Vancouver Family Magazine January 2019

Free

January 2019

Best of 2019 W I N N E R S Head on over

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to

Early Education Programs Serve the Whole Child

Brecky Breck: A Mom, a YouTuber and a Child at Heart

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

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contents

January ‘19

22

FEATURE ARTICLES

14

Head on over to Head Start Early education programs prepare students for kindergarten by serving the whole child

18

Brecky Breck Local mom takes to YouTube to teach and inspire kids

22

Best of Vancouver 2019 The value of fostering holiday customs and rituals

IN EVERY ISSUE

10

6

Editor’s Notes

8

The New Domesticity Revisiting the classics

10 Renaissance Dad

Squeezy Cheese and the Louisiana Purchase

8

28

Calendar of Events & Activities

ON THE WEB • Vancouver's Wondrous New Waterfront • Squiggles to Words: The Emergent Writer

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

5

EDITOR'S NOTES

Photo: Scarlette Richards – scarlette.squarespace.com

#goals It’s that time of year when we are bombarded with an array of goals from which to choose.

Lose weight? Get out of debt? Clean out the

garage? All possibly worthy pursuits. But do

goals sometimes actually get in the way of the vision? Do targets and objectives sometimes

set us back instead of move us forward? A friend of mine recently

accomplished a lofty weight lifting goal, only to lapse in his lifting

quickly afterward because his motivation was spent. Another friend told me of his mother who completed a marathon but who was so

disappointed that she hadn’t lost weight during the training process that she quit exercising. In both cases, the goal actually sabotaged

long term health success because it didn’t include the higher vision of consistent physical activity, and overall mental and physical health.

Building muscle or losing weight are simply side effects of deeper

results such as physical strength, decreased risk of certain diseases,

energy to participate in activities, flexibility, fertility and so many more internal and mental health outcomes that we have yet to discover. If we set our sights as low as physical appearance or bragging rights, we’re

missing out on enjoying everything our minds and bodies can achieve in tandem—things that, by the way, have nothing to do with how we look. Similarly, a career goal is of little worth if our character must

be sacrificed to achieve it. Any goal worth setting—whether financial,

organizational, career-centered or health-related—must support, rather than sabotage, a grander vision that includes the well-being of our

hearts, minds and bodies. That vision is a resolution that will never

www.VancouverFamilyMagazine.com

Volume 18, Issue 1 Publisher

Julie Buchan Julie@vancouverfamilymagazine.com (360) 882-7762

Editor

Nikki Klock Nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com (360) 882-7762

Graphic Designer

I-Shüan Warr Ishuan@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Ad Designer

Philip Nerat Philip@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

Contributing Writers

Julianna Lawson, Sarah Mortensen, Perry P. Perkins, Brooke Strickland

Ad Sales

sales@vancouverfamilymagazine.com Vancouver Family Magazine is published monthly by Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC Address: PO Box 820264 Vancouver, WA 98682 Tel: 360-882-7762 Copyright 2002-2018. All rights reserved.

No portion of Vancouver Family Magazine may be reproduced without the written permission from the publisher.

Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC and staff do not recommend or endorse any service, product, or content represented in this magazine or on our website.

The sole purpose of this publication is to provide information on available services and/or products. It is the consumer’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of information given. Vancouver Kidz Magazine, LLC, and/or Julie Buchan and Nikki Klock and staff do not assume and disclaim any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by error or omission in this magazine or on our website. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

disappoint.

Nikki Klock, Editor nikki@vancouverfamilymagazine.com

On the Cover: Ella H. attends the Integrated Arts Academy at Camas High School.

She, her sister and friends started No. 2 Pencil Films, a videography company. They have created five documentary-style short films for local nonprofits and small businesses and have three more in the works.

Photo by: Tammy Fraley Fraley Photography www.fraleyphotography.com (360) 977-7048

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

7

THE NEW DOMESTICITY

the

NEW DOMESTICITY

1

By Julianna Lawson

As I write,

a well-worn copy of “Little Women” sits on my nightstand. A bookmark is tucked within its familiar pages, many of which are marked with light pencil checks or brief notes (I’ve found it helpful to translate a stray Latin phrase or two along the way!). I first read this beloved classic as a teenager and immediately felt a kinship with Jo March, that lovable heroine who is at once wildly tempestuous and deeply tender. It wasn’t long before I felt the urge to revisit this endearing story, and it eventually became my habit to pull out “Little Women” during the Christmas season. Sometimes I’d read the whole book, and other times I’d revisit the first half (the original text was divided into two books: “Little Women” and “Good Wives”); the first half happens to be nicely sandwiched between two March family Christmases.

Several years ago, while rereading “Little Women,” I became aware of a sudden shift in my focus. No longer was I breathless with anticipation over Jo’s antics, Meg’s attempts at housekeeping, Beth’s hunger for homelife, or Amy’s artistic endeavors. Rather, I had started to pay attention to their mother; Marmee had become my hero. Her words inspired me as a young mother, and the pencil marks in my book reflected my desire to guide my own little women (and little men) with the same tenderness, wisdom, and grace.

It was a watershed moment. I was reading the same book . . . but I was no longer the same person. My experiences as a wife and mother had changed who I was, and it was this dawning that caused me to see the great value in re-reading well-chosen books.

Gladys Taber, in her “Stillmeadow Daybook,” suggests a good test for whether or not a book is worth re-reading. She writes, “For me, the test is, can I bear not to read this again? A fine book is like a mine. You get down strata after strata until the very deep lode is reached. This takes time and thought and isn’t a business of skipping through once.” I find that January is an excellent month for selecting those literary “mines,” both for ourselves and for our

children. One way to guide that selection is to choose according to season. Let’s look through the seasons (and age groups, too) and visit some beloved classics that are well worth reading . . . and well worth re-reading. For, as C.S. Lewis said, “Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.”

