WNCParent February 2011 by Stacey

contents This month’s features

2 Lend a hand

Families can share their volunteer time with animal shelters.

of animals 6 Scared We offer tips for parents with a child afraid of animals.

10 Family affair

Meet the Ross sisters, who raise animals, bake and more for the Mountain State Fair.

14 Animal tales

25 Family-friendly city

16 New around town

29 Parent 2 Parent

20 Heart-healthy kids

41 Overnight Camp

Librarian Jennifer Prince highlights three books with stories about four-legged friends. Get the skinny on two new museum exhibits and a soonto-open indoor playground.

Brian Lawler offers suggestions on how to keep your children’s hearts in good shape.

The capital of South Carolina offers great activities for families.

Meet The Balloon Fairy, Marcie McGrath.

Guide

Listings for coed, boys-only, girls-only and special needs overnight camps.

Animals, camps, more

Make no mistake, Asheville is an animal lover’s paradise. And that makes our annual “kids and pets” issue pretty easy to assemble. If your family has some time to spare, consider volunteering at one of the animal agencies around Asheville. Our story on Page 2 looks at some of the opportunities. It’s not uncommon for a child to be reluctant to spend time with animals. The story on Page 6 offers tips for helping kids overcome a fear of pets. Around WNC, kids’ involvement with animals goes beyond cats and dogs. On Page 10, meet the Ross girls from Arden, who raise livestock for the Mountain State Fair (they enter cooking contests, too). We hope to follow the girls as they choose their competitions and prepare for the fall event. New to the February issue this year are the listings for overnight summer camps. Don’t think for a minute that it is too early to be thinking about summer. (With all the snow we’ve had, it actually may be nice to start planning for warm weather.) The Overnight Camp Guide lists opportunities for coed, girls-only, boys-only and special needs camps. You’ll find this starting on Page 41. And if you’re looking to take a road trip sometime soon, seriously consider Columbia, S.C. The story on Page 25 showcases the family-friendly activities in this capital city. See you in March! By Katie Wadington, editor

Coming next month: Camps! Our annual Camp Guide is the focus of the March issue. Look for comprehensive listings for day camps, as well as stories on camps. Plus: A guide to Atlanta for families.

In every issue

Divorced Families ...............18 Artful Parent .....................22 Kids’ Voices ......................24 Librarian’s Pick..................34 Story Times ......................34 Homeschool Happenings .....51 Growing Together ...............52 Dad’s View........................53 Puzzles........................54-55 Calendar ..........................56

P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 828-232-5845 | www.wncparent.com PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Randy Hammer

On the cover

Emma Otten, by Margaret Hester. Photographed at Hickory Nut Gap Farm.

.com Are you a member? Join the conversation, post photos and connect with other parents at WNCParent.com. Look for WNC Parent on Facebook and Twitter.

WNC PARENT EDITOR Katie Wadington - 232-5829 kwadington@citizen-times.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Nancy Sluder nsluder@citizen-times.com

FEATURES EDITOR Bruce Steele bsteele@citizen-times.com STAFF WRITER Barbara Blake bblake@citizen-times.com

ADVERTISING/CIRCULATION Miranda Weerheim - 232-5980, mweerheim@gannett.com CALENDAR CONTENT Due by Feb. 10. E-mail calendar@wncparent.com ADVERTISING DEADLINE Advertising deadline for the March issue is Feb. 15.

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Lend a hand

help an animal By Barbara Blake, WNC Parent writer SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

f your child loves dogs or cats and enjoys doing community service, a gig at one of the area’s animal rescue organizations might be just the ticket to start a lifetime of volunteerism. It’s also a way to foster responsibility and compassion, as well as helping make the life of an abandoned or unwanted pet a little bit happier. “In my experience, this kind of volunteerism instills a

sense of responsibility and pride in young people,” said Tricia Ruscoe, volunteer coordinator with Pet Harmony, an arm of the Animal Compassion Network. “They learn that pets rely on them every day, that when they make a commitment to volunteer on a certain day and time, they are accountable for that commitment or the animals will suffer if they don’t complete those tasks,” Ruscoe said.

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Emma Parham, 14, volunteers at one of the Asheville Humane Society’s Yappy Hour events to raise funds for the agency’s programs. “The rewards are obvious and immediate: the knowledge that they make a difference in our world, and that dogs and cats are happy and healthy — and adoptable — because of their work.” Emma Parham, 14, who has volunteered with her mom, Coco Parham, for five years at the Asheville Humane Soci-

PHOTO BY BARBARA BLAKE

Jodi Kann, 12, gives a kitty some love while volunteering at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.

ety, said that’s the most rewarding thing to her — knowing that her efforts help dogs and cats be more “adoptable.” “What we do is help them be more social — if they look too hyper or growl or sit at the back of the cage and don’t come up and socialize with people, they’re going to get the five-second lookover and people will move on,” Emma said. “It’s like grooming them to get picked.” It must be said that volunteering at a shelter or adoption center involves more

than just playing with cute kittens and puppies. There are cages to be cleaned, bowls to be washed and laundry to fold. All organizations require varying degrees of orientation and training before children deal one-on-one with animals, and parents are required to be on site with younger kids. But those who are willing to pay some dues with the less romantic parts of animal care will swiftly move on to hands-on activities with the pups and kitties. And there are plenty of extracurric-

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ular activities, like taking shelter dogs on hikes and volunteering at Yappy Hours, adoption fairs and events such as the Asheville Holiday Parade. “I like playing with the puppies and the cats — if they just had to sit in their cage or dog run all day, they wouldn’t like it very much,” said Luke Zeller, 12, who volunteers at the Humane Society with his mom, Laura Collins. “Usually they try to lick you to death, but I don’t mind — it means that they like you,” Luke said. Luke’s mom said she’s encouraged him to volunteer from an early age, and it was his idea to start volunteering at AHS a year ago after working with MANNA FoodBank and the Room at the Inn program when he was younger. “He’s definitely more confident; he really enjoys being with the animals, but he also enjoys working at the front desk and greeting people coming in as one of his jobs,” Collins said. “Also, we have three pets at home, and he’s learned more responsibility for them because of what he’s learned at the Humane Society,” she said. “They put you through pretty thorough training to work there.” Coco Parham said her daughter’s work with the Humane Society “has definitely made her more aware of needs outside of what a normal kid sees every day, that there are bigger things that need our help.” Continues on Page 4

Help animals Continued from Page 3

“And it’s certainly helped in her personal skills — talking to adults and being around lots of other people,” Parham said. “Playing with puppies and kittens is easy for kids. But there are also lessons in handing out things to people, speaking to them, looking them in the eye, introducing themselves and shaking hands — things all children need to learn to do.” Elana Kann and her daughter, Jodi, 12, spent time volunteering at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 17. It was their second visit to Brother Wolf, having gone through orientation and training the first day. “We like to participate in either the (MLK Peace Walk) or do a service project, so we decided we’d come here today,” Elana Kann said as Jodi played with a feisty kitten. “We realized that Jodi has a really strong interest in animals, and this is real opportunity for service.” “I like the cats — I have a cat, and I’m used to them,” Jodi said. “You can play with them with toys, and I know where they like to be rubbed — behind their ears,” she said, demonstrating. “And this one likes my zipper.” Jodi said it’s important for the animals to be socialized and receive attention so they will be more adoptable. “They need lots of love, and they need a home,” she said, nuzzling the kitty. Gracie Clark, 11, whose mom, Paula Huntley, works at Brother Wolf, said she understands how important volunteers with rescue organizations are. “I think that helping dogs … if no one helped them, they might stay out on the streets and die,” she said. “You get attached to them and want to keep them, but you’re also happy when they get adopted.” Huntley said she enjoys seeing children grow within themselves by working with animals, as well as witnessing bonding between family members who volunteer together. “We had two little girls and their dad in here earlier cleaning the cat room

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Asheville Humane Society Children must be 10 or older and must be accompanied by an adult until age 18. Opportunities include socializing and exercising cats and dogs, cleaning laundry and dishes, stuffing Kongs with peanut butter, mobile adoption events, fostering pets, helping with towel and blanket drives and gathering donations of cat litter, detergent, peanut butter, etc. www.ashevilleumane.org; volunteer@ashevillehumane.org; 768-5458. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Opportunities include socializing dogs and cats, walking dogs around the neighborhood or taking them on play dates, fostering a puppy or dog and Outward Hounds Hiking Club at 10 a.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. every other Sunday. www.bwar.org; volunteer@bwar.org. Animal Compassion Network Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Opportunities include cage cleaning, replenishing food and water, folding laundry, sweeping floors, tidying stock at the Pet Harmony store and socializing cats and dogs. www.animalcompassionnetwork.org; 274-3647; 258-4820.

from top to bottom,” she said. “And I’ve seen lots of kids come out of their shells — maybe they’re not involved in sports, but this gives them a way to get involved and do something for the community.” Jim Fulton, director of programs for the Asheville Humane Society, said it’s been “incredible to witness the growth of children and animals together.” “In the 10 years I’ve been with the Humane Society, I’ve seen children evolve and grow into caring, compassionate adults through their volunteer work with our programs,” he said. “I can think of no other volunteer opportunity that is equally fun and enriching. And these children are lifesavers for us.”

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Fighting

FEAR

of animals By Pam J. Hecht, WNC Parent contributor

Although she’s lived with the family dog since birth, Amy Shaffer’s 8-year-old daughter, McKaylee, has always been afraid of dogs, and Shaffer has no idea why. “I don’t recall a bad experience that set the fear in place, and she’s skittish around all animals,” says Shaffer, of Asheville. “As a toddler, she would literally climb up to my shoulders near any dog, and she still asks to be picked up or I have to stand in between her and a dog.” Meanwhile, McKaylee’s sister, Melody, 10, has never been fearful of animals, she says. Why are some kids nervous around animals while others are comfortable? It could be a traumatic event involving an animal or it could simply be that kids are wired differently right from the start, with some biologically more fearful than others, says clinical psychologist Kay Loveland, Ph.D., who specializes in animal-assisted psychotherapy. Loveland, who uses specially trained therapy dogs to help some of her patients, says that dogs are the most typical animal kids fear, mostly because there are more chances to interact with them than with other animals. But she’s also worked with kids who fear animals like mice, spiders or horses. So how do you help kids cope

with animal fears? Read on for a few suggestions.

Start with a story Read books, tell stories and watch videos about the animal your child fears, suggests Loveland. To address dog fears, begin with stories about “cute little dogs or hero dogs.”

Talk about fears “Say, ‘let’s talk about it’ and find out exactly what they’re afraid of,” Loveland says. When the Shaffers first got new kittens, McKaylee was afraid of being scratched by their claws.

Research together The more you know about an animal, the less scary it may seem. If a child is afraid of bees, for example, it helps to learn about where they live, how to avoid them and what to do if stung, Loveland says.

Teach skills Teach kids the appropriate way to approach and greet a dog and how to handle an aggressive dog, says Loveland. Learn what not to do, like staring into a dog’s eyes. Ask a pet store or shelter worker for tips, or find the information online or in a book.

Spend time around animals “Go slow and make each interaction positive and brief — this builds confidence,” says Wendy Barnes, foster home coordinator and adoption specialist at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. Start by watching and talking about dogs at a park, then visit someone who has a puppy, says Loveland. Don’t force a child to be close to an animal if he or she doesn’t feel comfortable. Have the child tell the dog to sit or

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mals are kept, which can be noisy and overwhelming, says Barnes. If you will be visiting the home of a pet your child fears, call ahead, explain the situation and make a plan, says Loveland. Call when you arrive rather than knocking on the door, request that the animal be sitting and on a leash or in another room and ask whether you can bring dog treats if your child is comfortable giving them to a dog, Loveland says.

Change your own behavior SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

McKaylee Shaffer holds one of the family’s cats, Creamy. She was afraid of the kittens when they first arrived because of their claws. Then she began picking them up with a blanket and now she carries them everywhere, her mom, Amy, says. give another command the dog will follow, to help a child feel more in control. Visit an animal shelter (like Brother Wolf), but ask to spend time with an individual dog (or cat) rather than walking through an area where all of the ani-

If a parent is uncomfortable around dogs, for example, a child will sense that and may internalize those feelings, says Loveland. But if the child sees a parent enjoying a dog in some way, that could turn things around. “Find some way to make a positive association with dogs (or other feared animal),” says Loveland. “Walk a dog together or take your child to an agility trial.” When your child is around a dog or other pet, don’t hover, says Barnes. Kids need time to assess the situation without

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FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT ◆ Read one woman’s story about her fear of dogs, Page 8.

a nervous parent interjecting.

Consider a pet Charlie Kelly’s son, Taygan, now 12, once screamed at the top of his lungs whenever he got close to a dog. “The fix was Taygan getting his own puppy,” says Kelly, of Asheville. “It calmed his fears and he was excited he had a dog.”

Get professional help If a fear turns phobic, interfering with life and causing physical symptoms like hyperventilation or increased heart rate, see a psychologist for desensitization therapy, which in most cases, says Loveland, takes just a few therapy sessions. Pam J. Hecht is a freelance writer and editor based in Asheville, North Carolina. E-mail her at pamjh8@gmail.com.

My lifetime of running from dogs By Pam J. Hecht WNC Parent contributor She likes you, my best friend Susan’s mother said, smiling as the family dog chased me around her dining room table. At least, I think it was a dog. I also think it may have been technically a horse. This was my first encounter with a large, ferocious beast. I was probably 5 or 6 at the time. Since then, I’ve always been a little afraid of dogs, which is probably why they’ve always had it in for me. During my young childhood, a random pooch would chase me home from school on countless occasions. I think all the neighborhood dogs got together to work out a schedule for who would chase me when. Apparently there was a consensus about the need to bark louder than freight trains while in my hot pursuit. I always wondered — why me? Was there a foxhunt going on and did I look like a fox? Perhaps I resembled an appetizing late lunch? The plus side of all this was that I benefited from the regular exercise. As a parent, I’ve tried to hide my uneasiness around dogs. But, unfortunately, an occasional “ewww, it licked me, yuck,” has sneaked out of my mouth. So it shouldn’t come as any surprise to me that my kids have always been quite wary of dogs. It didn’t help when they saw a friend’s dog bite her own child, right after she had assured my kids that her dog

“wouldn’t hurt anyone.” (Of course, the child had been teasing the dog with food — a definite no-no.) Another time, a dog suddenly came running toward my son. He panicked, screaming, as the dog circled around him, jumping and barking. I scooped him up, as the dog’s owner came running over to get his dog. Now, when my son and I go for our walks around the neighborhood, dogs dictate where we can walk. “We can’t go near that house — their dog might come running out,” he’ll say. Or, at Halloween, if we see a dog in the window, the house is definitely off-limits — it’ll bark and jump at the front door, he reminds me. Ironically, my friend Susan, the one whose dog spurred the beginning of my lifelong canine aversion, has helped ease my kids’ doggie discomfort. Through time, my kids have grown to love her current family dog — a peaceful golden retriever named Shelly, who helped them to become more comfortable with dogs in general. My kids even want a dog now, as long as it’s calm and doesn’t jump on them, they say. And recently — success. My son and I were walking downtown and there was a dog walking up ahead. My son said, “I can do it now — I can walk by the dog.” We didn’t have to cross to the other side of the street. My kids now tell me that dogs are nice … most of the time. You just have to learn how to get along with them. And, as my wise 13-year-old daughter says, if a ferocious beast chases you around a dining room table, just move to a different room. Pam J. Hecht is a freelance writer and editor based in Asheville. E-mail her at pamjh8@gmail.com.

