Seattle’s Child “The Holistic Care Issue” January/February 2024

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>>Contents Seattle’sChild

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January/February 2024 // Issue 503

WHAT PARENTS ARE TALKING ABOUT....... 5 DAD NEXT DOOR................ 7 ROMP........................................... 9 CHOMP....................................... 11 COMMUNITY..........................13 FEATURE: HOLISTIC CARE FOR KIDS.................................16 MD, ND OR BOTH?..............16 INTEGRATIVE CARE..........18 ACUPUNCTURE...................22 CHIROPRACTIC...................23 CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY................................25 TONGUE TIE..........................26 CHILDREN’S YOGA............27

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Seattle’s Child is your guide to getting to know your city all over again.

Finding things to do, places to eat, and how to get around — it’s a whole new ballgame with kids in tow. We’re interested in how parents make homes in a space-challenged urban environment, how families create community, and what parents are really talking about.

Seattle’s Child reflects real Washington families and their broad range of parenting experiences.

ANN BERGMAN Publisher, Founder abergman@seattleschild.com

A Non-Profit Organization

JASMIN THANKACHEN Associate Publisher jasmin@seattleschild.com KATHRYN HOLLOWAY Art Director

 Ages 2½ to Adult

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Seattle’sChild Seattle’s Child has provided useful information to parents since 1979. In addition to our magazine, look for our special themed publications — Family Resource Guide, School, Explore and SummerTime — distributed free throughout the Puget Sound area. Seattle’s Child is published every other month.

ONLINE seattleschild.com Facebook facebook.com/seattleschild Twitter @SeaChildMag Instagram @seattleschildmag MAIL c/o Postal Plus 1211 E. Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98112 VOICE 206-441-0191 TO ADVERTISE advertise@seattleschild.com MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION distribution@seattleschild.com STORY IDEAS editor@seattleschild.com CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS calendar@seattleschild.com

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Don’t miss these stories on seattleschild.com

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Should Narcan be in the family medicine cabinet?

State trust funds for low-income babies?

An agenda for children in 2024

»What Parents

„ Find more local stories for families on seattleschild.com

Are Talking About Education, health, development and more

Erin MacDougall (left) and Alex Wakeman Rouse help lead the group All Together for Seattle Schools.

Why we’re All Together for Seattle Schools New parent group wants to participate in problem solving

by E R I N M A C D O U G A L L A N D A L E X W A K E M A N R O U S E photograph by J O S H U A H U S T O N

As we send our kids back to school after two weeks of togetherness, we join the collective parental sigh of gratitude for our schools and educators. We also know that as students return to class, public schools are facing dire financial straits.

Our administrators, educators, and special support staff are stretched thin, expect-

ed to do more than ever before but with fewer staff. Due to the lasting impact of the pandemic, our students bring high needs at levels never seen before. As parents and as graduates of Seattle Public Schools (SPS) ourselves, we are deeply invested in urging Washington state to adequately fund K-12 education — so that our schools receive the

funding our state constitution supposedly guarantees.

Amply funded public schools benefit all of us. Educating the students of today is an investment in our state’s collective future.

It shapes engaged residents who will one day lead our communities and contribute meaningfully to the world. It provides every child with opportunities to succeed.

It’s not just SPS that’s facing an insurmountable budget crisis; it’s school districts CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

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«What Parents Are Talking About CONTINUED

across the state. In 2023, deficits were $131 million in Seattle, $21 million in Northshore, $16 million in Spokane, $15 million in Edmonds, $10 million in Tacoma, and $5 million on Bainbridge Island.

These deficits are expected to continue.

Recent decreases in enrollment and the ending of federal pandemic-related aid are just part of the problem. And even if enrollment increases, the current way the state funds education will not meet students’ needs. Unfunded mandates and an outdated school-funding model are leaving districts in a structural budget crisis.

For example, special education funding is one of the largest unfunded mandates that school districts across the state are forced to address on their own dime. Washington state should be fully funding special education. However, the state funds special education services at a rate that is far short of the actual cost of providing those services. In Seattle, state and federal funding provide only half of the $250 million SPS spends on special education. It is morally reprehensible that the state does not fully fund these services.

Also, the overall costs of providing education have gone up, and for good reason. It is our moral obligation to pay educators a living wage, especially in our expensive region. Again, the state fails to provide districts sufficient funding to meet the actual costs of educating our kids.

Others agree that Washington does not sufficiently fund our schools. The Education Law Center recently gave Washington a grade C for funding level, an F for funding distribution, and an F for funding effort.

In December, leaders from 17 Wash-

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ington school districts sent a letter to state legislators proposing solutions to address district budget deficits. One solution is that the Legislature use the state’s current $1.2 billion revenue surplus to help eliminate public school deficits.

We think their leadership is bold and necessary for the urgency of this current moment.

In Seattle, the school board passed a Fiscal Stabilization Plan that outlines proposed actions the district may consider to balance next year’s budget.

Families should look closely at this plan, which directs the district to “research and consider” significant student-related cuts, including reductions in staff and program adjustments. The plan envisions closing schools in 2025, even though SPS administrators have said that doing so would not solve the budget deficit. Closing schools has serious, long-lasting impacts on students and should be a last resort.

We know that underfunding our schools threatens the very essence of what education should be: a springboard to opportunity and equity for all kids.

It’s up to us—parents, caregivers, school districts, educators, and community members—to demand that K-12 education receive adequate funding. We need to hold the state accountable to its constitutional obligation to fund our schools. And we urge districts not to make budget cuts prematurely.

With other Seattle parents, we formed All Together for Seattle Schools to help ensure that families can partner with SPS to find solutions. We urge the Legislature to adequately fund K-12 education and to prevent districts’ budget cuts now. It is the right thing to do, as well as what the state constitution requires.

ABOUT OUR COLUMNIST

Erin MacDougall and Alex Wakeman Rouse are SPS graduates, parents, and leaders of All Together for Seattle Schools.

3alltogetherforseattleschools.org

„ Read all of Jeff Lee’s columns on seattleschild.com

»DadNextDoor A little encouragement from across the fence

by J E F F L E E , M D

The importance of being earnest Our 13-year-old Pippa has officially entered full-blown adolescence now, and we find that we’re always a little off balance with her — constantly adjusting on the fly. It’s like shooting at a moving target. From a moving boat. In rough seas. Standing on one leg.

I try my best to remember that, as disorienting as this time is for us, it’s orders of magnitude more so for her. My middle school days were a long time ago, so I have to remind myself how profoundly unstable life felt back then. Pippa’s day-to-day existence is a confusing soup of raging hormones, remodeling neurons, expectations, anxieties and experiences — all of it new and none of it under anything close to control. Some day, a fully formed adult will crawl forth from that murky swamp, but for now we’re all going to have to live with a certain amount of chaos.

As she develops her new identity and ventures out into the world with it, there’s been much to appreciate and admire, and plenty to be annoyed at, but there have also been moments of sadness. For me, one of the hardest has been watching her strap on her emotional armor every day.

Gone are the days when Pippa was an open book. She used to prattle on about whatever came into her head: ideas, emotions, fantasies, dreams. She used to share her inner world with us with an unquestioned faith that we would protect it and care for it. I don’t think we realized what a gift that was until she took it back.

Nowadays, her inner world is hidden behind an impenetrable layer of snark and steel. She hoards it jealously, as if it’s under attack, and we’re the marauders ready to snatch it away. When we ask what she’s thinking about, she grunts.

When we ask what she’s feeling, she scowls. When we ask her to join us, she withdraws. When we ask her to do something, she refuses.

One way that she polishes her armor is to slather it with cynicism and buff it until it shines. She’s acquired an air of jaded world-weariness that, on someone so young, is both comical and disheart-

ening. Long gone is that excited little girl who used to bubble with delight at every new experience. Instead, we get a steady stream of blasé detachment and cultivated boredom.

“Yeah, I’ve seen that.”

“No, I’m good.”

“If you say so.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t know that.”

“And I should care — why?”

I’ve been trying to understand why this bothers me so much, aside from the fact that it’s just kind of tedious. I think it’s because, right before my eyes, she’s losing something that I’m currently fighting tooth and nail to reclaim: my sense of wonder.

We live in a world where it feels risky to be earnest. Earnestness is seen as a sign of naivete and self-delusion — or maybe just foolishness. The world is in crisis, after all, so the only appropriate stance is a cool, sardonic remove. Serious, hip adults see life as it truly is: a black comedy of dashed hopes and human failings. They watch Breaking Bad and Succession, not Mr. Rogers and Bob Ross.

The thing is, now that I’m too old to be cool or hip, I’ve grown weary of lugging around that armor all the time. I’m not even sure what I thought it was protecting me from. From believing that things could be better? From taking joy in something even though it might go away? From believing in trite, unoriginal truths? From admitting that something is important to me, even if someone else doesn’t care?

These days, I’m still trying to regain the earnestness I let slip away when I was twelve. It’s not easy. It would be so much safer to avoid saying what I feel, or admitting what I want, or walking around with my heart exposed, flapping in the breeze.

On the other hand, it’s really nice to take off some of that steel.

I get why Pippa has to armor up these days. Adolescence is fierce combat, and she’s wading into the thick of it. I just hope she figures out how to take it off when the battle is done.

ABOUT OUR COLUMNIST

Jeff Lee offers pre-owned, lightly distressed armor in Seattle, WA.

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»ToolBox

What every parent needs to have on hand

Talking to kids about tough topics Tips on how to answer questions, ease fears and offer hope

by D R . S U S A N N A B L O C K

Tips for talking to kids about violence Even if you limit their exposure, your kids have probably heard bits and pieces as events unfold. Whether it’s world news or challenges facing your own family, here are some ways you can talk to kids about violence and tough issues: Help them feel safe. Children want to know that they are safe and their families are, too. Remind them of the ways they are safe and the measures that help keep them safe, such as adults at school watching out for them. This doesn’t mean downplaying their fears or concerns but addressing them and helping them cope with distressing thoughts.

Explain the news to them in an ageappropriate way. Gauge your kids’ prior knowledge, questions and concerns, and consider your child’s age, temperament and sensitivity when discussing difficult events.

For most kids, I recommend meeting them with straight answers and emotional support. You don’t have to have all the answers, provide information they aren’t asking about, or even give a lot of detail, especially with younger kids. Ask them what they already know and what questions they have.

You can explore answers and information sources together.

Try to have these conversations when your children are receptive and engaged. Starting a talk when they are tired or hungry will make it that much more challenging.

More tips for those tough talks Validate their feelings. Acknowledge what your kids are feeling and what they’ve

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said to you. You can use validating phrases like “I feel that way too” or “That really makes sense to me.” Let your kids know that it’s completely normal to be curious, confused and even upset about current events.

Sometimes kids may have reactions like seeming uncaring or a morbid fascination.

These can be ways children work through their feelings.

You can also validate feelings by giving your children a hug or giving them the space they might need to think and process.

It can be hard for children to express themselves, and you can help them find their words through conversation and books, or for older children, encouraging journaling.

Foster open conversations. Ask your kids how they are feeling and offer the information they’re asking for. Children are in the process of developing their moral beliefs, and “big talks” might come up. You may have to explain the basics of prejudice, civil and religious strife or military conflict.

It’s OK to say that you don’t know why bad things happen: You’re recognizing that these are hard topics.

Always give hope. Give children the reassurance that their extended family and the community are committed to

keeping everyone healthy and safe during these times. Remind them that times won’t always feel so uncertain. You can focus on what connects us and stand up against hate speech, violence and discrimination to resist things that divide us. Finding ways to help whether through donations, volunteering or supporting others can foster hope too.

Encourage kids to take a break from news. At the end of the day, we all need breaks sometimes from the news and tough topics. Encourage kids to take them (and you can, too). Change the focus — get outside and play, listen to music or spend time with friends.

If your children struggle with fear or thoughts about events in the news, you can seek help when you need it from your primary care provider.

ABOUT OUR COLUMNIST

Dr. Susanna Block, MD, MPH, is a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente in Seattle and lives with her family in Queen Anne.

S P ON SORED BY

TOO L BOX: COU RTE SY O F SH U TT ER STO CK

Even if you’d rather not think about it, your kids may have questions about news of crime, war or acts of violence.

While these heartbreaking events may be in another community or across the globe, exposure to news of this real-life violence can affect your child’s well-being. As much as we want to protect our kids from thinking about it, communicating about tragedy or loss can help us process these events.

How can you talk with kids about the pain and suffering of others? Read on.

„ Subscribe to the Romp newsletter seattleschild.com/newsletter

5 things to do

Calling young artists!

Escape from Seattle

Cape Disappointment storm-watching Imagine waves rolling in at high speeds and reaching frosty peaks before crashing onto a rocky or sandy shore. Above the fray, heavy clouds hang low and winds blow at wild, wondrous speeds. Winter is the perfect season to view moody weather in the Pacific Northwest.

One of the best places to check out a storm is Cape Disappointment State Park, particularly at The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center overlooking the Columbia River Bar. There, you can safely observe the dramatic scene unfold. Remember to stay off the beach during a storm, never turn your back on the ocean, wear proper clothing to keep dry and warm, and respect any closures at the park.

»Romp —Jasmin Thankachen

1 Teen Art Studio through Gage Academy of Art Teens ages 13-18 engage with professional teaching artists in classes held every Friday evening. Art forms and mediums vary each week. Drop-ins are welcome. All materials provided. Free.

3gageacademy.org/ teen-art-studio

2 Family Fun Workshop at SAM

Divided by age (2-5 and 6-12), Family Fun Workshops extend learning beyond SAM’s exhibits. A teaching artist will guide you and your child as you create your own art, inspired by art in the museum. $20 to $35 for an adult and two kids.

3seattleartmuseum.org/ programs-and-learning

Things to do with kids

3 Small Frye: Storytelling & Art

Through interactive storytelling, artists from Frye Art Museum and Seattle Children’s Theatre engage preschool children through drama, movement, and hands-on art making.

Space is limited. Free.

3fryemuseum.org/programs

4 Pratt Fine Arts Center For youth ages 5-13.

Five-week programs offer a chance to explore selfexpression through various art mediums. Free (pay what you can).

