RM Parent Magazine | July 2021

JULY 2021 • RMPARENT.COM

ROAD TRIP

ADVENTURES Welcome home, baby!

Parenting classes Pitch in! Volunteer Dive in, cool off Camping alternatives

G

rings a e y v r e s 25 of ents RATIN CELEB

ar orado p

n col norther

SPECIAL SECTION:

FIT AND FUN!

RMPARENT

|1

PAYING CA$H FOR KIDS STUFF BUYING

ALL SEASONS

EVERY DAY!

NEW STORE HOURS:

Monday-Saturday 9am to 8pm and Sunday: 11am to 5pm onceuponachild.com | Like us on Facebook

2

| RMPARENT

BE

RMPARENT

|3

4

| RMPARENT

JULY 2021

Departments

Special Sections FIT AND FUN

PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The cycles of life—Rolling with the generations and the pandemic

FIRST YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Welcome home baby—Tips for a successful transition

FAMILY ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . 10 Dive in, cool off—Beat the heat in a pool or lake

FIT AND FUN

Explore summer enrichment opportunities with a variety of programs throughout northern Colorado.

ADVERT

ISING S UPPLE

MENT

FIT KIDS |

LEARN AND LIVE . . . . . . . . . . 12 Pitch in for your community—Find awareness, compassion and purpose through volunteering

COMMUNITY NEWS . . . . . . . 14 Keep families safe, healthy and thriving—Water and gun safety, school supply donations, child development resources

HEALTHY LIVING . . . . . . . . 16

Parenting classes—Child safety, baby care and support

CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0 Events and activities for parents, kids and families

TIME OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 0 Nature kid explores—Rock hounding, bug housing and dinosaur bones

School District News GR-E 6 School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 School Kickoff Community Celebration, District 6 students place in Caring for our Watersheds contest, Stepping stones to honor students and their artwork

Poudre School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 PSD celebrates Eco Week in a fresh new way, Livermore Elementary honors paraprofessional with special graduation ceremony, PSD mountain schools get kitchens

Thompson School District . . . . . . . . . 28 Spotlight on Kimberly Tymkowych—Winona Elementary School principal is passionate about providing a safe and predictable environment for every kid, every day.

!

RMPARENT

|

1

Features 18 ROAD TRIP

ADVENTURES

It’s time to get out for an adventure. Pack up the car and hit the road. Visit new places, bond together as a family, build skills (learning to estimate arrival times, planning schedules…) and have fun!

20 A NIGHT IN THE WOODS So many magic things happen when we leave the confines of our concrete jungles and take to the woods. Finding the right shelter setup for our needs and figuring out a great place to go will make our time in the wilderness as great as it can be.

ABOUT THE COVER: Hailey loves making pictures, riding horses, climbing stairs and hot baths.

Photo by Cheri Schonfeld,

skysopendesign.com. Haley’s

mother Ashley, is one of our first cover kids, and is pictured on the right side of what would become RM Parent.

RMPARENT

|5

perspective perspective

Generosity The cycles of life learning, being and doing

Rolling with the generations and the pandemic

IA

me inFinnegan a parking ’d likeyoung you toman joinapproached me in welcoming lot yesterday.

Fletcher Titterington to our world. He family and Ithe arefirst staying was born “My on June 12. He’s of hisover there and if we could get five dollars could generation for both sides of the family, we so the get a pizza.

If we could get ten we could first grandchild and great grandchild. Plus, get he twoaunts and that cover and us.”great-aunts has and would great-uncles I had idea whether was around.

Heno will be well lovedhis andstory that’s thetrue. most He looked as though he was living rough, important, some might say the only important, though—gaunt, sunken fun cheeks, eyes. thing.

And it’s especially to seedespairing how smitten Without hesitation, I pulled out my wallet his parents, Alli and Andy, are with the little guy. and And handed him that ten bucks.

I don’t know justthinks why I that did it.

Hegrandkid wasn’t I know every new grandparent their threatening.

Heever, wasn’t justcutest seemed really need a is the cutest kid butover littleimploring.

Fin reallyHe is the kidto ever, especially boost right then and interacting with him right there a couple of feet now that he’s not so yellow. You’ll get an opportunity to judge for yourself away, I just felt it was a moment. when he makes the cover in a few months.

It’s not that I’mthe oncover a mission to give away all of ouranniversary money. I walk Putting Fin on is actually part of our 25th year and drive by plenty of people who are asking for a little push.

I’m celebration where we’re putting kids of former cover kids on theAnd cover. notyou driven to help a sense a feeling of being As might have others guessedbyAndy wasofa guilt coveror kideven more than once, and lucky enough to have it and these others don’t and so therefore it’s my although Alli was never on the cover, her younger sister Akadia was. social to do it. Nor do Iisget bigcover. sense Her of satisfaction.

I have So,obligation this month, Hailey Brandt onaour mother, Ashley, a hard time pinpointing why I feel compelled to help out sometimes, was on our first cover 25 years ago. If you’re reading this and you were a whether a sidewalk a neighbor or stopping push a car, cover kid scooping at one time and nowfor have a kid or three of your to own, shoot me and other times not so much. an email at scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com.

Every fall, a neighbor ours comes witha his Jumping gears a little, I of just wanted to by reflect littleaironcompressor life as we and blows out our sprinkler lines.

He makes the rounds in ourI’m not transition out of a world dominated by COVID-19 precautions. corner ofyour the neighborhood ready for winter.

He sure how world is turningand butgets ourseveryone is definitely picking up speed! doesn’t ask for anything.

He just does it because he can.

It is not a Friends and family members who we haven’t seen much or at all in more transactional offer in any way. than a year are popping back up in our lives. Sometimes it feels as though writes month in her Learn and Live column we’reTheresa runningBaer a B&B. It isthis almost exhausting, at times. about teaching children to be generous and to volunteer.

She also At first it just seemed odd gathering with people and going outoffers to some ideas about where and how.

The idea is to help children to be In stores and restaurants without a mask. I’m getting pretty used to that. aware of others’ understand they, themselves, fact, I had to lookneeds for a and masktothe other daythat when I went into the have Denver something to offer.

International Airport to pick up my brother and his family. I thought that goal is for allthe of us, to not justmentality do generosity an was aThe good sign thatthem, I was really putting COVID-19 behindasme, activity that we have come to understand as something that we should although I do believe we still need to be cautious. do because lucky to have something and those other I am sowe’re glad for theenough gatherings, though, from the little impromptu people are struggling.

Where we’re really headed with this is fora our moments with neighbors and their kids and puppies to grabbing children to see people who are just like they are, who just want beverage with an-almost-forgotten friend to the four-family raft to tripbethat happy just as they do and who don’t want to feel bad just as they don’t we have on the books for this month. wantAnd to. We want to get beyond the them and us feelings.

We don’t to bring it all around, it’s nice that little Fin was born at the just tail dropofmoney in a can (at andleast walk by. in WeColorado) stop. We because talk andsoengage end the pandemic here many with people people who are like us. are so excited to just see him!

In the end, we want to be generosity, not just do generosity, though Be well, the path to being generosity, it seems, lies through the path of doing Scott generosity.

‘Tis the season, Scott

6 6

| RMPARENT | RMPARENT

OCTOBER 2019 • Volume 24, Issue 6 JULY 2021 • Volume 25, Issue 2

PUBLISHER Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 PUBLISHER scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 EDITOR scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 EDITOR kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 CREATIVE DIRECTOR kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com Emily Zaynard CREATIVE DIRECTOR emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com Emily Zaynard ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832 ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Susan Hartig ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE susan.rmpublishing@gmail.com Susan Harting COVER PHOTO susan.rmpublishing@gmail.com Cheri Schonfeld, Courtesy of COVER- skysopendesign.com PHOTO Sky’s Open Design Cheri Schonfeld CONTRIBUTING WRITERS www.skysopendesign.com Theresa Baer, Lea Hanson, Katie Harris, CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lynn U. Nichols Theresa Baer, Lea Hanson Lynn U. Nichols, Scott Titterington Tim Van Schmid

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING PO Box 740 Fort Collins, COPUBLISHING 80522 ROCKY MOUNTAIN Voice 221-9210 Fax 221-8556 PO Box• 740 editor@rockymountainpub.com Fort Collins, CO 80522 www.RMParent.com Voice 221-9210 • Fax 221-8556 editor@rockymountainpub.com

Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published www.RMParent.com monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publication of this paper does not consitute an enRocky Mountain Parent magazine is published dorsement of the products or services advertised. monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisePublication of this paper does not consitute an enment for any reason. The opinions expressed by dorsement of the products or services advertised. contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisethe opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. ment for any reason. The opinions expressed by ©2019 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect reserved. Reproduction without express written the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. permission is prohibited. ©2021 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS: OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

We want you...

to write for Rocky Mountain Parent and Fifty & Better magazines.

We love local so writers must live in Larimer or Weld counties.

Contact Kristin at kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com

RMPARENT

|7

first years Welcome home, baby!

Tips for a successful transition

LY NN U. NICHOLS

Y

ou made it through the birth, now you have a new baby at home.

Congratulations! If it’s your first baby you are likely feeling a little unsure about how to do everything. If you’ve been through this before, you may need a few reminders of how to tackle some of those early challenges, including sleep, calming your baby, and feeding.

SLEEP, SWEET SLEEP Since newborns have to feed every 2 to 3 hours, sleep is going to feel elusive for a few weeks. Find comfort in knowing that as each week passes, your baby’s on his or her way to sleeping longer. The best advice in the early weeks is to sleep when your baby sleeps, no matter how tempting it is to do chores or fulfill social obligations. By 6 to 8 weeks, your baby’s need to eat stretches out and you’ll get chunks of sleep. By 12 weeks you hit pay day—most babies sleep 6 hours a night.

If your baby is close to eight weeks old and you hear her fussing (not crying) during the night, wait and see if she can get herself back to sleep before going to her. That’s because babies naturally cycle through lighter and heavier sleep periods every three hours. At three hours, she might come into a lighter sleep and wake a bit, but if she’s not stimulated she may fall back to sleep on her own. As she ages, falling back to sleep on her own becomes more of a habit.