Winter

Preschool age children will delight in the colorful pages of wintertime books such as Jan Brett’s “The Mitten,” Ezra Jack Keats’ award winning, “The Snowy Day,” and Virginia Lee Burton’s charming, “Katy and the Big Snow.” Middle readers enjoy classics such as Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House in the Big Woods,” C.S. Lewis’s “Chronicles of Narnia,” and Richard and Florence Atwater’s “Mr. Popper’s Penguins.” Older readers—including adults!—can cozy up with a steaming mug of tea and get lost in the pages of Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre,” Leo Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina,” or Charles Dickens’ “David Copperfield.”

Spring

As the world blossoms anew, pull out the favorite stories that brim with life. Preschool choices include Robert McCloskey’s “Make Way for Ducklings,” Beatrix Potter’s “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” and Jill Barklem’s “Brambly Hedge: Spring Story.” A wealth of classics is available to middle readers, such as Kenneth Grahame’s “The Wind in the Willows,” Frances Hodgson Burnett’s “The Secret Garden,” and Johanna Spyri’s “Heidi.” Although originally written for younger audiences, older readers will enjoy the hauntingly beautiful nature classics: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ “The Yearling,” Mary O’Hara’s “My Friend Flicka,” and Enid Bagnold’s “National Velvet.”

Summer

Hot and sultry days are ideal for revisiting Robert McCloskey’s “Blueberries for Sal,” A.A. Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh,” and Alice continued on next page

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

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and Martin Provensen’s “Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm” with young readers. Elementary age children continue to enjoy E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web,” Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book,” and Elizabeth Enright’s “Gone Away Lake,” while older readers find delight in Johann Wyss’s “The Swiss Family Robinson,” Arthur Ransome’s “Swallows and Amazons,” and James Herriot’s “All Creatures Great and Small.”

Fall

The leaves begin to whirl, raindrops pitter-patter on the rooftops, and it’s time to pull out fall favorites. Elsa Beskow’s “Woody, Hazel and Little Pip” is brimming with lovely illustrations, as are Donald Hall’s “Oxcart Man” and Tasha Tudor’s “Around the Year.” Beloved chapter books include Carolyn Haywood’s “Back to School with Betsy,” L.M. Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables,” and “The Saturdays” by Elizabeth Enright. As the evenings lengthen and the back to school spirit fills the air, adults can join in the pursuit of knowledge and dive into literary classics such as Thomas Hardy’s “The Return of the Native,” Daphne du Maurier’s “Rebecca,” and Alexandre Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo.”

reading an integral part of these coming days—both for ourselves and for our children—thinking about and revisiting a wealth of timeless, compelling stories. There is truth and beauty just waiting to be re-discovered.

Julianna Lawson and her husband Jamie make their home in Vancouver with their four children, ages 13 to 20. Among Julianna’s most cherished and revisited authors are Maud Hart Lovelace, L.M. Montgomery, P.G. Wodehouse, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and, of course, Louisa May Alcott.

English poet Malcolm Guite says of the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien that the more we “think about these beautiful stories, the more truth there is in them.” As we stand on the cusp of 2019, we have been gifted with 365 brand new days. Let’s make Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

9

RENAISSANCE DAD

Squeezy Cheese AND

the

Louisiana Purchase

By Perry P. Perkins Introducing our newest monthly column, “Renaissance Dad,” written by Southwest Washington husband, father, chef, nonprofit founder, published author, and all-around entertainer, Perry P. Perkins.

When my wife and I first discussed the option of home-schooling our daughter (AKA the Pickle), I was all for it. No more 6 a.m. alarms. No more carpools or drop-off lines. No more having to remember to put actual food in her lunch-box, and no more trying to think up new excuses for why she was late. (My car had “broken down” so many times that the teachers had all chipped in and bought us a AAA membership.)

To be honest, in the back of my mind, I kinda thought there would be some kind of vetting process. That, at some point, someone from the board of education would do a background check and realize that they were about to trust the education of a brand new human person to someone who was (true story) told by his high school principle that in 40 years in education, he had never had a student graduate who had skipped as many school days as I had.

So, I assumed, as any rational human being with a brain larger than a goldfish would, that when the home school people saw my application they’d laugh, I’d laugh, my request would be politely denied, and then someone would show up in the middle of the night to take our child away for her own safety.

I already worked at home, so I grasped, immediately, the advantages of being a home school teacher. Namely that I can wear the same sweatpants for a week and spray squeezy-cheese directly from the can into my mouth and nobody was around to judge me.

What more could a dad ask for?

I figured that some of the curriculum would require a bit of study on my part, but I have a pretty good imagination, and it has served me well over the years in spackling over the various gaping holes in my own education.

An hour in a McDonald's Play Place? That’s “Gym Class”, baby!

“The Godfather II” is clearly an important lesson in American History, and there’s a lot of science in baking a pan of brownies.

(I’m joking, of course. We watched “The Godfather” first, or “The Godfather II” wouldn’t have made any sense. Timelines are important!)

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

continued on next page

Nurse Midwife passionate about helping women through pregnancy.

Founder of Ethiopian Orphan Relief.

Mom of two energetic girls.

Meet Lauren tvc.org/meet-lauren continued from previous page

But, no . . . to my surprise (and profound disappointment in the American education system) a couple of weeks later I came home to find a refrigerator box filled with approximately seven-thousand text books, a pile of DVDs. and a three-page instruction manual, on my porch.

Apparently, any Melvin with an email address is allowed to home school.

You see, I hadn’t factored in the Inverse Intelligence Timeline, or, in layman’s terms, what I like to call the “Al Bundy Factor.” The ABF illustrates how, over the course of a few years, a child can go from deliberately pouring spaghetti sauce over their own head, to knowing more than you in every possible subject, including quantum physics and auto repair. While, at the same time, a father can be reduced from a well-spoken, reasonably knowledgeable adult person, to a babbling 40-year-old man who probably shouldn’t be trusted with a plastic spork.