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PHOTOS BY JONATHAN KIRSHNER

Twins Jenna Ross, left, and Tori, right, and their sister Sam, of Arden, enjoy participating in a variety of livestock and cooking-related competitions at the Mountain State Fair.

It’s a family affair at the Mountain State Fair

Ross children rack up ribbons, knowledge with year-round work By Jason Sandford WNC Parent writer The Ross family children are Mountain State Fair veterans. The row of ribbons hanging in the century-old barn on the family’s 50-acre Arden farm, which

shine even in the dim light, attest to the fact. The first-, second- and third-place ribbons have been awarded in an impressive array of categories — everything from yarn spinning to baking and the showing of sheep and cows.

Ten-year-old Sam Ross and her twin sisters, 14-year-olds Jenna and Tori, have collected the honors over four years of participating in the annual celebration of all things agricultural, and by putting in untold hours year round. From grooming their animals to planning and

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Ann Ross, above, says her daughters’ experience at the fair is invaluable.

At left is the century-old barn on the family farm, where the Ross family works to prepare for the fair.

practicing, the girls’ days in midwinter are filled with thoughts of the fall spectacular. “It’s better than doing anything else,” Tori said during a recent tour of the rolling farmland off Glenn Bridge Road in southeast Buncombe County. The land’s been in the Johnston family for more than 100 years, said Ann Ross, the girls’ mother. Tori and her sisters confessed to fiddling with Facebook and chatting on cell phones. But they live close to the land and revel in the agricultural knowledge that they’ve collected — knowledge many of their friends don’t possess. The 10-day fair, which arrives in September, celebrates the Western North Carolina region’s deep connection to the land. With tractor pulls, and displays of prize-winning vegetables and animals, the fair spotlights the region’s agricultural roots like none other. There’s a healthy dose of family entertainment, too, from bluegrass music to pig races. “It’s all about the corn dogs and show-

A LOOK AT THE MOUNTAIN STATE FAIR ◆ The first WNC Fair, a regional event, was held in 1940, according to Asheville CitizenTimes news clips. It lasted until the mid-1980s at fairgrounds off U.S. 176 near Hendersonville. ◆ World War II interrupted the fair — literally. German prisoners were held at the fairgrounds, according to a Citizen-Times report. ◆ Buncombe County had its own fair, and its last run was from 1953-57. Buncombe didn’t celebrate with a fair again until 1990 at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher. Other mountain counties had fairs. None had a midway.

ings for us,” said Ann Ross, who came to living on the farm later in life. The family’s involvement with the fair started when a cousin asked if Ann Ross and her kids would be interested in participating.

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◆ The nonprofit group that operated the 1990 Buncombe fair ran into trouble after questions arose about how it was spending the taxpayer money that Buncombe County commissioners were giving the group. After that controversy, the state announced it would operate a fair at the Ag Center. ◆ The N.C. Mountain State Fair is the first state-run fair for Western North Carolina. It attracts more than 100,000 visitors over the course of 10 days. ◆ The Mountain State Fair this year will be held Sept. 9-18 at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher.

“I said we might go out and take a look at what it was all about, and she said, ‘No, it’s not a watching thing. You’ve got to get involved to appreciate it.’ So we did,” Ross said. Continues on Page 12

Family fair

Continued from Page 11

Ross and her girls jumped in. They attend the fair six or seven days out of the 10, Ross said, with the girls sometimes participating in more than one event at the same time. The family has taken a travel trailer and camped out on the fairgrounds some years. And they’ve used friends’ all-terrain vehicles to zip around the sprawling grounds. This year, planning will kick into high gear in March, when a phonebook-size fair catalog arrives with every fair competition category and rule spelled out. Tori will show her sheep, Aunt Jemima. Jenna hopes to show a feeder pig. And Sam, Tori and Jenna all plan to groom three cows from their extended family’s dairy farm to show. That’s on top of all of the other competitions, including baking (Jenna won a top prize for a Spam taco two years ago)

PHOTO BY JONATHAN KIRSHNER

Aunt Jemima, a 4-year-old medium-wool natural sheep, is a favorite of the Ross girls. and decorating shadow boxes. From the fast friendships forged to the lessons only life on a farm can afford, Ann Ross said the fair experience is invaluable for her children. “The girls have really enjoyed it,”

Ross said, “and it helps keep them down to earth.” Follow the Ross girls’ road to the Mountain State Fair through the year in WNC Parent.

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Animal tales 3 new books tell enchanting stories By Jennifer Prince Buncombe County Public Libraries Children’s literature brims with stories about children and their pets. Sometimes the stories end tragically as in “The Yearling” by Marjorie Kinnan Rawling. Sometimes the stories are fanciful as in E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web.” The unifying characteristic of these stories is the strong attachment formed between the kids and the animals. No deer was as loved as Flag was by Jody. No pig was championed as Wilbur was by Fern. Last year welcomed some new stories about children and pets. Throw out any preconceived ideas about such stories; these new ones are unique. In her newest picture book for children, “A Small Brown Dog with a Wet

Pink Nose,” author Stephanie StuveBodeen tells the story of a little girl, Amelia, who talks incessantly about wanting a dog. Her parents say the family is not ready to take on the responsibility of a dog. So, Amelia imagines a dog, Bones. Bones is almost everything Amelia wants in a dog. He sleeps at the foot of her bed. She takes him on walks. He sits next to her in the car. One morning, Amelia says Bones is gone! Humoring her, Amelia’s parents take her all over town to look for Bones. Then they go to look in the animal shelter. Could the imaginary dog be at the animal shelter? Clever Amelia has a plan. Linzie Hunter’s illustrations for the book were done digitally. Hunter saturates each page with colors; turquoise,

yellow, pink and brown predominate. In a clever touch, Hunter denotes the dog’s invisible status by a dotted line that rings his body. Another topsy-turvy kid-pet tale comes from literary funnyman Daniel Pinkwater. In “I Am the Dog,” Jacob, a boy, and his dog, Max, decide to switch places. They enjoy their new roles. At breakfast, Max sits at the table and shovels bacon and eggs in his mouth, while Jacob laps up cereal from a bowl on the floor. Max goes to school, Jacob chases squirrels in the park. Jacob eats Max’s

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homework, Max eats spaghetti and meatballs. At the end of the day, they switch back. Jacob is the boy and Max is the dog: “That’s how things are supposed to be. But both of [them] had learned something. Being a dog is better.” Jack E. Davis’ colorful, energetic illustrations pair with Pinkwater’s story perfectly. Every scene is packed with movement and humor: Max playing video games, Jacob scratching behind his ear with his foot. Quirky details not essential to the story do add to the fun: the chewing gum stuck on Jacob’s headboard, the bemused birds looking on as Jacob runs for the bushes, Jacob shaking a leg when Max scratches his belly. From beginning to end, the bright colors match the humorous storytelling step for step. In “Children Make Terrible Pets,” author Peter Brown explores the idea of bringing home a wild animal. One day, Lucy, a bear, sees a boy peeking out from behind a bush. When the boy vocalizes, all Lucy hears is “Squeak!” When, Lucy vocalizes, she speaks in words. “OH! MY! GOSH! You are the

cutest critter in the WHOLE forest!” she gushes. Lucy’s mom is less enthusiastic: “Lucille Beatrice Bear! Don’t you know that children make terrible pets?” Eventually, the mom is won over by Lucy’s arguments on the condition that the newly named Squeaker will be Lucy’s responsibility. At first, Lucy and Squeaker are inseparable. They play together. They eat and take naps together. Time shows, though,

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that all is not fun and games. Lucy discovers it is impossible to get Squeaker to use the sandbox. Furthermore, Squeaker likes to play in dirt and he even throws tantrums, all things that offend Lucy’s tea party/pink tutu sensibilities. One day, Lucy cannot find Squeaker. She follows his scent to a house where she finds him having a picnic with his family. Lucy philosophizes that “some critters just aren’t meant to be pets” and “maybe it’s all for the best.” Then an elephant shows up. Lucy is in rapture once more. Brown’s illustrations were rendered in pencil on paper, with cut construction paper and pieces of wood, and a “wee bit of digital tweaking.” The large scale, colorful illustrations and breezy storytelling in these books make them great to share with a group of early elementary school kids. Each title bubbles with humor and fun. Look for these in the Buncombe County Public Libraries. Visit buncombecounty.org/library for more information.

Exhibits, play space new to WNC By Katie Wadington, WNC Parent editor

Here are three reasons to get out and about this winter: WNC is home to new exhibits at popular children’s museums and a new indoor playground.

Hands On! A Child’s Gallery

The Health Adventure The Health Adventure’s “Alice’s Wonderland” exhibit opened at the end of January. The interactive exhibit is sprinkled with quotes and characters from Lewis Carroll’s classic “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Visitors “fall” through the rabbit hole just as Alice did. Children can create a Mad

Tea Party, manipulate time at the Crazy Clock, explore shadows in the Pool of Tears and more. The exhibit builds on math and science skills while it explores a literature classic. The Health Adventure is in Pack Place at 2 S. Pack Square. Visit thehealthadventure.org or call 254-6373.

Down the road in Hendersonville, Hands On! A Child’s Gallery unveiled its new Vet Clinic exhibit in mid-January. The Hands On! Vet Clinic, sponsored by Etowah Valley Veterinary Hospital, lets children learn how to take care of dogs, cats and rabbits. The museum is at 318 N. Main St. in downtown Hendersonville. Visit handsonwnc.org or call 697-8333.

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Mountain Play Lodge

PHOTO BY JONATHAN KIRSHNER

Rylee Moon, 4, of Hendersonville explores the new veterinary clinic exhibit while her grandmother Laurie Stissel looks on at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery in Hendersonville. The exhibit, which opened in January, is sponsored by the Etowah Valley Veterinary Clinic.

Slated to open in mid-March is Mountain Play Lodge, an indoor playground next to BB Barns on Sweeten Creek Road in South Asheville. Owner Shaun Collyer, who moved last summer to Asheville with his wife and children, ages 2 and 5, says experiences at other indoor playgrounds inspired him to create Play Lodge. “We go to these places quite a bit, and we always found flaws in them,” he says. “We’ve learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t work.” The lodge — targeted to children 12 and younger — will have four inflatables and soft play equipment similar to those in Asheville Mall’s Food Court. One inflatable will be for the 4-andunder crowd only to keep a younger child from being “bombarded by a 12-year-old.” The lodge will have an Asheville theme. Soft play equipment will include natural elements from WNC, and the carpet’s pattern will resemble the

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Blue Ridge Parkway, Swannanoa River and other area scenery. Play Lodge Forest, the main play area, will feature a 16-foot castle playhouse. Play Lodge Village will surround the forest and include five smaller playhouses, all replicas of Tudor-style Biltmore Village shops. Shops, including a grocery, beauty boutique and doctor’s office, will have props and dress-up clothes. One aspect of indoor playgrounds that Collyer wanted to change is the way parental supervision is handled. Play Lodge’s parent seating will be in a central location (which will also have free wi-fi). The lodge also will have two party rooms and will schedule events that allow families private use of the playgrounds. Admission prices were not set at presstime. For more information, visit MountainPlayLodge.com.

divorced families

Pets can ease the pain of divorce

By Trip Woodard WNC Parent columnist

As a child, I was never allowed by my parents to have traditional pets that I could keep in the house. Instead, I got an ant farm, which killed any hope I had of a future in “ant farming,” since the ants always seemed determined to die and “ant fertilizer” never became a public demand. I also had a Sea-Monkeys kit. These are actually brine shrimp that don’t resemble any form of monkey that I had ever seen. They didn’t last very long, either. And, like ants, there was no public demand for dead brine shrimp that

might promise a future in that direction. Luckily, as an adult, I could make my own choices to have pets. I quickly discovered that they are much more durable than ants or Sea-Monkeys! I have loved my animals, whether I have had dogs, cats or both, and found them to be a great source of comfort during my own separation/divorce experience. If you are going through a separation or divorce and already have pets, there are a few things you may want to consider: ◆ Pets, like children, can be shared conjointly. If your children are attached to the pets, I encourage that the pets follow with whatever residential arrangement exists for the children (yes, cats can get used to this unless there are newly adopted pets present at either home). Of course, consider this if the physical arrangements of each parent

can support having a pet. This can help children move back and forth between homes. ◆ Pets do not understand yelling or screaming that may happen between you and your potentially former partner. Try to shield them as you would your children. Pets can become depressed or anxious as humans do. ◆ “Pets require responsibility.” Bet you’ve heard that one before. If you are having emotional difficulties with your separation/divorce to the point you are becoming depressed and are unable to give proper care for your animal(s), get a friend or relative to help. In extreme cases, there are even foster care networks that may temporarily take total care of your pet. Ask your vet for recommendations. ◆ Do not make pet care a chore for your children unless you are confident

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that they can do this. Pets should never suffer, nor children punished, if they do not do this kind of chore. ◆ Do not get a pet just for the benefit of your child. This can be correctly interpreted as a form of bribery to win favor from your child in the separation/divorce process. ◆ Do get a pet that is for yourself and for your children. My personal appeal is that you consider adopting one from a shelter. “Mutts,” including cats or dogs, can be incredible family pets. ◆ Apart from dogs and cats, aquariums can be very soothing for children to have and watch. They are, however, a lot of work. Research indicates that they can even lower your blood pressure (except when you are cleaning them). ◆ Use your common sense to pick a pet that matches your lifestyle. Dogs

need walking, cats don’t. Dogs can be over the top happy to see you and your children coming home. Cats can be less “demonstrative” than dogs about this, but very loving. If you are going through a separation/ divorce and do not have pets, you may want to consider this: Sea-Monkeys and ant farms are a great investment. Get in touch with me and I will get you set up with some slightly used kits. Now, I know I didn’t mention other potential pets such as snakes, hamsters, lizards, ferrets, tarantulas, gerbils, hissing cockroaches, mice or flea circuses, but you can apply the aforementioned suggestions to many of them. However, I would give serious thought to allowing some of them to sleep with you or your children. Trip Woodard is a licensed family and marriage therapist and a clinical member of the N.C. Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Contact him at 6068607.

