Navigating summer vacation with kids: survive or thrive?

Summer break is upon us. For parents, this means a muchneeded break from cramming activities and school into a day that simply doesn’t contain enough hours, and a break from the school emails that add even more to your to-do list. For kiddos, a break from homework and early wake-up times. However, the prospect of keeping kids entertained and maintaining some semblance of order can be overwhelming. Add in trying to navigate camp registration mayhem that rivals getting tickets to Taylor Swift, only to then have to put all of those moving pieces into one streamlined and e cient calendar — well, it’s a lot, and frankly doesn’t always feel like that much of a break. Ensure your family thrives this summer (not just survives) with the helpful tips below.

The power of routines

During the school year, kids thrive on the structure provided by their daily routines. Summer vacation disrupts this structure, potentially leading to restlessness and boredom — and I think it’s safe to say that hearing “I’m bored” from your kids can be triggering.

Start and end each day with a consistent wake-up time and bedtime. Keep hygiene routines the same. e more these routines stay somewhat similar to the school year, the less adjustment and struggles you’ll have getting back into the swing of things in the fall.

Divide the day into structured time blocks for various activities. is can include dedicated time for learning, outdoor play, creative activities, quiet time and family time. Setting aside speci c times for di erent activities provides a sense of consistency as well as regular scenery changes. Having these blocks doesn’t mean you have to have activities to ll every minute. Give kids some ownership of how to ll the time via a weekly family meeting to plan the upcoming week. Less mental load for parents and more engagement from kids equals a win-win.

Maintaining regular meal times is also a huge help in creating a summer routine. Meal planning can be a lot, even when parents aren’t having to plan three meals a day plus snacks, but giving your kids an opportunity to contribute to the meal plan is a great way to lighten the load. Tired of hearing, “I don’t like that?” Have everyone put their favorite meals in a jar so you can just grab and plug them in, depersonalizing the choice and minimizing disagreements.

Engaging activities for summer

Make the most of the warm weather by engaging in outdoor activities. Like recess, but di erent. Plan family hikes, picnics or visits to local parks. Encouraging kids to explore nature, go for bike rides, take ownership of daily dog walks, play in the water — anything to get outside and enjoy some Vitamin D. If there are struggles to decide what to do, using the same meal option trick works well as the element of surprise overcomes complaints — hopefully.

Summer vacation doesn’t mean learning should take a backseat. Make a bucket list of local museums, libraries or science centers to visit. Game nights for some quality non-screen time also keeps minds sharp. You’ve heard of chore charts, but reading charts in the summer are a great option, too. A throwback to Pizza Hut Book-It, anyone? I’m an especially huge fan of journaling to capture the day, and highly suggest making a point to capture some gratitude as well.

Set up a designated art area at home where kids can paint, draw or engage in crafts. We say the mess is worth it — mostly, unless slime is involved!

When it’s too much

We live in a world of doing it all at all costs, and the reality is we need to shift that narrative. Asking for help is OK. Taking a break is OK. Not doing everything on your list is OK. Need a quick self-care moment or run errands sans kids? Form a baby-sitting co-op. Babysitters are saviors, but they also come at a cost and can be hard to nd. One solution is to form a co-op with friends or neighbors.

Reading this and still wondering where you’ll nd all the time? We get it, we highly recommend checking out TULA — your personal assistant and/or personal chef at the touch of a button, ready to take over your to-do list so you can focus on the fun.

Survive or thrive?

There will be days, even hours, when it feels like you’re both surviving and thriving in equal, and sometimes less-than-equal parts, and that’s OK. Navigating summer vacation with kids can be a joyful and rewarding experience when approached with the right mindset, but it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed, too. Give yourself a break, give your kids a break. Giving grace, leaning into flexibility and shooting for a bit of balance will serve everyone well and make for a summer of fun and memories.

Megan Trask and Cody Galloway are Denver residents and co-founders of TULA Life Balanced. Learn more about their business at tulabalanced.com.

With professional backgrounds ranging from engineering and law to journalism and teaching, these 17 Change Makers fellows had honed a range of skills and talents. ey came to the program ready for a change — to use that hard-earned expertise in new ways, for new jobs or meaningful volunteering. And they left with new perspectives, friends and ideas for envisioning and plotting their next step.

