Kids Directory 2014

kids’directory A special supplement of

2014

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

inside: Hitting Home

By Michael Alcorn

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summer library fun

creative summer projects

family fun in the sun

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I was noticing the other day on my jog that the willow trees are starting to wear a light coat of green leaves to stave off the wind. And a bed of wildflowers (we used to call them weeds) was starting to debut their purple hats for the season.

Summer is coming. And with it, the mailbox full of fliers for soccer/softball/camp/swim/lacrosse and a hundred other organized, coached and planned ways to keep the kids busy this summer.

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youth summer sports smoothie activities ideas

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Allow me to propose a radical idea for how to schedule your children’s summer: don’t. I know there are kids who want to play their sport eight hours every day, and I also know there are kids who would spend every waking hour in front of the X-Box. And I believe all of those things have their place.

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But kids also need to play. Just play. They need to imagine, to create, to solve conflicts for themselves, and to learn how to invent games with other kids. And none of that happens when a coach is present, and none of that happens in world that comes pre-made for their computer generated enjoyment.

I remember, as a kid — back in the day — playing baseball in the back yard with my brothers.

I would step up to the plate and drop into a ridiculously low crouch with my yellow whiffle bat

in hand, pretending to be Pete Rose, while my brother would try to manipulate the whiffle ball into doing a knuckle-curve, a la Phil Neikro. We weren’t learning any great skills that would get us to the Major Leagues doing this …

But we were learning to experiment with different approaches; we were stretching our concepts of the “right way” and the “wrong way” to solve problems; and we were killing hours of time in the fresh air, getting exercise and being creative.

Tell me, which skill set do you think comes in more handy as adults now?

So, maybe, this summer, spend a little less time organizing car pools to practice, and, instead, organize the “park pool”: all the neighbor kids have to go to the park for two hours, three days a week, with one neighborhood parent going along to supervise — for security only! Take balls, take bats, take makeshift pirate swords, take whatever the kids need for two hours of play.

But leave the coaches, the rules, and the organization behind. Kids can still do all that all on their own ... if we make them.

Michael Alcorn is a music teacher and fitness instructor who lives in Arvada with his wife and three children. He graduated from Alameda High School and the University of Colorado-Boulder.

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Arapahoe County Arapahoe Library District

Spanish • Mandarin • French Classes • Preschool • Camps Mobile Programs • Parents’ Night Out Ages 1-10

www.YakAcademy.com Why World Language?

“Introducing your child to a second language is easier than you think.

And, in our world gone global, it’s a super smart move.”

Parents Magazine, April 2009

Bemis Library (Littleton) Beginning May 27, infants through those entering fifth grade may pick up a Reading Record to track summer reading progress. Prizes will be offered, including a free book. The summer schedule for kids also includes entertainers, activities, puppet shows, crafts and story times at the library located at 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton. There are also summer programs for teens and adults. For more information, go to www.littletongov.org/index.aspx?recordid=4289&page=685 This year, the library’s summer program is focusing on the statewide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) programming and themes. It will once again have summer reading programs for early literacy, children, teens and adults. The official kick-off will be 10 a.m. June 18 in the amphitheater, with Bill Coleman and his bubbles. In addition, the weekly schedule of summer reading activities include Teetertots Story Time, BabySteps Story Time, Preschool Story Time and a family reading time.

Yak Academy integrates:

• fun play-based immersion • world-class native speaking instructors • unique enviroment of learning to create a powerful and effective world language experience • time-tested, proven programs that truly build little world citizens!

The Summer Reading Program for Arapahoe Library District has a theme of STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math. Programs are planned for ages 0-3, 3-11, 12-18. Dates: June 7-Aug. 3. First prize pick-up date is July 12. Last day to register is July 27. Last prize pick up is Aug. 3.The district also offers story times for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and families. For more information, visit http://arapahoelibraries.org/

Englewood Public Library

Call for a FREE TRIAL CLASS!

A full list of activities and times for the events is listed on the library web site at www.englewoodgov.org/inside-city-hall/city-departments/ library

NoLimited w Enro Space … Sign Up Now!!! lling!