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How to keep your child’s heart healthy By Brian Lawler WNC Parent contributor According to the American Heart Association, fatty deposits (or plaque) start to be laid down in the artery walls during childhood, which further progresses into adulthood. This can later lead to blockages of the arteries that supply the heart, eventually leading to heart attacks. In order to help keep your child’s heart healthy, consider taking the following steps. ◆ Choose heart healthy foods. Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fiber has been shown to provide nutrients that can protect against future heart disease. ◆ Limit your intake of fats, especially foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol such as whole milk, cheeses, and red meat. ◆ Make healthy substitutions for unhealthy foods. Examples would be substituting graham crackers for cookies, grilled chicken for fried chicken, potatoes for fries, or low-fat milk or

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nonfat milk for whole milk. ◆ Eat more fish. Most fish has a special kind of fat that helps protect your heart. ◆ Pack healthy snacks for between classes or after school. Pretzels, airpopped popcorn, nuts, or baby carrots are easy to keep in your child’s backpack. ◆ Encourage your child to get at least 30-60 minutes of physical activity every day. Exercise helps to increase the amount of “good” cholesterol (HDL) in your body which helps to lower the risk for heart disease. ◆ Teach your children that physical activity is important by taking steps to incorporate physical activity into your daily lives. Take family walks after dinner. Go hiking or ride your bikes over the weekend. Have a family snowball fight. Take the stairs rather than using the elevator. Park your car in the far corners of the parking lot, so that you have to walk farther distances. Attend your child’s sporting events. ◆ Limit the amount of time that your child watches TV, uses the Internet, or plays video games. Most of the habits that your children will carry with them later in life are being established right now. For better or for worse, your child’s future food choices and exercise habits are largely influenced by your own. Every change, no matter how small it seems, makes a difference. Find ways that you can adopt a healthier lifestyle for yourself, and ultimately your entire family will develop a happier and healthier heart. Brian Lawler is a physical therapist and co-owner of Asheville Physical Therapy and works with patients and clients who desire to make positive, healthy changes in their lives. He can be reached at brianlawler@juno.com or at 828-2777547 for questions or comments.

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By Jean Van’t Hul WNC Parent columnist

the artful parent

valentines

for kids to make

Valentine’s Day is a time for thinking about and celebrating our relationships with those around us – whether our spouse or all the kids in our children’s classrooms. It is also the time of year when we explore the potential of the heart through arts and crafts. How many ways can we decorate and recreate this simple shape? And how many ways can we say “I love you,” “I like you,” “Will you be my friend?” Following are several crafty Valentine’s ideas that your children can make with simple materials. Some are easy enough for toddlers; others are more appropriate for older children. Some you may have just as much fun making yourself! Choose one that works best for your family and make several or do what my daughter and I do and try one or two of each.

Handprint on heart valentines (Ages newborn and up)

◆ tempera paint ◆ paper 1. Cut out paper hearts, making sure they are large enough to hold a handprint comfortably. 2. Dip hand in tempera paint (or use a paint brush to cover the palm of your child’s hand with paint). 3. Press hand firmly to the paper, then lift to reveal the handprint. 4. Add the child’s name and the date. These make especially good gifts for family members.

Sign language photo card (Ages 3 and up)

◆ camera ◆ blank card or construction paper ◆ glue 1. Show your child how to make the “I love you” sign in sign language (see photo). 2. Photograph your child making the “I love you” sign. 3. Print the photo and attach to the blank card with glue.

Jean Van’t Hul blogs about children’s art and creativity at The Artful Parent (artfulparent. typepad.com).

Secret admirer collage

(Ages 3 and up)

◆ magazines ◆ construction paper ◆ scissors ◆ glue stick 1. Browse an old magazine for the letters to spell “I love you” or “Be my friend.” 2. Cut out letters. 3. Attach to construction paper with glue stick to spell chosen sentiment. 4. Add the phrase “from a secret admirer” if desired.

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Salt dough heart necklace (Ages 3 and up) ◆ 2 cups flour ◆ 2 cups salt ◆ 1 cup water ◆ rolling pin ◆ heart cookie cutter

◆ straw ◆ tempera paint ◆ glitter (optional) ◆ ribbon or yarn

1. Mix together flour, salt and water to make the salt dough. Knead in more flour if necessary to make the dough easier to work with. 2. Roll salt dough out with a rolling pin on countertop or on a piece of parchment paper. 3. Use a small heart cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes from dough. Transfer to cookie sheet. 4. Punch a hole at the top center of each heart with a straw. 5. Bake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 4 hours until the salt dough is dry and hard. 6. Let cool. 7. Paint the hearts with tempera paint. Sprinkle with glitter if desired while the paint is still wet (or use glitter paint). 8. String ribbon or yarn though the hole to make a necklace.

Tissue paper stained glass heart (Ages 3 and up) ◆ construction paper ◆ red or pink tissue paper ◆ scissors ◆ glue stick 1. Fold construction paper in half and draw half a heart along the fold. 2. Cut along the drawing and unfold the paper to reveal the full heart. 3. Cut a piece of tissue paper to fit over the heart. 4. Rub glue stick around the edge of the heart and attach the tissue paper over the heart, pressing down to seal it. 5. Turn the paper over so the tissue paper edges are hidden. 6. Add a greeting or decorations if desired. 7. Hang in the window.

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Thumbprint heart (Ages 4 and up) ◆ ink pad (red is nice) ◆ paper 1. Press thumb on ink pad, then to the paper. 2. Re-ink thumb, then press at a right angle to the first thumbprint, creating a heart. 3. Add message if desired.

Stuffed doily hearts (Ages 5 and up) ◆ heart doilies ◆ construction paper ◆ embroidery thread ◆ embroidery needle ◆ cotton balls 1. Place a heart doily over a sheet of construction paper. Draw a heart slightly larger than the heart doily. Cut out the heart. 2. Thread needle with embroidery thread. 3. Sew in and out through the holes at the edge of the doily hearts, making sure the thread goes through the construction paper as well. Leave a 2-inch opening. 4. Stuff heart with cotton balls, torn into smaller pieces, or cotton stuffing. 5. Sew opening closed. 6. Add a message if desired, such as “You fill my heart.”

kids’ voices

My Mom, my valentine

Elementary school students aren’t necessarily into the mushy stuff when it comes to Valentine’s Day. But it’s hard to find a child who isn’t eager to lavish attention on his or her mother on the day that’s all about love. We asked fifth-graders in Catherine McCormick and Jennifer Ryan’s classrooms at Pisgah Elementary School to describe what they’d give their moms for Valentine’s Day if money were no object. Here’s what they told staff writer Barbara Blake.

“I’d give my mom a beautiful 24-carat diamond necklace. I’d also give her a purple car with purple roses in it, because purple is her favorite color. Then I would take her to the store and let her go on a shopping spree. But the most important gift of all is something that money cannot buy. I would give her a big Valentine hug and tell her that I love her.” Courtney Stewman

“For my mom’s Valentine’s Day present, I would give her a big hug because that’s what she loves. At the end of the day, it is the small things that matter the most. A hug doesn’t cost a thing. And that is priceless.” Jay Murray

“I would give my mom the perfect gift that costs no money at all. This is the gift of love. This is the perfect Valentine because my love is priceless to her. My gift is neverending because I will never stop loving her.” Larkin Dale

“If I could give my mom anything for Valentine’s Day, it would be a nice, large bed-and-breakfast. She has said she would love a bedand-breakfast. My mom likes peaceful places where she could have friends or visitors. Also, she likes to meet people. My mom is a very friendly person, and she loves having people over.” Sam Caldwell

“If I had all the money in the world I would buy my mom a brand new designer house. It would have stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and a Jacuzzi tub in her bedroom. She would have a huge closet filled with designer clothes and shoes in it. We would have a personal chef so my mom doesn’t have to cook after working two jobs.” Kennedy West

“I would get my mom a place she could use to rescue helpless animals because my mom loves all kinds of animals. When my mom was little she wanted to be a veterinarian. She still does, but can’t. She hates to see animals die. When our dog, Sassy, was hit by a car, my mom let out the waterworks. She would love to have room to help animals, so that is what I would get for my very important mom.” Kristen Jones

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COLUMBIA CALLS OUT

TO FAMILIES

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

By Mike McWilliams WNC Parent contributor

ou’ve played all the board games and watched all of your kids’ favorite DVDs. Your house is full of people, but not any ideas left on how to entertain your family trapped inside by this harsh winter. So get out of the house — and away from winter’s icy grip on Western North Carolina — for a trip to Columbia, S.C., where you’ll find myriad

African elephants are one of more than 350 different species of animals at Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia.

family-friendly activities. Columbia is a short 2 1/2-hour drive east on Interstate 26 from Asheville. Tourism in South Carolina’s state capital is a $1 billion industry and visitors from all over the world come to ColumContinues on Page 26

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bia, said Nicole Smith, spokeswoman for Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports and Tourism. “Columbia is good for families because of our value and the amount of attractions you can visit in our area,” Smith said. “We’ve got affordable and quality accommodations, great dining options with lots of kid-friendly menus and deals and our festivals, concerts and shows that are great entertainment for the entire family.” Billed as the South’s largest children’s museum, EdVenture promises a good time for children and parents. The museum has six exhibit galleries, a library, learning laboratories, resource centers and outdoor gallery spaces. The 85,000 square feet EdVenture features more than 350 hands-on exhibits, including EDDIE, a 40-foot, 17.5-ton plastic child, which is large enough for children and parents to crawl through and explore. “Having the South’s largest children’s museum in our backyard makes us very unique,” Smith said. What’s also unique is the Columbia Marionette Theatre. CMT, which was founded in 1989, aims to entertain and educate children and families through the art form of marionette puppetry, theatre executive director John Scollon said. CMT has its own 200-seat theater and has public shows every Saturday and third Monday of each month, Scollon said. The theater performs more than 450 classic stories and educational program shows per year at CMT, schools, festivals and other events in the region. “The adults enjoy the exquisite artistry and attention to detail in our productions. At the same time, we realize that for many young children, a puppet show can be their very first theatrical experience,” Scollon said. “So we have created an environment that is accessible, safe, cost effective and interesting to all ages... from 3 to 103.” With four large floors covering art, history, natural history and science/

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

EDDIE is EdVenture’s 40-foot, 17.5-ton plastic child, which is large enough for children and parents to crawl through and explore. technology, the South Carolina State Museum is a great place to start learning more about the Palmetto State, museum spokesman Tut Underwood said. Located in the historic Columbia Mills Building in downtown Columbia, the SC State Museum houses the Springer Discovery Area, which features hands-on exhibits and activities for families. Starting Feb. 5, the museum will host the Animal Grossology traveling exhibit. “It’s all about gross stuff, like poop and vomit and slime, but kids just go

crazy for it,” Underwood said. “It’s just been really, really popular and teaches children how valuable these things are scientifically.” When the weather warms up, check out some of what Riverbanks Zoo and Garden features outside. The zoo is home to more than 350 species animals from around the world, Riverbanks is the largest zoo and aquarium in the Southeast. Across the river in the botanical garden, visitors will find more than 4,300 species of native and exotic plants on a

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SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

The South Carolina State Museum has four floors of history, art, natural history and science exhibits and includes the Springer Discovery Area with activities for families.

COLUMBIA HIGHLIGHTS ◆ EdVenture Children’s Museum: 211 Gervais St.; 803-779-3100. ◆ Columbia Marionette Theatre: 401 Laurel St.; 803-252-7366. ◆ South Carolina State Museum: 301 Gervais St.; 803-898-4921. ◆ Riverbanks Zoo and Garden: 500 Wildlife Parkway; 803-779-8717. ◆ Congaree National Park: 100 National Park Road; 803-776-4396. ◆ Dreher Island State Recreation Area: 3677 State Park Road, Prosperity, S.C.; 803-364-4152. ◆ Carolina Children’s Garden: 900 Clemson Road; 803-459-3212. ◆ South Carolina State House: 1101 Gervais St.; 803-734-2430. ◆ Pop’s NY Pizza: 707 Harden St.: 803540-7677. ◆ Lizard’s Thicket: 1036 Market St.; 803799-5016. lush site featuring dynamic natural habitat exhibits, scenic river views, spectacular valley overlooks and significant historic landmarks. Roughly 1 million people visit Riverbanks each year. “Our Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is a world-class zoo and South Carolina’s number one tourist attraction,” Midlands spokeswoman Smith said. Known as the largest remnant of oldContinues on Page 28

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Congaree National Park is home to the largest remnant of old-growth floodplain forest remaining on the continent. The park has 20 miles of hiking trails.

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growth floodplain forest remaining on the continent, Congaree National Park is the only national park of its kind in South Carolina. The trees growing in this forest, known as champions, are some of the tallest in the Eastern U.S. Congaree National Park houses a museum-quality exhibit area within the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, a 2.4mile boardwalk loop trail, more than 20 miles of backwoods hiking trails, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and more.

Family dining Pop’s NY Pizza is one of the few places in Columbia where pizza can be bought by the slice. Aside from pizza, Pop’s offers calzones, Phillies, hoagies and grinders. For more than 30 years, Lizard’s Thicket has been serving up home cooking in Columbia. It’s a well-known establishment that allows its patrons to design their own meal of one meat and three side vegetables from dozens of choices.

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SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Marcie McGrath and her children Jason and Carson.

