RM Parent April 2018

APRIL 2018 • RMPARENT.COM

TEAM SUPPORT

FOR YOUR PRETEEN-TEEN Let’s talk

teeth HITTING TODDLER MILESTONES Celebrate

the Earth S pecial Section SEASON 2018 GROWING Farm Guide Local Food and

STAR-GAZING REGION’S

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FAMILY CALENDAR!

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YOuth

Program & Activity Guide

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APRIL 2018

Departments PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 I wonder—curious minds want to know

AS WE GROW . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Let’s talk teeth—tips on brushing and dental products

FAMILY ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . 10

Celebrate the Earth—find planet-friendly activities all month

LEARN AND LIVE . . . . . . . . . . 12

Explore the cosmos—and light up your family nights

Special Sections PROGRAM & Program & Activity ACTIVITY GUIDE explore YOuth

April 2018 • rmparent.com

When allowed to flow, kids’ creative juices have social, emotional, Special Program DIRECTORY camps intellectual and even physical benefits. So let them get out there and explore on their own. Also, peruse our listings of camps and programs, including a story about special camps for kids with all abilities.

PAGE 10

for special kids PAGE 12

HEALTHY LIVING . . . . . . . . . 16 The garden is calling—get a head start on growing season

CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 6

Events and activities for parents, kids and families

TIME OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 When your kid hates hugs—we all show love in many and different ways

School District News Poudre School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Cinderella Project helps students find affordable prom dresses, FCHS History Bowl team places first in Colorado

Greeley-Evans District 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Kindergarten registration takes place in April, District 6 awarded for financial reporting, Charter Schools League presents award to Dr. Pilch

Thompson School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 STEAM central to learning at High Plains Elementary, visitors get glimpse of schools with Seeing is Believing program

Lunchbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 School menus for Poudre, Thompson, Greeley-Evans and Windsor

BY CATEGORY • PAGE 16 ALPHABETICAL • PAGE 18

List of

ADVERTISERS PAGE 46

COMMUNITY NEWS . . . . . . . 14 Be aware, be active—learn how you can get involved

Guide

Let the kids

BOUNTY

GROWING SEASON 2018

Local Food and Farm Guide

Backyard chickens

LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE

Discover the bounty that awaits you in this local resource guide that includes listings for sourcing local food. Also, find out what CSAs do beyond produce and how to raise backyard chickens. And, discover programs for your little farmhand.

Beyond great produce

CSA’S OFFER EVEN MORE

CONNECTING h CROPS TO CUISINE Restaurants sourcing local food

PROGRAMS FOR young farm-hands

YOUR GUIDE TO

FARMERS MARKETS AND FARM STANDS

Features 18 CREATE A VILLAGE FOR YOUR CHILD

As a parent, you are your child’s number one support system, yet having a variety of caring adults for your child to turn to helps them become self-sufficient and well-rounded.

22 M AKING MILESTONES While there are milestones your toddler is expected to be reaching, the truth is, all kids develop differently and on their own timelines.

ABOUT THE COVER: Bronan, loves playing ball, rollerskating and playing with toy swords.

Photo by Cheri Schonfeld, courtesy of Sky's Open Design.

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perspective I wonder…

Curious minds want to know

Y

ou can’t help but wonder, right? Well actually you can. It seems that as we get older we wonder less and to want to find certainty and security more. But our kids still wonder. There might even be a direct correlation between age and ability to wonder. Have you begun to wonder why I’ve said the word wonder 6 times already?

Wondering is the foundation of an open, expansive, creative mind. Certainty is like death.

We hit a couple of the big wonderables (made-up-word alert) in this issue: the Earth and the heavens. I think people have been wondering about the stars since the day we first noticed them. I wonder what those bright things can be. Are they all the same thing? And what’s really cool is that the more we learn about the big out-there, the more it makes us wonder about what is really going on in the big out-there.

So we learn that the sun is just a big ball of gas but instead of being an answer, it’s the start of a whole bunch more wondering. I wonder how that big ball of gas got there and why it’s burning. I wonder what we’re doing here on Earth spinning around that big ball of burning gas. And on it goes.

Check out the astronomy story on page 12 to help ignite your family’s wonder.

And then closer to home (well it is home) is our little blue and green planet. In the vastness of the cosmos, the Earth seems pretty dang insignificant, but to us Earthlings, it is very significant. We’re here breathing the air of the thin atmosphere, sharing the small amount of fresh water, extracting the rare minerals that make our iPhones work, and going about our day-in, day-out lives. And if we take a minute to slow down, we might notice something to…wait for it…wonder about.

I wonder why some trees grow so tall and live for centuries, while others are scrubby and live for only a couple of decades. I wonder why we all feel sick when the air quality is bad.

Spend a few minutes with our story on page 10 about Earth Day and the activities for you and your family that last all month. I think it is becoming increasingly clear that we are connected—to each other, to the processes of the Earth, to all the living creatures on the Earth.

Maybe we can take a note from our kids and tap back into that ability, that need, even, to be inquisitive and curious about the world around us.

I wonder how we will forge our way forward…

Scott

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APRIL 2018 • Volume 22, Issue 11 PUBLISHER Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com EDITOR Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Kim Sharpe calendar@rockymountainpub.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emily Zaynard emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832 greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION Rob Martin, Susan Pettit COVER PHOTO Cheri Shonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lea Hanson, Katie Harris, Lynn U. Nichols, Kim Sharpe

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING 825 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521 Voice 221-9210 Fax 221-8556 editor@rockymountainpub.com www.RMParent.com Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publication of this paper does not consitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised.

RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. ©2018 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

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as we grow

Let’s talk teeth

Tips on brushing and dental products LY N N U. N I C H O L S

N

othing can light up your face like your child’s smile—so teach him how to take good care of those pearly whites. Read on for tips on getting your child to brush and deciding what’s best for his dental health.

GOOD BRUSHING HABITS Help your children learn good brushing habits by creating a brushing ritual each morning and evening. For children under age 7, let them brush, but tell them you’ll get the spots they miss. Brush both the inside and outside of the teeth, plus the tongue. To get them on board, consider explaining there are sugar bugs that you need to zap and your weapon is a toothbrush.

Provide teeth-brushing incentives, like letting kids pick out their own toothbrush, buying flavored toothpaste or buying a battery-operated brush.

To motivate brushing, do it with them and make it fun. Maybe have a teethbrushing song that you listen to and wiggle to while you brush—preferably about two minutes, the recommended time for brushing.

FLOURIDE OR NO? Flouride has been proven to reduce the first stage of tooth decay, so it’s important to brush with fluoride once a day. If you are concerned about your children ingesting fluoride, use fluoride-free, natural toothpaste for morning brushing and a fluoride one at night. Plus, keep the fluoride toothpaste to a wee amount – no more than the size of a pea. Also, keep the toothpaste out of reach so a curious toddler won’t eat it.

DOES MY CHILD NEED SEALANTS? Once your child’s permanent molars come in, your dentist will likely recommend sealants. Sealants are a coating

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placed on molars to prevent cavities that can start in the crevices of back teeth. A Cochrane Collaboration study found that sealants cut decay in half on biting surfaces of 5- to 10-yearolds compared to their non-sealant counterparts. Yet sealants also were questioned by health-conscious parents for containing, and releasing, BPA—a poly-carbonate plastic that plays a role in cancer and has been shown to alter hormones, even bringing on an early onset of puberty. The American Dental Association argues the amount released from sealants is too low to be harmful.

Not all sealants contain BPA, but if you are concerned either forego sealants or check with your dentist about the product they use.

PACIFIERS AND THUMB SUCKING Dentists don’t love thumb sucking or pacifier use because they can sometimes

damage your child’s teeth. The American Dental Association says that children usually stop sucking their thumb or using a pacifier between ages 2 and 4. Others don’t stop until they enter kindergarten, when peer pressure and teasing makes them quit in a jiffy.

While thumb sucking isn’t usually a serious problem, it can be. The harder a child sucks, the more chance she could damage her primary or permanent teeth. If your child is 4 or under, you can relax a bit. If your kiddo is 6 or 7 and permanent teeth are coming in, it’s time to kick the habit. Kids can end up with an overbite, crooked teeth or even changes to the roof of the mouth.

Bottom line, if you’ve noticed changes in your child’s teeth from sucking, see a pediatric dentist.

Good dental care is a part of good overall health. Keep that beautiful smile shining with good brushing habits.

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family activities

Celebrate the Earth

Find planet-friendly activities all month K ATIE HARRIS

E

arth Day falls on Sunday, April 22nd this year, but in northern Colorado there are plenty of opportunities to give our planet some extra TLC all season long! Read on for opportunities to get dirty, while helping keep the earth clean.

For the youngest nature lovers, Larimer County Naturalists will host Tiny Trekkers on April 10, April 24 and May 8 at 10am. Children ages 2 to 5 and their families are invited to explore River Bluffs Open Space, located at 6371 E County Rd 32E in Windsor, for outdoor crafts, stories and trivia. The Tiny Trekkers program is free to the public, but requires advance registration by visiting www.larimer.org/events/naturalresources/tiny-trekkers-2018-04-24.

On April 21 from 9am-noon volunteers ages 6 and up are invited to pitch in during Loveland’s annual Waterway Clean-Up. The City of Loveland Stormwater Division hosts this event each year, which brings residents together for the good of their community, and their waterways. This year’s focus is on the 10

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Big Thompson River, Chubbuck Ditch, Dry Creek Ditch, Equalizer Lake and Houts Reservoir. For a map of check-in locations across the city, a list of volunteer safety requirements, or to register visit www.cityofloveland.org/departments/ public-works/annual-events/waterwayclean-up.

Larimer County Solid Waste will host Trash-to-Treasure Days May 1-4 from 10am-2pm at the Garbage Garage, located at 5887 S Taft Hill Rd., in Fort Collins. Drop-in visitors can build themed sculptures from bits of household trash, creating art out of items that would otherwise sit in the landfill. Themes will include monsters on Tuesday, robots on Wednesday, dinosaurs on Thursday and animals on Friday. For more information about the Garbage Garage visit www. larimer.org/solidwaste/education/edcenter.

Families can explore a xeriscape garden, learn how to compost, and find out how collecting rain in a rain barrel can benefit their lives and the environment at the Greeley Green Gardening Fair on May 5 from 9am-1pm. The event

will take place at the Greeley Xeriscape Garden located at 2503 Reservoir Rd. in Greeley, and guests will have the opportunity to tour the reservoir while in attendance. For more information visit www.greeleycalendar.com/event/greeleygreen-landscape-fair/.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Earth Day without a stop-off at Earth Day Fort Collins, an annual celebration presented by the Sustainable Living Association. This year’s event will take place at Civic Center Park, located on the corner of LaPorte Avenue and N. Howes St. in Fort Collins on April 21 from 11am-5pm. While the event is free, non-perishable food donations are requested to benefit the Food Bank for Larimer County. Typical family-friendly festival activities throughout the day will include live music, food vendors and arts and crafts. In addition, educational speakers, workshops and displays will be on site. To learn more about Earth Day Fort Collins visit www. sustainablelivingassociation.org/events/ earth-day-fort-collins-2018/.

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learn and live

Explore the cosmos And light up your family nights

KIM SHARPE

Where to go to gaze

Twinkle, twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are…

T

hese words are familiar as a nursery rhyme, but they also hold a lot of truth. Humans have been fascinated by the heavens since the beginning of time.

Today, from casual observations to serious inquiries, astronomy remains a fun and educational pursuit for young and old alike.

“Skygazing gives people an appreciation for the physical processes, scale and jaw-dropping beauty of the universe,” says Greg Halac, vice president of the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society (NCAS). “Most of us find it simultaneously mindboggling and humbling.”

Halac adds that kids (depending on age), enjoy astronomy as much as adults.

“Skygazing tends to be most rewarding for children at least 5 years old, although kids as young as about 3 can usually observe the moon. At 5 to 7, kids can usually observe planets in a telescope.

By age 8, kids can usually appreciate star 12

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clusters, galaxies and nebulae.”

A simple way to get involved in astronomy is to go outside on a cloudless night and look up. If you can get to a location away from city lights, like in the mountains, you’ll be amazed at all the stars you can see. Halac says, “Binoculars, a good sky map, and trips to dark sky sites make a great introduction to skygazing.”

Plus, there are quality websites and apps where you can learn about planets, stars and other things that are out of this world. Halac recommends Sky and Telescope (www.skyandtelescope.com), The Evening Sky Map (www.skymap. com) and Heavens Above (www. heavens-above.com). Popular free apps include Sky Map, Sky View, Night Sky and Star Walk.

Kids usually get an introduction to astronomy in their science classes, but people of all ages can gain a bit of knowledge about the heavens above by attending a NCAS event.

Check the organization’s website for events, including times and locations: www.nocoastro.org.

Friday, April 20, 8:30-10pm Skygazing NCAS volunteers will provide telescopes and share their knowledge about stars, planets, galaxies, more. Dress warmly and bring a blanket or chair to sit on.

Free, but registration required: www.engage.fcgov.com/d/na Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area, 3340 Carpenter Rd., FC. PLANETARIUMS H The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery OtterBox Digital Dome Theater can run in planetarium mode – www.fcmod.org H The Fiske Planetarium at CU Boulder www.colorado.edu/fiske/ H The Gates Planetarium at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, www.dmns. org/planetarium/ OBSERVATORIES Public viewing held, weather permitting H Sunlight Peak Observatory Open to the public on the 1st Friday of each month. Front Range Community College, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. www.facebook. com/sunlightpeak/ H The Stargazer Observatory Public viewing the 3rd Saturday of each month. Observatory Village, 3733 Galileo Dr., FC. www.stargazerobservatory.com H Little Thompson Observatory Public nights on the 3rd Friday of each month. Berthoud High School, east grounds, 820 Spartan Ave., Berthoud. www.starkids.org.

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community news

Be aware, be active Learn how you can get involved

KIM SHARPE

N

orthern Colorado strives to be a safe place to live, work and play.

As such, residents are encouraged to get educated about issues, such as sexual assault and child abuse, and take action to prevent them. NoCo’ites also are called to have a voice in plans for our future. And it just wouldn’t be northern Colorado without places and ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Read on to learn how you can get involved.

LOVELAND CITIZENS UNITE IN COMMUNITY-BUILDING PROGRAM “Your City, Your Future: 2018 Community Improvement Program” is a citizen-driven effort to tap into Loveland residents’ community-building spirit.

The program’s website (www.city ofloveland.org/government/publicinformation/2018-communityimprovement-program) says, “Our community amenities are here because we, as a community, built them. Together we decided what features would make our city more beautiful, livable, comfortable and enjoyable—and together we found means to make them real.”

Loveland citizens are invited to join in the process by attending one of the upcoming meetings of the citizen task force. Get details at www.cityof loveland.org/government/publicinformation/2018-communityimprovement-program.

IMAGINE GREELEY PLAN GETS GREEN LIGHT Greeley’s City Council recently voted to adopt the Imagine Greeley Comprehensive Plan. This plan represents the culmination of a year-long effort to engage the community in a process to ensure that Greeley continues to be a community that has a high quality of life, provides a diverse and healthy economy, and is great place in which

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to live, work, learn, grow and play.

Informed by data, trends, current conditions, and community input, this plan serves as a roadmap that will guide city policies and decision-making towards the community’s shared vision for the next 10 to 20 years.

Review the Comprehensive Plan adopted by Council at www.imagine greeley.com.

PLANNING TO CAMP IN LARIMER COUNTY? It’s looking like the 2018 camping season in Larimer County will be a busy one. Many of the county’s popular campsites and cabins are already booked on weekends through early

August. If you have plans to camp in the county, reserve a site now by calling 800-397-7795 or online at www. larimercamping.com.

LARIMER COUNTY OPEN SPACE JUST GOT LARGER Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins closed on four deals with separate, private landowners resulting in the acquisition and conservation of 2,492 acres of land south and west of Horsetooth Reservoir.

All the newly conserved land is adjacent to existing protected areas, including Coyote Ridge Natural Area, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

2017 BY THE NUMBERS 9% Loveland

18% Gre ele

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8% Weld County

49% Fort Collins

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BLOSSOMS AND BUTTERFLIES In celebration of the transformation under way at Fort Collins’ Gardens on Spring Creek, the Carnegie Center

BECOME AWARE IN APRIL April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Awareness Month, which means it’s time to get better educated about both topics and how to prevent them.

In northern Colorado, several agencies devote their work to sexual-assault prevention and treatment of its aftermath. All have special events and programs throughout the month to help raise awareness about this crime and help people know what to do about it.

Northern Colorado radio station K99 is hosting 28 Hours of Hope, an on-air telethon April 1213. Proceeds will support the work of Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy in Weld County, Namaqua Center in Loveland and Voices Carry Child Advocacy Center in Larimer County.

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and Devil’s Backbone Open Space.

The future of these properties, including any outdoor recreation or public access, will be determined through public planning processes

by Larimer County and Fort Collins incoming years.

“Conserving land in the iconic foothills just outside of the city, next to some of the most treasured and popular natural areas and open spaces, means that they will be here for us, wildlife and future generations,” says Mark Sears, Fort Collins Natural Areas Manager and Acting Director.

The land was acquired in both fee and conservation easements, meaning it was either purchased outright or the development rights were purchased, but the land remains in private ownership. Funding for these acquisitions comes from the Larimer County Help Preserve Open Spaces sales and use tax and the City of Fort Collins Open Space Yes! sales tax.

“We’re grateful...for the citizens of Fort Collins and Larimer County for continually supporting sales tax initiatives that make local conservation possible,” says Kerri Rollins, Open Lands Program Manager for Larimer County.

For additional information, please contact Sears at 970-4162096 or Rollins at 970-619-4577.

for Creativity is hosting a fundraising event, Blossoms and Butterflies. It will feature over 50 Colorado artists showcasing all mediums that depict the beauty of butterflies and/or gardens. Each piece of artwork is up for bid.

Blossoms and Butterflies will be open for viewing and bidding at the Carnegie Center, 200 Mathews St., April 4-6, 12noon to 6pm, and on April 7, 12noon to 4pm. An online auction is live 24 hours a day through 8pm on April 7 at www. fcgov.com/gardens. Admission to the Carnegie Center is free.

Proceeds of Blossoms and Butterflies will support the construction of the new Visitor’s Center at the Gardens on Spring Creek, which will include a North American butterfly house. It will be the first of its kind in northern Colorado.

For more information, please visit the Gardens on Spring Creek at www.fcgov.com/gardens.

37% BEFORE THE AGE OF 18

OF VICTIMS SERVED WERE ASSAULTED

87% LOW INCOME

WERE CONSIDERED

Other 85% 14% 1%

RELATIONSHIP TO THE VICTIM FAMILY MEMBER:

PARTNER:

26% 18%

FRIEND/ACQUAINTANCE:

49%

STRANGER:

7%

160 POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT PEER EDUCATORS 2,898 POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTICIPANTS 65 WELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 6 PEER EDUCATORS 693 WELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 6 PARTICIPANTS 68 PARTICIPANTS IN THOMPSON SCHOOL DISTRICT & POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT; 36 PARTICIPANTS IN WELD COUNTY & SCHOOL DISTRICT 6 66 PARTICIPANTS AGES 8-12 15 COMMUNITY MENTORS SERVED FORT COLLINS, LOVELAND, AND GREELEY

1,399

Local help for child abuse and sexual assault • ChildSafe, 970-472-4133 www.childsafecolorado.org

• Larimer County Department of Human Services—Child Protection, 970-498-6990 • Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy, Weld County, 970-353-5970, www.lifestoriesweld.org • Namaqua Center, Loveland, www.summitstonehealth.org/locations/ loveland/namaqua-center/ • Sexual Assault Victim Advocates – SAVA (in Larimer and Weld Counties), FC-970-4724204; GR-506-4059; 24-hour rape hotline 970-472-4200; www.savacenter.org • Voices Carry Child Advocacy Center Larimer County, 970-407-9739 www.voicescarrycac.org • Weld County Department of Human Services, 970-352-1551 x6211

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healthy living

The garden is calling

Get a head start on the growing season LEA HANSON

F

or many gardeners, transitioning from winter to spring brings the desire to reconnect with the earth and producing food. Because gardening is so much more than planting seeds and caring for growing plants, the early spring weeks are easily filled preparation tasks. But, go easy. Blaine Mathews, owner of Home Team Gardens says, “Don’t go all out the first day. Stretch a little and ease into the work.”

MAKE REPAIRS The winter months may have been hard on your raised beds, fences, and trellises.

Now is the time to repair any bowed or leaning sides or broken fence posts. In raised beds, the soggy soil left over from winter may have caused bowing and leaning. If it did, dig back the soil and drive new stakes on the inside of the sideboards leaning slightly inward.

CLEAR LEAVES AND DEBRIS As the weather transitions from snowy to rainy, ensure the spring rains have adequate runoff. Clear eaves and other debris from drainage areas. Because they are often planted very shallow, spring seedlings do best in soil that drains well; flooding and backup can wash the seeds away before they even sprout.

START SEEDLINGS INDOORS Mathews says, “Think realistically about how much space you have to sow your seeds.” Seeds can be started in almost any container including open flats, small pots, plastic cups, and more. Once they begin to root and develop leaves, they’ll need to be transplanted to allow for further root growth. Planting plants (instead of seeds) in your garden can offer benefits including earlier harvest and more robust plants altogether. Seeds that typically transplant well, and there-

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fore can be more easily started indoors include: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, kale, lettuce, onion, peppers, and tomatoes. But, Mathews says, “Don’t let the warmth of March and April fool you. Our average last spring frost along much of the Front Range is May 5th. Try to resist the temptations of planting outside before then; with the exceptions of the cool season veggies.”

Pounding rain, gravity and other forces can cause soil to become compacted over time, so loosening it before planting should be a priority. In established beds, you can use a broad fork to break up the soil, in areas with tough, clay soil a tiller might be a more useful tool.

The fluffier the soil, the easier it is for the roots to penetrate. “Fluffy, well aerated soil is the key to growing healthy plants,” says Mathews.

PREPARE YOUR COMPOST You’ve been collecting and nurturing your compost the past several months, now it’s time to put it to work. Taking time in spring to build fertility and loosen soil will set you up for a more productive year. A few weeks before you plant, blanket your garden bed with at least a half-inch layer of good compost — a full inch is even better. The compost will provide the soil with a fresh infusion of nutrient-rich organic matter and improve the soil’s ability to handle water and nourish your crops.

EDUCATE YOURSELF One useful online resource does a good job compiling local resources and events: www.coloradogardening.com.

THE GARDENS ON SPRING CREEK The Gardens (www.fcgov.com/gardens/) offer numerous options for kids and families that will help prepare, educate, and motivate your family as you look forward to planning your spring sow.

Costs are minimal, and discounts are often available for members of The Gardens on Spring Creek.

Here’s Looking At You, Kid! Wander into Clothes Pony & Dandelion Toys For Springtime Delights

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Create a village for your child Lynn U. Nichols

W

e’ve all heard the saying it takes a village to raise a child, but how many of us set out to build one for our kids? As a parent, you are your child’s number one support system, yet having a variety of caring adults for your child to turn to at different times for different needs helps them become self-sufficient and well-rounded. To create a village, you’ll have to let other adults occasionally take the reigns—something not all parents want to give up. Here’s why you should.

HAVING A VILLAGE BUILDS RESILIENCY “As parents, as much as we’d like to, we can’t be there all of the time for our kids. That’s okay, because they learn resiliency when they reach out to others to get the help they need,” says Kristen Glenn, parent educator with The Women’s Clinic of Northern Colorado.

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According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary resiliency means “having the ability to recover from or adjust easily to change or misfortune. To be flexible, supple.” Whether it is as simple as breaking their phone or as hard as losing a good friend, life continually offers challenges to our kids.

