Bear Essential News April 2021, Tucson Edition

CAMP

Bear

April 2021 • Tucson Edition • www.bearessentialnews.com

40 YEARS!

Guide See pages 14 thru 21

essential news

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Get Me

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Outside

In This Picture: Find a baseball, a boat oar, a decorated egg, a pine cone, a geologist’s pick, a Scrabble tile, an animal cracker, a watering can, binoculars and EARTH.

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CAMP GUIDE

FEATURE

NEWS NEWS

Need S ome Fun?

Earth Day R ocks!

S uez Canal R eopens W ildlife R escue!

There’s a camp for you!

Pages 14 thru 21

Check out these AZ sites Pages 12 & 13

Spotlight on Beverly Cleary News Highlights page 5

& more news kids can use Scoops pages 7 & 21

First Females

Become Eagle Scouts here!

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April 2021 •

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Suez Canal Finally Open for Traffic A cargo ship nearly as long as the Empire State Building that blocked traffic in the Suez Canal for almost a week has been freed.

The Ever Given is a 1,300-foot, 220,000-ton container ship that is among the largest container ships currently in operation. It is roughly twice as long as the Suez Canal is wide.

The Ever Given got stuck in the canal on March 23. While the ship was stuck for nearly one week, more than 360 vessels lined up behind the Ever Given while others opted to divert their journeys. Those waiting to pass through the canal included container ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers and other vessels. The traffic jam slowed trade in parts of the world and cost billions of dollars!

An investigation is ongoing about how the ship got stuck in the canal. The ship’s owners said high winds in a sandstorm were to blame, but officials investigating the INCIDENT have speculated that the ship may have been grounded by technical or human errors.

Fortunately for everyone involved, some hard work and ingenuity freed the Ever Given and prevented the blockage from dragging on for several weeks as many people initially thought it might. The salvage crews

Beverly Cleary Dies Satellite photo courtes y of Maxar Technologi es

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News Highlights

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relied on tugboats to push along one side of the ship, large-capacity dredgers, and high tides to get the Ever Given moving again. Crews removed 30,000 cubic meters of sand as part of the rescue effort. That’s enough sand to fill about one dozen Olympic-sized swimming pools!

The Suez Canal was completed in 1869, and it has been a significant route for trade since then.

Roughly 19,000 ships use the canal each year, and it links the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. This connection allows for direct shipping from Europe to Asia. Without the Suez Canal, ships have to traverse the entire continent of Africa. This significantly drives up the time it takes for ships to move goods and increases the cost.

Satellite Hunter to Clean Up Space Junk months with varying levels of complexity. If successful, Have you ever thought about what happens to all future satellites could be launched with compatible of the objects humans launch into space? docking plates on them to employ the technology.

Fortunately, scientists do think about problems like While it may not be a problem we often think about, this and are working on a solution. space junk is a growing problem. According Last month, a demonstration to NASA, the first human-made object to mission to test an idea about how enter space was a rocket that launched in to clean up space debris launched 1949. In 1957, the Soviets launched the from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in first satellite, Sputnik 1, into space. The Kazakhstan.

United States responded four months later The mission, known as ELSA-d, with Explorer 1. employs a “servicer satellite” and Since then, approximately 2,500 satela “client satellite.” According to Aslites have been launched into space. There troscale, the Japan-based company are millions of pieces of space junk, includbehind the mission, the two sateling everything from defunct satellites and lites launched together and will use nuts and bolts left behind by astronauts to a magnetic docking technology. The Illustration of satellite servicer satellite will release and try flecks of paint and bits of plastic. to join with the client satellite, which will act as a mock In space, litter has the potential to be extremepiece of space junk. The technology is meant to attach ly harmful because the debris threatens the loss of itself to dead satellites and push them toward Earth services we rely on in everyday life, including weather so they burn up in the atmosphere rather than floating forecasting, telecommunications, and GPS systems. around as debris.

According to a recent report by NASA, there are at The mission’s goal is to demonstrate the servicer least 26,000 pieces of space junk the size of a softball that could “destroy a satellite on impact” because of satellite’s ability to track and dock with the client satelthe speed at which they orbit. lite, and the process will be repeated over the next six

Beloved author Beverly Cleary, creator of memorable characters like Ramona, Ralph S. Mouse and Henry Huggins, died March 25. She was 104.

Cleary was born Beverly Atlee Bunn. After early struggles with reading, Cleary became an AVID reader. She first thought about becoming a children’s author when she was in grade school. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley in 1938. That’s where she met Clarence Cleary, who she married in 1940.

Cleary earned a library degree at the University of Washington and worked as a librarian in Yakima, WA. She recalled in later interviews that she was inspired by young patrons who were looking for books that featured kids like them—ordinary kids. Her first book, “Henry Huggins,” was published in 1950.

Beverly Cleary Facts: Born: April 12, 1916 McMinnville, OR Died: March 25, 2021 in Carmel, CA Married to Clarence Cleary, raised two children— twins Malcolm and Marianne.

Cleary and “Kitty” in 1955

“I think children want to read about normal, everyday kids. That’s what I wanted to read about when I was growing up,” Cleary said in a radio interview with NPR in 1999.

“I wanted to read about the sort of (kids) that I knew in my neighborhood and in my school.”

One of Cleary’s most enduring, but not always endearing, characters is Ramona Geraldine Quimby. The energetic girl is the younger sister of Henry’s friend, Beezus, and was labeled a “pest” at times!

Cleary had many fans, and she answered her own fan mail. She also earned many awards, like the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal from the American Library Association in 1975.