3canvas.pratt.org/

E SC A P E FR OM S E ATTL E: COU RTE SY OF S H U TTE RSTOC K

Elizabeth Hunter and children Cora and Henry admiring the work of Alexander Calder.

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‘Calder: in Motion’ The Shirley Family Collection shines through August at SAM

by E L I Z A B E T H H U N T E R / photographs by J O S H U A H U S T O N

Recently my 7-year-old daughter Cora and I visited the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) to see “Calder: In Motion, The Shirley Family

Collection,” a large exhibition of American artist Alexander Calder showing through August 4, 2024.

The exhibition, consisting

TeensWay and YouthCAN at Wing Luke Museum

of 45 works covering 50 years of the artist’s oeuvre, is a gift from former Microsoft CEO and philanthropist Jon Shirley. With this exhibition, Seattle becomes a global destination for works

by Calder, whose massive Eagle (1971) was donated to SAM’s CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

TeensWay invites middle schoolers to explore art and build confidence.

YouthCAN exposes high school students to arts professions, while increasing their knowledge of the International District and the museum. Free.

3wingluke.org

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«Romp

Cora’s thoughts on Calder

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Olympic Sculpture Park by the Shirley family in 2007.

As Calder biographer Jed Perl has written, “There is a richness in Calder, an almost profligate imagination.” José Carlos Diaz, SAM Deputy Director for Art, explains the groundbreaking nature of Calder’s work this way: “Calder had major international reach during his lifetime that only a select handful of American artists had. Sculpture before this was static in nature and traditional in materiality, such as marble and bronze. Calder’s work engages with time and space, or what some would call the 4th dimension.”

Mobiles and Stabiles As Untitled Mobile (1948) danced slowly in SAM’s double-height gallery (transformed to accommodate works ranging in height from 3 inches to 22 feet) Cora circled it, flicking her hand back and forth. It feels impossible to stand stationary in front of a Calder. Even his stabiles, or static sculptures, inspire movement.

Watch your child’s body when you visit “In Motion.” Do they trace their hand in the air, walk around each piece, follow the mobile with their eyes?

On our second visit, Cora suggested we

climb to the 4th-floor balcony. From above, we saw not only a different view of the art, but how SAM’s curators paid homage to Calder.

Mobiles hang above curved walls and circular plinths, beckoning the viewer to move around like one of Calder’s steel petals. In an elegant twist, SAM complements Calder’s imagination by turning viewers into art.

Abstract and Figural While Calder’s most famous pieces are abstract, “In Motion” reveals his aptitude for the figurative.

In Jonah and the Whale (1940) figural elements — a tiny dangling man and whale — provide context to understand the larger abstraction. “You can tell it is a whale on the

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At one point, I asked Cora to describe one of Calder’s pieces — Grasshopper (1952) — as if I were blind.

She thought for a while and then, with practiced focus, made a whistling sound from low to high. A whistle! It was perfect. The delicate swoop of the wire made her think of a whistle.

For fun, I asked her thoughts on the artwork before we read the title: Bird (1940): “I see the little bird on the top, but the whole thing looks like a wing.”

Crinkly Crocodile (1971): “It looks flat, but as you move around you can see how the tail flips up!”

outside because both whales have a pointy tail and flat chin,” explained Cora.

Nature offers endless possibilities for the concurrence of abstraction and figural, and Calder was a master of using cold materials like steel and wire to evoke life: insects, birds, animals, rocks, seeds, trees, and roots.

“This one looks like petals,” said Cora of Untitled (1948), “but it also looks like teeth — and the holes are cavities.”

On the way home, I asked Cora about her favorite piece of art. “The one I am thinking about right now was like rain,” she said. “The shadows moving.”

Discuss the Show We asked Anna Allegro, SAM Associate Director of Education, how to enhance a child’s visit: • Visit in a group. When you look at art with other people, you can share your point of view and also learn from theirs.

• Ask your child what the artwork would sound like. Would it whoosh or rumble?

• Bring a sketchpad. If your kiddo would rather be active, bring along a notepad and pencil and sketch one of Calder’s works, starting with interesting shapes or lines.

• Discuss Calder’s materials. What materials can your child recognize? Some will be familiar, others unusual. For a challenge, can they find an artwork made out of tin cans?

Plan Your Visit SAM is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $29.99 for adults, $19.99 for students older than 14. Children 14 and younger are free and the museum is free on the first Thursday of every month.

„ More on feeding your family on seattleschild.com

Food Network

Food equity: Tilth Alliance Good Food Bags

Good Food Bags. Just the name of Tilth Alliance’s innovative weekly produce subscription program sounds healthy – and tasty. Better yet, the program improves access to fresh produce for families in South Seattle. Tilth Alliance works with local farmers to source organic fruits and vegetables to fill bags. In that way, the program also supports small sustainable farms in King, Snohomish, and Pierce County, especially those operated by immigrant, refugee farmers, BIPOC, female, and LGBTQ+ farmers. Bags contain a variety of nutrient-dense seasonal fruits and vegetables, recipes, food storage tips, and farmer profiles. Bags are available on a sliding scale, from $5 to $15, with numerous payment options, including using EBT/SNAP benefits. 3tilthalliance.org — Seattle’s Child staff

»Chomp Eating with kids

Dan and Flora Barker share milkshakes at Luna Park Cafe.

FOOD N E TWORK : COU RT ESY OF TI LTH AL L I AN CE N E W I N TOW N : COU RTE SY OF A L P I N E DI NE R & B A R

Meet me at Luna Park West Seattle icon serves up great food and atmosphere

by C H E R Y L M U R F I N A N D K A I Y A D E C O R Y K E E N photographs by J O S H U A H U S T O N

Walk into Luna Park Cafe on West Seattle’s eastern slope, and you’ll find yourself in another time. The whir of the milkshake maker, the clang of thick white plates, a bustling staff, and the almost musical din of conver-

sation come together to create that icon of American breakfast — the 1950s diner.

Nostalgia galore It’s all there: the Formica tables, the chrome-edged counter stools, the checkerboard floors, even the Mickey

Mouse pancakes, all housed in an awning-fronted, historic building. Add to that the cafe’s delightful collection of neon signs, theme park nods like the coin-operated Pepe the Dancing Clown, and other collectible kitsch spanning more than half a century and Luna Park Cafe becomes that rare thing. It’s a dine-out experience where food, history, and atmosphere

New in Town

White Center’s new Alpinethemed Diner A new family-friendly diner snowshoed into White Center last month. With its ski lodge decor — think vintage wallpaper, collections of outdoor gear, memorabilia, and a ski chairturned-bench from Snoqualmie Pass — the Alpine Diner & Bar is the new kid in a familyowned business that includes the popular red-upholstered Lost Lake Café on Seattle’s Capitol Hill and five Big Mario’s Pizza locations.

Along with classic diner breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare, duck into Alpine’s cozy, lodgethemed game room for a round of ski ball, pinball, darts, and, soon, billiards.

A large, shared patio with bocci ball and outdoor seating will open in the spring of 2024. The diner is located at 9625 16th Ave. SW and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entrees start at $11.99.

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—Cheryl Murfin

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win the hearts of kids and adults.

Beloved classic dishes When it comes to food, Luna Park sticks to doing “the classics” really well. For breakfast, you’ll find eggy hobos, scrambles, omelets, on the savory side; waffles, pancakes, a gooey cinnamon roll on the sweet. Burgers and other classic sandwiches and salads are the lineup on the lunch menu. Got an Elvis fan or a daring tween or teen in your clan? Consider the King’s favorite: burger, peanut butter, bacon, and cheese between two buns. It’s a strangely tasty mix.

Did we mention the cafe’s claim as “the best milkshake in Seattle?” We’ve had a lot of milkshakes between us.

Made with local ice cream and your pick from a list of mix-ins, we’re confident the claim is, if not true, darn

close to it.

A decade of visits West Seattle parents Dan and Kelly Barker and their daughters have been regulars at Luna Park Cafe for nearly a decade.

“They’ve got very kid-friendly menu options and dependable diner fare just like mom used to make,” says Dan. You’ll find the Mickey cakes on the kids’ menu where prices run $7.99-$8.88. The restaurant also provides crayons for kids. The Barkers’ daughter Mailia now works at the cafe.

And daughter Flora hopes to as well. Flora’s enthusiasm for the cafe makes itself known in exclamation points.

“The waiters are so nice and it just makes me super happy in there! The Batman ride, quarter machine, and juke boxes are fun and entertaining,” Flora says. “I like bringing friends and family there for the first time to show them everything!

We like to play I Spy with all the decorations. I think I see something new every time I go.”

It’s so much more than a gift!

Washington State Heirloom Birth Certificate A portion of the proceeds from each birth certificate benefits the Children’s Trust Fund of Washington, administered by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families Strengthening Families Program.

• This official birth certificate is personally signed by the Governor and State Registrar.

• Certificate is 8 1/2 x 11 and includes the name, date and place of birth, as well as the name and birthplace of the parent(s).

• Frameable keepsake.

• For each $45 purchase of an Heirloom Birth Certificate, $20 is tax deductible.

To find out more information on Children’s Trust and child abuse prevention in Washington State visit: www.dcyf.wa.gov/about/governmentcommunity/community-engagement or visit the Department of Health to order your own Heirloom Birth Certificate.

DCYF FS_0010 (09-19)

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Lots to look at Indeed. A big part of the allure of Luna Park Cafe is its antique store vibe. No matter what direction you look — left, right, back, front, or up — the gaze falls on something catchy, usually old, and always interesting.

An amusement park alien dives from the ceiling; a red Batmobile coin-operated car sits at the front of the diner as several life-size boxer cut-outs watch from above; a painting of Miss White Center circa the 80s hangs nearby, and an ice cream coneshaped neon sign lights the bar. Old signs fill the walls, a mini-orchestra sits above the entrance. And, in the back you’ll find Pepe and a massive electric guitar. Flora has always been particularly drawn to the neon signs.

“Our owner, John Bennett, loves history and collecting antiques,” says Hallie Guppy, the cafe’s server lead.

“He is always finding something cool to add to our collection.”

The cafe has long been committed to the local community: “Over the past 30 years, we have participated in many charity events in West Seattle,” says Guppy. “John is a huge supporter of all things West Seattle.” West Seattle Foodbank is a favorite.

What’s in a name?

Luna Park Cafe opened in a historic building designed by Chris Boysen as a tavern just after the end of World War II. The space re-opened as Luna Park Cafe in 1989. The eatery pulled its name from the famous boardwalk and amusement park designed by carousel carver Charles I. D. Looff and in operation on West Seattle’s Alki Point from 1907 until 1913.

“The expansive 12-acre boardwalk extended over Elliott Bay and was called the Greatest Amusement Park on the West Coast,” according to Luna Park Cafe’s fascinating online history.

Know before you go A few tips before your visit to Luna Park Cafe: Saturday and Sunday are the cafe’s busiest days. Arriving before 10 a.m. ups your chances of a shorter wait. “On weekdays, most times, you can get a table right away,” adds Guppy.

Ask for highchairs and booster seats. Luna Park Cafe does not have baby changing stations. Yet. That smiling guy who looks a bit like a devil? The cafe’s logo is actually the mug of an old Luna Park performer.

Final hint: Before leaving, ask your staff person for a Luna Park Cafe sticker to commemorate your visit.

Ways you can volunteer in our community

Help keep refugees and immigrants warm this winter Your family can help individuals and families just arriving to the wet and chilly greater Seattle area this year by sharing gently used coats and other warm weather items. The International Rescue Committee (IRC), which helps refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking integrate into the local community, needs warm jackets for children and adults in all sizes. It’s also accepting hats, gloves and mittens, scarves, winter boots and warm socks.

The IRS “Winter Welcome!” clothing drive runs through March 1. The goal? A minimum of 300 coats. For more information Google “IRC winter welcome coat drive” or go to 3rescue.org. — Seattle’s Child staff

»Community

„ Find more local stories for families on seattleschild.com

Creating communities where kids flourish

Owner of Freespirited Closet, Jana Clark, in her basement full of formalwear.

The Freespirited Closet Where girls and women shine

by A L L I S O N P E T E R S O N / photograph by J O S H U A H U S T O N

What do parties, date nights, holidays and school dances all have in common? They are a chance to dress to impress, or, more importantly, dress to feel good about yourself.

For many girls, finding a special occasion outfit that suits the event, makes them feel amazing, and fits their budget can be a stressful undertaking. Thankfully, there is an answer to the formalwear dilemma: The Freespirited Closet.

A borrowing shop Tucked away in the basement of Jana Clark’s Snohomish home, The Freespirited Closet is a local treasure. Clark’s is an impressive formalwear lending library and includes thousands of items — casual dresses, eveningwear, ball gowns, wedding attire, shoes and accessories. Jana wants every girl or young woman who enters her store to find clothing that makes them feel confident and beautiful without breaking

the bank. Dresses come in every size and style.

Jana first opened her doors to friends and family nearly a decade ago when her daughter, then a freshman in high school, needed to find a dress for a school dance.

She recognized that her daughter’s friends also needed to find dresses, so she let the students borrow several vintage dresses from her own closet. Word spread, and soon Jana had more requests for formalwear than she could fulfill alone. She has invited community members to donate to CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >

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the collection to build the closet.

How to borrow or donate To get to The Freespirited Closet, either to donate or borrow items, you first need to join the Facebook group — The Freespirited Closet. Members post in the group to request an appointment to go shopping or to bring items for donation. Be sure to tag Jana Clark in your group post.

At your appointment, expect to have about an hour of private shopping time in the Closet, which includes browsing and trying on clothes. Visitors are invited to borrow any item free of charge and return items clean and ready for the next guest to borrow.

Our mother-daughter experience Last winter, my 7-year-old daughter and I visited The Freespirited Closet for dresses to wear for our annual outing to see “The Nutcracker.” Al-

though the number of dresses available in her children’s size was limited, my fashion-forward daughter was thrilled to find a great outfit. After choosing her dress, she assisted me in finding the perfect dress to compliment her choice of dress (many sequins were involved).

We also chose shoes, necklaces, and purses to complete each outfit. It was a memorable, enjoyable experience for us both — and one I am so glad we got to share. Bonus: we looked and felt amazing for our big night out!