REMEMBER THE 5 S’S TO CALM YOUR BABY Have you heard of Harvey Karp, the founder of Happiest Baby on the Block? He coined the 5 S’s technique to calm and soothe newborns, which basically advocates that you mimic the environment of the womb. By doing so, you turn on your baby’s natural calming reflex. The 5 S’s are swaddling, swinging, shushing noises, sucking and side-lying, 8

| RMPARENT

and research shows they reduce crying by up to 40 percent.

First up, swaddling. The trick to swaddling is getting a big enough blanket—at least 40” across—and swaddling your baby tight with his hands by his side. Tight swaddling mimics the womb and eliminates babies waking themselves by poking or scratching themselves. Next, there’s swinging. Think of it more as jiggling rather than a back-and-forth motion.

Shushing noises can be mimicked with white noise machines, fans, humidifiers, or air cleaners at night and keeping the house noisy during the day. Sucking is simply for comfort and can be achieved by a thumb or pacifier. Finally, sidelying and spending time on their tummy while awake decreases the startle reflex in babies.

IF BABY’S GAINING WEIGHT, HE’S EATING JUST FINE It’s a common worry of new parents that their baby isn’t getting enough food, but if your baby is gaining weight at each well visit, you can let this one go. By two weeks, most infants are up to their birth weight. Newborns need to eat every two

to three hours, and sometimes feed more in the evenings. Typically, babies double their birth weight by four months and triple it by one year.

Many women think breastfeeding should come naturally, but learning proper latch on takes a little work for both you and your baby. Proper latch on avoids problems such as nipple soreness or low milk supply. If you need help, ask. Research shows that moms who have support—whether that’s from a lactation specialist, a support group, family, or from other moms who are breastfeeding—are much more successful. For many women, it’s smooth sailing after they’ve made it through the first three weeks.

A side benefit of breastfeeding is plenty of bonding skin-to-skin time.

Skin-to-skin closeness not only promotes bonding and attachment, but it also allows new moms to tap into early feeding cues, such as rapid eye movements, clenched fists, hands to mouth, licking, smacking, sucking and finally, crying.

Enjoy this precious time. It may have its challenges but your baby’s first smile around two months will make it all worth it.

31 Y

h t l a e H Healer

of

Buy one cupcake Get one FREE!

INGe ! t h e T v i A GCELEBRE AR S Gif Become a

All Natural Lotions For Sale

NC I A L AID & SCHOL ARS FINA H I P S AV

A IL A B L E F O R T H O

S E W H O Q U A L IF Y

GIFT CARDS FOR SALE

Call to schedule your massage.

SANITATION POLICY IN PLACE

970-353-1047

SW corner of Horsetooth & College, west of Safeway

970-225-1040

buttercreamcupcakery.com

Student therapists available at discounted rates.

www.natural-therapy.com | 625 8th Ave. | Greeley

172 North College Avenue

970-482-2505

n owledge Boun u F r e m m n d Su starts at K Toys & Games to keep your kids entertained all summer long!

shop local

while shopping online!

970-674-2997 | 1290 Main Street | Windsor | knowledgebound.net RMPARENT

|9

family activities

Dive in, cool off

Beat the heat in a pool or lake LEA HANSON

S

ummer heat is no joke, and swimming is great exercise and it’s most kids’ favorite summertime activity. Not everyone has a neighborhood pool right down the street, so we’ve collected a list of fun and accessible places to swim in northern Colorado.

FORT COLLINS

City Park Pool www.fcgov.com/recreation/cityparkpool 1599 City Park Dr, In Fort Collins City Park, 970-221-6658 Outside pool, features slides, and little kids’ water park, concessions.

Horsetooth Reservoir www.larimer.org/naturalresources/parks/ horsetooth-reservoir) While swimming is allowed most places in the reservoir, there is a swimming beach, specifically. Larimer County roads 38E and 23, west of Fort Collins.

Fee: $7 per vehicle daily Mulberry Pool www.fcgov.com/recreation/mulberrypool.php 424 W Mulberry St, Fort Collins, 970-221-6657 Inside pool, features lap lanes, diving board, slides.

GREELEY

Discovery Bay Pool www.greeleygov.com/activities/ recreation/aquatics 715 E 24th St, Greeley, 970-350-9485 Features water park, big and small slides, and lots of space for families to set up with tables and umbrellas.

Greeley Recreation Center Pool www.greeleygov.com/activities/recreation/ aquatics 651 10th Ave, Greeley, 970-350-9400 Indoor pool featuring lap swimming, open swim, and lessons of all types.

10

| RMPARENT

LOVELAND

Boyd Lake https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/ parks/boydlake Larimer County Road 11C between Fort Collins and Loveland Fee: $8 per vehicle daily Carter Lake www.larimer.org/naturalresources/parks/ carter-lake Larimer County Road 31, about 7 miles southwest of Loveland.

The only place you can legally swim is the Carter Lake swim beach located at Carter Lake Dam No. 2 on the east side of the lake.

Fee: $8 per vehicle per day Chilson Pool www.lovgov.org/services/parks-recreation/ chilson-recreation-center/swimming 700 E 4th St, Loveland, 970-962-2386 Indoor lap, leisure pool with play features, and outdoor/indoor hot tubs are open; steam room is coming soon.

Lake Loveland Swim Beach www.lovgov.org/services/parks-recreation/ parks-facilities/parks-reservation-spaces/ north-lake-park

2626 N. Taft Ave., Loveland, 970-962-2727 At the time of print, the beach was not yet open due to filling lifeguard positions; check the website for opening dates.

Winona Outdoor Pool www.lovgov.org/Home/Components/ ServiceDirectory/ServiceDirectory/102/1765 1615 Fourth St. SE, (adjacent to Osborn Park), Loveland, 970-962-2435 Features a large, cyclone slide and is near a playground. Offers swimming lessons and classes.

WINDSOR

Chimney Park Pool https://www.recreationliveshere.com/166/ Chimney-Park-Pool 421 Chimney Park Dr. Windsor 970-674-0826 Outdoor pool with separate kiddie pool, concessions and water slide.

Windsor Community Recreation Center https://www.recreationliveshere.com/167/ Community-Recreation-Center) 250 North 11th St., Windsor, 970-674-3500Windsor250 North 11th Street Lap lanes, lazy river, hot tub, zero-depth entry with play feature.

RMPARENT

| 11

learn and live

Pitch in for your community Instill compassion and purpose through volunteering TERESEA BAER

V

olunteering as a family or a parent with child not only provides for quality time together that positively impacts your local community, but also delivers many added benefits for you and your children.

Volunteering can lead to discussions that help youth understand their broader community and the issues/ struggles within (i.e. food insecurity, homelessness, abuse, etc.) and how each person can make a difference. Giving time to help others–even responsibilities as simple as yard work for a neighbor or spending time with seniors at a retirement home–provides youth with a greater sense of awareness of and compassion for others.

Volunteering also delivers a sense of purpose. For adults and children alike, it feels good knowing you can positively contribute to your community. That emotional boost or passion regarding a specific interest/initiative, can also boost one’s desire to continue volunteering in the long term. Additionally, youth who volunteer have the opportunity to develop new skills that can be transferable to school, jobs and personal life such as communication, collaboration, problem solving, organization and leadership.

So, if volunteering time as a family together sounds like something you’d like to try, here are some ideas of how to get started and where to look for opportunities.

Youth who volunteer often gain:

• Greater sense of awareness of and compassion for others • Sense of purpose • Transferable skills such as communication, collaboration, problem solving, organization and leadership

12

| RMPARENT

Find your opportunity You can search city, town, county or individual nonprofit agency sites for available volunteer opportunities: ESTES PARK https://estespark.colorado.gov/ volunteering FORT COLLINS www.fcgov.com/volunteer/directory GREELEY https://greeleygov.com/activities/ volunteer

TIME COMMITMENT Determine how much time you can devote. Think carefully about your current commitments and offer only the amount of time that feels comfortable to you. You can start small by helping with a single project or a couple hours per week and increase as your comfort level and schedules allow.

BEST FIT Find the right opportunity. Talk with your child(ren) about their interests and what type of work might be available for their age groups. Examples include yard work or walking dogs for older adults, meal delivery, kitchen assistance or preparing diaper/hygiene kits. Look to local churches and food banks that are always in need of helpers—and provide eye-opening insight into the needs of our community.

Sue Schafer, volunteer services program manager with the City of Fort Collins, says “It can be difficult to find volunteer opportunities for kids younger than 16 due to safety concerns. However, there are

LARIMER COUNTY www.larimer.org/volunteer-larimer-county LOVELAND www.lovgov.org/community/living/ volunteer UNITED WAY OF LARIMER COUNTY www.nocovolunteers.org UNITED WAY OF WELD COUNTY http://volunteer.unitedway-weld.org

things families can do such as our Pick it up FoCo trash cleanup program that offers a step-by-step guide including a safety video, tips, maps and the Litterati app for challenges.” Check out Pick it up FoCo at www.fcgov.com/volunteer/trashpickup.

Schafer also suggested families volunteer at their school “as a great way to instill that sense of taking care of their community…and perhaps National Trails Day every June or National Public Lands Day in the fall, or other events families can do together in a group.”

However you go about it, enjoy the time together making the world a better place.

RMPARENT

| 13

community news Keep families safe, healthy and thriving

Water and gun safety, school supply donations, child development resources THERESA BAER

SEE YOUR CHILD’S STORY PERFORMED AT THE LINCOLN CENTER The Lincoln Center’s free Children’s Summer Series continues on Wednesdays at 10am through July on the Lincoln Center lawn, 417 West Magnolia Street in Fort Collins. Great for children of all ages, this series features hour-long presentations of comedy, music, dance and culture. The last event in the series features The Story Bakers, a professional improv troupe, that takes original stories written by local kids and brings them to life on stage.

If your child has “cooked up” a story, submit it online at www.lctix.com/ story-bakers-2021 for a chance to see it performed live on July 21.