While it’s hard to watch your preteen or teen struggle, take comfort in knowing she is gaining resiliency. Her happiness depends on how well she deals with these bumps and bruises, not whether or not they exist. Kids who ask for help to get through challenges gain confidence that they can rely on themselves, and others, to overcome obstacles and succeed.

Exploring whom your teen can contact when they get into a tough spot gives them an immediate solution to their problem, and a way to turn things around. Sit down with your teen and

A community of caring adults help kids become wellrounded and resilient

have him identify a few adults he trusts to turn to when he needs an outside perspective, extra help with a specific task, or somewhere to simply hang and relax.

Maybe it’s a past or present teacher, a coach, the school counselor, an aunt, uncle or the mom of a best friend. Once he has those people in his back pocket—or on speed dial –he’ll know where to turn.

GET FORMAL WHEN EXTRA HELP IS NEEDED Having an all-encompassing team that wraps around teens in challenging times

keeps them on a positive track. Not sure who to suggest? Consider who is significant in your teen’s life. Will they focus on the positives not the problems? Will they guide rather than direct? Will they take time and listen?

If your preteen or teen is struggling, you can formalize his village by helping him not only identify individuals to be a part of his support team, but formally asking them to play a supporting role.

If it’s hard for your teen to ask, it’s okay to get involved. It is important to let your teen pick his village, but you can gently veto if it’s someone you are not comfortable with. Finding a few key individuals who will uphold your values and respond in a way that supports both of you is ideal.

A support team member may not offer just words. Rather, they might offer a reprieve for your teen to perform a coping activity that will help her calm down and re-align. This might be taking 20 minutes to draw in the counselor’s office or write in a journal while sitting in class. Or, maybe a coach will open the gym and allow your teen to lift weights to work through anger, or an uncle might invite her over after school to play music together. Such strategies help avoid a breakdown or incident.

WHAT OTHER ADULTS BRING TO THE TABLE Encouraging healthy relationships with other adults exposes your kids to another way of seeing the world. Pre-teens and teens are at an age when they really notice that people are all unique and that families operate differently. This expands their minds and makes them more comfortable with people and tolerant of differences.

There’s also value in getting to be someone different than who they are when they are with you. As parents, we try not to define our kids, but sometimes it happens, or they define themselves within the family. Seeing themselves through some else’s eyes lets them explore different ways of being in the world—trying on different confidences and personality traits. It also helps them

form an opinion about themselves that’s outside of their relationship with you.

LET GO OF ALWAYS BEING NUMBER ONE Glenn teaches Girl Talk: A Mother Daughter Workshop in Fort Collins (fcwc.com) and when she asks moms and daughters to put anonymous questions in a box, a common theme of the moms’ questions is, ‘How can I stay her primary support person?’ The truth is you might not always be your teens’ first choice for support.

“Give yourself grace that you won’t always be there to offer support, and that it’s very healthy for teens to seek out support from coaches, aunts, teachers and friends. Research shows parents will remain the top influencers in their children’s lives. Your teen might go elsewhere for day-to-day support, but it’s your caring and your values that will matter most,” Glenn says.

WHEN YOUR TEEN SEEKS SUPPORT FROM YOU, LISTEN Listening seems simple, but it’s not.

It requires parents to give teens’ undivided attention and really hear what they have to say. Most parents are often multi-tasking to make it through the day. If you are too busy, say so, but tell your teen when you will have time to talk. A good rule to follow when talking to your teen is to imagine you are listening to a friend. You’d probably hold back interruptions and unwanted advice, opting for open-ended questions instead. Doing the same with your teen establishes trust. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t state your values. Just do so starting with the words “I feel” rather than “you should” and you’ll keep the conversation two-way versus having it turn into a one-way lecture. Mostly your teen simply needs to talk. They don’t need you to find a solution. If they won’t talk to you, suggest they talk to a trusted adult within their village.

“Having other healthy adults in your preteen or teen’s life doesn’t replace you, it’s just an extension of the support you give,” Glenn concludes.

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L

et’s face it—parents can get pretty uptight about their child’s development. It’s hard to resist comparing your child’s achievements with other kids of the same age. While there are milestones your toddler is expected to be reaching (see box), the truth is, all kids develop differently and on their own timelines.

With that said, keeping a watchful eye never hurts. If you find your toddler is a bit behind on a few things, don’t worry. Likely, she just needs a chance to practice those things. If she is behind on most items on the list, you might want to get her evaluated. But don’t stress.

Life with all its activity and interaction tends to prepare kids just fine. However, if you want to enhance your toddler’s growth, here are some ways to do so in each of the five main developmental areas: gross motor, fine motor, language, intellectual and social.

“Each child’s development is different and individual, and each child meets his milestones at his own pace,” says Elizabeth Teschler, OTR/L, CNT, CLC, Senior Pediatric Occupational Therapist at UC Health Children’s Therapy Services in Fort Collins.

BIG MOVEMENT FOR BETTER GROWTH Learning to operate their bodies is an important developmental job for babies and toddlers. One of the best ways to help them grow is simple physical play.

“The first years of life are like a natural Pilates or yoga program that focuses on core stability and strength. Core stability lays the foundation for achieving the gross 22

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motor milestones but also for achieving fine motor coordination,” Teschler explains.

She recommends simply going to the park and playing on the playground.

Between the swings that strengthen your child’s vestibular balance to the jungle gym that helps develop his core muscles, your toddler is not only having fun, but also developing.

“Playing at the park is so much more than playing at the park. It’s not just gross motor skills that are enhanced.

Add in interacting with other kids and learning to take turns and your toddler is also getting speech and language development as well,” Teschler says.

FINE MOTOR FOR SCHOOL READINESS When your toddler gets to preschool or kindergarten, they’ll start handwriting— a skill that demands finger dexterity. You can develop that early on by doing crafts that demand your child use and develop her hand strength.

“A child might struggle with handwriting, but the root of what’s going on is core stability—something little boys tend to have more trouble with than girls. A good line of defense is to sit down and do crafts with your toddler,” Teschler advises.

Teschler recommends painting, finger painting and scribbling with your toddler. Baking—rolling out cookies and cutting them out—is also a good lesson in dexterity.

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT Is your toddler always chattering or is he relatively quiet? To help develop

language skills, the best thing you can do is talk to your toddler and include her in your conversations.

“There’s a difference between how toddlers speak and how they receptively listen to you and process your directions.

Toddlers receptively understand a lot more than they can express at that age.

That’s why it’s important to talk with them even if it seems beyond what they can understand,” Teschler says.

STIMULATING YOUR TODDLER’S BRAIN As you most likely know, toddlers love repetition. They like to hear a favorite book over and over again. They can become obsessed with one topic and want to talk, read or play with objects on only that topic—like cars or dinosaurs. Repetition is a way toddlers learn. When they do the same thing over and over again, they are processing information.

“Every experience sends and creates a pathway in a toddler’s brain. The more experiences you give, the more pathways you create. The more pathways you create, the more opportunity you give your toddler for success,” Teschler says. Other ways to enhance your toddler’s brain development and promote early math skills is to do activities that promote sequencing, teach cause-and-effect and identify shapes and sizes. You can do this by playing board games, card games or memory games.

GROWING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS Experts agree that active interaction through playing, talking and activities is

Ages and Stages for Two Year Olds

The American Academy of Pediatrics maps out the following milestones for toddlers. If your 2-year old isn’t able to perform some of these, don’t worry.

Everything takes practice. Simply make a note to encourage activities and opportunities for your toddler to practice these activities.

Movement milestones

• Walks alone • Pulls toys behind her while walking • Carries a large toy or several toys while walking • Begins to run • Stands on tiptoe • Kicks a ball • Climbs onto and down from furniture unassisted • Walks up and down stairs holding on to support • Milestones in hand and finger skills • Scribbles spontaneously • Turns over container to pour out contents • Builds tower of four blocks or more • Might use one hand more frequently than the other

Language milestones

vital to a toddler’s brain development. Research shows that the more a child is talked with, the easier he will have later on learning and making connections in his world.

“As a parent, oftentimes you know what your child wants before he asks. Give him the time to use his language and ask,” she adds.

Getting along with others is necessary for a successful life. To promote good communication skills in your young child, teach manners. This may sound like strange advice, but the same skills come in handy while communicating. Teach kids how to take turns, politely negotiate differences and listen while someone else is talking.

“If your toddler is having a hard time mastering a skill, work on it for a few months. If you are still concerned, talk to your doctor or ask to see an occupational therapist for an assessment,” Teschler concludes. “It’s not a bad thing to get a baseline done. You may be surprised. Your occupational therapist may say she is doing just fine. If she needs extra help, research shows early intervention really makes a difference.”

• Points to object or picture when it’s named for him • Recognizes names of familiar people, objects, and body parts • Says several single words (by fifteen to eighteen months) • Uses simple phrases (by eighteen to twenty-four months) • Uses two- to four-word sentences • Follows simple instructions • Repeats words overheard in conversation

Cognitive milestones

• Finds objects even when hidden under two or three covers • Begins to sort by shapes and colors • Begins make-believe play

Social and emotional milestones

• Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children • Increasingly aware of herself as separate from others • Increasingly enthusiastic about company of other children • Demonstrates increasing independence • Begins to show defiant behavior • Increasing episodes of separation anxiety toward midyear, then they fade Source: https://healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/ toddler/Pages/Developmental-Milestones-2-Year-Olds.aspx healthychildren.org

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C

hildren enter the world curious and with powerful imaginations. When allowed to flow, their creative juices have social, emotional, intellectual and even physical benefits. Creative kids are skillful problem solvers, resourceful and better prepared to survive in a world that won’t always treat them well and in which things won’t always go their way.

“Children who often experience curiosity and wonder, and act on these feelings to explore their world, fare better at school,

in relationships, at work, and end up being intelligent, creative, satisfied people,” says Todd Kashdan, psychology professor at George Mason University.

Beyond personal benefits, our complex world increasingly needs creative people to develop solutions to address complex challenges.

“Creativity is one of the most important economic resources of the 21st century,” says Gary Gute, director of the Creative Life Research Center. “The call from business, industry and education is for people to

think more creatively, not only to solve problems, but also to identify problems that need to be solved.”

What are some ways parents can cultivate creativity in their kids?

LET THEM PLAY

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international treaty that sets out universally accepted rights for children, says children have the right to play.

Free play, play that is unstructured and in which a parent’s role is minimal, is vital because it expands children’s creativity. It’s energizing and allows children to explore, investigate, question, contemplate, problem solve and socialize.

“Children have an amazing innate ability to be creative when they play freely on their own, and unfortunately, the act of overparenting dampens or even wipes out that innate ability,” says to Mike Lanza, author of Playborhood: Turn Your Neighborhood into a Place for Play. He feels it’s important for parents to figure out how to facilitate children’s creativity without managing it.

Free play also shouldn’t incorporate elaborate play spaces or the latest and greatest toys. Parents will do their kids a favor by keeping play simple.

NoCo mom Melina Berthardt says, “We have no cable TV. Rather, I collect all kinds of things, like toilet paper rolls,

boxes, empty shampoo and dish soap bottles and other containers so my daughter can play pharmacy or grocery shopping like I did when I was a kid.

She uses her imagination to have fun.”

KICK ‘EM OUT

A natural way to help your kids become more creative is to turn them loose outdoors. Give them space to roam and explore their environment.

If your children aren’t used to being kicked outdoors to invent their own fun, they may tell you they’re “bored” and “there’s nothing to do.” That’s a good thing, says Lenore Skenazy, author of Free Range Kids. “Boredom is good for kids. It forces them to entertain themselves, which ignites their creative intelligence. From this, they learn that they can solve their own problems. This is huge!”

Scott Sampson, CEO and president of Vancouver’s Science World and author of How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature, understands it can be difficult to convince kids to play outside if they’re accustomed to being entertained by video games and the like. He says, “The best way to get kids outdoors is to take them there.” Parents should lead the way into the great outdoors and model the fun that can be had in nature.

LIMIT SCREEN TIME

Screen time can be a brain and creativity drain.

But since digital devices are a ubiquitous part of modern life, what’s a parent to do? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends families develop a media-use plan.

“Families should proactively think about their children’s media use and talk with children about it, because too much media use can mean that children don’t have enough time during the day to play, study, talk, or sleep,” says Jenny Radesky, MD, FAAP, lead author of the AAP policy statement, “Media and Young Minds.” She says parents should be their child’s ‘media mentor.’ That means teaching them how to use it as a tool to create, connect and learn.

SUPPORT THEIR INTERESTS

Too often, children are enrolled in programs and activities of their parents’ choosing rather than those in which they’re truly interested or show a propensity toward. To help match children’s activities with their passions, parents should ask themselves: What grabs her attention?

What excites him? What does she like to do? What makes him smile and laugh?

By encouraging children’s interests, parents will nurture their sense of self, help them discover what they like and are good at, build their self-esteem and confidence, and cultivate their creativity.

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Special camps for special needs Find the best program for your camper KATIE HARRIS

T

here’s no time like the present to register your child with special needs for a camp suited to his or her abilities. Colorado is home to an array of day, overnight and family camps for children in need of individualized programming and extra support. With activities such as ropes courses, fishing, sailing and theater, your child will experience unique and unforgettable opportunities while at camp. Best of all, campers have the opportunity to form relationships with their peers and camp counselors that will last a lifetime.

Adam’s Camp, Denver and surrounding areas 303-563-8290 www.adamscamp.org

Camps are available to individuals with mild to moderate special needs, including developmental disabilities, autism 12

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spectrum disorders and down syndrome.

Activities promote occupational, physical, speech, music and art therapy, and camp ratios are one to two campers per therapist. Youth camps for ages 5 and up take place in June and July and cost is $1400-$2600 per week, with scholarships available.

Ascendigo Summer Adventures Camp Glenwood Springs 970-927-3143 www.ascendigo.org

This specialized residential camp for children on the autism spectrum includes programs for all ability levels, ages 7 to 17. Course options include Alpine Sports, Lake Sports, Ranch Sports, and River Sports. Day camp and overnight camp sessions are available mid-June through mid-August and pricing by week starts at $1500.

Aspen Camp of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Snowmass 970-315-0513 www.aspencamp.org

Camps are designed to increase selfesteem, confidence and individual skills in deaf and hard of hearing individuals through activities such as rafting, high ropes and backpacking. Nine- to 17-day-long summer camp sessions take place in June, July and August for 8- to 17-year-olds, and family camp for all ages will take place in August. Sessions run from $1399-$1999 and scholarships and payment plans are available.

Brain Injury Alliance camps Breckenridge 303-355-9969 www.biacolorado.org/recreation-programs

Day camps are available to children of all ages who have experienced a brain injury.

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Camp activities include workshops, along with fishing, swimming, hiking and more. Camp is for ages 6 to 12 and will take place June 15-17 and July 1315. Cost is $150 per session, and scholarships may be available.

Easter Seals Colorado, Highlands Ranch 303-233-1666 http://www.easterseals.com/co/ourprograms/childrens-services/summerday-camps.html

Summer day camps provide opportunities for fishing, hiking, community field trips and more for children with a variety of disabilities and health challenges.

Camp takes place Monday through Thursday from June 4 through July 26 and costs $75-$85 per day.

National Sports Center for the Disabled multiple locations 970-726-1518, www.nscd.org

Programs take place June through August, in six-day increments with activities including river rafting, ropes course, hand cycling, wall climbing, and theme dance.

The cost is $1890 per session, and registration is available online.

Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center Breckenridge 970-453-6422, www.boec.org

Camps for summer 2018 include Camp Little Tree, an overnight five-day program for 8- to 12-year-olds with sensory integration impairments and attention deficits; Camp Big Tree, a similar program for 12to 16-year-olds; PEAK Adventure Camp, an overnight camp for 9- to 13-year-olds with social skills, flexibility, motor skills and sensory processing needs; and CamPossible, a camp for 8- to 12-year-olds with cerebral palsy featuring three days of confidence and social-skills building activities. Camp activities include hiking, rafting and rock climbing. All camps are held in June and July and prices vary by camp.

Camp Paha, Lakewood 303-987-7000, www.lakewood.org/paha/

Day camps for children with a range of disabilities include activities such as swimming, drama and hiking, and are appropriate for ages 6-17. Camps take 14

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place June 11-29 and July 9-27 and cost $930 per session.

Camp Wapiyapi, Estes Park 303-534-0883

www.campwapiyapi.org/ These week-long camps are designed for children with cancer and their families to discover hope and support through positive outdoor group experiences such as horseback riding, miniature golf and basketball. The camp is available to ages 6 to 17, and sessions take place June 4-9 and June 11-16. This camp is made available free of charge, and medical doctors and nurses are always on site.

Colorado Lions Camp, Woodland Park 719-687-2087

www.coloradolionscamp.org A week-long camp for the deaf and blind, ages 8 to adult, will take place June 18-23. Camp activities include ropes course, swimming, fishing and more. The cost to attend camp is $550.

Camp Comfort, Georgetown 303-674-6400

www.mtevans.org/camp-comfort/ This weekend-long camp offers support to grieving children, helping them understand and come to terms with loss.

NSCD provides a variety of camps for children and families with physical, emotional and cognitive diagnoses. Teamwork Camp focuses on a different sport each day. The camp is available to ages 7 and up and costs $550 for the session. Session one takes place June 4-8 and is for participants with physical disabilities.

Session two takes place June 18-22 for participants with intellectual disabilities.

All Access Camp is for children 7 and up with significant disabilities interested in exploring through art, dance and outdoor adventures. Sessions take place June 25-29 and July 9-13, and cost $650 per session.

Therapeutic Horseback Riding Camp is a three- to four-day camp for ages 10 and up with sessions in July and August. Prices range from $450 to $600 per session. Adventure Sampler Camp takes place August 6-10 for ages 6-13 and July 16-20 for ages 12-21. Camp includes outdoor climbing, white water paddling, sailing and more, and costs $550 per session.

Sky High Hope Camp, Bellvue 303-382-7201, www.skyhighhope.org

A residential camp for children with cancer and their siblings offering rafting, fishing, archery, dance and more for ages 8 to 18. Camp takes place June 10-16 and is available at no charge. Medical staff is on site at all times during camp.

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PROGRAM & ACTIVITY GUIDE 2018 Academics (AC), Arts (AR), Athletics (AT), Before School (BS), After School (AS), Day Camps (DC), Residential Camps (RC), Clubs/Organizations (CO)

D I R E C T O R Y B Y C A T E G O R Y ACADEMICS Bee Family Centennial Farm Museum Camp Invention Children’s Speech Therapy Center Discovery Montessori Discovery Science Center Garbage Garage Education Center Latin Classes & Latin Club Little Bear’s Child Care Math Tutoring Our Global Village Museum Poudre River Public Library Districts Science Toy Magic Speech-Language Clinic Spring Creek School The Reading Clinic The Reading Place TR Paul Academy Tutor Doctor UNC Las Chicas de Matematicas UNC Leadership Enrichment Program UNC Summer Enrichment Program VanCo School of Art Weld Library District ARTS Aunt Bea’s Pottery Painting Boys & Girls Clubs, Larimer County Canyon Concert Ballet Clothes Pony Contemporary Dance Academy CSU School of the Arts Dance Express Debut Theatre Company Explorati Teens Writer Boot Camp Expressive Arts Fire It Up Ceramics Flying Colors Art School Foodies! Culinary Academy Fort Collins Fort Collins Children’s Theatre Fort Collins Museum Fort Collins Museum of Art Front Range Classical Ballet Academy Greeley Museums Hands On Music Academy Harrington Arts Academy Inertia Dance JasCo Music Kindermusik by Priscilla la-de-da...

Loveland Dance Academy Loveland Museum/Gallery Lyric Cinema Café Main Street Music MeTeggart Irish Dance Miramont Lifestyle Fitness Natural Piano Center Philomusica Piano & Guitar Institute Piano Center of the Rockies Rocky Mountain Music Center

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Rocky Mountain Summer Music Camp Sera Schools Music Programs Studio West Dance Center Stylz Dance Studio UNC Jazz Camp Youth Orchestra of the Rockies ATHLETICS Air Force Sports Camps All Star Youth Sports American Dragon Martial Arts Arena Sports ATA Family Martial Arts Baton Twirling with the Golden Girls Big Thompson Tennis Academy Boys & Girls Clubs, Larimer County Camp Chief Ouray-YMCA of the Rockies Chippers Lanes City of Fort Collins Youth Team Sports Catalyst Brazilian Jiu Jitsu City of Fort Collins Golf Courses Classic Lanes Collindale Golf Academy Colorado Cheer Academy Colorado Ice Indoor Football CSU Youth Sport Camps Dance Factory Eaton Country Club Edge Sports Center Edora Pool Ice Center Fort Collins Area Swim Team (FAST) Fort Collins Baseball Club, Inc. Fort Collins Club Fort Collins Girls Softball Club Fort Collins Hockey Club Fort Collins Soccer Club Fort Collins Youth Lacrosse Gargot Farms Riding Academy GK Gymnastics Greeley-Evans Youth League GRIT Athletics Havoc Girls Lacrosse Hearts & Horses Highland Meadows Golf Course Highland Park Lanes Horsetooth All-Star Cheerleading Inner Strength Rock Gym Inner Wave Pencak Silat Inspiration Riding Academy International Black Belt Academy Jumpin’ Karate West, Inc. Kids Night Out Loveland Lewis Tennis School Lobos Football Technique Camp Loveland Archery Exchange Loveland Dance Academy Matpac Wrestling Miramont Lifestyle Fitness Moore Martial Arts Mulberry Pool

New World Sports NoCo Ice Center Northern Colorado Shooting Stars All-Star Cheerleading Northern Colorado Baseball Camps Northern Colorado Orcas Northern Colorado Soccer Camps Northern Colorado Soccer Club Northern Colorado Youth Hockey Northside Aztlan Center Playmakers Practice Facility Premier Gymnastics Raintree Aerobic and Fitness Center Ripple Effect Martial Arts Rocky Mountain Cheer & Dance Rocky Mountain Youth Sports Rollerland Roo Jumps Safe Routes to School Scott Downing’s Youth Football Camp Southridge Junior Golf Academy Sykes Family Martial Arts The Studio Thompson Soccer Assn.

Trans Martial Arts Treetop Yoga Studio UNC Baseball Kids Camps UNC Football Camps UNC Men’s Basketball Camps UNC Tennis Camps UNC Volleyball Camps UNC Women’s Basketball Camps UNC Wrestling Camps UNC Volleyball Village Green Synchronized Swimming Team Vollitude Volleyball Club Vortex Swim Club Windsor Lacrosse Windsor Gymnastic Academy Windsor Parks & Recreation BEFORE /AFTER SCHOOL ABC Child Development Centers Bright School-Age Centers BASE Camp Blooming Girls Boys & Girls Clubs, Larimer County Bright Horizons Children’s Early Learning Centers Children’s Workshop Gardens on Spring Creek Girl Scouts of Colorado GK Gymnastics Healthy Kids Club-PVHS Hearts & Horses KinderCare Learning Centers Miramont Lifestyle Fitness Rivendell School Windmill Child Enrichment Center Young People’s Learning Centers

DAY CAMPS ABC Child Development Centers & Bright School-Age Centers Big Thompson Elementary Blue Mountain Riding Academy Centennial Village Museums Choice City Christian Camp City of Loveland Parks & Recreation Colorado Youth Outdoors CSU Environmental Learning Center CSU Youth Sport Camps Farm at Lee Martinez Park Gargot Farms Riding Academy Girl Scouts of Colorado Greeley Museums Hearts in Hand Child Dev. Center Heritage Christian Academy iD Tech Camps Impact, Inc./Teencamp KidzZone Day Camp Larimer Humane Society Lobos Football Technique Camp Miramont Lifestyle Fitness Mountain Kids Mustang Hollow Equestrian Center My Pursuit Church OD’s Sports Crossing Red Fiddle Dance Company Rivendell School Spring Creek School Striped Horse Day Camp Young People’s Learning Centers RESIDENTIAL CAMPS Camp Chief Ouray—YMCA of the Rockies Camp Sunrise Camp Timberline, Inc. Cheley Colorado Camps CSU Football Educo Frontiers of Science Institute Girl Scouts of Colorado iD Tech Camps Kent Mountain Adventure Center Larimer County Foster Care Program Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch CLUBS/ORGANIZATIONS Boy Scouts of America Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County Boys & Girls Club of Weld County Child Evangelism Fellowship CSU Environmental Learning Center Fort Collins Baseball Club, Inc. Fort Collins Soccer Club Fort Collins Youth Lacrosse Girl Scouts of Colorado Larimer Humane Society Latin Classes & Latin Club Team Fort Collins United Way 211

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PROGRAM & ACTIVITY GUIDE 2018 Academics (AC), Arts (AR), Athletics (AT), Before School (BS), After School (AS), Day Camps (DC), Residential Camps (RC), Clubs/Organizations (CO)

A L P H A B E T I C A L L I S T I N G S 4-H Larimer County, 1525 Blue Spruce Dr., FC, 498-6000 www.larimer.org/extension Weld County, 525 N. 15th Ave., GR 400-2066, www.weld4h.org Age group: 8-18 years A community of young people who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

Fee. Category: CO ABC Child Development & Bright School-Age Centers 5000 11th St., GR Plus school-based locations in Greeley/Evans, Johnstown/Milliken and Windsor/Severance 352-2222, www.abccdc.com Age group: 1-13 years Providing school-age activities in a school-age setting.