Who knew?

Side Note: I was actually relieved to get even a three page manual.

When we had this child, the hospital had allowed two adult human beings who had never successfully kept a potted plant alive for more than a month to leave the building as the sole caretakers of a three-day-old human being who couldn’t even tell us what she wanted on a pizza! And they gave us nothing more than a receipt and a plastic water bottle. No instruction manual, no flyer on what to do if the baby spontaneously combusts, nothing. I’m pretty sure the nurse actually crossed herself, Catholic-style, as we pulled out of the parking lot.

But still, let’s face it, you don’t exactly have to be Stephen Hawking to teach third grade math. So, I figured, “How hard can it be?” Turns out . . . it seems, at first, to be just slightly harder than spooning with a porcupine (or so I’m told).

When we began our home-schooling adventure, I was unquestionably the superior intellect. I knew it, my daughter knew it, and my wife . . . (Well, let’s leave my wife out of this . . .)

Back in my “Fatherhood Glory Days” when she was still tiny and cute, our conversations tended to go something like this: Pickle: “Daddy, it hurts whenever I do this with my neck.”

Me: “So, don’t do that.”

Pickle: “Wow, Daddy, you’re really smart.”

Pickle: “Daddy, how do airplanes fly?”

Me: “They fill the wings with millions of tiny helium balloons.”

Pickle: “Wow, you know everything, Daddy!” continued on page 12

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

11

Renaissance Dad: Squeezy Cheese and the Louisiana Purchase (cont'd)

continued from page 11

And the thing is, she believed I knew everything! I was the allknowing, all-seeing god of her universe; the burning bush on the mountaintop.

My words were inarguable and unquestionable fact!

However . . .

In the intervening years, I’ve apparently lost some traction on my mental hamster-wheel, and the shine of my infallibility has begun to . . . dim. I’ll give you an example. Last week, the Pickle asked me, “Dad, why is that thing behind a wedding dress called a ‘train’?”

To which I replied, pausing mid squeezy-cheese, “Because it’s attached to your caboose.” My now 11-year-old daughter then gave me a look that clearly conveyed, My father is dumber than a bowl of clam chowder, rolled her eyes, and told me, “Dad, don’t be that guy.”

This is the same person to whom I once had to say, in actual words, "How many times have I asked you not to bark at the squirrels?"

And now I’m “That guy”?

After years of lounging on my pedestal, my knowledge is being questioned! I’m expected to know actual facts . . . which have to be true! I rapidly went from knowing everything about everything, to being just slightly below the family beagle on the information curve.

In a final desperate hail-Mary I pulled the three pages of the manual out of a drawer and that helped . . . a lot! Things like schedules, testing, and planning were all available on the website, and each one was cross-referenced to the corresponding book, or DVD.

OK, OK, this time I really am joking.

It was a little rough at first, there were tears and tantrums (until my wife made me stop) but we eventually found our groove. The truth is, we love home school now. Is it more work than I thought it would be? Yes. Am I having to learn right along with my daughter?

Of course. But, is it totally worth it? Absolutely!

Like her ol’ dad, the Pickle doesn’t do well “inside the box”, and the freedom to customize learning to things she can relate to and enjoy, while having a front row seat as her world expands before her eyes, is a joy and a privilege that I give thanks for (almost) every day.

It might not be right for everyone, in every situation, but it’s become right for us. ~ Chef Perry Renaissance Dad PS - The Louisiana Purchase was settled when America bought 828,000 sq. miles of land that now includes portions of more than 15 current US States, from the First Consul of the French Republic, Napoleon Bonaparte, in 1803. So there! (I’ll bet the stupid beagle doesn’t know that!)

PPS - Does anyone know who the heck this Bonaparte guy was?

Asking for a friend . . .

Perry P. Perkins is a third-generation chef, award-winning writer, and culinary instructor. He lives with his family in Longview, and operates the MY KITCHEN Outreach Program, for at-risk and under-served youth.

So, as long as I follow the basic instructions (not always my strong suit . . .) I should be able to send my daughter off to college knowing how to read.

In the meantime, I plod along, trying to explain the Louisiana Purchase to a little brain that is quickly becoming a dust-cloud on my horizon. A little extra time and lots of black coffee, (while reading up on the stupid Louisiana Purchase) and wishing I could go back in time and put myself in military school.

The sad truth is, as easy as the curriculum makes it, it’s still the end of an era. But I can’t complain. As far as omniscience goes, I had a good run, and I’m left with no option but to actually learn stuff, so I can teach the stuff.

It was good to be king . . .

12

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

13

Feature: Head on over to Head Start

Head on over to

HEAD START

By Sarah Mortensen

Young children

growing up in the U.S. today have unprecedented access to preschool and early intervention programs, giving them an extraordinary opportunity to succeed academically and otherwise. Our region of the country is no exception. Following the lead of many other states, Washington’s legislature has steadily expanded funding of early childhood programs since 2011. Southwest Washington was ready for this expansion for the 2017-2018 school year with Educational District 112’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Head Start programs.

Head Start is federally funded and has been available since the 1960s; however, ECEAP is relatively new and state funded.

Both programs serve the same children from low income households, foster care, and those with developmental delays, offering services to help them thrive before entering the K-12 system.

basis. The ECEAP program [even has] dental checks! We have a great team through ESD 112 that helps us provide the services that the children need. For those who [require] services, we have speech/ language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, etc. Those services take place in both the home, and at school, depending on the family.”