PLAY IT SAFE ON THE POUDRE With the hot weather here, NoCo residents and visitors often visit the Cache la Poudre River to help cool down. But many people don’t understand the power and dangers of moving water and in-river structures that represent hazards. To promote safe and sustainable recreation on the Poudre this summer, the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area has launched the Play It Safe on the Poudre program at https:// poudreheritage.org/play-it-safe, which offers: • Safety tips and river access maps in English and Spanish • Reports on daily river levels • Real-time flood warning map • Colorado stream and river flows and • River safety guidance from Poudre Fire Authority

DIAPER BANKS PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED ESSENTIALS TO NOCO FAMILIES The Nappie Project, a Loveland nonprofit working to ensure northern Colorado communities have access to diapers 14

| RMPARENT

is transitioning to one of its provider partners, The Food Bank of Larimer County. The acquisition is final this month and will allow for greater storage and distribution to accommodate increased demand and make it easier for families in need to get food and diapers in one stop.

There is a significant need for diapers in Weld County also, so United Way of Weld County’s Family Support program partnered with the National Diaper Bank Network to establish the Covering Weld Diaper Bank. This diaper bank distributes diapers to agencies, so that they can distribute the diapers to their clients in need, which contributes to helping children be healthy and thrive and helps parents move toward financial stability.

SUPPORT YOUR CHILDREN’S’ DEVELOPMENT WITH THE PLAYBOOK! Colorado’s Office of Early Childhood understands that children learn best through play and exploration, and created The PLAYbook! Learning Through Play for Colorado’s Families

and Caregivers. The 50-page guide is available in English (https://sforce. co/3gt0tYF)and Spanish (https://sforce. co/3xk7rpX), and “includes comprehensive tips and insights on everything from brain development to activities to do with children at various stages of their development from ages 0 to 5 years old.” Parents, siblings, grandparents, babysitter—anyone caring for young children—can find helpful information and activities that prepare kids to be successful when going to kindergarten and using what they already have around the house.

GUN SAFETY AND TEEN MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS Teen suicide is the leading cause of death of young people in Colorado, and teenagers often don’t show warning signs at home. To create awareness of gun safety and teens struggling with mental health issues, the Larimer County Juvenile Gun Safety Coalition partnered with many organizations to produce the “It Only Takes a Moment” campaign. Included in the campaign

is a powerful video featuring Larimer youth with the overall message: It only takes a moment for a teen to make an impulsive decision to take their lives when they find themselves in a dark place with nowhere to turn, and access to firearms. The video and a variety of parent/guardian and crisis resources are available at www.larimer.org/cjs/ juvenile-gun-safety.

WELD COUNTY ROADMAP4KIDS FAMILY RESOURCES United Way of Weld County’s RoadMap4Kids provides parents and caregivers guidance and support for teaching the children in their care with home learning activities.

RoadMap4Kids also connects these caregivers with community resources for physical and mental health, nutrition, childcare and more for kids, prenatal to 8 years, so that all children can grow up valued, healthy and thriving. Find resources for your family at www.UnitedWay-Weld.org/ RoadMap4Kids.

NEW READ Y SEED EN ESPAÑOL The Gardens on Spring Creek offer a garden storytime, movement or song plus a hands-on, nature-inspired activity for young learners on Mondays and Tuesdays most weeks May through September. They recently added a

Spanish session on Saturdays at 10:15am and 11:15am to broaden their school readiness offerings of early language comprehension, fine and gross motor skills, creativity and multicultural understandings. Learn more at www.fcgov.com/gardens/read-and-seed.

BACK TO SCHOOL BACKPACK COLLECTION Realities For Children is once again working to provide new backpacks stuffed with school supplies to hundreds of children in the NoCo community who have faced abuse, neglect or are atrisk. Consider helping a local child in

need by donating a new backpack, school supplies or a Visa gift card (used for purchasing computers). Donations are tax-deductible and can be dropped off through Friday, July 23rd at the Realties for Children office at 308 East County Road 30 in Fort Collins or one of several collection locations in Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland and Windsor listed at www.realitiesforchildren.com/services/ back-to-school. For more information, contact Jill Foster via email at jill@realitiesforchildren.com.

SKUNKS TEST POSITIVE FOR RABIES IN WELD COUNTY After several skunks tested positive for rabies in Weld County, health officials continue to remind people not to touch or go near wild animals. Rabies is a disease caused by a virus affecting the nervous system that is nearly always fatal if not treated. Any mammal, including humans, can contract rabies through the bite of an infected animal or transmission of saliva to an open cut, scratch or wound. To prevent exposure to rabies: • Do not feed, touch or handle wild animals and be cautious of strays • Have dogs, cats, horses and livestock vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian • Be cautious if wild animals suddenly appear friendly or are behaving erratically • If your pet is in a fight with a wild animal, care should be taken in handling your pet until it is given a bath, or any blood or saliva is washed off RMPARENT

| 15

healthy living

Parenting classes

Child safety, baby care and support LEA HANSON

P

arenting, unlike other promotions in life, does not require any experience or credentials. Whether we become a caregiver on purpose or through another life circumstance, most new caregivers find themselves in a situation during which we’ve said to ourselves (or others), “I have literally no idea what I’m doing.” The truth is most of us don’t. And, whether we have/had “good” parents, or we have people around us modeling practices we admire, we can usually use some extra help and training.

Toni DeGennaro is a Certified Positive Discipline Parenting Educator in northern Colorado www.parentingfortcollins.com/ and specializes in personal coaching for parents who need to sharpen their skills, especially when it comes to discipline. She says, “I don’t tell parents life is perfect. We are all still human!”

But, she says, “While we will always have challenges, positive parenting can make those challenges quieter, shorter, and much less stressful.”

BABY CARE Oftentimes, parents and new caregivers are too worried to even admit they just generally don’t know about babies and children. When do they sleep and how much? When do they eat… and how much? The Youth Clinic in northern Colorado Offers several classes on these topics to support parents and caregivers who want to give the best care to their children and want to learn more about what that entails.

Called, Baby Steps, this resource offers support through a child’s first year of life. This weekly group allows parents to connect informally with other parents and share their experiences.

A pediatric nurse is available to answer 16

| RMPARENT

questions and provide information on important topics such as development and play, family life balance, babyproofing and safety, feeding, sleep, and common infant illness. www.youthclinic. com/ages-stages/newborns-up-to-24months/#classes CAR SEATS Sure, learning how to relate to your child and how to create the type of communication at home that best suits us are broad strokes, sometimes we worry more about the smaller, logistical tasks. Like, for example, installing a car seat. Safe Kids of Larimer County www.sklarimer.org/car-seat-resources/ exists to help prevent accidental injury to children and offers training and resources about bicycle safety, car seats, teen driving, and more. They also offer virtual learning and in-person classes.

The topics about which Safe Kids

educates are important for a few key reasons: first, safety clearly is a priority; second, laws and regulations are always changing when it comes to seat belts, car seats, and helmet use. Even a family with several children can find themselves missing a new update regarding how many pounds a child needs to weigh and/ or how old that child should be before moving them to a front-facing car seat.

As a state, Colorado is committed to children riding in seats that are the right size, position, and are installed safely. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has a website dedicated entirely to this topic (https:// www.codot.gov/safety/carseats) titled Car Seats Colorado. Car Seats Colorado’s mission is to provide an environment in Colorado where every child is properly secured in an approved and appropriate restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle.

RMPARENT

| 17

p i r T d a o R

s e r u t n e v d a Lynn U Nichols

Create lasting family memories 18

| RMPARENT

N

ow that Covid restrictions are lifting, you may be itching to get on the road and have some fun.

Go for it! You’ll not only satisfy that urge to break out of your home, but you’ll also get to connect with your family in that special way that only road tripping can provide—slap-happy fits of laughter from too many hours in a car, inside jokes over shared experiences, and navigating mishaps with creativity and fun.

“Getaways are important. They provide a time and place to have fun and laugh and break out of the day-today grind, freeing us to have fun,” says Alison Hartman, licensed marriage and family therapist with SummitStone Health Partners.

Have you ever noticed that some of your strongest childhood memories are

from times that you traveled together as a family? Experiencing new places and activities together has sticking power. If you need a reason to hit the road, here are three: VISITING NEW PLACES LETS YOU PUSH THE RESET BUTTON Getting away fills us up and sets us free. We release the strings that attach us to all the chores and obligations in our lives. Getting away lets us think bigger and live larger. Sitting on a rock overlooking a vast canyon makes you contemplate the speck of your life, giving you a wide-angled view.

There is great satisfaction in experiencing new places and seeing new things as a family. All that stimulus helps unlock creativity, and lets us

grass is too long and needs cutting, or if bills need to be paid? You are here, together, face to face spending quality time together and that’s all that matters.

“Getting away together is an opportunity for connecting and bonding as a family,” Hartman says.

Listening to audio stories, singing songs, and playing games in the car create mini shared experiences within one big shared experience. Try not to overpack your days and make room for just hanging out, creating times when you can share your dreams with each other and soak in the natural world, together.

It can be helpful to limit media time on the road, or to ban it during certain activities altogether. Phones and tablets demand our attention, so making a rule that all devices take a break in the glovebox for a portion of the ride is helpful. If you are super brave, leave devices at home altogether, except for adult phones for emergencies. If your kids are itching for screen time, visit a movie theatre in a small town—and splurge on the large popcorn.

adults share a childlike wonder and curiosity with our kids.

To help everyone loosen up, relax certain rules while on vacation. This encourages siblings to bond and sets a calm mood. Maybe it’s eating junk food for a change, allowing their bags to become a messy pile of clothes, or biting your tongue when they scramble up a boulder. Letting your kids take a few risks within reason helps them learn to navigate the world without fear but with just the right amount of caution.

TOGETHER TIME BUILDS BONDS Often, we need to get out of the responsibilities of our day to day lives to let go of distractions and be present with each other. Vacations let us do that. Who cares if the

DEVELOP SKILLS, NATURALLY Traveling lets you sneak in life and school skills in a fun, unobvious way. For example, putting your kids in charge of your schedule for the day teaches them to estimate arrival times, make plans, solve problems when they arise, lead the group, and negotiate with each other. Remember, your adventure or vacation may not turn out exactly as planned, but that’s okay. As parents, it’s helpful to point out the little successes along the way.