On campus, again e group met twice a week, inperson and virtually. Drawing on readings, group discussions and guest-speaker presentations, they looked at what’s worked and hasn’t in their lives, what’s made the encore years meaningful for others, and the pathways, obstacles and opportunities they face in designing a meaningful next chapter. One fellow told us that part of the power of the program is the collective connections that participants o er each other. ey told us the program helped spark ideas and new ways of thinking about their next chapter. And they’re already planning to continue meeting monthly to keep the conversation going. e program is now accepting applications for the fall semester that begins in August.

Fellows engaged with guest speakers on topics ranging from personal storytelling to combatting ageism to the power of intergenerational connection. ose who also audited academic classes — from modernist art to human-centered design — were inspired by interesting professors and the diversity of thought that comes from learning with a mixed-age group.

Providing participants with the time, space and support to think about what they want next is something universities have traditionally done for people at the start of their careers. Why not later in life as well?

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s (CHFA’s) mission is to strengthen Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development. We believe everyone in Colorado should have the opportunity for housing stability and economic prosperity.

We appreciate the opportunity to get to know you.

Celize with her family, CHFA homeownership customer, Colorado Springs

Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s mobile Curiosity Cruiser brings education to all

BY CLARKE READER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Wh en the Denver Museum of Nature & Science was looking for different ways to engage with the community, staff kept receiving a similar request through its community outreach.

Feedback included statements such as: “We love going to the museum, but we will love it more if it comes to us” and “Can you imagine the museum showing up in our neighborhood like an ice cream truck, but with science?”

“These comments inspired us to explore ways to bring the museum experience directly to the neighborhoods, making it more accessible and convenient,” said Daniel Ville, the museum’s manager for community engagement.

The newly launched Curiosity Cruiser is the museum’s response to these requests. It is a kind of museum on wheels — one that brings activities and education to the inquisitive of all ages.

“There was a massive amalgamation of ideas, prototyping, design, redesign and collaboration, with not just our internal staff and partners,” said Zack Garvin, community event specialist. “We did our homework with the community as well. So, the Curiosity Cruiser was designed for multigenerational groups involving adults and families.”

Currently the Cruiser has three different exhibits to offer visitors: Wonder-osity, Flavorology and Spicy: Revealed. Experts travel with the vehicle to connect with visitors and run the exhibits.

Wonder-osity provides participants with the opportunity to solve a mystery centered on missing hikers, and encourages critical thinking and the power of keeping an open mind. Flavorology immerses participants in the world of the five tastes — bitter, spicy, umami, sweet and sour — to teach about the differences between taste and flavor. And Spicy: Revealed delves into the science behind spicy foods and flavors.

“There are so many basic things that people do all day, everyday with fascinating scientific explanations,” Garvin said. “Our three themes explore how you interact with the world around you and understanding it through the scientific method.”

Designed to be highly mobile and adaptable, the cruiser has already appeared at events such as Adams County Pride, the Juneteenth Music Festival and Denver PrideFest. In addition

Look for the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Curiosity Cruiser at these summer events in Denver:

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

July 2: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Colorado Black Arts Festival (City Park West)

July 7-8: 3-8 p.m.

July 9: 2-7 p.m.

Family Nature Adventure Day at Bluff Lake

July 15: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Mile High Flea Market

Aug. 6: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Huerta Urbana Farmers Market

Aug. 11: 2-6 p.m.

Cherry Creek Farmers Market to large community events like these, it can also be brought to smaller-scale happenings like block parties and breweries.

Aug. 19: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Find more information on the cruiser, including stops that are outside of Denver, at dmns.org.

“The activities offered on the Curiosity Cruiser are carefully crafted to ensure they appeal to a wide range of interests and abilities,” Ville said. “From fun personality quizzes to hands-on experiments, the experiences provided are designed to spark curiosity, foster learning and encourage active participation.”

Not only does the cruiser meet residents where they are, it also provides a critical service by demystifying scientific concepts and offering informal ways to learn about complicated concepts.

“Providing everyone with the understanding that you, too, are indeed a scientist — by very definition — can help inspire and foster creativity,” Garvin said. “Everyone deserves to know just how brilliant they are. If we can come bring that to your neighborhood, all the better.”

It isn’t often that an institution like the DMNS can respond directly to community feedback and meet people exactly where they are, but the Curiosity Cruiser allows the museum to do both.

