Scoops pages 5, 9

B

Get the Scoop!

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Book Tells a Family’s Story

by Reporter Madison Divijak Dove Mountain CSTEM K–8

The book “Front Desk” is a very memorable story written by Kelly Yang. It tells about 10-year-old Mia Tang and her struggles as she moves from China to California. Mia wants to enter an essay contest to win a motel for her family to stay in because she thinks that this will change their luck in California. She uses all of her pennies and her dad’s lucky pennies to get $300 to enter. When her mom finds out what Mia wants to do she tells her to just stick to math because her English writing skills are not good enough. Even though her mom thinks that she can not do it, Mia enters the contest because she knows that her family would benefit from the motel. I enjoyed the different points of view that were included in this story. Some of my favorite characters were Mr. Yoa, the bossy and wealthy motel owner, and the main character, Mia, a kind fifth-grade girl whose family struggles financially as they live in and work at the Calivista Motel. The story is told in such a way that it creates vivid images of the characters and events included in the book. The moral of the story is that even if you have challenges, you can rise above them with the support of good friends. I recommend the book “Front Desk” because it’s a very interesting story with unexpected twists. This book is the first in a series, so you can continue to read more about Mia in “New From Here” and “Room to Dream. ”

Kids! Write a BOOK REVIEW, and enter to WIN Passes to SEA LIFE/Legoland Discovery!

See page 12 for contest & entry information.

® B ear essential news B ear essential news 40 YEARS! www.bearessentialnews.com Summer Camp Guide Summer Camp Guide

Find Your Copy of Bear Essential News Bear Essential News this Summer at Your this Summer at Your

local library

CAMP GUIDE FEATURE ??? ????? ???! plus, ???????????????? Pages 10 & 11 NEWS ??? ????? ??? Spotlight on ????????? News Highlights page 3

NEWS FAMILIES

??? ????? ??? & more news kids can use Scoops pages 5, ?? & ??

??? ????? In This Picture: a apple, an icecream cone, the word MOM, a sea turtle, a paintbrush, an arrow, a hamburger, the U.S. Flag, a telescope and the word CAMPS! ????????????????? Summer Camps Page ??

There’s one for you! Pages ?? thru ??

Or, check it out at BearEssentialNews.com BearEssentialNews.com CAMP GUIDE

Now that more and more adults and children are vaccinated and the number of COVID cases is going down, things are starting to return to near normal. Kids will be looking forward to going to camp this summer. And, with summer camps limiting spaces again this year, the camps will fi ll up quickly. Sending your child to summer camp has always been an important way to let them try new things and learn new skills. A fi ve-year study of 18–to –25–year–old former campers by the American Camp Association proved that summer camps helped these individuals have more success in high school, college and in their career by providing social skills, leadership skills and more. (This study can be found at www.acacamps.org/resource-library/research/ camp-impact-study). Getting a child out of their comfort zone and attending a summer camp with new kids and new adult role models can help the shy child become more outgoing, learn teamwork and develop leadership skills. At summer camps kids make new friends that might become friends for a lifetime. Kids can gain confi dence by working together to problem solve, and they might try a new skill like cooking, pottery, archery, rock climbing, canoeing or horseback riding. Summer camps are a great way to get your child to unplug from technology. Instead of spending time watching television or being on a cell phone, tablet or the Internet, kids can experience the outdoors, nature and animals or even get bold enough to scale a rock wall or try zip lining. Take a look through Bear’s Summer Camp Guide and see what your child can discover this summer. There are camps that teach acting, dancing, history, swimming, arts, sports, academics, STEM and STEAM, and even animal care. Some camps are day camps where campers are dropped off in the morning and return home in the afternoon, and others are resident camps where campers spend about fi ve days away from home in a cabin or cabana. Most camps explain what to expect from their camps, CDC guidelines and safety and more on their websites. Listings start on page 16