Cleary won the National Book award in 1981 for “Ramona and Her Mother.” In 1984, she won the Newbery Medal for “Dear Mr. Henshaw,” a book that looked at divorce through a child’s eyes.

Cleary described her characters as the types of kids she knew, whose thoughts and actions reflected her own experiences.

She noted that her stories about everyday kids were the kind of books that she wished had been available when she was a child.

Cleary’s books have been translated into 29 languages.

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April 2021

Swim Season Is finally Here!

Even though a child knows how to swim, it doesn’t make the person waterproof.

NEVER SWIM !

ALONE Active Adult Supervision • Always watch children when they are in or near ANY body of water, without being distracted • Never leave children unattended • Keep young children within arm’s reach of an adult • Designate an official Water Watcher – an adult tasked with supervising children in the water

Barriers

• Pool fencing around pools and spas • Self-closing, self-latching gates • Teach children to never climb over the gate or fence • Install a door alarm from the house to the pool area • Keep pool and spa covers in working order

Coast Guard-approved Life Vest & Classes • All inexperienced swimmers should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest in or near all bodies of water.

• Choose a life vest that is right for your child’s weight and water activity.

• Arm floaties are toys. They are not a life-saving device and should never replace a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest.

• Enroll children in swimming lessons • Take CPR classes just in case of an emergency

Decode the Secret Safety Message! !

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Get the Scoop!

Reporter Loves Going Behind the Scenes

by Reporter Camilla Valdez, La Paloma Academy Lakeside

restaurants so she gave it a go. But every single restaurant always had a newspaper or a TV playing the news. “So the news was a part of my life everyday before it was an actual part of my job,” she says.

Before Schmidt became a reporter she went into nursing school, however she didn’t feel like it was a fit. Then, she went to law school and didn’t think it was right for her. Then she went to the University of Arizona, where she joined the journalism program. She felt like it was a perfect fit.

She graduated from the UofA in 2014 and got her bachelor’s degree in journalism. During her studies, an internship opportunity had her writing for CNN and how could she say no to that! She loved her job. She wrote an article about an invention that wasn’t even made yet and wouldn’t be made for decades—that article blew up as she got one million page views in a day.

When she got an offer to write for the Arizona Daily Star, she took it. “At this point it was clear to me that writing is what I wanted to do,” Schmidt says.

Image:tucson.com

During the March Young Reporters meeting, we interviewed Caitlin Schmidt, who works for the Arizona Daily Star. She talked to us about her past careers and how she became a reporter for the newspaper. She talked about her accomplishments in her writing career.

Schmidt shared an example of her favorite type of people to interview, most memorable moments, and her love for writing. She mentioned that she enjoys writing about sports, crimes and public safety. She believes that being a reporter is one of the best jobs.

“You can read about it and you can hear about it but when you go behind the scenes you can really see every detail,” she explains. Schmidt shared a memory of the time she interviewed scientists and got to go behind the scenes. “I was surprised and happy to see all the science in my backyard here in Tucson,” says Schmidt.

Schmidt mentioned that the pandemic has made some things harder for her job. “I’ve been doing my interviews by phone or via Zoom.” She says that it can take a long time to interview, write, edit and publish several articles.

Her friends had always told her to work at

NASA Highlights Mars Rover in Webinar

by Reporter Rori L. Divijak, Dove Mountain CSTEM K–8

Image:mars.nasa.gov

would be consequences. For example, there are rock Prior to the landing of the NASA Rover walls that are 200 feet tall near the landing site that Perseverance on Mars, I attended a live NASA could cause major damage. There were also craters webinar, Mars Perseverance: Mission Overview & that Perseverance would not be Countdown to Mars. A team able to get out of if it were to land in of eight scientists led this them. Lastly, there were dangerous webinar for students and rock fields that would not be good teachers. for landing locations.

Justin Simon (a NASA scientist) talked about the Scientists hope to use the rock planet Mars and about the and soil samples to detect if there rover Perseverance. He was every any life on the planet. talked about the weather on The Rover Perseverance was Mars and what kind of planet named by seventh-grader Alex it was. Simon also talked Mather when he won an essay about the certain parts of the contest. An eleventh-grader An illustration of the NASA Rover at work 2,260-pound rover and how named Vaneeza Rupani won a they worked. second essay contest to name the Perseverance succeeded in its mission to land NASA helicopter, Ingenuity. The NASA webinar was safely on Mars on Feb. 18, 2021. It will stay busy interesting and informative! I look forward to attending collecting Martian soil and rock samples. more NASA webinars in the future.

Perseverance needed to land perfectly or there MORE SCOOPS, page 21 ➧

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News Stories Written by Kids— for Kids Teacher Shares Love of History

by Reporter Abigail Hernandez Arizona Virtual Academy Recently I interviewed one of my amazing history teachers, Christie Mitchell. Mitchell has been a teacher for over 10 years!

She has 10 children, ages 35–16, and nine grandkids, (one I had the chance to meet at Mrs. Mitchell’s Middle School History Club).

Fun Fact: Mitchell helped write our school’s vision statement, “Our Vision is to empower students to take educational ownership for success tomorrow.”

When I asked Mitchell what her favorite part of being a history teacher is, she said it’s learning history. She said this year is going to be interesting, because it’s her first time teaching World War I (and World War II and beyond). Mitchell said she wanted to teach history because it’s fun! She wanted to be a science teacher, but like me, she doesn’t like math too well, and history seemed interesting. She chose to teach middle school students, because, “They don’t know what they want to do yet, and I want to help them find out who they are, with learning.” She told me that when she was applying to be a teacher, she had to read our school’s history textbooks and was surprised by how much we learn in a year.

