April 2023 Momaha magazine

ADVENTURE TIME

Summer camps offer opportunities for growth, learning

SWEET SPRING

4 fun uses for Peeps

VOLUME 14

ISSUE 4

APRIL 2023

editor in chief KILEY CRUSE cruse@owh.com

402-444-1375

consulting editor COURTNEY BRUMMER-CLARK cbclark@owh.com

402-444-3118

contributors

MARJIE DUCEY RACHEL GEORGE KORI RADLOFF THE BOOKWORM BOYS TOWN PEDIATRICS designer EMILY WIRTZ

cover photo KILEY CRUSE

custom publishing sales coordinator NICK CAVALLARO nick.cavallaro@owh.com

402-444-1202

HOLIDAY BOOKS

INDESTRUCTIBLES

The original Indestructibles is a series for easing little ones into story time. They are built for the way babies “read” (with their hands and mouths) and are rip proof, waterproof and safe for baby. Check out these two holiday titles:

‘HAPPY EASTER’

by Vanja Kragulj

Easter is here and the Easter bunny brought yummy treats.

‘BABY’S FIRST PASSOVER’

by Amy Pixton Passover

is here. Our table is set with the Seder plate. We love to celebrate freedom together.

‘THE POKY LITTLE PUPPY’S FIRST EASTER’

by Andrea Posner Sanchez

It’s Easter on the farm and Poky is having a great time celebrating with the rabbits, chickens, sheep, pigs, horses, and so much more. Each spread of this sturdy board book has a fun ap to lift. Youngsters will love peeking behind each ap to discover how Poky and a variety of farm friends celebrate Easter.

‘MY FIRST EASTER’

by Tomie DePaola

The importance of family and sharing are beautifully shown in this board book all about Easter

celebrations. DePaola’s bright illustrations and easy-to-follow text explain the traditions associated with this special holiday.

discover how people around the globe celebrate this important festival and what it means to them, with age-appropriate language. The history, preparation and celebration of the festival are all visualized with beautiful photography, capturing the many ways in which this festival is marked.

AND ON THE ADULT SIDE:

‘PASSOVER PARROT’

by Evelyn Zusman

It’s Lily’s turn to say the Four Questions at the Passover Seder, but nobody will help her practice. Things change with the arrival of Hametz the Parrot. Clever Hametz not only helps Lily but solves the puzzle of who stole the a komen.

‘HAPPY EID AL FITR’

by Joyce Bentley

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan fasting and this book lets children

‘SEDER STORIES’

by Nancy Rips

Passover is the Festival of Freedom in the Jewish community worldwide. More than any other holiday, it symbolizes what it means to be Jewish: family, food, and fun coupled with an obligation to pass on their story to future generations. “Seder Stories” contains the memories of childhood Seders from 101 Jewish people. Some of them are famous, like Rabbi Harold Kushner and attorney Alan Dershowitz. Others are famous only within their circle of friends and family. Some of the stories are funny, some poignant, some thought provoking and worth reading. All of them are charming.

Find these titles and many more by shopping locally at The Bookworm. Located at 90th and Center Streets, The Bookworm is an independent, family-owned bookstore with over 6,000-square-feet of space. The Bookworm offers an excellent selection of books, an outstanding children’s section and friendly, knowledgeable staff who know the books they sell. Learn more at

THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH

AYLA & CO. DIAPER BAG

A reviewer said “this diaper bag checks all of my boxes. It is structured, cute, sturdy, and my favorite of all, easy to organize!” The vegan leather bag includes lots of extras: each bag comes with a reusable snack bag, stroller straps, vegan leather changing pad, reusable wet bag, an insulated and removable bottle/ snack pouch and removable and washable inner liner. Available in seven colors. $209, aylabag.com

ELLA + MILA POLISH SETS

This nail polish set is perfect for some mother/daughter bonding time. It comes with one larger “mommy” nail polish bottle and one “me” smaller nail polish bottle. Included in this set is one nail decoration sheet. A reviewer said, “I’ve used other nail polish brands on my daughter and they all chip within a day and completely peel off in three days max. However, with Ella + Mila my daughter’s toe nails have lasted almost two weeks. I’m so happy I don’t have to constantly reapply. The color is so cute and she loves showing it off to everyone.” $16, ellamila.com

SABRE PEPPER SPRAY OR GEL

Sabre has been making protective sprays for many years. The canister is small enough to fit in any pants or jacket pocket and has a solid protective cap preventing accidental discharge. A reviewer uses this primarily when hiking and walking the trails as it can be used against both aggressive dogs and potential attackers. It also includes a difficult-toaccess whistle. While it is deafening, since it’s hard to detach from the keychain our reviewer wouldn’t count on it during an emergency. $14.99, sabre.com

MIND THE GAP GAME

This game would be perfect for your next party or large family gathering. It’s a trivia game that is broken out with questions by generation. As you work your way around the board you tackle each generation — Boomer, Gen X, Millennial and Gen Z. It’s very much a game for all ages. The more generations you have playing together the quicker the game will play. You get one question per turn — roll and move if you’re right, stay put if you’re wrong. In addition to trivia, there are challenge cards that make you hum, dance, and act out iconic moments from the different generations. $29.99, amazon.com

INFINITY X1 FLASHLIGHT

Created from durable aircraft grade aluminum, the Infinity X1 LED dual-powered flashlight features an extremely bright beam, multiple settings, dual power options and 1 meter drop protection. Available in four different lumen strengths, the flashlights come with two power options: one rechargeable battery core with a built in USB-A cable to easily recharge, and a USB-A port to serve as backup power for other devices. There’s also a AA battery core that allows for backup power. $59 to $89, depending on lumens, in nityx1.com

has reviewer uses this

NICK BERARD

MARJIE DUCEY

World-Herald Staff Writer

Women dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking face some challenging — and scary — decisions.