Don’t Miss Out! Register for Girl Scouts Summer Camp Today

Don’t miss Girl Scouts Summer Camp 2022! Now is the time to register for camp to make sure her summer is filled with adventure and new friends. Camp starts on June 5. Girl Scouts Summer Camp is a great place to make like-minded friends, and girls feel more comfortable taking safe risks and trying new things in this safe all-girl space. Whether she’s learning outdoor skills (like fire safety or outdoor cooking) or getting creative, your girl can feel like herself in an environment created just for girls. Your girl can feed her sense of adventure by trying a new skill like archery, rock climbing or canoeing. Maybe she will flex her creative muscles by putting together a skit or play and performing it in front of her new friends. With camp properties in Phoenix, Payson, and Prescott—you're sure to find a program that’s right for you. You don’t have to be a current Girl Scout to go to Girl Scouts Summer Camp. Financial assistance is available for those who need it. Some popular camp programs include horseback riding. But whichever camp you

Campers learn mountain biking techniques and prepare to go on a trail ride.

choose, your girl will have a great experience that includes:

• Archery • Outdoor arts & crafts • STEM activities • Nature hikes • Teambuilding and games • Making new friends • S’mores making and more!

Different camps have a variety of structures to suit new or seasoned campers, younger or older girls, or those attending a camp for the first time. Don’t miss out on a fun-filled summer adventure. Register now! Learn more about summer Getting ready to climb the obstacle course and zip line at night! camp programs and register at www.girlscoutsaz.org/camp!

Join Girl Scouts today! Visit girlscoutsaz.org Call 602-452-7030 Text 844-317-9041

@GSACPC

continued from page 14

AZ ON TRACK SUMMER CAMPS

June–August Multiple locations statewide Free for Arizona students pre-K–12 www.azontrack.com AZ OnTrack Summer Camps, launched by Governor Doug Ducey, offers FREE half-day and full-day options throughout the state for all Arizona public and private school students pre-K–12. Campers will enjoy fun, in-person education and enrichment activities that will pique their curiosity and re-ignite their love of learning while preparing them for the 2022–23 school year. Camps will offer instruction in mathematics, literacy, civics and credit recovery as well as adventure, enrichment, and social skill building. Meals and transportation are offered to Campers. Find Camps near you at www.azontrack.com. Be sure to check back often, as new Camp locations are being added weekly!

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE VALLEY

602-954-8182 Register Now BGCAZ.org Sign up for summer Enrichment & Fun at BGCAZ’s high-quality, affordable summer program. Morning programs will focus on engaging and fun academic and social enrichment to prepare students for fall. Afternoons will include arts, sports, games and more! Teens (13–18) will create exciting service learning projects that will build selfconfidence and leadership skills and count for volunteer service hours. Weekly program fees for youth 5–12 start at $60 and financial aid is available at all Clubs. Teens are free with Club membership. Open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Breakfast and lunch are included daily in the full-day programming. Check BGCAZ.org to find your local Club. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

BLACK MOUNTAIN BMX

24024 N. 11th Street • Phoenix 602-999-5979 All Ages

www.usabmx.com/tracks/0257 All ages and all experience levels are welcome! Clinics, Practice and Racing. Visit www.usabmx.com/tracks/0257 for full details, location, directions and more.

BOOKMANS ENTERTAINMENT EXCHANGE

MESA: 8034 N. 19TH Ave PHOENIX: 1056 S. Country Club Dr

www.bookmans.com Check out Bookmans.com for weekly family friendly events and activities. Click on the Join tab to sign up for the Kids Club or 1317 to get discounts.

CAMP ZOO AT THE PHOENIX ZOO

455 N. Galvin Pkwy. • Phoenix 602-286-3800 June 6–July 29 www.phoenixzoo.org/camps-programs/ camps/ Welcome to Camp Zoo 2022: Build the Zoo! This year, Camp is all about finding out what it takes to help save animals. Campers will discover the different ways we look after the animals at the Zoo, while tackling challenges to help save their counterparts in the wild. They will spend the mornings on the trails, enjoying close encounters with the animals and learning from their care teams, as well as playing games and hanging out in the splash pads. The afternoons will be spent working in groups indoors to tackle design challenges related to their theme, and more Camp Zoostyle fun! Incorporating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) principles and going through the design, build, test, and revise process, campers will use what they’ve learned about the animals to create real-world solutions and top off the week presenting their design.