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Anythink Libraries Courtesy Anythink Libraries

Castle Rock - Parker - South The Denver fun begins at ATA Colorado Family Springs Martial Arts. Your childAnythink will be introduced to the to READ THINK invites everyone 719-445-1925 303-564-9289 art of Taekwondo along with DO with its annual mySummer program. From bully proofing techniques, stranger danger awareness and self coloradosprings@yakacademy.com May 31 to July 31, customers can explore a myrsouthdenver@yakacademy.com

defense with some amazing instructors. Taekwondo develops your athletic abilitiesevents, entertainment iad child’s of summer programs, andArts experiences for all ages — everything from and self-awareness, and improves self-defense. ATA Family Martial will teach robotics to the cheesemaking Taekwondo as an empowering way of life, encouraging your child to apply social and to woodburning. Become a mySummer member for free by registercharacter skills learned the classroom toat anythinklibraries.org ing at in Anythink or online beginning their home and school lives. May 31.

Brought to you by the Imaging Technology Group at the University of Illinois, BugScope uses a special scanning electron microscope to share an amazing glimpse into microscope world of insects. ● Energy Burst: Explore the potential and kinetic energy of motion with Mad Science.

Launch catapults, race rubber band cars, and create a rubber-band powered rattlesnake egg. ● Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta: Join award-winning songwriter Katherine Dines as she provides a musical experience filled with participation.

Interact using movement, sing-alongs, zany props and more. Activate your imagination and find your voice. ● Young Inventors: Calling all problem solvers! Be an inventor as you observe, research, design, build and test your own creation to take home. This program is presented in conjunction with the WOW! Children’s Museum in Lafayette, Colo. ● Fire and Ice: You’ll be dazzled and entertained as you interact with a mad scientist!

Foggy dry ice storms, giant beach balls floating in the air and even a special “burp” potion will amaze you as you learn about chemical reactions, air pressure and the states of matter. ● Shibori: Create an explosion of color using the traditional Japanese craft of scrunching, folding and tying silk scarves for dyeing.

Good reading Looking for a great summer read? Anythink has several recommendations, everything from picture books for younger children to more advanced chapter books. Check them out this summer at your local Anythink.

Picture books ● Chengdu Could Not, Would not Fall Asleep by Barney Saltzberg ● The Day the Crayons Quit by Oliver Jeffers ● Naked! by Michael Black Chapter books ● Rebellion by Adam Jay Epstein ● The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier ● Soccer on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne ● Save Rafe by James Patterson

● Odin’s Ravens by K.L. Armstrong Here’s a look at you expect Limited Space …canSign Up Now!!!

Your child will alsoatbemySummer introduced 2014: to the per● Dreamer, Wisher, Liar by Charise Mericle ENRICHMENT EXTRAVAGANZA Harper 6forming - One Week Sessions available !!! ● Tiny Terrariums: Create your own ecosysStarz arts at Centerstage tem using a small container, sand, pebbles ● Moldylocks and the Three Beards by Noah SUMMER CAMPS! and tiny plants.

James

They are proudto to offer world-class theaTheatre and Dance Studio fun begins ATAsessions Family Martial Your childIce will.Cream: be introduced Full-day, week-long camps for kidsThe ages 5-12.at Six ● Arts Make .Your Own Learn aboutthe the For information about Anythink libraries seravailable. Includes martial arts, dance & theatre, voice and dance education.

Your child be a star for week with Hip visit www.anythinklibraries. chemistry of ice danger creamwill and how to make your vicesfocus and on location art of Taekwondo alongforeign withtre, bully proofing techniques, stranger awareness andaself language, and theatre nerf wars! own – no special equipment necessary.

Mix org Hop, musical and basic acting skills. In addition to all the fun, your child will learn creativity, appreciation, confidence, and

defense with some amazing instructors. Taekwondo developsadd yourflavors, child’staste athletic ingredients, and abilities create recipassion for the performing arts . and self-awareness, and improves self-defense. ATA Family Martial Arts will teach pes to try out at home.

Taekwondo as& an County empoweringLine way of life, encouraging your child toEmbrace apply theyour social andpho- Douglas County Libraries ● Pinhole Cameras: inner Festival Shopping Center at University Next, imagine having your child work on foreign languages and tographer creatinginyour pinholetocam- By Jane Reuter character skillsbylearned the own classroom mykaratesummercamps.com being introduced to new cultures to betterera. equip them for toThese old-fashioned box cameras can This year’s Camp DCL program is a bit differtheir home and school lives. create images using just a pinhole opening ent from years past, with less focus on a specified child will be part of a day’s society. At Yak Academy, your and manual shutter. amount of reading and more emphasis on regular Your childgames, willwith also be&introduced the perfun action-packed environment and filled arts ● with Robotics Cubelets: Buildtorobots using reading. With some fun programs thrown in for special electronic blocks that think, sense and good measure. crafts, songs and more.