The Women’s Center for Advancement is there to help anyone in the Omaha area, starting with immediate safety needs, said Katie Welsh, vice president of programs.

It’s not just about finding a safe place to live for the adult and children.

“They face difficult questions from friends and family about why they are making this decision,” Welsh said. “Many times what happens to them happens in secret.”

It often takes six to seven times for a victim to leave because the decision is so difficult. In many situations, victims face threats to their safety, research shows.

It is possible to leave with help from groups

In an

abusive relationship and

alone? feeling

such as the WCA. Programming areas include safety services, self-sufficiency services, legal services, crisis counseling and prevention education.

“You can do it. That’s why the WCA offers so many services under one roof,” Welsh said. “It does require so much to make the decision to leave and establish your life independent from the violence and your abusers. With the services here we see a lot of success stories.”

Though the WCA is not a shelter, staff can help survivors connect to shelter and housing options. The WCA is always available either through its 24-hour crisis hotline (402-3457273) or by walking in Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT FROM WCA:

Domestic violence is not just physical. It can start as emotional abuse and escalate to physical violence later on. Or it can be emotional and financial abuse and never include physical violence.

Domestic violence is about power and control and can take many forms. The abuser controls what the survivor is doing, checks the survivor’s email/phone/

ADOBE STOCK

social media without permission, forces the survivor to have sex, destroys the survivor’s things, threatens to hurt the survivor, blames the survivor for their own violent outbursts, humiliates the survivor on purpose in front of others and threatens to report you to the authorities for imagined crimes. These are just a few examples, but they all illustrate the exercise of power in order to control the victim.

Abuse is not the survivor’s fault. It’s not normal or OK and no one deserves it — though it can happen to anyone. It’s also not the responsibility of the survivor/victim to fix it by convincing the abusive partner to get help. The survivor’s only responsibility is for their own safety.

Identify ‘safe’ people who can help. If a survivor is thinking about options to leave an abusive relationship safely, they will need the support of people who will not tell the abuser about their plans. This includes a doctor or nurse, a counselor, human resources at work, select family or friends or a domestic violence advocate, to name a few.

It is scary for survivors to leave. Survivors may still care about their abusive partners and might hope that the situation will

improve. They also may share children with their abuser, lack the financial resources to leave, worry about leaving pets behind, or feel like they have no place to go because they are isolated from family and friends. Leaving is a process and survivor’s need support when dealing with all of these issues.

Abusers will do or say anything to get the survivor to stay. Once an abuser realizes that the survivor is leaving and no longer able to be controlled, the abuser will do or say anything to reestablish their power. Abusers will minimize the abuse and deny how serious it really was, blame others for their behavior, claim that the survivor is the abusive one, insist that the survivor push them to get or stay in treatment, threaten harm to themselves, and threaten harm to others up to and including the survivor.

Planning for safety is crucial. Leaving an abusive relationship can be lethal to a survivor. Creating a safety plan can help a survivor to prepare for leaving, maintain their safety, and achieve independence from their abuser.

Domestic violence is a matter of public health. When survivors are unable to get the help they need to leave, it can lead to serious health problems, reproductive health challenges, mental health challenges such as depression and suicide., and substance abuse problems since survivors are more likely to use drugs or alcohol to cope. Domestic violence can even end in death. Therefore, it is crucial that entire communities identify ways that they can assist survivors when the survivor is ready to leave their abusive relationship.

Believe domestic violence survivors/ victims. Domestic violence is about control more than it is anger, so it can be difficult for others to see what the survivor is experiencing. Thus, survivors often feel that no one would believe them if they told people. Help a survivor by believing their story and saying so. Someone who knows the truth about their struggles is hugely empowering to a survivor, bringing a sense of hope and relief.

Know your resources. There are many agencies, organizations, and services that are available to a survivor when they are ready to leave. For instance, the police are most effective in removing immediate danger to the survivor and/or their children. The court system provides legal safeguards in the form of protection orders, custody orders, and the like. Shelters and domestic violence service providers can help support and walk with the survivor as they seek out clothing, housing, financial assistance, and counselors. But ultimately, the survivor is the expert on what they need. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, know that the resources that are appropriate for that situation are the survivor’s to choose.

Here’s some things to think about

BUT, MOM! WE’RE BORED!

REVIEWED BY KATIE WILLCOCKSON, M.D. Boys Town Pediatrics

With the arrival of summer comes the proverbial comment from kids … “There’s nothing to do!” While kids are quick to complain that they are bored, being bored is not a bad thing. In fact, boredom prompts children to come up with things to do and is actually quite beneficial. Boredom helps kids to develop new skills, expand their creativity and build self-esteem. Sometimes they need a little help thinking of things to do, but with some guidance they can be off and running.