Mitchell said that the best part of class is when a light bulb goes off in a student’s head, they realize something and know that they can succeed in it.

I asked what advice she would give to aspiring teachers, and Mitchell said: “Teach the subject you love and want to teach.

Teacher salaries aren’t a lot, so many teachers have the passion for teaching in their soul.”

Mitchell says her favorite history to teach is American History. She is excited because our school is going to be learning about the Gulf War from the American perspective.

MORE HISTORY, page 21 ➧

REPORT FOR BEAR! Call us at:

520-792-9930 sponsors

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BEAR 40 YEARS

Arizona Female Scouts Attain Eagle Scout Rank!

Two years ago, Scouts BSA opened its doors to female Scouts. Now the inaugural class of young women has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, including two inspiring Scouts from the Catalina Council here in Southern Arizona!

Annamaria Pongratz, 18, and Karen Bodey, 16, always wanted to join since their brothers enjoy being Scouts.

“My brother was already in a troop, and I got to see all the stuff that he was doing,” Karen says. “I actually went on a couple of the campouts when he was in the Cub Scouts. I mostly joined because I liked to hike and camp and be in the outdoors.”

Annamaria’s brother, Andy, is a senior patrol leader for Troop 007 and planned a Scouting Day at their house for the first day females could join, which was back in February 2019.

“We had a lot of girls,” Annamaria recalls. They worked on earning their first rank. “By the end of the day, we had completed all of the requirements, and Miss Laurene Huelsman (the Scoutmaster) signed us off.

It was really cool.”

“We worked on getting all the rank advancements for the first rank, which is Scout,” Karen says. From there the ranks are Tenderfoot Scout, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star, Life and finally Eagle.

“And each one gets progressively harder!” she explains.

A minimum of 21 merit badges including 13 that are required for every Eagle Scout, plus a list of other requirements, usually must be Karen Bodey completed before you’re 18. While

you can join Scouts BSA when you’re 11, females like Annamaria who had to wait to join would be too old before being able to earn the prestigious rank.

“So (some of) us girls had to do all that work in two years (before aging out).

Annamari Even though I’m 18, I still a Pongra tz had an extension till this March,” Annamaria explains.

Candidates also must lead an approved Eagle Scout Service Project. Annamaria planned and directed the building of a natural shade ramada along a trail in Sahuarita. (She’s also an intern for the Arizona Trail Assoc.) In total, 53 people contributed 253 hours, constructing the ramada on Jan. 9–10.

Karen chose to help Tucson Village Farm. “When I visited, I saw they did cooking classes, had a ropes course, and of course they grow things on the farm.” Interested in the trades like construction and welding, she organized and led the construction of two sets of collapsible A-frame shelves and seven chalkboard display signs for the farm. On Jan. 2 and 3, eight Scouts and four adults built them.

Annamaria and Karen have encouraged their friends to join Scouts BSA and both passed their nerve-racking Eagle Board Reviews on Zoom. Annamaria plans on doing landscape architecture at the UofA and wants to come back to help Troop 007 somehow like being a merit badge counselor. Karen is young enough and can choose to continue to attend the weekly troop meetings.

CONGRATS, new Eagle Scouts!

New: Summer Adventure Weekends!

Call 520-750-0385 or find a unit near you at BeAScout.org 2250 E. Broadway Blvd.

Tucson, AZ

The Catalina Council BSA, which runs Camp Lawton up on Mount Lemmon, is trying something new for Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts. Starting June 4, the council will launch its new Summer Adventure Weekends!

While up north, the Grand Canyon Council still offers its week-long summer camp programs for Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts, Camp Lawton is condensing its sleepover camps to weekends.

“For this model, we’re looking at starting on a Friday afternoon around noon or 2 p.m. and going until Sunday until about 4 p.m.,” explains District Executive Daniel Rowland.

The Scouts BSA Adventure Weekends will alternate through the summer with the Cub Scouts Adventure Week-

Friday night, two or three on Saturday ends. Each weekend will have a theme and another one on Sunday. It’s still or special focus PLUS all the fun that overnight. Some classes will be right up Camp Lawton is known for as it celeto dinnertime.” brates turning 100 years old.

For Scouts BSA: AdFor those in venture Weekend 1 (June Scouts BSA, 4–6) will have a theme of summer camp is Outdoor Skills and Trail a time to have fun to First Class/1st Year and work on rank Camper). advancement and Weekend 2 (June 18–20) the merit badges has a STEM theme and that you need. focus on Eagle Required But “instead of Merit Badges. Weekend working on five 3 (July 2–4) will have a merit badges a theme of Shooting Sports day, you’re going like archery, rifle, airsoft to be working on Al’s Wishing Well is named and chalk ball. one merit badge after the fellow who founded the springs for camp.

Cub Scouts Advenper two-hour time slot. It makes it ture Weekends will be June 11–13, June 25–27 and July 9–11. more focused with an emphasis on that Please visit CatalinaCouncil.org one merit badge,” Rowland says. “So for details and updates! you’re going to do a lesson or two on

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• April 2021

BEAR CELEBRATES

Earth

April 22, 2021

DAY!

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or those into rock collecting, Arizona is a fantastic place! But our state is also a wonderland of sorts with its jaw-dropping and beautiful geologic formations. As Earth Day nears (it’s always on April 22), why not celebrate by planning a family trip to see one or more of these spectacular spots?

Grand Canyon

Page 13

Did You know?

Back in the 1960s, voters in Wisconsin elected Gaylord Nelson to the U.S. Senate.

He was very troubled by the widespread environmental problems he saw in our country and wanted the nationʼs leaders to know that millions of Americans cared about these issues.