A fairy and mom in one Marcie McGrath created The Balloon Fairy to balance life as a single mom with work

By Barbara Blake WNC Parent writer Marcie McGrath is the mother of daughter Carson, 16, and son Jason, 13, and makes her living in Asheville as The Balloon Fairy — a professional children’s entertainer who is an interactive balloon artist and magician. McGrath, 42, holds a B.S. in biology

from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at www.BalloonFairyMagic.com. Q. Why did you become a children’s entertainer? A. I found myself in 1998 a single mom with a baby and a toddler. I couldn’t bear them going from Mom to Dad at separate homes or having neither Mom nor Dad and being split up from

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each other in day care. So I did very creative budgeting and found jobs that allowed me to be with them as much as possible. And that’s how the fairy reality was born. My children would visit their dad in South Carolina every weekend, so, as The Balloon Fairy, I’m able to be a mom during the week and work — or Continues on Page 30

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should I say play — on the weekends to earn a living. Q. How did you end up doing magic and balloon art? A. I started doing magic in 2005 and visited Magic Central Magic Shop (in

Weaverville, owned by Ricky Boone) often, and I listened and hung on Ricky’s every word learning everything I could. As I was meandering around the shop one day I noticed some VHS tapes on how to make balloons. I brought home tapes, books, balloons and pumps. After spending about 10 hours on a Saturday, watching and twisting, I was hooked. I worked as Ricky’s assistant, and he encouraged me to go out on my own. I did my first solo birthday party in February of 2005, and last year I did more than 200

events. Not bad for a stay-at-home, parttime mama. Q. How would you describe your parenting style? A. Our house is more like having three fun people living here instead of the mom and two kids. We openly communicate feelings, and Carson and Jason have earned trust and shown self-responsibility, which is where it’s at. They recognize errors and are able to shift and grow on their own. … I remember what it was to be a teen, and I allow them a safe space to communicate openly without judgment. Q. What do you three do for fun? A. When I was growing up, we lived in a valley that had very poor TV reception and three fuzzy channels to choose from. It actually was a very positive thing because we had to entertain ourselves. For most of my children’s lives, we have had a TV for DVDs only, and it typically is unplugged. Instead, we talk, play games and make “important daily decisions” like what kind of ice cream to buy with the Rock, Paper, Scissors game, best two of three wins and chooses the flavor — no whining. It is a blast. Q. What kinds of services do you offer as The Balloon Fairy? A. Interactive balloon art, interactive magic shows, birthday parties, custommade delivery items and decorating on the grandest scale. Q. What delights you the most about your work? A. It is humbling what I do. I’ve often found myself saying, ‘I get paid to do this!’ I delight in the fact that I’m able to do something so simple — take a straight balloon, mold it into a shape and bring such deep joy to everyone, of all ages. I think what I love most is that I’m not a balloon maker, I’m a memory maker. Q. If you weren’t the Balloon Fairy, what would you be doing? A. I believe I would be doing marketing for an amazing company, especially if it was kid-oriented. Motivational speaking is another calling I have — I’m living proof that you are what you believe you are. Hurdles are only as big as the power and truth you give them. Q. How do you prep for an event? A. Preparing for an event sometimes can take hours. I purchase professionalgrade balloons that are delivered in solid colors of 100. I open the bag, line them

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I define a non-job as when I have all the money I can imagine, I would still go to work. … My goal is to plant seeds in the souls of kids that they, too, can have the best non-job on the planet. up and roll them into sleeves that are organized by color, shape and size. Carson and Jason help sometimes, and we have a contest to see who can go the fastest with quality work. Q. What are some of your favorite balloon creations? A. I love to make this sweet bear hugging a heart. I do my best to make one of these for every uniformed person (police, fire, rescue, ambulance, etc.) I cross paths with. On the heart I write, ‘You are loved and appreciated,’ and when I deliver it, I express my deepest gratitude for their chosen careers and being a phone call away. I just don’t think they hear it enough, and they are so important … . Q. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not being The Balloon Fairy? A. Spare time in the world of a single mama, does that really exist? I like to connect with friends and my kids as well as having backyard fires, gardening and just talking and being silly. I have two other single moms that I do the dance of life with — we call ourselves the Mama Brigade, and among us we have eight children and our kids are in each other’s cars daily. Q. What would people be surprised to know about you? A. One of my favorite things to do is listen to “Car Talk,” “Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me” and “This American Life” on NPR on Saturday mornings. It’s not often that I have this pleasure since I’m typically called to duty. Q. You describe your work as “the best nonjob on the planet.” Explain what you mean. A. I define a non-job as when I have all the money I can imagine, I would still go to work. I say that all the time, and I start every show with that. My goal is to plant seeds in the souls of kids that they, too, can have the best non-job on the planet. I remind the kids that they have a choice — after all, we live in America, and you can be paid to do about anything that makes your heart sing.

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librarian’s pick

Children provide bullying insights

Jennifer Prince Buncombe County Public Libraries Inspired by her work with an antibullying committee in her hometown, author Deborah Ellis has written a powerful book, “We Want You to Know: Kids Talk About Bullying.” Using interviews with dozens of youths between the ages of 9 and 19, Ellis presents the shocking, brutal reality of bullying in schools. Each one of these young people has been bullied or was the one bullying. While Ellis asked some standard questions as a springboard for the interviews, for the most part the discussions were directed by the youths themselves. As a result, the information is presented in a frank way. As the book progresses, Ellis dispels some dangerous misconceptions. Bullying is not just a problem in big city schools. She points out that “all the kids interviewed in this book come from (her) little corner of Southern Ontario. This is a lovely part of a lovely country, and if bullying is happening here, then it’s happening everywhere.” Furthermore, Ellis’ presentations strike down the notion that dealing with bullying is an unavoidable rite of passage. As the interviews progress, it becomes evident that bullying is a shape-shifter. Is it name-calling? Is it gossip? Is it bullying only if it involves physical confrontation? The youths in these interviews make it woefully clear that bullying is all of this and more. For instance, Katie, 16, was homeschooled until seventh grade. When she

joined public school, she was teased and ostracized because of her outsider status. Adam, 10, was teased when he got eyeglasses. The teasing escalated to physical violence. One of the children doing the bullying, Anonymous Girl, 13, enjoys teasing a classmate she dubs “R”: “We’ll sit right behind her on the bus and tell her, ‘We’re going to get you,’ and ‘We’re coming after you’ — stuff like that, to make her afraid.” The interviews do more than just describe the bullying. They chronicle the effects on those involved: depression, anger, frustration. Serena, 12, describes being unable to sleep at night because she was so worried about being bullied. Also, she was “angry all the time at home and (picked) fights with (her) brother and sister. (She) stayed away from any activity where (the bully) might be — at church and at school.” Also, some of the victims describe positive outcomes like newfound empathy and proactive behavior: Rebecca, 19, thinks she will be a good deaf-blind intervener and personal support worker “because (she knows) what it’s like to feel vulnerable.” At the end of each interview, Ellis includes discussion questions such as “Are there kids at your school who consider themselves to be the cool kids? Where do ideas about what is cool come from?” and “How could the other students have made Katie feel more welcome?” Parents and teachers: Read this book! Share it with the young people in your lives. It is too important to pass over. Look for this book in the Buncombe County Public Libraries. Visit buncombecounty.org for more information.

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area story times Buncombe County Public Libraries

Visit buncombecounty.org Black Mountain, 250-4756 Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Mother Goose Time: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m. Thursday East Asheville, 250-4738 Preschool: 11 a.m. Wednesday and Saturday Enka-Candler, 250-4758 Mother Goose Time: 11:30 a.m. Thursday Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m. Thursday Fairview, 250-6484 Mother Goose Time: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Thursday Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Leicester, 250-6480 Mother Goose Time: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday North Asheville, 250-4752 School Age Storytime: 3:15 p.m. Thursday Preschool: 11 a.m. Wednesday Toddler Time: 10 a.m. Wednesday Oakley/South Asheville, 250-4754 Mother Goose Time: 11 a.m. Thursday Toddler Time: 11 a.m. Wednesday Preschool: 10 a.m. Wednesday Pack Memorial Library, 250-4700 Mother Goose Time: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m. Thursdays Family Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Saturdays Skyland/South Buncombe, 250-6488 Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Thursday Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Swannanoa, 250-6486 Preschool: 11 a.m. Thursday Mother Goose Time: 11 a.m. Wednesday Toddler Time: 10 a.m. Thursday Weaverville, 250-6482 Mother Goose Time: 11 a.m. Wednesday Toddler Time: 11 a.m. Thursday Preschool: 11:15 a.m. Tuesday West Asheville, 250-4750 Mother Goose Time: 11 a.m. Monday Toddler Time: 11 a.m. Wednesday Preschool: 11 a.m. Thursday

Haywood County Public Library

Visit haywoodlibrary.org.

Waynesville, 452-5169 Baby Rhyme Time: 11 a.m. Mondays Movers and Shakers: 11 a.m. Thursdays Family story time: 11 a.m. Wednesdays Ready 4 Learning: 2 p.m. Wednesdays Canton, 648-2924 Family story time: 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays Mondays with Ms. Lisa: 3:30 p.m. Mondays

Henderson County Public Library

Visit henderson.lib.nc.us. no storytime in Dec, May, Aug Main, 697-4725 Bouncing Babies: 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays Preschool story time: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 o’clock Craft Club (kindergarten-fifth grades): 4 p.m. Thursdays Edneyville, 685-0110 Family story time: 10 a.m. Mondays Etowah, 891-6577 Toddler Time: 10 a.m. Tuesdays Preschool story time: 11 a.m. Tuesdays Fletcher, 687-1218 Bouncing Babies: 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays Toddler Time: 10 a.m. Wednesdays Preschool story time: 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays Green River, 697-4969 Family story time: 10 a.m. Thursdays Mills River, 890-1850 Family story time: 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

Barnes & Noble

Asheville Mall, 296-7335 11 a.m. Mondays and 2 p.m. Saturdays Biltmore Park, 687-0681 Feb. 12: “Ruby Valentine Saves the Day,” 11 a.m.

Spellbound Children’s Bookshop

19 Wall St., Asheville, 232-2228, spellboundchildrensbookshop.com Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. (ages 3-5) and 3:30 p.m. (ages 5-7).

Blue Ridge Books

152 S. Main St., Waynesville, 456-6000 10 a.m. Tuesdays (age 3 and under)

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overnight camp guide

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Asheville TAASC (The American Adventure Service Corps) hosts five- and 10-day trips for campers ages 8 and older.

Plan your summer now

akeup snow days may be demanding your attention this time CAMP EXPO of year, but winter also means it WNC Parent celebrates camps is time to think about summer camp. with its inaugural Camp Expo At WNC Parent, we’re shaking from noon-4 p.m. March 5 at things up a bit with our annual camp Biltmore Square Mall. Meet guide. Because so many overnight camps representatives from area suggest early registration — and reward camps and learn what they early commitments with discounts — we have to offer your child. Bring are publishing the overnight camp porthe kids so they can enjoy tion in this issue. Day camps and campmusic from the indie-kid band focused stories will be in the March isLunch Money, face painting, sue. prizes and giveaways and more. So whether you’re looking for a traditional, coed overnight camp experience for your rising firstgrader, an adventure-filled, girls-only (or boys-only) camp for your teenager, or a camp focused on special needs, look no further. You can also find this guide at WNCParent.com. Katie Wadington, editor

Coed camps

Appalachian Institute for Creative Learning

appalachianinstitute.org; 800-951-7442; info@appalachianinstitute.org. July 17-23 and 24-30; 1-week sessions Rising third- to 12th-graders. Choose four classes; topics include science and math, history, society and culture, visual arts, drama, more. At Warren Wilson College. $575. Day camp available through age 12.

Asheville TAASC

Ashevilletaasc.com; ashevilletaasc@gmail.com June 15-24; July 11-15 and Aug. 1-5 Ages 8-18. Asheville’s branch of The American Adventure Service Corps offers one 10-day expedition for ages 13-18 and two fiveday trips for ages 8-12 with backpacking, rock climbing, paddling and service projects. $625 and $850 for nonmembers.

Blue Star Camps, Hendersonville

bluestarcamps.com; 692-3591; fun@bluestarcamps.com June 12-Aug. 5, 4- to 8-week sessions Rising first- to 11th-graders. Jewish coed and separate boys and

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overnight camp guide

Camp Celo, Burnsville

campcelo.com, 675-4323 June 12-Aug. 13; 1-, 2- and 3-week sessions Ages 7-12. Camp program is born out of the Quaker values of nonviolence, simplicity and environmental awareness. There is no religious program but there is a spiritual element to life at camp. Swimming, picnics, crafts and daily farm chores. $775-$1,675.

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girls camps on 500-acre campus. Riding, swimming, land and water sports, trips, dramatic arts, kayaking, , ropes course, rock climbing, tennis, more. Founded in 1948. $4,975-$8,000.

Camp Chatuga, Mountain Rest, S.C.

campchatuga.com; 864-638-3728 June 13-Aug. 6; 1- to 4-week sessions Ages 6-16. Campers choose from over 30 activities including horseback riding, waterskiing, athletics, outdoor skills and crafts. Owned by the same families since 1956. $635-$2,940.

Buffalo Cove Outdoor Education Center Earth Camp, Blowing Rock

buffalocove.com; 964-1473; charleecamp@aol.com July 3-16 (ages 12-17) and July 11-16 (ages 9-12) Outdoor living experiences in the lessons of the Southern Appalachian Mountains including traditional earth skills, campcraft, woodslore, woodworking, archery, backpacking, low-impact camping and river canoeing. $500-$1,400.

Camp Broadstone, Appalachian State University, Boone

campbroadstone.com; 828-963-4640; bevanjk@appstate.edu June 19-July 29; 1- and 2-week sessions Rising fifth- to 10th-graders. Enrichment for academically gifted students. Morning programs in science, history, environmental studies, arts, music, journalism and more. Afternoon adventure activities like a high ropes course, hiking, alpine

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

SOAR offers an adventure camp program near Balsam for children who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities and/or ADD or ADHD. tower, and water activities. Four-day camping and rafting trip for older campers. $975-$1,900.

Camp Cedar Cliff, East Asheville

cedarcliff.org; 450-3331; camp@campcedarcliff.org June 11-July 22; half- and 1-week sessions Rising second-graders to graduated seniors. Christian camp at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove with archery, BBs, zip line, ropes course, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, team-building activities, Bible studies, swimming, more. $350-$750.

Camp Cheerio, Glade Valley

campcheerio.org; 800-226-7496; director@campcheerio.org June 5-Aug. 19; 1- and 2-week sessions Ages 7-15. Coed and girls-only sessions. YMCA camp in Glade Valley, 160 miles northeast of Asheville. Kayaking, climbing, fishing, cheerleading, golf, horseback riding, arts and crafts, rocketry, football, soccer, high ropes, canoeing, tennis, tumbling, hiking, basketball and more. $850-$1,700.

Camp Harrison, Herring Ridge

campharrison.org; 800-514-1417; camperinfo@campharrison.org June 8-Aug. 13; 4-day and 1- and 2-week sessions. Ages 7-16. YMCA camp with swimming, horseback riding, sailing, kayaking, high ropes, sports, crafts, mountain biking, target sports, teen leadership programs and more. $350-$1,500, with discounts before March 1.

Camp Henry, Canton

camphenry.net; 646-7230 June 19-July 30, 4-day and weeklong sessions Rising kindergarten to high school. At Lake Logan Episcopal Center. Camp, on 300 acres, founded in 1958. Sailing, canoeing, field games, crafts, whitewater rafting, an alpine tower, hiking, more. $385 for mini-camp and first-timers, $495 for regular sessions. Discounts before May 1. Outdoor School available for middle and high school students.