Finding things to keep your kids busy and entertained over the summer can be challenging. However, it is important not to immediately rush to your children’s rescue when they complain of being bored. Periods of boredom require kids to rely on themselves for entertainment and are essential to a healthy childhood. Feeling bored presents kids with an opportunity to do something different and those who learn to replace boredom by getting involved in an activity experience a genuine sense of satisfaction.

BOREDOM HELPS KIDS TO DEVELOP:

• Creativity, imagination and curiosity

• Problem-solving skills and flexibility

• Relationship skills by collaborating with friends in creative

play

• Tolerance for lessthan-ideal situations by learning to manage frustrations and regulate emotions

• Independence and confidence

Be proactive towards boredom this summer by creating lists of things your kids enjoy doing, along with project ideas and challenges. It’s often helpful to put these ideas on an activity chart to make them easily accessible. Here are some boredom-busting ideas:

FOR YOUNG KIDS:

• Take a nature walk

• Build a fort

• Play with Legos or puzzles

• Color or do crafts

FOR OLDER KIDS AND TEENS:

• Board games

• Art projects

• Work on sports skills

• Read a book

For more helpful ideas about activities to combat summer boredom in your kids, visit: www.boystown. org/parenting/Pages/Summer-Activities.aspx

Creative play can blossom out of boredom.

ADOBE STOCK

Check out these picks for spring family movie nights

Life on the FARM

COURTNEY BRUMMER-CLARK

World-Herald Sta Writer

Spring is here! Planting season is under way and life on the farm is busy. Settle in for farm-themed movie nights in April with lms the whole family can enjoy.

“BABE” (1995)

RATED G, 1 HOUR-31 MINUTES

Based on the book “The Sheep Pig” by Dick King-Smith, “Babe” tells the story of a sweet, good-natured pig who is raised by a family of sheepdogs and other farm animals.

“Babe” won an Oscar for Best Visual E ects for its remarkable technique of making live-action animals appear to talk

UNIVERSAL PICTURES .

on the farm is uncertain. In an effort to secure his future life on the farm, Wilbur works with Charlotte — a spider who uses her talent for web-weaving to help show the world how special Wilbur is.

As Babe grows, he learns how to herd sheep well enough to compete in a sheepdog competition. Along the way, he develops a greater sense of the world and humanity.

“CHARLOTTE’S WEB” (2006)

RATED G, 1 HOUR-37 MINUTES

Another tale about a special pig, this liveaction version of the classic children’s story features a young Dakota Fanning early in her career and the voice talents of Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Kathy Bates and Robert Redford. Wilbur the pig is adopted by a young farm girl named Fern (Fanning), but his future

ILLUMINATION ENTERTAINMENT, UNIVERSAL PICTURES

Duke (Eric Stonestreet), Max (Patton Oswalt) and Rooster (Harrison Ford) in Illumination’s “The Secret Life of Pets 2.”

“THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2” (2019)

RATED PG, 1 HOUR-26 MINUTES

The animated sequel to “The Secret Life of Pets,” which takes place in New York City, “The Secret Life of Pets 2” follows a Jack Russel Terrier named Max and his best friend, a Newfoundland mix named Duke, as they experience a quieter life on the farm. There, they meet a crabby Welsh Sheepdog named Rooster who teaches Max a few life lessons. This movie features the voices of Patton Oswalt, Harrison Ford and Eric Stonestreet. Kevin Hart reprises his role a Snowball the bunny.

BLUE

SKY STUDIOS , 20TH CENTURY FOX

In “Ferdinand,” John Cena lends his voice to the bull who has an adventure to find his way home.

PARAMOUNT PICTURES

Dakota Fanning and Wilbur the pig star in the 2006 movie “Charlotte’s Web.”

“FERDINAND” (2017)

RATED PG, 1 HOUR-48 MINUTES

In this tale that teaches about looking beyond appearances, Ferdinand the bull (voiced by John Cena) is wrongly labeled as dangerous and is separated from his family. Determined to reunite with them, he and his fellow misfit animals go on an adventure back to the farm.

“FLICKA” (2007)

RATED PG, 1 HOUR-35 MINUTES

Based on the classic novel “My Friend Flicka” by Mary O’Hara, “Flicka” is the story of Katy — a young girl determined to prove herself to her rancher father. After claiming a wild horse as her own, Katy learns lessons about life, freedom and responsibility. Tim McGraw and Maria Bello star.

BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER!

“BARNYARD” (2006)

RATED PG, 1 HOUR-30 MINUTES

What happens on the farm, stays on the farm. This animated film featuring the vocal talents of Kevin James, Courteney Cox, Danny Glover and Sam Elliott, is hilarious and fun for the whole family. Things on the farm run amok when the farmer leaves and a carefree cow is put in charge.

When Otis the cow (front left, voice of Kevin James) joins the trouble-making Jersey Cows, anything is possible in “Barnyard.”

MERRICK MORTON , 20TH CENTURY FOX Katy (Alison Lohman) becomes enamored with a wild mustang named Flicka she had found in the mountain woods in “Flicka.”

Greet your guests at the door with this SWEET PEEPS WREATH

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Staff Writer

Crafting with Peeps is as much fun as eating them. The colorful pastel bunnies and chicks can be turned into the most adorable, festive holiday decorations.