I was so grateful to Jana for opening her home and her heart to me and my daughter — for helping us feel beautiful — that I plan to take my own mom on a mother-daughter visit.

Such small acts of kindness, from an individual and, more importantly, from the broader community, have tremendous impact.

More ways to shop and support women, youth and children If you love the concept of

helping teens and women to look and feel their best, consider supporting these shops and nonprofits in the Seattle area: Mary’s Place: With five locations across King County, the mission of Mary’s Place is to move women and children out of homelessness and into more stable living situations.

Your donation of clothing (especially maternity clothing and seasonally appropriate clothing in all sizes) can help families access the resources they need to begin a new life.

Simple and Just: Located in historic Ballard, this boutique features gently-used clothing that supports at-risk youth and women. All profits generated in this nonprofit retail shop go toward meeting the critical needs of vulnerable youth and women, including safe shelters, mental health services, development of life skills, and creating pathways into education and employment. Simple and Just welcomes donations of

More than a

MUSEUM Rocky Reach Discovery Center

Open 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday - Saturday Located seven miles north of Wenatchee on Hwy 97A |

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gently worn and better-brand clothing.

Purpose Boutique: A percentage of every sale from Purpose Boutique is donated to the nonprofit Atlas Free to fight human trafficking worldwide. Purpose Boutique has several Puget Sound locations, and the shop features more than 20 brands created by survivors of human trafficking and social injustice around the world.

Dress For Success: Located in Seattle’s Pacific Place Mall, Dress For Success is a career development agency.

Their mission is to empower women — including moms — to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. The organization welcomes tax-deductible donations of gently-used or nearly-new women’s professional clothing for their clients to wear for job interviews or in professional settings.

Your Winter, Your Way At Sunriver Resort, winter is meant to be experienced at its fullest — and you decide what that looks like. Sled through a powdery meadow, unwind with a massage at Sage Springs Spa, indulge in a decadent meal at one of our premier dining outlets, make a splash at our indoor aquatic center, the Cove, or drift down the fresh powder at Mt. Bachelor’s ski slopes. With unmatched indoor and outdoor amenities spread across 3,300 acres of natural Central Oregon splendor, Sunriver Resort caters to the whole family and inspires the unforgettable. Here, winter is what you make it.

Discover everything winter should be at Sunriver Resort.

Book your getaway at SunriverResort.com.

Holistic Care for Kids If you’re looking for a more natural approach to your child’s health care in the greater Seattle area, you don’t have to look far. The region boasts a wide range of holistic practitioners from naturopathic pediatric doctors to acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists and more.

But how do you vet providers, what credentials should you look for, and what should you be wary of? Equally important, how can parents interested in holistic, integrated health care for their kids ensure that all their providers — especially medical pediatricians — are on the same page and coordinating care? Here we take a look at these questions and consider the evidence on efficacy and safety for several holistic treatment options for kids.

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MD, ND or both :

Understanding the differences — and similarities

by D R . S U N I T A I Y E R , N D , L M photograph by J O S H U A H U S T O N

B

efore I learned about naturopathic doctors — and long before I became a naturopathic doctor and midwife myself — I believed their approach to health was grounded more in history and tradition than in evidence-based science.

The truth is most naturopathic medicine (and increasingly in Seattle, contemporary medical care) is “integrative medicine”

WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD? — that is, combining conventional medical approaches with holistic, natural practices and therapies that have been used around the globe for thousands of years to prevent or treat illness.

That may be why one of the most common questions we receive as naturopathic pediatric doctors (NDs) is, “What is the difference between you and an MD?”

Similarities and differences In Washington state, NDs and MDs are both licensed as primary care providers. Both professions are overseen by boards within the

Dr. Helen Kinsel ND, is a naturopathic doctor in Seattle.

Department of Health, which is where regulatory and disciplinary matters are handled.

NDs and MDs both receive approximately 1,500 hours of training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, clinical physical diagnosis, genetics, pharmacology, microbiology, and other areas. In addition, NDs receive training in botanical and nutritional therapies. MDs and NDs both provide primary care services including blood pressure checks, listening to heart and lungs, conducting annual blood tests or cancer screenings, and providing immunizations for the whole family.

Like MDs, NDs who practice and spe-

cialize in pediatrics have completed additional clinical and classroom training in the areas of primary care pediatrics and family medicine. Professional associations for both types of doctors provide pediatric-focused post-graduate residencies and they oversee board exams. However, unlike MD pediatric providers, NDs are not required to complete a residency or sit for a board exam in order to offer pediatric care.

Treatment and diagnostic similarities Both MDs and NDs accept most health CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 >

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Integrative Care: ASK FOR THE CARE YOU WANT FOR KIDS

Making the case for partnership

by C H E R Y L M U R F I N photograph by J O S H U A H U S T O N

W

hen it comes to helping kids lead healthy, productive lives, Dr. Cora Collette Breuner, MD, MPH, believes in the power of integrative medicine, accessible to all. Just as important, she believes in the potential for healing when partnering with parents to ensure they have the research-driven information they need to make informed choices about their child’s health care.

Dr. Breuner is a pediatrician, an expert on adolescent medicine, and a professor of pediatrics, orthopedics, and sports medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

In her clinics at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Dr. Breuner focuses on the use of holistic, mindful, and integrative approaches such as biofeedback, yoga, and massage to manage eating disorders, sports, and trauma-related injuries, headaches, abdominal pain, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. She serves on the Executive Committee in the Section on Integrative Medicine with the American

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Academy of Pediatrics.

We asked for her thoughts on the melding of integrative treatments in pediatrics and adolescent medicine and what parents and caregivers can do to ensure their kids have access to all options.

Seattle’s Child (SC): I understand the term ‘alternative health care’ is out. What do the terms holistic, integrative, and complementary care mean?

Dr. Breuner: Parents and caregivers today want to know about other non-pharmacological types of interventions they might consider to help their child or teenager. We know that there are evidence-based holistic interven-

tions like acupuncture and massage that are supported For the fu by quality research that interview, ch ll ec parents can consider for “Ask for the ca k out re their kids, along with want for your you child” other interventions that online at 3Seattleschi a pediatrician or other ld.com healthcare provider might recommend. It isn’t about doing these holistic modalities “instead of” medical intervention but doing them with contemporary medical approaches.

SC: What sorts of holistic and integrative interventions with quality research are

If you want to go with a natural approach to your child’s health, there’s nothing wrong with that.

It’s your right as a parent or caregiver to ask that whoever is providing care for your child or teen is willing to work with you.

DR. CORA COLLETTE BREUNER

Affirming, kid therapy

parents and caregivers interested in?

Dr. Breuner: There are many holistic interventions parents and caregivers may want to know about. For example, they ask about chiropractic for their kid with back pain or acupuncture for their child with a headache. They have questions about St. John’s wort for their child with depression or osteopathic manipulation in their teen whose neck hurts. They want to know about massage therapy in their child with endometriosis or yoga as a supportive intervention for their adolescent with an eating disorder.

And finally, they want to know about other holistic integrative therapies such as music therapy or art therapy for their child with cancer and dog or animal therapy for their teen with autism. All of these are interventions with evidence-based data for many health issues. They are part of a holistic and integrative approach to caring for a child or teenager.

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SC: How can I be assured that my child’s healthcare provider is knowledgeable about holistic interventions?

Dr. Breuner: Health care providers are knowledgeable about holistic approaches. When asked ‘I want to treat my kid for their anxiety with acupuncture. Is that OK?’ We need to respond with open communication such as “Let’s explore this intervention together.” We might then say, “From research review, there aren’t current studies that prove acupuncture is an effective intervention for this issue.

However, other modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy do have good evidence-based research. Let’s talk about this further.”

SC: Why is it important that pediatricians be up to speed on holistic care options?

Dr. Breuner: We know that there are 6.75 million health-related searches in Google every day. Many of these are queries about children and teens.

Parents and caregivers are searching for treatments to help their kids when the interventions we offer in the allopathic arena are not quickly effective, have side effects, are expensive, or may not align with what parents or caregivers want for their kids. Health care providers need to know where to search for evidence-based efficacy data on interventions our patients, families, and caregivers are exploring so they can help them make informed decisions about the health care of their child and/ or teen.

SC: Why are so many people looking at holistic and integrative care for their

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kids? Is there equitable access to integrative care?

Dr. Breuner: We don’t have all the answers. What we prescribe is not always effective. Everyone wants the best for their child and people should have access to all interventions that are safe and effective. However, equity is an issue when it comes to integrative and holistic care. Some state insurance plans don’t cover integrative interventions even though they have been proven to work.

The more research that shows integrative interventions are effective in children and adolescents, the more likely insurance companies will pay for it, and the more likely there will be equitable distribution for all. Families in under-resourced communities may spend money on products advertised as natural and safe but which have no rigorous efficacy testing and are not covered by insurance. I worry that many families are going this route instead of getting on waiting lists for treatments we know work.

SC: So, which aspects under the holistic umbrella are big red flags for you?

Dr. Breuner: My biggest concern and worry is the safety of herbs and dietary supplements. The industry isn’t always well-regulated, meaning

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consumers and healthcare providers may not be aware of how to look for consistency of dosing and lack of contamination in a product.

SC: Do parents withhold information about natural products or approaches they try with kids? If so, why?

Dr. Breuner: If a parent or caregiver feels judged about telling or even asking their health care provider about an integrative intervention, they may not be forthcoming in discussing this. This can be dangerous especially when there may be an interaction between what the health care provider is prescribing and what modality is being implemented. We need to have trust that we all want what is best for the child and adolescent.

SC: How does that trust get built?

Dr. Breuner: By being open and vulnerable both as health care providers and as patients, families and caregivers. If you want to go with a natural approach to your child’s health, there’s nothing wrong with that. You aren’t asking a favor when you ask a health care provider, ‘Can you work with me?’ It’s your right as a parent or caregiver to ask that whoever is providing care for your child or teen is willing to work with you.

All children, adolescents, families and caregivers deserve nothing less than holistic and integrative health care. Health care providers are in a perfect collaborative position to support this.

«MD, ND or both CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

insurance plans, including Medicaid, for visits, immunizations, and procedures. Both order blood draws, make referrals for ultrasound, X-ray, and other imaging, give immunizations, and refer patients to occupational therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, or other specialized therapies or services. And both use conventional prescriptions and over-the-counter medications as well as natural therapeutics like nutritional support and lifestyle modifications in prescribing treatment.

What else to expect from an ND • NDs are more likely to prescribe botanical medicines, dietary supplements or herbs for treatment or prevention.

They take a patient’s risk level, beliefs, and biases into account when suggesting treatments.

• NDs tend to offer longer appointment times for well-child visits as well as acute/urgent visits – between one and two

hours during an initial appointment, and 30 to 60 minutes in subsequent appointments.

• In most cases, families have direct access to their ND physician or a backup physician after hours, in contrast to a nurse line or hospital hotline.

• NDs encourage discussion and invite parents to ask questions about immunizations and take a family’s risks, beliefs, and biases into account when suggesting a schedule.

• NDs look at child and family as a whole; the care of the child is not separate from understanding the parents, caregivers, family, and community in which they live and grow.

What else to expect from an MD

• MDs may recommend multivitamin, iron, or Vitamin D supplementation but are less likely to prescribe botanical medicines, dietary supplements or herbs for treatment or prevention. Many will consider patient beliefs and biases when suggesting treatments.

• MDs typically work in a larger pediatric group. While you may see your designated provider for your regularly scheduled visits, visits for urgent concerns or after-hours calls may be managed by other providers in the group. Most often, well-child visits as well as acute/urgent visits are 20 minutes.

• Depending on the region, MDs may have more ready access to social workers or hospital-based services for higher-level needs or more medical complexity.

• MDs are more likely to ask families to follow the CDC immunization schedule.

Some practices may have restrictions on delayed or alternate vaccine schedules. In rare cases, MDs may choose not to work with patients who decline vaccines. Conversely, many MD pediatricians today, like NDs, invite discussion and questions about immunizations and will work to navigate a schedule that meets a family’s needs.

Unlike most medical doctors, NDs are very often small business owners, working with small clinical teams and a single backup ND physician. Most medical doctors, on the other hand, practice in larger groups with mutually agreed-upon policies, appointment time limits, and guidelines.

MDs may have hospital privileges and those privileges may permit them to admit patients to the hospital or “round on” (follow) their patients in the hospital. NDs do not have admitting or rounding privileges, yet their patients can be transferred to hospital care.

What about both?

Do you have to choose one over the other?

The simple answer is no.

Many families work with both an ND and an MD to cover their child’s health care needs.

However, it’s important to know that most insurance plans will only cover services in one location. That means you can’t get two well-child visits covered if you want your child to visit both an ND and an MD. You may have to pay a copay or out-of-pocket for some visits if you have two primary care pediatric providers.

What to ask potential MD or ND pediatricians Read the FAQs and provider bios on practice websites. Reach out to online community groups to gather insights from people who have worked with providers you are considering. What was their experience like? Here are some of the questions I was asked most often by prospective patients: • How long have you been in practice?

• What additional training have you done to support your work as a pediatric provider?

• What can we expect as treatment options when our child is sick?

• Are you on call? What does that look like to access care after hours?

• What is your practice model (i.e. solo,

residents, group)?

• Do you have admitting privileges or a process by which you can follow our care in the hospital?

• How do you approach the conversation and questions about immunizations?

• Of the more natural therapeutics, which ones do you utilize the most and why?

—Dr. Sunita Iyer, ND, LM

All pediatric models and styles come down to individuals Consider this as you explore which provider, MD or ND, is best for your child and family: The root of the word Doctor is docere, which means teacher. Medicine and healthcare should be teaching and learning experiences that are bi-directional — two-way. That means the patient and doctor learn from each other. Choosing the “right” provider for your children is a reflection of the way you and they learn and grow best. It can take a few

tries to find the right match or mix of providers and therapeutic approaches. That doesn’t make any provider type bad or wrong. It just means there is someone or some mix for everyone.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Dr. Sunita Iyer is a naturopathic physician and licensed midwife and currently an associate teaching professor in the School of Nursing & Health Studies at University of Washington Bothell. *Seattle’s Child staff contributed to this article.