Fee. Category: AC, AS, BS, DC Adolesco Youth Exchange 303-913-4845, www.Adolesco.org Age group: 9-17 years Affordable nonprofit program of twoway exchanges to France, Germany and Spain for qualifying U.S. students.

Fee. Category: AC Adventure Bound Day Camp 700 E. 4th St., LV, 962-2467 www.cityofloveland.org Age group: 6-13 years Camp activities including arts, crafts, science, skits, field trips, more.

Fee. Category: DC Adventure Child Development Center 5800 W 18th St., GR, 330-KIDS (5437) Age group: 6 weeks-13 years Summer day camps, enrichment programs, childcare and parties.

Fee. Category: DC Adventure Gymnastics Center 5800 W. 18th St., GR, 330-0632 www.adventuregymnastics center.com Age group: 3-17 years Gymnastics instruction.

Fee. Category: AT

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Air Force Sports Camps Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs 719-333-2116 www.goairforcefalcons.com/camps Age group: 8-18 years Summer camps for boarders and commuters. Basketball, cheerleading, diving, fencing and golf.

Fee. Category: AT, DC, RC Airborne Aces Flying Tigers Gymnastics 3005 West 29th St., Unit F, GR 352-2042, www.airbornetigers.com Age group: 3 years-Adult Gymnastics and tumbling on a competitive, non-competitive and special-needs basis.

Fee. Category: AT All Star Youth Sports 155 E. Boardwalk Dr., FC 855-500-ASYS (2797) www.allstaryouthsports.org Age group: 4-17 years Non-contact flag football leagues for coeds.

Fee. Category: AT Ann’s All-Stars Baton Twirlers/ Northern Colorado Baton Twirling Club FC, 988-3083, www.annsallstars.org Age group: Children and Youth Child-centered twirling club focused on learning to twirl, forming friendships, developing good sportsmanship and having fun.

Fee. Category: AT Ascent Studio - Climbing & Fitness 2150 Joseph Allen Dr., FC 999-5596, www.ascentstudio.com Age group: All Ages Indoor climbing, bouldering for the whole family.

Fee. Category: AT Ballet Renaissance 2050 Big Thompson Ave., EP 2500 E. 1st St., LV 480-7697, www.balletren.org Age group: Pre-K-Adult Ballet training and performance opportunities for dancers of all ages and experience.

Fee. Category: AR, AT

BASE Camp 1224 E. Elizabeth St., FC, 266-1734 www.mybasecampkids.org Age group: 5-13 years Before- and after-school program in many local elementary schools.

Fee. Category: AS, BS Bee Family Centennial Farm Museum 4320 E. CR 58, FC, 482-9168 www.beefamilyfarm.org Age group: All History of northern Colorado agriculture, children’s activities, farm animals, more.

Fee. Category: AC Berthoud Library 236 Welch Ave., Berthoud, 532-2757 berthoud.colibraries.org Age group: All Fee. Category: AC Big Thompson Elementary School of Science & Nature 7702 West Hwy 34, LV, 613-5600 www.bigthompsonelementary.org Age group: Grades 1-5 Fee. Category: AC, AC, BS, CO Blooming Girls 115 N. College Ave., Ste. 220, FC 207-4094, www.bloominggirlsco.com Age group: 5-12 years Classes and workshops for girls to build confidence and self-esteem.

Fee. Category; AC Boomer Music Company 3761 S. Mason St., FC, 223-2424 www.boomermusiccompany.com Age group: All Musical instruments for sale or rent, lessons, accessories.

Fee. Category: AR

Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County 1505 Brodie Ave., EP, 817-4943 1608 Lancer Dr., FC, 484-5198 2500 E. Harmony Rd., FC, 556-8868 2500 E. 1st St., LV, 663-5450 743 Jocelyn Dr., LV, 776-6747 3815 W. Harrison Ave., Wellington 568-7338 www.begreatlarimer.org Age group: 6-18 years Provides environment to help young people reach their full potential.

Fee. Category: AS, CO Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County 24750 3rd St., Galeton, 353-1278 2400 1st Ave., GR, 353-1278 2400 West 4th St., GR, 353-1278 500 24th Ave., GR, 302-2026 111 E 26th St., GR, 702-3900 1600 9th St., Fort Lupton, 702-4660 320 Centennial Dr., Milliken 590-8478 www.bgcweld.org Age group: 6-18 years Provides environment to help young people reach their full potential.

Fee. Category: AS, CO Boy Scouts of America—Longs Peak Council 2215 23rd Ave., GR, 330-6305 5604 McWhinney Blvd., LV, 203-9530 www.longspeakbsa.org Age group: Grade 1-20 years Serving scouting families in northern Colorado.

Fee. Category: CO, RC Bright Horizons 2815 Iowa Dr., FC, 484-4700 3513 Richmond Dr., FC, 229-0300 2420 W. 8th St., LV, 461-9802 www.brighthorizons.com Age group: Infants-Youth Developmentally appropriate curricula, certified teachers, state-ofthe-art facilities.

Fee. Category: AC, AS, BS

LASER TAG NOW OPEN! FORT COLLINS LASER TAG NOW OPEN! ESTES PARK LASER TAG NOW OPEN! FORT COLLINS North College Lanes GREELEY 555 S St Vrain Ave BROOMFIELD Horsetooth Lanes 830 N College Classic Lanes (970) 586-8625 100 Nickel St 217 W Horsetooth (970) 484-4777 2454 8th Ave (303) 466-9700 (970) 226-6327 (970) 353-4275

Packages for under $130 Ages 5-6 Beginner Series of 2- 45 Minute Clinics -$40 Ages 7-17 Beginner Series of 4- 60 Minute Lessons -$99 Ages 7-17 Intermediate Series of 4- 90 Minute Lessons -$129

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Ages 7-17 Intermediate and Advanced Series of 5 - 2 hour Clinics (10 hours total) - $215 10 hours of PGA Instruction • Digital V1 video swing analysis • Prizes •Mini-private Lesson • Refreshments • Goodie Bag • Graduation Doughnut Party All Junior Clinics have a 6 to 1 Student/Professional ratio *Golf clubs are provided if needed.

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Fort Collins Favorite

Our mission is to provide individualized and compassionate oral health care for all children

“Wonderful Staff! Dr. Van Tassell is very personable and a GREAT dentist.”

—Kaylee P.

Fun and Friendly Pediatric Dental Experience Specializing in Dentistry for Toddlers, Children, Teens and Special-needs Patients

50% DISCOUNT For New Patients

INCLUDES EXAM, CLEANING, X-RAYS AND FLUORIDE.

-MENTION THIS AD WHEN CALLING(970) 484-4104

4609 S. Timberline Rd.• Suite 103B

www.RockiesKidsDds.com 2

Camp Chief Ouray—YMCA 1101 CR 53, PO Box 648, Granby 887-2648, www.campchiefouray.org Age group: 7-17 years Camp Chief Ouray provides opportunities for growth in spirit, mind and body.

Fee. Category: RC Camp Invention Eaton, EV, FC, GR, LV, Wellington 800-968-4332, www.campinvention.org Age group: Grades K-6 One week science and invention camp.

Fee. Category: AC, DC Camp Timberline, Inc. 1207 Longs Peak Rd., EP, 484-8462 www.camptimberline.com Age group: 5-18 years Sports and mountain adventure camp at the foot of Longs Peak.

Fee. Category: AT, DC, RC Canyon Concert & Ballet Dance Center 1031 Connifer St., FC 4631 S. Mason, FC 472-4156, www.ccballet.org Age group: 3+ years Creating and sharing the passion of dance through artistically enriching performance and education.

Fee. Category: AR Catalyst Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 1111 Diamond Valley Dr. #102, WS 460-9112 www.catalystbjj.com Age group: 5 years-Adult An academy offering Jiu Jitsu, antibullying and self-defense techniques.

Fee. Category: AT Centennial Children’s Chorus FC, 970-460-6589 www.CCCHome.org Age group: Grades K-8 Dedicated to offering quality music education through choral performance.

Fee. Category: AR Centennial Outdoor Pool 2315 Reservoir Rd., GR, 330-2837 www.greeleyrec.com/aquatics/ Age group: All Fee. Category: AT

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Centennial Village Museums 1475 A St., GR, 350-9220 www.greeleymuseums.com Age group: 6-12 years Experience pioneer life with hands-on activities, games, crafts and more.

Fee. Category: DC Cheley Colorado Camps 3960 Fish Creek Rd., EP 586-4244, www.cheley.com Age group: 9-17 years Hiking, horseback riding, camping, backpacking, rafting, mountain biking, sports, climbing, arts, crafts and more.

Fee. Category: AT, RC Chessmates FC, 658-9976, www.chessmatesfc.com Age group: Grades K-9 Kids have fun, learn and compete through chess.

Fee. Category: CO, DC Children’s Speech and Reading Center 1330 Oakridge Dr., Ste. #10, FC 419-0486, www.csrckids.org Age group: Up to 12 years Quality speech, language and literacy programs. Sliding scale. ASHA certified therapists. Nonprofit.

Fee. Category: AC Children’s Workshop Early Learning Center 2822 Silverplume Dr., FC, 226-5854 635 S. Grant Ave., FC, 221-1818 1900 Remington St., FC, 224-4240 6700 29th St. Rd., GR, 330-2233 1425 Diana Dr., LV, 663-3146 4601 Sunview Dr., LV, 613-9424 www.childrens-workshop.com Age group: 5-12 years Games, arts and crafts, field trips, fun; transportation provided.

Fee. Category: AS, BS Chilson Recreation Center 700 E 4th St., LV, 962-2386 Open swim, lessons, water fitness classes.Age group: All Fitness, sports and aquatics.

Fee. Category: AT Chilson Small Fries Preschool 700 E. 4th St., LV, 962-2467 www.cityofloveland.org Age group: 3-5 years Preschool program that focuses on cognitive, language, physical and social-emotional development.

Fee. Category: AC

Chippers Lanes 555 S. Saint Vrain Ave., EP, 586-8625 830 N. College Ave., FC, 484-4777 217 W. Horsetooth Rd., FC, 226-6327 2454 8th Ave., GR, 353-4275 www.chipperslanes.com Age group: 6-14 years Camps, junior bowling leagues, school fundraisers.

Fee/Free. Category: AT Choice City Christian Camp 2112 E. Harmony Rd., FC, 310-6335 www.choicecitychristiancamp.com Age group: 5-12 years Summer activities day camp with daily field trips. Open 7am-6pm.

Fee. Category: DC City of Fort Collins Junior Golf 221-6650, www.fcgov.com/golf Age group: 5-17 years Instruction for girls and boys.

Fee. Category: AT, DC

City of Fort Collins Recreation Youth Team Sports 241 E. Foothills Pkwy., FC, 221-6308 www.fcgov.com/sports Age group: 6 years and up Basketball, football, wrestling, cross country, volleyball and track.

Fee. Category: AT City of Greeley Junior Golf 2200 Clubhouse Dr., GR, 353-4653 www. golfingreeley.com Age group: 5-15 years Multi-level programs for boys and girls.

Fee. Category: AT City of Loveland Youth Golf 2116 W. 29th St., LV, 663-5310 701 Clubhouse Dr., LV, 667-8308 2115 West 29th St., LV, 667-5256 www.golfloveland.com Age group: 5-8, 8-18 years Fun and easy place to play golf whether you’re a golfer or not.

Fee. Category: AT

City of Loveland Parks & Recreation 700 E. 4th St., LV, 962-2727 www.cityofloveland.org Age group: 6-12 years State-licensed camp, field trips, arts and crafts, swimming, science, drama, indoor and outdoor games.

Fee. Category: AT, DC City of Loveland Youth Sports Camps 700 E. 4th. St., LV, 962-2445 www.cityofloveland.org Age group: 3-18 years Summer youth athletic sports camps.

Fee. AT, DC City Park Pool 1599 City Park Ave., FC, 221-6363 www.fcgov.com/recreation Age group: All Outdoor summer fun with water features, slides and swim lessons.

Fee. Category: AT

Clearview Library District 720 Third St., WS, 686-5603 www.clearviewlibrary.org Age group: All Bookmobile, story times. Serving Windsor, Severance and West Greeley.

Fee. Category: AC Clothes Pony and Dandelion Toys 111 N. College Ave., FC, 224-2866 www.clothespony.com Age group: Toddler-10 years Sing-alongs, storytimes and LEGO club.

Fee. Category: AR, CO Collindale Golf Academy 1441 E. Horsetooth Rd., FC, 223-4653 www.collindalegolfacademy.com Age group: 5-17 years PGA professional supervised junior golf camps, clinics and instruction.

Fee. Category: AT Colorado Cheer Academy 2536 Midpoint Dr., FC, 305-0170 www.coloradocheeracademy.com Age group: 5-18 years Cheer program, athlete performance program, training and conditioning.

Fee. Category: AT

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Colorado Early Learning Epic Explorers Summer Camp 4512 McMurry Ave., FC, 893-2354 www.celpreschool.org Age group: 3-5, 6-10 years Summer camp that includes field trips, splash days and special events.

Fee. Category: DC Colorado Youth Outdoors 4927 E. CR 36, FC, 663-0800 www.coloradoyo.org Age group: Grades 4-11 Camping skills, archery, shooting sports.

Fee. Category: AT, DC Community Life Center 220 North Grant Ave., FC, 449-5191 400 S. Link Lane, FC, 449-5191 415 Mason Ct. #1, FC, 472-060 www.thematthewshouse.org/ community-center Age group: Families After-school programs, adult education, recreation, community resources.

Category: AC, AT, AS

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Community Preschoolers 1003 W. 6th St., LV, 669-4323 www.communitypreschool.org Age group: 2 1/2-5 years Co-op preschool, August-May. Fee. Category: AC Conservancy Dance 813 8th St., GR, 356-7104 www.dancedreamstudios.com Age group: 2 years-Adult Instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and tumbling.

Fee. Category: AR Contemporary Dance Academy 2531 S. Shields St., #2A, FC, 232-9539 www.contemporarydance academy.com Age Group: 2-18 years Ballet, jazz, hip-hop and lyrical.

Fee. Category: AR Cool Beans Playhouse & Cafe 4019 S. Mason St., #5, FC, 266-1135 www.coolbeansfoco.com Age group: Birth-8 years with Adult Indoor play space with treehouse, forest and a cafĂŠ for parents.

Fee. Category: AT

CSU Basketball Camps CSU Campus, FC, 491-6491 www.ramcamps.colostate.edu Age group: Grades K-12 Fee. Category: AT, DC CSU Center for the Arts 1400 Remington St., FC, 491-2787 smtd.colostate.edu/events/ Age group: Children and youth Over 90 music, theatre, dance, visual arts performances and exhibitions.

Fee. Category: AR CSU Early Childhood Center 223 S. Shields St., FC, 491-7082 www.ecc.colostate.edu Age group: 6 weeks-6 years Quality care and educational experiences.

Fee. Category: AC CSU Environmental Learning Center 2400 S. CR 9, FC, 491-1661 www.csuelc.org Age group: Grades K-12 Educational programs, nature center, trails. Camps. Open to public.

Fee. Category: AC, DC

CSU Volleyball Camps CSU campus, FC, 213-1830 ramcamps.colostate.edu/camps/ Age group: Grades 4-8 Beginner to advanced youth players.

CSU coaches and elite staff.

Fee. Category: AT, DC CSU Youth Sport Camps 201-A Moby B Complex, FC, 491-6318 ramcamps.colostate.edu/camps/ Age group: Grades 1-8 A day camp that promotes the benefits of physical activity for youth in the community.

Fee. Category: AT, DC Dance Express FC, 493-2113, www.danceexpressfc.com Age group: 5+ years Modern dance troupe for persons with and without disabilities.

Fee. Category: AR Dance Factory 2956 W. 29th St. #19, GR, 506-9040 www.dancefactorylb.com Age group: 3-18 years Classes in tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, pom.

Fee. Category: AR

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Caring for your children like we would our own!

Debut Theatre Company 827 Riverside Ave., FC, 224-5774 www.debuttheatre.org Age group: 6-17 years Northern Colorado’s only year-round, nonprofit, hands-on youth acting school/performing troupes.

Fee. Category: AR

Edge Sports Center 4450 Denrose Ct., FC, 472-0048 www.edgesportscenter.com Age group: Grades Pre-K-8 Provides indoor turf for youth and adult sports, like soccer, volleyball, baseball and more.

Fee. Category: AT, DC

Diagonal Theatre Co. (Held at Bas Bleu Theatre) 401 Pine St., FC 720-216-3138 www.diagonaltheatre.org Age group: Grades 1-12 Summer theatre camps for kids, including play making, improv, Shakespeare and musical theatre.

Fee. Category: AR, DC

Edora Pool and Ice Center (EPIC) 1801 Riverside Ave., FC, 221-6683 www.fcgov.com/recreation/epic.php Age group: 6 months-Adult Open swimming and ice skating, lessons, teams, Fee. Category: AT

Discovery Bay Waterpark 715 E. 24th St. GR, 353-3538 http://greeleyrec.com/aquatics/ Age group: All Outdoor summer fun with water features and slides.

Fee. Category: AT

Board-Certified

Pediatrician Locally and Independently owned Same-day sick visits Well-child care School & sports physicals

Walk-In Hours: M-F, 8-9am and 4-7:30pm

Conveniently located to Loveland, Johnstown, Greeley, Windsor and Berthoud at the intersection of I-25 and Hwy 34.

970-619-8139 | 4880 Thompson Pkwy | Suite 116 Johnstown

www.trpeds.com

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Discovery Montessori 225 E. Skyway Dr., FC, 223-2445 www.discoverymontessori.hubbli.com Age group: 2 years-Grade 6 Calm classrooms, onsite horsemanship, French, music, computers, art.

Fee. Category: AC, AR, AS, BS Drum Major and Leadership Camp UNC, 501 20th St., GR, 859-351-2987 www.commandthefield.com Age group: 13-19 years Registration deadline: June 1 Learn conducting and leadership skills. For future drum majors.

Fee. Category: AR, RC Eaton Country Club 37661 WCR 39, Eaton, 454-2479 www.eatoncountryclub.com Age group: 5-18 years Weekly play and lessons for ages 9-17. Beginner lessons ages 5-8.

Fee. Category: AT

Educo Leadership Adventures/No Barriers USA 224 Canyon Ave., Ste. 207, FC 484-3633, www.nobarriersusa.org Age group: 10-17 years Adventures that challenge kids to become leaders and gain confidence since 1988.

Fee/Free. Category: AT, RC Epic Climbing Gym at the Estes Park Mountain Shop 2050 Big Thompson Ave., EP, 586-6548 www.estesparkmountainshop.com/ climbing-gym Age category: All 4,500 square feet of indoor climbing for beginners through experts.

Fee. Category: AT Estes Park Aquatic Center 660 Community Drive, EP, 586-2340 www.evrpd.com/aquatic-center/ pool-info Age group: All Open swim, lessons, water fitness classes.

Fee. Category: AT Estes Park Museum 200 Fourth St., EP, 586-6256 www.colorado.gov/pacific/ townofestespark/museum Age group: All Exhibits and programs detailing the area’s history from the Ice Age to today.

Fee. Category: AR Estes Valley Library 335 E. Elkhorn Ave., EP, 586-8116 www.estesvalleylibrary.org Age group: All Vast array of books and other media, special programs, story times.

Fee. Category: AC

Estes Park Violin www.estesparkviolin.com Age group: Youth-Adult Lessons focused on music reading, theory, physical technique and ear training.

Fee. Category: AR Family FunPlex 1501 65th Ave., GR, 350-9401 http://greeleyrec.com/aquatics/Age group: All Indoor waterpark, miniature golf, fitness center, gymnasium, more.

Fee. Category: AT Farm at Lee Martinez Park 600 N. Sherwood St., FC, 221-6665 www.fcgov.com/recreation/the-farmlee-martinez-park Age group: 6+ years Summer and spring break camps.

Fee. Category: DC First United Methodist Church Co-op Preschool 1005 Stover St., FC 482-0343, www.preschoolfumc.org Age group: 2 1/2-4 years Quality, developmentally appropriate preschool program.

Fee. Category: AC Fort Collins Area Swim Team (FAST) FC, 372-2744 www.fortcollinsareaswimteam.org Age group: Grades K-12 Year-round competitive swimming for all abilities.

Fee. Category: AT Fort Collins Baseball Club 211 S. Bryan Ave., FC, 484-3368 www.fortcollinsbaseballclub.org Age groups: 5-24 years Recreational and competitive baseball club for boys and girls.

Fee. Category: AT, CO, DC Fort Collins Children’s Theatre FC, 829-8929 www.fortcollinschildrenstheatre.org Age group: 10-14 Theatre, summer workshop, fall production cast.

Free. Category: AR, DC

Fort Collins Club 1307 E. Prospect Rd., FC, 224-2582 www.fortcollinsclub.net Age group: 6 weeks-5 years, 6-11 years After-school and summer youth day camps—swimming, climbing wall, more.

Fee. Categories: AS, AT, DC Fort Collins Judo Club 2721 S. College Ave., Unit 3, FC 232-8016, www.fcjudo.com Age group: 4-8, 9-13, 14+ years A dojo with the objective to teach traditional and competitive judo.

Fee. Category: AT, CO Fort Collins Museum of Art 201 S. College Ave., FC, 482-2787, www.ftcma.org Age group: 5 years-Adult A museum-based art school for all ages and abilities.

Fee. Category: AR Fort Collins Museum of Discovery 408 Mason Ct., FC, 221-6738 www.fcmod.org Age group: 3 years to Adult Provides hands-on learning for all ages.

Fee. Category: AR

Annie Schubert M.A., CCC-SLP Director

Linda LeBlanc PhD, M.S., CCC-SLP

Grace Lorette M.A., CCC-SLP

Cindy Peak

M.S., CCC-SLP

Language • Articulation • Literacy • Dyslexia (Barton and LiPS programs) Augmentative Communication Devices • Tongue Thrust Social-Pragmatic Skills (Social Thinking) • Social Groups • Stuttering Early Intervention • Autism Spectrum Voice And Vocal Cord/Fold Dysfunction

Call to schedule a free screening

970-495-1150 760 Whalers Way Bldg C, Suite 100

We are providers with most insurances

www.speech-language-voice.com

Fort Collins Preschool 1200 S. Taft Hill Rd., FC, 221-1345 www.fortcollinspreschool.com Age group: 2-5 years Get involved in your child’s education. Structured cooperative classes for ages 2-5.