PEEPS WREATH

• 8 to 10 packs of Peeps

• 10-inch foam wreath

• Toothpicks

• 4 straight pins

• Burlap or sheer ribbon — we used 2 9-foot spools of 2½inch wide ribbon

• Clear coat spray

1. The first step requires planning ahead. Peeps that are fresh and squishy are a little harder to craft with. Remove all of the outer wrapping and let Peeps sit for a few days until they start to harden a bit.

2. Use two straight pins to attach ribbon to the foam wreath. Wrap ribbon tightly around the wreath, covering all of the foam. Secure with two additional straight pins.

3. Without attaching anything, space out the Peeps so you have an idea of how closely together they need to be placed.

Use toothpicks to adhere Peeps to a foam wreath.

4. Using two toothpicks per bunny, push toothpicks into foam wreath then push Peep onto the toothpicks.

5. Continue working to cover the front and sides of the foam wreath with Peeps.

6. Using another 9 feet of ribbon, create a hangar and bow for the wreath.

7. If you want to keep with wreath for another year, it’s best to spray a couple coats of a clear coat over the marshmallows so they don’t attract bugs.

KILEY CRUSE PHOTOS , THE WORLDHERALD

PEEPS PLAYDOUGH

• 5 chick Peeps

• 2 teaspoons coconut oil

• 3 tablespoons corn starch or powdered sugar

PEEPS PLAYDOUGH

fun, colorful and safe to eat

Peeps playdough is a fun, multi-sensory experience and requires only three ingredients. And, best of all, it can be made in mere minutes. The Peeps make a delicious edible playdough that tastes just like marshmallows. An added bonus, the colored sugar on the Peeps gives a pretty pastel color to the dough.

Because it’s edible (and marshmallows) you may get kids of all ages wanting to play.

1. Add Peeps and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl.

2. Microwave for 30 seconds.

3. Remove and add corn starch or powdered sugar. (Both are completely edible, corn starch makes it a little less sweet.)

4. Use a spoon to begin mixing the ingredients. Once cooled a bit, knead with your hands for about 30 seconds, until all combined. If dough is still very sticky, add a little more corn starch or powdered sugar.

5. Give your child some cookie cutters, dough rollers or other play dough tools and let them play.

6. Dough will keep in ziptop bags with air removed for 3 days. If you leave creations out overnight they will harden.

Source: peepsbrand.com

KILEY CRUSE | World-Herald Sta Writer

KILEY CRUSE PHOTOS , THE WORLD-HERALD

Peeps dissolved at different rates in different liquids. Here are Peeps after 24 hours in, clockwise from top left, lime juice, vinegar, cola, almond milk and water.

Sweet and simple

SCIENCE

Peeps good for lessons and learning

KILEY CRUSE | World-Herald Staff Writer

If you find yourselves with an extra package of Peeps, consider using them for a lesson on density and solubility.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Peeps • Cups

• A variety of liquids from the kitchen

EXPERIMENT NO. 1 — DENSITY

This is a quick and easy test. First, ask the kids if they think the Peeps will float or sink? Why?

Fill a cup half full with water. And let a little bunny or chick go. What happens?

The simple science: A Peep has tons of little tiny air bubbles inside that give it its light and airy texture. Because of this, its density is less than the water’s density and it will float.

EXPERIMENT NO. 2 — SOLUBILITY

Fair warning, this one will take a little longer.

Fill cups half full of as many liquids as you’d like to tests. We experimented with lime juice, vinegar, cola, water and almond milk.

The question now: Will the Peeps dissolve in any or all of the liquids?

Over the next 24 hours, flip the floating bunnies or chicks over every half hour to hour until bedtime. Let them be overnight, and see what they look like in the morning. What did you find?

The simple science: Peeps are water soluble meaning they can be dissolved by water because they are made of sugar. You will notice the color from the peeps dissolve the fastest. If you choose to use vinegar (or other acidic liquid), you will notice the acidity breaks down the Peeps the fastest.

CREATE YOUR OWN PEEPS CANDLE CENTERPIECE FOR CUTE DECOR

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Staff Writer

Sometimes simple is better.

This Peeps candle centerpiece comes together in minutes and adds a colorful flair to your Easter table.

All you need is a votive candle holder, one pack of Peeps bunnies and a larger round glass bowl or vase. Simply set the votive holder in the middle of the larger vase and stuff Peeps in the open space between the two. Easy as that.

KILEY CRUSE , THE WORLD-HERALD

DIY BEE HOTEL Help your ecosystem with simple

Some of us may not be huge fans of buzzing bees but they play a crucial role in food and plant production and are extremely bene cial to the ecosystem. If you’d like to attract more pollinators to your garden, building a bee hotel can be a fun and worthwhile weekend project. One of the most basic principles behind bee hotels is to create small round spaces for them to crawl into. This could be pieces of bamboo, hallow reeds or purchased bee house tubes.

Another simple idea is to drill small holes into fallen branches or pieces of untreated wood. This can be done using an electric drill. The holes can be a variety of depths as different depths will work for different species. They will be safe spaces in which insects can lay their eggs.