Starz forming arts at Centerstage do. Take on challenges to make robots that “We want people to get in the habit of readrunataway, lightWarz up in the dark and more.

Dart Finally, it’s time to challenge fitness and fun everytoday, especially the kids, offer world-class thea-” said Douglas Theatre and Dance Studio. They areingproud ● BugScope: Explore bugs in a whole new light! County Libraries reading program coordinator where Nerf War is taken to a whole new ateducation.

Dart Warz Your promotes honesty, teamwork, and with focus on Hip tre,level! voiceThe andteam dance child will be a star for a week sportsmanship, allbasic whileacting havingskills. fun. In Imagine 20-80 fun child with awill field fullcreativity, of bunkers.

It’s 16,000 confidence, and Hop, musical theatre and addition to allkids thehaving fun, your learn appreciation,

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summer fun at your local library

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303.220.5956

2014

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com Jane Gregory, “whether they’re reading the paper, a book, a comic book or a magazine. We just want everybody to read every day.”

That’s a shift from past summer reading program goals, which required 12 hours for kids, 18 hours for teens and four books for adults each summer.

Camp DCL also will feature more events, like free movies, a drum circle, wildlife presentations and a campfire.

All participating kids will receive a journal with stickers and other fun ways to encourage and track daily reading.

The summer reading program is not just a way to have fun, but Douglas County Libraries’ way to help kids avoid the reading slide.

“Kids who don’t read over the summer are several months behind when they start back to school in the fall,” Gregory said. “We want it to be fun. We don’t want it to be an assignment. As long as they’re reading, checking out books and coming to the library, we’re happy and I think they’re happy.”

It all gets officially started with a three-hour May 31 Kickoff Jamboree at each branch highlighted by crafts, snacks, activities, special guests and more.

A closing campfire ceremony is planned July 26 at Civic Green Park near the James H. LaRue branch library in Highlands Ranch.

For specifics at your closest branch, visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org for details.

Following is a sampling of summer reading program events: ● Imaginations Running Wild: Wiggle, giggle and get ready for fun. Animals in the wild have many stories to tell. We will howl, prowl and growl as we explore animal habitats and animal defense mechanisms. Interactive sto-

ries will provide interesting insights. Enjoy tales of tails and silly songs. All ages.

square to get a free book and other cool prizes, including the chance to win a Kindle!

● Drum Circle: Come listen to a story of how the drum came to be—then experience the magic and excitement of playing world percussion (drums, bells, shakers, and scrapers) in a community setting. All instruments are provided. All ages.

There are great programs for kids - reptiles, rabbits, wolves, dinosaurs and more. And teens can go beneath the surface with ghost hunting, underground gastronomy and body art. See more at: http://jeffcolibrary.org

● “Stuart Little 3/Call of the Wild” movie: Stuart joins his family for a camping trip in the great outdoors. Before pet cat Snowbell can enjoy the trip, he is kidnapped by some angry animals. It’s up to Stuart and his new friend Reeko to come to Snowbell’s rescue.

Rated G; ages 5 and up. ● “Up” movie: Up follows the uplifting tale of 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers too late that an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell has stowed away on his trip. Their journey is filled with hilarity, emotion and wildly imaginative adventure. Rated G; ages 5 and up. ● Whoo’s for Dinner with the Audubon Society: Learn about owl adaptations dissect an owl pellet. Ages 8 and up. ● Who Lives in Colorado, courtesy of Roxborough State Park Staff: Learn about animals in Colorado by examining skulls, pelts and scat! Ages 5 and up.

Jeffco libraries Courtesy Jeffco Libraries Kids Summer Reading Club officially begins on Saturday, June 1. This year, bingo is the name of the game. Just follow the instructions on each

This annual program encourages kids and teens to keep up their reading skills over the summer, so that they are ready to re-engage when they return to school in the fall. It offers fun for all ages with interesting books, engaging programs and incentives, including a free book for every child who finishes the program. In 2012 more than 25,000 Jefferson County residents participated in JCPL’s Summer Reading Club. Kids can sign up at any Jeffco Public Library in June to participate in the 2014 summer reading club.