These services are essential during the early years when rapid development occurs, but they also pay dividends long down the road. According to National Head Start Association’s website citing multiple independent studies, children who attend ECEAP or Head Start are more likely than their nonattending counterparts to graduate from high school and go on to college, to be employed and earn more as an adult, and are healthier when they

The goal of these programs is not only to prepare students for kindergarten, but to serve the whole child. This includes their emotional, educational, physical and even family needs. Hannah Foss, center co-director of the Hough Early Learning Center describes the full range of services offered: “As part of the Early Head Start program, as well as the ECEAP program, we have hearing/vision screenings, and growth assessments done on a regular

14

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

begin kindergarten. They are also less likely to be in special education, repeat a grade in school, become pregnant as a teen or become involved in a crime. This is why Washington has pledged to provide ECEAP to all children at 110 percent of the poverty line by 2022.

These outcomes are partly due to the focus on parental involvement and crisis prevention. Urie Bronfenbrenner, developmental psychologist and founder of Head Start, designed the preschool program using an ecological model which supported parents as the child’s primary teacher. As part of the bylaws, each location is mandated to have a policy council made of parents who contribute to curriculum decisions and planning family activities. In Washington there is even the option to become a parent ambassador who advocates for all children by attending conferences and testifying during legislative sessions in Olympia. These positions provide leadership opportunities that parents can include on work resumes. Additionally, each child’s family is assigned a family support specialist upon enrollment. “Through home visits and parent-teacher conferences we get to know more about the whole family and how we can better help the child,” says Foss.

“Family support specialists . . . help with everyday problems that may arise. They provide resources and information that continued on page 16

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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

15

Feature: Head on over to Head Start (cont’d)

continued from page 14

can help in the problems that are faced every day by our families.”

When families are struggling or in crisis, young children suffer the most. More than connecting families to resources, support specialists are there to listen and encourage on a personal level.

“Our family support specialist was wonderful when she came to our home for a home visit,” says Grace Martinson, “She was kind and supportive as we addressed our family goals and any and all educational needs for [my son] Warren.”

As a nursing student, Martinson appreciates the quality of education provided by ECEAP as well as the time it allows her to complete her degree. And she is not alone. In fact, many of families who qualify for ECEAP are student parents who need child care while they work and complete their own degrees. “I am able to have some time during the day after class to come home and do my school work in peace.” And as for Warren, “[He] has absolutely flourished since attending Hough! He has been more attentive and willing to try new things. His communication skills have improved drastically, and his love of reading lately has been off the charts. He is so much more willing to cuddle up with us now and read. I love that!”

Hough Early Learning Center embodies the child-centered familyfocused theme of ECEAP. Just walking through the front doors of what was once a community swimming pool, you will see a friendly staff greeting parents and colorful décor welcoming children to their classrooms. A piano sits in the hallway with plenty of chairs and benches where parents can connect before and after class.

All meals are cooked on-site, bringing quality nutrition to children.

The school is located directly behind Hough Elementary School, making it convenient for some parents to walk their children to school and preschool together. The combination of services in one location reach a variety of families. Vancouver Public Schools has partnered with ESD 112 to assist in providing part of the

school district’s early childhood programs at ESD 112 buildings. In some classrooms, there is a blend of teachers from the ESD and VPS with students participating from both programs. Since most preschool programs are only half day, wrap around services allow families to benefit from all day care. This means that those who qualify will receive both free preschool and subsidized childcare or be able to pay for the additional childcare hours needed.

Without these programs, many children would not attend preschool, which is now becoming more standard than optional.

Local preschool options for one child three hours/three days a week can cost between $300-$500 per month or more—out of the budget range of families who may need it most. Much is talked about concerning the achievement gap between high and low income students, and new kindergarten expectations often showcase that disparity. Karen Jeffs, a kindergarten teacher for over 20 years, describes the change, “When I first started teaching kindergarten it was only half-days, and the expectations were far simpler than they are now. I used to teach basics such as the alphabet, colors, numbers, beginning writing and reading, because that’s really all we could expect.” Beyond identifying letters, kindergartners are now expected to know 40 sight words and read short books by the end of the year. Children who have had a preschool experience usually transition easier to the allday length and routine of kindergarten than those who have not.

They are better prepared for the academic aspects as well. “In general, it is easy to see which incoming kindergartners have attended one or more years of preschool.” says Jeffs. “During the first two weeks of school, students are asked to identify letters and numbers, as well as other academic skills. There are other basic behaviors that children typically learn in preschool, like sitting quietly on the rug listening to a story or sharing school supplies.

If a child has attended preschool, [they] know how to behave in a class setting. I have had students who have attended Head Start continued on next page

16

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

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and ECEAP. These students began kindergarten exceeding my academic expectations. They were also (and equally important) prepared socially.”

For families who are interested in participating in these early education programs, the time to apply is now. Enrollment is ongoing and there is sometimes a waiting list. However, the expanded funding makes these programs available to most children who qualify. There are even activities for families which have no income qualifications. ESD 112 is only one servicer of Head Start/ECEAP in Southwest Washington. Other providers such as Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF) and Innovative Services NW may be a better choice for some families. Go to www.VancouverFamilyMagazine.com/ early-education for links to local Head Start and ECEAP locations and providers.

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Sarah Mortensen recently completed her degree in marriage and family studies and works for Vancouver Public Schools as a paraeducator.

When Sarah is not reading to her kids or students, she is probably in her backyard taking care of her garden. She also enjoys hiking, hot chocolate, and dressing up for Halloween. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, son and daughter.

Best toy store 11 years in a row!

Thank you, Vancouver!

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

17

Feature: Brecky Breck: Local Mom Teaches & Inspires Kids on YouTube

Inspire s Kid s o n Yo uTube

Loca l Mo m Teache s &

By Brooke Strickland

Breck Johnson, otherwise known as “Brecky Breck,”

has interacted with kids her whole life. As a teenager, she managed a children’s summer camp in Corbett, Ore. and, after moving to Vancouver as a young adult, she was hired to run a children’s program in Clark County. Now, as a mom of four, she is inspiring kids through energetic, creative videos on YouTube. Her love for kids is part of what has made Brecky Breck videos popular, but her childlike energy is what really keeps kids entertained.