His big idea was to have “teach-ins” about the environment all over the nation, all on the

RA YI two letters and write down

Where the Wild Things Are! Volcanoes have been erupting in Iceland, Indonesia and Italy lately, but did you know we have our own volcanic area here in Arizona that you can learn about and visit?

At 12,633 feet, San Francisco Mountain towers in the background of Flagstaff. In fact, it’s the highest point in the state. But did you know that it’s a stratovolcano and part of a large complex of relatively young volcanoes?

Over its 6-million year history, the San Francisco Volcanic Field has produced more than 600 volcanoes and covers around 1,800 square miles! Much of the activity has been fairly “recent” in the geological scope of things, like Merriam Crater and other volcanic vents, which last erupted around 20,000 years ago. It is still considered an active volcanic area with new eruptions likely to occur on its eastern side.

San Francisco Volcanic Field

the next one.

Keep going until youʼve run out of letters!

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RI

Colossal Cave

BEAR 40 YEARS

Decode the Mystery Wheel Friendly Message!

At more than 6,000 feet deep, 277 miles long and up to 18 miles across, the Grand Canyon is as big as it is breathtakingly beautiful.

From Phoenix, starting on I-17 north, it’s about 230 miles to the famous South Rim. At the base of the canyon are igneous and metamorphic rock formations, which got their start around 2 billion years ago. On top of these formations are layers upon layers of sedimentary rock which were DEPOSITED by water much more recently.

Between 70 and 30 million years back, plate tectonics uplifted this whole layered cake to around 9,000 feet above sea level, creating what’s called the Colorado Plateau.

Around 5–6 million years ago, the mighty Colorado River began carving its way through the layers of sedimentary rock, slowly deepening and widening what we now know as the Grand Canyon!

In some super special places, Arizona offers sensational underground spectacles! A few of these caves are a mile or longer, and you can safely tour them with your family.

Please note that many underground places like abandoned mines are super dangerous and should NEVER be explored.

Just 15 minutes southeast of Tucson, Colossal Cave Mountain Park is home to three cave systems, but only Colossal Cave is open for visitors.

About 300 million years ago, this area was ocean, and the ancient sealife contributed to vast amounts of limestone. Eventually, the sea dried up, plates collided, thrusting limestone and granite together. Then EONS of water erosion formed 3.5 miles of crazy cave passageways!

The drips and trickles of water in the cave have dried up so the formations they created have stopped growing. But over the years, Colossal Cave has been used by a variety of people. The Hohokam may have used the cave as temporary shelter as early as A.D. 900. Archaeologists have also discovered evidence that Native tribes of Sobaipuri and Apache later utilized the cave. And back in the days of the Wild West, train robbers may have used the cave as a hideout and stashed bags of their stolen loot there!

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EMPOWERING millions of young people to help our planet and to send their message to Washington.

Nothing Could Be Grander!

A Real Arizona Hidden Treasure!

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April 2021

Petrified Forest

Earth F

or those into rock collecting, also a wonderland of sorts with its jaw-dropping and beautiful geologic formations. As Earth Day nears (it’s always on by planning a family trip to see one or more of these spectacular spots?

Grand Canyon

ock.com Image: shutterst

Petrified Forest National Park is famous for its fossilized trees that once stood upright and strong around 225 million years ago (the Late Triassic Epoch).

Covering 346 square miles, this magnificent park straddles Apache and Navajo counties in Northeastern Arizona, 26 miles east of Holbrook along I-40. With lots and lots of petrified logs and beautiful badlands, you won’t run out of things to explore and discover, and this is a perfect season to visit!

The earliest human inhabitants lived here 8,000 years ago. There’s a research center/museum, you can go on an hour-long drive, stopping at a few overlooks, or better yet, enjoy some of the short trails (you can even bring the family pooch). Spending a half-day there is recommended!

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Image: shutterstock.com

Write down the

first letter, skip the next

two letters and write down the next one.

Keep going until youʼve run out of letters!

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Image: Brian Gootee/USGS.gov

R A A E YI

Between 40,000 and 50,000 years ago, a massive meteorite sped through space, lit up as it entered Earth’s atmosphere and smashed into what’s now Northern Arizona!

Scientists say that the meteorite was half a football field wide and crashed into the ground at around 28,000 mph. About 350 million tons of rock and dirt were ejected, leaving behind Meteor Crater, which is almost a mile across and 550 feet deep! Inside, the terrain is rocky and dusty—the perfect place for NASA to test its spacesuits and equipment for the moon.

Thirty-five miles east of Flagstaff, Meteor Crater has a visitor center with a 10-minute introductory movie, a 1,400-pound meteorite and all sorts of space stuff. You can even walk the rim of the crater on a guided tour!

San Francisco Volcanic Field tain towers in the background of Flagstaff. In fact, it’s the highest point in the state. But did you know that it’s a stratovolcano and part of a large complex of relatively young volcanoes?

Over its 6-million year history, the San Francisco Volcanic Field has produced more than 600 volcanoes and covers around 1,800 square miles! Much of the activity has been fairly “recent” in the geological scope of things, like Merriam Crater and other volcanic vents, which last erupted around 20,000 years ago. It is still considered an active volcanic area with new eruptions likely to occur on its eastern side.

Back in the 1960s, voters in Wisconsin elected Gaylord Nelson to the U.S. Senate.

He was very troubled by the widespread environmental problems he saw in our country and wanted the nationʼs leaders to know that millions of Americans cared about these issues.

His big idea was to have “teach-ins” about the environment all over the nation, all on the same day—April 22, 1970. Through knowledge, he planned on EMPOWERING millions of young people to help our planet and to send their message to Washington.