More information, and the themes for the kids and teens reading clubs will be available soon. ● Young Readers Fun Club (Lakewood): Are you or do you know a kid 10 years or older who just loves to talk about books? Much like adult books clubs, this group creates a list of books they would like to read and then assigns each book a month. On the third Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m., the club meets to talk about the book of the month. During club meetings kids also have fun making crafts and enjoying yummy snacks. There is no registration to attend. All kids 10 years and older are welcome. See more at: http:// jeffcolibrary.org ● Teen Writers Group (Standley Lake): The creative writing group gives students, grades 5-8, the opportunity to think outside the box and have worked critiqued in a friendly, open-minded atmosphere. It meets monthly on the fourth Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Standley Lake Library in Study Room 1. The group is led by Cynthia Kolanowski.

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Westminster libraries Courtesy Westminster Libraries Fizz, Boom, Read!

Westminster Public Library Summer Reading Program Ages: Birth to 11 years June 2- Aug. 2 ● Earn prizes for reading books and coming to special events. ● Register for the reading program online. ● Pick up your reading log and instructions for the program in the Children’s room beginning June 2nd at College Hill Library, or Irving Street Library.

Special Events/Programs ● Rockin’ Rockets (5-11 years): Take a wild ride into the fascinating science of rocketry and space exploration. Watch safe rockets launch across the room. No registration required. Info: Saturday, Jun 14, 2-2:45 p.m., College Hill; Jun 23, 2-2:45 p.m., Irving Street. ● Big Bubble Bonanza (All ages): World class clown Jim Jackson combines magic, juggling, balancing, and comedy with the wonder and science of ordinary soap bubbles. Don’t be surprised if he puts you inside of one! No registration required. Info: Monday, July 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Irving Street; Monday, July 28, 2-2:45 p.m. College Hill. ● Fizz Wizz Chemistry (5-11 years): Join Captain Vic, Science Wizard, as he presents some amazing demonstrations with simple chemistry. There will be lots of “Fizz & Wizz.”

Then become a chemist and do a make and take science project. Info: Monday, June 16, 6-7 pp.m., Irving street; Monday, July 21, 2-3 p.m. College Hill.

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creative summer projects ahead

An Individualized Education

Helping Children to be Exceptional, Accelerated and Creative Ages 2 1/2-14 Small Class Sizes Academic Preschool-8th Accredited Kingergarten Extended-day Option Year-round Enrollment

Greenwood Village’s Curtis Center for the Arts and Humanities will again offer its Art in the Park summer sessions for children who want to create art. Courtesy photo

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Acting, singing, dancing, making music, painting, potting and more…Organizations in the south metro area will provide hours of arts-oriented fun and learning for kids of all ages. Tuition varies. We list a sampler: Life upon the stage (or backstage)… ● Actors Playground at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St., Littleton runs from June into August with classes: “Guys and Dolls Jr.;” “Big Bad Musical;” “On- Camera Techniques; ”Fairy Camp;” “The Tempest;””Shela-bration (Silverstein).” Tuition varies. See: Townhallartscenter.com or stop by to pick up a brochure. ● Englewood Summer Musical: “Sound of Music” is the 2014 choice, with kids’ drama classes running June 9-July 18 and auditions for adult actors May 27, 28. Show will be in the Englewood Middle School Auditorium.

Englewoodrec.org. ● St Luke’s Performance Arts Academy expects 500 kids to participate in its program of one and two week sessions, which each culminate in a performance, according to director James Ramsey. “Aladdin” and “Hairspray” will be performed in June in Musical Theater Intensives (these are already full). Musical Theatre Intensives in June and July will also present “Jungle Book” and “Oliver.” Band and Orchestra Camps are in July, as is School of Rock Camp. Keyboard classes will be offered in June and July, plus an Acting Workshop with one-act plays. Summer camps for ages 3-6 explore theater through books, songs and crafts. St. Luke’s is located at 8817 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch. See stlukespaa.org. ● Band and guitar: Littleton Community Music Association offers Summer Band/Guitar programs at Lois Lenski Elementary School, with information and demo at 6:30 p.m. May 7. Littletonmusic.org, Chuck Florin, 303-7976995, lcma02@earthlink.net. ● South Suburban Parks and Recreation lists Youth Acting; Shakespeare’s Stage; Youth Theater Audition and Performance Class to perform in the parks (12-18);The L.A Chil-

dren’s Theater Experience. See the Catalogue or sspr.org.