Fee. Category: AC, DC Fort Collins Pencak Silat 4103 S. Mason St., FC, 817-4266 www.fortcollinssilat.com Age group: 5+ years Kungfu for kids and families. Training benefit for life.

Fee. Category: AT Fort Collins Soccer Club 2721 S. College Ave., Ste. 10, FC, 226-4253, www.soccerfortcollins.org Age group: 4-18 years Recreational and competitive soccer for boys and girls. Age-appropriate camps.

Fee. Category: AT, CO, DC

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Fort Collins Stars Girls Softball Club FC, 672-9797, www.fcstars.org Age group: 6-15 years Competitive girls softball fun. All abilities welcome.

Fee. Category: AT

Girl Scouts of Colorado 877-404-5708 www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org Age group: Grades K-12 Summer camp open to all girls.

Fee. Category: CO, RC

Fort Collins Youth Lacrosse FC, 231-4054, www.fclax.com Age group: K8 Competitive and recreational leagues, camps and clinics for boys.

Fee. Category: AT, CO

Global Village Museum and Learning Center 200 W. Mountain Ave., FC, 221-4600 www.globalvillagemuseum.org Age group: All Collections and activities to promote international understanding.

Fee. Category: AC, AR

Front Range Classical Ballet Academy 2709 Ringneck Dr., FC, 980-8425 www.frcba.com Age group: 3 years-Adult Creative movement through preprofessional ballet.

Russian-based syllabus.

Fee. Category: AR Frontiers of Science Institute UNC, 501 20th St., GR, 351-2976 www.fsiunc.org Age group: Grades 11-12 Six-week summer science immersion program.

Fee. Category: AC, RC

ado’s

N Color

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Garbage Garage Education Center 5887 S. Taft Hill Rd., FC, 498-5775 https://www.larimer.org/solidwaste/ education/edcenter Age group: Grades K-12 Displays and interactive exhibits about reducing, reusing, recycling, landfills, household hazardous waste.

Free. Category: AC Gardens on Spring Creek 2145 S. Centre Ave., FC, 416-2486 www.fcgov.com/gardens Age group: 2+ years Experience nature. Fun events, ongoing programs and camps all with horticulture themes.

Fee/Free. Category: DC Gargot Farms Riding Academy 3833 W. CR 8, Berthoud www.gargotfarms.com Age group: 6-14 years Indoor arena, 50 acres; English, individual, group, camps; equineassisted psychotherapy, sports psychology.

Fee. Category: AT, DC

Golden Girls Baton Academy 534 W. 66th St., LV, 631-4842, www.batonacademy.com Age group: 4-16 years Twirling, dancing, drilling, parades, festivals, shows. Improve coordination, poise, self-esteem, discipline.

Fee. Category: AT Greeley Archers GR, www.greeleyarchers.com Age group: All Encouraging and enjoying the sport of archery.

Fee. Category: AT Greeley-Evans Youth Baseball Softball League 6501 W. 20th St., GR, 339-8286, www.geyl.org Age group: 6-16 years Recreational and competitive baseball and softball league for boys and girls.

Fee. Category: AT, CO Greeley Ice Haus 900 8th Ave., GR, 350-9402 www.greeleyicehaus.com Age group: All Ice skating classes, figure skating instruction, or hockey leagues.

Fee. Category: AT Greeley Museums Several locations throughout Greeley, 970-350-9220 Centennial Village Museum Store, 970-350-9224 Hazel E. Johnson Research Center, 970-336-4187 www.greeleymuseums.com Age group: 6-12 years Hands-on activities for youth.

Fee. Category: DC

SOUTHRIDGE GOLF CLUB FORT COLLINS, CO

JUNIOR CLINICS START AT

65

$

ASK ABOUT OUR ADULT CLINICS TOO! FOR DETAILED INFORMATION:

970-416-2828

WWW.GOLFSOUTHRIDGE.COM

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Today is the perfect day to begin your child’s musical journey at Foundation Music School!

3663 South College Unit 13, Fort Collins

970.407.9084

Call us today!

• Family Music classes • Zumbini • Music Camps • Instrument-Prep Classes for ages 3 1/2 - 6 • Music Therapy • Group and Private Instrument lessons

Visit our website for our full schedule of classes and camps:

www.foundationmusicschool.org

Greeley Recreation Center Pool 651 10th Ave., GR, 350-9400 http://greeleyrec.com/aquatics/Age group: All Open swim, lessons, water fitness classes.

Fee. Category: AT, DC Greeley Youth Sports UNC, West Campus Fields, GR 350-9401, greeleyrec.com/sports/ youth-sports Age group: 8-14 years Fee. Category: AT, DC GRIT Athletics Livermore, 219-6214 www.gritathletics.com Age group: 5-18 years Wrestling, track and field.

Fee. Category: AT Hands On Music Academy 2856 Sitting Bull Way, FC, 207-9111 www.facebook.com/pages/ Hands-On-Music-AcademyLLC/162392463778765 Age group: 4+ years Explore piano, guitar, voice, drums, bass composing, recording, team bands, Bach-Rock.

Fee. Category: AR Har Shalom Preschool & Kindergarten 725 W. Drake Rd., FC, 232-9668 www.congregationharshalom.org/ preschool Age group: 3-6 years A Jewish, Montessori-inspired preschool and kindergarten. All are welcome.

Fee. Category: AC Harrington Arts Alliance 575 N. Denver Ave., LV, 568-8370 www.harringtonartsalliance.org Age group: All Creative expression for all.

Acting, singing, dancing, drawing, songwriting, main stage productions.

Fee. Category: AR, DC Haunted Game Cafe 3307 S. College Ave., FC, 402-2466 www.hauntedgamecafe.com Age group: 10+ years Family board game fun. Open games.

Free. Category: AC

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Havoc Girls Lacrosse Northern Colorado FC, 366-9304, www.havoclax.org/ Age group: Grades 1-8 Year-round seasons and clinics Fee. Category: AT, CO Healthy Kids Club, University of Colorado Health 1024 S. Lemay Ave., FC, 495-7511 www.uchealth.org Age group: Grades Pre-K-8 Health and safety education, afterschool programs and special events.

Fee. Category: AS, AT Hearts & Horses 163 N. CR 29, LV, 663-4200 www.heartsandhorses.org Age group: 2+ years Therapeutic riding program for children with physical, cognitive or emotional challenges.

Fee. Category: AT, DC Hearts in Hand Child Development Center 2464 Marquette St., FC, 223-1245 www.heartsinhandschool.com Age group: 5-12 years Preschool, private kindergarten; summer camp.

Fee. Category: AC, BS, AS, DC Heritage Christian Academy 2506 Zurich Dr., FC, 494-1022 www.heritagechristian.info Age group: Grades Pre-K-12 Heritage Summer Learning Studio offers learning opportunities in a Christian-centered environment.

Fee. Category: AC Highland Meadows Golf Course 6300 Highland Meadows Pkwy., WS 204-4653 www.highlandmeadowsgolfcourse.com Age group: 7-17 years Junior golf programs for beginner and intermediate golfers.

Fee. Category: AT, DC Highland Meadows Tennis Center 6755 Crystal Downs Dr., WS 217-9291 www.highlandmeadowstenniscenter.com Age group: 5-18 years Quick start to junior competitive programs. Semi-private and group lessons.

Fee. Category: AT

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Highland Park Lanes 1900 59th Ave., GR, 330-2695 www.highlandparklanes.com Age group: 4-18 years Winter junior bowling league.

Fee. Category: AT High Plains Library District 2650 W. 29th St., GR Centennial Park Branch Library 2227 223rd Ave., GR Farr Regional Library 1939 61st Ave., GR Lincoln Park Branch Library 1012 11th St., Ste. B, GR Riverside Library 3700 Golden St., Evans 888-861-7323, www.mylibrary.us Age group: All A community of libraries offering programs and materials for all ages.

Fee. Category: AC Hope Farms 1601 N. Shields St., FC www.HopeFarmsFC.com Age group: 7-12 years Day camp includes horse riding, animal care, gardening, crafts, supervised cooking classes, more.

Fee. Category: DC i9 Sports 1437 N. Denver Ave., LV. 422-1127, www.i9sports.com Age group: 3-12 years Fun, safe, convenient youth sports leagues for spring, summer and fall.

Fee. Category: AT iD Tech Summer Camps CSU and more. 888-709-8324 www.idtech.com/ Age group: 7-18 years Coding, game development, robotics, and design for kids and teens.

Fee. Category: AC, RC ideas happen here 200 Mathews St., FC, 227-3356 www.ideashappenhere.com Age group: 5-10 years Art classesand parties for children.

Fee. Category: AR, DC Impact Dance Company 1031 Conifer St., FC, 231-0844 www.impactdancecompany.com Age group: 11-15 years Full-time age-appropriate activities for 11- to 15-year-olds.

Fee. Category: AR

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Inspiration Riding Academy FC, Pierce, 402-2536 www.inspirationridingacademy.com Age group: 3 years-Adult Teaching hunter jumper lessons. Pony club. Lesson horses available.

Fee. Category: AT, DC International Black Belt Academy 1833 E. Harmony Rd., FC, #5 204-9977 3091 W. 29th St., GR, 330-5425 www.internationalblackbelt academy.com Age group: 4+ years Martial art and karate classes for kids and families.

Fee. Category: AT JasCo Music www.jascoguitar.com Age group: 10+ years Guitar instruction emphasizing solid technique and understanding music theory.

Fee. Category: AR Jumpin’ 6055 Sky Pond Dr., Ste. P100, LV 776-9756, www.jumpinfun.com Age group: 1-10 years A kids inflatable play place.

Fee. Category: AT Kaizen International Black Belt Academy 1833 E. Harmony Rd. #5, FC 204-9977, www.KaizenIBBA.com Age group: 5-8 & 9-14 years Summer camps.

Fee. Category: AT, DC Karate West, Inc. 3725 S. Mason St., FC, 223-5566 www.karatewestinc.com Age group: 4+ years-Adult Martial Arts programs for peewees, kids, teens and adults.

Fee. Category: AT Kent Mountain Adventure Center 170 Elm Rd., EP, 586-5990 www.kmaconline.com Age group: 9-17 years Rock climbing camps, wilderness courses, mountain biking, canyoneering, school groups, families.

Fee. Category: AT, RC

SUMMER YOUTH GOLF at the Loveland Golf Courses

Register your youth for a summer of fun & learning

At Mariana Butte

Prepare for competition with Mariana Butte Masters’ Program Contact: Winston Howe, PGA 970-667-8308 701 N. Clubhouse Dr., Loveland

At Cattail Creek

• Beginners enjoy instant success with S.N.A.G. Intro to Golf Lessons • Summer Junior Golf programs for beginners, intermediates & advanced Contact: Jim Dargis, PGA 970-663-5310 2116 W. 29th, Loveland

At The Olde Course at Loveland Northern Colorado’s only LPGA-USGA girls golf program Contact: Kim Stiner, LPGA www.4girlsgolf.com 2115 W. 29th, Loveland

Summer programs include instruction and on-course play days.

Prices vary. Visit www.golfloveland.com for more information.

A family that golfs together has a total blast!

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Kids Night Out Loveland Chilson Recreation Center, 700 E. 4th St., LV, 308-0439 www.kidsniteout.org Age group: 7-14 years Supervised Saturday night fun with live DJ, gym, contests, more.

Fee. Category: AT KinderCare Learning Centers FC, LV, GR, 888-525-2780 www.kindercare.com Age group: Infant-12 years Before- and after-school, and enrichment programs.

Fee. Category: AC, AS, BS Lake Loveland Swim Beach 2626 N. Taft Ave., LV, 962-2727 Age group: All Open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Fee. Category: AT Larimer Humane Society 3501 E 71st Street, LV 226-3647, www.larimerhumane.org Age group: 8-13 years Critter Camp: 5-days to teach children about responsible care and treatment of animals.

Fee. Category: DC Laughing Buck Farm 3724 N. CR 13, FC www.laughingbuckfarm.com Age group: 3+ years Year-round Farm School for all ages.

Fee. Category: AC, DC Leadership Enrichment Program UNC, 501 20th St., GR, 351-2683 www.unco.edu/sep Age group: Grades 11 & 12 Registration deadline: March 3 For high-ability learners looking to be challenged.

Fee. Category: AC, RC The Learning Experience 4775 Boardwalk Dr., FC, 223-3377 www.thelearningexperience.com Age group: Infant-10 years Academy of early education, quality childcare, premier preschool, kindergarten enrichment.

Fee. Category: AC, DC

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The Learning House 3533 Riva Ridge Dr., FC, 266-0844 www.thelearninghouse.org Age group: 4-8 years Four-day science camps filled with experiments, exploring and enthusiasm.

Fee. Category. AC, DC Learning Rx 1100 Haxton Dr., Ste. 105, FC 672-2030 www.learningrx.com/fort-collins Age group: All Make learning quicker, easier and more fun by training your brain.

Fee. Category: AC Lewis Tennis School 2201 S. Shields St., FC, 493-7000 www.Lewistennis.com Age group: 3+ years Professionally run instruction, tournaments, leagues.

Fee. Category: AT Life Center 1511 East 11th St., LV, 667-4939 375 Meadowlark Drive, Berthoud 532-0161 www.honservice.org/life-center Age group: Families Education, activities, recreation and resources for the whole family.

Category: AC, AT, AS Lifetree Day Camps 1515 Cascade Ave., LV 669-3836, www.group.com/ daycamps Age group: 6-11 years Fun, faith, friends! Full-day camp with option of early and extended days.

Fee. Category: DC Lighthouse Dance 217 E. 4th St., LV, 667-2060 www.lighthousedance.com Age group: 18 months-Adult High-quality dance training in an atmosphere of joy and encouragement.

Fee. Category: AT Lincoln Center 417 W. Magnolia St., FC, 221-6735 www.lctix.com Age group: All ages Live family-friendly performances to introduce children to arts and culture.

Fee. Category: AR

Little Bears Child Care 1247 Riverside Ave., FC, 472-1984 2251 Hampshire Rd., FC, 484-3932 www.littlebearschildcare.com Age group: 6 weeks-8 years Core knowledge emphasis, Spanish and sign language included.

Fee. Category: AC, AS, BS

Loveland Preschool 2500 N,. Garfield Ave., LV 412-2320, www.lovelandpreschool.org Age group: 2-5 years Parents and teachers cooperate to provide a developmentally appropriate learning environment.

Fee. Category: AC

Lobos Football Technique Camp c/o Rocky Mountain High School 1300 W. Swallow, FC, 488-7016 Age group: 7-14 years Non-contact football technique led by Rocky Mountain Football program.

Fee. Category: AT, DC

Loveland Public Library 300 N. Adams, LV, 962-2665 www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org Age group: All Programs, story times.

Fee. Category: AC

Lone Pine Classical School www.lonepineclassical.com Age group: Grades 3-12 Latin and Greek classes for homeschoolers.

Fee/Free. Category: AC Loveland Academy of Music 1355 N. Cleveland Ave., LV, 581-3553 www.lovelandacademyofmusic.com Age group: 5 years-Adult Piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, drum and bass lessons—fun for all.

Fee. Category: AR Loveland Dance Academy 440 N. Lincoln Ave., LV, 667-2091 www.dancedreamstudios.com Age group: 2 years-Adult Instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and tumbling, building confidence.

Fee. Category: AR Loveland Laser Tag Fun Center 401 Denver Ave., LV, 663-9999 www.laserfuncenter.com Age group: 7+ years Laser tag, laser maze, ropes course, climbing wall, parties, group events.

Fee. Category: AT Loveland Museum/Gallery 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV, 962-2410 www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org Age group: 3+ years Art classes and camps for tots, youth, teens and adults.

Fee. Category: AR, AS, DC

Loveland Sports and Academic Day Camp 1669 Eagle Dr., LV, 980-1994 www.lovelandsportscamp.com Age group: 6-12 years Fun, safe place for children with reading, math, sports and activities.

Fee. Category: AC, AT, DC Loveland Swim Club LV, 203-1374 www.lovelandswimclub.com Age group: 4 years-College Learn-to-swim and competitive swimming programs for athletes ages 4 through college.

Fee. Category: AT Loveland Youth Gardeners 907 S. Lincoln Ave., LV, 669-7182 www.lovelandyouthgardeners.org Age group: 5-21 years Cultivates skills, stewardship in young people through sustainable gardening and healthy living practices.

Fee. Category: AS, CO Magnolia Music Studio 4019 Mason St., Unit 2, FC 303-931-0130, www.magnoliamusicstudio.com Age group: Youth-Adult Harp, voice, piano.

Fee. Category: AR

Grades: Pre-K to 11th Visit Our Website for an updated Schedule and Registration Information

Limited space for “late registration” with additional fee after March 31.

Northern Colorado’s Favorite Parenting Magazine.

Pick up your FREE copy today!

Main Street Music Academy 674-0052 www.mainstreetmusicacademy.com Age group: Varies Molding musicians since 1988.

Private lessons and summer camps.

Fee. Category: AR

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Mathnasium 2733 Council Tree Ave. #107, FC 221-1432 www.mathnasium.com/fortcollins Age group: Grades 2-12 Math tutoring.

Fee. Category: AC McTeggart Irish Dancers 1532 E. Mulberry Street, Unit B, FC 663-0282, www.mcteggart.com Age group: Varies Boys and girls perform year round.

Fee. Category: AT Mighty Kicks Northern Colorado, 970-682-4898 www.MightyKicksNorthernCO.net Age group: 3-8 years Introductory soccer program focusing on the development of each child using an age-specific curriculum.

Fee. Category: AT Miramont by Genesis Health Clubs 901 Oakridge Dr., FC, 282-1000 1800 Heath Pkwy., FC, 221-5000 2211 S. College Ave., FC, 225-2233 3755 Precision Dr., Ste., 100, LV 744-5005 www.genesishealthclubs.com Age group: 5-18 years Safe, fun and active after-school programs, day camp, no-school day camp, swim lessons, more.

Fee. Category: AS, DC Moore Martial Arts 514 Main St, WS, 686-1247 www.mooremartialarts.com Age group: 4 years-Adult Teaching true self-defense with a combination of Anshinkai-do Karate and Kosho Ryu Kempo.

Fee. Category: AT Mountain Kids 419 E. Stuart St., FC, 482-3118 www.mountain-kids.com Age group: 5-18 years Gymnastics, dance, swimming, preschool, summer day camp, afterschool transportation and care.

Fee. Category: AC, AR, AS, AT, DC Mountain Sage Community School 2310 E. Prospect Rd., FC, 568-5456 www.mountainsage.org Age group: Grades K-8 A K-8 charter school inspired by Waldorf education and sustainable living.

Fee. Category: AC

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Mulberry Pool 424 W. Mulberry St., FC, 221-6657 www.fcgov.com/recreation Age group: All Open swimming, lessons, teams.

Fee. Category: AT Music Workshops & Camps at CSU Colorado State University, FC 491-1584, music.colostate.edu/ workshops-camps/ Age group: Grades 7-12 Camps for band, orchestra, vocal, percussion with world-class instruction.

Fee. Category: AR My Heroes 735 S. Overland Tr., FC 678-984-7774 www.myheroestherapy.com Age group: Grades K-12 Hippotherapy services for specialneeds riders.

Fee. Category: AT New World Sports 119 E. Mountain St., FC 416-6803 www.newworldsportsllc.com Age group: 8-18 years old Guided biking, hiking and rafting tours. Outdoor sports gear and rentals.

Fee. Category: AT NoCo Ice Center 7900 S. CR 5, WS, 206-4423 www.ncyh.org Age group: 4 years-Adult Hockey and skating for youth and adult. Serving FC, GR, LV, WS Fee. Category: AT NoCo Theatrix - Children’s Theater 1296 Main St. #D, WS, 407-970-7504 www.nocotheatrix.com Age group: 5-13 years Musical theater programs year round.

Singing, dancing, acting. Camps, workshops, more!

Fee. Category: AR, AS, DC NORCO Volleyball Club 7395 Greendale Rd., WS 667-5005, www.norcovolleyball.com Age group: 6-14 years Private lessons, camps, clinics, leagues.

Fee. Category: AT, DC

Northern Colorado Orcas WS, 282-5150, www.orcassynchro.org Age group: 7-17 years Synchronized swimming is for anyone who likes music, dance, and swimming.

Fee. Category: AT Northern Colorado Rush 4681 W. 20th St., #203, GR, 351-6255 www.northerncoloradosoccer.org Age group: 3-18 years Promotes passion for soccer that is fun and positive.

Fee. Category: AT Northern Colorado Wrestling Camps UNC, Butler Hancock Ctr., GR, 3512090, www. northerncoloradowrestlingcamps.com Age group: 8-18 years Multiple camps for advanced and beginning wrestlers looking to gain valuable skills and techniques.

Fee. Category: AT, RC Northern Colorado Youth Hockey 7900 S. CR 5, WS, 206-4423, www.ncyh.org Age group: 5-18 years Competitive and rec teams with clinics and summer programs.

Fee. Category: AT Northside Aztlan Community Center 112 E. Willow St., FC, 221-6256 www.fcgov.com/recreation Age group: 2+ years Classes, programs, sports, camps.

Fee. Category: Category: AC, AT, DC OMS Colorado Olympic Taekwondo 2981 N. Garfield Ave., LV. 461-0444, www.omscolorado.com Age group: 4-Adult Olympic taekwondo, self-defense classes, workshops, private lessons, camps, parties.

Category: AT Opera Fort Collins FC, 482-0220 www.operafortcollins.org Age group: Grades 1-3, 4-8 Students learn elements of opera culminating in a musical performance.

Fee. Category: AR

Partners Mentoring Youth EP, 577-9348 530 S. College Ave., Unit 1, FC, 4847123 710 11th Ave., GR, 378-6501 www.partnersmentoringyouth.org Age group: 7-17 years One-to-one mentoring relationship between adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal, social and/or academic lives.

Fee. Category: CO Piano & Guitar Institute 2925 S. College Ave., #8, FC, 206-4930 2105 Maple Dr., LV, 631-5916 1296 Main St. Unit C, WS, 686-9660 www.PianoInstituteLLC.com Age group: Toddler-Adult Students will be exposed to a variety of musical genres.

Fee. Category: AR, DC Piano Center of the Rockies 2721 S. College Ave., #5A, FC, 2829171 www.pianocenteroftherockies.com Age group: All Specializing in piano classes for kids, teens, adults and retirees.

Fee. Category: AR Play-Well TEKnologies 720-515-7309, www.play-well.org Age group: 5-12 years Week-long LEGO engineering summer camps June 4-Aug. 17.

Fee. Category: DC Poudre River Public Library District Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., Ste. 200, FC Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC 221-6740, www.poudrelibraries.org Age group: All Programs to encourage literacy, curiosity and imagination.

Fee. Category: AC Premier Gymnastics of the Rockies 1410 E. 11th St., LV, 663-3173 www.premiergymnastics.net Age group: 18 months-18 years Gymnastics, cheer and tumbling classes. Private lessons, open gym.

Summer camps.

Fee. Category: AT, DC

PSD Early Childhood Program Fullana Learning Center 220 N. Grant Ave., FC, 490-3204 www.psdschools.org/department/ early-childhood Age group: 3-5 years Early Head Start, early childhood, preschool programs.

Fee. Category: AC Raintree Athletic Club 2555 S. Shields St., FC, 490-1300 www.raintreeathleticclub.com Age group: 4-17 years Youth dance, yoga, weight lifting, basketball, swimming.

Fee. Category: AT The Reading Clinic 800 N. Garfield Ave., LV, 667-3190 www.lovelandreadingclinic.com Age group: 5 years-Adult Individualized instruction in reading, writing, study skills and math.