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Rebalancing

qi :

ACUPUNCTURE FOR KIDS

Acupuncturist Jacqueline Bailey works on a patient.

A holistic option for headaches and other kid conditions

by M E L O D Y I P / photograph by J O S H U A H U S T O N

I

f your child cringes or cries at the sight of a needle, turning to a multi-prick treatment like acupuncture to address a medical or health concern may seem counterintuitive. Yet more and more parents — and their pediatric medical providers – are doing just that.

In 2008, the National Institutes of Health reported that 2.8 percent of U.S. children used chiropractic care. By 2017, the number rose 3.8 percent according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention brief.

Seattle mom Bridgett Takenaga is one of them. She and her husband are long-time believers in acupuncture as an effective holistic health modality, one that has been practiced in East Asia for more than 2,500 years. The Takenagas’ daughter received her first acupressure treatment, for immune support, when she was 18 months old. Since then, she has had treatments to address diges-

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tive concerns, eczema, growing pains, and ongoing immunity concerns.

Is it effective?

High-quality research — that is, studies or research projects conducted with rigor and reliability — show that acupuncture is effective for only a handful of pediatric conditions, including cancer drug-related nausea and chronic pain. However, contemporary medical providers at Seattle Children’s Hospital and other

experts believe it may be helpful for a far wider range of children’s health concerns.

Seattle Children’s Pain Medicine Program, which aims to be as evidence-based as possible, has used acupuncture to treat migraines, musculoskeletal pain, chemotherapy and post-operative side effects, among other conditions. Analysis of multiple studies by the U.S. government’s National Center for Contemporary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) indicate acupuncture may also help with allergies and incontinence as well.

Seattle Children’s Drs. Krystal Plonski and Gary Walco point out that the results of some studies are deemed inconclusive because the quality of the research and reporting does not meet the highest

What to look for in a provider Credentials: All acupuncturists are required to have a master’s degree. All Washington acupuncturists must also be certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Experience: Ask about a potential provider’s training and experience with children, including kids with your child’s symptoms.

Always disclose medical conditions, medications and supplements used to all pediatric providers, medical and holistic.

J anu ary/ Feb ru ary 2 0 24

standards of rigor. Conducting clinical trials for acupuncture can be challenging. The Pain Medicine Program relies on material from NCCIH and peer-reviewed publications for the most current and reliable information.

“A lot of people ask how it works. Unfortunately, there’s not one specific answer,” Plonski says, adding that acupuncture can trigger various physiologic mechanisms, including improved blood flow, changes in musculature or connective tissue, and the release of the body’s pain regulators.

What happens?

During treatments, practitioners use very fine needles to stimulate connective tissue via pressure points along pathways that correlate with organs and systems. When these channels are blocked, practitioners believe the flow of energy (called qi) is disrupted and that can lead to disease. Acupuncture aims to help unblock the channels to rebalance the flow of energy.

For a great quick primer on how it works check out the NCCIH’s “Acupuncture: What You Need To Know.”

Seattle-based pediatric acupuncturist Christopher Huson

Dr. Shea Kramer consulting with Mikayla and Mace Herrick.

says acupuncture for kids is generally about helping growing bodies that are hurting get back on track.

Babies and young children are often brought to acupuncture for teething, digestive issues, respiratory concerns, bedwetting, gastrointestinal issues, and allergies, says Huson; older kids for mental, behavioral, musculoskeletal, menstruation, and other health concerns.

And Jasmine Bay, a prenatal and pediatric acupuncturist in Edmonds, treats women with infertility as well as pregnant or postpartum patients for morning sickness, varicose veins, milk production, postpartum healing, and more.

Choose an integrated approach

Dr. Cora Collette Breuner, an adolescent pediatrician researcher and holistic care advocate, wants parents to always think integratively. She advises parents to continue to seek other evidence-based interventions even as they pursue acupuncture.

Is it safe?

According to the NCCIH, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “relatively few complications from using acupuncture have been reported.”

However, treatment delivered improperly or with non-sterile needles may cause “serious adverse effects, including infections, punctured organs, and injury to the central nervous system.”

In a review of negative impacts in kids who received chiropractic care, authors concluded: “Of the [adverse effects] associated with pediatric needle acupuncture, a majority of them were mild in severity. Many of the serious [adverse effects] might have been caused by substandard practice.

Our results support those from adult studies, which have found that acupuncture is safe when performed by appropriately trained practitioners.”

The 2011 study was published in the American Academy of Pediatrics journal “Pediatrics.”

Getting kids comfortable

Needles aren’t the only way to treat children, says Jacqueline Bailey from Seattle’s Rain City Acupuncture. On young kids, many providers believe Shonishin, an element of traditional Japanese pediatric medicine that uses tools to stroke, rub, and tap the skin instead of needles, is also effective.

Takenaga says, even now, needles are used only occasionally on her 10-year-old. Her daughter typically feels sleepy after treatments or, on occasion, an increased energy boost from the flow of qi.

In alignment: CONSIDERING KID’S CHIROPRACTIC

Local parents swear by it, but is it safe and effective?

by C L A I R E S H E R I D A N photograph by J O S H U A H U S T O N

S

eattle mom Mikayla Herrick first reached out to a chiropractor to help prepare her body for being pregnant. She conceived soon after starting chiropractic at Tree of Life clinic in Wallingford. Her son, Mace, who is almost 2 years old, had his first chiropractic visit within a week of being born.

“Adjustments for Mace have helped him in many ways,” says Herrick. “We noticed he had bowlegs when he was younger, but he no longer

has that issue. It has also helped during the times when he has a cold, when he’s had constipation, and I’ve noticed his sleep is usually improved after adjustments. He is a very active boy, so I know the adjustments help his nervous system — especially with all the ways he moves his body.”

Jessica Dolan was also introduced to chiropractic in pregnancy when she learned about the Webster Technique, an osteopathic adjustment aimed at improving pelvic and uterine function and used to turn breech babies head down into an optimal delivery position.

“I wanted to be sure my body was in the best position to give birth,” says Dolan, who, like Herrick, turned to Tree of Life for care.

“I love helping moms be ready to give birth,” says Dr. Shea Kramer, lead chiropractor at Tree of Life, who treated both moms. “The purpose of chiropractic is to help the body function better.

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Through the alignment of the spine, we can make the nervous system function better and help the body be better able to respond to external stressors.”

Dolan is certain the adjustments helped keep her body comfortable throughout her pregnancy: “Everyone talked about aches and pains being ‘normal’ during pregnancy, but I didn’t experience that,” she says. “With my second pregnancy, I was able to play on the floor with my toddler all the way through without any problem.”

Dolan too has relied on Tree of Life to provide weekly adjustments to her kids, 2-yearold Josie and 4-month-old Wells. Both kids experienced medical complications at birth or after, Josie a brain bleed, Wells a tongue-tie that hindered his ability to breastfeed. The kids’ chiropractic treatments are encouraged by the family’s physician, who considers them part of their pediatric preventative care plan.

Data is lacking on whether or not chiropractic is effective for the myriad conditions it is reported to address. As with all medical specialties, there are different philosophies, techniques, and methods of practicing chiropractic and that variation may be a contribut-

The purpose of chiropractic to help the body function better.

Through the alignment of the spine, we can make the nervous system function better and help the body be better able to respond to external stressors.

DR. SHEA KRAMER

ing factor in the dearth of rigorous research on whether chiropractic care is beneficial for kids. Still, there is quality research available for some issues. For example, in a 2021 study published in the journal Chiropractic & Manual Therapies investigating the effectiveness for pediatric headache, researchers found children who received spinal adjustments had significantly fewer days with headaches compared with a control group, which did not receive chiropractic treatment.

Research conflicts on the efficacy and safety of chiropractic treatment for kids. A 2020 report of the journal “Chiropractic & Manual Therapies” examined the frequency of adverse effects from spinal manipulation in children under 10 was unable to determine the risks of receiving chiropractic adjustments. Conversely, a 2015 study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics concludes: “Published cases of serious

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adverse events in infants and children receiving chiropractic…therapy are rare.” An earlier study published in the Oxford journal “Paediatrics & Child Health” concurred with this finding.

More than 2,400 licensed chiropractors practice in Washington, one-third of them in King County. There are 214 chiropractors in Seattle alone. For families like Dolan’s, chiropractic care is an integral part of their health maintenance program.

“Chiropractic is super gentle. [In our experience] there’s never been a downside or more problems. Things have been resolved and lessened,” says Dolan.

In fact, most pediatric manipulations do not involve snap-crackle-popping spines. As a report compiled for the Australian government in 2019 explains, “Skilled chiropractic care requires the practitioner to modify the force applied based on the age and developmental stage of the child.

This means that children, particularly very young children …are not likely to be receiving high impact manipulations.”

“There are many ways to adjust the body, not just manual techniques,” Kramer stresses.

Seattle mom Lindsay Kapek first visited a chiropractor to address her own escalating migraines during pregnancy. Now her entire family, including three kids, receive treatments.

“Our family uses eastern and western medicine. We have a traditional pediatrician, and I saw an OB during all three of my pregnancies.

[In addition to the chiropractor] we also see a naturopath and a homeopath. All our providers are supportive of one another. They work as a team, and I appreciate being seen as a person, not a chart.”

Dr. Cora Collette Breuner, a champion of holistic, integrated pediatric care, says she does sometimes refer patients for chiropractic care.

Breuner is a pediatrician, expert on adolescent medicine, and professor of pediatrics, orthopedics, and sports medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She advises parents to use caution in the search for a provider. And pediatricians, she says, should always be ready with quality referrals to chiropractors they have vetted. She has five that she knows well and refers to.

“I would not go to the Yelp review world to find a provider to work on my child. It is on us as health care providers to help a family get the best information and resources possible, including quality research and the ability to recommend a chiropractor that you know, that you work with, that you’ve sent kids to in the past, who you trust.”

The gentlest

touch INFANT CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

Tina Dos Santos, a birth doula and licensed massage therapist, works on baby Eliza Barrows.

Massage technique may help with newborn nursing and more

by E L I Z A B E T H H U N T E R / photograph by J O S H U A H U S T O N

W

hen my daughter was born, she weighed just five pounds. Though she was healthy, breastfeeding was hard. Insurance covered two lactation consultations, but after both appointments we were still struggling.

At eight weeks she still wasn’t latching properly, so I hired a lactation consultant, who offered not just her own expertise but a variety of alternative therapies to support breastfeeding. One of those options was infant craniosacral therapy, or infant CST.

What is infant craniosacral therapy?

Craniosacral therapy, also called craniosacral massage, is an increasingly popular holistic therapy that uses gentle touch to release tension and compression. Therapists who work on the craniosacral system (meninges, bones, and cerebrospinal fluid around the brain and spinal cord) believe there is a discernible rhythm to the craniosacral system.

By monitoring that rhythm, they believe they can identify and release areas of stress or obstruction. Infant CST practitioners say it can help with nursing, colic,

fussiness, GI issues, sleep issues, plagiocephaly (a tightening of the neck muscles in babies), birth injuries, and more. Although research remains scant, a handful of small studies have found it can be helpful for colic and several aspects of breastfeeding.

Seattle is a center for naturopathic approaches and CST is a popular holistic treatment referral in the area. Since infants’ skull bones are not yet solidly bound, it is important to note that physicians warn against manipulating the delicate bones that surround a baby’s brain. But the pressure applied in CST amounts to about five grams, the weight of a nickel, and there is quality research affirming its safety.

What providers say

Tina Dos Santos, a Seattle-based birth doula and licensed massage therapist, has practiced infant CST for more than a decade.

“I try to look at the big picture,” she says, “the rhythms of the craniosacral system, the fluid, tissue, and muscles of the craniosacral system, the palate, fascia, speech development, and sometimes the diaphragm. After that, it is up to the baby’s body to make the

changes.” She provides parents with follow-up exercises and often works in tandem with a lactation consultant for nursing issues.

What other postnatal providers say

“How craniosacral [therapy] works is kind of a mystery,” says Ginna Wall, RN, MN, ICBLC. “But I’ve observed it in clinical and educational settings, and each time it was amazing. You could see the babies just relax.” Ginna was a pediatric nurse for nearly 40 years and founded the lactation program at UW Medicine in 1986.

Catherine Fenner, IBCLC, a Seattle-based lactation consultant, recommends clients try CST before more invasive interventions such as frenotomy (tongue-tie surgery).

“Sometimes [CST] can relax the muscles enough to reveal a problematic oral tether,” she explains, “but sometimes the muscles relax enough that a frenotomy isn’t needed.” Catherine’s clients have reported their babies are calmer and open their mouths wider for a better latch after a CST session.

What parents say Natasha Maestas noticed a difference in her six-week-old son, Enzo, after just one session of infant CST. Prior to the session, she and her husband realized that they hadn’t seen Enzo’s tongue outside his mouth at all. “Within two days, he started sticking his tongue out well past his gumline. It was like

he discovered a new toy,” she says.

In the first few weeks of his life, Enzo was “tense and tight, uncomfortable unless held or swaddled.”

Nursing was painful for Natasha, and it seemed like it was painful for Enzo, too. Although skeptical, she was happy to try infant CST if it meant she could avoid a frenotomy. Two sessions later, her son is “less cranky and nursing well.”

Equally important, Natasha herself feels less anxious.

“I’m not sure our journey is over yet, but my own mental health is better. He’s calmer, so I am calmer, too.”

Other parents report CST led to no noticeable changes or improvements in their baby’s nursing latch, symptoms of colic or other issues for which they were referred to CST.

Practicalities of infant CST

Some insurers have begun offering coverage for certain holistic treatments, such as massage from a licensed practitioner. Infant CST is not yet covered by insurance, and a typical infant CST session in Seattle can cost $150 - $250. Most CST practitioners recommend three to five visits, although it’s possible a baby’s issue will be resolved in one session.

As for me and my tiny baby?

We got the help we needed from a variety of skilled and caring birth workers, craniosacral therapy and several lactation appointments, and nursed just fine for the first year of her life.

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do many parents and many professionals swear by it.” She notes that insurance companies don’t cover CST, and parents end up paying substantial sums out-of-pocket for weekly sessions.