Johnson and her husband Kylan were married at age 19 and shortly after their wedding, she discovered they were expecting their first child. As young parents, the couple began navigating the world of raising kids with gusto.

Johnson shares, “Growing up, I had always known I’d be a mommy, but interacting with children for the majority of my upbringing and into my adulthood reminded me that I never wanted to lose that childlike energy. Now having four children of my own, I see the value in maintaining a fun, silly, childlike spirit, in order to captivate and cultivate their desire to learn and grow.” She explains that as her kids started reaching an age where technology and media became a form of entertainment, she started seeking out shows and channels that were popular. She realized quickly that she was inspired by a few but shocked by others. She and Kylan recognized a need for quality content that was accessible to families, especially young kids. After working hard together over the last year to refine their schedule, strategy, and online presence, the Johnsons introduced the character Brecky Breck to the YouTube world and so far, the response has been fabulous.

“Creating Brecky Breck became the outlet and asset I had been looking for for my own children,” Johnson shares.

“After a few years of following a few inspirational creators, I began to really value their mission and notice that only a handful of similar influencers were joining in the YouTube scene in that capacity.

Watching this limited selection of creators, it was apparent that these people are having a blast! I would absolutely love doing that! As a young mom of littles, I had a lot of ideas and components I saw missing and wanted to have the opportunity to add.

It wasn’t until . . . I was taking a little break by letting the kids watch a couple of videos, that I said, ‘Did you see this episode? How fun and informative is continued on page 20

18

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

Dream big. Plan ahead.

Washington College Savings Plans can help you start saving towards a brighter future.

Learn more at wastate529.wa.gov

GET and DreamAhead are qualified tuition programs sponsored and distributed by the State of Washington. The Committee on Advanced Tuition Payment and College Savings administers and the Washington Student Achievement Council supports the plans. DreamAhead investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. If in-state tuition decreases in the future, GET tuition units may lose value.

Feature: Brecky Breck: Local Mom Teaches & Inspires Kids on YouTube (cont’d) continued from page 18

that?! I want to do that!’ and Kylan replied, ‘Yes! Let’s do it!’ And the passion sparked. I knew exactly what I wanted my little kids to see, hear, and experience while I took those little breaks, and thought, ‘Yes! Now I get to give that to other parents!’”

Brecky Breck’s videos are short and educational, primarily targeted to toddler and preschool age groups. Episodes include “Firetrucks for Kids”, “Playing at the Outdoor Park”, “Mowing the Lawn”, “Learn How to Wash at the Laundromat”, and many more themes of exploring everyday objects through experience. Kylan manages everything behind the scenes, including holding the camera at the shoots, all of the editing, and managing the online marketing elements. He explains, “Our skill sets complement each other really well with this project, so we are excited to continue to push the envelope with where we can take it. Spending hours scrubbing through footage of her being goofy has helped me slow down and appreciate all that she is. Breck is such an inspirational person and I am so blessed to be able to work side-by-side with her as my best friend.”

Brecky Breck is working on growing her YouTube subscriber base, which is crucial to video exposure. In addition to the videos, Johnson has appeared at a few live story time events in Vancouver, and 2019 will bring more events, including parent meetups that will connect local families. Videos will continue to be published at least once a week.

wondering, and they’ll keep the curiosity candle burning. I think it’s so important that we as adults stay captivated and willing to get to that level as well. Stay excited with them and remain patient to answer all their questions to the best of our ability. And if we don’t know something, we get the opportunity to explore with our children. I think that’s a beautiful thing.”

Breck shares that her vision is to support parents as they encourage their children to crave adventure and love learning.

She says, “I think it’s crucial that we, as parents, allow our kids to continue diving into the excitement and wonder of learning. If learning new things and going outside on adventures can remain an exciting and fun experience for us as a family, they’ll never stop

A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Brooke Strickland is a fulltime freelance writer and social media specialist. She is also the coauthor of “Hooked on Games,” a book about technology and gaming addiction. When taking a break from writing, she can be found reading a historical fiction novel on her front porch swing, trying a new recipe in the kitchen, or spending time with her husband and two kids. Visit her website at brookestrickland.org.

V i ew

20

y Bre Breck

ck’s e duc a t ional vi d eos fo r to d dl e r s an

d p re sc ho ol e r s a t . k w w w.Vancouver Fa milyM ag a z i c e r b n e.c o m / b r e c k y

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

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21

Feature: Best of Vancouver 2019

Best of

.

N I E R A S E T O THE V

2019

Vancouver Family Magazine is proud to announce the winners of our 11th annual Best of Vancouver awards, as voted by you, our readers! Take a peek at who nabbed top honors.

BEST

KIDS CLUB FUN & FITNESS 13914 NW 3rd Ct. Vancouver, WA 98685 360-546-KIDS

From karate to dance to gymnastics to preschool, Kids Club has a class for that. In addition to many special holiday events, day camps, and an open indoor play area, twice monthly Friday Fun Nights provide parents a night out while kiddos play to their hearts’ content.

Photo Credit: Kids Club Fun and Fitness

www.kidsclub4fun.com

ESTHER SHORT PARK

BEST

Traditionally considered the oldest public square in the state of Washington, Esther Short Park attracts individuals, families and large events throughout the year, from the community Christmas tree lighting in November to the 3 Days of Aloha in the summer, which is also when kids love to cool off in the coolest water feature in town.

*Best of Vancouver 11th year running!