If you’re hoping to attract bees, you should hang your bug hotel facing south or southeast. It’s important for it to receive around seven hours of sunshine a day. Not only is this bug hotel idea a great garden activity for kids, but it will help teach your little ones about the importance of wildlife.

MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE.

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Sta Writer

KILEY CRUSE PHOTOS , THE WORLD-HERALD

HOW DO I PREVENT DEHYDRATION WHEN MY CHILD IS VOMITING?

Academy of Pediatrics

When your child is throwing up, it’s easy for them to become dehydrated. The risk is even greater when fever causes them to sweat more, or they are also losing fluid through diarrhea. Depending on how severe or how long the vomiting lasts, your child may lose important electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and chloride.

If your child is otherwise healthy, missing a meal or two when they’re nauseous and vomiting won’t hurt them. However, it’s important to make sure they keep getting fluids to help avoid dehydration.

What causes vomiting?

BEE HOTEL

Using ¾-inch thick cedar or other rot-resistant wood, cut the following pieces:

• top: 5½-by-5½-inch

• bottom: 5½-by-5½-inch

• back panel: 12-by-5½inch

• left panel: 12-by-4¾-inch

• right panel: 12-by-4¾inch

• Weather-resistant screws between 1¼- and 1½-inch long

• Drill

• Hanging hardware

• Bamboo, bee tubes or wood drilled with holes

1. Cut cedar boards to the dimensions listed using a table saw or have them cut at your local hardware store if you don’t have one.

2. Screw the box together by drilling pilot holes rst.

3. Arrange tubes, bamboo and wood with holes within the structure, packed tightly so it will stay put, but with lots of available crevices for the bees.

4. Af x hanging hardware and hang in an area of the garden facing south or southeast.

Source: gardentherapy.ca

Vomiting is a common symptom with many childhood illnesses. It happens when the abdominal muscles and diaphragm contract, while the stomach relaxes. This reflex happens when the body’s “vomiting center” is triggered. This reflex is the body’s way of protecting itself against toxins, being harmfully full and other gastrointestinal, neurological, hormonal and psychiatric triggers.

Oral rehydration therapy is an e ective and safe method for preventing dehydration at home. For the first 24 hours or so, consider limiting solid foods and encourage them to suck or drink small amounts of fluids every few minutes over a few hours. The goal should be having them take in at least 1 ounce (30 milliliters) per hour. Liquids help to prevent dehydration and are less likely than solid foods to trigger further vomiting.

You can give your child liquid with age-appropriate bottle or cup. If your child cannot sip from a bottle or cup, try using a medicine cup, syringe or teaspoon.

The types of fluids you should give our child depend on their age. For those 6 months to 1 year old, provide undiluted breast milk or formula. If not tolerated, consider a commercial rehydration solution that contains sugars and salts. Do not use water.

For children ages 1 year and older, provide commercial oral rehydration solutions (liquid form and popsicles), diluted apple juice or a sports drink (half-water/halfdrink).

Be careful with commercial sports drinks. They replace salts, but they can also contain large amounts of sugar, which can make diarrhea worse.

Call your child’s doctor right away if your child is too sick to drink, becomes lethargic or shows any signs and symptoms of dehydration. These include:

 Urinating less frequently (for infants, fewer than six wet diapers daily)

 Dry tongue and inside of mouth

 Dry eyes and fewer tears when crying

 Excessive sleepiness or fussiness

 Wrinkled skin

 In babies, a sunken “soft spot” on their head

 In older children, weakness or dizziness when trying to stand Young children are especially prone to dehydration. This is because their bodies are less e cient at conserving water than older children and adults. In addition, their small size means it takes less fluid loss to lead to dehydration.

Talk with your pediatrician any time you are concerned about your child’s health. For more information, go to HealthyChildren.org.

CUT WOOD PIECES TO BUILD A BEE HOTEL.

DR. MEGHAN HORN American

DRILL PILOT HOLES FOR THE SCREWS.

ONCE BOX IS COMPLETED, FILL WITH TUBES TO ATTRACT BEES.

EDIBLE SOIL

provides a tasty lesson

in Earth science

KILEY CRUSE World-Herald Sta Writer

If you were to take a cross section of the soil in your backyard, you’d nd there are different layers, each with a purpose.

At the very top is the organic material. This is the upper layer of topsoil which is made up of mostly of grasses, dead leaves, small rocks, twigs and other decomposing organic material.

Next comes the topsoil. Another name for this layer is the humus layer. It contains both organic matter and decomposed materials. The topsoil is porous to hold air and water. This is the layer where seeds germinate, roots grow and earthworms live.

Below that is the subsoil. This is harder and more compact than topsoil. It holds more water than topsoil and is lighter in color due to clay being mixed in.

Next is parent material which is formed from bedrock after a long weathering process. This is where the soil layers above will be formed.

Last, we have bedrock. This layer can be made of igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic rock.

As you can see, soil is so much more than the few inches we see when we dig to plant our gardens.

Earth Day is a great time to teach kids about the layers of soil with this edible representation. Gather the ingredients, start layering, and then dig in.