ADDRESSING INFANT TONGUE TIE

Local IBCLC creates guide for parents

by C H E R Y L M U R F I N

I

f you’re the parent of a newborn, chances are you’ve heard the term “tongue-tie” from another parent who experienced pain while breastfeeding and whose baby struggled to latch, was subsequently diagnosed with a tootight lingual frenulum, then underwent minor surgery — called a frenotomy — to release it.

Or perhaps that struggling someone was you or your baby. Whatever the case, the terms tongue tie and frenotomy have arisen in the new parent vocabulary in the past decade.

It’s a controversial topic.

According to the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, tongue tie is present in 4% to 11% of newborns. In cases where it causes extreme breastfeeding pain (including severe nipple damage) or impedes a baby’s transfer of milk from the breast, lactation experts and pediatricians agree that releasing the lingual frenulum — that tiny slip of connective tissue that attaches beneath and near the tip of the tongue — can help both moms and babies. However, they say most tongue ties do not impact breastfeeding and do not need intervention. Even so, the rates of surgical intervention are dramatically rising, according to a recent

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New York Times investigation.

Addressing severe breastfeeding issues “If a parent is trying to breastfeed and there is nipple pain and damage — and it can be severe and horrible, I’ve seen it — or if a baby is not gaining weight, we go looking for a tongue tie. It’s not always part of a routine exam. If we find one in these cases, frenotomy can make a difference,” says Ginna Wall, RN, MN, ICBLC, a retired pediatric nurse of 40 years and founder of the lactation program at UW Medicine. “However, I agree that we are seeing too many frenotomies. Unless it’s causing a problem with breastfeeding, it’s usually unnecessary. That’s my bottom line.”

She adds that surgery is not the only way to treat tongue tie.

“Research shows that a lactation expert who received special training can help work with parents to fix nursing positioning and latch, and that sometimes resolves the problems [even with a tongue tie],” says Wall. “In New Zealand, they use a standardized tool to assess tongue tie. If there’s a score below four on that assessment, referring for a release is appropriate. They’re not supposed to refer if the scores are above four, and they have had significantly reduced unnecessary procedures over two years.”

While quality research is lacking on Craniosacral Therapy to help with tongue tie-related breastfeeding issues, parents are often referred for CST. Says Wall: “It’s not evidence-based, but boy,

TO NG U E TI E : COU RTE SY OF I STOC K

Fit to be Tied:

A new visual guide for parents What does a tongue tie look like? And what do parents need to know when a frenotomy is deemed necessary? Seattle lactation consultant Renee Beebe, IBCLC, M.Ed, has spent the last four-plus years researching and writing a book on the topic.

Her self-published “Fit To Be Tied: A Visual Resource for Parents,” a photo-centric guide, was released in December and sat in the top 10 books list in Amazon’s Nursing Pediatrics section in January.

The guide includes written descriptions and detailed photographs explaining how to look for signs of tongue tie, how feedings may be impacted, how ties are commonly treated, when — and when not — to choose a surgical intervention, and how to select a medical provider.

So far, lactation consultants across the country are raving about Beebe’s handbook: New York midwife Lisa Paladino CNM, IBCLC, called the book a “must-read for any parent wondering about tongue tie and for all pros who work with infants.”

“I wrote this book because when I work with parents, words just aren’t enough,” says Beebe. “They need to see. I wanted a resource I could pull from my bag and show them photos of what I was talking about.

“I also want parents to use the book to feel empowered to decide about tongue ties,” she says. “Social media, pediatricians, family members, lactation professionals, pediatricians, and the New York Times are all weighing in on the topic. I want parents to feel empowered and confident in their decisions.”

Find the book “Fit To Be Tied: A Visual Resource for Parents” is available on Amazon for $18.77.

Prevention

on the Mat:

KID’S YOGA

Practice improves physical, behavioral, mental, and emotional health

by C L A I R E S H E R I D A N / photograph by J O S H U A H U S T O N

T

he Greater Seattle area offers many opportunities for the practice of yoga, with a handful of programs, studios and organizations that cater to children and families.

Brittnie Rosen’s children, Minha and Esme, have practiced yoga for some time. Aged 7 and 4, they attend classes at Wallingford’s Aditi Yoga & Wellness, where their mom works.

If Esme had one word to associate with yoga it would be “calm.” For Minha the word might be “community.”

“I really like when my friend Ahna is at yoga too, then I feel really good,” says Minha.

Recent research indicates that practicing yoga for as little as 10 minutes a day over eight weeks can lower anxiety in children ages 8 to 10. And experts at Seattle Children’s Hospital stress that practicing yoga helps improve stamina and flexibility. Yoga is also recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which considers it safe, effective, and a good way to improve “emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral health conditions.”

Aditi and Seattle Kids Yoga (SKY) offer classes for children and families and training for yoga teachers who want to work with kids.

Aditi instructors Andrea Hildebrandt and Maggie Pleas both completed their training through SKY. Hildebrandt has practiced yoga for more

than 20 years and has a background in non-traditional K-12 education. Learning to teach kids felt like a natural fit.

“Yoga is about the connection with your body and your breath,” says Hildebrandt. “The hope is that, out in the world, when students encounter a stressful situation, they can connect with their breath and transition through whatever is hard.”

There’s a lot to support that hope. A study published in the journal of Psychology Research and Behavior Management found that “age-appropriate yoga and mindfulness programs may contribute to the development of critical skills in children.” Some of those critical skills include the ability to self-regulate and focus. Other research shows that yoga can help improve kids’ balance, strength, and ability to reduce tension.

Hildebrandt, who currently teaches yoga for kids ages 9 to 13, recommends making yoga fun for younger kids by telling stories and incorporating props such as small stuffed animals into the practice. She offers a chooseyour-own-adventure style of yoga during which she encourages kids to exercise autonomy over their experience. Of course, she checks in with them regularly during class.

Yoga has even found its way into classrooms. Studies show it improves children’s performance in school and behavior in class,

Maggie Pleas teaches children’s yoga at Aditi Yoga & Wellness.

and helps to reduce kids’ anxiety and stress.

For kids with ADHD, yoga may help improve symptoms like inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

In addition to teaching children’s yoga at Aditi, Maggie Pleas teaches yoga classes for Seattle Public Schools. She leads after-school yoga classes for kindergarten, first, and second graders.

“People of any age can practice yoga. There are so many aspects to yoga, not just the physical poses,” Pleas says. “There’s breathwork and mindfulness. My favorite pose to teach children is savasana. At the end of class it’s interesting to see how much kids relax.

“I encourage them to listen to the music, pretend to take a nap,” she adds, “and sometimes I offer a forehead or foot massage to those who want one.”

Pleas has fun developing and planning her classes. She uses themes — anything from “Wheels on the Bus” to nocturnal animals to space — to keep younger kids engaged.

Young yogis in Pleas’ classes are encouraged to try new things, but they’re also given the autonomy to decide what works for their bodies. That, says Pleas, is a key component of any good yoga class. Pleas regularly encourages her students to check in and connect with themselves. And above all else, she encourages, “creativity, self-reflection, and having fun.”

SKY offers resources to encourage and support children’s practice at home, including yoga cards and a yoga book for toddlers. They are also a great source of additional information about kid’s yoga in Seattle schools and studios.

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Sponsored Content

Montessori+ +

introduces paleontology to kids

PHOTOS BY T. MAICEE PHOTOGRAPHY

NTER A WORLD OF SCIENCE AND DISCOVERY at Sammamish Montessori School (SMS). The school offers its hybrid Montessori+ program, with a half-day Montesssori program emphasizing core principles of independence and cultivating confidence at a very early age, with a half-day immersive STEAM experience (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Music & Movement).

Seamlessly integrating a half-day Montessori learning program with an immersive STEAM experience, the program has become a stand-out success for the school.

Conceived by Mrs. Virginia Ward and alongside Mrs. Saee Hamine, an American Montessori Accredited teacher, find one such immersive experience at SMS where kids will be digging for fossils and studying the science of the Mesozoic Era. The Dino-Dig excavation site is a remarkable initiative that brings the wonder of paleontology to create a hands-on educational experience for students.

Virginia reminded us that preschool and kindergarten children love dinosaurs and can rattle off facts about them. They quickly grasp the multi-syllabic names that tongue tie a grown-up.

What better way to get students excited about learning than by introducing an enriched dinosaur experience and giving them the chance to get their hands dirty?

While living in Kampala, Uganda, about 25 years ago, Virginia worked to make the rich history of Uganda more accessible to students. Visiting staff at the Ugandan National Museum, she made connections with the resident paleontologist who shared some fossilized remains from the museum’s storeroom. The students loved putting them together like puzzles and learning about the prehistoric creatures that no longer roamed their villages.

Virginia decided an excavation site would be a perfect next step, so she created her own. Using a sandbox for the location, she created skeletons of prehistoric animals out of plaster of Paris based on photographs in the museum. Students learned about the tools used by paleontologists and 1 SS EA TT ’ S’ SC C HH I LID 2 0X XFeb ru ary 2 0 24 28 EA T LT E LE L DMonth J anu ary/

guidelines for digging at the site and got to work. It was a hit, as students were engrossed in the work and used a variety of skills and problem-solving techniques to identify the different species they uncovered.

Dinosaurs are popular with kids worldwide, so when Virginia came to the Seattle area, she had the idea to recreate the Dino Dig here. She first used a child’s swimming pool indoors and made a Stegosaurus skeleton. Students were challenged to identify the part of the skeleton and determine the species based on the unique features they uncovered.

The success of her temporary indoor dig led to the school building a permanent dig site. David Rhett, the Director of Facilities, designed and built the outdoor area. David used vintage tools to evoke the environment of the early paleontologists working in the Hell Creek Formation near Jordan, Montana. The site contains both real and reproduced fossilized remains, including raptor claws, a dinosaur egg, a prehistoric horse femur, megalodon teeth, and even coprolite (dinosaur poop). The favorite for the kids is the T-Rex skull. In addition to the dig site, there are sand sifting boxes for the youngest children to search for different types of fossilized shark teeth.

The Dino Dig site enriches the classroom dinosaur units, plus each summer, Sammamish Montessori School offers a dinosaur camp. It’s been a popular addition to the school and gives children the chance to learn about dinosaurs and paleontology in a more hands-on way.

Dinosaur units of study are more than just the excavation piece at Sammamish Montessori School. The students are also reading and writing about dinosaurs, learning about where they lived, how they are similar to certain animal groups today, how they evolved, and eventually, how they became extinct. There are art projects, songs about dinosaurs and dino-themed obstacle courses. Math is used to sort, count and measure, and children build their own dinosaurs from recycled material.

The Ichthyosaurus hanging in the STEAM classroom even has fins that move! It reaches every part of their school day.

During discussions, students are encouraged to ask questions, plan and conduct investigations, and analyze the information they discover to answer those questions. The work at Sammamish Montessori School is just one stop on their continued journey to learn about dinosaurs and prehistory, and to engage in deductive reasoning and collaborative problem solving to wrestle with a four-yearold’s big questions: what color were dinosaurs, did stegosaurus and t-rex know each other and in what kind of environments did the different dinosaurs live?

Virginia says, “Our goal is to help facilitate that learning, help children make sense of the pieces they discover, and enjoy the journey.”

Paleontology is a great entry point to engage a young learner. To make this experience more authentic, Virginia joined the Burke Museum’s Dig Field School in the summer of 2023. Working with staff and graduate students from the University of Washington and the Burke Museum in Seattle, Virginia traveled to the Hell Creek Formation in Montana. There, she learned about the dinosaurs’ reign and their mass extinction and participated in the identification and excavation of both macro and micro-fossils, learning how both are important to understanding how dinosaurs lived and died.

In 2024, Sammamish Montessori School will add a micro-fossil collection and cleaning area that will include small prehistoric shellfish, teeth, bone fragments and fossilized plant life. There will be stations to wash and sort and help integrate core Montessori practical life activities, bringing in an additional STEAM experience to the already robust curriculum at the school.

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PLAN YOUR SUMMER: Visit our online directory to find new camps and classes added daily. It’s searchable by type of activity, location, age range and camp length. » seattleschild.com/camps SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES IN THE PUGET SOUND AREA

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SummerTime Preview

S H U TTE RSTOCK

Brighton School Age 3 - grade 8

1705 58th Ave. W, Mountlake Terrace 98043 877-469-1724, tshepherd@springedugroup.com

brightonschool.com

Grades Pre-K - 4

Embark on a summer adventure full of epic moments at Brighton School summer camp, where young campers flourish through dynamic activities, skill-building and lasting connections. From thrilling day camps to specialized academic and sports programs, our offerings cater to ages 3 through 8th grade, ensuring a summer filled with excitement, growth and enduring friendships.

14640 NE 24th St., Bellevue 98007 425-649-0791 Option 2, summer@bcacademy.com

Charles Wright Academy

FIND MORE SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASSES IN OUR ANNUAL SUMMERTIME GUIDE COMING IN FEBRUARY

Academics ���������������������������������������������������29 Animals and Farming ���������������������������� 30 Arts, Crafts & Cooking ���������������������������� 31 Family Fun ���������������������������������������������������33 Multi-Activity ���������������������������������������������33 Nature & Environment ���������������������������35 Overnight ��������������������������������������������������� 38 Performing Arts ��������������������������������������� 38 Religious ������������������������������������������������������39 Science, Art & Technology ���������������������39 Special Needs ���������������������������������������������42 Sports & Fitness �����������������������������������������43

curriculum and exciting activities involving project-based science and social studies units that promote creativity, independent thinking and self-confidence.

ACADEMICS Bellevue Children’s Academy

bcacademy.com/programs/ summerschool

BCA Summer School offers Pre-K to 4thgrade students an excellent opportunity to reinforce learning and prepare for the upcoming school year. Our program includes a thought-provoking English and math

Grades 1-9

7723 Chambers Creek Road W, Tacoma 98476 253-620-8373, admissions@charleswright.org

charleswright.org

Get ready for summer camp at Charles Wright Academy. Our campus features 107 acres, including forest trails and state-ofthe-art STEM, art and athletic facilities. CWA

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SummerDirectory offers a breadth of activities for students entering grades 1 through 9, including general summer camps and specialty camps featuring musical theater, arts, STEM and coding, nature exploration, leadership programs, and more.