Photo credit: Vancouver’s Downtown Association

Between Columbia and Esther Streets, and 6th and 8th Streets, downtown Vancouver

BEST

Family FITNESS

FIRSTENBURG COMMUNITY CENTER 700 NE 136th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98684 360-487-7001

Firstenburg Community Center is fitness headquarters for every member of the family, with a top notch swimming pool (with a slide and a lazy river!), multiple gyms for hoops and volleyball, billiard and ping pong tables, fitness equipment and classes, and more, plus special youth and family events held here throughout the year.

www.cityofvancouver.us/ firstenburg continued on page 24

22

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

Montessori Education Imagine. Explore. Create. Grow. Excel.

Confidence-building, child-centered education for children 16 months old through the 8th grade

Clark County Montessori schools invite you to experience the Montessori difference first hand. Contact a school today to arrange a personal tour.

Blue Spruce Montessori Children’s House A Peaceful Path Montessori Ages: 16 - 36 months 360-253-7394

www.apeacefulpathmontessori.com

Open House: February 2nd, 10:00am-12:00pm

Serving Children Ages 2 ½ Through 6 Years Old Cascadia School Blue Spruce Montesori 360-314-4190 Ages: 2 ½ - 6 years old Ages: 1st grade - 8th grade www.bluesprucemontessoriwa.com

360-314-4190

360-944-8096

www.bluesprucemontessoriwa.com

www.cascadiaschool.org

Open House: February 2nd, 11AM - 2PM

Open House: February 2nd, 11 AM - 1 PM

Good Shepherd Montessori Lakeshore Montessori School Ages: 2 ½ - 6 years Ages: 2½ - 6 years old 360–573-4103 360-892-7770 www.gsmontessori.org

Open House: February 9th, 10:00-12:30

www.lakeshoremontessori.com

Open House: February 2nd, 10am-12pm

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

23

Feature: Best of Vancouver 2019 (cont’d)

continued from page 22

THE

HEATHMAN LODGE

BEST

7801 NE Greenwood Dr. • Vancouver, WA 98662 360-254-3100

Photo Credit: The Heathman Lodge

Seasonal and local fare make Hudson’s Bar and Grill a foodie magnet, and the adjoined Heathman Lodge pays homage to the Pacific Northwest with unique art pieces on display and a decidedly rustic character.

www.heathmanlodge.com

Photo Credit: Hudson’s Bar & Grill

BEST

www.hudsonsbarandgrill.com

BEST

WAREHOUSE ‘23 100 Columbia St #102 Vancouver, WA 98660 360-750-7256

Just adjacent to the new Vancouver Waterfront, Warehouse ’23 (housed inside the old Red Lion) brings the mariner life inside its walls.

Visitors enter through the hull of a ship, and atop the bar rests a huge sail that matches the spectacular river views. Live music, a game room, and delicious food make this the perfect ladies’ night out.

BEST

*Best of Vancouver 11th year running!

AN D

www.warehouse1923.com

BEST

ily Dinn Fam er EXP

www.osf.com 16615 SE 18th St. Vancouver, WA 98683 360-944-6118

E R I E NCE

730 SE 160th Ave. • Vancouver, WA 98684 360-253-9030 The Vancouver restaurant may not have the bold purple roof or waterfront view of the wellknown Portland location, but the menu is just as kid-friendly, with fundamentally Italian entrees and complimentary dessert.

Photo credit: www.blindonion.com

BEST

PIZZA PLACE

A Vancouver favorite for years, with all the traditional pizza combinations, plus some of the most unique recipes around.

Various Vancouver locations 360-597-4898 24

It’s so much more than bowling.

Yes, Big Al’s boasts not one, but two full bowling alleys with 42 state-ofthe-art bowling lanes, including 12 plush VIP lanes. But throw in a full restaurant, an epic sports bar, plus an arcade, and it’s no wonder Big Al’s is family night central year round.

www.blindonion.com

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

Photo Credit: Big Al’s

www.ilovebigals.com continued on next page

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BEST GRAY’S AT THE PARK 301 W 6th St. Vancouver, WA 98660 360-828-4343

IT'S A TIE! Photo Credit: Gray's at the Park

continued from previous page

Hilton Vancouver’s beloved downtown eatery recently expanded its metropolitan vibe to the great outdoors with a new outdoor patio space, complete with a perfect view of Esther www.graysatthepark.com Short Park.

2520 Columbia House Blvd. #108, Vancouver, WA 98661 360-828-7911 It’s all about ambiance at this Grand Central hotspot, and wood-fired entrees, daily happy hour and a broad menu back it up.

Brighter, Healthier Smiles Anxiety-Free Procedures

Emergency Appointments

Photo Credit: www.lapellah.com

LAPELLAH

“...an imaginative place where dentistry happens by pure magic!”

Warm, Supportive Staff

360-216-1130

www.lapellah.com Dr. Ronald Hsu DDS, M.S.

continued on page 26

(Board Certified Pediatric Dentist)

2115 SE 192nd Avenue, Suite 106 Camas, WA 98607 contact@storybookdental.com

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

25

continued from page 25

BEST

BURGER Various Vancouver locations 360-892-1121

BEST

It’s not easy juggling energetic toddlers or moody teenagers while attempting an enjoyable dinner out with the family, but Red Robin has family dining down to a science. The usual crayons and colorable menus are just the beginning: balloons, appearances by Red the Robin, and kid-friendly menu items have transformed www.redrobin.com the family dining experience in Clark County.

Children's

Clothing

BEST

STORE

STORE

*Best of Vancouver 11th year running!

13503 SE Mill Plain Blvd.

Ste. B-3 Vancouver, WA 98684 360-699-9200

10501 NE Hwy 99 #17 Vancouver, WA 98686 360-571-9014

Founded in 2006, with a mission to provide toys designed to inspire children’s imagination, this mom and pop toy shop also hosts “crafternoon” activities, financial literacy workshops for kids, science explorations and other special events.

www.denimandfrills.com

www.spoiledspaandsalon.com

BEST

Spa Salon

Hair, makeup, nails, facials and massage all beckon anyone in need of some serious pampering. Men are also “spoiled” with hot towel shaves and haircuts. Spoiled packages offer multiple services at a discounted rate.