Summer art camps and classes ● Visit HRCAonline.org to view pages of offerings — many, but not all, at Southridge Recreation Center: Youth Art, Young Rembrandts, Kidz Art Camps, New Combo Art Camps, drama, dance, filmmaking, pottery, photography — and a duct-tape class. ● Front Range Theatre Company has moved to Highlands Ranch and offers “Triple Threat Summer Camps for High School and Middle School students June 9-13 and June 16-21, each followed by a public performance. “High School Musical” and “Disney’s Cinderella kids” will be the shows produced. See FrontRangeTheatre.org. ● Littleton Dance Academy offers Fairy Tale Ballet Camps June 16 to July 25; July Advanced Summer Intensive, June 30-July 25.

Junior Summer Intensive June 30-July 11.

June Ballet Camp for advanced students, plus a full schedule of regular summer classes.

303-794-6694, littletondanceacademy.org. ● PACE Center in Parker offers: a Musical Theatre Workshop, Bell of the Ball Dance Camp, Fairytale Princess Dance Camp, Creature Camp and Magic Art Camp (visual arts) and a new Circus Camp with SMIRK (juggling duo Warren Hammond and Reid Belstock).

See parkeronline.org. ● South Suburban Parks and Recreation District offers multiple classes and camps at its recreation centers under Youth Art and Enrichment. Included: Clay Camp at Lone Tree, Summer Art Classes at Goodson, Summer Art Camp at Buck, Photography Camp, Filmmaking Camp, Ballet at each center—as well as Jazz and Hip-Hop, and more… sspr.org. ● Art in the Park is offered by Curtis Arts and Humanities Center at Silo Park, 9300 E. Orchard Road from June 10 to July 17, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Fee: $20 per session includes materials and a snack. Wear sneakers and clothes that can get dirty. See: greenwoodvillage. com/registration.

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Spending quality time with their parents is good for kids’ confidence and self-esteem, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and summertime in the south-metro area is rife with opportunities.

“Let your child follow her passion, whatever it may be,” reads the AAP website. “Even interests that you may consider frivolous can provide opportunities for success and a safe outlet for peer acceptance. Sports is generally a popular arena for achievement among girls as well as boys. But what if your son’s talent is playing bass guitar in his heavy-metal quartet Marshmallow Bulldozer, which rattles the walls of your basement every Saturday?”

School of Rock in Littleton has the heavy-metal set covered, with summer camps focused on female rockers and 1980s music.

“Let’s hear those huge drums and screamin’ guitars!” reads its website. “Eighties metal is the best, and we’re bringing you an entire week-long camp of red-hot solos, high vocals and sticktwirling beats.”

South Suburban Parks and Recreation can handle pretty much any other interest, with camps on topics ranging from every imaginable sport to acting, aerospace, art, filmmaking, engineering and even Legos.

For the outdoorsy types, the district has one of the best trail systems around.

“South Platte Park is always a fun destination for families with opportunities to catch fish in five lakes, explore the river searching for crawdads and other aquatic life, or to explore the

shady trails in the forests and fields nearby,” said Jamie DeBartolomeis, spokeswoman for SSPR. “The Carson Nature Center provides an airconditioned respite from summer heat, with a 12-foot long river table where kids can build and flood a model city to learn about the river.”

In addition to daily nature programs and monthly family campfires, special events include gold-panning at the free Stampede for Open Space on Aug. 9, and a visit from Hawk Quest’s live birds of prey on Aug. 12.

“Kids and parents can spend time together on our trails, parks, playgrounds, splashgrounds and four outdoor pools,” said DeBartolomeis.

She also suggests the RidgeGate Walk Concerts in Prairie Sky Park or Yoga in the Park at Belvedere Park, both in Lone Tree, and parent/ tot gymnastics classes at any of the district’s rec centers.

AAP notes that kids want to feel valued not only by their families, but also by the greater community. To that end, young actors can earn accolades from their neighbors in The Dinosaur Play, which goes on tour with free performances at Little Dry Creek Park, Puma Park, Gallup Gardens and Walnut Hills Amphitheater in June.