Debate Camp

camps, academic camps, specialty camps, and sports camps for students in Kindergarten through rising 6th grade.

ANIMALS & FARMING

Girls Rock Math

10819 Carnation-Duvall Road NE, Carnation 98014 425-788-1134, camp@oxbow.org

Grades 1-8

girlsrockmath.org

3400 E Harrison St., Seattle 98112 888-512-8154

Girls Rock Math is an empowering, artsbased math camp. Our camps offer engaging themes that capture a girl’s interest and imagination, and we use that as a catalyst for math growth through real-life, hands-on math projects. Creative and fun experiences with math help develop confidence, excitement, and joy around learning.

Debate Camp specializes in public speaking, parliamentary debate, and Model United Nations. We provide a fun and inspiring space for youth to develop important skills, hear opposing views, and confidently articulate their ideas well in the company of others. 2024 day camp options for Seattle families include 2 x 1-week day camps at The Bush School location and a well-loved overnight camp at Brentwood College on Vancouver Island.

Evergreen Academy 16017 118th Place NE, Bothell 98011 877-832-4054, tshepherd@springedugroup.com

evergreenacademy.com/elementary/ seattle/bothell Experience epic moments at Summer @ Evergreen Academy - where campers will explore new activities, master new skills, make infinite discoveries, and create lifelong friendships throughout summer. We offer day

Turn outdoor play into fun discoveries!

With 5 different sessions exploring themes including cooking, nature arts and crafts, and farming, there’s something exciting for every kiddo. Campers will venture through forests and organic farm fields—experiencing the wonders of nature while cultivating meaningful connections with each other and the environment.

Red Gate Farm

RSM

Ages 6-12

Locations in Bellevue, Factoria and Redmond bellevue@mathschool.com factoria@mathschool.com redmond@mathschool.com

redgatefarmdaycamp.com

23836 SE 24th St., Sammamish 98075 425-466-3800, redgatefarmtraining@gmail.com

Grades K-12

mathschool.com

Grades K-6

Ages 7-11

oxbow.org/education/summercamp

Locations in Bellevue, Seattle and Shoreline 206-408-8078

Grades 5-10

debatecamp.com/seattle

Oxbow Summer Farm Camp

The Russian School of Mathematics is an award-winning, after-school math program for K-12 students. Recently named “among the top schools in the world” by the Johns Hopkins CTY, we help children of all levels excel in mathematics. At RSM, we believe all children can develop a solid foundation in math if taught correctly.

Build self-confidence while enjoying the pleasures of riding and developing a friendship with your camp horse. Campers will be assigned one horse with another camper that will be theirs for the whole week. They will learn everything about horse care, including basic grooming, saddling, and horse psychology! Other activities include arts, crafts and games. On the last day of every session, campers demonstrate their new riding skill with a horse show.

AWARD-WINNING, OUTDOOR

CHILDREN’S ART CLASSES & CAMPS! Summer Program Begins June 17th

FULL WEEK CAMPS 8 AM - 6 PM

Plus extended care and half days available!

Download the Summer 2024 Packet from our website!

Find more information at

NeoArtSchool.com Celebrating over 40 years!

Creative and nurturing art classes for children since 1982

206-632-2530 • NeoArtSchool@gmail.com 30

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SummerDirectory Tilth Alliance

ARTS, CRAFTS & COOKING

Girls Rock Math

4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, #100, Seattle 98103 5513 S Cloverdale St., Seattle 98118 206-633-0451, youthprograms@tilthalliance.org

Brighton School

Locations in Bellevue, Seattle and Shoreline 206-408-8078

Ages 1-15

tilthalliance.org/our-work/ youth-families

Join us for sensory, hands-on outdoor learning experiences exploring the wonders of the garden and farm. Together, we discover where good food comes from. At Tilth Alliance’s farm and garden programs, kids 1-15 years old spend days outdoors being “urban farmers.” All camps include reduced-price tickets, selected at checkout. We also welcome you to apply for a scholarship.

URJ Camp Kalsman Grades 1-11

14724 184th St. NE, Arlington 98223 425-284-4484, campkalsman@urj.org

Age 3 - grade 8

1705 58th Ave. W, Mountlake Terrace 98043 877-469-1724, tshepherd@springedugroup.com

brightonschool.com

Embark on a summer adventure full of epic moments at Brighton School summer camp, where young campers flourish through dynamic activities, skill-building and lasting connections. From thrilling day camps to specialized academic and sports programs, our offerings cater to ages 3 through 8th grade, ensuring a summer filled with excitement, growth and enduring friendships.

Charles Wright Academy Grades 1-9

campkalsman.org

7723 Chambers Creek Road W, Tacoma 98476 253-620-8373, admissions@charleswright.org

URJ Camp Kalsman is the premiere Jewish sleep-away camp in the Pacific Northwest.

Our mission is to create a vibrant, creative, caring community fostering Jewish identity and connection. Campers from Oregon, British Columbia, Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Washington return home to Kalsman each summer for fun, friendships, classic camp activities like archery, high ropes course, hiking, canoeing, arts & crafts, sports, swimming and more!

Get ready for summer camp at Charles Wright Academy. Our campus features 107 acres, including forest trails and state-ofthe-art STEM, art and athletic facilities. CWA offers a breadth of activities for students entering grades 1 through 9, including general summer camps and specialty camps featuring musical theater, arts, STEM and coding, nature exploration, leadership programs, and more.

charleswright.org

Grades 1-8

girlsrockmath.org

Girls Rock Math is an empowering, artsbased math camp. Our camps offer engaging themes that capture a girl’s interest and imagination, and we use that as a catalyst for math growth through real-life, hands-on math projects. Creative and fun experiences with math help develop confidence, excitement, and joy around learning.

Neo Art School

Summer Art Camp Ages 6-12 Good Shepherd Center 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, #121, Seattle 98103 206-632-2530, neoartschool@gmail.com

neoartschool.com

Founded in 1982, family-owned and -operated for two generations, Neo Art School offers the highest quality fine arts and pottery classes for children (and adults) in the Northwest.

Summer Camp 2023 and all other School Break Camp enrollment is now open. Offering day camp during the school year and weeklong camps during the summer, full-day and half-day options are available with extended care. Camps start June 17th. Come experience an array of art projects.

Give your child

JOY & CONNECTION through creating with clay.

L

et your child experience the joy and connection from creating with clay this summer. Our weekly summer camps are for kids ages 7-16 in separate cohorts. We provide fun, age-appropriate instruction for both hand building and wheel throwing on the potter’s wheel. Our mission is to help every child fall in love with creating and even more, creating ceramics that will be cherished for a lifetime. We offer half day and full day programs with or without food and beverages and have options for before and after to hang out in the cafe. Come join us for a summer of fun and creating at Wet Clay Cafe.

REGISTER TODAY FOR WEEKLY CLAY CAMP Wet Clay Cafe

(206) 354-6407 1109 N 35th Street, Seattle, WA 98103

WETCLAYCAFE.COM

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Tilth Alliance Ages 1-15

4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, #100, Seattle 98103 5513 S Cloverdale St., Seattle 98118 206-633-0451, youthprograms@tilthalliance. org

tilthalliance.org/our-work/ youth-families

SUMMER CAMP

Join us for sensory, hands-on outdoor learning experiences exploring the wonders of the garden and farm.

Together, we discover where good food comes from. At Tilth Alliance’s farm and garden programs, kids 1-15 years old spend days outdoors being “urban farmers.” All camps include reduced-price tickets, selected at checkout. We also welcome you to apply for a scholarship.

Register today!

www.soundview.org (425) 778-8572

Soundview Summer Camp is guided by certified, professional educators.

URJ Camp Kalsman Grades 1-11

14724 184th St. NE, Arlington 98223 425-284-4484, campkalsman@urj.org

campkalsman.org

Soundview: a small, independent school in Lynwood, WA

URJ Camp Kalsman is the premiere Jewish sleep-away camp in the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is to create a vibrant, creative, caring community fostering Jewish identity and connection. Campers from Oregon, British Columbia, Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Washington return home to Kalsman each summer for fun, friendships, classic camp activities like archery, high ropes course, hiking, canoeing, arts & crafts, sports, swimming and more!

Villa Ventures Ages 4-14

5001 NE 50th St., Seattle 98105 206-524-8885, enrollment@thevilla.org

Finding summer camps just got easier.

thevilla.org/summer

Villa Ventures provides the largest, most robust summer camp experience in Seattle. Located on Villa Academy’s campus, Villa Ventures Summer Camps feature high-quality, engaging outdoor and indoor experiences designed for curious and creative minds aged 4 to 14. There are activities for everyone—carpentry, coding, forest games, and more.

Wet Clay Cafe Ages 7-16

1109 N 35th Street, Seattle 98103 206-345-6407, info@wetclaycafe.com

wetclaycafe.com

Use our online directory to search by type of activity, location, age range or camp length. Find a camp that’s just right for you and your child!

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Experience the joy of creating with clay. Our weekly summer camps support kids ages 7-16 in separate cohorts. We provide age-appropriate instruction for hand building and wheel throwing on the potter’s wheel. Our mission is to help every child fall in love with art and create ceramics that will be cherished for a lifetime. We offer half-day and full-day programs with before and after-care options and food and beverages.

SummerDirectory FAMILY FUN

Eastside Catholic School

KidsQuest Children’s Museum

EC Summer Camps Grades K-12

1116 108th Ave. NE, Bellevue 98004 425-637-8100, info@kidsquestmuseum.org

eastsidecatholic.org/summer

Ages Infant - 10

kidsquestmuseum.org

A hands-on, interactive children’s museum, non-profit, and Certified Sensory Accessible Venue. KidsQuest encourages learning through play and emphasizes science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

Featuring 25+ innovative exhibits for children infant to 10 years. KidsQuest offers various programs, including classes, summer camps, adult events, workshops, and free programs.

MULTI-ACTIVITY Charles Wright Academy Grades 1-9

7723 Chambers Creek Road W, Tacoma 98476 253-620-8373, admissions@charleswright.org

charleswright.org

Get ready for summer camp at Charles Wright Academy. Our campus features 107 acres, including forest trails and state-ofthe-art STEM, art and athletic facilities. CWA offers a breadth of activities for students entering grades 1 through 9, including general summer camps and specialty camps featuring musical theater, arts, STEM and coding, nature exploration, leadership programs, and more.

elong CreatinngdLishfip s Frie

232 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish 98074 425-295-3000, landerson@eastsidecatholic.org

Learn. Create. Compete! Join us this summer for fun, inspiring, and affordable athletic and enrichment camps led by experienced Eastside Catholic faculty, coaches and community experts. You do not need to attend Eastside Catholic to attend our summer camps. We look forward to welcoming you.

Evergreen Academy Grades K-6

16017 118th Place NE, Bothell 98011 877-832-4054, tshepherd@springedugroup.com

evergreenacademy.com/elementary/ seattle/bothell Experience epic moments at Summer @ Evergreen Academy - where campers will explore new activities, master new skills, make infinite discoveries, and create lifelong friendships throughout summer. We offer day camps, academic camps, specialty camps, and sports camps for students in Kindergarten through rising 6th grade.

High Trek Adventures - South Everett Ages 7-15

11928 Beverly Park Road, Everett 98204 425-382-2966, camps@hightrekeverett.com

gozip.fun/camp2024

There is adventure to be found for everyone

at High Trek Camps. Activities may include laser tag, mini golf, climbing wall, gaga ball, and group activities led by our trained staff.

After a busy day of activity, we trust campers will leave with a sense of accomplishment and excitement for their next day at High Trek Adventures.

KidsQuest Children’s Museum Ages Infant - 10

1116 108th Ave. NE, Bellevue 98004 425-637-8100, info@kidsquestmuseum.org

kidsquestmuseum.org

A hands-on, interactive children’s museum, non-profit, and Certified Sensory Accessible Venue. KidsQuest encourages learning through play and emphasizes science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

Featuring 25+ innovative exhibits for children infant to 10 years. KidsQuest offers various programs, including classes, summer camps, adult events, workshops, and free programs.

Soundview School

2024 Summer Camps and Classes Ages 3-13 6515 196th St. SW, Lynnwood 98036 425-778-8572, ctaylor@soundview.org

soundview.org/auxiliary-programs Soundview is thrilled to announce the opening of registrations for its exciting summer programs. Our diverse range of classes ensures a vibrant and enriching experience for everyone. With the guidance

Infin Discoveitriees

Brighton School Age 3 through 8th Grades 21705 58th Ave W • Mountlake Terrace, WA, 98043 • 425-640-7067 P a id Adve r t is ing S e c t io n

Learn

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A

ikido is a peaceful, Japanese Martial Art that offers you self-defense, physical fitness and meditation.

Tenzan Aikido is a friendly and supportive place to start your Aikido odyssey.

Classes offered year-round for ages 4 and up.

All skill levels welcome.

Check our website for current schedules.

SUMMER CAMPS Regular Camp

Ages 6 and up 5 days, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

July 8-12 • July 22-26 July 29-August 2

Junior Camp

Ages 4 – 8 5 days, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

July 17-21

Advanced Camp

Purple, Brown & Black Belts only 5 days, 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

August 5-9

First-day beginners and advanced students alike benefit from the daily routine of immersing themselves in this Martial Arts training. Games are interspersed with classical aikido techniques to maintain a lighthearted and focused environment.

CONTACT US EMAIL dojo@tenzanaikido.com CALL OR TEXT 206-525-4032 7700 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

TENZANAIKIDO.COM

SummerDirectory from our certified professional educators, participants explore tailored activities, fostering a hands-on and engaging educational environment. Register now for an unforgettable educational journey filled with exploration, creativity, and leadership development.

Villa Ventures Ages 4-14

5001 NE 50th St., Seattle 98105 206-524-8885, enrollment@thevilla.org

thevilla.org/summer

Villa Ventures provides the largest, most robust summer camp experience in Seattle.

Located on Villa Academy’s campus, Villa Ventures Summer Camps feature high-quality, engaging outdoor and indoor experiences designed for curious and creative minds aged 4 to 14. There are activities for everyone—carpentry, coding, forest games, and more.