EDIBLE SOIL

• Chocolate and butterscotch chips mixed together

• Chocolate pudding

• Whole Oreos, crushed Oreos

• Crushed graham crackers

• Shredded coconut mixed with green food coloring

• Gummy worms

• Clear cups or glasses

• Spoons

• Sticky post-its or labels

1. Drop a whole Oreo into the bottom of your glass. This represents the bedrock.

2. On top of the Oreo, add a mixture of chocolate and butterscotch chips. This represents the parent material.

3. Carefully spoon chocolate pudding over the chips. This represents the subsoil.

4. Mix together crushed Oreos and graham crackers. Add this mixture over the pudding layer. This represents the topsoil.

5. Stick the gummy worms out of the topsoil.

6. Sprinkle green coconut on top, allowing the worms to peek out. This represents the organic material.

7. Use sticky notes to label your layers.

8. Dig in.

Note: If you want more nutritious alternatives, substitute almonds or another small-type of nuts for the bedrock, yogurt for the subsoil, granola for the topsoil, and several berries for the organic matter on top. You get the idea! Have fun with this one. The kids will love it, even with the modi ed ingredients!

KILEY CRUSE , THE WORLD-HERALD

SUMMER KIDS CAMP GUIDE

You’ll find something for ever yone

AMERICAN LEGACY COMPLEX HORSEMANSHIP CAMP

Learn about horse safety, grooming, horse breeds and colors, tack and equipment, riding styles and much more. American Legacy Complex offers horsemanship camps for kids ages 4-13. The weeklong camps for beginners/intermediates run from June 12 to July 21. An advanced camp will be held July 24-28. Campers will spend the majority of each day riding all summer camp activities are geared toward learning horsemanship

7193 County Road 40 402-670-7220

www.americanlegacycomplex.com

The Durham Museum Summer Camp

The Durham Museum is serving up a one-of-a-kind summer experience that sparks the imagination with fun and affordable camp themes ranging from crazy chemistry to Lego® construction and (a camper favorite) Omaha Staycation.

June 5 - August 11, 2023 (half-day or full-day camps) 801 S. 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68108 1st-2nd & 3rd-5th Graders

Members: $100-$220/week

Non-Members: $110-$240/week

www.CampsAtTheDurham.org

MCC College for Kids & Teens Summer Exploration

Bring fun and learning to children ages 3-18. Kids and teens can take classes that focus on art, culinary, engineering, science, robotics, STEM and more at Metropolitan Community College Courses are offered throughout the summer at multiple locations within Omaha and our four-county service area.

Various metro Omaha locations 531-MCC-5437

mccneb.edu/ce/summerfun

SPEND YOUR SUMMER ON STAGE at THE ROSE

Whether your child is taking their first steps on stage or has already landed a leading role, Rose Theater classes encourage creativity and imagination From drama, musical theater, dance, voice and more - summer camps at The Rose give young people the confidence and skills to succeed on stage and in life.

Classes held at two convenient locations: The Rose Theater 2001 Far nam St., Omaha, NE 68102 402-345-4849

The Rose Studios for Youth Artists

12202 West Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68144 (Bel Air Plaza) 402-502-4629

www.rosetheater.org/classes

YMCA Day Camps

YMCA Summer Day Camps provide kids ages 5-12 with supervised activities that teach core values, conflict resolution, leadership skills, social responsibility and more Campers have fun while they develop friendships, better their health, enhance literacy, develop skills, and gain independence while appreciating teamwork.

YMCA of Greater Omaha

402-977-4300

metroymca.org/camp

Alexa Johnson, 11, and other kids put themselves in Michelangelo’s shoes as they recreate the artist’s historic Sistine Chapel ceiling painting during a Renaissance Masters in Art & Culinary summer arts camp in 2022. The camp was put on by Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center. Campers learned about the history of Renaissance masters, created their own artwork in the style of these legendary artists and made healthy historic culinary creations. The kids got to learn with their hands while creating and working with different materials and techniques, and their works were presented to family and friends in a gallery at the end of the week.

KIDS CAMP GUIDE

JCC PREMIER CAMPS

From sports and dance to musical theater and pop culture, there is something for everyone!

Premiere Camps at the J provide focused programming in popular areas of interest for Members and Non-Members in K-12th grade. Premiere Camps are half-day programs, offered by age, and held at the JCC.

SUMMER CAMPS offer adventure, opportunities for growth

Council Bluffs Nonpareil

As summer approaches, parents often look to summer camps to provide learning and adventure opportunities to children while they are on break from school.

Many choose traditional overnight camps focused on the outdoors, equipped with activities such as horseback riding, archery, campfires and more. Lots of others choose faith-based camps, where youth can experience traditional camp activities alongside Bible study or chapel services.

“We are going to camp for the first time this summer,” said Holly Porter of Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska. “I want my son to explore camp and get to know others while he learns more about his faith and is able to grow in that.”

She chose Camp Fontanelle for a number of reasons, one being that they have a parent/child weekend for young campers to introduce them to the camp experience.

Understanding overnight camp is an adjustment, numerous day camps — covering

J CAMP

J Camp is a well-rounded, day camp experience open to Members and Non-Members in K-7th grade. Activities include arts and crafts, sports, swimming, nature, cooking, science, culture, team building and more! J Camp is a full day program, offered by age, and held at the Staenberg Omaha JCC.