Fee. Category: AC Redeemer Lutheran Early Childhood Center 7755 Greenstone Trail, FC, 206-0381 Age group: 2 1/2-6 years www.redeemerconnect.com Half-day programs.

Fee. Category: AC Ripple Effect Martial Arts 2948 Council Tree Ave., #137, FC 282-3714 www.rippleeffectmartialarts.com Age group: 3+ years High-energy summer and year-round martial arts program.

Fee. Category: AT Rivendell School 1800 E. Prospect Rd., FC, 493-9052 www.rivendell-school.org Age group: Grades Pre-K-5 Summer day camp sessions. Fun learning, hands-on activities, play.

Fee. Category: AC, AS, DC RJ’s Amazing Entertainment FC, GR, LV, WS, 377-0093 www.kidsfunpartyideas.com Age group: 2+ years Parties, airbrush tattoos, face painting, balloon animals, more.

Fee. Category: AR

Rocky Mountain Archery 4518 Innovation Dr., FC, 226-5900 www.rockymountainarcheryfc.com Age group: 6+ years Indoor archery range offering equipment and lessons for all skill levels.

Fee. Category: AT Rocky Mountain Fever Basketball Club 3307 S. College Ave., #200-1, FC 631-9310, www.RMFever.com Age group: Grades 3-11 Club basketball for boys and girls.

Fee. Category: AT Rocky Ridge Music Center 465 Longs Peak Rd., EP, 586-4031 www.rockyridge.org Age group: 10-22 years Classes, lessons and music camps for all ages.

Fee. Category: AR, RC RollerLand Skate Center 324 S. Link Lane, FC, 482-0497 www.rollerlandskatecenter.com Age group: Grades K-12 School fundraisers, birthday and private parties, school-break skates, live music!

Fee. Category: AT Roo Jumps Inflatable Party Rentals Northern Colorado, 616-4291 www.roojumps.com Age group: All Interactive and inflatable play areas for events.

Fee. Category: AT Safe Routes to School 281 N. College Ave., FC, 416-2357 www.fcgov.com/saferoutes Age group: Grades K-8 Kids and parents walking and biking to school for good grades and good health.

Fee. Category: AT Science Toy Magic www.sciencetoymagic.com Age group: 6+ years Active, engaging presentations, aided by the use of science toys.

Fee. Category: AC Seraphim MMA 804 E. Eisenhower Blvd., LV, 292-8016 www.seraphimmma.com Age group: 8-16 years Youth and teen MMA. Six-week camp.

Boost confidence. Make new friends.

Fee. Category: AT

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Sera Schools Music Programs FC, 343-0819, www.seraschools.com Age group: Pre-K-Adult Private, semi-private, and group instruction on piano, guitar, violin, and voice.

Fee. Category: AR Shadowcliff Critters, Creeks, and Crows 100 Summerland Park Rd., Grand Lake 970-627-9220, www.shadowcliff.org Age group: 6+ years Learn about the laws of nature as a family, relax, enjoy.

Fee. Category: RC Snow Valley Basketball Camp UNC Butler Hancock Gym, GR, 720-470-4282 www.SnowValleyColorado.com Age group: Grades 6-12 Individual skills camps for improving basketball skills while having fun.

Fee. Category: AT, RC Soggy Noodle Estes Park Children’s Theatre EP, 586-9125 Age group: 9+ years Co-op theatre company where parents contribute their time and talents.

Fee. Category: AR Southridge Junior Golf Academy 5750 S. Lemay Ave., FC 416-2828, www.golfsouthridge.com Age group: 5-16 years Beginner and intermediate golf classes.

Fee. Category: AT Speech & Language Stimulation 760 Whalers Way Building C Suite 100, FC, 495-1150, www.speech-language-voice.com Age group: All Specializing in language programs, articulation, literacy, social-pragmatic language, vocal-cord issues, more.

Fee. Category: AC Spring Creek School 1900 Remington, FC, 224-4240 www.springcreekschool.com Age group: 12 mos.-Grade 5 Preschool, kindergarten, before- and after-school, summer camps.

Fee. Category: AC, AS, BS, DC

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Sproutin’ Up Summer Camps Held at The Botanique, 5100 E. Hwy. 14, FC 391-2613, www.sproutinup.com Age group: 3-11 years Choose from Junior Farmer one-day experiences or week long day camp options.

Fee. Category: DC Starflower Dance Company 751 Pine Tree Dr., EP, 593-8424 www.facebook.com/ StarflowerDanceCompany Age group: 6 years-Adult Private and group dance and fitness classes for all ages and ability levels.

Fee. Category: AR, AT The Studio 3307 S. College Ave., Unit 6, FC, 223-8155 5613 McWhinney Blvd LV, 669-5155 3307 S. College Ave., FC 223-8155, www.thestudioco.com Age group: 2+ years All-in-one camps, dance intensives, rock-star camps and summer classes.

Fee. Category: AR, DC Studio West Dance Center 216 W. Horsetooth Rd., Ste. B, FC 225-1611, , www.swdcfc.com Age group: 3-17 years Summer dance day camps and workshops.

Fee. Category: AR, DC Summer Enrichment Program UNC 501 20th St., GR, 351-2683 www.unco.edu/sep Age group: Grades 5-10 Registration deadline: June 6 Enrichment program for gifted and talented high-ability learners.

Fee. Category: AC, RC The Summit 4455 N. Fairgrounds Ave., WS 663-6363, www.playatthesummit. com Age group: Varies Bowling, laser tag, arcade, more.

Fee. Category: AT Sunshine House FC, GR, LV, 800-551-1561 www.sunshinehouse.com Age group: Infant-School age After-school and summer camp, part-/full-time available.

Fee. Category: AS, DC

Sweetheart Lanes 2320 N. Lincoln Ave., LV, 667-3510 www.sweetheartlanes.net Age group: All Leagues, parties and open bowling.

Fee. Category: AT Sykes Family Martial Arts 5800 S College Ave., FC 267-0490, www.sykeskarate.com Age group: 3 years-Adult Karate, Jiu Jitsu, bullying prevention.

Fee. Category: AT Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch 2939 N. CR 31D, LV, 667-3915 www.sylvandale.com Age group: 6-18 years Old-fashioned family camp, trail rides, hay rides, camp fires.

Fee. Category: DC, RC Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center 424 Pine St., Ste. 100, FC, 493-2628 2109 Maple Dr., LV, 667-7240, www.teaching-tree.org Age group: 6 weeks-5 years Quality childcare/preschool.

Fee. Category: AC, AS, BS TEAM Wellness & Prevention 2900 S. College Ave., FC, 224-9931, www.teamwandp.org Age group: Grades K-12 Promotes healthy lifestyles through the prevention of substance abuse.

Fee. Category: CO Tennis Association of Greeley 708 22nd St., GR, 356-5326 www.facebook.com/pages/ Tennis-Association-ofGreeley/1130857656929763 Age group: Varies Junior tennis programs and tournaments.

Fee. Category: AT Thompson Valley Preschool, Inc. 803 E. 16th St., LV, 667-6552 www.thompsonvalleypreschool.org Age group: 3-6 years Income-based, school readiness preschool program. Building the foundation for a child’s education.

Fee. Category: AC

Timberline Gymnastics 2026 Lowe St., FC, 226-0306 www.timberlinegym.com Age group: 18 months-Adult Recreational gymnastics for physical, social and mental growth.

Fee. Category: AS, AT, DC Tomora Training Center 11000 U.S. Hwy. 34, GR, 381-3499 www.tomoratrainingcenter.com Age group: Youth-Adult Equestrian training, lessons, clinics for all styles and disciplines of riding.

Fee. Category: AT, DC T.R. Paul Academy of Arts & Knowledge 4800 Wheaton Dr., FC, 226-2800, www.tpaak.org Age group: Grades Pre-K-8 Free public Mosaica charter school with a fine arts focus.

Fee. Categories: AC, AS Tran’s Martial Arts 2925 S. College Ave., FC, 493-3838 www.transfortcollins.com Age group: 6 years-Adult Instruction in self-defense, physical and personal fitness.

Fee. Category: AT Tutor Doctor 303-963-9711, www.tutoringnoco.com Age group: School age One-on-one, in-home tutoring.

Fee. Category: AC UNC Baseball Camps UNC Jackson Field, GR, 351-1714 www.bearsbaseballcamps.com Age group: Grades 3-12 Offering several baseball camps.

Fee. Category: AT, DC, RC UNC Bear PAW Camp 351-1890, www.bit.ly/bearPAW Age group: 5-11 years Registration deadline: June 30 Fun week of physical activities, skill development and active games.

Fee. Category: AT, DC UNC Football Camps UNC Butler Hancock Fields, GR, 351-1875 www.camps.jumpforward.com/ EarnestCollinsJrFootballCamps Age group: Grades 1-12 Multiple day/overnight camps designed to develop football skills.

Fee. Category: AT, DC, RC

UNC Jazz Camp UNC, 501 20th St., GR, 351-2394 www.arts.unco.edu/music/jazz-camp Age group: Middle school-College Registration deadline: June 15 Jazz skills and theory camp offers students the opportunity to work with nationally respected musicians.

Fee. Category: AR, RC UNC Men’s Basketball Team Camp UNC Butler Hancock Gym, GR, 351-2983 www.unco.edu/events/conferences/ sports.aspx Age group: Grades 9-12 Registration deadline: June 1 Freshman, JV and varsity teams.

Seven game guarantee.

Fee. Category: AT, RC UNC Swim Camps UNC Butler-Hancock Swimming Pool, GR 800-645-3226, www.uncbears. com/sports/2014/10/13/ GEN_1013143153.aspx Age group: 9-18 years Fee. Category: AT, DC, RC UNC Volleyball Camps UNC Campus, GR, 351-1719 www.uncvolleyballcamps.com Age group: Grades 3-12 Open to boys and girls.

Fee. Category: AT, DC, RC UNC Women’s Basketball Camps UNC Butler Hancock Gym GR, 351-1713,www.kamieethridge basketballcamps.com Age group: 5-8, 9-17 years Offering several camps in June.

Fee. Category: AT, DC, RC United Soccer Club 1217 W. Eisenhower Blvd., LV 461-9358, www.thompsonsoccer.org Age group: Grades 3-12 Competitive and rec programs in spring and fall.

Fee. Category: AT, DC Up In Lights Productions LV, 292-8682 www.upinlights.org Age group: 6-18 years Musical theatre training summer camps, singing, dancing, acting, final performance.

Fee. AR, AS, DC

VanCo School of Art 254 Linden St. in Downtown Artery building, FC, 430-5113 www.vancoschool.blogspot.com Age group: 5 years-Adult Offers classical training for artists with a passion to learn and create.

Fee. Category: AR, DC Village Green Pool 1831 Valley Forge Ave., FC, 493-2099, www.vgpool.com Age group: Birth-18 years Swimming, diving, wading pool, swim teams, swim lessons, tennis. Friendly neighborhood community.

Fee. Category: AT Village Green Synchronized Swimming Team 1831 Valley Forge Ave., FC, 493-2099, www.vgsynchro.com Age group: 6-18 years Fun, teamwork, exercise for girls in a safe, supportive environment.

Fee. Category: AT Vortex Swim Club 481-6640, www.Teamvortex.org Age group: 5-18 years Developmental and competitive program for beginning and advanced swimmers. Fun environment.

Fee. Category: AT Wee Love Preschool 3800 W. 20th St., GR, 339-3305 www.weelovepreschool.org Age group: 3-5 years Premier, nonprofit, parent-cooperative school providing an academically focused program.

Fee. Category: AC Windmill Child Enrichment Center 1215 Automation Dr., WS 674-0004, www.windmillcec.com Age group: 6 weeks-5 years Fun, safe summer camp for schoolage children.

Fee. Category: AC, AS, BS, DC Windsor Gymnastics Academy 687 Academy Ct., WS, 686-6175 www.windsorgymnasticsacademy.com Age group: 18 months-12 years Competitive and rec teams. Summer day camp, fun activities.

Fee. Category: AT, DC

Windsor Lacrosse 7025 Eastman Park Dr., WS 576-9694, www.windsorcolax.com Age group: Grades 1-8 Basic lacrosse skills and skill development for boys.

Fee. Category: AT, DC Windsor Parks & Recreation 250 N. 11th St., WS 674-3500, www.windsorgov.com Age group: All Programs and activities for families.

Fee. Category: AT Windsor Wrestling Club Windsor Middle School, 1100 Main St., WS, 539-3069 www.windsoryouthwrestling.com Age group: 6-15 years Fee. Category: AT

Young Child Summer Enrichment Program UNC 501 20th St., GR 351-2683, www.unco.edu/sep Age group: 4-9 years Registration deadline: June 15 Enrichment program for children who demonstrate unique talents and abilities.

Fee. Category: AC, DC Young People’s Learning Centers FC, 482-1212 www.youngpeopleslc.com Age group: 5-15 years Fun child and teen camps.

Fee. Category: AS, BS, DC

Winona Outdoor Pool 1615 SE 4th St., LV, 962-2435 www.cityofloveland.org Age group: All Fee. Category: AT

Youth Enrichment League 970-688-4151 www. colorado. youthenrichmentleague.com Age Group: Grades K-12 Youth enrichment classes and summer camps. Fencing, Legos (STEM), chess, sports, more.

Fee. Category: AS, BS, DC

YMCA of the Rockies 2515 Tunnel Rd., EP 586-3344, www.ymcarockies.org Age group: All For youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Fee. Category: DC, RC

Youth Orchestra of the Rockies FC, 310-7998 www.cochamberorchestra.org Age group: 7-18 years Challenges young musicians to strive for excellence.

Fee. Category: AR, AS, BS

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List of Advertisers P R O G R A M A N D A C T I V I T Y G U I D E 2 0 1 8

6 Academy of Natural Healing 15 Adventure Child Development Center 21 Air Force Sports Camps 11 Camp Timberline 5 Canyon Concert Ballet 23 Celebrate It Vacations 19 Chippers Lanes 2 Choice City Christian Camp 3 City of Fort Collins Gardens on Spring Creek 31 City of Loveland Golf 19 Collindale Golf Academy 8 Colorado Storm Soccer 28 Connections 3 CSU Center for the Arts 19 CSU Soccer Camps 40 CSU Youth Sport Camps 4 Dayspring Christian Academy 7 Debut Theater Company 33 Fort Collins Baseball Club

26 Fort Collins Judo Club 4 Fort Collins Museum of Discovery 7 Fort Collins Soccer Club 40 Fort Fun 28 Foundation Music School 6 Gargot Farms Riding Academy 23 Genesis Health Club 5 Global Village Museum 7 Grit 8 Health District Family Dental Clinic 5 Hiatt Farms Montessori School 8 High Plains Library District 17 Huntington Learning Center 2 Inspiration Riding Academy 3 International Black Belt Academy 8 Kids in Action 22 Larimer Humane Society 2 Life Tree Day Camp

30 Loveland Sports & Academic Day Camp 9 Mountain Kids 4 Opera Fort Collins 20 Pediatric Dentistry of the Rockies 7 Piano & Guitar Institute 2 Play Well Engineering Camps 6 Premier Gymnastics of the Rockies 34 Realities for Children 20 Rocky Mountain Fever Basketball 26 Rollerland Skate Center 27 Southridge Golf Club 25 Speech & Language Stimulation Center 25 Splash Swim School 24 Thompson River Pediatrics 3 Thrive Music Studio 27 UNC Extended Campus

VISIT US ONLINE AT:

RMParent.com

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Now Offering Adult Riding Lessons • Beginner Riders • Returning to the Saddle • Leases and Partial Leases Available

“My experience at Inspiration Riding Academy was magical. It felt great to be back in the saddle and I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher or trusty school-horse: Princess.

Stefanie is a fantastic trainer and communicated in a calm and encouraging way which really brought out the best rider in me. You will feel safe and confident with Stefanie in no time, her years of equestrian experience make her the ideal trainer.”

—Amanda Anderson (with Princess)

Teaching Hunter Jumper lessons to riders of all ages!

Lesson Horses available • Call today to discuss your training goals Stefanie Hoffman, Owner/Instructor

..................

970.402.2536 • inspirationridingacademy.com

WE ARE MOBILE

To Advertise, contact: Greg at 970-689- 6832

1

greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com

2

Scott at 970-980- 9183

scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com

Reach all of northern Colorado via print and digital marketing with Rocky Mountain Publishing.

Read all of our publications on your mobile device.

MARCH 2017 • RMPARENT.COM

SPRING 2017

SERVING NORTHERN COLORADO • FIFTYBETTER.COM

TEE OFF AT A LOCAL DISC GOLF COURSE

ROAD TRIPPING Road tripping —with—

with toddlers

toddlers

2017 GUIDE TO NORTHERN COLORADO BICYCLING CULTURE & EVENTS

Pots and plots— PREPARING YOUR GARDEN

HEALTHY BODY HABITS for kids

Mindfulness and your health

Sample a local craft

Destinations and

wayside breaks

PLUS

THE 2017

of DIRT

THE UGLY SIDE:

CHILD ABUSE IN NOCO

FIND IT IN THE

DIRECTORY

PIT STOPS

Church

WHAT food labels CAN TELL YOU

[BIG BIKE]

Finding your passions

beer

FUN, FUN, FUN

Front Range staycation

THE REGION’S

RiDE BIKE

CALENDAR

Ditch the pavement for dusty dirt trails, fire roads, meandering two tracks, and crunchy gravel roads

BEST

FAMILY CALENDAR!

INSIDE: LIFESTYLE, ACTIVE [AND HEALTH DIRECTORIES] RMPARENT

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GUIDE TO NORTHERN COLORADO BICYCLING CULTURE AND EVENTS

RiDE | 1

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May 29 – August 17 For children entering K- to 8th Grade Through innovative programming and the use of active learning practices focusing on obesity prevention, lifelong fitness, and skill development, the Youth Sport Camps support the educational and public service commission of the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Colorado State University by providing the benefits of physical activity and healthy lifestyles for youth in the community.

970-491-6318 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & EXERCISE SCIENCE 100F Moby B Complex • Fort Collins

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■ Baseball/Softball (grades K-8)— 1-week sessions from 5/30-7/7 ■ Basketball (Grades 4-8)— 1-week sessions from 6/26-8/18 ■ Colorado Adventure Camp (Grades 5-8) – Helps campers to explore outdoor activities and pursuits.

1–week sessions from 5/30-8/11 ■ Field Sports (Grades K-8)—Provides campers a brief “taste” of several different sports. 1-week sessions from 5/30-8/18 ■ Fun LIFE (GradesK-6)—Fitness, nutrition and recreation camp. 1-week sessions from 5/30-8/10 ■ In-line Hockey (Grades 4-8) —1-week sessions from 5/30-6/23 ■ Golf (grades K- 8) 8:00-10:00am only. 1-week sessions from 5/30-8/10 ■ Lacrosse (Grades K-8) — 1-week sessions from 6/5-8/4

■ Music and Movement (Grades K-8) )— Explore the combination of dance, aerobics and non-contact martial arts from 6/5-8/18 ■ Smart Fit Girls (ages 12-14) A girls-only camp focusing on healthy physical, social, and personal development through physical activity. 6/19-6/23 ■ Soccer (Grades K-6)— 1-week sessions from 6/26-8/18 ■ Sport Science (Grades 5-8) - A look into the science of movement and activity. 1-week sessions from 6/12-8/18 ■ Super Sports Camp (Grades K-7)—A combination of sports, swimming lessons and other enrichment activities. 2-week sessions from 5/30-8/18 ■ Tennis (Grades K-8)—8:00-10:00am only. 1-week sessions from 6/5-8/18 ■ Volleyball (Grades 4-8)—1-week sessions from 7/10-8/18

Get information and register online at: www.ysc.colostate.edu

GROWING SEASON 2018

Local Food and Farm Guide

Backyard chickens

Beyond great produce

CSA’S OFFER EVEN MORE

CONNECTING h CROPS TO CUISINE Restaurants sourcing local food PROGRAMS FOR young farm-hands

YOUR GUIDE TO

FARMERS MARKETS AND FARM STANDS

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All Natural makes all the difference.

WE OFFER

Everything you eat starts with how it is raised and how it gets to you. Know what you and your family are eating.

• Black Angus cattle selected for high marbling genetics, locally farm-raised in large pastures in a low stress environment • NEVER EVER given antibiotics, hormones, or steroids or fed animal by-products • Available by quarter, half, or whole, cut and packaged just the way you want it • Dry-aged 21 days for tender, moist, consistently great flavor.

www.blueskyfarmcolorado.com (970) 222-7147 • Rbluesky8@msn.com • Windsor, CO Please request a cutting instruction sheet to place your order.

LET US SHARE WHOLESOME, NUTRITIOUS, AND SAFE NATURAL BEEF WITH A TASTE YOU CAN TRUST.

Find Your Bounty at the

Boar & Bull

BoarandBull.com • Locally-sourced Animals • 1/2 and 1/4 Cuts Available • Deli & Full Tavern with 11 Local Beers on Tap! • Veteran Owned/Operated

970-599-1090 422 East 4th Street Loveland, CO NO ANTIBIOTICS NO STEROIDS NO HORMONES

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GROWING LOCALLY Learn more about local food and its importance in the community NOCO Food Cluster CSA Fair Saturday, April 7, 10am–2pm Opera Galleria, Fort Collins, www.nocofood.org/csafair

EDUCATION

BEYOND FRESH PRODUCE

CSAs support the communities that support them LEA HANSON

T

he first thing that comes to mind when we think of our local CSAs is weekly, fresh produce. Those familiar with CSAs aren’t surprised to find that many offer foods beyond fruit and vegetables such as eggs, milk, meat, and honey.

Northern Colorado farms continue to grow and we are finding our favorite CSAs are expanding offerings and opportunities for their members that reach into the realms of education, programs for food accessibility, service and volunteering.

ing a part of a team of farmers who do the same is uniquely satisfying.

The Growing Project (www. thegrowingproject.org) believes good food is a human right and aims to spread the knowledge of growing and preserving food to remedy the epidemic of food insecurity in Larimer County.

They offer an array of volunteering opportunities and most volunteer hours are compensated with fresh produce.

SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERING

Food security is a growing concern in Larimer County. And many who qualify to receive food assistance are not enrolled to do so. In 2016, the enrollment rate for federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits was only 40 percent of those eligible. In 2016, 21,798 (40 percent of those eligible) were enrolled in SNAP; in Weld County, 25,090 (53 percent of those

An increasing number of CSAs offer volunteering opportunities and “working memberships.” Even those with limited growing knowledge and experience can contribute to a community farm. For many, being outdoors, working with their hands, and getting dirty is a rare and exciting opportunity. Being a part of growing the food you consume and be4

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FOOD ACCESSIBILITY

Many local CSAs, farms and related organizations offer training and education to community members who are interested in learning everything from the logistical skills of growing food to learning more about food accessibility as an issue of social justice.

The Growing Project offers diverse programs for youth and adults alike including the Young Farmers Training Program, Teens for Food Justice, an Edible and Medicinal Weed Walk, and Foraging, Harvesting, and Processing of Wild Grains.

In addition to offering traditional CSA memberships, Sproutin’ Up (http://www.sproutinup.com) aims to improve the health, wellness, and job-readiness of under-resourced youth and families in northern Colorado by providing access to fresh produce while educating youth on healthy lifestyles and sustainable agricultural practices. The organization offers apprenticeship, entrepreneurship, and intern programs in addition to school gardens and summer camps.

eligible) were enrolled. It is clear that not all of our communities have equitable access to healthy food and there are many CSAs that want to change that.