“The Curiosity Cruiser’s content has been thoughtfully created to address community voices and provide welcoming spaces,” Ville said. “The goal is to leave people with smiles on their faces, fostering a love for learning, and nurturing their curiosity for the world around them.”

Mile High Happenings is a monthly column featuring community events in Denver, highlighting events in the central and central-south neighborhoods covered by the Washington Park Profile and Life on Capitol Hill newspapers.

Event submissions from community members and local organizations are welcome. Submissions should include brief details about the

June 9-Aug. 13

Code Blue: The Ocean

Time: Gallery hours: 1-4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, 5-9 p.m. First Fridays, 5-8 p.m. Third Fridays.

Location: Niza Knoll Gallery, 915 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.

Cost: Free.

Running in conjunction with National Ocean Month, “Code Blue: e Ocean” is an exhibition featuring artwork inspired by the ocean, marine life and coral reefs. It is a collaboration of seven local artists: Victoria Eubanks, Judy Gardner, Deborah Jang, Shari Regenbogen, Bonnie Ferrill Roman, Rik Sargent and Caitlin Zeller. A meet the artists reception takes place from 5-8 p.m. June 16. Conversation and stories about coral reefs with Shari Regenbogen Ross, an artist and coral crusader, takes place from 2-3 p.m. Aug. 6. More information/reservations: nizaknollgallery.com

“Coral Reef” by Rik Sargent. Photo courtesy of an online press kit from Niza Knoll Gallery.

July 9 and Aug. 6

¡Viva! Streets Denver

Time: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Broadway from Alameda to 20th Street, and Welton Street from 20th Street to Five Points.

Cost: Free.

Being put on by the Downtown Denver Partnership and the City and County of Denver, this new, family-friendly event entails closing about 3.5 miles of Broadway and Welton Street so people can enjoy local neighborhoods, businesses and entertainment while walking, biking, rolling, jogging, scooting and dancing in car-free streets. ¡Viva! Streets Denver dates are May 14, June 4, July 9 and Aug. 6. More information/reservations: vivastreetsdenver.com.

event and a photo or event logo. Deadline is the 20th of each month for the event to be listed the following month. Submissions can be emailed to Christy Steadman at csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

For more Mile High Happenings, visit lifeoncaphill.com or washparkprofile.com.

July 21

Candlelight concert: A Tribute to Selena at St. Cajetan’s

Time: 6:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Location: St. Cajetan’s on Auraria Campus, 101 Lawrence Way, Denver.

Cost: $35-$60

Candlelight concerts are a multisensory live music experience. is one will feature the music of Selena performed by e Adelaide Band. e concert is for ages 8 and older, and attendees younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult. More information/reservations: feverup.com/en/denver/candlelight Image courtesy of the Candlelight Concerts in Denver webpage on the feverup.com website.

July

Colfax Indie Bash andIndependents Day

Time: Varies.

Location: Colfax Avenue in Denver.

Cost: Free.

There are two events that celebrate everything local that are happening on Colfax Avenue from July 20-23. The weekend will kick with Colfax Indie Bash from 6-9 p.m. July 20 at Bruz Off Fax, 1495 York St. in Denver. This event will highlight food and drinks from local businesses, live music, art and the annual Characters of Colfax awards. This is a free event, but RSVPs are required. Independents Day takes place July 21-23. This event includes local businesses offering specials and promotions, pop-ups from local artists and performers, and a scavenger hunt that provides a tour of the latest public art. More information/reservations: colfaxave.com/ independents-day

Visible Planets: Renowned Rappers and their Visual Art is show is the brainchild of Denver-based visual artist Dan Drossman and rapper Homeboy Sandman of New York, and features a variety of artists and rappers for a two-day event that includes an art show and concert. e free opening reception for the art show takes place at 6 p.m. July 21. e main two-day event takes place beginning on Aug. 4 with the free Visible Planets Art Show Artist Reception from 6-9 p.m. at Bitfactory Gallery. e Visible Planets Hip-Hop Show takes place at 8 p.m. Aug. 5 at Herman’s Hideaway, 1578 S. Broadway, in Denver. Concert tickets cost $35 if purchased in advance and $40 on day of show. Tickets can be purchased online at HermansHideway.com. e concert is an 18+ event. e event is sponsored by KGNU, Artist Proof Collective, Abstract Denver and Ashley Garrett.

Time: Varies.

Location: Bitfactory Gallery, 851 Santa Fe Dr., Denver.