YMCA of Greater Seattle

NATURE & ENVIRONMENT

Oxbow Summer Farm Camp

Charles Wright Academy

10819 Carnation-Duvall Road NE, Carnation 98014 425-788-1134, camp@oxbow.org

Grades 1-9

7723 Chambers Creek Road W, Tacoma 98476 253-620-8373, admissions@charleswright.org

charleswright.org

Get ready for summer camp at Charles Wright Academy. Our campus features 107 acres, including forest trails and state-ofthe-art STEM, art and athletic facilities. CWA offers a breadth of activities for students entering grades 1 through 9, including general summer camps and specialty camps featuring musical theater, arts, STEM and coding, nature exploration, leadership programs, and more.

Evergreen Academy

evergreenacademy.com/ elementary/seattle/bothell

909 4th Ave., Seattle 98104 registration@seattleymca.org

seattleymca.org/camp Whether you are interested in day camp in your neighborhood, week-long overnight camps at Orkila or Colman, or backpacking expeditions in the Olympics or Cascades, you’ll find your adventure, find your friends and find your fun at Y camp.

oxbow.org/education/ summercamp

Turn outdoor play into fun discoveries!

With 5 different sessions exploring themes including cooking, nature arts and crafts, and farming, there’s something exciting for every kiddo. Campers will venture through forests and organic farm fields—experiencing the wonders of nature while cultivating meaningful connections with each other and the environment.

Red Gate Farm Ages 6-12

23836 SE 24th St., Sammamish 98075 425-466-3800, redgatefarmtraining@gmail.com

Grades K-6

16017 118th Place NE, Bothell 98011 877-832-4054, tshepherd@springedugroup.com

Summer Camp and Outdoor Leadership Programs Ages 3-18

Ages 7-11

Experience epic moments at Summer @ Evergreen Academy - where campers will explore new activities, master new skills, make infinite discoveries, and create lifelong friendships throughout summer. We offer day camps, academic camps, specialty camps, and sports camps for students in Kindergarten through rising 6th grade.

redgatefarmdaycamp.com

Build self-confidence while enjoying the pleasures of riding and developing a friendship with your camp horse. Campers will be assigned one horse with another camper that will be theirs for the whole week. They will learn everything about horse care, including basic grooming, saddling, and horse psychology! Other activities include arts, crafts and games. On the last day of every session, campers demonstrate their new riding skill with a horse show.

Time to make summer plans!

URJ Camp Kalsman | Arlington, WA | www.campkalsman.org

June 23 - July 4 : Almost Full July 7 - 28 : Almost Full July 31 - August 14: SOLD OUT

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Tilth Alliance Ages 1-15

4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, #100, Seattle 98103 5513 S Cloverdale St., Seattle 98118 206-633-0451 youthprograms@tilthalliance.org

tilthalliance.org/our-work/ youth-families

Join us for sensory, hands-on outdoor learning experiences exploring the wonders of the garden and farm.

Together, we discover where good food comes from. At Tilth Alliance’s farm and garden programs, kids 1-15 years old spend days outdoors being “urban farmers.” All camps include reduced-price tickets, selected at checkout. We also welcome you to apply for a scholarship.

June 24 - August 2 Grades K - 12

URJ Camp Kalsman Grades 1-11

14724 184th St. NE, Arlington 98223 425-284-4484, campkalsman@urj.org

campkalsman.org

Sign Up for a Camp Today! eastsidecatholic.org/summer

URJ Camp Kalsman is the premiere Jewish sleep-away camp in the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is to create a vibrant, creative, caring community fostering Jewish identity and connection. Campers from Oregon, British Columbia, Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Washington return home to Kalsman each summer for fun, friendships, classic camp activities like archery, high ropes course, hiking, canoeing, arts & crafts, sports, swimming and more!

Villa Ventures Ages 4-14

5001 NE 50th St., Seattle 98105 206-524-8885, enrollment@thevilla.org

thevilla.org/summer

June 17-August 9 • Grades 1-9

Villa Ventures provides the largest, most robust summer camp experience in Seattle. Located on Villa Academy’s campus, Villa Ventures Summer Camps feature high-quality, engaging outdoor and indoor experiences designed for curious and creative minds aged 4 to 14. There are activities for everyone—carpentry, coding, forest games, and more.

Wilderness Awareness School

Wilderness Awareness Summer Camp Ages 6-18 20410 320th Ave. NE, Duvall 98019 (also Issaquah, Seattle, Carnation and Kenmore) 425-788-1301 wasnet@wildernessawareness.org

wildernessawareness.org/ youth-programs

Sessions start at $150

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General Sessions STEM & arts specialties Sports clinics Counselors-in-training Pa i d Adverti s ing S e c t io n

For over 40 years, Wilderness Awareness School students have been discovering the wonders of nature, exploring the outdoors and building friendships. Campers work together gaining nature awareness and experiential knowledge of plants, animals, animal tracks, birds and survival skills. Storytelling and engaging activities make learning fun and nurture students’ connection to the earth.

Oxbow Farm Camps turn outdoor play into fun discoveries!

Kids get to explore forests and organic farm fields—experiencing the wonders of nature while cultivating meaningful connections with each other and the environment.

OXB OW.ORG /CAM P S

Spring (ages 11-15)

/OXB OWC ENTE R 1 0 8 1 9 CARNAT ION -D U VA L L R D N E CARNAT ION, WA

April 8-12

CAM P@ OXB OW.O R G

Summer (ages 7-11) June 24-28 July 8-12 July 22-26 August 5-9 August 19-23

Join the FUN!

Red Gate Farm Summer Day Camp An Equestrian Training Center in the heart of Sammamish

Red Gate Farm Ages 6 to 12

Summer Horse Camp

Weekly Sessions Summer Day Camp June, July & August

Counselors 12 and over

An Equestrian Training Center in the heart of Sammamish, Washington

redgatefarmdaycamp.com Training • Lessons • Leasing • Sales

Ages 6 to 11 (425) 466-3800

Jamie Smith – Trainer/Owner

Counselors 12 and over

Summer Horse Camp Weekly Sessions June, July & August

redgatefarmdaycamp.com Training • Lessons • Leasing • Sales Jamie Smith – Trainer/Owner redgatefarmtraining@gmail.com 425-466-3800

OVERNIGHT Debate Camp Grades 5-10

3400 E Harrison St., Seattle 98112 888-512-8154

debatecamp.com/seattle Debate Camp specializes in public speaking, parliamentary debate, and Model United Nations. We provide a fun and inspiring space for youth to develop important skills, hear opposing views, and confidently articulate their ideas well in the company of others. 2024 day camp options for Seattle families include 2 x 1-week day camps at The Bush School location and a well-loved overnight camp at Brentwood College on Vancouver Island.

URJ Camp Kalsman Grades 1-11

14724 184th St. NE, Arlington 98223 425-284-4484, campkalsman@urj.org

campkalsman.org

URJ Camp Kalsman is the premiere Jewish sleep-away camp in the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is to create a vibrant, creative, caring community fostering Jewish identity and connection. Campers from Oregon, British Columbia, Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Washington return home to Kalsman each summer for fun, friendships, classic camp activities like archery, high ropes course, hiking, canoeing, arts & crafts, sports, swimming and more!

YMCA of Greater Seattle

FARM & GARDEN SUMMER CAMPS | AFTER SCHOOL | VACATION CAMP | FIELD TRIPS

Outdoor Adventures Await! Programs For Ages 1-15

Summer Camp and Outdoor Leadership Programs Ages 3-18 909 4th Ave., Seattle 98104 registration@seattleymca.org

seattleymca.org/camp Whether you are interested in day camp in your neighborhood, weeklong overnight camps at Orkila or Colman, or backpacking expeditions in the Olympics or Cascades, you’ll find your adventure, find your friends and find your fun at Y camp.

PERFORMING ARTS All That Dance All ages

3012 NE Blakeley St., Seattle 98105 206-524-8944, info@all-that-dance.com

allthatdanceseattle.com

Tilth Alliance offers farm and garden programs for youth and families throughout the year, including summer camps, after-school programs, vacation camps, field trips and more.

Programs are offered in North and South Seattle.

REGISTER TODAY! TILTHALLIANCE.ORG Sliding scale tickets and scholarships available for all programs.

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Dance, play and explore at All That Dance. Our inclusive, creative environment is the perfect place for your child to have their first dance experience, build skills and grow as a dancer and human. We offer ballet, tap, modern, jazz, pop styles, and lyrical classes for all ages.

Charles Wright Academy Grades 1-9

7723 Chambers Creek Road W, Tacoma 98476 253-620-8373 admissions@charleswright.org

charleswright.org

Get ready for summer camp at Charles Wright Academy. Our campus features

SummerDirectory 107 acres, including forest trails and stateof-the-art STEM, art and athletic facilities.

CWA offers a breadth of activities for students entering grades 1 through 9, including general summer camps and specialty camps featuring musical theater, arts, STEM and coding, nature exploration, leadership programs, and more.

Emerald Ballet Academy Ages 3.5 - adult

12368 Northup Way, Bellevue 98005 425-883-3405, info@emeraldballet.org

emeraldballetacademy.com/summer Come dance, create, explore and have fun with us this summer! Award-winning Emerald Ballet Academy offers a variety of programs for all ages and abilities, including: Thematic Art and Dance Camps, PreBallet and Ballet Classes, Musical Theatre, and Dance Intensives with performance opportunities at our Bellevue studio and Meydenbauer Theatre. Visit our website to learn more.

Seattle Girls Choir

to love making music – all while meeting new friends.

RELIGIOUS

Charles Wright Academy

URJ Camp Kalsman

Grades 1-9

Grades 1-11

7723 Chambers Creek Road W, Tacoma 98476 253-620-8373, admissions@charleswright.org

14724 184th St. NE, Arlington 98223 425-284-4484, campkalsman@urj.org

campkalsman.org

charleswright.org

URJ Camp Kalsman is the premiere Jewish sleep-away camp in the Pacific Northwest.

Our mission is to create a vibrant, creative, caring community fostering Jewish identity and connection. Campers from Oregon, British Columbia, Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Washington return home to Kalsman each summer for fun, friendships, classic camp activities like archery, high ropes course, hiking, canoeing, arts & crafts, sports, swimming and more!

Get ready for summer camp at Charles Wright Academy. Our campus features 107 acres, including forest trails and state-ofthe-art STEM, art and athletic facilities. CWA offers a breadth of activities for students entering grades 1 through 9, including general summer camps and specialty camps featuring musical theater, arts, STEM and coding, nature exploration, leadership programs, and more.

SCIENCE, ART & TECHNOLOGY

1300 E Aloha St., Seattle 98122 206-526-1900, info@seattlegirlschoir.org

seattlegirlschoir.org

Seattle Girls Choir offers Summer Music Day Camp sessions designed for girls who love singing. Camp can help your child build choral/vocal skills, explore sound with various instruments, and find new reasons

Girls Rock Math Grades 1-8

Locations in Bellevue, Seattle and Shoreline 206-408-8078

Brighton School Age 3 - grade 8

Grades 2-6

offerings cater to ages 3 through 8th grade, ensuring a summer filled with excitement, growth and enduring friendships.

1705 58th Ave. W, Mountlake Terrace 98043 877-469-1724, tshepherd@springedugroup.com

brightonschool.com

Embark on a summer adventure full of epic moments at Brighton School summer camp, where young campers flourish through dynamic activities, skill-building and lasting connections. From thrilling day camps to specialized academic and sports programs, our

girlsrockmath.org

Girls Rock Math is an empowering, artsbased math camp. Our camps offer engaging themes that capture a girl’s interest and imagination, and we use that as a catalyst for math growth through real-life, hands-on math projects. Creative and fun experiences with math help develop confidence, excitement, and joy around learning.

LEARN MORE

ADVANCE IN MATH

this Summer RSM is an award-winning after-school math enrichment program.

Students can choose from a variety of K-12 courses that will be taught during our 6-week summer session.

Schedule a FREE Math Evaluation!

RSM is “among the top 10 schools in the world.”

Math Classes Now Enrolling!

– Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

3 Locations in WA MathSchool.com

Bellevue

(425) 518-6114

Factoria

(425) 230-6452

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Redmond

(425) 616-3511

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MEET THE Camp

Take a closer l k at these camps!

BCA® SUMMER SCHOOL

GIRLS ROCK MATH

Grades Pre-K to 4th Grade 14640 NE 24th St., Bellevue 98007 425-649-0791 Option 2 summer@bcacademy.com

Grades 1-6 3201 E Republican St., Seattle 98112 206-408-8078 camp@girlsrockmath.org

bcacademy.com/programs/summerschool Summer School at Bellevue Children’s Academy®, welcoming BCA and non-BCA students, is a great way to reinforce learning and prepare for the new school year. Our program includes three theme-based sessions, each with thought-provoking English and math curriculum and exciting activities of projectbased science and social studies units that promote creativity, independent thinking, and self-confidence. A warm and nurturing environment of small classes, BCA Summer School provides fun and learning facilitated by dedicated BCA staff and teachers!

Girls Rock Math is an arts-based math camp focused on empowering girls in STEAM subjects. Our hands-on themes capture the imagination, ignite deeper mathematical thinking, and help campers feel confident in their abilities. As part of a community where “Girl Power” rules, our campers develop leadership skills, make friends, take on challenges, and learn together in a meaningful way. With so many curricular themes to choose among, there is truly something for everyone!

HIGH TREK ADVENTURES

PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER CAMPS FOR CURIOUS MINDS

Ages 7-15 11928 Beverly Park Rd., Everett 98204 425-382-2966 camps@hightrekeverett.com

Grades PreK – 8 200 2nd Ave. N, Seattle 98109 206-443-2001 camps@pacsci.org

gozip.fun/camp2024

There is adventure to be found for everyone at High Trek Camps!

Our programming is designed to provide engaging outdoor activities for campers ages 7-15. Teen and Youth camps run MonWed throughout the summer. A day at camp will always include our Ropes Course and Ziplines. Other activities may include laser tag, mini golf, climbing wall, gaga ball, and group activities led by our trained staff. After a busy day of activity, we trust campers will leave with a sense of accomplishment and excitement for their next day at High Trek Adventures.