START

Taking the BIG Hit!!

In some super special places, Arizona of underground spectacles! A few of these caves are a mile or longer, and you can safely tour them with your family Please note that many underground places like abandoned mines are super dangerous and should NEVER be explored.

Just 15 minutes southeast of T Mountain Park is home to three cave systems, but only Colossal Cave is open for visitors.

About 300 million years ago, this area was ocean, and the ancient sealife contributed to vast amounts of limestone. Eventually, the sea dried up, plates collided, thrusting limestone and granite together. water erosion formed 3.5 miles of crazy cave passageways!

The drips and trickles of water in the cave have dried up so the formations they created have stopped growing. But over the years, Colossal Cave has been used by a variety of people. The Hohokam may have used the cave as temporary shelter as early as A.D. 900. dence that Native tribes of Sobaipuri and Apache later utilized the cave.

West, train robbers may have used the cave as a hideout and stashed bags of their stolen loot there!

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Decode the Mystery Wheel for an Earth-Friendly Message!

Meteor Crater

A Real Arizona Hidden Tr

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Did You know?

This Place Is Absolutely Petrified!

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April 2021

Bear’s

CAMP GUIDE • 2021

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ust like everything else this year, there will be changes with summer camps. Some camps will be virtual—using Zoom or Facebook Live platforms—but there also will be day camps and residence camps.

Things parents should look at when choosing a summer camp include how the camps are complying with Covid-19 regulations and suggestions set up by the Centers for Disease Control.

The CDC has prepared a Readiness and Planning Tool so camps and youth programs can design their programs to keep everyone, from campers to counselors, safe.

Most camps have a disclaimer on their website explaining how they will be following Covid-19 protocols during their camps. They should have a list of how many campers will be together at a time, what campers are required to bring with them (mask, lunch, snacks, water bottles), how they will keep campers social distanced and more. If you do not see this information on a camp website, do not hesitate to give them a call and ask questions so that your camper and your family stay safe.

Campers will be expected to do their part as well to ensure that their camp experience is fun, memorable and safe! Wear a mask, social distancing, washing hands frequently and staying home if you have a fever, feel sick or have any symptoms.

The CDC Readiness and Planning Tool can be found at this link: www. cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/camp-planning-tool.pdf

April 2021 •

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ARTS EXPRESS SUMMER CAMPS AND INTENSIVES

5870 E. Broadway Blvd #214 • 319-0400 June–July Ages: 8–18 arts-express.org Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. Ages: 8-14 • June 14-25 ($530) Arie’s undersea journey is a beautiful love story for the ages.

Triple Threat Junior Ages: 8-12) June 1-11 & July 5-16 ($435-$480 per 2-week session) Beginning to intermediate students explore and develop skills in the triple threat arts of theatre.

Triple Threat Ages: 13-18 June 14-25 & July 19-30 ($480 per 2-week session) Develop performance ready stamina in the triple arts of theatre trade: acting, singing and dance.

CHILD LANGUAGE CENTER WINGS ON WORDS SUMMER AT WOW 202 E. Speedway Blvd.

628-1659 • Carole Jensen Ages: 3–6 June 1–June 30 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. www.clctucson.org

Language & Literacy Building activities to get your child talking, interacting and interested in word and reading (ages 3-5).

Soaring into Reading: a fun explanation of Science-based concepts to increase and improve reading vocabulary (ages 6-8, K-2).

Daily Speech-Language therapy for children with speech-language impairments or reading difficulties. Camp and Scholarship forms available at www.clctucson.org, DES Approved, NAC accredited. *Ask about before and after care.

Enroll in

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM TUCSON

200 S. 6th Ave. • 792-9985 Option 5

camps@childrensmuseumtucson.org www.childrensmuseumtucson.org

CMT Summer Camps offer fun-filled learning! Campers will enjoy hands-on art projects, experiments, demonstrations and time in the Museum. A variety of science, technology, engineering and art with Museum staff. Half-day camps, mornings only. Cost: $155 per weekly camp, member discount provided. Ages: 4-9

DRAMA KIDS INTERNATIONAL

7739 E. Broadway #113 • 444-9029 June–July Ages: 4–17 dramakidsaz1@cox.net www.dramakids.com/az1 With locations on the east and west side of Tucson, Drama Kids summer camps run all through June and July. These camps will help inspire confidence, public speaking, and teamwork skills while they develop their acting and theatre abilities. Covid19 guidelines will be followed, including masks for all in attendance as well as social distancing and handwashing.

MORE CAMP GUIDE, page 16

EXPRESS YOURSELF! To Register

dramakids.com/az1 520-304-2876 2 locations available: 3301 W. Overton Rd. and 14600 E. Colossal Cave Rd.

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CAMP GUIDE • 2021 continued from page 15

GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA

4300 E. Broadway Blvd.

327-2288 customercare@girlscoutssoaz.org Day Camp: Sabino Canyon Resident Camp: Mt. Lemmon Dates and cost vary. Scholarships available!

www.girlscoutssoaz.org/camp

Camp life is the best life! Girl Scouts has an amazing summer planned for 2021 Covid adapted camps. Camps are offered to all girls ages 5-18. No Girl Scout experience required. We are offering day camp, resident camp and virtual camp! We have something for every girl this summer! Week long day camps and week long resident camps, one and two night Family Camp options available throughout June and July.

GOLF N’ STUFF

6503 E. Tanque Verde 296-2366 X13 • Taylor Nelson gnssales@gmail.com www.golfnstuff.com Come and enjoy your summer at Golf N’ Stuff! Mini Park Pass: $17.50 per person.

