 480-350-5200 or inningsfestival.com M3F Music Festival (March 6-8).

At this three-day nonprofit music

festival where all proceeds benefit local charities, see Bon Iver, Rufus Du Sol, Local Natives and 30+ more bands.

Enjoy food and shopping, take a yoga class, participate in a drum circle and let the kids explore kid-friendly activities in the Kid Zone (1-5 p.m. Sunday). $80-$475; free for ages 10 and younger.

Margaret T. Hance Park, 1200 N. First St., Phoenix. m3ffest.com The Ultimate Family Weekend (March 7-8). Drake Bell performs with special guests Promise to Myself, WinterHaven and Turn Zero on Saturday.

Sunday features all cover bands: Tributes to the Beatles, Rod Stewart, Journey and the Eagles. Plus bounce houses, picnic baskets available for preorder and concessions with healthy and kid-friendly options. 4-9 p.m. $28 or $100 for a family four-pack. Mesa Amphitheatre, 201 N. Center St., Mesa.

480-644-2869 or mesaamp.com

54 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies (March 13-15).

The Phoenix Symphony and Broadway vocalists perform iconic scenes from favorite Disney movies — Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Aladdin and The Little Mermaid — which are projected on the big screen. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $48-$116.

Phoenix Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. phoenixsymphony.org Jojo Siwa: Dream the Tour (March 15). The Nickelodeon star — a singer, dancer, entrepreneur, influencer and creator of the Jojo bow — brings a positive message and infectious fun to Gila River Arena. 7 p.m. $34-$64.

9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale. jojodreamtour.com Music of David Bowie (March 28).

Celebrate the life and legacy of the rock legend with the Phoenix Symphony,

vocalist Tony Vincent and a full rock band. This outdoor performance showcases the extraordinary range of Bowie’s musical career and features hits “Space Oddity,” “Changes,” “Under Pressure,” “Heroes,” “Rebel Rebel,” “Fame,” “China Girl” and more. 7:30 p.m. $39-$99. Mesa Amphitheatre, 201 N. Center St., Mesa. 480-644-2869 or mesaamp.com

DANCE Rosie Kay’s 5 Soldiers (March 11-14). In 2008, British choreographer Rosie Kay joined The 4th Battalion The Rifles, to watch and participate in full battle exercises, and visited the National Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre.

This hour-long show is a portrait of army life telling the stories of men and women serving on the front line.

7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. $35.

Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Mesa St., Mesa. mesaartscenter.com

Shen Yun (March 12-15). Shen Yun offers a chance to experience stories from ancient Chinese cultures through a unique combination of dance, music, stunning costumes and high-tech backdrops. Times vary. $83-$153. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. 480644-6500 or mesaartscenter.com Dancing with the Stars: Live!

We Came to Dance (March 27).

America’s favorite dance show is hitting the road with ballroom and modern dances seen on ABC’s hit show. 8 p.m. $43-$73. Arizona Federal Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. arizonafederaltheatre.com

MESA ARTS CENTER

PUPPETS Hotel Saguaro (Feb. 12-March 1).

Created in conjunction with Desert Botanical Garden, this show for ages 5-12 explains the importance of saguaro cacti in the desert. 10 a.m. WednesdaySaturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $8-$12. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. 602-2622050 or azpuppets.org Grand Canyon Condor (March 4-15).

Kids ages 5 and older will love the story of Baby Boo, a condor who loves to hear stories of other birds just like him who lived more than 10,000 years ago in the Grand Canyon. When his father goes missing, Boo learns of the dangers facing condors today and what people can do to help this endangered species.

Developed with the help of the Grand Canyon Interpretive Department, Arizona Game & Fish, the Peregrine Fund and Puppeteers of America. 10 a.m.

Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. SaturdaySunday. $8-$12. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix.

602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org Japan Week Celebration (March 18-22). Performers from the Internationally renowned Japanese troupe, Yumemi Trunk, present their magical version of “Urashimo Taro,”

a folk tale known throughout Japan.

10 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday. $8-$12. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. 602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org

a tin man and a cowardly lion. 7 p.m.

Thursday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday. $13-$19.

Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem. musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Jack Rabbit and the Easter Basket (March 25-April 12). The Easter Bunny has a problem. Lost Canyon, Arizona, is too far away, so he gets his cousin, Jack Rabbit to help deliver Sally Johnson’s Easter basket. This charming musical is best for ages 3 and older. 10 a.m.

Frozen, Jr. (Feb. 21-March 8). A tale of love, magic and acceptance between sisters Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sundays and on Feb. 29 and March

Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. SaturdaySunday. $8-$12. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix.

602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org

8. $16. Spotlight Youth Theatre, 10620 N. 43rd Ave., Glendale. 602-843-8318 or spotlightyouththeatre.org

THEATER Elephant & Piggie’s “We are in a Play” (Jan. 26-March 8). Gerald the Elephant is cautious and Piggie is … well, NOT. They are the best of friends and have LOTS of fun together. But sometimes they face tough questions.

Should you share your ice cream? Can two friends play with just one toy? Get ready for Childsplay’s hilarious musical experience at Herberger Theater Center.

Times vary. $12-$32. 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. childsplayaz.org

who has captured her heart. 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. $25-$189. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. asugammage.com 13 the Musical (March 6-15). A musical about fitting in and standing out! After his parents’ divorce, Evan Goldman’s world moves from fastpaced New York City to a sleepy Indiana town. Surrounded by an array of simple-minded middle school students, Evan strives to establish his place in the popularity pecking order. 7 p.m.

Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $20.