26

Photo Credit: Spoiled Spa and Salon

5500 NE 109th Ct., Suite L Vancouver, WA 98662 360-828-5411

Photo Credit: Kazoodles

Photo Credit: denimandfrills.com

Brand name clothes and gear for half the price? Yes please!

From shoes to strollers to outerwear, Denim and Frills has everything parents need to dress their babies and their big kids.

www.kazoodlestoys.com

BEST

A kids’ clothing resale shop right at the mall! Shop hundreds of gently 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr. used baby gear (inside Vancouver Mall) and clothing items, with new inventory Vancouver, WA 98662 constantly on 360-597-4715 arrival.

Pipsqueak

www.pipsqueakresale.com

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

Photo Credit: www.redrobin.com

Feature: Best of Vancouver 2019 (cont’d)

Join the Knights!

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pnwtenniscenters.com Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

27

CALENDAR OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Calendar January ‘19

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

1 TUESDAY

NW Children’s Theatre presents “Mary Poppins” at Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center, 1819 NW Everett St., Portland. Tickets $16-$25. Showtimes vary December 8-January 6. 12 pm & 4:30 pm

2 WEDNESDAY

Habitat Restoration Wednesdays at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Help with various habitat and biological projects around the Refuge. 9 am-12 pm NW Children’s Theatre presents “Mary Poppins” at Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center, Portland. (See Jan. 1) 12 pm Tween Book Group at La Center Community Library, 1411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La

of events

Have a community event that you want to share?

Go to www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com and click on “Calendar” to submit your event. Deadline for print calendar submissions is the 1st of the month prior to the issue.

Center. Join a book group for friendly, lively discussions. Books provided by La Center Casinos Charitable Foundation to the first 10 to sign up. 3:15-4 pm

4 FRIDAY

Baby and Toddler Storytime for 0-36 Months at Washougal Community Library, 1661 C St., Washougal. Build your child’s vocabulary with songs, books, and movement for babies, toddlers and their parents or caregivers. 10:30-11:30 am Vancouver Downtown Association First Friday in downtown Vancouver. Participating art galleries, merchants and restaurants in downtown Vancouver open their doors to celebrate opening night of various art exhibits. Live music and citywide receptions included. Visit www.vdausa.org/vdasfirstfridaydowntown for a downtown art gallery list and walking map. 5-9 pm

Friday Fun Night at Kids Club Fun & Fitness, 13914 NW 3rd Ct., Vancouver. Pre-register your 4-11-year-old to enjoy a night filled with activities with their own age group.

6:30-10:30 pm Teen Late Night at Marshall and Firstenburg Community Centers. Free program for middle- and high school-aged students (age 11-18) every Friday, at Marshall Community Center and Firstenburg Community Center during the school year.

With a current photo ID, teens can hang out, play ping pong, pool, video games and basketball. 8-10:30 pm

5 SATURDAY

First Saturday at Ridgefield Community Library, 210 N Main Ave., Ridgefield. Stop by the library for activities, crafts, and fun.

10 am-4 pm NW Children’s Theatre presents “Mary Poppins” at Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center, Portland. (See Jan. 1) 12 pm & 4:30 pm

6 SUNDAY

NW Children’s Theatre presents “Mary Poppins” at Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center, Portland. (See Jan. 1) 12 pm

9 WEDNESDAY

Habitat Restoration Wednesdays at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

(See Jan. 2) 9 am-12 pm Ridgefield Gaming Group at Ridgefield Community Library, 210 N Main Ave., Ridgefield. Play RPGs and socialize. Event will take place either in the large Community Room or in the Library. 4-6 pm

11 FRIDAY

Baby and Toddler Storytime for 0-36 Months at Washougal Community Library.

(See Jan. 4) 10:30-11:30 am Gaming Group at La Center Community Library, 411 NE Lockwood Creek Rd., La

RIDAY

continued on page 30

F

11

28

Check out our website for even mo re local events .

Events are subject to change. Please contact organization directly to confirm. All library events are free and open to the public.

Downtown Camas First Friday in downtown Camas. Activities, art, dining, after hours shopping, local art exhibits, themed family games and activities, and free-to-enter gift basket raffles. 5-8 pm

Photo credit: Afton Nelson

activities

Contra dances are held at the Hazel Dell Grange the second Friday of every month. No experience required!

Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

SEASON DETAILS: Who: Children Ages 2-5 Where: Fisher Basin Park And Haagen Community Park Cost: $170/10 week Season When: 3/17-5/26

ENROLL TODAY at soccershots.org/pdx QUESTIONS? 503-913-4542 | coach@soccershots.org | soccershots.org/pdx Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

29

Calendar of Events & Activities (cont’d) continued from page 28 Center. Bring your own games or use the library’s. Starter decks available for Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh; plus, basic materials for Dungeons & Dragons.

Classic board games available as well.

3:30-5 pm Contra in the Couve! Contra dance in Vancouver on the second Friday of every month at the Hazel Dell Grange, 7509 NE Hazel Dell Ave. New and experienced dancers welcome. 7:30-11 pm Teen Late Night at Marshall and Firstenburg Community Centers.

(See Jan. 4) 8-10:30 pm

12 SATURDAY

Second Saturday: Mammals of the Columbia at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver.

Learn about mammals that live right in our backyard. Discover more about beavers, pika, river otters and other critters that call the Columbia River Watershed home. Enjoy fun, interactive activities related to mammals.

1-3 pm Second Saturday Science at Kazoodles, 13503 SE Mill Plain Blvd. #B-3 Vancouver.

Monthly science project for kids in grade 2 and up. Something different each month! $2.