Camp Highlander, Mills River

camphighlander.com; 891-7721; email@camphighlander.com June 12-Aug. 12; 6- to 20-day sessions Ages 5-16. Canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, water skiing, arts and crafts, pottery, archery, riflery and more. Family camp offered Memorial Day weekend. Founded in 1957. $1,250-$3,550, discounts available.

Camp Judaea, Hendersonville

Campjudaea.org; 800-788-1567 June 13-Aug. 4; 2-, 4- or 8-week sessions Jewish camp on 118 acres for rising third- to 11thgraders. Horseback riding, sports, arts and crafts, ceramics, drama and more, with special teen trips to Washington and New York. $1,925-$4,445.

Camp Living Water, Bryson City

camplivingwater.com; 488-6012; dclw@dnet.net June 27-July 30; weeklong sessions Ages 7-17. Tubing, swimming, crafts, Bible study, singing, campfires, games, horseback riding, rafting and more. High Trek Adventures takes campers ages 13-16 on weeklong wilderness trips. Places emphasis

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on spiritual growth, with time for Bible reading, prayer and group discussions. $185-$380.

Camp Lutherock, Newland

lutherock.com; 684-2361; van@lutherock.com June 12-Aug. 6, 1-week sessions Rising fourth-graders through high school. Christian outdoor adventure camp with hiking, caving, rafting, rock climbing, ropes course, Alpine tower, creek walking, campfires, skits, worship and more. Starts at $400, with discounts before May 15 and earlier.

Camp Pinewood, Hendersonville

camppinewood.net; 692-6239; sue@camppinewood.net June 12-Aug. 7; 4- and 8-week sessions Ages 6-16. Traditional camping program including a major water skiing program, jet ski tubing, horseback riding, tennis and more. $2,700-$6,850, with sibling discount.

Camp Tekoa, Hendersonville

camptekoa.org; 692-6516 June 12-Aug. 13; 4-day to 1-week sessions Ages 7-17. Camp owned by the United Methodist Church offers classic activities like boating, swimming, arts and crafts, hiking and more, along with adventure options like all-girls adventure camp, water adventures, fishing and more. $200-$480.

Camp Wayfarer, Flat Rock

campwayfarer.com; 696-9000; info@campwayfarer.com June 19-July 28; 1- to 6-week sessions Ages 5-16. Traditional camp with archery, arts and crafts, culinary arts, horseback riding, dance, drama, fencing, land sports, chorus, fly-fishing, guitar, kayaking, riflery, rock climbing, swimming, tennis, water skiing and more. $900-$4,400.

Camp Woodmont, Cloudland, Ga.

campwoodmont.com, 706-298-0833 June 5-July 29, 1- and 2-week sessions Ages 6-14. Horseback riding, archery, aquatics, drama/dance, crafts, sports on 170 acres on Lookout Mountain. $745-$1,225. Discount before April 1.

Cheerio Adventures, Mouth of Wilson, Va.

cheerioadventures.com; 800-226-7496; info@cheerioadventures.com; June 12-Aug. 13; 1- and 2-week sessions Ages 10-17. YMCA camp specializing in rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, backpacking, caving, rafting, mountain biking, rappelling, zip line, mud slide, tubing, mountain boarding and more. $899-$1,797.

CLIMBE at Montreat College

CLIMBE.org, 800-349-CAMP; climbe@montreat.edu June-July, weeklong sessions Ages 12-18. Science-intensive adventure trips. Campers will examine unique ecosystems, work with scientists to collect data and learn about environmental protection. Starts at $500. Financial assistance available. Discount if registered by Feb. 15.

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Eagleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest Camp, Pisgah Forest

enf.org; 336-761-1040 (winter), 884-2788; info@enf.org June 11-Aug. 14; sessions are 8-20 days. Ages 6-17. Each camper has a role in the day-to-day operations of camp. Backpacking, rock climbing, gardening, whitewater paddling; arts and music; sports and more. $1,350-$3,500.

Green River Preserve, Cedar Mountain

greenriverpreserve.org; 698-8828; info@greenriverpreserve.org June 4-Aug. 6; 7- to 19-day sessions Rising second- to 12th-graders. On a 3,400-acre wildlife reserve. Daily explorations with naturalists, fly-fishing, gardening, canoeing, outdoor skills, painting, pottery, archery and more. Two-week expedition programs for rising high schoolers. $875$3,350.

Gwynn Valley Camp, Brevard

gwynnvalley.com; 885-2900; mail@gwynnvalley.com June 10-Aug. 14; 1-, 2-, 3-week and 10-day sessions Ages 5-14. Farm, wilderness and traditional programs on 320 acres. Horseback riding, rock climbing, working farm, sports, arts, natural history, whitewater canoeing and kayaking, swimming, more. Open since 1935. $1,375-$3,600.

Holston Presbytery Camp, Banner Elk

holstoncamp.org; 898-6611; holstoncamp@skybest.com June 12-July 22; 1-week sessions Ages 8-17. Christian camp with backpacking, canoeing, whitewater rafting, crafts, teambuilding and more. New: more water camps and junior high music, arts and drama conference. Starts at $395.

Kanuga, Hendersonville

Kanuga.org/camps; 692-9136 Camp Kanuga, June 5-Aug. 10: Christian camp at Kanuga Conferences, an Episcopal center, for ages 7-15. Archery, backpacking, ropes course, rock climbing, canoeing, fishing, swimming, arts and crafts, sports and performing arts. Sessions are nine or 13 days. Offering camp since 1928. $895$1,295. Trailblazer Adventure and Paddle and Pack Trailblazer Adventure, June 16-July 14: Trailblazer Adventure is an eight-day, 45-mile backpacking trek along the Appalachian Trail for ages 15-16. Paddle and Pack Trailblazer Adventure is a four-day, 25-mile backpacking trek, and a four-day flat-water canoe camping trip for 16-year-olds. Two-week sessions. $1,420-$1,700.

Land of the Sky Wilderness School

lotswild.com; Spencer, 280-0847 June-August; 1-week sessions Ages 7 and up. Sessions include Scout camp basics, drum camp, sailing camp, advanced camp. Activities include martial arts/self defense, navigation, tracking, primitive skills, living Appalachian history, plant

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study, blacksmithing, teamwork, water safety, knots and rope skills, leadership, native lore and language. Limit 10 per session. $350.

Lutheridge, Arden

Lutheridge.com, 684-2361 June 5-Aug. 6; 1-week sessions Rising second-graders through high school. Half-week sessions for younger campers. Swimming, crafts, horseback riding, rafting, canoeing, climbing, more. Music, drama and Night Owls theme weeks offered. $239 for half-week; starts at $454 for full week. Discounts before March 15, April 15 and May 15.

MAHEC Health Careers

http://healthcamp.wcu.edu or mahec.net June 19-25 MAHEC and WCU host a camp open to disadvantaged rising seventh- and eighth-graders with an interest in a health care career. Interact with medical professionals. With swimming, bowling, whitewater rafting and team-building. $100 with scholarships available. Students live on WCU campus.

Missions Camp, Fletcher

hollerministries.com; 651-9827; brackin.kirkland@live.com; June-August Ages 10-20. Holler Ministries hosts a camp where experienced missionaries share their experiences and train Missions Camp participants for international missions work in an authentically-simulated African village.

Mountain Adventure Guides, Pisgah National Forest

mtnadventureguides.com; 866-813-5210 June 26-Aug. 4; 12- and 18-day sessions Ages 12-17. Backpacking, rock climbing, caving and whitewater rafting on French Broad, Watauga and Nolichucky rivers, learning outdoors skills. $1,500$2,000 with sibling discount.

North Carolina Outward Bound

NCOutwardBound.org; 866-282-6262, ext. 1; info@ncobs.org June-August; 4-, 8-, 14- and 21-day sessions Parent-child course is for ages 12 and older; other sessions ages 14-16 and 16-18. Wilderness-based programs that may include backpacking, rock climbing and/or whitewater canoeing. Some include a formal service project; all include learning to use a map and compass for navigation and leadership and outdoor skill development. Starting at $795.

Quaker Lake Camp, Climax

Quakerlakecamp.org; 336-674-2321 June 11-Aug. 12 Ages 5-17. Christian camp southeast of Greensboro. Bible study, crafts, swimming, theater, climbing tower, hayrides, boating and organized recreation. Starts at $200. One-day camp for 5- and 6-year-olds ($40).

Ridge Haven, Brevard

Ridgehaven.org; 877-862-3916 June 6-Aug. 5 Rising third- to 12th-graders. Christian camp on 902 acres at Presbyterian Church in Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conference center. Ropes courses, climbing tower, archery, swimming, games, whitewater rafting, more. Starts at $462. Discounts before Feb. 15, March 15, April 15.

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South Mountain Christian Camp, Bostic

SouthMountainChristianCamp.org; 245-3322; smcc@blueridge.net June 19-July 29, 1-week sessions Ages 7-15. Fishing, boating, swimming, climbing, ropes courses, sports, small-group Bible devotionals, nightly chapel services, more. $155. Financial assistance available; no child denied for financial reasons. Founded in 1972.

Summer College in Biotechnology and Life Sciences, N.C. State

ncsu.edu July 5-29 Rising juniors and seniors with 3.5 GPA and recommendation. Students interested in a career in science participate in a college-level program in state-of-the-art labs at N.C. State. $2,076 (estimated, includes program fee, tuition, room and board).

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Green River Preserve hosts camp on a 3,400acre private wildlife preserve.

Swannanoa 4-H Camp

swan4h.com; swan4h@yahoo.com; 686-3196 June 12-Aug. 5; 1-week and 10- and 12-day sessions Ages 8-16. Arts and crafts, hiking, archery, daily swim lessons and free swim, ropes courses, plus whitewater rafting, zip line tours, caving, mountain biking and more. $440-$990.

Western Carolina University

wcu.edu; 828-227-7397 or 800-928-4968 Broadway Triple Arts Series, July 17-31: Artists age 16-22 experience the art and craft of musical theatre with Broadway Stars Terrence Mann and Charlotte Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;amboise.

Cullowhee Creativity Camp, June 20-24: Firstthrough eighth-graders will explore multimedia software, digital video recording, robotics and other technology. Kimmel School Construction Training Program for Boys, July 10-16, and for Girls, July 17-23: Program will generate interest in completing the requirements related to construction management careers in high school students that participate in the CTE programs and provide an opportunity for students who may not be continuing their education after high school to receive additional career development training before entering the construction work force. Mountain Dulcimer Week and Kids Camp, July 17-22: A Kids Camp will run concurrently with Mountain Dulcimer Week and offer young musicians the chance to build and play instruments, perform a concert and enjoy an array of recreational activities Summer Symposium for the Marching Arts, July 11-15:

YMCA Camp Greenville, Cedar Mountain

Campgreenville.org; klausch@ymcagreenville.org; 864-242-1111, ext. 34 June 5-Aug. 6; 1- and 2-week sessions Ages 7-15, with specialty camps for 5- and 6-yearolds with parents. Traditional summer program focusing on the arts (arts and crafts, drama, dance), water sports (swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing), team sports (lacrosse, volleyball, disc sports, etc), and adventure sports (archery, rock climbing, horseback riding, riflery, challenge course). Starts at $675.

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Boys only

course, nature study, mountain biking, drama, arts and crafts, rock climbing, archery, fishing, more. Sister camp is Camp Kahdalea. $2,375-$6,780.

Camp Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp, Canton

Blue Star Camps, Hendersonville

bluestarcamps.com; 692-3591; fun@bluestarcamps.com June 12-Aug. 5, 4- to 8-week sessions Fourth- to ninth-graders. Boys camp on 500-acre campus. Riding, swimming, land and water sports, trips, dramatic arts, whitewater kayaking and canoeing, a ropes challenge course, rock climbing, tennis, more. Founded in 1948. $4,975-$8,000.

campdanielboone.org; Robert Garrett, 800-576-6708, rgarrett@bsamail.org Starts June 12; weeklong sessions Boy Scouts register through their troops. Merit badges, rock climbing, rafting, hiking, more.

Camp High Rocks, Cedar Mountain

Camp Arrowhead, Tuxedo

camparrowhead.org; 692-1123; office@camparrowhead.org, June 10-July 30, 1- to 4-week sessions Ages 6-16. Christian camp on 217 acres with outdoor adventure activities including paintball, Frisbee golf, water skiing, archery, traditional blacksmithing, swimming, backpacking/camping, fly-fishing, horseback riding, enameling, sports, rock climbing, friendly tribal competitions and more. Founded in 1937. $1,050-$4,500.

Camp Carolina, Brevard

campcarolina.com; 884-2414; info@campcarolina.com June 5-Aug. 11, 12-day to 10-week sessions First- to 11th-graders. Activities at 220-acre camp and off-site include archery, arts and crafts, music, team sports, mountaineering, ropes course, swimming, rafting and kayaking, fly-

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Christ Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Revolution Lacrosse Camp brings in top-level professional, college and high school coaches for a week. fishing, horseback riding, more. Founded in 1924. $2,700-$9,750.

Camp Chosatonga, Pisgah National Forest

kahdalea.com; 884-6834; office@kahdalea.com June 6-Aug. 4; 2-week to full summer sessions Ages 8-17. Emphasis on Christian ideals but respectful of Jewish roots. Backpacking, tennis, horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, high ropes challenge

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highrocks.com; 885-2153 June 12-Aug. 20, 6-day to 4-week sessions Ages 7-16. Starter camp and mini sessions for younger campers. Activities at 1,000-acre facility include horseback riding, sailing, swimming, sports, canoeing, backpacking, mountain biking, rock climbing, crafts and archery/riflery. $1,175-$4,575.

Camp Mondamin, Tuxedo

mondamin.com; 800-688-5789; mondamin@mondamin.com May 29-Aug. 15; 5-day to 5 1/2-week sessions Ages 6-17. Backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, more. Sister camp is Green Cove. Founded in 1922. $990-$5,650.

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Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Ridgecrest

ridgecrestcamps.com; 800-968-1630; rscamps@ridgecrestcamps.com June 12-Aug. 12; 2- to 8-week sessions, plus starter camp Ages 7-16. Christian camp with archery, mountain biking, Bible study, horseback riding, riflery, swimming, canoeing, tennis and volleyball. Founded in 1929. $725$5,500 with sibling discounts.

Camp Rockmont, Black Mountain

rockmont.com; 686-3885; info@rockmont.com June 12-Aug. 12; 6- to 27-day sessions Ages 6-16. Christian camp on 550 acres with air rifles and riflery, sailing, canoeing, swimming, rock climbing, horseback riding, Bible study, sports, trap shooting, more. $1,050$4,550.