Greasepaint Youtheatre, 7020 E. Second St., Scottsdale. greasepaint.org

Anything Goes (Feb. 21-March 8). Stowaway Billy Crocker falls in love with an already-betrothed Hope Harcourt in this madcap musical featuring Cole Porter’s magical score.

Experience music, dance and laughs aboard the SS American in this age-old tale. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. select Saturdays and Sundays and on Feb. 26. $16-$37. Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria. 623-776-8400 or theaterworks.org

Guys & Dolls Jr. (Feb. 14-March 1).

A gambler tries to find the cash to set up the biggest game in town. His girlfriend, a nightclub performer, laments they’ve been engaged for 14 years. The show takes the audience from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $15. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N.

Annie Get Your Gun (Feb. 28-March 15). Annie Oakley, the sharpshooter known throughout the Wild West, meets her match both romantically and professionally in fellow gunslinger Frank Butler. They perform in the famous traveling show headlined by Buffalo Bill. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $15.

Starlight Community Theater, 1611

Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 480-8379661 or fhtaz.org

W. Whispering Wind Drive, Phoenix. starlightcommunitytheater.com

Wizard of Oz (Feb. 20-March 8).

When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are whisked away to the magical land of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, and on the way they meet a scarecrow,

Once on this Island: The Musical (March 3-8). A sweeping, universal tale of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl in search of her place in the world, and ready to risk it all for love. Guided by the mighty island gods, Ti Moune sets out on a journey to reunite with the man

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (March 16). When the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, the last resort is to consult the pigeon. The show features an innovative mix of actors, puppets, songs and feathers. 7 p.m. $18.

Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Mesa St., Mesa. mesaartscenter.com High School Musical, Jr. (March 27-April 11). When East High basketball star and a brainiac decide to try out for the school musical, the whole school experiences an upheaval with the disruption of the status quo. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 2 p.m. SaturdaySunday. $17. Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. 480-483-1664 or desertstages.org WhoWhatWhenWhyHow! (March 27-April 12). When youth sleuths of literature are invited by Sherlock Holmes to a murder mystery weekend at the famous Whowhatwhenwhyhow mansion, the results are a rollicking good time for all. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m.

Sunday. $15. Fountain Hills Youth Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd.

Fountain Hills. fhtaz.org

RaisingARIZONAKids.com march 2020

55

first person

HAPPINESS IS …

(Reflections on life and parenting)

By Sheri Smith I’VE BEEN MAKING A LIST of beautiful things.

I don’t know why I started this project. I suppose it was to remind myself of all that’s good in this world on days when I need reminders. I’m not sure the decision was quite that conscious or deliberate. I just started listing, and it’s taken on a life of its own. Here are a few highlights:

14. Notre Dame Cathedral. I was lucky enough to visit this masterpiece of architecture the summer before it caught fire. The fact that I will never see it again the way that it was then makes me sad. But remembering the beauty of the French people standing before the burning building arm-and-arm, singing, is part of Notre Dame’s magnificence.

25. Ice cream. I love the way people’s faces light up when they are handed a cone heaped with their favorite flavor. Young children and the elderly, I have noticed, get the most excited.

I think perhaps only when you are very young or you are very old do you truly understand the exquisite perfection of ice cream.

26. Fireworks on the 4th of July.

There is something lovely about the fact that Americans from all walks of life still stop everything to sit together in the grass side-byside to stare up at the sky and quietly ooh and aah over the glory of fireworks.

102. Ferris wheels and swings. Ferris wheels have lights and are gorgeous at night.

And as for swings, I love all swings, but especially the swing carousels that spin in circles at the fair. When I hold my arms out like an airplane, it’s the closest I have ever come to experiencing the sensation of flying. I lumped them together, because that’s how it should be.

56 March 2020 RaisingARIZONAKids.com

207. Hammocks. Some of the best afternoons of my life were spent in a hammock, and the mere glimpse of a net slung between two poles, or better yet, two trees, always makes me happy, even if no one is using it. The promise of the hammock is always there.

WHY AM I SHARING excerpts from my list?

It’s because I have realized something lately — something I wish I would have considered earlier.

When I was a new mother, there was so much I worried about. I knew I needed to protect my children — keep them safe and alive. I wanted them to be healthy, to have sleep and eat nutritious foods. I felt it was my job to teach them things: practical lessons and moral ones, too. And I wanted to instill in them selfconfidence — the kind that would get them to try for the things they really wanted and the resilience to bounce back when they didn’t accomplish what they set out to do.

But, like most parents, what I wished for more than anything was for my children to be happy. I have come to realize that happiness isn’t something you accomplish. Rather you discover it, like when you decide to pick up that pretty shell at the beach, and you take the time to stop and admire it for its beauty.

Happiness is exactly like that. You find it in the tiny things that surround you, but you have to pay attention.

Many people confuse happiness with joy.

Joy is fleeting. It’s delicious and amazing, but it doesn’t stay with you the way happiness does.

Joy is Christmas morning. Happiness is a dog snuggling with you on the couch. One happens to you and is momentary. The other you participate in, and it lasts.

The best way to give your children happiness is for you to find it yourself. The next step is to share it with them. Sit with

them on the beach at sunset.

Go for a walk in the desert after the rain. Read a book together. Play in the mud. These are the things they will remember. And they will learn to discover happiness themselves.

And share it with others — even you.

It’s the single greatest gift you can give your kids. And yourself.

So, I guess I’m glad I started this list. I only hope that it never ends.

301. Cartwheels.

402. Bonfires.

Sheri Smith is a Scottsdale freelance writer and the mother of two teenagers.

RaisingARIZONAKids 17Annual th

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