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pacsci.org/camps

Find PacSci’s Camps for Curious Minds at six different locations across Puget Sound this summer: On the PacSci campus, Explorer West Middle School, Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, St. Thomas School, Salish Sea Elementary and a new location at Eastside Preparatory School. Check out new experiences, like Tiny Tales, Bug-ology, Living Laboratory, Animal Investigators and more. PacSci also offers sensory-friendly camps and camps designed for a range of mobility needs. General registration opens Feb. 13, 2024. Scholarships are available.

KidsQuest Children’s Museum Ages Infant - 10

1116 108th Ave. NE, Bellevue 98004 425-637-8100, info@kidsquestmuseum.org

kidsquestmuseum.org

A hands-on, interactive children’s museum, non-profit, and Certified Sensory Accessible Venue. KidsQuest encourages learning through play and emphasizes science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

Featuring 25+ innovative exhibits for children infant to 10 years. KidsQuest offers various programs, including classes, summer camps, adult events, workshops, and free programs.

Pacific Science Center Camps for Curious Minds Grades PreK-8

200 2nd Ave. N, Seattle 98109 206-443-2001, camps@pacsci.org

pacsci.org/camps

Summer Music Day Camp Full Day Camp

July 22-26

for girls entering grades 2-3 or 4-6, separate sections

Musical Morning

July 15-29 or July 22-26

for girls age 4-6

seattlegirlschoir.org

Debate Camp

Find PacSci’s Camps for Curious Minds at six different locations across Puget Sound this summer: on the PacSci campus, Explorer West Middle School, Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, St. Thomas School, Salish Sea Elementary and Eastside Preparatory School. PacSci offers sensory-friendly camps and camps designed for a range of mobility needs.

Scholarships available.

• SKILLS FOR LIFE •

DEBATE

Soundview School

2024 Summer Camps and Classes Ages 3-13 6515 196th St. SW, Lynnwood 98036 425-778-8572, ctaylor@soundview.org

soundview.org/ auxiliary-programs

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Soundview is thrilled to announce the opening of registrations for its exciting summer programs. Our diverse range of classes ensures a vibrant and enriching experience for everyone.

With the guidance from our certified professional educators, participants explore tailored activities, fostering a hands-on and engaging educational environment. Register now for an unforgettable educational journey filled with exploration, creativity, and leadership development.

MODEL UN

Villa Ventures Ages 4-14

5001 NE 50th St., Seattle 98105 206-524-8885, enrollment@thevilla.org

thevilla.org/summer

Villa Ventures provides the largest, most robust summer camp experience in Seattle. Located on Villa Academy’s campus, Villa Ventures Summer Camps feature high-quality, engaging outdoor and indoor experiences designed for curious and creative minds aged 4 to 14. There are activities for everyone—carpentry, coding, forest games, and more.

• DAY CAMPS in Seattle; July 8 - 12, July 15 - 19

• suits 5th (rising) - 9th gr - all ability levels welcome!

• OVERNIGHT CAMP (gr. 7 - 10) July 28 - Aug 3 - Vancouver Island • accompanied ferry service from downtown Seattle

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SummerDirectory SPECIAL NEEDS All That Dance All ages

3012 NE Blakeley St., Seattle 98105 206-524-8944, info@all-that-dance.com

allthatdanceseattle.com

Dance, play and explore at All That Dance.

Our inclusive, creative environment is the perfect place for your child to have their first dance experience, build skills and grow as a dancer and human. We offer ballet, tap, modern, jazz, pop styles, and lyrical classes for all ages.

Girls Rock Math Grades 1-8

Locations in Bellevue, Seattle and Shoreline 206-408-8078

girlsrockmath.org

Girls Rock Math is an empowering, artsbased math camp. Our camps offer engaging themes that capture a girl’s interest and imagination, and we use that as a catalyst for math growth through real-life, hands-on math projects. Creative and fun experiences with math help develop confidence, excitement, and joy around learning.

Ages Infant - 10

1116 108th Ave. NE, Bellevue 98004 425-637-8100, info@kidsquestmuseum.org

kidsquestmuseum.org

A hands-on, interactive children’s museum, non-profit, and Certified Sensory Accessible

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program that gives clients life-saving skills in months, not years.

Pacific Science Center Camps for Curious Minds

tilthalliance.org/our-work/ youth-families

Grades PreK-8

200 2nd Ave. N, Seattle 98109 206-443-2001, camps@pacsci.org

pacsci.org/camps

Find PacSci’s Camps for Curious Minds at six different locations across Puget Sound this summer: on the PacSci campus, Explorer West Middle School, Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, St. Thomas School, Salish Sea Elementary and Eastside Preparatory School. PacSci offers sensory-friendly camps and camps designed for a range of mobility needs. Scholarships available.

SwimGuru

Ages 6 months-adult Seattle, Lynnwood and Bellevue 206-200-9449, support@swim.guru

swim.guru

KidsQuest Children’s Museum

Learn

Venue. KidsQuest encourages learning through play and emphasizes science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

Featuring 25+ innovative exhibits for children infant to 10 years. KidsQuest offers various programs, including classes, summer camps, adult events, workshops, and free programs.

SwimGuru is a drowning prevention program. The focus for every client is to develop a functional swim-float-swim and be able to independently problem-solve in any depth of water. SwimGuru is a start-to-finish

Tilth Alliance Ages 1-15

4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, #100, Seattle 98103 5513 S Cloverdale St., Seattle 98118 206-633-0451, youthprograms@tilthalliance.org

Join us for sensory, hands-on outdoor learning experiences exploring the wonders of the garden and farm. Together, we discover where good food comes from. At Tilth Alliance’s farm and garden programs, kids 1-15 years old spend days outdoors being “urban farmers.” All camps include reduced-price tickets, selected at checkout. We also welcome you to apply for a scholarship.

Villa Ventures Ages 4-14

5001 NE 50th St., Seattle 98105 206-524-8885, enrollment@thevilla.org

thevilla.org/summer

Villa Ventures provides the largest, most robust summer camp experience in Seattle.

Located on Villa Academy’s campus, Villa Ventures Summer Camps feature high-quality, engaging outdoor and indoor experiences designed for curious and creative minds aged 4 to 14. There are activities for everyone—carpentry, coding, forest games, and more.

Evergreen Academy Rising Kindergarten – Rising 6th Grade 16017 118th PL NE | Bothell, WA 98011 | 425-488-8000

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SPORTS & FITNESS Alpha Gymnastics Ages 5-12

15000 Woodinville-Redmond Road, B200, Woodinville 98072 425-486-7429 info@alphagymnasticswa.com

alphagymnasticswa.com

Established in 1992, Alpha Gymnastics strives to educate and inspire students and athletes to develop quality gymnastics and build strong self-esteem with character and integrity. This summer we are offering full-day, halfday and single classes with exciting themes that will keep your kids active.

Register by April 15 for a 10% discount.

Follow us!

Dance classes for all ages REGISTER NOW

for Spring classes

Brighton School Age 3 - grade 8

1705 58th Ave. W, Mountlake Terrace 98043 877-469-1724 tshepherd@springedugroup.com

brightonschool.com

Embark on a summer adventure full of epic moments at Brighton School summer camp, where young campers flourish through dynamic activities, skill-building and lasting connections.

From thrilling day camps to specialized academic and sports programs, our offerings cater to ages 3 through 8th grade, ensuring a summer filled with excitement, growth and enduring friendships.

Charles Wright Academy

SUMMER CAMP @SeattlesChild @SeattlesChildMag

Grades 1-9

registration begins February 1

www.allthatdanceseattle.com

7723 Chambers Creek Road W, Tacoma 98476 253-620-8373 admissions@charleswright.org

charleswright.org

Get ready for summer camp at Charles Wright Academy. Our campus features 107 acres, including forest trails and state-of-the-art STEM, art and athletic facilities. CWA offers a breadth of activities for students entering grades 1 through 9, including general summer camps and specialty camps featuring musical theater, arts, STEM and coding, nature exploration, leadership programs, and more.

Eastside Catholic School EC Summer Camps Grades K-12

232 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish 98074 425-295-3000 landerson@eastsidecatholic.org

eastsidecatholic.org/summer Learn. Create. Compete! Join us this summer for fun, inspiring, and affordable athletic and enrichment camps led by experienced Eastside Catholic faculty, coaches and community experts. You do not need to attend Eastside Catholic to attend our summer camps. We look forward to welcoming you.

Evergreen Academy Grades K-6

16017 118th Place NE, Bothell 98011 877-832-4054 tshepherd@springedugroup.com

evergreenacademy.com/ elementary/seattle/bothell Experience epic moments at Summer @ Evergreen Academy - where

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EmErald BallEt acadEmy YA G P O u t s t a n d i n g S c h o o l

Classes | Performances | Summer Camps | Community Come take a free trial class!

View schedule here 12368 Northup Way, Bellevue 98005 | 425-883-3405 | info@emeraldballet.org

emeraldballetacademy.com

AGES

5-12

campers will explore new activities, master new skills, make infinite discoveries, and create lifelong friendships throughout summer. We offer day camps, academic camps, specialty camps, and sports camps for students in Kindergarten through rising 6th grade.

SwimGuru

Ages 6 months-adult Seattle, Lynnwood and Bellevue 206-200-9449, support@swim.guru

swim.guru

SwimGuru is a drowning prevention program. The focus for every client is to develop a functional swim-floatswim and be able to independently problem-solve in any depth of water.

SwimGuru is a start-to-finish program that gives clients life-saving skills in months, not years.

ALPHA

CS

TI GYMNAS

R E M M U S CAMP

Fun them es!

Tenzan Aikido Summer Camps Ages 4-16

7700 Aurora Ave. N, Seattle 98103 206-525-4032 (accepts texts) dojo@TenzanAikido.com

July

Park urassic 8-12: J

ace July 22-26: Sp

July 15-19: Under the Sea

Exploration

Full day, half day, or single day options!

tenzanaikido.com/index.shtml Aikido is an athletic, partner-based martial art that improves focus, resilience, and self-confidence. Games are interspersed with classical aikido techniques to maintain a lighthearted and focused environment. As we immerse ourselves in daily training, great progress is made, and life-long friendships are forged. Everyone has lots of fun and comes away from the camp with a sense of community and accomplishment.

July 22

-Aug 2 Challe : Olympic nge

rest : Rainfo Aug 5-9venture Ad

Aug 12 -1

6: Wate

r World

alphagymnasticswa.com | 425-486-7429

DISCOVER

URJ Camp Kalsman

THE

Grades 1-11

14724 184th St. NE, Arlington 98223 425-284-4484, campkalsman@urj.org

DIFFERENCE

campkalsman.org

URJ Camp Kalsman is the premiere Jewish sleep-away camp in the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is to create a vibrant, creative, caring community fostering Jewish identity and connection. Campers from Oregon, British Columbia, Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Washington return home to Kalsman each summer for fun, friendships, classic camp activities like archery, high ropes course, hiking, canoeing, arts & crafts, sports, swimming and more!

Register by April 15 fo r 10% off!

Tour Today!

Villa Ventures Ages 4-14

5001 NE 50th St., Seattle 98105 206-524-8885, enrollment@thevilla.org

thevilla.org/summer

Villa Ventures provides the largest, most robust summer camp experience in Seattle. Located on Villa Academy’s campus, Villa Ventures Summer Camps feature high-quality, engaging outdoor and indoor experiences designed for curious and creative minds aged 4 to 14. There are activities for everyone—carpentry, coding, forest games, and more.

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Index All That Dance............................................... 38, 42 Alpha Gymnastics.............................................. 43 Bellevue Children’s Academy......................... 29 Brighton School................................. 29, 31, 39, 43 Charles Wright Academy......................29, 31, 33, 35, 38, 39, 43

Debate Camp.................................................. 30, 38 Eastside Catholic School............................ 33, 43

206-200-9449 | Seattle • Lynnwood • Bellevue

www.swim.guru

Emerald Ballet Academy.................................. 39 Evergreen Academy........................ 30, 33, 35, 43 Girls Rock Math..................................30, 31, 39, 42

FIND YOUR

ADVENTURE

FIND YOUR

BOL

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GO

SPARK

L

t pa m a

an and Orkil a Colm

Ove rn

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FIND YOUR

Y

High Trek Adeventures South Everett....................................................... 33 KidsQuest Children’s Mueseum.......... 33, 41, 42 Neo Art School...................................................... 31 Oxbow Summer Farm Camp..................... 30, 35 Pacific Science Center Camps for Curious Minds................................................ 41, 42 Red Gate Farm............................................... 30, 35 RSM......................................................................... 30 Seattle Girls Choir.............................................. 39 Soundview School......................................... 33, 41 SwimGuru.......................................................42, 45 Tilth Alliance....................................... 31, 32, 36, 42 Tenzan Aikido.......................................................45 URJ Camp Kalsman............. 31, 32, 36, 38, 39, 45 Villa Ventures......................... 32, 35, 36, 41, 42, 45 Wet Clay Cafe....................................................... 32 Wilderness Awareness School....................... 36 YMCA of Greater Seattle............................. 35, 38

DAY

CA

M

P

Summer is a time for kids and teens to explore new things and expand the limits of their imagination.

At Y summer camp, every day is a new adventure!

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All kinds of

Fun for EVERYONE! Check out our special events, classes, and workshops!

• Splash and practice engineering skills in our Water Exhibit • Trek to the very top of our 2.5-story Climber • Snuggle up with a good book in our Story Tree • Play farmer in our unique toddler space designed for ages infant to 3

Members have more fun!

Become a member today. kidsquestmuseum.org

info@kidsquestmuseum.org

Free & discounted tickets available

Love of learning starts here.

Come play with us in downtown Bellevue!

The sweetest memories are made far away from any screen.

With 40 years of experience, Wilderness Awareness School offers innovative avenues to connection. Games, skills, storytelling, and activities facilitated by highly trained mentors offer a new way to experience the natural world.

SUMMER CAMPS DAY, OVERNIGHT-and-EXPEDITIONS

SEATTLE AND EASTSIDE LOCATIONS • AGES 6–18 •

wildernessawareness.org