Kids can also earn appreciation through volunteering with the district’s VolunTeen program, gaining valuable job experience along with training in first aid and CPR. Opportunities include helping with camps and volunteering at golf courses, Colorado Journey mini golf, South Platte Park and more.

For more information on any of SSPR’s programs, visit www.sspr.org or call 303-798-5131.

youth sports activities abound

By Tom Munds Area recreation department summer programs include a wide variety of activities for young athletes ranging from 3- to 18-year-olds.

Englewood Parks and Recreation program for the youngest athletes is called Start Smart. The programs provides introduction to sports including baseball and soccer for 3- to 5-year-olds.

The department also includes youth lacrosse programs for 6- to 14-year-olds and three levels of recreation baseball for 4- to 15-year-olds.

A chance to learn about golf that attracts boys and girls from throughout the area is the HoleN-One program at Broken Tee Golf Course at Englewood.

Each year, about 600 young athletes from 5t0-15-year-olds sign up for the age appropriate group lessons. This is the 15th year for the program and this year’s Hole-N-One runs from June 16 to July 2. Reservations are now being accepted for the program. For information call 303-7622680. There will be additional information about programs in the summer recreational guide that will be out in early May.

The South Suburban Parks and Recreation District serves a large area, including Littleton, Centennial and Lone Tree.

The district offers an abundance of summer sports programs for children of all ages. For example, they have a program to introduce 3- to 6-year-olds to soccer. They also have programs called separate Champ Sports Camp for young adults in sports that include swimming, soccer, flag football, gymnastics, ice hockey, golf and tennis. Programs are held at different locations across the district. The best source of information is on the website at www.ssprd.org. Click on the catalogue and scroll down the index on the left side of the page and hit the listing marked sports and athletics.

The information about the age group for a program and the program’s location are all located in that listing. Information also is available by calling 303-798-5131.

Families in Highlands Ranch can turn go the website at www.hrcaonline.org to find out about the wide range of program available offered by the Highlands Ranch Community Association. see youth sports page 11

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By Jennifer Smith

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SUMMER EVENT SERIES First Saturdays in Downtown Castle Rock:

www.downtowncastlerock.com facebook.com/downtowncastlerock

family fun in the sun

directory

Saturday, June 7, 2014

5-10pm, Starlight Movie, Frozen

Saturday, July 5, 2014

6- 10pm, Starlight Movie, The Avengers

Saturday, August 2, 2014

6- 10pm, Starlight Movie, Despicable Me 2

Saturday, September 6, 2014

6-10pm, Starlight Movie, The Lego Movie (*pending MPAA release)

Saturday, October 4, 2014 11am-7pm, Oktoberfest

ADDITIONAL EVENTS Saturday, June 14, 2014

10am-3pm, Classic Rock Cruise In Car Show

Wednesday July 9, 16, 23, 30 11am-2pm, Splash in the Park

Friday, October 31, 2014 1-5pm, Trick or Treat Street

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2014

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‘S’ is for summer and smoooothies

KIDS ARRIVE WITH A SENSE OF WONDER. W AND

LEAVE WITH A SENSE OF AWE. W

Tips on the treat

By Shirley Perryman Malt shops were the rage in the 1950s. Whether you sat at the soda fountain or had your order delivered by a car hop, the frozen blended ice cream concoctions were a treat. Today smoothie shops are everywhere, serving a range from healthful fruit-based smoothies to calorie-dense frozen yogurt drinks.

A smoothie can replace a meal and is easy to make at home. Let your imagination be your guide to this nearly fool-proof, cold, blended beverage.

The basic ingredients are a small amount (about one-half cup) of liquid plus fruit, plus other ingredients you could add, such as nuts, tofu or soft cheeses. In addition to utensils a blender is the only required equipment.

Fruit smoothies are a favorite of mine because they offer a variety of flavors depending on the ingredients you choose.

2014 Youth Science & Nature Summer Camps Cherokee Castle & Ranch 8:00am–3:00pm, Monday-Friday June 2–June 6 | June 16–June 20 | July 21–July 25 Reservations: $300/Camper for 5-Day Camp Limited to 20 Campers Per Camp Here kids laugh as they learn with summer camps that focus on outdoor education and hiking. Located at Cherokee Castle & Ranch, just 30 minutes south of Denver, our camps come with a real Castle and enchanted forest—3,400 acres of extraordinary exploration and adventure that include: Learning how to hike safely in the wilderness.