If you have a hesitant child who doesn’t like to try new things, doing them altogether as a family can help.

This can be literally anything, but you could start with a basic affinity, like your daughter’s love of horses, and turn that into a horseback riding outing, or your son’s love of lizards into a trip to a natural history museum. Exploring new activities and places lets you hone into your child’s interests and makes

them feel understood.

Create richer experiences by reading about the area you are visiting before leaving home or while traveling. Encourage everyone to ask a question or two and find the answer to it. Traveling can help expose children to different cultures and ways of life, opening both their eyes and minds to the world at large, and giving them a better perspective on their own lives. Sum up the day with reflections over dinner, asking your kids what they learned and what they enjoyed.

GO OFF THE BEATEN PATH TO AVOID CROWDS Since the world is a whir with families travelling around, many campground reservations are full, theme parks have long lines, and hotels are booked. The key to traveling this summer is getting off the beaten path. Instead of going to Zion National Park, try the lesser known Bryce Canyon. Instead of going to Disneyland, check out a smaller theme park like Knott’s Berry Farms. Plan to visit local theme parks like Water World and Elitch Gardens on a week day rather than a weekend.

If you are going camping in the West, tap into the vast landscapes of BLM land or dispersed camping areas, where camping off road is free and lightly regulated. It often means you can find an amazing spot down a dirt road with no one around. Some favorite areas to do some disbursed camping nearby are Vedauwoo in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest near Buford, Wyoming, or in Canyon Lakes Ranger District up the Poudre Canyon west of Fort Collins. Better yet, rent some backpacks and go into the backcountry for some real solitude.

THE OPEN ROAD IS WAITING! Whether you leave for a long weekend or a week, getting away is just what you need to come together as a family and celebrate that the worst of the pandemic is over.

RMPARENT

| 19

A night in the

Just go— whether with a tent or an RV Scott Titterington 20

| RMPARENT

woods

S

torm clouds gathered as we began to prepare dinner. We were camped at Brooklyn Lake campground in the Snowy Range just west of Laramie. The kids were teenagers by then and veterans of many camping and backpacking trips. We discovered that we’d neglected to pack a critical utensil for dinner and decided to make the quick run into Centennial to get one. We quickly found our needed item and then, noticing that the weather continued to close in, ordered a pizza to go. We arrived back at camp as the storm broke. Aly and Andy smiled when they saw the pizza. As the storm raged on and off throughout the evening, we played games at the table and ate our pie. In some ways it was no big deal, just another night at a campsite with some weather, but something was a little different. We laughed until we cried

as the wind shook the pop-top camper and rain pounded on the roof.

I remember similar times from camping when I was a kid—wandering free during the day and relaxed evenings of games or reading in the camper or tent.

So many magic things happen when we leave the confines of our concrete jungles and take to the woods, especially if we leave our digital distractions behind and instead shift our focus to the people and world immediately in front of us.

These times together make for the great stories that our families tell when we get together. They’re special times where we carve out time to spend together, time that we can’t seem to find when we stay in town with all its distractions.

Finding your place in the outdoors

You have lots of choices from private campgrounds to public lands. For in-demand areas, you’ll need to make reservations months in advance but for other spots you can be spontaneous and just go.

• Federal lands campgrounds—Reserve your campsite at campgrounds in National Forests, Parks, BLM and more. www.Recreation.gov.

• County campgrounds—Find your spot nearby at www.larimer.org/naturalresources/reservations/campgrounds

• Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch—Set up your camp in wooded and meadow campsites along a stream. Enjoy hiking, fishing, mountain biking, wildlife viewing and more. www.beavermeadows.com

• Dispersed camping—Get away from the crowds without a need for a reservation (or a guaran-

tee of a site). Check Medicine Bow National Forest, Pawnee National Grasslands and Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest sites.

CHOOSE YOUR LODGING Over the years we’ve enjoyed our nights in the woods cocooned in a variety shelters from tents to a camper van to yurts. In most cases, they all provide similar yet distinct experiences.

TENT CAMPING Tent is what we refer to as “roughing it.”

Though it isn’t really all that rough! You can find roomy family-sized tents, comfy mattresses, great cooking kits and every accessory you can imagine from water heaters to solar-powered battery lights. You can even get an outhouse tent and potty.

Pros: Not too expensive to get into.

Spend more time outside. Can transport your gear in your current car. Can camp wherever your vehicle can get too.

Cons: Requires organization for packing. Sometimes not as easy to hang out in in the evenings and during inclement weather. Not as well suited to cooler-weather camping.

POP-TOP CAMPER You can still get the tent-camping feel.

Pop-tops come in a variety of sizes and amenity packages from basically tents on

wheels to full-on luxury with showers and bathrooms.

Pros: Lots of space for the size of the trailer. Comfy beds and sitting areas for when you’re inside in the evenings and during bad weather. Light weight compared to travel trailer. Supplies and gear packed in trailer ready to go.

Cons: More financial commitment than a tent setup. Need a vehicle with a trailer hitch. Takes time compared to a travel trailer to set up. Might not be able to access some sites that tent-campers can.

TRAVEL TRAILER The price range and features vary tremendously once you hit this category. Some travel trailers are like second homes others provide a basic comfortable place to sleep that converts into a dining area in the day and includes a small kitchen.

Pros: Quick setup—back into your spot, level things out a bit and voila, you’re camping. Overall ease—you can leave a complete cooking and playing setup in the camper. Easy to access any time. Higher security. Heats nicely. Can unhitch and use your car.

Cons: Typically requires a higher tow-capacity vehicle. Can be more expensive than pop-tops. Some limits on where you can camp depending on size and road conditions.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLE / CAMPER VAN Again, you can find a huge range from land yachts to stripped down van conversions. These are well suited for being on the move. They’re fine, too, for staying put.

Pros: Super easy to get on the road.

Allow easy access to supplies without having to leave the vehicle. Comfortable.

Cons: Milage is typically lower.

Another vehicle to maintain and that might sit idle for much of the year. No extra vehicle for running errands or siteseeing, though you can tow a car.

YURTS/CAMPER CABINS Rustic shelters that typically have beds and kitchens with wood stoves for heat.

You’ll need to bring your own bedding.

Pros: Convenient and roomier than a tent or RV. Secure shelter.

Cons: Cost per night is typically closer to that of a hotel.

Try a comfy night out

Rent an RV or book a yurt for an experience to remember.

Rent your RV or trailer directly from the owner, think Airbnb for RVs. www.rvshare.com, www.rvezy.com.

Book a night or three in a yurt any time of year in Colorado State Forest State Park with Never Summer Nordic yurts. www.neversummernordic.com.

RMPARENT

| 21

What’s NEW at Front Range Classical Ballet?

• Classes by appointment and sign-up only.

• Class sizes limited • Masks required for all classes except for medical exemptions • Private and Semi-private lessons available • Zoom private, semi-private and group lessons available FOR YOUR SAFETY • High-touch surfaces disinfected between classes • In-studio air purifier running • Open studio air flow, weather permitting.

Class sizes limited Masks required for all classes

22

| RMPARENT

except for medical exemptions Private and Semi-private lessons available

VISIT FRCBALLET.COM TO REGISTER!

970.980.8425 | 3501 South Mason Street Unit 1 | Fort Collins

FIT AND FUN!

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT Fit and Fun

| RMPARENT | 1

Still uninsured?

Get covered by May 15. We can help!

We can help you find the best health insurance for your needs and budget, including plans that have financial assistance.

Small Humans....Big Energy

We’ll Exercise Muscle, Mind and Laughter for 5 & 6 Year olds

Call now! Special uninsured enrollment period ends May 15!

Not Just Our Name, Our Reality for 7 - 10 Year Olds

FREE virtual appts. Limited in-person appts.

970-472-0444

Stand Out, AgeAppropriate Summer Fun for 11-15 Year Olds

larimerhealthconnect.org Please Call Us at 970-482-2536 with any questions

2 | RMPARENT

|

Fit and Fun

The Dream Starts Here!

Offering gymnastics classes for ages 18 months to 18 years of age in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere.

H H Bring in this ad and receive 2 free classes! H H — For new customers only —

• Beginner - Advanced Girls & Boys • Preschool Open Gyms

• Birthday Parties • Summer Camps • Preschool Classes • Competitive Teams • Homeschool Open Gym • Competitive Cheer

970-663-3173 • Premiergymnastics.net 1410 East 11th Street • Loveland

Fit and Fun

| RMPARENT | 3

UNC SWIMMING CAMPS

Learn to s wim AGES 8 TO 18

Half-day and full-day camps JUNE 28-JULY 2 JULY 12-16

Choose from

3 tracks BEGINNER

Learn-to-swim, water safety INTERMEDIATE

Technique instruction ELITE

Skills, drills and technique instruction at top levels

970-351-1741

www.uncswimmingcamps.com • lisa.ebeling@unco.edu UNC SWIMMING CAMPS ARE OPEN TO ANY AND ALL ENTRANTS [ LIMITED ONLY BY NUMBER, AGE, GRADE LEVEL AND/OR GENDER ]

4 | RMPARENT

|

Fit and Fun

CITY PARK NINE GOLF COURSE FORT COLLINS, CO

JUNIOR CLINICS START AT

75

$

ASK ABOUT OUR ADULT CLINICS TOO!

FOR DETAILED INFORMATION:

970-221-6650 | MMAGLEY@FCGOV.COM

FCGOV.COM/CITYPARKNINE

Fit and Fun

| RMPARENT | 5

Everything you need, IN STOCK

• Dance Shoes • Dance Wear • Pointe Shoes (fitter in-house) • Multi-child Discount • College Discount

10%OFF

ANY PURCHASE OVER $50 Must present coupon. Not valid with any other offers.