2-3 pm “Mae Among the Stars” Author Visit at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. Join Mae for a special evening among the stars! Author Roda Ahmed will read her picture book “Mae Among the Stars”— about the childhood of trailblazing astronaut Mae Jemison—answer questions and do a book signing. Then, explore the cosmos through games and activities throughout the library. 6:30-8:00 pm

16 WEDNESDAY

Habitat Restoration Wednesdays at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

(See Jan. 2) 9 am-12 pm

Photo Credit: Water Resources Education Center

21

30

Y

M

ONDA

17 THURSDAY

Bookapalooza ’19 at FVRL District Operations Center, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Books bargain priced at $1 for most hardbacks and paperbacks and 50 cents for mass-market adult fiction paperbacks.

DVDs and CDs also available for $1 per disc.

9 am-6 pm

18 FRIDAY

Bookapalooza ’19 At FVRL District Operations Center (See Jan. 17). 9 am-6 pm Baby and Toddler Storytime for 0-36 Months at Washougal Community Library.

(See Jan. 4) 10:30-11:30 am Friday Fun Night at Kids Club Fun & Fitness.

(See Jan. 4) 6:30-10:30 pm Teen Late Night at Marshall and Firstenburg Community Centers.

(See Jan. 4) 8-10:30 pm

19 SATURDAY

Bookapalooza ’19 At FVRL District Operations Center (See Jan. 17). 9 am-6 pm Dungeons & Dragons at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St., Vancouver.

Register for this D & D event on fvrl.org to claim your spot. 1-5 pm Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience” at Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland. Tickets $15-$34 at www.octc.org. 2 pm & 5 pm Lantern Tour: An Evening at the Fort at Fort Vancouver, 1501 E Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver. An opportunity to experience the reconstructed Hudson’s Bay Company’s Fort Vancouver at night. Enjoy a cup of hot cider at the end of the tour. Reservations are required, and admission is $10-$25. To make reservations, call 360-816-6216. 7-9 pm

20 SUNDAY

Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience” at Newmark Theatre. (See Jan. 19) 11 am & 2 pm

21 MONDAY

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

A Day On, Not a Day Off at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver. Observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a family-friendly service project; help with cleaning the beach and removing non-native plants. Please note that children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 9:30 am-12 pm

22 TUESDAY

Story Explorers at Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave, Camas. A book discussion group for 2nd-3rd grades and their parents. Sign out a special copy of the book before the meeting.

You both read the book. You both come to the meeting, and then keep your copy of the book for free. There will be snacks and an activity.

6:30-8 pm

23 WEDNESDAY

Habitat Restoration Wednesdays at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

(See Jan. 2) 9 am-12 pm

24 THURSDAY

SICS: The Spoonies Information Circle of Support at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. A group for teens experiencing chronic illness or disabilities, offering support and information sharing. Come explore a new topic each month. 4-5:30 pm

25 FRIDAY

Baby and Toddler Storytime for 0-36 Months at Washougal Community Library.

(See Jan. 4) 10:30-11:30 am Teen Late Night at Marshall and Firstenburg Community Centers.

(See Jan. 4) 8-10:30 pm

26 SATURDAY

Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience” at Newmark Theatre.

(See Jan. 19) 11 am & 2 pm Lantern Tour: An Evening at the Fort.

(See Jan. 19). 7-9 pm

27 SUNDAY

Oregon Children’s Theatre presents “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience” at Newmark Theatre.

(See Jan. 19) 11 am & 2 pm

Spend some time doing a family-friendly service project at the Water Resources Education Center on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • January 2019

advertiser index Camps, Parties & Entertainment Mountain View Ice Arena................................25 Naydenov Gymnastics...................................13 Water Resources Education Center.................3

Events Children's Festival............................................7 FVRL Bookapalooza.........................................7 Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service.............................................................2 Oregon Children's Theatre.............................13

Financial iQ Credit Union.................................................3

Fitness Clark County Youth Lacrosse...........................5 Mountain View Ice Arena................................25 Naydenov Gymnastics...................................13 Soccer Shots..................................................29 Vancouver Parks and Rec..............................32 Vancouver Tennis Center...............................27

Health Adventure Dental............................................31 Barnick Chiropractic.........................................5 Child and Adolescent Clinic..............................2 Evergreen Pediatrics......................................15 Priority Life Chiropractic and Massage...........17 Storybook Dental............................................25 Vancouver Clinic.............................................11 Vancouver Vision Clinic..................................13

Legal Schauermann, Thayer, Jacobs, Staples & Edwards PS...................................21

Retail Kazoodles.......................................................17 Spoiled Spa and Salon...................................25 Vancouver Mall...............................................13

Schools & Education Clark County Montessori Schools..................23 EOCF................................................................3 The Gan Jewish Preschool............................17 Good Shepherd Montessori.............................5 King’s Way Christian Schools.........................27 Naydenov Gymnastics...................................13 Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School...............5 Riverside Performing Arts Preschool..............15

Resources DreamCapture Media.......................................9 EOCF................................................................3 WA529............................................................19

Vancouver Vancouver Family Family Magazine Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • December • January 2016 2019

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Crush those resolutions!

with 50% off your January membership!

Sign up for an ongoing membership at Firstenburg or Marshall Community Centers any time in January and receive 50% off of your January dues.

Firstenburg Community Center

Marshall Community Center

700 NE 136th Ave.

1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.

360-487-7001

• 65+ fitness classes each week including two dozen geared for seniors and beginner • 50+ aqua exercise classes each week plus daily open swims • Climbing wall activities • Unlimited use of fitness center & indoor track • Organized open gym times • Pickleball drop-in play

360-487-7100

• 50+ weekly fitness classes • 30+ weekly aqua exercice classes including kayak and paddleboard practice • Unlimited access to the fitness centers & open gym times

www.cityofvancouver.us/passpromo

Offer expires January 31, 2019. Cannot have been a passholder in December 2018. Some exclusions may apply. Does not include 1, 3 or 12 month passes.