Includes 1 round of golf, 1 attraction and 12 arcade tokens.

All Park Pass: $23.50 per person. Includes 1 round of golf, 4 attractions and 12 arcade tokens.

Weekend Special: $28 per person. 2 hours unlimited golf, Bumper Boats, Go-Karts and 12 arcade tokens.

Group and Birthday Party rates available.

Mask Required.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA Humane Amigos Summer Camp

635 W. Roger Road Ages 6–11 Summer Camps in June and July $275–($250 for Hand in Paw Kids Club members) 321-3704 X 171 • Amy Faulk afaulk@hssaz.org

www.hssaz.org/camp Rescue Crew (ages 6-8) May 31 - June 3, June 14 – 17, July 19 – 22 Shelter Squad (ages 9-11 )June 7-11, June 21 – 24, July 12-15, July 26 - 29 The Humane Amigos Camps will give your child a new perspective on caring for animals, preventing animal cruelty, understanding animal behavior, and more. We use a variety of activities that stress an appreciation for our environment and preservation of our natural world: classroom activities, creative and artistic exercises, hands-on animal care, great games, and character-building lessons.

Kids and pets get together during Humane Amigos Camps. Campers spend a minimum of 2 hours daily caring for different camp foster animals. These animals may include

ball pythons, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, cats, and dogs. Humane Amigos Camps provides children with an in-depth, hands-on education about animal care and the human-animal bond.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR PEACE

4625 E. River Rd. (River/Swan) 299-8908 Weekly Camps from June 7–July 23 Summer Care Starting at $145/week Ages: 2–6 cathy@internationalschoolforpeace.com www.internationalschoolforpeace.com

Tucson’s FIRST Spanish Immersion Preschool invites you to immerse your child in language learning & multi-cultural experiences all summer long. Full and Partial Spanish enrichment available.

Weekly themes and water play, small class sizes, flexible hours, peaceful conflict resolution. Before and after care options available. 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. DES contracted.

LA PALOMA ACADEMY Central: 2050 N. Wilmot Lakeside: 8140 E. Golf Links Rd. South: 5660 S. 12th Ave. Ages: 3–12

www.lpatucson.org/

Central: Get ready for a summer of fun! At La Paloma Academy Central Summer Camp, kids, age 3-12, can keep busy, Mon–Fri, from June 1–July 23, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. We’ll provide fully supervised activities like arts and crafts, sports, swimming, academic enrichment, and more. The weekly rate of $150 includes breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, all activities, and two weekly field trips. DES eligible. Masks are required for all staff and students. Health screenings are performed before entering campus, maintaining social distance whenever possible, requiring handwashing and hand sanitizing, disinfecting high touch areas, and disinfecting playground equipment throughout the day. Enrollment deadline is May 28. Call 520-721-4205 for more information.

Lakeside: Get ready for a summer of fun! At La Paloma Academy Lakeside Summer Camp, kids, age 3-12, can keep busy, Mon–Fri, from June 1–July 23, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. We’ll provide fully supervised activities like arts and crafts, sports, swimming, academic enrichment, and more. The weekly rate of $150 includes breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, all activities, and two weekly field trips. DES eligible. Masks are required for all staff and students. Health screenings are performed before entering campus, maintaining social distance whenever possible, requiring handwashing and hand sanitizing, disinfecting high touch areas, and disinfecting playground equipment throughout the day. Enrollment deadline is May 28. Call 520-733-7373 for more information.

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LA PALOMA ACADEMY CONTINUED

South: Get ready for a summer of fun! At La Paloma Academy South Summer Camp, kids, age 3–12, can keep busy, Mon–Fri, from June 1–July 23, 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.

We’ll provide fully supervised activities like arts and crafts, sports, swimming, academic enrichment, and more. The weekly rate of $150 includes breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, all activities, and two weekly field trips. DES eligible. Masks are required for all staff and students. Health screenings are performed before entering campus, maintaining social distance whenever possible, requiring handwashing and hand sanitizing, disinfecting high touch areas, and disinfecting playground equipment throughout the day. Call 520-807-9668 for more information.

LA PETITE ACADEMY 6 Tucson Schools 877-217-9530 May 31–Aug 13 • Ages: 5–12 www.lapetite.com/summer

Invent your summer. Camp Innovate, at La Petite Academy®, is a great way to discover all the joys of summer. Your child will enjoy weekly themed experiences (exploring interesting subjects such as science, art, animals, history and games) engaging activities, fun projects, and healthy meals and snacks. Choose your favorite weekly camp themes, or spend the whole summer with us. Plus, campers will get a brand-new T-shirt, baseball cap, and backpack for summer adventures! Sounds great, right?

Then, what are you waiting for? Call us at 877-217-9530 or visit our website to learn more and to find your local school.

LEMAN ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE

4 locations in Tucson 877-BE-LEMAN Ages: K–8 June–August npennington@lemanacademy.org lemanacademy.com Keep checking our website for camp programs and dates.

BEAR 40 YEARS

International School for Peace Tucson’s First Spanish Immersion Preschool Play-based, multicultural, non-biased curriculum that celebrates diversity. Low teacher-student ratio.

Summer Care Dates: June

7–July 23

Rates: Starting at $145 a week Offering: Full and half day options, Full and Partial Spanish Immersion Extended care option available

4625 E. River Road

(Located on the grounds of St. Francis in the Foothills)

THE MINI TIME MACHINE MUSEUM OF MINIATURES 4455 E. Camp Lowell Dr. 881-0606 ext 104 Ages: 5–12

https://theminitimemachine.org/summer-camp/ Spend July at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures! In our week-long, half-day camps, students construct their own miniature creations incorporating STEAM concepts including ecology, biology, engineering, literature, and history.