Exp. 8/31/21

970-691-0091

649 N. Denver Ave., Loveland www.EncoreDanceEmporium.com

6 | RMPARENT

|

Fit and Fun

Fit and Fun

| RMPARENT | 7

• Infant Program

(Fort Collins Only)

• Toddler Program • Preschool Program • Utilize Creative Curriculum • Nutritious Breakfast, Lunch & Snack • Financial Assistance Available • Dedicated Professional Staff • Nonprofit Agency • Qualistar Rated

O P E N: :0 0pm 6:30am - 6 ALL YE AR

teaching-tree.org 8 | RMPARENT

|

Fit and Fun

LOVELAND CENTER

2109 Maple Dr. Loveland, CO 80538 (970) 667-7240

FORT COLLINS CENTER

424 Pine St. Fort Collins, CO 80524 (970) 493-2628

Summer Camps!

Open to riders of all levels

HORSEBACK RIDING SUMMER CAMPS

MINI EQUESTRIAN & PONY PALS CAMP

Ages 7 & Up • Ready to Show Camp June 15 - 18 • Blue Ribbon Riders Camp July 13 - 16 • Summer Finale Camp August 3 - 6

Ages 5 – 6 • Princess Pony Camp: June 29 – July 1 • Fun on the Farm Camp: July 27 – July 29 Stefanie Hoffman, Owner/Instructor

970.402.2536

for registration and camp details visit: inspirationridingacademy.com Fit and Fun

| RMPARENT | 9

What’s NEW at Front Range Classical Ballet?

• Classes by appointment and sign-up only.

• Class sizes limited • Masks required for all classes except for medical exemptions • Private and Semi-private lessons available • Zoom private, semi-private and group lessons available FOR YOUR SAFETY • High-touch surfaces disinfected between classes • In-studio air purifier running • Open studio air flow, weather permitting.

VISIT FRCBALLET.COM TO REGISTER!

970.980.8425 | 3501 South Mason Street Unit 1 | Fort Collins

classes

mptions

ate lessons

10

| RMPARENT

RMPARENT

| 23

greeley district 6 news School Kickoff Community Celebration 6, collectively winning more than $9,000 to fund their conservation projects.

Caring for Our Watersheds is an international program, open to students living in the Big Thompson and Cache la Poudre watersheds. Students submit a grant proposal answering the question, “What can you do to improve your watershed?”

Students research their local watershed and identify an environmental concern and come up with a realistic solution.

The Colorado contest is hosted by the Poudre Learning Center. Due to COVID-19, the final competition and ceremony was hosted remotely this year.

Here are this year’s winners, their school, their project, their teacher and the amount of funding they received for their project: The School Kickoff Community Celebration is coming back strong this year with an in-person event Saturday, August 7, from 10am to 1pm, at Island Grove Regional Park.

There will be some modifications to the event because of COVID-19, and these may change as the event approaches based on recommendations from health officials. Right now, it looks like the event will go on, in-person.

The School Kickoff Community Celebration will include:

• 5,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, to be given out to District 6 students.

• A free sack lunch for children ages birth through 18 years old • Free sports physicals • School and sports registration • More than 50 community booths featuring information and resources

We ask that District 6 employees direct families who need backpacks, school supplies and other resources to this event.

In July, volunteers can begin signing up to help with the School Kickoff Community Celebration. Look for more information soon!

24

| RMPARENT

If you have any questions about the event, contact Theresa Myers at tmyers@ greeleyschools.org.

DISTRICT 6 STUDENTS PLACE IN CARING FOR OUR WATERSHEDS CONTEST Six of the seven finalists for this year’s Caring for Our Watersheds stewardship program were from District

• Saria Mowrer, Greeley Central High School, “Bracelets for Bats,” teacher Liz Mock-Murphy, $1,000 award • Kimberly Gonzalez Jimenez, Greeley Central High School, “Our Blooming Watershed,” teacher Liz Mock-Murphy, $900 award • Juan Reveles Hernandez, Northridge High School, “Education for the Younger Generation,” teacher

Dr. Yajaira Fuentes-Tauber, $800 award • Brookelynn Hernandez and Helena Rangel, Greeley West High School, “Mother Native,” teacher Corrine Yahn, $600 award • Pamela Perez, Northridge High School, “The Pandas Choice,” teacher Dr. Yajaira Fuentes-Tauber, $500 award • Yaritza Morfin, Northridge High School, “Cutlery Can Be Decomposable?” teacher Dr. Yajaira Fuentes-Tauber, $450 award.

Congratulations to all these amazing students!

STEPPING STONES TO HONOR STUDENTS AND THEIR ARTWORK Teachers at Billie Martinez Elementary School and the District 6 grounds crew joined to help create stepping stones in front of Billie Martinez Elementary School.

Students in the school painted rocks that were placed in cement for the stepping stones. Every year, first graders will add a stone to the path.

What a creative way to beautify the school and showcase student art!

Clean out your closet for cash We pay cash on-the-spot for women’s fashion

970-223-6636

4519 S. College | Fort Collins

Call or visit our website to learn more

ClothesMentor.com/fort-collins

RMPARENT

| 25

poudre school district news Celebrating Eco Week

Although they didn’t make the traditional treks to the mountains, PSD students still got their hands dirty and dug into outdoor learning during alternative 2021 Eco Week activities.

Eco Week is an outdoor experience that elementary students anticipate with excitement as they enter fifth grade. In previous years, many schools chose to head to the Rocky Mountains to engage students in outdoor education and many firsts: their first time away from home, their first time camping and, for this generation, potentially their first experience without a digital connection.

Outdoor education provides opportunities for students to develop positive relationships with the environment, others and themselves through interaction with the natural world. These relationships renew the well-being and sustainability of students, society and our environment. Eco Week engages students in practical and active learning experiences in natural environments and settings typically beyond the school classroom.

“Because this is the first year our fifth-graders haven’t gone anywhere for Eco Week, I was nervous about how 26

| RMPARENT

things were going to turn out,” says Adrienne Stienle, fifth-grade teacher at Johnson Elementary. “I was happily surprised that our Eco Week went better than expected! The kids enjoyed going over to Westfield Park to identify leaves, needles and Eco Systems and the biggest hit was the predator/prey games we played at the end of each day.”

This year’s fifth graders had a unique opportunity to appreciate the environment and observe their natural habitats with a greater emphasis on their local surroundings. Northern Colorado Building Environmental Education Together (NoCO BEET), a collaboration of community partners, teamed up with PSD to support environmental outdoor education activities for our fifth-grade students.

Local experts virtually joined classrooms to explore and engage in a multitude of topics aligned with the Colorado State Academic Standards while infusing interdisciplinary skills. Personal skills were emphasized through activities such as nature hikes, team-building projects, water ecology studies, observation skills, creative expression and

journaling, geology, astronomy, life zone studies and more.

Although PSD students missed the mountains during Eco Week 2021, the heart of Eco Week was still captured throughout our community.

“Eco Week is a rite of passage for fifth-graders. Not only does learning about nature and ecology promote future stewardship of our environment, but the activities also encourage connections and relationships between students as well as with their teachers,” says Leslie Hass, fifth-grade teacher at Bennett Elementary.

“There are valuable lessons about taking personal risks and stepping out of your comfort zone to deal with challenges. Even though students didn’t get the traditional Eco Week experience this year, we are happy that we could do some activities that get at the heart of what Eco Week is all about, and hopefully give these students some positive memories as they wrap up their time in elementary school.”

MOUNTAIN SCHOOLS GET KITCHENS Students at Poudre School District mountain schools have been enjoying school meals this year thanks to new commercial kitchens that were installed at the schools last summer, just in time for the start of the 2020-21 school year. Previously, students brought their lunches from home to Livermore, Red Feather Lakes and Stove Prairie elementary schools. https://www. psdschools.org/News/kitchensmountainschools GLOBAL LEADERSHIP CLASS RAISES FUNDS TO SUPPORT OTHER STUDENTS With the help of Lincoln Middle School’s parent teacher organization, the Global Leadership class completed a service project aimed at raising money to create a laundry room on the school’s campus for families in need. https:// www.psdschools.org/News/LincolnLaundryRoom

SCHOOL OF CHOICE If you missed the first period of consideration for School of Choice, the second period is now open. Families have a wide array of wonderful PSD schools to choose from. Visit the school options webpage on the PSD website to learn more.

Register online at olr.psdschools. org. Even if you opt to send your child to a school outside your neighborhood through School Choice, you must still register your child at your neighborhood school.

MEALS Thanks to an extension of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s school district reimbursement program, PSD will once again offer free meals to any enrolled PSD student during the 2021-22 school year.

VIRTUAL OPTION For the 2021-22 school year, Poudre Global Academy Virtual will replace Poudre School District Virtual (PSDV), the district’s current 100 percent online

option that sunsets at the end of this school year. PGA Virtual is one of two tracks—the existing hybrid and 100 percent online—offered through Poudre Global Academy. Families may apply now, during the School of Choice second-consideration application period. For more PGAV information, visit PGAV’s website.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Know a preschooler who could benefit from going to school in PSD and connecting with professional, compassionate educators? To learn about the application process and more, visit the Early Childhood Education web page.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION AVAILABLE ONLINE Register online at olr.psdschools.org.

Even if you opt to send your child to a school outside your neighborhood through School Choice, you must still register your child at your neighborhood school.

PARAPROFESSIONAL HONORED WITH SPECIAL GRADUATION CEREMONY A self-described high school dropout, Krista Fuller is now getting her bachelor’s in education at Colorado State University. Fuller is a paraprofessional at Livermore Elementary, whose community recently came together to celebrate her well-earned achievement. https://www.psdschools.org/News/ Livermore-Para-Graduate

RMPARENT

| 27

thompson school district news Spotlight on Kimberly Tymkowych

K

im Tymkowych isn’t sure when she realized it was her destiny to be an educator, but she thinks growing up across the street from an elementary school may have had something to do with it. As a child, she would stay after school and help the teachers, but it wasn’t until she went to college, at the University of Northern Colorado, years later, that she figured out what she wanted to do.