Studies show that both adults and children in low-income households that participate in cost-offset community supported agriculture consume more fruits and vegetables than members of low-income households who do not have access to a CSA. The Northern Colorado Food Cluster (nocofood.org) hosts a CSA Fair with eight participating farms to provide those accessing SNAP benefits an opportunity to not only connect with farms who accept SNAP as payment, but also receive 50 percent of a CSA share matched (up to $200) so those with tighter incomes can stretch their dollars further.

Our Chefs are our CSAs

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Local Producers BEEF

DAIRY

EGGS

FISH

FLOWERS & HERBS

HONEY

MUSHROOMS

MUTTON

PORK

POULTRY

PRODUCE

2 R’s Farm 19361 Hwy. 61, Platteville www.colorado.com/farm-ranchactivities/2-rs-farm, 970-737-2689

Bayberry Fresh Fort Collins www.bayberryfresh.com 719-580-3236

Blue Barrel Farm (CSA) 40907 CR 15, Fort Collins www.bluebarrelfarm.com 970-692-3642

Carrie’s Clucks (CSA) 35484 CR 49, Eaton www.carriesclucks.com 970-213-4902

Amy & Ellen’s Grass Fed Beef 181 Lazy D Ranch Rd., Bellvue www.barncatservices.com/beef 970-881-2147

Bee Squared Apiaries 1617 White Water Ct., Berthoud www.bethsbees.com 970-213-3099

Blue Sky Farm Windsor www.blueskyfarmcolorado.com 970-222-7147

Colorado’s Best Beef 4791 Jay Rd., Boulder www.naturalbeef.com 303-449-8632

Anders Farm 8443 US Hwy. 85, Fort Lupton www.facebook.com/AndersFarm-138514266184151/ 303-857-6321

Beyond the Hive Fort Collins www.beeyondthehive.com 970-405-0709

Blush Flowers on Vine (CSA) 1428 W. Vine Dr., Fort Collins www.blushflowersonvine.com 970-217-8505

Colorado Wise Acres Farm 8695 CR 29 1/2, Fort Lupton www.coloradowiseacresfarm.com 303-808-8504

Big Willy’s Farm 300 42nd St. SW, Loveland www.bigwillysfarm.com 970-581-9468

Buena Vida 8204 S. CR 3, Fort Collins www.buenavidafarm.com 970-305-2182

Copoco’s Honey 2020 N. College Ave., Fort Collins http://copocoshoney.com 970-493-2923

Black Market Farm (CSA) Laramie, WY www.blackmarketfarm.com 307-399-5619

C&R Farms 3620 F Rd., Palisade www.candrfarms.com 970-464-7544

Craig Angus Ranch 6018 N. CR 19, Fort Collins www.craigangusranch.com 970-402-1098

Audubon Rockies Fort Collins www.rockies.audubon.org 970-416-6931 Bartels Farm 3424 E. Douglas Rd. (CR 54) Fort Collins www.thebartelsfarm.com 970-493-3853

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Cresset Farm (CSA) 5621 E. CR 52, Fort Collins www.facebook.com/cressetfarm/ 970-744-2297

Green Dog Farm (CSA) 1807 W. Vine Dr., Fort Collins www.greendogfarmcsa.com 651-341-3130

Croft Family Farm (CSA) 29060 CR 388, Kersey www.croftfamilyfarm.com 970-371-1378

The Growing Project at The Burrow 1502 N. Shields St, Fort Collins www.thegrowingproject.org 970-587-3827

D&H Farms (CSA) 41373 Hwy. 85, Ault www.dhfarms2000.com 970-396-1182 Desiderata Ranch 4617 W. CR 2, Berthoud http://desiderataranch.org/ 303-772-9611 Donoma Farms (CSA) 10018 WCR 110, Carr www.donomafarms.com 303-408-3464 Double Dig Farm (CSA) 8851 US Hwy. 34, Loveland www.facebook.com/doubledigfarm 413-427-8458 Ela Family Farms 30753 L Rd., Hotchkiss www.elafamilyfarms.com 970-872-3488 Ewe Bet Ranch 1850 E. Hwy. 60, Loveland www. ewebetranch.com 970-203-4267 Fair Eliza’s Flowers (CSA) 5389 Hwy. 1, Fort Collins www.fairelizasflowers.com 970-214-8983 Friendly Critters Farm 3915 N. CR 19, Fort Collins www.friendlycrittersfarm.store 407-766-6049 Front Range Apiaries 4130 Hayes Ave., Wellington 970-568-3533 Gaia’s Farm and Gardens (CSA) 4328 W. CR 54G, LaPorte www.gaiascsa.com, 970-817-2186 Garden Sweet (CSA) 719 W. Willox Ln., Fort Collins www.gardensweet.com 970-889-4922 Good Grin Farm 2925 W. Mulberry St., Fort Collins www.goodgrinfarm.com 720-206-7917

h-Beef Platteville, www.h-beef.com 970-381-1429 Harvest Farm (CSA) Wellington, www.harvestfarm.net 970-568-9803 Hazel Dell Mushrooms 3925 Carpenter Rd., Fort Collins www.hazeldellmushrooms.com 970-226-0978 Heritage Lavender, LLC 4809 Foothills Dr., Berthoud www.heritagelavender.com 303-514-6504 High Point Bison, LLC 68810 WCR 111, Pine Bluffs, Wyo. www.highpointbison.com 970-895-3303 Hill’s Harvest 3225 E. 124th Ave., Thornton www.hillsharvest.com 303-451-5637 Hoffman Farms, LLC 33177 Pikes Peak Dr., Greeley www.hopsandpeppers.com 970-978-6765 Homestead Ranch 4701 Skyline Dr, Fort Collins www.allthingsranch.com 970-515-2122, Goats Integrity Farms (CSA) 2880 E. Hwy. 402, Loveland www.facebook.com/IntegrityFarms 970-670-0763 Jodar Farms (CSA) 5100 E. CR 48 , Fort Collins www.jodarfarms.com 970-391-2825 Kiowa Valley Organics Roggen www.kiowavalleyorganics.com 303-419-8305 Laughing Buck Farm 3724 N. CR 13, Fort Collins www.laughingbuckfarm.com LaVida Greens 125 N. Sherwood St., Fort Collins www.facebook.com/LaVidaGreens 970-744-5558

Lazy Bee Ranch 2503 CR 47, Hudson www.lazybeeranchhoney.com Leffler Family Farm & Local Motion CSA, (CSA) 37414 CR 29, Eaton www.lefflerfarms.com 970-689-2355 Liberty Home Grown Produce 703 Aspen Grove Way, Severance www.facebook.com/ libertyhomegrownproduce 970-685-0500 Lindenmeier Farm (CSA) 1409 Lindenmeier Rd., Fort Collins www.facebook.com/LindenmeierFarm-163476930377064/ Living Water Ranch Fort Collins www.livingwaterranchcolorado.com 970-219-8001 Long Shadow Farm (CSA) 101 Bothun Rd., Berthoud www.longshadowfarm.com 970-232-6667 Lukens Farm 9378 CR 78, Fort Collins www.facebook.com/LukensFarms 303-579-2668 Lyons Farmette (CSA) 4121 Ute Hwy., Lyons www.lyonsfarmette.com 303-746-6266 Masonville Orchards Masonville, Stove Prairie, Briggsdale, Ault, Fort Collins www.masonvilleorchard.com 970-231-6399 Mazzotti Farms 2628 WCR 49, Hudson www.mazzottifarms.com 303-536-4089 Meadow Maid Foods (CSA) 1333 Rd. 50, Yoder, Wyo. www.meadowmaidfoods.com 307-534-2289 Miller Farms (CSA) 13912 CR 19, Platteville www.millerfarms.net 970-785-6133 Monroe Organic Farm (CSA) 25525 WCR 48, Kersey www.monroefarm.com 970-284-7941 Morton’s Organic Orchards 3651 E 1/2 Rd., Palisade http://mortonsorchards.com 720-371-1727

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Motherlove Organic Farms 1420 Riverside Ave., Ste. 114 Fort Collins, www.motherlove.com 970-493-2892 Native Hill Farm (CSA) 2100 CR 54G, Laporte www.nativehillfarm.com 970-217-8964 Ole Dern Farm 2719 CR 54G. Fort Collins www.facebook.com/ OleDernFarm/ 970-481-1449 Ollin Farms (CSA) 8627 N. 95th St., Longmont www.ollinfarms.com

On the Vine at Richmond Farms (CSA) 3611 Richmond Dr., Fort Collins www.onthevineatrichmondfarms.com 970-443-4011 Osito Orchard 11550 3100 Rd., Hotchkiss www.ositoorchard.com 970-498-9460 Papa Joe’s Local Honey 4855 W Eisenhower Blvd, #A Loveland www.facebook.com/ PapaJoesLocalHoney/

970-663-2825 Pope Farms Produce & Garden Center 6510 W. 28th Ave., Greeley www.popefarmsproduce.com 970-330-5907 Quatrix Aquaponics LaPorte, www.quatrix.us Raindrop Retreat (CSA) 6410 Placer Ct., Bellvue www.raindropretreat.com 970-493-0799 Raisin’ Roots Farm (CSA) 2229 W. Vine Dr., Fort Collins www.facebook.com/raisinroots 443-863-0677 Raspberry Hill Farm 13350 N. CR 15, Wellington www.raspberryhill.farm 970-568-7424 Red Dog Expressions Fort Collins www.reddogexpressions. wordpress.com Rock Ridge Ranch 8851 W. US Hwy. 34, Loveland 970-663-6624 Rock Soup Ranch (CSA) 2420 E. CR 68, Wellington www.facebook.com/RockSoupRanch

FARM STANDS Anders Farm 8443 US Hwy. 8, Fort Lupton www.facebook.com/AndersFarm-138514266184151/ Bartels Farm

3424 E. Douglas Rd. (CR 54) Fort Collins www.thebartelsfarm.com Carrie’s Clucks 35484 CR 49, Eaton www.carriesclucks.com Desiderata Ranch 4617 CR 2, Berthoud http://desiderataranch.org/ Gaia’s Farm and Gardens 4328 W. CR 54G, Laporte www.gaiascsa.com

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303-345-4321 Sauer Family Beef 6681 CR 50, Johnstown www.sauerfamilybeef.com 970-587-2112

Sunspot Urban Farm (CSA) 1008 Sunset Ave., Fort Collins www.sunspoturbanfarm. squarespace.com 970-556-5942

Scarecrow Gardens 2235 N. 47th Ave., Greeley www.scarecrowgardens.com 970-420-0163

Sylvan Dale Ranch 2939 N. CR 31D, Loveland www.sylvandale.com 970-667-3915

Shire CSA (CSA) 713 E. Prospect Rd., Fort Collins www.shirecsa.com 970-222-2077

Tigges Farm 12404 WCR 64½, Greeley www.tiggesfarm.com 970-576-8970

Sproutin’ Up @ The Botanique (CSA) 5100 E. Hwy. 14, Fort Collins www.sproutinup.com 970-391-2613

Top Notch All Natural Meats www.topnotchmeats.com 970-834-1449

Sunny Daze 901 S. CR 5, Fort Collins www.SunnydazeGardens.com 970-223-7008

Westbridge Farms Fort Collins www.westbridgefarms.com 970-988-0579

Sunray Natural (CSA) 5656 N. Hwy. 1, Fort Collins www.sunraynatural.farm 970-980-9393

WiseAcres Greenhouse 3545 W. O St., Greeley www.facebook.com/WiseAcresGreenhouse-288246033683/ 970-302-8880

Sunrise Ranch (CSA) 100 Sunrise Ranch Rd., Loveland www.sunriseranch.org 970-679-4200

Woolly Goat Farm (CSA) 117 S. Taft Hill Rd., Fort Collins www.woollygoatfarm.com 970-231-9069

Something about being on a farm just feels good. The pace feels relaxed and your interactions, maybe, more genuine. So swing by a farm stand soon and pick up some deliciousness while you’re at it.

Garden Sweet 719 W. Willox Ln., Fort Collins www.gardensweet.com

Hoffman Farms, LLC 3545 W. 0 St., Greeley www.hopsandpeppers.com

Good Grin Farm 2925 W. Mulberry St., Fort Collins www.goodgrinfarm.com

Jodar Farms 5100 E. CR 48, Fort Collins www.jodarfarms.com

Green Dog Farm Fort Collins www.greendogfarmcsa.com

Long Shadow Farm 101 Bothun Rd., Berthoud www.longshadowfarm.com

Happy Heart Farm 2820 W. Elizabeth St., Fort Collins www.happyheartfarmcsa.com

Native Hill Farm 2100 W. CR 54G, Fort Collins www.nativehillfarm.com

Hazel Dell Mushrooms 3925 E. CR 32 (Carpenter Rd.), Fort Collins www.hazeldellmushrooms.com

Ollin Farms 8627 N. 95th St., Longmont www.ollinfarms.com

Heritage Lavender 4809 Foothills Dr., Berthoud www.heritagelavender.com

On the Vine at Richmond Farms 3611 Richmond Dr., Fort Collins www.onthevineatrichmond farms.com

Papa Joe’s Honey

4855 W Eisenhower Blvd, #A Loveland www.facebook.com/ PapaJoesLocalHoney/ Sunny Daze 901 S. CR 5, Fort Collins www.sunnydazegardens.com Tigges Farm 12404 CR 64½, Greeley www.tiggesfarm.com

Farmers

MARKETS

It’s the best day of the week... that day you get to wander around the Farmers Market and check out all the fresh produce.

Or maybe you go for the fresh plants for your garden or the meats and breads and sauces and other locally made products.

Stop by some of these markets.

Berthoud Local Farmers Market Fickel Park in downtown Berthoud Saturdays, 9am-1pm, June 23-Sept. 29 www.berthoudlocal.org/farmers-market/

Downtown Mead Farmers Market Mead Town Park Sundays, 10am-1pm, June-Sept. www.townofmead.org

Johnstown Milliken Farmers Market Saturdays, Downtown Johnstown, Aug. 18Sept.15 www.jmchamber.com

CAMC Fort Collins Farmers Market Harmony Road and Lemay Avenue In front of Ace Hardware Sundays, 11am-3pm, May-mid-Nov. (weather permitting) Wednesdays, 11am-3pm, June-Sept. www.fortcollinsfm.com

Drake Road Farmers Market 802 W. Drake Rd., Fort Collins Saturdays, 10am-1pm, April 21-Oct. www.drakeroadfarmersmarket.com

Larimer County Farmers Market 200 S. Oak St., Fort Collins Saturdays, 8am-12noon, May 19-Oct. 28 www.larimercountyfarmersmarket.org

Erie Farmers Market Briggs Street between Wells and Moffatt, Erie Thursdays, 5-8pm, May 17-Sept. 20 www.realfarmersmarketco.com

Louisville Farmers Market 824 Front St., Louisville Saturdays, 9am-1pm, May 19-Oct. 13 www.realfarmersmarketco.com

Estes Valley Farmers Market Bond Park on E. Elkhorn Ave. Thursdays, 8am-1pm, June 7-Sept. www.facebook.com/EstesValleyFarmersMarket

Wellington Farmers Market Centennial Park, 3815 Harrison Ave. Saturdays, 9:30am-1:30pm, June-Oct. www.wellingtoncofarmersmarket.org

CAMC Loveland Farmers Market 3133 N. Garfield Ave. (Hwy. 287) In front of Hobby Lobby Saturdays, 9am-1pm, June-Sept.

Tuesdays, 11am-3pm, June-Oct. www.fortcollinsfm.com Farmers Market at Fairgrounds Park 700 S. Railroad Ave., Loveland Sundays, 9am-1:30pm, June 24-Sept. 30 www.cityofloveland.org/farmersmarket

Greeley Farmers’ Market The Depot, 902 7th Ave. Saturdays, 8am-12noon, May 19-Oct. 27 www.greeleygov.com/fm

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Backyard chickens

The beginner’s guide to fowling up your life Katie Harris 10

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KnOw yOuR ORdinAnCeS Following the rules keeps everyone clucking happily. Below are the basic guidelines to keep peace in the henhouse.

In Larimer County, ordinances for raising chickens are as follows: (www. larimer.org/planning/animals/chickens):

• A property owner may raise chickens if there is a house or residential use on a property. Keeping chickens for personal use is considered an accessory use.

•A n owner or tenant may keep up to 6 hens.

• Keeping roosters or more than 6 chickens is prohibited in all zone districts except those that allow a farm (zoned FA, FA-1, FO, FO-1, O, E, E-1, RE, RE-1, R, and AP).

N

ot so long ago, urban residents had no choice but to hoof it to the grocery store or stand in line at a cafe to enjoy a hearty breakfast on a Saturday morning, but those days are past! Backyard chickens are spreading like wildfire across the nation, and chances are someone you know has already taken up the hobby. If rumors about the freshest, most delicious eggs you’ve ever tasted have piqued your interest but you’re not sure where to start, we have all the information you need to embark confidently on the path to poultry keeping.

A small flock of five or six birds is plenty for the average family starting out, and will require no more than a regular coop cleaning (which can consist of as little as dumping out the soiled pine shavings from the coop and shoveling in a fresh load), commercial chicken feed, fresh water,

The following requirements apply to keeping chickens:

and some dirt. Savvy chicken owners purchase or build large enough feeders and waterers to cut refills down to once or twice a week, and scour the Internet for used coops or simple plans to build their own.

There are a few options to consider when choosing feed. An 18-percent protein feed in crumble form is recommended for chicks and pullets up to 20 weeks. Opinions vary on whether to use medicated or non-medicated, but experts seem to be shying away from medicated feed in recent years. It’s best to ask whether your chickens were vaccinated as chicks and do a bit of research into medicated feeds before making your choice.

At 20 weeks you should be able to distinguish your pullets, who will begin laying in the next few weeks, from any cockerels in the group by the male’s tell-tale saddle feathers

• The chickens must be provided with a covered, properly ventilated, predatorresistant chicken coop.

• The chickens must have access to an outdoor enclosure that is adequately fenced to protect them from predators.

• The coop and enclosure are limited to a maximum size of 120-square feet.

• The chicken coop and outdoor enclosure shall be regularly cleaned to control dust, odor, and waste and not constitute a nuisance, safety hazard, or health problem to surrounding properties.

In Weld County ordinances vary by city.

City of Greeley ordinances are as follows (City of Greeley code 18.52): • A property owner may raise two chickens per one tenth of an acre, not to exceed 20 chickens per acre in H-A Zones. One chicken per one tenth of an acre, not to exceed 10 chickens per acre, is permitted in all other zones.

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and awkward juvenile crow. If you don’t plan on keeping a rooster, visit www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ what-to-do-with-unwanted-cockerels.63130/ for options. (Contrary to popular belief, hens do NOT need a rooster to lay eggs.) Feed at this stage should contain 16-percent protein, and is available in crumbles or pellets, which can help eliminate waste.

While a feed specifically formulated for chickens should be the primary staple of your flock’s diet, there are a few other food items to consider. The first is grit; a packaged crushed granite which chickens need for digestion. If your flock will have access to dirt and crushed rock on a regular basis you may not need to purchase 12

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commercial grit. Laying hens also need a calcium supplement such as oyster shell, which is available wherever feed is sold, to aid in producing strong egg shells. Finally, treats such as meal worms, scratch grains and household food scraps can be offered in moderation. For a list of chicken-safe foods visit www.blog.mcmurrayhatchery. com/2015/05/25/feeding-your-chickens-tablescraps/ Raising chickens is an ongoing learning experience, and you will certainly want to expand your knowledge and tweak your routine along the way to keep your flock happy and healthy, but knowing the basics will help you get started off on the right foot.

Happy chicken keeping!

Connecting Crops to Cuisine Eating locally doesn’t have to stop when you leave your kitchen. Here’s a select listing of restaurants and food trucks that include locally produced food in their menus: Ace Gillett’s www.acegillets.com, 970-449-4797 239 S. College Ave., Fort Collins Underground bar offering small plates and mains, cocktails and live jazz music.

Austin’s American Grill www.austinsamericangrill.com 100 W. Mountain Ave., FC, 970-224-9691, 2815 E. Harmony Rd., FC, 970-267-6532 American dishes with Southwestern touches, casual with a sidewalk cafe.

Fresh Plate Café & Catering www.freshplatecafeandcatering.com 970-744-3041, 325 Cleveland Ave., LV Actively supports local producers that engage in organic and sustainable agricultural practices.

The Cooking Studio www.facebook.com/ TheCookingStudioFC/, 720-839-2417 123 N. College Ave., FC Cooking school dedicated to engaging with simple and fresh ingredients.

Jay’s Bistro www.jaysbistro.net, 970-482-1876 135 W. Oak St., FC Swanky, American eatery filled with art, seasonal fare and live jazz.

The Emporium Kitchen www.theelizabethcolorado.com 970-490-2600 111 Chestnut St., FC An exceptional restaurant experience highlighting locally sourced, quality ingredients.

The Boar and Bull www.boarandbull.com, 970-800-3694 422 E. 4th St., LV Locally raised meats and tavern.

Jax Fish House www.jaxfortcollins.com 970-682-2275, 123 N. College Ave., FC Fresh, sustainable seafood alongside local produce.

Café Vino www.cafevino.com, 970-212-3399 1200 S. College Ave., FC Wine bar serving tapas, cocktails and craft beers.

Linden Street Café www.lindenstreetcafe.com 970-493-9683, 255 Linden St., FC Fair trade organic beans roasted locally, house-made breakfast and lunch menu.

Chimney Park www.chimneypark.com, 970-686-1477 406 Main St., Windsor Fine dining with menu that reflects seasonality and items produced in NoCo.

Locality Kitchen & Bar www.localityfoco.com, 970-568-8351 2350 E. Harmony Rd., FC A locally owned, farm-to-table restaurant focusing on freshly crafted cuisine.

Choice City Butcher & Deli www.choicecitybutcher.com 970-490-2489, 104 W. Olive St., FC Locally raised meat and poultry.

Mugs Coffee Lounge www.mugscoffeelounge.com 970-472-6847, 306 W. Laurel St., FC 261 S. College Ave., FC Fair trade, organic, home-grown, local coffee and food.

Crooked Cup www.thecrookedcup.com 970-484-7375, 147 W. Oak St. #101, FC Locally roasted coffee, full bakery and breakfast.

Door 222 www.door222.com, 970-541-3020 222 E. 4th St. #100, LV Adventurous tapas, plus wine, beer and cocktails.

Fish Restaurant www.fishmkt.com, 970-599-3817 150 W. Oak St., FC Sustainable seafood dishes and local products. On-site fish market.

FoCo Café www.fococafe.org, 225 Maple St., FC Nonprofit, lunch spot that makes healthy meals accessible to all.

Restaurant 415 www.thefourfifteen.com 970-407-0415, 415 S. Mason St., FC Featuring locally sourced ingredients plus vegan and gluten-free menus.

Simmer www.simmerfc.com 970-893-2837, 2519 S. Shields St., #1F, FC A flavorful fusion of locally sourced produce and meats.

Tasty Harmony www.tastyharmony.com 970-689-3234, 160 W. Oak St., FC Veggie and vegan with a laid-back vibe.

The Colorado Room www.thecoloradoroom.com 970-682-1163, 642 S. College Ave., FC Colorado food, beer and spirits, art more.

The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm www.farmhousefc.com, 970-631-8041 1957 Jessup Dr., FC Casual farmhouse eatery and backyard farm delivering seasonal Colorado fare.

The Gold Leaf www.thegoldleafcollective.com 120 W. Laurel St., FC An exceptional dining experience that showcases northern Colorado’s unique and vastly diverse flavors.

The Waffle Lab www.wafflelab.com, 970-232-9433 130 W. Olive St., Ste. D, FC Gourmet Belgian-style Liège waffles with sweet and savory combinations.

Wapiti Colorado Pub www.thewapitipub.com, 970-635-1985 701 N. Clubhouse Dr., LV Breathtaking views, home-grown food and craft beers and wine.