Staenberg Omaha JCC

333 S. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154 402-334-6409

www.jccomaha.org/camp/

Staenberg Omaha JCC

333 S. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154

402-334-6409

www.jccomaha.org/camp/

RACHEL GEORGE

JOE SHEARER , COUNCIL BLUFFS DAILY NONPAREIL

topics on nearly anything and everything — are also offered across the metro.

Camp is a way for children to have a week of fun that isn’t reliant on technology, Omaha mom Elisabeth Lewis said.

Cieandra Tripp, a mother in Council Bluffs, sends her children to summer programming put on by Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center to keep them engaged in learning throughout summer break.

“We are big supporters of the arts and PACE has filled a need in our community that we’ve hoped would be there for our kids,” she said. “We love that PACE offers programs where our kids can explore their creativity and actually learn and be taught rather than being more of a day care event.

“The PACE staff is amazing and knowledgeable and have consistently hosted amazing programs that our kids just can’t get enough of. From art to clay to cooking, PACE offers so many ways for our girls to express themselves and have fun in doing it.

Affordability is also important to many parents, who say they search for camps that offer scholarships or financial assistance for families in need.

Not only do summer camps offer summer learning opportunities, they often make a lifelong impact on the children they serve.

Mandy Johnsen, whose son Noah attended the Southwest YMCA summer camp, said he had the best summer at camp.

“All the wonderful counselors made camp fun, with various weekly activities including STEM, crafts, swimming and outdoor fun,” Johnsen said. “Some of his favorites were the splash pad, making fortune tellers, going to the library and playing outside with other camp friends.”

The summer programming offers unique opportunities that students might only get in lower doses during the school year.

“(Noah) was never ready to leave at pick up time and is already excited to come back next year,” Johnsen said.

Chloe, a high school staffer at the Southwest YMCA, said the building is her home over the summer.

“I worked out, helped with day camp and kept kids safe in the pool,” she said. “This is where I felt the most love and kindness I have in awhile. The staff and camp children that were there were the reason I was able to go every morning or stay late in the evenings and help out.”

Oftentimes, alongside traditional enrichment opportunities, campers also learn important life lessons.

Meet Dylan, a YMCA camper who counselors often had behavior issues with. That is, until last summer.

“In the beginning of the summer, Dylan was receiving a lot of behavior reports and even got sent home from camp,” said Madison Peters, Downtown YMCA youth and family engagement director. “He was at the point where one more behavior report would have gotten him suspended completely.”

Instead, through working with Dylan by “giving him the opportunity to be a teacher amongst his peers and focusing more on what counselors could do to build relationships with him, he was able to shine through as the amazing kid who left on the last day of camp without receiving any more reports home,” Peters said.

Dylan may even become a junior camp counselor in the future.

He’s proven that summer camp not only provides learning opportunity to youth, but also those who help put the programming on.

By taking a step back, staff learned that “building stronger relationships and friendships with the children in their care provide them with a stronger base to build dependable and compassionate characteristics within the kiddos.”

Similarly, Cayson — a day camper at the Charles E. Lakin YMCA, began struggling with behaviors in the middle of camp.

“We were unsure what was going on,” said Amanda Stephens, Charles E. Lakin YMCA youth and family director. “He would run out of the room without a staff member and get visually upset over things we couldn’t figure out. Cayson is 5 years old and is still learning how to handle big emotions; at this age communication of their emotions is still very hard.”

Staff began working with Cayson and his family, later identifying that these behaviors were caused because Cayson was getting overstimulated easily in camp, an often noisy environment where a lot is going on.

“When something would arise and he would need to be taken out of the scenario to cool down, we would always talk with Cayson that if he feels that need to run, scream or whatever it may be, he could talk to a staff member and tell them he needs a break,” Stephens said.

Though it wasn’t part of camp curriculum, Cayson began trying new ways to cool down and take a break, learning what worked best for him: sit down, walk the track, talk it out with a trusted mentor or friend.

“This became the norm for Cayson by the end of the summer and we couldn’t have been prouder of him,” Stephens said. “Not only did he learn to communicate his need but he also learned to communicate what he needed in that break time to help his big emotions.”

IMAGINATIONS IGNITE with theater for the very young

KORI RADLOFF

The Rose Theater

Bringing a two-year-old to the theater might seem like an odd idea, but at the Rose Theater, it is just another way of engaging young people and igniting their imaginations. The theater’s First Stage Series creates theatrical performances specifically for preschool audiences, incorporating interactive moments, flexible seating and a shush-free environment for an experience the entire family can enjoy. The result: moments of wonder and awe, and the spark of a lifetime love of the theater.

“These shows are interactive, sensory, intimate, and utilize the active minds and bodies of the young people in the audience to help tell the story. Children move, touch,

smell, and use their own voices to bring these magical, immersive performances to life,” says TYA-USA representative Lauren Jost. Engaging young minds at this early age helps nurture their creative development, supports language development and encourages empathy.

This spring, The Rose brings “Firefly” to preschool audiences. In the show, families are invited to join Park Ranger Glow on an adventure in the woods. The journey begins in The Rose lobby where kids will make their own badge and take the Park Ranger oath. They will then go on a “hike” up the theater’s stairway, painted with a woodland mural, looking for wildlife along the way. (Those with mobility issues will have a corresponding experience in The Rose’s elevator.) Finally, upon reaching The Rose’s Hitchcock Theater, families will enter a camp where they will hear crickets, smell the pines and be immersed in gentle darkness. Featuring shadow puppetry and sensoryfilled moments of audience interaction, young people will meet a number of friendly creatures, including loons, butterflies, and —

of course — fireflies.