“My path just kind of went that way,” she says. Now, after spending six years in classrooms teaching third and fourth grades, being an instructional coach for three years, working with eight different principals and being a principal for eight years, first at Centennial and then at Winona Elementary, Kim is more passionate than ever about what she does, and especially the school and staff she leads.

When Kim became the principal at Winona, the school had been placed on a Turnaround Plan through the state, meaning that the school was not making adequate progress on

28

| RMPARENT

achievement and growth. As a result, the Colorado Department of Education did a diagnostic review to find the strengths and areas of growth for the school, and to give the staff some goals to work toward.

“I knew it was a struggling school, and I took the job hoping it would push me as a professional and allow me to

utilize some of my background,” Kim says. “The diagnostic was like a road map to guide us in the direction that we needed to go.”

Kim says the first step was making sure all the staff was working together toward some common goals, which eventually led to their mission statement. “Every kid, every day,” Kim says.

“That’s what we created as a staff. It reminds us that our work is making sure that we’re providing a safe and predictable environment for every kid, every day.”

At a school like Winona, where over 65 percent of the families qualify for free and reduced meals, and with a mobility rate (percentage of families moving in or out of the school each year) of 25 percent, this means not only providing an education, but often helping with other needs as well.

“Emotional support, clothing, food,” Kim explains. “We meet our students where they’re at when they come through the door.”

With a student population around 300, and a staff of 43 adults, there is a lot of collaboration and teamwork involved in helping students succeed, including staff members getting to

know families well so everyone can work together.

“We can look at so many individual success stories within our population.

Our goal is to help them to know there are many ways to grow, and it’s not just about the academics,” Kim says. “We want to help them feel loved at school, increase their self-esteem and awareness of how to advocate for themselves.

There are definitely some challenges and barriers along the way, but we work together to overcome them. This process takes time, but we have made tremendous progress already, especially in our school culture.”

Even with all the big strides Winona has made as a school, Kim says there is still a lot of work to do. “I want to see our staff turnover decrease, as well as the academic growth and achievement meet and eventually exceed our state scores,” she says.

Kim says it typically takes three to five years to see growth in the areas identified in a Turnaround Plan, but the

Winona community has been working hard to create change. “A big piece of our work is making sure everyone is a part of that work,” Kim says. This means building relationships amongst students and their teachers, something staff at Winona has worked very hard at doing.

In a recent survey, Kim said that 98 percent of the students at Winona report feeling respected by their teachers.

“Our kids will show us respect and work alongside us more if they feel respected,” she says. “We’re trying to teach the kids to expect respect as well.”

Kim believes this starts with building community at the school. “We want to focus on what our school is like on the inside, but also what it looks like from the outside,” Kim says.

Recently, students at Winona raised money to have a heart for the City of Loveland’s City with HeART project installed in front of the school. Students also created the design on the heart and the school’s Art Club helped the professional artist to paint it.

RMPARENT

| 29

J U LY 2 0 2 1

EVENTS CALENDAR Please check websites for the status of the following events as cancelations or postponements may have been announced after our publication date.

FESTIVALS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

THROUGH SEPTEMBER One Sweet Summer Event Series Live music concerts, outdoor dining, kids’ days, fitness classes and more. All ages.

The Foundry Plaza, Downtown LV. Days/ times vary. www.downtownloveland.org/ onesweetsummer.

WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS THROUGH JULY 30 Kids Feeding Kids Summer Breakfast Program Free healthy breakfast and fun, educational and social activities for children and families in need. Registration required.

FoCo Café, 225 Maple St., FC. 9–10:30am. www.facebook.com/FoCoCafe/events.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7 Promenade Kids Day Activities, treats and giveaways on the lawn. Ages 1–13. Promenade Shops at Centerra, Main Plaza, between Bent Fork & Build-A-Bear, LV. 11am– 2pm. www.ThePromenadeShopsAtCenterra. com/events.

JULY 24 AND 25 Taste of Fort Collins Family-friendly activities and food from local and national restaurants, entertainment from acclaimed musicians, plus fine artisans and regional crafters’ work. Washington Park, Old Town FC. www.tasteoffortcollins.com.

THROUGH JULY 4 Greeley Stampede Festival featuring rodeo entertainment, carnival, concerts, children’s activities, fireworks and more. Island Grove Regional Park, 600 N. 14th Ave., GR. www.greeleystampede.org.

LIBRARY & BOOK EVENTS

JULY 5 THROUGH 10 Rooftop Rodeo PRCA sanctioned rodeo featuring professional cowboys/cowgirls from around the world. Estes Park Fairgrounds, EP. www.rooftoprodeo.com.

THURSDAY, JULY 15 Taste of Windsor Showcases Northern Colorado restaurants, food trucks, caterers, local businesses and live music. Boardwalk Park, 500 N. 5th St., WS. 5–8:30pm (concert begins 6:30pm). www.facebook.com/ events/472594954061319.

THROUGH JULY 6 Fairy Tale CSI Kids (and their families) look for clues at a familiar fairy tale crime scene to find out “who done it.” Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Avenue, GR.www.mylibrary.us.

MONDAYS THROUGH JULY 26 Monday Outdoor Series Each week presents a new experience: dances, musical performances, entertainers, dog tricks, etc. Registration required. Old Town Library/Library Park South Lawn, 201 Peterson St., FC. 10–11am. www.poudrelibraries.org.

THROUGH JULY 30 Clearview Summer Adventure Program: Tails and Tales Hands-on activities or reading challenges to complete, and programs to keep you active–all centered around animals and stories. All ages. https://clearviewlibrary.org/sap-2666.

Spring Activities to Promote Vocabulary Skills: • Use descriptive language when talking about the weather and seasons with your child (hot, cold, rainy, wet, sunny, cloudy, etc.)

• Use action words to describe what your child is doing when playing outside (run, jump, hop, splash, skip, hide, etc.)

• Go for a walk and talk about the senses (“What do you see in the sky?”, “What does that flower smell like?”, “How does the grass feel?” etc.)

For more writing strategy resources go to csrckids.org 30

| RMPARENT

970-419-0486 FORT COLLINS

1330 Oakridge Drive, #10 LOVELAND

1511 E. 11th Street, #290

RMPARENT

| 31

THROUGH JULY 31 StoryWalk at Foote Lagoon Wander the StoryWalk path reading The Day the Crayons Quit. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

Take-n-Make Kits from High Plains Library District Pick up kits for all ages to learn about and create flying creatures, making origami animals, book hedgehogs, drawing animals, tales from the ocean, backyard habitats, marshmallow constellations, and more! Kit availability and locations vary throughout the month–see website for details: http://mylibrary.evanced.info/signup.

THROUGH AUGUST 8 HPLD Summer Reading Adventure Choose individual/family, group/class options, select your reading challenges, then earn badges/rewards for reading, attending events and completing activities.

High Plains Library District, GR. https:// highplains.beanstack.org/reader365.

THROUGH AUGUST 15 PRPLD Summer Reading Challenge: Tails and Tales Combining the love of animals and stories, summer fun comes roaring back this year.

All ages. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave. #200, FC. www.poudrelibraries.org/src.

FRIDAY, JULY 2 Rec & Tech Play with tech toys, fly a drone, compete in a lawn game and make a craft. All ages. Children under 8 need to bring a grown-up. Overlook Park, 10007 CR 72, WS. 3–4pm. https://clearviewlibrary.org/ event/5123951.

MONDAY, JULY 5 Mini Terrariums Teens create a tiny ecosystem with mini clay decorations and a salt shaker.

Registration required. Loveland Library lawn, 300 N. Adams, LV.11am–Noon. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/events.

32

| RMPARENT

TUESDAY, JULY 6 Your Magic Library Learn to be a master magician! Watch this hilarious, helpful and zany 6-part magic-trick series led by world famous magician Cody & comedian Wolfe. Registration required to receive access code. Loveland Library online meeting, 300 N. Adams, LV. 11am–Noon. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/events.

Around the World Scavenger Hunt for Teens Various tasks and challenges will take you around the park and around the world.

Ages 12–18. Registration required. Twin Silo Park, 5552 Ziegler Rd., FC. 2–4pm. www.poudrelibraries.org.

Storigami for Tweens and Teens Storytelling and Origami combined. Ages 10–18. Registration required. Twin Silo Park, 5552 Ziegler Rd., FC. 2–3pm. www.poudrelibraries.org.

TinkerCad: Kids Edition Begin learning how to make 3D models with Tinkercad, a cloud-based design application. Ages 6–11 (under 9 w/adult).

Registration required. Loveland Library, 300 N. Adams, LV. 3–4pm. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/events.

Teen 3D Printing Workshop Learn about the 3D printing process, how the machine functions, what makes a good design, how to design your own model and receive a free 3D print. Registration required. Loveland Library lawn, 300 N. Adams, LV. 2–4pm. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/events.

THURSDAY, JULY 22 StoryWalk at Eastman Park Wander the StoryWalk path reading Summer Walk, see a butterfly release and receive take-and-make craft. All ages.

Eastman Park, 7025 Eastman Park Dr., WS. 10–10:30am. 970-686-5603, https:// clearviewlibrary.org/event/5111891.

TUESDAY, JULY 13 Teen Yoga on the Lawn Learn basic yoga poses and practice positive thinking outdoors. Bring a towel/yoga mat, water, sunscreen and wear comfy clothes.

Registration required. Loveland Library lawn, 300 N. Adams, LV. 10:30–11:30am. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/events.

Loteria Mexicana in the Park Hosted by Loveland Library, the whole family can play and win prizes. All ages.

Registration required. Necesita registrarse para participar. Dwayne Webster Veteran’s Park shelter # 1, 401 W. 13th St., LV. 5:30–7pm. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/events.

THURSDAY, JULY 15 StoryWalk at Lakeview Park Wander the StoryWalk path reading Waiting For Wings, see a butterfly release and receive take-and-make craft. All ages. Lakeview Park, 512 Mallard Dr, Severance. 10:30–11am. 970-686-5603 https://clearviewlibrary.org/event/5111860.

TUESDAY, JULY 27 Mini Chefs Bilingual Virtual Cooking Class Slow Food Denver instructor, Nikki Knaddison leads this bilingual virtual cooking class where kids will learn to prepare a healthy flatbread pizza and salad.