Welsh Rabbit Bistro www.thewelshrabbit.com/bistro 970-232-9521 Unit B, 200 Walnut St, FC Wine and cheese bistro experience with Old World charm.

FOOD TRUCKS Bear’s Backyard Grill www.bearsbackyard.com Farm Fusion www.farmfusion.org

The Kitchen www.thekitchenbistros.com 970-568-8869, 100 N. College Ave., FC Garden-to-table American meals in an eco-friendly urban space.

Goodness www.thegoodnesstruck.com

The Moothouse www.themoothouse.com 970-226-2121, 2626 S. College Ave., FC Modern English pub, local craft beers.

Ripe Tomatoes Wood Fired Pizza www.ripetomatoeswoodfiredpizza.com

Rainbow Restaurant www.rainbowfoco.com, 970-221-2664 212 W. Laurel St., FC Specializes in traditional, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free fare made with fresh, local ingredients.

Stick It To Ya /stickittoyafoodtruck

Revolution Market www.revolutionmarkets.com 130 W. Olive St., FC Locally sourced groceries, deli, takeand-bake dinners.

Rise! a breakfast place www.riseabreakfastplace.com 970-672-8647, 2601 S. Lemay Ave., FC Serving fresh, local, wholesome foods prepared from scratch in a warm inviting atmosphere.

La Piadina www.la-piadina-foodtruck.weebly.com

Silver Seed www.thesilverseed.com

Sweaty Moose /Sweatymoose2016

Tramp About /thetrampabout Trattoria Oreganata /TrattoriaOreganata Umami Mobile Asian Eatery www.umamifoodtruck.com Waffle Lab www.thewafflelab.com

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FIND A FARMSTEAD Discover a place for your little farmhand to grow.

Laughing Buck Farm 3724 North County Road 13, Fort Collins 493-0270, www.laughingbuckfarm.com The Farm at Lee Martinez 600 North Sherwood, Fort Collins 970.221.6665, www.fcgov.com/recreation/ the-farm-lee-martinez-park Zippity Zoo Barnyard 6921 Ridge Valley Ct, Loveland 80538 970-231-6444 (text only) www.zippityzoobarnyard.com

LITTLE FARMERS DO BIG WORK Farm programs for kids make work feel like play KATIE HARRIS

A

t Laughing Buck Farm in Fort Collins, building a relationship with animals and the land is what it’s all about. That’s why farm manager Rosemary Graff encourages her young students to get their hands dirty and spend some time really getting to know the resident livestock.

“We pride ourselves in making the experience really hands on; it’s not a petting zoo,” says Graff, who affectionately refers to the kids who attend her classes as ‘small farmers doing big work’.

Graff and her staff of teachers and farm hands at Laughing Buck Farm welcome children year round to their farm school, a weekly half-day program for homeschooled students; their after- school classes, which take place for an hour every Wednesday

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afternoon; their summer camps, which include horse and farm themes; and their recently added educational tours and family-farm days.

“We’re open and outside year round, in any weather,” says Graff. “If it’s winter we’re bundled up working. We want these kids to feel the connection with the rhythm of nature; to feel like they’re real farmers just like I am.”

When attending classes or camp at Laughing Buck Farm, kids are expected to help out with everyday seasonal chores from gathering eggs to gardening to raking leaves. Nature walks, fort building and horseback riding are also included in the outdoor curriculum.

Also in Fort Collins, The Farm at Lee Martinez offers its own farm experience for kids of all ages. The Pee-Wee

Farmers program lets 4- and 5-year-olds try their hands at milking cows, gathering eggs and riding ponies. Toddlers can take part in Li’l Dumplin’ and Little Peepers classes, meeting animals and helping with farm chores. The farm is open to the public for visits Wednesday through Sunday, and for pony rides on the weekends.

Five miles west of Loveland, Zippity Zoo Barnyard offers themed kids’ farm events and summer farm field trips at their alpaca ranch and working farm. Upcoming programs include Kids Morning on the Farm on May 5th, which costs $5 per person and lasts 1.5 hours, and farm family days throughout the summer. All programming requires advance reservations, which can be made online.

LOCALITY KITCHEN AND BAR is a

locally-owned, farm-to-table restaurant focusing on local products and freshly crafted cuisine.

Open at 11am Daily Sunday Brunch 10am-3pm Happy Hour 3pm-6pm Executive Chef Dryden Goss

Owners Jim & Jennie Edwards of Door 222 in Loveland

2350 East Harmony Road | Fort Collins | 970-568-8351 LocalityFoco.com | Download the NoWait app to skip the line RMPARENT

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poudre school district news Science Bowl winners prepare for competition

It’s 4pm on a Tuesday, and the halls of Preston Middle School have emptied out. But inside the quiet school, science teacher Logan Burke’s classroom is whirring with excited energy.

Students slam their hands down on the buzzers sitting on their desks and call out answers to complex science questions. They rattle off equations, list biological terms and name obscure minerals and rocks.

This is a Science Bowl practice session, and these kids mean business.

Teams from both Preston and Fort Collins High School recently won their regional competitions and are gearing up to travel to Washington, D.C. to face off against teams from around the country.

“My team is amazing,” coach Angela Morris says. “They study hard, practice for hours each week and have fun together. I am very proud of them and they are going to represent Colorado and PSD well.”

Students on the Preston team still remember the excitement they felt when they clinched their spot at Nationals.

“We were like, screaming up and down (when we won),” Preston seventhgrader Sophie Wang says.

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competition in February came down to the last question of the final round, and Sophie came up with the winning answer. She doesn’t remember exactly what the question was, but she knows it had something to do with electron shells.

To get ready for their big competition this spring, the Preston Science Bowl team meets after school every week, drilling each other with practice questions. When asked what they needed to brush up on before their trip to the national competition, the students groaned and almost in unison said “geology.”

Even when the questions are difficult, and the practices go long, it’s hard to miss the glee in the room, as these gear up for their next competition.

“Working to go to Nationals is fun,” eighth grader Lucas Mellinger says.

CINDERELLA PROJECT HELPS STUDENTS FIND PROM DRESSES Erica Cordova was at the register, seconds away from purchasing an elegant, seafoam-green dress when her mom calls to her from across the bridal boutique that was temporarily teeming with colorful prom dresses.

“Erica, how about this one?” she

asks, holding up a floor-length blush gown with a flowing organza skirt.

The Rocky Mountain High School senior pauses, darts over to her mother and studies the dress. She smiles and gets in line for the fitting room, ready to try on one more option. She and the dozens of other high school students packed inside Dora Grace’s Bridal are shopping for discounted prom dresses at the Cinderella Project, an annual PSD event that sells donated dresses for as little as $5.

“I want something that fits my budget,” Erica says. “Usually those dream dresses are totally expensive.”

Prom dresses can cost hundreds of dollars, but those purchased at the Cinderella Project all cost between $5 and $20. Students can also have their dresses altered for free. There are no income requirements for students to purchase dresses from the Cinderella Project.

Volunteer Tracy Spillman looks on from the register as students from PSD schools and schools in Loveland and Greeley browse the racks stuffed full of more than 800 dresses. Girls pull dresses off the rack and ask for their friends’ opinions. A line for the fitting room stretched across the boutique.

Volunteers start asking the community for donations months before the event and then carefully sort them and get ready for the big day, when students come in and select their perfect outfit the week before Spring Break.

It can be a daunting task, but it’s worth it to help students get a chance at their perfect prom.

“Dresses are just so expensive,” Spillman says. “We want all the girls to be able to go to prom.”

FCHS HISTORY BOWL TEAM PLACES FIRST IN COLORADO History has always been Luka Robenalt’s favorite subject.

The Fort Collins High School junior loves to see how the events of the past shape the world today, and he has

even explored his own family’s connection to events like the Civil War. This passion for the past has made the long hours he has spent studying for the History Bee and Bowl more fun than chore for Luka and the other team members who share his enthusiasm.

The team’s hard work recently paid off when they won first place at Colorado’s qualifying competition for the National History Bee and Bowl. This is the third consecutive year Fort Collins High School students have qualified for the national completion in Washington, D.C. To get ready for the competition, team members have sacrificed their Wednesday afternoons, spending hours going over detailed questions covering U.S. history. Luka also makes sure he spends a lot of his free time reading historical fiction and historical nonfiction.

For students on the team, learning about history is more than memorizing names and dates. It’s about understanding the events of the past, and the people who were involved in them. Senior History Bowl team member Brooklyn Kron says she likes to learn about the complicated dilemmas people in the past faced and how they handled them – even if it wasn’t perfect.

“We spend time reading about the mistakes people made,” she says.

STUDENTS CELEBRATE READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY PSD students recently celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday with wacky hats, creative costumes and, most importantly - books!

Schools across the district held events in honor of Read Across America Day, which falls on Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

Students dress as their favorite characters from Dr. Seuss books, share books with friends and read on their own.

NEW PRINCIPALS SELECTED PSD is excited to announce that it has selected new principals for two of its elementary schools, pending approval from the Board of Education.

Kristin Broadbelt was selected as the new principal for Eyestone Elementary School, and Melissa Duve has been selected as the new principal of Rice Elementary School.

Broadbelt has worked for the past four years as a principal at Scotland County Schools in North Carolina. She has diligently focused on increasing the rigor of education in Scotland County through her curriculum development.

She is passionate about raising student achievement by incorporating technology into the classroom, collaborating with others and keeping students engaged in their school community.

Duve is currently in her third year as the assistant principal at Rice Elementary. Her work at Rice has focused on strengthening student and staff learning experiences, coaching and collaborating with teachers and increasing student achievement.

Broadbelt will begin in the position when current Eyestone principal, David Sobson, retires at the end of the school year. Duve will begin in the position at the end of the school year when current Rice principal, Dr. Karen Koehn, retires.

TEACHER AND MOM CREATE ‘IPAD SCHOOL’ FOR PRESCHOOLER School has looked a little different for Elke Kliewer lately, but that hasn’t dampened her passion for the classroom.

“She gets really excited about it in the morning,” her mom, Stephanie Kliewer says. “She’ll wake up and say ‘iPad school, iPad school!’”

For the past several months, Elke has been joining her preschool classmates at Lopez Elementary School on an iPad screen instead of in person.

That’s because the 3-year-old has a rare medical condition that makes respiratory infections especially dangerous for her. So, this winter, after a stay in the hospital, her mom and doctors decided it would be best for Elke to stay at home for the rest of the cold and flu season.

But Kliewer and Elke’s teacher, Tracy Kelley, worried about her missing the classroom experience. They wanted to make sure she could participate in class activities and see her friends every day, and that she could jump right back in when she returns to the classroom this spring.

So, they devised a creative solution: “iPad school.”

Every week, Kelley carefully plans out what objects and worksheets she’ll be using in class and loads up her car up with duplicates for Elke. This means, Elke can do the exact same activities as her classmates, even though she’s at home.

It took students in Elke’s classroom a few days to adjust to seeing their friend on a small screen, but Kelley says they caught on quickly. They even want to bring Elke out for recess, she says, and they like to take Elke’s iPad around the classroom to make sure she doesn’t miss anything.

Keeping Elke in school – in her own classroom, even when she can’t physically be there, means that when she returns in the spring, it will be easier for her to pick up where she left off.

“It’s been a life saver for us,” Kliewer says. “It’s kept her in the loop and socially engaged … She feels that sense of belonging.”

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greeley-evans district 6 news Kindergarten registration takes place in April Deirdre Pilch. “District 6 is committed to providing full financial transparency and making expenditures available to the public on our website. We want residents in Greeley and Evans to be confident that their tax contributions to District 6 are being spent to support student learning and achievement with the highest accountability possible.”

Budget and financial reports are available at www.greeleyschools.org by clicking the financial transparency icon on the home page.

Greeley-Evans School District 6 elementary and K-8 schools will conduct kindergarten enrollment for incoming students April 2-27. Many of our schools are hosting evening registration events and open houses during the registration window, and we encourage parents and students to attend.

Incoming kindergarten students must be 5 years old by October 1, 2018, in order to register for the 2018-19 school year.

To register, parents or legal guardians need to visit the home school in their neighborhood. Parents who have received approval to open enroll their student in a school outside their neighborhood need to visit that site.

To register for school, parents should bring:

• a birth certificate or its equivalent for the student • up-to-date immunization records for the student • proof of address (recent utility bill, lease agreement, or something similar)

If you do not know the name or location of your neighborhood school, you may contact the District 6 28

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Transportation Office at 970-348-6800.

For more information on specific registration events hosted at District 6 schools, visit www.greeleyschools.org/.

DISTRICT 6 AWARDED FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Greeley-Evans School District 6 for the district’s comprehensive annual financial report.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and represents a significant accomplishment by organizations that receive this honor. The District 6 comprehensive annual financial report was judged by an impartial panel, and must demonstrate a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” and clearly communicate the financial story of the district.

“We are proud of our finance department for again achieving this high honor,” says Superintendent Dr.

CHARTER SCHOOLS LEAGUE PRESENTS AWARD TO DR. PILCH The Colorado League of Charter Schools presented Greeley-Evans School District 6 Superintendent Dr. Deirdre Pilch with the 2018 Outstanding Charter School Authorizer Award.

The League of Charter Schools circulated an invitation among the 51 organizations that authorize charter schools, as well as the 250 public charter schools in the state to accept nominations for this award.

“In our qualifying conversations, the directors of charter schools authorized by District 6 and other community leaders spoke very highly of the dynamic leadership, inclusive style and commitment to all kids and families that you have brought,” wrote League of Charter Schools President Benjamin J. Lindquist, in his notification letter to Dr. Pilch.

Six schools are currently chartered and authorized through District 6: Frontier Academy, Salida del Sol Academy, Union Colony Elementary, Union Colony Preparatory, University Schools and Westridge Academy.

“I am humbled by this recognition, and very grateful for the support of our charter school leaders,” said Dr. Pilch.

“We are all District 6, regardless of whether we are traditional or charter schools. These are all our children, and we share responsibility for their learning and success.”

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thompson school district news Seeing is Believing Program

Every month, parents, community members and district staff come together for Thompson School District’s “Seeing is Believing” program, which offers visitors an inside glimpse at how schools are fostering personalized learning.

Below is an in-depth view of the great opportunities happening at High Plains School in Loveland.

STEAM CENTRAL TO LEARNING Five second-grade students are gathered around Holly Williamson’s semi-circle table discussing tide pools.

“A tide pool can be its own world,” says Williamson, reading from a text.

“What do you think about that? Is that a fact or an opinion? It’s kind of tricky, isn’t it?”

The semi-circle desk is under the American flag in one corner of the bright, large classroom. From Williamson’s vantage point, she can see her entire room. Williamson is the lone adult in the room, other than a small group of visitors. Students are clustered together in various configurations. There is a low level of chatter in the room, but the voices are worthy of a serene college library—not a second grade classroom of energetic 7-year-olds.

A student at one table is reading 30

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“A Bad Case of Stripes” by herself. Students at another table, several in chairs with orange exercise balls in place of hard seats, are discussing jellyfish. Books are open in their laps. In front of the students is an assignment sheet with a question: “What three things do all jellyfish need to have?”

Two girls at another table work with Banagram tiles scattered between them. Nearby, the phonic words for the week are listed in their notebooks.

And in yet another corner, students are strengthening their grammar and comprehension using Lexia. A couple of students are perched on oversized pillows

as they follow the online program.

All of the students know the expectations for classroom behaviors. That’s because the students set them up.

“At the beginning of the year, we talked about what we wanted our room to look like, feel like and sound like,” says Williamson. “I introduced each of the different kinds of seating choices and they came up with them. They know how we work together.”

They also know how they are doing in the effort to grasp key concepts. A Data Wall chart displays overall class performance and progress, including an expanding circle of “green” (good) data under the Lexia results.

Williamson’s classroom is a microcosm of the entire High Plains School campus. Now in its second full year of operation in eastern Loveland, High Plains is the first school in Loveland that was built from the ground up around the concepts of STEAM— Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. The school’s unique design welcomes students with natural light and interesting spaces that encourage personalized learning.

Visitors at High Plains School observed new definitions for classrooms and learning spaces, which serve students from Early Childhood Education (3-year-olds) through eighth grade.

Some classrooms are “open concept” with no fourth wall or door. Cozy spots under open stairwells and nooks invite students to work together in small groups. A rooftop garden and the close proximity to the High Plains Environmental Center add to the variety of options.

High Plains School principal Danielle Freeney says learning is organized around one key theme. That is, “how do the content areas play together?” Art plays second fiddle to no other subject. Learning is planned, or “engineered,” in collaboration with students.

Project-based learning is ubiquitous. Kindergarteners met with exterminators and district facility staff to develop ideas for preventing mice from invading homes under construction.

Third-graders Skyped with toymakers regarding the development and marketing of a new product. Sixth-graders used the energy of the earth and sun to develop a product to minimize the devastation from major wildfires. Other students have produced children’s books, designed rockets, wrote and produced newscasts or developed public service announcements to combat cyber bullying and internet safety.

The idea at High Plains is to take learning out of its content-specific silos and encourage learning—and collaboration—as students tackle assignments in groups. Upon completion, professional experts vet concepts and quiz students about their ideas and proposals, bringing the “real world” to school on a regular basis.

Erin Gilmartin Loften, professional development coordinator at the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), says she attended the High Plains School tour stop as part of the state’s work to support high schools with low graduation rates under federal school accountability requirements.

“What does personalized education, when done well, look like?” asks Loften. “I wanted to have a sense of what it looks like.”

Roseyn Hood, associate commissioner for strategic partnerships at CDE, says the High Plains classrooms offer ample proof that teaching and learning can move from rote study and memorization to helping students develop more complex ways of acquiring knowledge and skills. In particular, Hood says she was “very impressed” with the integration of art as a tool for problem-solving and creative thinking.

“Learning is much more than ‘I have to know my math facts and I have to know my presidents,’” says Hood. “It’s how do you c onceptually learn and digest and evaluate information.

That’s more important for students. I heard far more about ‘how do we figure this out’ than ‘we can’t do this.’”

Back in Williamson’s classroom, the fifth-year teacher is asked if she ever taught in a more traditional classroom set-up, with the teacher in front and the students sitting in neat rows and columns. Williamson shakes her head, recalling the memory. Yes, she says, in her first year she taught in a “traditional” classroom set-up. She smiles and adds, “I’m never going back.”

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lunchbox POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT— Elementary student lunches are $2.65, secondary student lunches are $2.90 and reduced lunches are PK-5 free, grades 6-12 $0.40.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2 Hamburger/cheeseburger; turkey gravy and roll 3 Cheese ravioli & roll; mac n’cheese 4 Teriyaki meatballs & rice; chicken patty sandwich 5 Beef taco & rice; chicken strips 6 Meat lovers or cheese pizza; veggie wrap 9 Tomato soup/grilled cheese; chicken nuggets 10 Penne & meat sauce; cheese calzone & marinara 11 Orange chicken & rice; hamburger/cheeseburger 12 Pepperoni pizza or cheese pizza; hummus & veggie box 13 No school!

16 Chicken drumstick; mac n’cheese 17 Lasagna w/veggies; Philly cheesesteak sandwich 18 Asian noodle & meatball; chicken patty sandwich 19 Chicken tacos & rice; hamburger/cheeseburger

20 Meat lovers or cheese pizza; chicken Caesar wrap 23 Pulled pork sandwich; chicken nuggets 24 Meatball sandwich; chicken Alfredo 25 Orange chicken & rice; hot dog 26 beef & bean burrito; chicken patty sandwich 27 Pepperoni or cheese pizza; chef salad & roll 30 Hamburger/cheeseburger; turkey gravy & roll MIDDLE SCHOOLS 2 Mac n’cheese; chicken nuggets 3 Spaghetti & meatballs; cheese ravioli & roll 4 Teriyaki beef chicken & egg roll 5 Beef & bean burrito w/cilantro lime rice; taco salad 6 Honey Sriracha boneless wings; tortilla soup bar 9 Turkey gravy & roll; chicken drumsticks 10 Cheese calzone & marinara; spring vegetable rotini

11 Asian bar: Orange chicken beef & egg roll 12 Taco bar, beef or chicken & rice 13 No school!

16 Honey Sriracha boneless wings; hot dog 17 Chicken Alfredo; meatball sandwich 18 Asian bar: General Tso’s steak & chicken & egg roll 19 Beef & bean burrito w/cilantro lime rice; taco salad 20 Mac n’cheese; green chili bowl w/shredded pork or chicken 23 Chicken parmesan sandwich; pulled pork sandwich 24 Cheese calzone & marinara; chicken nuggets 25 Sweet & sour meatball & chicken & egg roll 26 Taco bar; beef or chicken & rice 27 Tortilla soup bar 30 Mac n’cheese; chicken nuggets

THOMPSON R2J SCHOOL DISTRICT— Please check district web pages for updated prices.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2 Breaded chicken sandwich 3 Burrito grande 4 Chicken & biscuit 5 Meat lasagna 6 Frito pie 9 BBQ pulled pork sandwich 10 Los Cabos enchiladas 11 Pancakes & sausage 12 French bread boat 13 Teriyaki chicken bowl w/rice

16 Hamburger 17 Cheesy nachos w/taco meat 18 Shepherd’s pie 19 Penne w/meatballs 20 Orange chicken w/rice 23 Chicken breast nuggets 24 Cheese quesadilla 25 French toast casserole 26 Pizza stick 27 Fish & chips basket 30 Toasted cheese sandwich

SECONDARY SCHOOL 2 Breaded chicken sandwich 3 Burrito grande 4 Chicken & biscuit 5 Meat lasagna 6 Frito pie 9 BBQ pulled pork sandwich 10 Los Cabos enchiladas 11 Pancakes & sausage 12 French bread boat 13 Teriyaki chicken bowl w/rice

16 Hamburger 17 Cheesy nachos w/taco meat 18 Shepherd’s pie 19 Penne w/meatballs 20 Orange chicken w/rice 23 Chicken breast nuggets 24 Cheese quesadilla 25 French toast casserole 26 Pizza stick 27 Fish & chips basket 30 Toasted cheese sandwich

GREELEY DISTRICT 6— To obtain a complete meal, student gets an entrée and can select 1-3 sides. Elementary lunches are $2.55, and middle school lunches are $2.80, reduced-price lunches are K-2 free, 3-8 $.40.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2 Breakfast for lunch; Italian sandwich 3 Bean & cheese burrito; green chili 4 Soft shell taco; chicken salad sandwich 5 Chicken queso gordita crunch; ham & cheese wrap 6 Hawaiian or cheese pizza; PBJ 9 Tater tot breakfast bowl; American beef sandwich 10 Bean & cheese quesadilla; pesto chicken salad wrap 11 BBQ chicken sandwich; PBJ 12 Veggie panino; turkey & cheese sandwich 13 Pepperoni or cheese pizza; PBJ 16 BBQ pork sandwich; Italian sandwich 17 Nate’s nachos; chicken fajita wrap 18 Buffalo chicken sandwich; PBJ 19 Hamburger/cheeseburger; ham & cheese wrap

20 Pesto chicken or cheese pizza; PBJ 23 Quinoa, black bean & sweet potato soft taco; American beef sandwich 24 Teriyaki chicken w/brown rice; chicken fajita wrap 25 Hot dog; PBJ 26 Stuffed shells w/garlic knot; turkey & cheese sandwich 27 No school!