Craft a felt rabbit habitat or fairy nursery, design a pyramid themed board game or a marionette, build a hydraulic circus elephant or an aquaponic mermaid city, and more.

Cost: $135, Museum member discounts and financial need-based scholarships available.

See complete details on our website.

MORE CAMP GUIDE, page 18

Call 299-8908 for more info or visit www.internationalschoolforpeace.com

June 1st–June 30th Wings on Words

Summer Camp Programs Language and Literacy Building activities to get your child (ages 3–5) talking, interacting and interested in words and reading.

Soaring into Reading for children (ages 6–8) will be a fun exploration of science-based concepts to increase and improve reading and vocabulary.

Daily speech-language therapy Available for children with speech-language impairments or reading difficulties.

Child-Language Center— Wings on Words 202 E. Speedway Blvd.

520-628-1659

Camp and Scholarship forms available online at clctucson.org

HOURS: 8:30 am–3:30 pm Ask about before and after care

“ADVENTURE A DAY” CAMP Monday, June 14—Friday, June 18

in collaboration with the FOX Theatre Tucson

REGISTER TODAY FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT www.boyschorus.org/adventure/ • 520-296-6277

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REID PARK ZOO

CAMP GUIDE • 2021 continued from page 17

PRESIDIO MUSEUM SUMMER CAMP

196 N. Court Ave. 622-0594 Live History! Weeks of June 7 and 21 Ages: 8–12 Archaeology Camp: Week of June 14 Ages: 10–14 Bilingual Theatre/Re-enactment Camp Week of June 21 Ages: 11-15 M–F 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. https://tucsonpresidio.com/summer-camps-2021/ Campers will take a trip back in time and

experience Tucson the way the early settlers did! Kids will make adobe bricks, tin ornaments and a personal family crest. They will experience gardening, grinding corn by hand and play presidio period games all while learning about their ancestors, their natural surroundings and Tucson’s multicultural history. $265 for Presidio Museum Members $290 for Non-Members 10% discout for siblings.

Masks and regular handwashing and sanitizing required during camp attendance.

15% OFF GROUP RATES! Register Online for groups of 10 or more, and enjoy a 15% discount on your rate!

Offer valid through May 30th

There’s Still T ime to Plan a Field Trip...

Book Yours Now! 6503 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

This year’s camp includes 4 days of camp at the Zoo and one day of virtual programming.

Registration is for all 5 days. $145 for the week for zoo members ($175 for nonmembers) Registration required.

Scholarships are available.

Limited capacity due to COVID-19.

TUCSON ARIZONA BOYS CHORUS 5770 E. Pima 296-6277 June 14–18 Ages: 6–14 tabc@bpuschorus.org boyschorus.org

Age appropriate day camp with sessions offered in singing, acting and fancy trick rodeo roping. The week will culminate in a performance. Activities will be offered in outside, shaded areas as available and safety protocols will be in place.

TUCSON CLAY CO–OP SCHOOL & GALLERY

3326 N. Dodge Blvd.

917-705-3803 Play with Clay 3 hour sessions

tucsonclaycoop@yahoo.com

Play around on the potters wheel or hand build. Limited to one family (no more than 4 people).

Two electric wheels, a table to hand build at, wedged balls of clay & a beginner wheel lesson on your computer (sent to you prior to your appointment) and it is outdoors!!!! $50 for 3 hours, $5 for each piece you want fired.

Hand Building with Keita Tsutsumi $75 each family member. Children may not attend without their caregivers.

Kid’s Clay Kits : how to make a mask, an owl, play the clay game, etc. $10 each or less.

Paint Bar: Two families per day gets to rent our paint bar bus. Cost depends on what you choose to paint - for example mugs and cereal bowls are $18 and this includes underglazes and firing. (Air is changed between families).

TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART SUMMER ARTS PROGRAM 166 W. Alameda 624-2333 ext 7121 education@TucsonMuseumofArt.org

www.tucsonmuseumofart.org/summer-camp/ Draw, paint, sculpt, collage, print and more!

Through gallery and studio activities, kids ages 4-13 discover culture and art from around the world and create original works of art. Daily 8:30-3, with aftercare available until 5 p.m

Summer Camps

at the Presidio Museum!

We Are Open!

Live Tucson’s History — Weeks of June 7 and 21, Ages 8-12 Activities may include: • Blacksmithing/Tinsmithing • Training to be a Spanish soldier • Experiencing foods native to the Sonoran Desert • Candle making

Campers will: • Excavate a simulated archaeological site • Learn about map making • Analyze the artifacts found during excavation

Bilingual Theater/Re-enactment Camp — Week of June 21, Ages 8-13 Activities include: • Conducted in Spanish with translations for non-Spanish speakers • Play-acting of skits based on historical characters & events in period costume • Hands-on local agricultural practices

For more information and to register, go to www.tucsonpresidio.com/ summer-camps-2021

All camps run 8:30 am–2:30 pm $290 for Non-members $265 for Presidio Museum

Masks and regular hand washing and sanitizing required during camp attendance.

10% off for siblings

Archaeology — Week of June 14, Ages 10-14

Call (520) 296-2366

ext. 13 for reservations!

www.golfnstuff.com

FREE Golf Pass! (with the purchase of another at the regular price) 36 Holes of the Worldʼs Finest Miniature Golf Arcade • Skee-ball • Wet nʼ Wild Bumper Boats • Cool Go Karts • Batting Cages Group Rates

6503 E. TANQUE VERDE RD. • 885-3569

3400 Zoo Court 837-8200 Weekly Camps June 7–July 31 Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–Noon at the Zoo Friday 9–11 a.m. virtual camp session zooeducation@tucsonaz.gov www.reidparkzoo.org

Expires 5/30/21

196 N. Court Ave., Tucson

Members

520-622-0594

TucsonPresidio.com

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e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

TUCSON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

900 S. Randolph Way • 791-4877 tucsonaz.gov/parks/classes-and-programs Find your fun with Tucson Parks and Recreation for a safe and educational summertime experience.