Ages 8–12. Register to receive your kit of ingredients and meeting link. PRPLD Zoom meeting. www.poudrelibraries.org.

Penguin Science Learn how a penguin stays dry, slides on ice and more while doing some penguin experiments and craft. All ages. Clearview Library YouTube meeting. 3–3:30pm.

970-686-5603, https://clearviewlibrary. org/event/5110768.

TUESDAY, JULY 20 Rainbow Scavenger Hunt Outdoor color scavenger hunt. First 3 teams who return with the full item list win prizes! Registration recommended.

Loveland Library lawn, 300 N. Adams, LV. 11am–Noon. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/events.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28 Itty Bitty Food Teens create tiny food using polymer clay. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams, LV. 11am–Noon. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/events.

FRIDAY, JULY 30 Loveland Library End of Summer Celebration Bring the family to celebrate with a community art experience, Kona Ice and more. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams, LV. 5–7pm. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/events.

Teen Pool Party Register for the Loveland Library Summer Learning Program, log 1800 points and receive ticket to the end of summer pool party with free pizza, Kona Ice and swimming. Winona Pool, 1615 4th Street SE., LV. 5:30–7:30pm. www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org/events.

CONNECT TO NATURE

MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS The Gardens Read and Seed in English Garden story, movement/song plus natureinspired activity. Ages 2–4 with adult.

Registration required. Free/members; $8/ non-member child; $11/ non-member adult (includes gardens/butterfly house.)

Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave. FC. 10:15–11am or 11:15am–Noon. www.fcgov.com/gardens/read-and-seed.

SATURDAYS The Gardens Read y Seed en Español ¡Es tiempo de explorar en los Jardines!

Garden storytime, movement/song plus a hands-on, nature-inspired activity. Ages 2–4 with adult. Registration required. Free/ members; $8/non-member child; $11/ nonmember adult (includes gardens/butterfly house.) Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 10:15–11am or 11:15am–Noon. www.fcgov.com/gardens/read-and-seed.

THURSDAY, JULY 1 Fireflies Fort Collins has one of Colorado’s largest firefly populations. Check them out on easy 1–2 mile walk near the full moon!

All ages. Registration required. Riverbend Ponds Natural Area, Prospect Road parking lot, 2856 E. Prospect Rd., FC. 8:30–10pm. www.fcgov.com/events.

THURSDAY, JULY 8 Junior Naturalists: Yoga and Wellness Incorporating yoga poses, art and music, kids will self-express and strengthen their bodies and connection to mindfulness and breathing techniques. Ages 8–12 with parent/guardian. Ross Natural Area at Rolland Moore Park, 2201 S. Shields St., FC. Registration required. 10am–Noon. www.fcgov.com/events.

FRIDAY, JULY 9 Campfire at Nix: A Bird’s Life Cozy evening by the campfire with nature stories and s’mores! Discover how birds use seasonal signals and earth’s magnetic fields to migrate long distances. All ages.

Registration required. Nix Farm (Natural Areas Office), 1745 Hoffman Mill Road, FC. 7–8:30pm. www.fcgov.com/events.

THURSDAY, JULY 15 Junior Naturalists: Leave No Trace and Community Science Help answer scientists’ research questions that benefit local natural areas. Observe and learn to monitor native plants, birds and butterflies. Ages 8–12 with parent/ guardian. Registration required. Riverbend Ponds Natural Areas, 705 Cairnes Dr., FC. 10am–Noon. www.fcgov.com/events.

FRIDAY, JULY 16 Toddler Tracks Discover flowers, bugs, tracks and more in slow-paced exploratory walk. Ages 1–3 with parent/guardian. Ross Natural Area at Rolland Moore Park, 2201 S. Shields St., FC. Registration required. 10–11am. www.fcgov.com/events.

FRIDAY, JULY 2 Astronomy & Skygazing Brief, family-friendly astronomy activity followed by skygazing. Telescopes provided. Registration required. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, FC. 8:30–10:30pm. www.fcgov.com/events.

JULY 16, 27 The Arts and the Great Outdoors for Tweens Explore Natural Areas with a guided hike followed by mini workshop on music, poetry or visual arts in the great outdoors. Ages 10–13. Registration required. Riverbend Ponds Natural Areas, 705 Cairnes Dr., FC. 10am–Noon. www.fcgov.com/events.

WEDNESDAYS, JULY 7, 14, 28 Evenings at The Gardens Family-friendly activities (music, games, storyteller) among 12 acres of botanical beauty at dusk. All ages. Free/members, $11/adult, $9/senior, military, $8/child ages 2+, free/ under 2. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 5–8pm. www.fcgov.com/gardens.

SATURDAY, JULY 17 Skygazing Volunteers from the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society provide telescopes and share their knowledge about the stars, planets, galaxies and more. Registration required. Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area, FC. 9pm. www.fcgov.com/events.

SATURDAY, JULY 24 Campfire at the Cabin: Dogs and Cats are Wildlife Cozy evening by the campfire, complete with nature stories and s’mores! Learn about the dogs and cats that call Fort Collins home, both wild and domestic. All ages. Registration required. Coyote Ridge Natural Area, meet your guide at the cabin (details online), FC. 8–9:30pm. www.fcgov.com/events.

THURSDAY, JULY 29 Junior Naturalists: Waterwise Explore the journey of a drop of water from its source to your tap. Includes short hike. Ages 8–12 with parent/guardian.

Registration required. Riverbend Ponds Natural Areas, 705 Cairnes Dr., FC. 10am–Noon. www.fcgov.com/events.

SATURDAY, JULY 31 NoCo Urban Homestead Tour Self-guided tour of six homesteads to inspire you by learning about growing your own food, raising chickens, bees, fruit trees and more. $20/adults, 5/child. Fort Collins and Loveland. www.fcgov.com/ gardens/noco-urban-homestead-tour.

MUSEUM EVENTS

THROUGH JULY 24 Magical and Mythical Animals in Human Imagination Exhibit showcases drawings of magical and mythical animals by youth ages 5–16 from 13 countries. All ages. Global Village Museum, 200 W. Mountain Ave., FC. 11am–5pm. www.globalvillagemuseum.org.

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 5 Life in One Cubic Foot Exhibit Experience the diversity of animals/plants within “biocubes” with photos, videos, hand-on activities. Free with general admission. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Ct., FC. www.fcmod.org.

THURSDAY, JULY 8 Adult + Kid Combo Art Class: Tropical Landscape Sand Painting Create colored sand and glue landscapes.

Ages 5–12 with parent/guardian. $40/ non-members, $32/members. Registration required. Beet Education Center at the Loveland Museum, 201 E. 5th St., LV. 10am–Noon. 970-962-2410 www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org/classescamps-workshops.

RMPARENT

| 33

SATURDAY, JULY 10 Bluegrass at Centennial Village Museum Live performance by Rust 44 while exploring historical village. All ages. $0–8 or $25/family of 2 adults and up to 4 youth. Centennial Village Museum, 1475 A St., GR. Museum open 10am– 4pm, performance 1–3pm. https://greeleymuseums.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 11 Free Family Day at WHM: Weaving Wonders Interactive quest to discover different textiles, then weave your own creation on small loom. All ages. Pre-registration required. Windsor History Museum, 100 N 5th St., WS. 1–4pm. 970-674-3500 www.recreationliveshere.com/calendar.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14 Life on a Farm at WHM: Weaving Wonders Learn about and meet farm animals, sugar beets, farming tools, etc. All ages.

Registration required. Windsor History Museum, 100 N 5th St., WS. 3–5pm.

970-674-3500, www.recreationliveshere. com/calendar.

THURSDAY, JULY 15 Adult + Kid Combo Art Class: Magical Glow Painting Paint a magical glowing landscape. Ages 5–12 with parent/guardian. $40/nonmembers, $32/members. Registration required. Beet Education Center at the Loveland Museum, 201 E. 5th St., LV. 10am–Noon. 970-962-2410 www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org/classescamps-workshops.

JULY 17, 18 FCMoD BioCount Pop-Up Use a BioCube to complete your own biodiversity observation. Free with museum admission; timed-tickets required. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.

10:30am–12:30pm. www.fcmod.org.

TUESDAY, JULY 20 Virtual Presentation: Taming Chaos– Centaur Myths from Ancient Greece through Today Christopher Muscato, adjunct UNC history professor, explores mythologies of half-human, half-horse creatures. All ages.

Global Village Museum Zoom presentation.

6–7:30pm. www.globalvillagemuseum.org.

34

| RMPARENT

THURSDAY, JULY 29 Adult + Kid Combo Art Class: Paint Your Pet Paint a portrait of your pet. Ages 5–12 with parent/guardian. $40/non-members, $32/members. Registration required. Beet Education Center at the Loveland Museum, 201 E. 5th St., LV. 10am–Noon.

970-962-2410, www.lovelandmuseum gallery.org/classes-camps-workshops.

ENTERTAINMENT

SELECT FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS THROUGH JULY 24 Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood OpenStage Theatre & Company presents comic adventure of beloved folktale. $10–32. Performed at the park at Columbine Health Systems, FC. 7pm. 970-221-6730 www.lctix.com.

FRIDAYS, JULY 9, 16, 23, 30 Sounds of Centerra Concert Series Enjoy local/regional musicians 6 Million Dollar Band (80s cover), Royal Street Ramblers (Jazz), Wendy Woo Band (Pop/ Blues) and Soul School (Funk, R&B, Soul). Registration required. Chapungu Sculpture Park, on the corner of Centerra Parkway and Kendall Parkway, LV. 7–9pm. www.centerra.com/events.

TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS THROUGH AUGUST 12 Metro Summer Kids Movies July shows: Spiderman, Jumanji, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. All ages. $2. MetroLux 4 Theatres, 6085 Sky Pond Dr., LV. 10am. 970-593-1881, www. thepromenadeshopsatcenterra.com/events.