Observing wildlife and studying geology.

Participating in such hands-on activities as digging fossils, casting animal tracks, collecting/pressing flowers and maintaining trails.

Fruits: ● Use washed fresh or frozen fruit. The benefit of using frozen fruit in place of some of the ice to thicken your beverage is that it adds more nutrients, but it also bumps up the calories.

When fresh fruit is in season freeze some to have on hand for a future craving and save some money, too. Berries are a snap to freeze.

Wash them, spread in a single layer on a tray, freeze, then scoop into a plastic bag for longer storage. ● Unsweetened fruit also adds sweetness without adding a sweetener, which keeps the calories lower. ● Have you ever looked at that bowl of ripening bananas and wondered what else you could make besides banana bread? Making smoothies is a great way to use fruit that is at its peak ripeness before it spoils.

Liquids: ● Low fat milk, either dairy or non-dairy, and juices are all good choices for the liquid portion of the recipe. When choosing non-dairy beverages select those with added calcium to get the benefit of helping your bones. ● If you choose 100 percent juice, sugar is “naturally” present in the fruit used to make the juice. Choosing juice drinks, ades or punches means added sugar. ● Fruit flavored yogurt with added sugar also has more calories than plain yogurt. Choosing yogurt with live and active cultures offers some health benefits. ● Get a protein boost by using Greek yogurt or

dried powdered milk. ● For the antioxidant benefit use green tea for part of the liquid. ● If you’re looking to minimize calories, you can even use water.

Other ingredients: ● Increase fiber by leaving skin on fruit,except for bananas. Other high fiber additions include wheat germ, ground flaxseed or wheat bran. ● Nuts and seeds along with nut and seed butters, such as peanut butter and sunflower seed butter, contribute protein, fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients and heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Along with these great health benefits come more calories, too. ● For variety make green smoothies. To get your greens blend green, raw leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, collard greens, Swiss chard, avocados, parsley, broccoli and celery with fruit for natural sweetness. ● Flavorings can add a new twist to smoothies. Experiment with extracts, spices such as pumpkin pie, cinnamon and nutmeg, or cocoa powder. A little bit can go a long way so start with a pinch or a few drops.

The caution flag should come out with certain ingredients: ● You’ll bump up calories by adding chocolate, honey, maple or agave syrup, and turbinado (sugar). Use these in moderation to temper the extra calories. ● For those looking to increase the protein with eggs, avoid a food safety fiasco and use only pasteurized eggs or a pasteurized egg substitute. ● What about those add-ins that are promoted as a way to increase the nutritional value of your smoothie? Some smoothie chains use these as a marketing gimmick to help you “burn fat,” “cure a hangover,” or “increase immunity.” Turning your smoothie into a vitamin pill will put a dent in your wallet. ● Blue-green algae, bee pollen, and many other supplements do not have to be preapproved by the Food and Drug Administration and have not demonstrated significant health benefit.

These options may be an unnecessary addition and some could have harmful side effects.

This article provided by the Colorado State University Extension Office. Shirley Perryman is a food science and human nutrition specialist. For more information, contact your local Colorado State University Extension office.

Castle Rock Recreation Center’s ENTER THE REALM OF EXTRAORDINARY

visit www.cherokeeranch.org or call 303.688.4600 for more information

Adventure Club PRESCHOOL

Come learn with us!

CRgov.com/AdventureClub 303-814-7454

2014

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summer traveling Farm Camps at Chatfield! with young children WEEK-LONG DAY CAMPS IN JUNE & JULY

Lifetime Learning

By Esther Macalady Summer traveling can be stressful, or it can be fun. Snacks, drinks, a favorite blanket, drawing materials, books, storytelling, and games keep the family happy while riding along.

What To Do: Children can be navigators. Help them follow the cell phone GPS or a map to see the travel progress. With brochures gathered in advance they can help plan sightseeing trips. An involved child is a happier traveler. That’s also a great way to develop family conversations, one goal of parenting.

Tell some family stories in the car. Young children love to hear about family member’s childhood. It is their first exposure to history and stories of people they love. Most important these tales are passed on and not lost.

Think of some lessons of kindness, perseverance, courage and triumph over difficulty. Perhaps your grandparents told you some funny or scary stories you vividly remember. Retelling the story with exaggerations, descriptions, and sound effects will make it come alive for your children, too.

and smoooothies youth sports ‘s’ is for summer

At stops allow children to take photos. Print photos descriptions in children’s own words once back in the car. Pictures can be glued in later to make a book of the trip.