EAST VALLEY CHILDREN’S THEATRE Summer Theatre Camps

4501 E. Main St. • Mesa 480-756-3828 May 31–July 15 Ages: 5–17 www.evct.org/camps info@evct.org

Black Mountain BMX We Are OPEN and RACING!

For Dates and Times, check our website 602-999-5979

www.blackmountainbmx.com

Evct has four different in-person summer camp programs: Imagination Theatre Camp for kids age 5–8, Musical Theatre Camp & Theatre Workshop Camp for kids age 8–15 and a Four Day Acting Intensive for kids age 11–17. Participants learn performance techniques, teamwork, communication skills and have FUN in a non-competitive, educational atmosphere. Instructors are local theatre professional in the field of dance, music and theatre.

GIRL SCOUTS— ARIZONA CACTUS-PINE COUNCIL

Four Camps • Phoenix, Prescott, Payson 602-452-7000 Register Now June-July

www.girlscoutsaz.org/en/camps/summercamp.html After a safe and successful camp season last year, the GSACPC Camp team is thrilled to invite girls back for another year packed with more of what you love. We are looking forward to troop, day, resident, and miniresident camp options! We’re also excited to offer programs we know you’ll love – aviation, STEM, equine, and the new installations of rock climbing, bouldering, and zip lining at Parsons Leadership Center!

GRAND CANYON COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA AZ OUTDOOR ED

Multiple six-day options • Payson 602-955-7747 x239 June–July All Youth 13+ www.azoutdoored.org Utilizing our Scout camps and programs, these six-day programs are available to all youth ages 13 and above. Young men and women are encouraged to get involved, enjoy the outdoors, create friendships, and explore new hobbies and interests as they learn in a safe, structured setting. Our traditional summer camp program is also available for all youth to participate in, regardless of your current Scout affiliation! Youth Adventure Day Camp—Ages: 6–10. This drop-off day camp is designed for youth to come and enjoy a themed week of activities and fun Monday–Friday during the summer months. Sign up for a week of activities happening at the Heard Scout Camp where our trained staff will provide fun, safe, and engaging programs for kids ages 6–10. Each week will offer different adventures to choose from including swimming, cooking, STEM and more. Spade Ranch At Camp Geronimo—Ages: 14–18. Join us for our second ever Drone Camp where you will learn how to build a drone and how to utilize it in everyday life. Or, get in touch with your “wild side” in our Spade Ranch program where you’ll experience an outdoor adventure unlike any other, from exploring caves to rappelling down waterfalls, there is bound to be adventure for all! You can also get your feet wet with Fish Camp, where you will fish in Arizona’s beautiful creeks and streams, learn about the local ecology and have a ton of “fin”! R-C Scout Camp—Ages: 6–10. R-C Scout Camp is a resident camp (overnight) experience for families serving children ages 6–10. Programs for this partner and pal experience may include horseback riding, arts and crafts, STEM activities, field activities and more. Youth have the chance to learn and develop character, citizenship, and personal fitness through awesome activities while spending uninterrupted quality time with their families.

LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER ARIZONA

855-450-0558 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Ste 135 • Tempe Ages: 3–10 Arizona@LEGOLANDDiscovery.com www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/ arizona/ Jump into the biggest box of LEGO bricks EVER at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona! With two rides, a 4D Cinema, plus 12 build & play zones, there is something for children of all ages. Tickets are limited, book online to guarantee admission.

Listings continue on page 18 Appropriate Adult Supervision

Kool Kids

Free swim for boys and girls 17 & under at Phoenix public pools. Call (602) 534-6587 For locations: www.phoenix.gov/parks/pools