THURSDAYS THROUGH AUGUST 19 Windsor Summer Concert Series July’s lineup: Funky Business (Funk), Dave Beegle & the Jurrasicasters (Rock & Roll), The Nadas (Alt./Rock/Country), Stolen Winnebagos (90s) and The Pryde (Classic Rock). Pre-registration may be required.

Boardwalk Park, 100 N. 5th St., WS. 6:30–8:30pm. www.recreationliveshere.com/calendar.

WEDNESDAYS, JULY 7, 14, 21 Children’s Summer Series at Lincoln Center Free weekly outdoor comedy, music and dance presentations: Butterfly Brigade, Kalama Polynesian Dancers, and The Story Bakers. All ages. Lincoln Center Lawn, 417 West Magnolia St., FC. 10–11am. www.lctix.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 9 Movies in the Park: Scoob (PG) Free outdoor movie night. Boardwalk Park, 100 N 5th St., WS. 8:30pm. 970-674-3500 www.recreationliveshere.com/movies.

JULY 9 AND 31 Lagoon Summer Concert Series & CSU Movie Nights New plan/location for 2021! Live, free music of Jakarta and Wendy Woo Bands then CSU Movie Night. Pre-registration required. Canvas Stadium, FC. Gates open 5pm, concert 5:45pm, movies 7:30pm. www.lagoonseries.com www.csurams.com/movienight.

SATURDAY, JULY 10 Garden Concert Series: Trio Encuentros Monthly socially distanced outdoor concert series through October. Seating limited to 100 people. Various FC locations.

Times/ticket prices vary. www.offthehookarts.org/gardenseries.

SUNDAYS, JULY 11 AND 25 Live at The Gardens Summer Concert Series Live music in beautiful gardens: phoffman and Son Little. $30 General Admission, all ages; $35 day of event Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. Doors open 5pm, concert starts 6pm. www.fcgov.com/gardens.

SUNDAY, JULY 18 Loveland Opera Theatre: Songs from the Castle Favorite tunes sung by princes, princesses and ogres–oh, my! Foote Lagoon Amphitheater, 500 E. 3rd St., LV. 5pm. www.lovelandopera.org/events/2021-season.

FRIDAY, JULY 23 Movies in the Park: Tom & Jerry (G) Free outdoor movie night. Main Park, 300 Locust St., WS. 8:30pm. 970-674-3500, www.recreationliveshere.com/movies.

RMPARENT

| 35

THURSDAY, JULY 29 Loveland Summer Concerts: Colorado Swing Classic Big Band era plus Broadway and Las Vegas show style arrangements. Firstcome first-serve seating. All ages. Foote Lagoon Amphitheater, 500 E. Third Ave., LV. 6:30–9pm. www.rialtotheatercenter. org/loveland-summer-concerts.

FRIDAY, JULY 30 Movies on Main: Spider Man Activities, treats and a movie on the lawn. All ages. Promenade Shops at Centerra, Main Plaza, between Bent Fork & Build-A-Bear, LV. Activities 6:30pm; movie sundown ~8:30pm. www.

ThePromenadeShopsAtCenterra.com/events.

ACTIVE-ITIES

MONTHLY, THROUGH AUGUST 22nd Annual Healthy Kids Run Series One-mile course maps at parks in Fort Collins and Loveland to complete anytime during the designated month, on their own. Ages 5+. May’s course: Fossil Creek Park, FC. www.healthykidsclub.org.

36

| RMPARENT

Fit Families FITPASS Program Fun, family activities to complete on own over the summer. Plus discounts on climbing walls, golf, stand up paddle boarding (SUP), etc. www.healthykidsclub.org.

SATURDAYS, THROUGH SEPTEMBER Yoga in The Gardens on Spring Creek Embrace natural outdoor setting of botanical gardens. Registration required.

All skill levels. Ages 13+. $15/class.

Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave. FC. 9–10am. 970-416-2486 www.fcgov.com/gardens/yoga.

THURSDAY, JULY 15 run.Windsor Summer Training Fun Run Walk/run approximately 3 miles then enjoy drinks, live music and food trucks.

All ages, genders and abilities. $10.

Pre-registration required. Peculier Ales, 301 Main St., WS. www.runwindsorco.com/race-series.

SUNDAY, JULY 25 FoCo Fondofest Family-friendly 12- or 25-mile routes and post-ride festival full of food trucks, vendors, bike-demos, live music and activities for the kids. Start/finish at New Belgium Brewery, 500 Linden St., FC. 9am; 9:30am. www.focofondo.com.

ONGOING RECREATION & FITNESS Estes Valley: https://evrpd.colorado.gov/ recreation Fort Collins: www.fcgov.com/recreation Greeley: https://greeleyrec.com Loveland: www.lovgov.org/services/ parks-recreation Windsor: www.recreationliveshere.com

Independence Day

Festivities

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H SATURDAY, JULY 3 Greeley Parade Runs north along historic 10th Ave starting amidst the beautiful University of Northern Colorado campus at 19th Street and ends on 5th Street just beyond the historic Lincoln Park, GR. 9am. www.greeleystampede.org/p/attractions/parades.

SUNDAY, JULY 4 Estes Park The Big Bang! Concert Annual July 4 event featuring The Long Run, a tribute set to The Eagles. Covered arena with fireworks view. $19/adults; $9/kids 12 and under.

Estes Park Fairgrounds /Event Center 1209 Manford Ave., EP. 6pm. www.visitestespark.com/events-calendar.

Check out the Coolest Car Show during the day, then Estes Village Band annual patriotic concert at 7pm, fireworks show (pending COVID restrictions and wildfire risks) at 9:30pm over Lake Estes. www.visitestespark.com/events-calendar.

Fort Collins Hot air balloon launch at 6am from various launch points around the city; driving Stars and Trucks motorcade parade at 10am with police cars, ambulances, and more (check websites for details); Drive-in Fireworks Show at The Ranch Event Complex (gates open 6pm). www.fcgov.com/july4th.

Greeley Greeley Stampede events such as concerts, rodeos, family shows, demolition derby, kids activities, midway games/rides, food vendors, beer garden and fireworks (9:45pm). Island Grove Park 501 N. 14th Ave., GR. www.greeleystampede.org.

Larimer County Drive-In Fireworks Show Presented by City of Fort Collins, City of Loveland and Larimer County, the south entrance gates will open for vehicle entry at 6pm. Onsite snack trucks available. Fireworks run 9:15–9:35pm. See website for off-site viewing locations and further details. The Ranch Event Complex, 5280 Arena Circle, LV. www.lovgov. org/services/communications-and-engagement/july4.

Loveland See Larimer County Drive-In Fireworks Show. The Ranch Events Complex, LV. 9:15pm. www.lovgov.org/services/communications-andengagement/july4.

Timnath Pack your lawn chairs and picnics for a Drive-In 4th of July Celebration. Enjoy live music and tailgating starting at 7:30pm and pyromusical fireworks show synced to patriotic music beginning at 9:30pm. Timnath Reservoir. https://timnath.org/updates/celebrateindependence-day-at-timnath-reservoir.

Wellington Parade at 10am on Cleveland Avenue; festival begins at 11am; fireworks begin at 9:40pm.

Wellington Community Park, 6th Street between Wilson and Washington, Wellington. www.wellingtoncolorado.gov/calendar.

Windsor Fireworks are expected to return to Boardwalk Park for on-site viewing this year with weather and safety precautions permitting. Boardwalk Park, 100 N 5th St., WS. Approximately 9:10 pm. www.recreationliveshere.com/216/July-4th-Activities.

RMPARENT

| 37

38

| RMPARENT

RMPARENT

| 39

time out Nature kid explores

Rock hounding, bug housing and dinosaur bones TIM VAN SCHMIDT

I

see bugs everywhere.

Now, more than ever, the glint of a rock catches my eye when I’m on a walk.

And is that layer in the hillside just some more rock, or is it dinosaur bones?

I have caught a fever from my 5-year-old grandson and it’s not about getting sick. The fever is being interested in things—like bugs and rocks—and stretching the imagination. He’s a nature kid—fascinated by just about everything around him whenever he is outside.

My nature kid likes to range around his backyard and pick up rocks from the bedding to add to his box.

On a sleepover recently, I showed him my rock collection—a modest number of various shiny stones, crystals and fossils—which I store in little boxes. Now, he has a rock box and it is quickly getting full.

I said that at some point he would have to start deciding which were the cooler rocks and maybe toss the rest back in the yard. He reached into the box and picked up the first one at hand and said, “This one’s cool.”

I looked at it and sure enough, it was cool—there were little, tiny sparkles all over it when I turned it in the sun. He sees “coolness” where I see just another rock and he has a whole box

40

| RMPARENT

full of “coolness” already.

Sparkly stuff, however, is not enough for my nature kid. He scrutinizes the rocks and sees stripes in the stone and questions their shapes.

Currently, everything he sees in rocks is a potential shark’s tooth or a dinosaur bone. He gets it about fossils—they’re about long ago things that were alive then turned to stone—and he wants to find them.

There’s only one thing that can challenge my nature kid’s intense focus on rocks these days and that is bug hunting.

Bug hunting, of course, is a seasonal thing and the new season is upon us.

And my nature kid is out there in the open space behind his house, looking for conquests.

Grasshoppers are the main catch, but the search goes on constantly to find other stuff—such as ladybugs and beetles. Of course, we don’t mess with bees or wasps, try to pick up spiders or centipedes, or stand in the middle of a

pile of tiny red ants.

This season, my nature kid has graduated to a true bug house for his relentless study. It has a sliding door big enough for the hand to deposit a find. It has lots more room than the basic jars used last season and the sides are netting so there is a lot of air.

Now it is standard practice for my nature kid to let his daily catch go at the end of the day—at least most of his catch. Some grasshoppers are just more fascinating than others and deserve further study, you know.

At the end of bug season last year, my nature kid asserted that he was going to study bugs when he grows up.

But now, it seems my nature kid is going for a triple major—entomology, geology, and paleontology. I’m impressed. He doesn’t even know the words yet, but he is already on track.

Tim Van Schmidt is a writer, photographer and grandpa based in Fort Collins.

RMPARENT

| 41

42

| RMPARENT