Now what? Take a few verbal games out of your bag of tricks. One game is called “What Do You Know?” The adult asks simple questions and children take turns giving their answers. Questions are based on children’s age, interest, and vocabulary. For example for the younger child, “How many colors do you know? What foods are red? What do we call people who take care of us when we get sick?”

A recent study compared the vocabulary of children entering kindergarten from the 1950’s and 2009. It found that children in the 1950’s had DOUBLE the vocabulary entering school. Family games and conversation help build vocabulary used for reading and success in school no matter what the season.

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Among the summer activities, the association has what they call Kinder programs to introduce 3- to 5-year-olds to sports like baseball, basketball and soccer.

For dates, information and to register, visit www.botanicgardens.org/camps

“Colors” is played by naming a common color. When two things are found you take turns switching to another color.

For more ideas check grandparentsteachtoo. org and Learning Through the Seasons at the Denver Children’s Museum and the Nature Center in Golden.

On the left side of the website, there is a menu and, for information on summer programs click on the listing for the activities guide for May through August.

What was it like being an early settler? Churn your own butter, make biscuits and cook on a wood burning stove as you find out!

Another car game is called “I just saw it.” One person begins having noticed something just passed — for instance, a telephone pole. “ It was tall and thin. I just saw it.” The others begin to guess. If they fail, the person adds more clues until the object is guessed.

Pack colored pencils or pens, notebooks, and drawing books in a covered cake pan. This is simple storage and a desk. Ed Emberley”s fantastic books show how to draw anything step by step.

youth sports

WAY BACK WHEN ON HILDEBRAND RANCH

Can you name a holiday for each month?

How does this help my children?

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com

Take care of farm animals and learn what it takes to make veggies grow on a modern farm!

For older children the questions could be related to geography or history. “How many states begin with the word New? Now many bird names can you remember?

Children can play Tic Tac Toe and Dots game with the family. To play Dots make ten rows and columns of dots equally spaced. Each player has one turn to connect two dots. The object is to connect dots to enclose a square, put your initial inside, and earn another turn. The player with the most squares wins. Preschool children catch on to these two games quickly.

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LIFE ON THE FARM

There is a fencing program for 8- through 13-year-olds as well as a number of tennis and golf programs.

C-470 & Wadsworth Blvd

BUTTERFLY PAVILION PRESENTS!

ladybug releases r live music r scavenger hunts GPPE DSBGUT r OBUVSF UPVST r butterfly GPPE DSBGUT r OBUVSF UPVST r y gardening ... AND SO MUCH MORE!

In addition, there are recreational baseball and volleyball leagues for athletes of different ages up through adults.

For more information, call 303-791-2500.

the Campus of the AFA Sports Camps On U.S. Air Force Academy SPORTS OFFERED: Baseball • Boy’s & Girl’s Basketball Cheerleading • Cross Country • Diving Fencing • Figure Skating Football (no contact) • Golf • Ice Hockey Boy’s & Girl’s Lacrosse • Soccer Strength & Conditioning • Swimming Tennis • Track & Field Volleyball • Wrestling

2014 Sports Camp

Session 1: June 8-13 (Boarder and Commuter) Session 2: June 15-20 (Boarder and Commuter) Session 3: June 23-25 (Commuter Only Camp) Session 4: June 30-July 4 (Figure Skating Camp) (Commuter Only Camp)

SATURDAY, MAY 17 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. (LAST ENTRANCE AT 4:15 P.M.)

Boarder ages 12-18 - Commuter ages 8-18

facebook.com/afasportcamps

@AFASportsCamps

Visit our website at GoAirForceFalcons.com/camps for more information and to register. AFA Sports Camps Questions, Call: (719) 333.2116

Butterfl Butter flyy Pavilion is a 501(c)3 nonprofi fl nonprofitt invertebrate zoo.

6252 W. 104TH AVE. | WESTMINSTER, CO 80020 | WWW.BUTTE WWW.BUTTERFLIES.ORG RFLIES.ORG

COWBOYS AREN’T THE ONLY ONES who ride at this rodeo.

AUGUST 7 - 10, 2014 DOUGLASCOUNTYFAIRANDRODEO.COM