KIDCO and summer activity classes available. Signing up is easy at EZEEreg.com.

TUCSON RACQUET CLUB SUMMER CAMP

4001 N. Country Club Rd. 520-303-7902 • Gretchen Schantz June 1–August 6 9 a.m.–2 p.m. summercamp@tucsonracquetclub.com www.tucsonracquetclub.com

Tucson Racquet Club offers a “Sports Camp” for all ages, abilities and interests.

Soccer Camp: (ages 8–14) Drop off will be at Rio Vista Park and pick up will be at Tucson Racquet Club. Morning soccer rotation at Rio Vista Park followed by a dip in the pool and lunch.

All Sports Camp: (ages 7–15) Includes tennis, basketball, volleyball, swimming and racquetball.

Pee Wee Sports Camp: (ages 5–7) Features basketball, tennis, gym time, swim instruction and arts & crafts.

Tennis Camp: (ages 7–17) Tennis instruction in the morning followed by games and matches in the afternoon.

Jr. Evening Tennis Camp: (ages 7–16) Tennis instruction, drill and fun in the cool evening.

MORE CAMP GUIDE, page 20

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TUSD COMMUNITY EDUCATION EDUCATION PROGRAMS

www.tusd.org/summerprograms Our programs engage students in various activities that include arts & crafts, indoor/ outdoor games, cooking, Mariachi, dance, homework help, and more!

Programs are licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and accept DES. Our summer programs provide families with a safe, nurturing, and structured environment. All TUSD Safety protocols will be in place, including wearing masks and physical distancing.

Watch our website for weekly updates and summer program locations.

YMCA OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA 623-9481 60 W. Alameda June 7–July 31 Ages: 5–12 foryouth@tucsonymca.org

Day Camp: https://tucsonymca.org/program/ summercamp/ Resident (Overnight) Camp: https://tucsonymca.org/program/residentcamp/

Tell your kids the awesome news: “Summer Camp at the YMCA is back!” The Y is offering both day camp and resident (overnight) camp options. The line-up for the Y’s Summer Camp Unplugged includes outer space adventures, animal encounters, and trips to the pool. There will also be plenty of hands – on STEAM activities.

Additionally, resident campers will enjoy horseback riding, stargazing and lots of delicious food!

Check out all of our guides online at

BearEssentialNews.com Click on GUIDES

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e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

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There’s So Much to Do at Golf N’ Stuff!

by Reporter Lizzy Barrett, Old Vail Middle School My family recently went to Golf N’ Stuff and I interviewed Taylor Nelson, the Director of Sales for Golf N’ Stuff. She has been working at Golf N’ Stuff since 2016 when she first worked as a cashier.

Since COVID began, Nelson helps schedule outside birthday parties. We talked about the history of Golf N’ Stuff and COVID safety guidelines.

There are three locations for Golf N’ Stuff: One in Tucson and two locations in Ventura and Norwalk in California. In fact, the original Karate Kid movie used the Golf N’ Stuff arcade as a movie set in Norwalk.

Golf N’ Stuff was first established in 1976 in Tucson with a sister company named Castles N’ Coasters located in Phoenix. Originally, Golf N’ Stuff’s name was Golf N’ Things. When they first began, they wanted a medieval theme course. After the Tucson location opened, the other locations opened up simultaneously. Golf N’ Stuff first started with the two miniature golf courses and the arcade.

Then, they opened the bumper boats. Later, they opened the go-karts and the batting cages. The last attraction that they added was laser tag.

Safety measures are currently being taken due to COVID. Guests are required to wear masks at all

times. There are six feet markers when people are standing in line. Also, every other game in the arcade is shut off, and an arcade tech is scheduled to clean the available games as well as restrooms every hour. Furthermore, at each station and register, there are hand sanitizers for employees and guests. There are also UV-C sanitizers to kill germs on the golf balls and golf clubs.

When I was at Golf N’ Stuff, I had a blast there. I enjoyed being with my family. I played golf and I rode the go-karts. I felt very safe while having a fabulous time. People should consider coming out here because Golf N’ Stuff is safe and fun for the whole family. I will come back again multiple times.

More History

Barrett perfecting her putting skills

Continued from page 7

She also enjoys teaching the Gettysburg Address.

I feel like I’ve learned a lot from Mitchell. She has taught me some important lessons, and one of them is to not give up, which I learned from watching her teach.

Mitchell has also taught me to try new things—or as we call it in my history class, Counter-Culture (which some famous people such as Van Gogh, Stravinsky, Gandhi, Zola and Freud expressed).

She gave me an idea for what I want to do when I grow up—be a history teacher. So for people everywhere, in the words of Mrs. Mitchell, it’s time to embrace learning, and not to resist it.

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Celebrate Earth Day!

Let’s get M-o-o-o-o-vin’ with the Celebration!

Did You Know?

Water is recycled several times on a dairy farm! clean the cows

cool containers of fresh milk

S’mores

Ice Cream Pie

Tent Optional!

spray down barns

To find this fun and delicious recipe, scan the QR code!

It will take you to our website where you’ll find lots more great recipes for the family.

mix with compost for crops

www.arizonamilk.org