Camp Timberlake, Black Mountain

camptimberlake.com; 669-8766; email@camptimberlake.com June 12-Aug. 13; 6-day to 5-week sessions Ages 7-16. Christian camp offers riding, backpacking, tennis, rock climbing, wrestling, paintball, archery, spelunking, riflery, mountain biking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, guitar, soccer, volleyball, ropes course, fencing, rafting, out-of-camp trips and more. Sister camp is Camp Merri-Mac. $1,150$5,100.

Christ School’s Revolution Lacrosse Camp, Arden

revolutionlaxcamp.com; 684-6232, ext. 107; laxcamp@christschool.org July 5-9; 1-week session Ages 10-18, all levels of play. Professional players, Division I college coaches and toplevel high school coaches lead lacrosse camp. $395 for day campers, $445 for boarding campers.

Falling Creek Camp, Tuxedo

fallingcreek.com; 692-0262 June 5-Aug. 12; 6-, 13, 20- and 27-day sessions Grades 1-10. Mountain biking, rock climbing, backpacking, canoeing and whitewater kayaking, water activities, sports, horseback riding, more on 525 acres. Camp’s mission is to give boys an opportunity for personal growth and fun as they develop an understanding of their relationships with nature, their fellow man, and God. Founded in 1969. $1,175-$4,625.

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Campers at Camp Hollymont for Girls in Asheville take in some tennis.

Girls only Blue Star Camps, Hendersonville

bluestarcamps.com; 692-3591; fun@bluestarcamps.com June 12-Aug. 5, 4- to 8-week sessions Rising fourth- to ninth-graders. Jewish girls camp on 500-acre campus. Riding, swimming, land and water sports, trips, dramatic arts, whitewater kayaking and canoeing, a ropes challenge course, rock climbing, tennis, more. $4,975-$8,000.

Camp Carysbrook, Riner, Va.

campcarysbrook.com, info@campcarysbrook.com, 540-382-1670 June 19-Aug. 14, 1- to 8-week sessions Ages 6-16. Horseback riding, outdoor living skills, sports, nature study, swimming, caving, rock climbing, more. Founded in 1923. $815-$4,890 with 5 percent sister discount.

Camp Cheerio, Glade Valley

Campcheerio.org; 800-226-7496; director@campcheerio.org; June 5-Aug. 19; 1- and 2-week sessions Ages 7-15. Coed and girls-only sessions. YMCA camp in Glade Valley, 160 miles northeast of Asheville. Kayaking, climbing, fishing, cheerleading, golf, horseback riding, arts and crafts, rocketry, football, soccer, high ropes, canoeing, tennis, tumbling, hiking, basketball and more. $840-$1,700.

Camp Crestridge, Ridgecrest

ridgecrestcamps.com; 800-968-1630; rscamps@ridgecrestcamps.com June 12-Aug. 12; 2-week sessions with a 1-week starter camp. Ages 7-16. Christian camp with archery, mountain biking, Bible study, horseback riding, riflery, swimming, canoeing, tennis and volleyball. Sister camp to Ridgecrest. $725$5,500 with sibling discounts.

Camp Glen Arden, Tuxedo

campglenarden.com; 692-8362; tajarden@aol.com June 9-Aug. 3; 2- to 5-week sessions Ages 6-17. Archery, horseback riding, canoeing, gymnastics, sailing, rock climbing, pottery, photography, kayaking, sports, performing arts, more. “Progression system” allows girls to set their own pace within activity schedules. Founded in 1951. $2,500-$4,750.

Camp Green Cove, Tuxedo

Greencove.com; 800-688-5789; greencove@greencove.com May 29-Aug. 18; 5-day to 5-week sessions Ages 6-17. Noncompetitive and nonregimented camp with swimming, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, mountain biking, backpacking, rock climbing and horseback riding. Founded in 1945. Brother camp is Mondamin. $990$5,650.

Camp Greystone, Tuxedo

campgreystone.com; 693-3182; office@campgreystone.com; May 30-Aug.12; 5-day to 4-week sessions Rising first- to –graders. A 150-acre camp on Lake Summit founded in 1920. Horseback riding, gymnastics, rope course, water skiing, sailing, tennis, softball, archery, ceramics, knitting, painting, Bible classes and more. $1,050-$5,250.

Camp Hollymont for Girls, Asheville

hollymont.com; 686-5343 June 19-Aug. 12; 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-week sessions Ages 6-15. Daily activities like horseback riding, swimming, tennis, archery, cooking, arts & crafts, drama, soccer, dance, and more. Night activities include theme nights, talent shows, scavenger hunts, and campfires. Dorm-style housing. Starts at $1,490.

Camp Illahee, Brevard

campillahee.com; 883-2181; mail@campillahee.com June 5-Aug. 12; 1-week to 4-week sessions Ages 7-16. Traditional camp on 110 acres that opened in 1921. Activities including arts and crafts, tennis, horseback riding, marksmanship, field hockey, lacrosse, team

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sports, ropes course, rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking and more. Starts at $1,225.

Camp Kahdalea, Pisgah National Forest

http://kahdalea.com; 884-6834 June 6-Aug. 4; 2-weeks to full summer Ages 7-17. Christian camp with backpacking, tennis, horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, high ropes challenge course, nature study, mountain biking, drama, sign language, arts and crafts, riflery, rock climbing, archery, fishing, dance, more. Brother camp is Camp Chosatonga. $2,375-$6,780.

SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Rockbrook campers get ready to kayak.

Camp Merrie-Woode, Sapphire

merriewood.com; phyllis@merriewoode.com June 3-Aug. 10; 2- to 4-week sessions Ages 7-17. Canoeing, kayaking, sailing, climbing, hiking, riding, nature, tennis, drama, studio art and pottery. Registration packets are mailed in August for the following summer to current campers and families with previous inquiries; new campers are considered starting in October. $2,175-$4,850.

Camp Merri-Mac for Girls, Black Mountain

merri-mac.com; 669-8766; mail@merri-mac.com June 12-Aug. 13; 6-day to 5-week sessions Ages 6-16. Christian camp with riding, backpacking, tennis, rock climbing, gymnastics, archery, spelunking, riflery, swimming, canoeing, music, sports, ropes course, fencing, rafting, dance, drama, more. Brother camp is Camp Timberlake. $1,150-$5,100.

Camp Ton-A-Wandah, Flat Rock

Ages 14-16. Girls-only backpacking, rock climbing and whitewater trip in the Appalachian Mountains. Wilderness-based, overnight program that includes a service project. $3,325.

Rockbrook Camp for Girls, Brevard

rockbrookcamp.com; 884-6151; office@rockbrookcamp.com June 5-Aug. 11; 2-, 3- or 4-week sessions Ages 6-16. Camp on 215 acres with horseback riding, adventure activities, whitewater rafting, ceramics, crafts, gymnastics, riflery, more. Founded in 1921. $2,400-$4,500.

Skyland Camp for Girls, Clyde

skylandcamp.com; 627-2470; tyra@skylandcamp.com June 25-July 30; 2 1/2- to 5-week sessions Ages 6-15.Horseback riding, tennis, swimming, archery, arts and crafts, dramatics and mountain trips. $2,350-$4,700.

Upper 90 Soccer & Adventure Camp, Swannanoa

warrenwilsonowls.com (follow camp link) June 13-17 Ages 10-17. Soccer, climbing, paddling, swimming and more. $500.

Camptonawandah.com; 800-322-0178; info@camptonawandah.com June 7-Aug. 7, 2- and 3-week sessions Ages 6-16. Horseback riding, archery, dance, photography, drama, sports, arts and crafts, riflery, rock climbing, tennis, swimming, backpacking, pottery, wood burning, basketball, cheerleading, ropes course, games, hiking, more. $2,300-$3,300.

Girl Scout camps

camplikeagirl.org June 19-Aug. 7; weeklong sessions Rising second- to 12th-graders. Rock climbing, horseback riding, swimming, canoeing and kayaking, arts and crafts, rafting, adventure trips, backpacking, llama treks, more. Four camps to choose from: ◆ Camp Pisgah, Brevard; pisgah@girlscoutsp2p.org; 252-4442; ◆ Camp Ginger Cascades, Lenoir, gingercascades@ girlscoutsp2p.org; 828-328-2444; ◆ Camp Golden Valley, Bostic; goldenvalley@ girlscoutsp2p.org; 704-864-3245; ◆ Keyauwee Program Center, Sophia; keyauwee@ girlscoutsp2p.org; 336-274-8491.

Keystone Camp, Brevard

keystonecamp.com; 884-9125 June 5-Aug. 12; 5-day to 4-week sessions First- to 9th-graders. Daily horseback riding, archery, riflery, arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing, adventure sports, performing arts, golf, tennis, team sports, more. $1,175-$4,575.

North Carolina Outward Bound

NCOutwardBound.org; 866-282-6262, ext. 1; info@ncobs.org; @NCOutwardBound June-August; 21-day trips

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overnight camp guide

Special needs

Camp Coqui, Hendersonville

Missionchildrenshospital.org/camp; Lesley Edwards, 213-5548 June 26-July 2 Ages 7-16. Residential camp for children with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes at Camp Kanuga, Hendersonville. Climbing tower, hiking, field games, swimming, boating, co-op course, arts and crafts, music, campfires and archery. $500-$650 (varies by camperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s age and county of residence). Financial assistance may be available.

Camp Lakey Gap, Black Mountain

christmount.org/camplakeygap.htm; Elsa Berndt, elsa.berndt@yahoo.com, 669-8977 June 12-July 29; 1-week sessions Ages 4-adult. Residential camp (some day campers accepted) for individuals on the autism spectrum. Swimming, canoeing, hiking, music, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities are adapted through therapeutic recreation approach. Visually structured programming as well as 1:1 and 1:2 positive support that encourages development of independent living skills and fosters opportunities for engaging in social interaction. $1,500.

Camp Spring Creek, Bakersville

campspringcreek.org; 776-5032; info@campspringcreek.org June 12-Aug. 5, 4- to 8-week sessions Ages 6-14. Intense one-on-one Orton-Gillingham reading, writing, and spelling remediation intermingled with recreational activities. Daily academic instruction and an equal amount of time exploring natural talents such as woodworking, art, rock climbing and water sports. $7,125-$12,500.

SOAR, Balsam

Soarnc.org; admissions@soarnc.org; 456-3435; June 11-Aug. 18; 10-, 12-, 18- and 26-day sessions Ages 8-25. SOAR is an adventure camp for youth diagnosed with LD and/or ADD/ADHD. Emphasis is placed on developing self-esteem and life skills. Rock climbing, rafting, horseback riding, llama treks, SCUBA, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, archery, mountain biking, riflery and more. Programs also in Dubois, Wyo.; Florida Keys, California and Illinois. Starts at $2,800.

Talisman Programs, Zirconia

Talismancamps.com; Laura Centers, admissions director, 888-458-8226 June 18-Aug. 11, 1- and 2-week sessions Ages 8-21. Summer camps and year-round boarding school for young people who have learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, Aspergerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Syndrome, and highfunctioning autism. $2,600-$3,800.

Victory Junction, Randleman

victoryjunction.com; info@victoryjunction.org; 336-498-9055 June 12-Aug. 12; 4- to 6-day sessions Ages 6-16. Camp for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses with horseback riding, archery, bowling, mini-golf, swimming, alpine tower, arts and crafts and more. Free.

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homeschool happenings

Let’s call it ‘new schooling’ instead of ‘home-schooling’

By Nicole McKeon WNC Parent columnist

“Hear Ye, Hear Ye: It is announced by Her Majesty Nicole that from this day forward homeschooling will now be called new schooling.” For most of the people in this land, the response would be “huh?” Why do I want to change the words home school to new school? Well, here’s the thing: Yes, indeed we are home-schoolers. We have decided to make our homes the center of our children’s educational life. However, most of the home-schoolers I know don’t spend the majority of their time at home! Let’s take credit where credit is due, people. We are inventing a whole new system of educating. We search out experts, classes, coops, preceptors, tutors, neighbors, grandparents and mentors for our children to create the richest, most stimulating possibilities. To help them understand that learning is an adventure. To inspire them to dream big. I recently read a book called “The Last American Man” by Elizabeth Gilbert, which chronicles the life of Eustace Conway. Eustace actually lives in the woods outside Boone. Short synopsis: Eustace adored the natural world from an early age. When he was 17, he left his home and abusive father and ineffectual mother to live in the woods. The man still lives there. He has a dream that the human species can be saved by reconnecting with the natural world. I agree with him. Eustace has a great way of explaining his deeply held philosophy. He describes nature as a circular affair (like the Native American people tried to tell us when we decided to box up their beauti-

ful country): The seasons are a circle, life and death is a circle, the earth is circular and it spins in a circular fashion around a somewhat circular path in the heavens. Eustace maintains that by boxing ourselves up in box-shaped houses and box-shaped schools and eating food from boxes, that we have walled our thoughts, hearts and souls into square shapes that prevent us from feeling connected to anything greater than ourselves. Eustace is right. He probably already knows this and doesn’t care what some middle-aged home-schooling mom thinks. But here’s the thing: Eustace, by the end of this book, has lost hope. I am here to tell him that hope survives. I would encourage him to take a look at the “New Schooling” movement. I would encourage him to read about the millions (yes, millions) of courageous parents who have said “no” to box schools and box philosophies and boxed-in people who try to tell children that the only dream worth having is the one prescribed to them in a traditional classroom. The movement of home-schooling is growing. Not necessarily because box schools are bad but because there is something better. And it is human nature for parents to wish for their children to have a dream to aspire to, a dream that allows them to feel connected to something that is bigger than the mere confines of their own little body. So new schoolers, unite! We are the pioneers, leading our families into the wilderness of dreams. And Eustace, you are not alone … we’re circling all around you … growing like rings from a pebble dropped into a pond. Nicole McKeon is a home-schooling mom and owner of Homeschool Station, a new/used home-school curriculum store in Fairview. She can be reached at homeschoolstation@hotmail.com.

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growing together

You’re a parent not a friend

By Chris Worthy WNC Parent columnist I am a parent. Yes, that’s old news. But guess what? I also have friends and those friends are different from my children’s friends. Make sense? Maybe it’s just me, but it seems everywhere I turn I am running into adults who think they should be BFFs — peers, even — with their own children and their children’s friends. Of course, children and teenagers need mentors. I hope that a young person in trouble or in need would feel comfortable coming to me to ask for help. I would help, but what I won’t do is cross the line from parent/ authority figure/mentor to best bud. It’s simply not appropriate. I will not dance along the line of causing kids to do wrong. I won’t — as we learned the first day of law school — give even the appearance of impropriety. (If it looks bad, you shouldn’t do it.) And I won’t step into unethical or illegal territory. Why do so many adults seem to think that’s OK? Parents of the world, I am not perfect, but if your child is at my house I can promise you a few things. They will be supervised. If the girls are upstairs, the boys will be downstairs. For anyone under 21, alcohol is off limits. Under this roof, your children are my children. I will love them and treat them as my own, whether they like it or not. I expect the same from you. And while I don’t know that it takes a village to raise a child, it does help to have like-minded parents who share your values. I love making new friends and I truly believe a person can’t have too many. But I have plenty who are my peers, thank you very much. Harried, multitasking, sleep-deprived moms? You bet. But kids need not apply. E-mail Chris at chris@worthyplace.com.