Cost: Free entry for the art show, concert tickets sold separately.

More information/reservations: bitfactory.net; @ visibleplanets2023 on Instagram

July 22-23

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Time: The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 22, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 23. Race start time is 8 a.m.

Location: Sloan’s Lake Park, 5055 W. 17th Ave., Denver.

Cost: Free.

e Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is an annual event in its 23rd year celebrating Asian and AsianAmerican heritage. In addition to the boat races, the festival will include live art demos, three stages of performing arts and live music, the Asian Marketplace featuring a variety of vendors and crafts, and the Taste of Asia food vendor booths.

More information/reservations: cdbf.org

Image courtesy of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival’s website. Artwork by Jamison “Jamey” Padilla.

July 29

Denver Arts & Venues Cultural Runway Series: FashionAbility

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave., Denver.

Cost: VIP $44.80; General Admission Rows 2-3 $25.40; General Admission Standing $8.80 (as listed on tix.axs.com) is Cultural Runway Series fashion show will highlight clothing designed with ability and disability in mind. It will showcase designs by Lexie Bader, Rachael Levine and Rob Hill. A Vendor Market is included, which will feature o erings by artists and designers with disabilities. is fashion show coincides with the “Vibrant Accessibility” exhibit, which is free and open to the public, and runs through Aug. 27.

More information/reservations: mcnicholsbuilding.com

Image courtesy of the Denver Arts & Venues Cultural Runway Series’ webpage.

July 29

History Colorado’s Tours and Treks: The Wonders of the Whittier Neighborhood Walking Tour

Time: 9-11 a.m.

Location: Whittier neighborhood in Denver.

Cost: $40 nonmembers, $30 for members. is walking tour will explore Denver’s Whittier neighborhood and the numerous changes of its cultural and economic makeup over the decades. It is a moderate walking tour that includes about two miles on streets, easy trails and climbing stairs. Attendees will provide their own transportation to the starting location.

More information/reservations: historycolorado.org/toursand-treks

Aug. 4-6

Denver Days

Time: Varies.

Location: Multiple.

Cost: Free.

July 29-30

VegFest Colorado

Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 30

Location: Tivoli Quad on Auraria Campus, 1000 Larimer St., Denver.

Cost: Varies (daily, weekend and weekend VIP passes available)

VegFest Colorado celebrates “plant-based living, respect for our planet, sustainability and kindness toward our fellow earthlings,” states its website. is all-vegan event will feature more than 100 vendors and no animal products of any kind will be sold, served or sampled.

More information/reservations: vegfestco. com

Logo courtesy of the VegFest Colorado website.

Aug. 1

History Colo- rado: Colorado Day!

Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: History Colorado Center, 1200 N. Broadway, Denver.

Cost: Free.

History Colorado is inviting the community to a free, family-friendly event to celebrate the state’s 147th birthday. (Colorado entered the Union on Aug. 1, 1876.) e carnivalesque celebration will include arts and crafts, live music, snacks, alpacas and much more.

More information/reservations: historycolorado.org

Image courtesy of the event’s page on History Colorado’s website.

Getting its start about 11 years ago, Denver Days is a time for neighbors to connect and get to know each other. Events take place across the city and can include block parties, community picnics and small-area service projects, for example. ose wanting to host a Denver Days event must register their event by July 21. (Permit fees for park picnics and block parties are waived.) ose wanting to attend a Denver Days event can nd a list of registered events on the webpage below.

More information/reservations: tinyurl.com/DenverDays2023

Logo courtesy of the Denver Days 2023 webpage on the city’s website.

BY BRUCE GOLDBERG

Jenny Wood was on a healthy workout schedule. She walked almost daily and occasionally hit the gym.

“But in the last several years, I had orthopedic issues,” said Wood, 63, a retired pediatrician who lives in Denver. “It seemed I was chronically doing rehab and physical therapy.”

Wood has had several surgeries since 2019, including two hip replacements and for injuries caused by breaking a kneecap and a wrist.

She realized she needed to become stronger. Almost-daily walks and occasional visits to the gym weren’t going to be enough anymore.

So she began working out at the University Hills-Schlessman YMCA at 3901 E. Yale Ave. in Denver, and found Amy Ventura, a senior manager for community well-being who’s also been a personal trainer for three years.

“I went to Amy at my husband’s suggestion because he had started (working with) her,” Wood said. “He found Amy to