‘FIREFLY’

What: First Stage production ideal for children ages 2 to 5.

When: Saturdays at 10 a.m. and noon and Sundays at 11 a.m. through April 8

Where: The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St.

Cost: $17 fore everyone over 12 months of age. Members receive discounted tickets

Information: 402-345-4849 or www.rosetheater.org

“The magic of ‘Firefly’ is really driven by shadow puppetry,” says Rose artistic director Matt Gutschick. “It employs a lot of beautiful music and is just gorgeous. Families will love it.”

This play was not only written with the pre-K set in mind, but also was created by working directly with young people, seeing what resonated most with them and incorporating those elements directly into the show. Playwright Jessica Burrill-Logue held workshops with children where they played with glow sticks and shadow puppets, eventually working the best of those experiences into the production.

Burrill-Logue notes that “Firefly” was inspired by her own fear of the dark that she experienced as a child. She remembers fondly that her grandfather helped her overcome this fear by sharing the magic of fireflies with her.

“My Grampy helped me by taking me on an adventure into the woods. He introduced me to the wonder of a world that comes alive at night,” she says. “I remember sitting there

on a rock, and suddenly I was surrounded by fireflies dancing around me like the stars high in the dark sky.”

Theater can help young people understand the world around them and learn how to process their emotions. This is what motivated Burrill-Logue to create “Firefly”.

“I know that many children have this same fear of the dark, and I wanted to bring my childhood experience to life in a way that sparks wonder, beauty and creative play.”

First Stage shows at The Rose, like “Firefly”, allow preschoolers the freedom to fully experience the story. Taking place in the theater’s black box auditorium, children are often seated right in the performance space where actors can speak to them directly. They might be invited to touch a puppet or prop, to stand up and take part in the action, or to shout out to the characters. With run times around 30-45 minutes, the shows are just long enough to hold a preschooler’s attention — without infringing on nap time!

“‘Firefly’ should be a really exciting, transformative journey for audiences of all ages,” says Gutschick.

‘Firefly’ show at The Rose introduces preschoolers to theater

THE ROSE THEATER

Playwright Jessica Burrill-Logue.

CLIMATE CHANGE

SHARON KENNEDY WYNNE Tampa Bay Times

According to a report from the Imperial College London’s Institute of Global Health Innovation, climate change is signi cantly impacting mental health, with clear evidence for severe distress following extreme weather events.

That can lead parents to wrestle with how to explain climate change to kids without making them unduly anxious.

“It is really important to take children’s concerns seriously and not to pooh-pooh their fear and say, ‘There is nothing to worry about,’” said Dr. Judith B. Bryant, a professor of psychology at the University of South Florida. “Try to address their questions factually as best you can, but also calmly take in their emotional cues by not dismissing their concerns. But don’t amplify them.”

The next step is to show them ways they can help, which can give kids a better sense of control, Bryant said.

“As with any disaster or other weather event, point to the fact that there are helpers, experts and scientists who are working on this, who are addressing these problems,” Bryant said.

Dr. Jennifer Katzenstein of the Center for Behavioral Health at Johns Hopkins All Children’s

Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, said parents should be alert to signs of distress in their kids, such as becoming withdrawn, not wanting to go outside or not wanting to separate from a trusted adult.

Seek advice from a pediatrician or trusted medical adviser for ways to get outside help,

Katzenstein said.

Depending on the child’s age and development level, Katzenstein said there are a number of ways families can make kids feel empowered through action. She has noticed that older kids — from middle-school- to college-age — seem to have the most anxiety about

climate change, but they have the most options.

They should be encouraged to write a letter, show up at an event, organize a recycling drive at school and take part in the family’s own plan to reduce its carbon footprint, she said.

Organizations like the Rainforest Alliance have guides like “10 Easy Ways Kids Can Help Save Rainforests,” which include ideas like using less paper and helping parents and teachers reuse paper instead of throwing it out.

You can also talk about success stories, like the time in 1987, when 197 countries agreed through the Montreal Protocol to ban ozonedepleting substances called CFCs used in refrigerators and aerosols.

That successfully averted the disaster of an ultraviolet-bombarded Earth. Ozone levels are projected to return to 1980 levels by 2032 because of this protocol.

“Information is power,” Katzenstein said. “It gives our kids some control and a sense of making a difference and an impact.”

How to talk to your kids about the global issue, and ways they can get involved

“As with any disaster or other weather event, point to the fact that there are helpers, experts and scientists who are working on this, who are addressing these problems.”

Dr. Judith B. Bryant, University of South Florida psychology professor

There are a number of ways families can make kids feel empowered through action on climate change, like writing letters.

Pediatric Care Providers You Can Trust, Close to Home

Boys Town Pediatrics, we know that establishing a primary care provider contributes to healthy growth and development. Building a strong relationship with a provider means they can be part of your child’s healthcare, both regular check-ups and unexpected illness and injury

Plus, having a regular pediatrician means it’s easier to get on the calendar early for school and sports physicals and annual well-checks.

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