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a dad’s view

Dear Dad, Please, no basketball

By William Scott Tiernan WNC Parent columnist Below is a copy of a letter written to me by my 3-year-old daughter.

Dear Dad, Last week you suggested signing me up for a basketball league. You’ve made some silly suggestions since I’ve known you, like me eating vegetables and me not getting a dog until I’m 5. But organized basketball? I’m only 3! I know you like basketball. You play in a league. But in the last game you scored, like, zero points and hurt your ankle. Just like you’re too old to be playing basketball, I’m too young. There are dozens of other activities well-suited to 3-year-olds, like coloring and building forts and sledding and reading and playing Rapunzel and spilling orange juice all over the floor. I’ll admit that certain sports are perfectly acceptable for young children. Swimming and dance and soccer come to mind. But the basketball league you’re considering has games. Games! As in, shooting and passing and dribbling. A 3-year-old game would have more whistle-blowing than Enron. I know your intentions are good. Introducing me to basketball now might foster a lifelong love of the game. Plus, basketball is good exercise. Plus, maybe I’ll get a scholarship. But yesterday Mom told me about a guy who’d invested $83,000 on his daughter’s tennis career. The girl was only 5 and couldn’t hit the ball over the net. And the dad was talking about getting her ready for Wimbledon! I don’t want you to be that crazy dad. Remember last summer when we went to see my cousin Sean play in something called a Babe Ruth baseball game? His was one of four games being played at a mega

baseball park. It was noisy. The pitcher couldn’t throw the ball over the plate. The first four batters walked, which prompted two coach visits to the mound, lots of hushed whispers, and a whole bunch of kids standing around in professionallooking jerseys doing nothing. After another walk, a man whom I assumed to be a parent of a kid on the batting team stalked to the dugout and shook the metal fencing and screamed: “That pitcher is throwing meatballs. Meatballs! We can hit this guy! Now let’s go!” Amazingly, a few fans seemed amused by this outburst. And either because he was terrified that the screaming man was going to tear through the cage or because he was just sick of doing nothing, the next batter swung away and popped a ball to right field. A routine play, but the outfielder fell over and hurt himself, which led to a home run (Cage Man was happy) and a 10-minute injury timeout. I not ready for such “friendly” competition. Plus, I’m not the type of girl who wants to be Minivan Micromanaged. That’s what I call it — getting shuttled from piano recitals to French lessons to soccer practice in a single afternoon. How tedious. And exhausting! One ballet class a week is perfect for me. As for other sports, I’m perfectly happy running laps around the house, smacking tennis balls in the driveway, kicking the soccer ball in the backyard, and shooting hoops in the bathtub. Even better, just pop on the iPod and let me dance. Even better, get me my own iPod and iTunes account and let me host dance parties with my stuffed animals until 2 in the morning. Now that’s a good suggestion. Love, Sophia

William Scott Tiernan is an author, freelance writer and communications consultant in Asheville. E-mail him at wstiernan72@yahoo.com.

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Kids page

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puzzles for parents Across

1. Japanese port 6. Type of feeling 9. Carter Goodrich’s “The Hermit ____” 13. Used by pitchers and violinists 14. Campfire residue 15. Light shade of blue 16. Chocolate tree 17. Legendary “West” 18. Lowest point 19. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” author 21. “Percy Jackson & The Olympians” creator 23. Fitness spot 24. ____wig or ____winkle 25. J. Edgar Hoover was its first director 28. Whimper 30. Lay to rest 35. Post-cremation container 37. Person, place or thing 39. Candle shape 40. Kind 41. Retire from military 43. It equals distance divided by time 44. “Little _____ fact” 46. Used to harness wind at sea 47. Ragtime dance, The Turkey ____ 48. Holiday beverage 50. Chow 52. Beneficiary of holiday toy drives 53. Was key strategist for George W. Bush 55. Prefix for bad 57. “Corduroy” author 61. Wild Things” creator 64. Caterpillar precursor 65. Second sight? 67. Marcus Aurelius garb, pl. 69. Bay window 70. Theatrical prompt 71. Not together 72. Part of a hammerhead 73. “New ___ on the block” 74. Michael J. Fox in “Back to the Future”

Down

1. Azog or Bolg in Tolkien’s Moria 2. Let something sit, as in water 3. Reproductive structures on fungi 4. Asiatic wild ass 5. Lemony Snicket, e.g. 6. Like flavor of some wild meat 7. Popular three-syllable chant by American fans 8. Not here 9. Tsar, tzar or ____ 10. Former Australian PM turned children’s author 11. Toreador Song from “Carmen,” e.g. 12. Capital of Switzerland 15. To bless 20. Make corrections 22. Wrath 24. Decoration on top of musketeer’s hat 25. “Inkworld Trilogy” author 26. “_____ it on!” 27. The way Conan Doyle’s detective liked to appear 29. Sufferings 31. Popular French pastry

32. Abstractionism with optical illusion, popular in the 1960s 33. __-___ product, as in copycat 34. “The Mitten” author/illustrator 36. Fastened with stitches 38. Film ____ 42. Her teen novels often tackle controversial topics 45. Conventional 49. India’s smallest state 51. Random House imprint for children’s books 54. T-shirt collar type 56. Parkinson’s drug 57. Complete failure 58. One in a million 59. One of Great Lakes 60. Not odd, as in number 61. Accelerated 62. Petri dish gel 63. Go-____ 66. 6th century dynasty in China 68. Eye infection

Solutions on Page 63

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calendar of events

Things to do

Deadline for submitting items for the March calendar is Feb. 10. E-mail information to calendar@wncparent.com.

Registration starts Feb. 1

Swannanoa Valley Montessori Registration opens for the 2011-12 school year for Swannanoa Valley Montessori School, which serves children ages 18 months to sixth grade. Preschool at 130 Center Ave., Black Mountain, and elementary classes at Carver Community Center, Black Mountain. Call 669-8571 or visit swanmont.org.

Feb. 2

Groundhog Day

Starts Feb. 2

Hebrew School Chabad Hebrew School of the Arts offers Hebrew School for ages 6-13 from 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays at The Chabad House, 660 Merrimon Ave., Suite C. Call 505-0746 or visit chabadasheville.org.

Feb. 3

Chinese New Year It’s the Year of the Rabbit.

Feb. 3 and 10

Pardee Hospital childbirth class A two-session class for expectant parents covering the labor and delivery process, relaxation, breathing patterns, birth options, positioning and comfort measures. Also includes tour of the Pardee Women and Children’s Center. 6:30-9 p.m. Feb. 3 and 10. Free. Registration required. At Pardee Hospital Orientation Classroom, 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville. Call 866-790-WELL.

Feb. 3-6

Downtown YMCA lifeguard training Weekend lifeguard training class is offered Feb. 3-6 (4-10 p.m. Feb. 3-4 and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 5-6). $185. Call Kaela Magee at 210-9605 or e-mail kmagee@ymcawnc.org to register.

Feb. 4

Music and Movement Hands On! A Child’s Gallery offers Music and Movement with Jenny Arch at 10:30 a.m. Free with admission. At 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Visit handsonwnc.org.

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Feb. 5

Author event Local writer Matthew Damon reads from his book “The Shadow Keep,” a Choose Your Own Adventure story, at Spellbound Children’s Bookshop, 19 Wall St. The audience will decide where the story goes and how it ends. Free. Suggested for ages 7-12. Visit spellboundchildrensbookshop.com or call 2322228. Odyssey Community School open house Meet the teachers, tour the campus and find out what integral education is about at an open house at Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville. From noon-2 p.m. Visit odysseycommunity.org. Waldorf workshop Experience the day in the life of a Waldorf student at a workshop for students, teachers, aspiring teachers, parents or anyone who would like to know more about Waldorf education. Starts with brief outline of Waldorf Education, followed by a sample main lesson. Led by Whitney Macdonald, former teacher at The Emmerson Waldorf School in Chapel Hill. Lunch provided. From 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Groce Methodist Church in East Asheville. $65. To register, e-mail azaleamountain@gmail.com. YMCA parents’ night out Downtown Asheville YMCA offers a parents’ night out for children ages 2-12. Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, inflatable obstacle course, snacks and a movie. Register online or in person (at least 24 hours before scheduled program). From 6-10 p.m. the first Saturday of each month. $15 for members ($30 for nonmembers), with $2 sibling discounts. Call 210-5622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Starts Feb. 5

Reuter Family Y swim lessons Saturday swim lessons for ages 6 months-12 years are Feb. 5-26. Registration deadline is Feb. 3. Starts at $20. Call 651-9622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Feb. 6

Veritas Christian School open house Veritas Christian Academy, a classical Christian school educating students PreK through 12th grade, will host a community open house from 2-4 p.m. The public is invited to tour the school, see the curriculum, and talk with the faculty. At 17 Cane Creek Road, Fletcher. Call Jenny Turnipseed, admissions director, at 681-0546 for information.

Starts Feb. 6

Sunday and Hebrew School Chabad Hebrew School of the Arts offers classes from 10 a.m.-noon for children ages 4-13. At The

Chabad House, 660 Merrimon Ave., Suite C. Call 505-0746 or visit chabadasheville.org.

Feb. 7

Food allergy group COCOA — Caring for Children with food Allergies — is a free group for parents of food allergic children that meets at 6:45 p.m. the first Monday of the month at Earth Fare in South Asheville. E-mail Kristie at cocoa_in_asheville@yahoo.com.

Feb. 9

Asheville Art Museum teacher open house Asheville Art Museum’s Education Department hosts a free open house for any North Carolina educator from 3-5:30 p.m. Explore exhibitions and learn about programs for students. With refreshments, door prizes. Call 253-3227, ext. 121 or 122. Holistic Parenting Forum The Holistic Parenting Forum is a free group that meets monthly to provide support, education and resources for a diverse community of parents committed to natural living. All meetings take place on the second Wednesday of every month at Earth Fare in West Asheville from 6-8 p.m. Children are welcome. For more information, call 230-4850 or e-mail shantisunshine@gmail.com.

Starts Feb. 9-10

Preschool art sessions Roots + Wings School of Art offers four-week art sessions for ages 3-6. Sessions are 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 9-March 2 (focus on drawing skyscrapers, cars and more) or 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 10-March 3 (focus on bookmaking and 3D paper designs). $50 per child per session. Classes at The Cathedral of All Souls, 3 Angle St., Biltmore Village. Visit rootsandwingsarts.com or call 545-4827.

Feb. 10

Origami Folding Frenzy Learn new folds, share favorites, and meet fellow origami enthusiasts. All levels welcome. Cost is museum admission. From 4-5 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at The Health Adventure, 2 S. Pack Place. Call 254-6373 or visit thehealthadventure.org.

Feb. 11

Parents’ Night Out Fired Up! Creative Lounge offers a program for kids, 6-9 p.m. at 26 Wall St., downtown Asheville. Drop off the kids for pizza, drinks and bisque items to paint. $25 per child. Call 253-8181 for reservations.

Feb. 12

Fletcher Father/Daughter Dance Fletcher Parks and Recreation hosts its annual Father/Daughter Dance, with two dances at 3:305:30 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale the week of Jan. 10. Contact Greg Walker at g.walker@fletchernc.org for information.

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calendar of events Continued from Page 57 Flip Flop Hop Western North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance hosts the fifth “Flip Flop Hop—Dancing for Down Syndrome” at 7 p.m. at The Orange Peel. $50. Visit wncdsa.org. National Girls and Women in Sports Day UNC Asheville hosts National Girls and Women in Sports Day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This community event is designed to expose women and girls to a variety of activities that will inspire them to lead active, healthy lives. Open to women and girls (ages 6 and older) as a chance to try a new sport or fitness class, or build skills in a sport of interest. Registration ends Jan. 29 at $12 per person. Late registration is $15. This includes four clinics, T-shirt and goody bag, healthy lunch, door prizes and a ticket to the Women’s Big South Conference Game at UNCA that day. Contact Allison at 350-2058 or e-mail adains@ashevillenc.gov.

Starts Feb. 12

Teen artists and writers workshop Presenters include author and artist Sebastian Matthews, freelance writer and director of True Ink Janet Hurley, and Ginger Huebner, artist and director of Roots + Wings. Runs 1-5 p.m. Saturdays at Asheville Culture Project, 257 Short Coxe Ave., and Pink Dog Creative building in the River Arts District. Visit rootsandwingsarts.com and true-ink.com.

Feb. 12-15

Munchkin Market Find children’s clothing and more at the Munchkin Market. Consign your items Feb. 5-8. Volunteers and consignors shop early. Public sale is Feb. 12-15; last day is half-price day. At Biltmore Square Mall. Visit munchkinmarket.com.

Feb. 13

Family dance party Swannanoa Valley Montessori School presents “Dance, Baby, Dance,” a dance party geared toward young children and their families. Let your little ones dance to the music of your youth. From 2-4:30 p.m. at The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville. Tickets are $5 in advance or $6 at the door. Infants and crawling babies are free. Tickets on sale online at TheOrangePeel.net or call SVMS at 669-8571. Visit swanmont.org for more information.

Starts Feb. 14

Art sessions Roots + Wings School of Art offers four-week art sessions for ages 6-12. Sessions are 3:45-4:45 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 14-March 7, and focus on books, boxes and more. $50 per session. Classes at The Cathedral of All Souls, 3 Angle St., Biltmore Village. Visit rootsandwingsarts.com or call 545-4827.

Feb. 16

Mardi Gras celebration Celebrate Mardi Gras at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery

PHOTO BY JOHN FLETCHER

Librarians perform songs, skits and more at “Preschoolers We Love You!” It will be performed at area libraries from Feb. 16-18. at 10:30 a.m. Come have a purple, gold, and green snack, coordinated by The Hendersonville Community Co-op, and enjoy Mardi Gras activities all day. Free with $5 admission (free for members). At 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333 or visit handsonwnc.org.