30 No school!

MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Breakfast for lunch; Italian sandwich 3 Bean & cheese burrito; green chili 4 Soft shell taco; chicken salad sandwich 5 Chicken queso gordita crunch; ham & cheese wrap 6 Hawaiian or cheese pizza; PBJ 9 Tater tot breakfast bowl; American beef sandwich 10 Bean & cheese quesadilla; pesto chicken salad wrap

11 BBQ chicken sandwich; PBJ 12 Veggie panino; turkey & cheese sandwich 13 Pepperoni or cheese pizza; PBJ 16 BBQ pork sandwich; Italian sandwich 17 Nate’s nachos; chicken fajita wrap 18 Buffalo chicken sandwich; PBJ 19 Hamburger/cheeseburger; ham & cheese wrap 20 Pesto chicken or cheese pizza; PBJ 23 Quinoa, black bean & sweet potato soft taco; American beef sandwich 24 Teriyaki chicken w/brown rice; chicken fajita wrap 25 Hot dog; PBJ 26 Stuffed shells w/garlic knot; turkey & cheese sandwich 27 No school!

30 No school!

WINDSOR SCHOOL DISTRICT— Price for elementary lunch is $2.90, for middle school students, $3.15. Reduced lunches are elementary, free; middle school, $0.40.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2 Mac n’cheese; PBJ w/string cheese 3 Chicken street tacos; mini cheeseburgers 4 Hot dog; PBJ w/string cheese 5 Chicken tenders; turkey & cheese sub 6 Big Daddy cheese or veggie pizza; PBJ w/string cheese 9 No school!

10 French toast sticks w/fruit yogurt; pancake on a stick 11 Teriyaki chicken w/brown rice; corndog 12 Hard shell beef taco; turkey & cheese sub 13 Big Daddy cheese or Hawaiian pizza; PBJ w/string cheese 16 Pizza sticks w/sauce; PBJ w/string cheese 17 Chicken & honey biscuit; pancake on a stick 18 Hamburger; corndog 19 Chicken sandwich; turkey & cheese sub

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20 Big Daddy cheese or pepperoni pizza; PBJ w/string cheese 23 Popcorn chicken; PBJ w/string cheese 24 Chicken Alfredo; mini cheeseburgers 25 Chicken nuggets; corn dog 26 BBQ pork sandwich; turkey & cheese sub 27 Big Daddy cheese or veggie pizza; PBJ w/string cheese 30 Mac n’cheese; PBJ w/string cheese MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Mac n’cheese; corn dog 3 Burrito/taco bar; cheeseburger 4 Chili dog; hamburger 5 Chicken tenders; hamburger 6 Turkey club wrap; hamburger 9 No school!

10 French toast sticks w/fruit yogurt; cheeseburger

11 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 30

Teriyaki chicken ; beef & bean burrito Rotini w/tomato sauce; French bread pizza Steak & cheese sub; spicy chicken sandwich Turkey & gravy; corn dog Cheese enchiladas; chicken sandwich Cheeseburger; chicken sandwich Chicken sandwich; chicken nuggets Meatball sub; spicy chicken sandwich Cheesy beef nachos; hamburger Chicken Alfredo; cheeseburger General Tso’s chicken; beef & been burrito BBQ pork sandwich; chicken nuggets Pepperoni calzone; corn dog Mac n’cheese; hamburger

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APRIL 2018 ONGOING MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS Read and Seed Youth Program Preschool readiness activities including a story and related craft activity. Ages 2-5 with adult. Pre-registration required for groups over five students. $3. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 1010:45am & 11-11:45am. 416-2486 www.fcgov.com/gardens.

THIRD THURSDAYS Children’s Book Reading with OtterCares A monthly book reading event about how to follow your dreams, enjoy snacks and meet Ollie the Otter. PreK-1st graders.

Otter Shop, 151 W. Mountain Ave., FC. 11am-12pm. 825-5650. www.facebook.com/ottershop.

WEDNESDAYS, THROUGH APRIL 11 Messy Hands Art for Preschoolers A new art adventure each week. Wear clothes that can get messy. Materials provided. Registration required. Ages 4-6 with caregivers. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 10am. 221-6740 www.poudrelibraries.org.

APRIL 13 THROUGH 15 Lifeguard Training Course CPR/AED and First Aid certifications included. Ages 15+. Splash Swim School, 1110 W. Prospect Rd., FC. Friday 4-8pm and Saturday/Sunday 9am-5pm.

631-8227, www.splashpoolservices.com/ lifeguard-and-cpr-training.

SATURDAYS, THROUGH APRIL 14 Kids Explore Art Create unique works of art using various tools and techniques. Registration required. Grades K-3. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 10am. 221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Imagine Art Create unique works of art. Registration required. Grades 4-7. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 1pm. 221-6740 www.poudrelibraries.org.

THROUGH APRIL 15 Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate Play-within-a-play where each cast member’s life is complicated by what is happening offstage. Ticket prices and showtimes vary. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Marketplace Dr., Johnstown. 744-3747 www.coloradocandlelight.com.

WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY, APRIL 18 & 21 DiscoveryZone Learn a new craft, science experiment or maker space project. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 3:30pm.

970-221-6740, www.PoudreLibraries.org.

APRIL 20 THROUGH 21 The Stuck Pot Tables turn on the boys when they establish a “stuck pot” consolation prize for the worst date at the 1963 school dance.

All ages. $12. Rialto Theater, 228 E. 4th St., LV. Friday-7pm, Saturday-2pm, 7pm.

962-2120, www.rialtotheatercenter.org.

THURSDAYS, THROUGH APRIL 26 Gallery Yoga View and appreciate art during a quick lunchtime mind and body tune-up. $5.

Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 12pm. 962-2410 www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org/ programs-events/gallery-yoga.

APRIL 27 THROUGH 28 Chopin & Ballet: Les Sylphides and Etudes A ballet performance filled with beautiful dancing to Chopin’s music. All ages. $1525. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia, FC. 7pm- Friday, 2pm and 7pm-Saturday.

221-6730, www.lctix.com/les-sylphides.

Hours of Operation: M-Th 8-5pm, Fri 8-4 Fort Collins (970) 493-7442

Loveland (970) 493-7442

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

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Book your child’s dental exam today!

FREE EXAM

for children under 2!

Join us this season for the best of Fort Collins: bikes, beer, farms, food and fun.

A general dentistry practice that’s all about kids and young adults, ages 0-20!

970-635-4353

126 East 29th Street Loveland

www.kindergrins.com Monday - Thursday 8-5

$75 New Patient Exam Includes Exams, Cleaning, Fluoride, X-Rays.

One coupon per patient. New patients only and without insurance. Not valid with any other offer. Must present coupon at visit.

Expires: 4/30/18 RMP0418

FREE light-up toothbrush for NEW patients One coupon per family. Not valid with any other offer. Must present coupon at visit.

Expires: 4/30/18 RMP0418

We create fortified connections through events with a purpose.

F O R T I F I E D C O L L A B O R AT I O N S . C O M

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APRIL 27 THROUGH 29 Poudre River Friends of the Library Book Sale Stock up on books for your reading pleasure. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. All day. 221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

APRIL 28 THROUGH 29 Colorado Holistic Fair Explore alternatives for taking care of your body, mind and spirit. $7-day, $12-weekend, children under 12free. Adams County Regional Park & Fairgrounds/Exhibit Hall, 9755 Henderson Rd., Brighton. 10am–5pm both days. www.Holistic-Fairs.com.

Dear Edwina JR Heartwarming musical about joys of growing up, from creators of Junie B. Jones. $10-adult, $7-students age 5-18, $5kids 4 and under. Hensel Phelps Theatre, 651 10th Ave., GR. Saturday-7pm, Sunday2:30pm, 6pm. 356-5000 www.ucstars.com/upcoming-shows.

APRIL 28 THROUGH AUGUST 18 Healthy Kids Run & Fit.Teen Run Series Register now for the Healthy Kids Run Series (ages 5-12) & Fit.Teen Run Series (ages 13-18). Includes six local races in northern Colo. Participants can earn prizes. Registration required. Kids-free, teens-$10 per 5K. Location varies www.healthykidsclub.org.

THROUGH APRIL 29 Brandon Gellis: Innate Confluences Exhibition Multimedia experience featuring artist-led tours, kids workshops. $5; Free-members.

Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 962-2410 www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

THROUGH APRIL 30 Home Efficiency Assessment For City of Loveland Water and Power and Fort Collins Utilities customers.

Loveland customers will receive LED bulbs, faucet aerators, shower heads, furnace air filters, smoke/CO detectors, retractable clotheslines, furnace air filters, tank banks and shower timers if needed.

Free. In your home. www.larimerworkforce. org/energy.

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MONDAYS, THROUGH MAY 21 Beyond Consequences & Advanced Parenting Skills Class Relationship-based approach to parenting traumatized children and those with attachment challenges. Space limited.

ChildSafe, 1148 E. Elizabeth St., FC. 12-1:30pm. 472-4133 info@childsafecolorado.org.

Dive-In Movie Night—My Neighbor Totoro Float around the pool while watching a movie. Root beer floats and pizza included. Ages 3-99, (0-2 welcome too). $15-swimmer 3+ years ($50-family max), under 2-free. Splash Swim School, 1110 W. Prospect Rd., FC. 7-10pm. 631-8227, www.splashpoolservices.com/splashswim-school.

TUESDAY, APRIL 3 Just for Kix Bring your dancing shoes and join in the fun. Ages 2-5. Windsor-Severance Library, 720 3rd St., WS. 10:30-11am. 686-5603 www.clearviewlibrary.org/event/627565.

Stargazing with the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society Get an up-close look at the night sky over the Rockies. Telescopes provided. All ages. Registration encouraged. Devil’s Backbone Open Space, 1725 Hidden Valley Dr., LV. 8-9pm. 619-4565 www.offero.larimer.org.

WESNESDAY, APRIL 4 Duct Tape-Palooza Use magnets and duct tape to make things unique and individual. Registration required. Ages 9-12. Windsor-Severance Library, 720 3rd St., WS. 6:30-7:30pm.

686-5603, www.clearviewlibrary.org/ event/628354.

FRIDAY, APRIL 6 Beyond the Classroom: Boom Whackers Come make music by whacking tubes.

No experience necessary. Registration required. Grades 3-5. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 1pm.

888-861-7323, www.MyLibrary.us.

Friday Fandom Club: Anime!

Celebrate all things fun and geeky with something different every week. Watch anime favorites, chat about manga, make art. Grades 4-12. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 4pm. 221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

The Legacy of Immigration in Fort Collins CSU students in Professor Thomas Cauvin’s Museum Methods class will present. All ages. $2.50-adults; $1.50-students and seniors; $.50-ages 4-12. Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, 200 W. Mountain Ave., FC. 6-9pm. 221-4600 www.globalvillagemuseum.org.

Fort Collins Gallery Walk Monthly, self-guided walking tour of galleries and art-minded businesses.

Historic Downtown Fort Collins. 6pm-9pm. www.downtownfortcollins.com/events.

SATURDAY, APRIL 7 CSA Fair Why join a CSA? Eat in season, meet your farmer, know your food. Fort Collins Winter Farmers Market by NoCo Food, Opera Galleria, 123 N. College Ave., FC. 10am-1pm. www.nocofood.org/csafair.

Little Explorers: Animal Exploration with the Colorado Ballet Learn how to shake, shimmy and slide like your favorite animal while sharing our favorite animal stories. Limited to first 25 children. Riverside Library, 3700 Golden St., EV. 10:30am. 888-861-7323 www.MyLibrary.us.

Lessons from Zachary Author Sandy Scott on parenting, life and everything in between. Adults. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 6:30pm. 970-221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 8 Theatre at the Library Myth Maniacs: Two myths come together to delight you with bigger than life characters, humor and plot twists. All ages. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 2pm. 221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Comedy Brewers Improv Family friendly improv troupe zips through hilarious games, toss in a little long-form here and there. All ages. $10. Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine St., FC. 7:30pm. www.basbleu.org.

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MONDAY, APRIL 9 Theatre at the Library Myth Maniacs: Two myths come together to delight you with bigger than life characters, humor and plot twists. All ages. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 4:30pm. 970-221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 10 Tiny Trekkers A morning filled with crafts, stories, and fun facts. Ages 2-5 with adult.

Registration required. Devil’s Backbone Open Space parking lot, located just west of Loveland off of Hwy 34. 10-11am.

619-4565, https://offero.larimer.org.

Anime Club Gather together after school to watch anime favorites, chat about manga, and munch on yummy snacks. Grades 6-12.

Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 4pm. 970-221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Theatre at the Library Myth Maniacs: Two myths come together to delight you with bigger than life characters, humor and plot twists. All ages. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 4:30pm. 221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11 Wellness, Fitness & Retirement Expo Over 40 healthcare and financial experts provide free answers to questions about health and retirement planning. All ages.

Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Dr., FC. 9-11:30am. 221-6655 www.fcgov.com/recreation.

THURSDAY, APRIL 12 Mythical Creature Lantern Create your own mythical creature lanterns using Cricut technology, LED circuits and vivid imaginations.

Registration required. Ages 12-18. Lincoln Park Library, 1012 11th St., GR. 4pm.

888-861-7323, www.MyLibrary.us.

Poetry Reading Celebrate National Poetry Month by joining a reading with visiting poets Bill O’Neill and Russell Brakefield, and local poet Sasha Steensen. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 6pm. 484-7898 www.oldfirehousebooks.com.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 13 Beyond the Classroom: Astonishing, Brilliant Bats Learn about these mammals through echolocation and sonar activities, and bat crafts. Registration required. Grades 3-5.

Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 1pm. 888-861-7323 www.MyLibrary.us.

School’s Out Day Camp Pack a lunch and spend a day investigating and exploring the natural world. Grades 1-5. $55-child, scholarships available, preregistration required. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 9am-4pm. www.fcgov.com/gardens.

Number Play Number activities for preschoolers and their grown-ups. Ages 2-5. WindsorSeverance Library, 720 3rd St., WS. 10:3011am. 686-5603, http://clearviewlibrary. org/event/628489.

Wildlife Adventures in Tanzania and Rwanda Two international travelers from Northern Colorado discuss their wildlife adventures in Tanzania and Rwanda. All ages. $5.

Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, 200 W. Mountain Ave., FC. 1-3pm.

221-4600, www.globalvillagemuseum.org.

Lego Day! A day of building and creating. Legos and Duplos provided for kids of all ages.

Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 10am-12pm. 484-7898 www.oldfirehousebooks.com.

Disco Party Celebrate One Book 4 Colorado! All 4-year-old kids and their families are invited. Special readers: Senator John Kefalas and Representative Joann Ginal.

4-year-olds. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 2pm. 221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Friday Fandom Club: Dungeons and Dragons!

Celebrate all things fun and geeky. Grades 4-12, teens and tweens. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 4pm. 221-6740, www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Book Talk Eneasz Brodski, one of the winners of the Writers of the Future award, will discuss his winning story. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 6pm. 484-7898 www.oldfirehousebooks.com.

Theatre at the Library Myth Maniacs: Two myths come together to delight you with bigger than life characters, humor and plot twists. All ages. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 4:30pm. 221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15 Classic Miniature Gardening Class Create your own miniature fantasy world with just a few plants, accessories and a little imagination. $40. Fort Collins Nursery, 2121 E. Mulberry, FC. 11am-12:30pm. 482-1984 www.FortCollinsNursery.com.

Honey Bee 101 Discuss honey bee physiology and social structure. Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 6pm–8pm. 962-2410, www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

History Comes Alive Alexander Hamilton, portrayed by scholar and historical interpreter Hal Bidlack. All ages. Harmony Library, 4616S. Shields St., FC. 7pm. 221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14 Spring Artisan Market Jams, soaps, lotions, artwork, furniture, more from 40 vendors. All ages. Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Dr., FC. 10am-4pm. 221-6655 www.fcgov.com/recreation.

MONDAY, APRIL 16 The Great Gasby Fast-paced adaptation of Fitzgerald’s novel brings Jazz Age of New York to life as Daisy’s cousin Nick guides us through a world where love, opportunity, deception and tragedy are always just around the corner. $14-30. Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7pm. 356-5000 www.ucstars.com/event/the-great-gatsby.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 I’m Melting!

Using beads, shrinky dinks and hard candy, participants will mix, make, shape and shrink all sorts of creations. Ages 9-12. Windsor-Severance Library, 720 3rd St., WS. 6:30-7:30pm. 686-5603 www.clearviewlibrary.org/event/627657.

Fort Collins Favorite Fun and Friendly Pediatric Dental Experience

Our mission is to provide individualized and compassionate oral health care for all children

“Everyone is so kind when we are there and Dr. Keith is GREAT with the kids!”

—Steph W.

Specializing in Dentistry for Toddlers, Children, Teens and Special-needs Patients

50% DISCOUNT For New Patients

INCLUDES EXAM, CLEANING, X-RAYS AND FLUORIDE.

-MENTION THIS AD WHEN CALLING(970) 484-4104

4609 S. Timberline Rd.• Suite 103B

www.RockiesKidsDds.com 1

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FRIDAY, APRIL 20 Beyond the Classroom: Butterflies Prepare homes for Painted Lady butterfly larvae and discover fun facts about butterfly metamorphosis. Registration required. Grades 3-5. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 1pm.

888-861-7323, www.MyLibrary.us.

The Big Thaw Spirits Festival Sample cocktails and pours from 30+ of the finest makers of distilled spirits from Colorado/Wyoming. 21+. $50-individual, $90-couple. Marketplace at Centerra, 1665 Rocky Mountain Ave., LV. 1-4 pm.

217-8786, www.fortifiedcollaborations.com.

Friday Fandom Club: Dungeons and Dragons!

Celebrate all things fun and geeky. Grades 4-12, teens and tweens. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 4pm. 221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Once Upon a Cuent Cuddle up in your pajamas to enjoy tales, sing songs, and learn a new language (Spanish/English) with your family.

Vístase en su pijama para disfrutar de cuentos, cantar canciones y aprender un nuevo idioma (espańol / inglés) con su familia. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 7pm. 888-861-7323, www.MyLibrary.us.

Author Reception Chat with Nate Blakeslee, author of American Wolf, while you enjoy a glass of wine and snacks. $30.04, includes a copy of American Wolf and a glass of wine. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 7pm, raffle at 8pm. 484-7898 www.oldfirehousebooks.com.

Skygazing with Northern Colorado Astronomical Society Telescopes provided. Dress warmly and bring blanket/chair. All ages. Registration required. Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area, 3340 Carpenter Rd., FC. 8:3010:30pm. 416-2043, www.engage.fcgov.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 21 Build a Bee House for Earth Day Materials and instruction provided. All ages. $30. Gulley Greenhouse and Garden Center, 6029 S. Shields St., FC. 10:30am–12pm. www.gulleygreenhouse. com/event/mason-bee-house.

Teen Art Café: Comic Art Experiment with different art tools, approaches and formats with FRCC art instructors. Materials and snacks provided.

Space limited. Registration required.

Grades 6-12. Harmony Library, FRCC Redcloud Peak Room, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 11am. 221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Earth Day Fort Collins A combination of activities and events for the entire family. All ages.

Civic Center Park, 250 Laporte Ave. FC. 11am-5pm. 310-5791 www.sustainablelivingassociation.org/ events/earth-day-fort-collins-2018.

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MONDAY, APRIL 23

TUESDAY, APRIL 24

Tiny Trekkers A morning filled with crafts, stories, and fun facts. Ages 2-5 with adult.

Registration required. River Bluffs Open Space, located just east of I-25 between Windsor and Timnath. 10-11am.

619-4565, https://offero.larimer.org.

3D Printing: The Basic Get hands-on experience with 3D printing tools to become a 3D printer yourself, while also receiving the information needed to utilize the library’s 3D printing capabilities.

Registration required. Ages 10+.

Riverside Library, 3700 Golden St., EV. 6pm. 888-861-7323, www.MyLibrary.us.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27

Beyond the Classroom: Slime Time Come make different slimes and play dough. Dress to make a mess.

Registration required. Grades 3-5.

Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 1pm. 888-861-7323 www.MyLibrary.us.

Friday Fandom Club: Dance, Dance, Dance!

Celebrate all things fun and geeky with something different every week. Grades 4-12. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 4pm. 221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Friday Night Writes Poetry Slam Poets should prepare 1-2 original poems to perform in under 3 minutes.

Performers must register. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 6:30pm. 221-6740 www.PoudreLibraries.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 28

Prescription Drug Take Back Event A safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs. Fort Collins Police Services, 2221 S. Timberline Rd., FC, north parking lot.

10am-2pm. www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/ drug_disposal/takeback Spring Open House Family event featuring kids activities, shopping and info from gardening and horticulture-related community organizations. Fort Collins Nursery, 2121 E. Mulberry, FC. 10am-3pm. 482-1984 www.FortCollinsNursery.com.

Make a Living Necklace Create a tiny terrarium in a bottle to wear. Materials and instruction provided. Intended for kids. $15. Gulley Greenhouse and Garden Center, 6029 S. Shields St., FC. 10:30am–12pm. www.gulleygreenhouse.com/event/ living-necklace.

Unwind – Stress Reduction Techniques for Teen Innovative, interactive program to discover how stress impacts your body and mind, learn to identify stresstriggers and develop tools to cope.

Wear comfortable clothes. Registration required. Grades 6-12. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 2pm.

888-861-7323, www.MyLibrary.us.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29

Open Up to Outside – Family fun in FoCo Forests and Beyond Exploring the outdoors a lifestyle for the whole family. Registration required.

Families with preK-5th grade. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 2pm.

221-6740, www.PoudreLibraries.org.

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time out When your kid hates hugs We all show love in many and different ways LEA HANSON

M

y kid hates hugs. Wait, let me clarify: she hates hugging people. She loves hugging our family dog. I’m so jealous. Jealous of a dog.

Oh, and she also hugs her friends. Maybe she just hates hugging her parents. Oh man, this is sounding worse and worse.

There is no particular reason she doesn’t like hugs that we know of. She doesn’t have any sensory sensitivities— frankly if she did it would be easier for me to understand. She touches and interacts with others and us all the time but just doesn’t want to be hugged or snuggled very often. This is a bummer because I love hugs and snuggles and touches.

And I want them from her all the time.

There are certainly caveats to hug-hating. She shares space with people and there are many parts of our daily routine during which she is kind of snuggling. Bed time, for example, we lie next to each other under the blankets while we read. About three or four times a month she still sneaks into bed with us and I get a rare, coveted opportunity to spoon her for a few hours. When she gets legitimately hurt (emotionally or physically) she wants and accepts hugs. And, she’s a hand-holder, so I get that on a daily basis.

But hugs on demand? Nope.

Since this something I’m bummed about almost every day to some level, I have done a lot of thinking and reflecting on this topic. As a result, I have learned some things.

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO SHOW LOVE She gives gifts. So many gifts. She’s constantly drawing pictures, writing notes, and making jewelry for people including me, her dad, her teacher, her friends.

Several days a week she brings a friend a gift in her backpack. I know she loves me when she draws me a picture. She’s also incredibly extroverted and values time spent with people. Although this

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can feel exhausting, I know she loves me because she wants to play with me and talk to me constantly. All. The. Time.

HER BODY HER CHOICE Maybe it’s a sign of the times, but more and more parents are saying this now.

Thank goodness. Teaching body sovereignty is a huge, complex conversation, but one small part of it certainly includes if and when your child is expected to hug.

Since I believe she gets to make these choices for herself, I respect her choice not to hug – as much as it pains me to do so. I also don’t ask her to hug others.

MY FEELINGS ARE NOT HER RESPONSIBILITY Through my reflection on this topic, I am self-aware enough to realize that most of the times I request a hug is because

it would make ME feel better to GET a hug. It’s a tough connection to realize that essentially, in those cases, I am communicating to my daughter that she ought to play a part in making me feel better. And, that’s just not the case. As much as a hug WOULD make me feel better, that’s not part of her job description, it’s part of mine.

If you have a non-hugger, you’ll get this. If you have a big snuggler on your hands, you won’t. The thing is, we all show love in different ways; once we understand our kids’ natural displays and comfort around touch, we can honor those natural feelings, assure them they are normal, and we’re okay with them.

One of the mantras I constantly repeat to my daughter is, “I love you no matter what.” Guess what, that includes when she doesn’t want a hug.

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