Feb. 16-18

‘Preschoolers We Love You!’ Librarians are practicing animal noises and silly songs in preparation for the 25th annual production of “Preschoolers We Love You!” A musical revue especially for preschoolers, with puppets, dancing and other lighthearted nonsense. Free. Groups, call 250-4729 to make a reservation. Performances are 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. at: ◆ Feb. 16: Oakley/South Asheville Library ◆ Feb. 17: Weaverville Library ◆ Feb. 18: Black Mountain Library

Feb. 17

‘It’s Time for Kindergarten’ Buncombe County Schools’ Transition to Kindergarten offers a parent workshop that explains the registration process and ways to prepare a child for school. At 10:30 a.m. at West Asheville Library. Also 5:30 p.m. March 1 (Spanish translator available) and 10:30 a.m. April 28. Pardee Hospital parenting classes Classes are free, with registration required. For information and registration, call 866-790-WELL. At Pardee Hospital, 800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville. ◆ Breast-feeding class: Learn the art of breastfeeding. 6:30-8 p.m. ◆ Daddy Duty class: Learn helpful ideas and tips for dads during the labor and birth process. 6:30-8 p.m. at Pardee Hospital Video Conference Room.

Feb. 18

ArtSpace ‘After Hours Cabaret’ An evening of music, dance, comedy and theater at Diana Wortham Theatre will benefit ArtSpace Charter School. Performers include Al Petteway & Amy White, the Boom Chix, the Swayback Sisters with Laura Blackley and more. Dress is cabaret attire. With silent auction. Doors open at 6 p.m. $20, which includes refreshments. Visit artspacecharter.org. Frenzied Female Workshop: Embrace the Fabulous You Park Ridge Health presents a day of speakers, practical information and tools to motivate and empower women. From 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Leila Patterson Center, 1111 Howard Gap Road, Fletcher. Denise Ryan gives keynote address, “Motivation by Chocolate.” Visit parkridgehealth.org for details and to register. Waldorf presentation Torin M. Finser, director of the Waldorf teacher education program at Antioch University, will speak on his newest book, “Silence is Complicity: A Call to Let Teachers Improve our Schools through Action Research — Not ’No Child Left Behind’.” At 6:30 p.m. at the Vesica Institute in East Asheville. $10. Visit azaleamountain.org or e-mail azaleamountain@gmail.com. YMCA parents’ night out Downtown Asheville YMCA offers a parents’ night out for children ages 2-12. Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, inflatable obstacle course, snacks and a movie. Register online or in person (at least 24 hours before scheduled program). From 6:30-9:30 p.m. the third Friday of each month. $12 for members ($24 nonmembers), with $2 sibling discounts for everyone. Call 210-5622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Healthy Parks Healthy You 5K Fun Run/Walk Buncombe County Parks, Greenways and Recreation

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Services hosts the second-annual Healthy Parks, Healthy You 5K Fun Run/Walk starting at 10:30 a.m. March 5. Register at buncombecounty.org/parks by Feb. 18. T-shirts not available with registration after Feb. 18. $12 for adults, $5 for children ages 4–15. Call Jay Nelson at 250-4260 or e-mail jaynelson@buncombecounty.org.

Feb. 19

Choose Your Own Adventure Writing Workshop Instructor and local author Matthew Damon leads kids in role-playing exercises to learn about action and consequence and then mapping out setting, conflict, themes and characters. Suggested for ages 7-12. Cost is $15 prepaid ($20 for walk-ins) and covers all materials plus healthy snacks and beverages. Register in person or by phone (232-2228). At Spellbound Children’s Bookshop, 19 Wall St., downtown Asheville. Visit spellboundchildrensbookshop.com. Festival of Knowledge WNC Nature Center hosts a science competition, free and open to participants from public, private or home schools. All ages. Submit a project on cultural history, natural history or entomology (study of insects). Runs 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Top displays will win awards. Participation is free. Visit wildwnc.org for details, or contact Keith Mastin at kmastin@ashevillenc.gov or 2985600, ext. 305. At 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville. ‘Vaudeville Magic’ Swannanoa Valley Montessori School and the Western North Carolina Magic Club present “Vaudeville Magic,” an evening of a variety of magical entertainment. All ages welcome. Magic tricks galore from several local magicians, plus balloon twisting. 4-6 p.m. at Carver Community Center, corner of Cragmont and Fortune streets, Black Mountain. Adults $7, children $5. Visit swanmont.org.

Feb. 19-20

Wee Trade Best Made sale Wee Trade is a semi-annual children’s consignment event in the South Asheville area with 30,000 square feet of gently used children’s items including clothing for infants to juniors, maternity wear, toys, furniture and more. Sale runs 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 19 and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Feb. 20. Visit wee-trade.net.

Feb. 20

Bat Mitzvah Club The Chabad House hosts Bat Mitzvah Club, open to all Jewish girls in the community turning 11 through age 13 regardless of affiliation. Activities, meaningful learning, trips, friendships and service projects ensure that the girls don’t just celebrate a Bat Mitzvah, they become one. From 4-6 p.m. Call 505-0746 or visit chabadasheville.org. Frostbite 10K, 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk Park Ridge Health hosts the 19th Annual Frostbite 10K, 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk starting at 2:30 p.m. at the campus (100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville) and finish at the Leila Patterson Center, at Howard Gap and Naples roads in Fletcher. Register at active.com. $30 for 10K, $25 for 5K before Feb. 11 (both $35 after Feb. 11); Fun Run/Walk is $10. OMG! The Battle Between Faith and Logic This course is specially engineered for the thinking

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calendar of events Continued from Page 59 youth who grapple with the seeming discrepancies among religion, philosophy and science. Director of the Chabad House, Rabbi Shaya Susskind, will teach the six-week course at the Chabad House, 660 Merrimon Ave., beginning Feb. 20. Starts at 6:45 p.m. Call 505-0746 or visit chabadasheville.org.

Feb. 21

Childbirth class Park Ridge Hospital’s The Baby Place offers its childbirth class in a one-day session, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Course covers nutrition and fitness, labor, delivery options and newborn care. Tour of the Baby Place is included. Call 681-BABY to register. $90. The Learning Community School Open House Meet the teachers and tour classrooms at The Learning Community School’s open house, 5:30-7 p.m. A small, hands-on, experiential school for grades K-8. Visit thelearning community.org.

Starts Feb. 21

NAMI Basics family education class NAMI Basics is a free six-week family education class designed specifically for parents and primary caregivers of children/adolescents living with severe and persistent emotional and behav-

PHOTO BY ERIN BRETHAUER

You can find children’s clothes, toys, equipment, furniture and more for sale at Wee Trade Best Made consignment sale at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher, Feb. 19-20.

ioral challenges. Runs 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, Feb. 21-March 10, at Eliada Home, PARC Building, 352 Newfound Road, Leicester. Free child care provided. For information, e-mail Denise West at mtnbutterfly2007@yahoo.com or Sharon Pitts at sharonpitts1@gmail.com.

SAT prep class UNC Asheville offers an SAT test preparation course, Mondays and Wednesdays, Feb. 21-March 9. $295. Call 250-2353, e-mail nwilliams@unca.org or visit agc.unca.edu/sat.

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Feb. 21 and 28

Love and Logic workshop Park Ridge Hospital’s The Baby Place offers a workshop using hands-on-learning to help parents gain practical skills in the Love and Logic method. Love and Logic uses humor, hope, and empathy to build healthy adult-child relationships. Kids will learn responsibility and develop coping skills for the real world through solving their own problems. 1-4:30 p.m. $60 per person or $100 per couple. Call 681-2229 to register or visit parkridgebabies.com.

Feb. 22

Crazy Chemists Make jewel-and-gem goop during Crazy Chemists Make Crazy Concoctions at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery. For ages 3 and up. $5 (free for members). At 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333 or visit handsonwnc.org.

Feb. 23

‘Alligator Wedding’ reading and charity event Local blogger celebrates one-year anniversary with a fundraising event for ALIVE, a local children’s charity. Child-friendly event complete with The Balloon Fairy and a reading from “Alligator Wedding” by its illustrator, J. Rutland. ALIVE brings art education into school that lack proper resources. From 4–8 p.m. at The Chocolate Lounge, 10 S. Lexington Ave. Book reading is at 5 p.m. Contact Sarah at 242-0680.

Feb. 24

Infant care class Pardee Hospital offers a class on the basics of infant care, 6:30-8 p.m. in the education classroom. Free. Registration required. Call 866-790-WELL. Labor and Birth Forum Free forum based on the Six Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices and represent “evidence-based care” for a normal birth and postpartum. All pregnant women and their partners are invited, as well as those who provide pregnancy and labor support. Meets 7-8:30 p.m. the last Thursday of the month on Mission Hospital campus at the Wellness Resource Center, 50 Doctor’s Drive. Visit peacefulbeginning.org or call 258-3327. Meditation for parents Learn calming, centering and mindful meditation techniques for yourself and also for teaching to your children. Facilitator is a published author on the subject. Introductory class at 7 p.m. in North Asheville. Complete series is 12 weeks. Attendance is optional each week. Suggested donation $10 per class. Visit sarahwood.com or call 242-0680.

Feb. 25

African drum workshop Learn basic drum rhythms and make a musical instrument craft at Hands On! A Child’s Gallery’s African drum class. 2:30-4 p.m. at 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. Call 697-8333 or visit handsonwnc.org.

Feb. 25-March 11

Art exhibit “The Art of Our Children: Elementary School Exhibit” is

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calendar of events Continued from Page 61 open to all elementary-age students in Henderson County. On display in the lobby gallery of First Citizens Bank on Main Street, Hendersonville, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and until 6 p.m. Fridays. Sponsored by the Arts Council of Henderson County.

Feb. 26

Babysitter’s Training class For children ages 11-15. Caring for a child, basic First Aid included. Dress comfortably and bring lunch. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter, American Red Cross, 100 Edgewood Road, Asheville. $45. For details and to register, visit redcrosswnc.org and click on “Take a Class” or call 258-3888. Montessori Elementary School open house Montessori Elementary School of Asheville enrollment begins for new students for the 2011-12 school year at an open house event, 1-3:30 p.m. The school is in North Asheville and is accepting applications for students in first to sixth grades. Call 367-0259, e-mail mesasheville@gmail.com or visit mesasheville.com.

Feb. 28

‘Mindful Eating’ Park Ridge Hospital hosts a “Mindful Eating” presentation, noon-1 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Duke Room. Attendees will receive a free copy of Dan Buettner’s book, “The Blue Zones.” No need to RSVP. Call 687-5290.

Starts Feb. 28

Downtown YMCA swim lessons Swim lessons at downtown Asheville Y for all skill levels. Classes are Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/ Thursday. Session runs Feb. 28-March 25. Registration ends Feb. 25. Contact Kaela Magee at Kmagee@ymcawnc.org or call 210-9695. Reuter Family Y swim lessons Classes for ages 3 to adult are Mondays and Wednesdays, Feb. 28-March 23. Registration deadline is Feb. 24. Starts at $20. Call 651-9622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Starts March 1

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL REGISTRATION

East Asheville Little League: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 12 and 19 at East Asheville Recreation Center, 906 Tunnel Road. $65. For ages 4-18. Visit eayouthsports.org. Fletcher baseball and softball: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 12 at Fletcher First Baptist church. $70 per player (maximum $140 per family). Bring copy of birth certificate to registration. Visit fletcheryouthsports.com. North Asheville Little League: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 19 and 26 at North Asheville Community Center, 37 E. Larchmont Drive. $55 resident, $60 nonresident. South Asheville Little League: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26 at Oakley Community Center, 749 Fairview Road. $65. South Buncombe baseball and softball: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 12 and 19 at Valley Springs Middle School cafeteria. For girls ages 4-12 and boys ages 4-15. $65 residents, $70 nonresidents. Visit sbraa.baberuthonline.com. West Asheville Little League: 6-8 p.m. March 4 and 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 5 and 12 at West Asheville Community Center, 970 Haywood Road. $65.

SOCCER REGISTRATION

Henderson County Parks and Recreation: Ages 5-17 (as of Aug. 1, 2010). $70. Returning Fall 2010 players with the new uniform will receive $20 discount. Nonresident fee is $15. Register by Feb. 14. Practices can begin week of March 21. Call 697-4884 or visit hendersoncountyrecreation.org. Upward soccer at Biltmore Baptist Church: Early registration ends Feb. 28. $70 for first child, $60 for each additional child. March 1-8, fees increase by $10. Age 4 to seventh grade. Register bluesombrero.com/biltmorebaptist. Call 687-1111, ext. 112, or e-mail upward@biltmorebaptist.org. Practices start week of March 28 and games are every Saturday from April 16-May 28.

Reuter Family Y swim lessons Classes for ages 6 months-12 years are Tuesdays and

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Thursdays, March 1-24. Register by Feb. 24. Starts at $20. Call 651-9622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

March 2

Lifeguard training YWCA of Asheville offers a Red Cross Lifeguard Training course, starting with a pretest on March 2. Classes will run Wednesdays through May 4 (with a Saturday class on March 19). To register, call 254-7206, ext. 110. At 185 S. French Broad Ave. Visit ywcaofasheville.org.

Starts March 5

Reuter Family Y swim lessons Saturday swim lessons for ages 6 months-12 years are March 5-26. Registration deadline is March 3. Starts at $20. Call 651-9622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Ongoing

Grove Park Inn programs The Sports Complex at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa offers two programs for children. Children will enjoy playing games and sports, making arts and crafts, swimming, eating pizza and watching a movie. For reservations, call 252-2711, ext. 1046, or e-mail mmiller@groveparkinnresort.com. ◆ Kids’ Night Out: 6-10 p.m. each Friday and Saturday, for children ages 3-12. $45 per child. Registration required. ◆ Cub’s Adventure Camp: A full-day (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) or half-day (9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 1-4 p.m.) program on Saturdays. Lunch included. Cost is $65

for full day; $45 for half-day morning with lunch; $30 for half-day afternoon. T-Bone’s Radio Active Kids Kid-friendly radio hosted by Asheville-area kids from 8-10 a.m. Saturdays on ashevillefm.org. Show features interviews, music, call-ins, jokes and prizes. Nativity Preschool and Kindergarten Registration is continuing for the 2011-12 school year at Nativity Preschool and Kindergarten for ages 15 months to 5 years. Nativity Preschool and Kindergarten admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Call 687-8381 or visit nativity.ws. Black Mountain Recreation & Parks programs ◆ Community Playgroup, 10-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, Carver Community Center Auditorium. Free. ◆ Free Play on Friday: Play space for children ages preschool through fifth grade. Parents are expected to stay with their children and bring their own snacks. 3-5 p.m. Fridays at Carver Community Center Auditorium. Free. Health Adventure exhibits and programs Call 254-6373 or visit thehealthadventure.org. ◆ ‘Alice’s Wonderland’: Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and discover a world of adventure. Opens Jan. 28. ◆ Preschool Play Date: interactive fun just for preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. ◆ Super Science Saturdays: Noon-2 p.m. each Saturday.

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Solutions to puzzles on Page 55

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