Memphis Parent March 2015

PARENT M E M PH I S

03 15

FREE

Lucille O’Neal

Motivator & mom to Shaquille O’Neal

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Need a Tutor?

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Cool camps for kids of all ages | Ways to build self-sufficiency | Why getting away is good (trust us)

A summer full of adventure — two fun programs, one beautiful campus.

Fill your summer with Fun, learning, and adventure with any combination of sParK day Camp and Center for excellence sports clinics and workshops in the arts, leadership, theatre, and academics. Girls, boys, parents, and

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Center for Excellence & SPARK Summer Camp

educators will find Plenty to Choose From all summer long!

DAY C A M P

Register online or give us a call! www.hutchisonschool.org 901.507.2460

REGISTER TODAY! CAMP STARTS: MAY 26

Learn more at ymcamemphis.org

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One week or the whole summer. Indoors and out. On their own or in a group. Arts to adventure, exercise to education, your kids will have an amazing experience, all in a safe, inclusive, nurturing environment.

Register today and give them the best summer ever.

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

YMCA OF MEMPHIS & THE MID-SOUTH SUMMER CAMP 2015

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BEST SUMMER EVER! Celebrating 160 years of changing lives.

CONTENTS

March MEMPHIS PARENT

F EATURES

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by Candice Baxter

D E PA R T M E N T S

The Art of Storytelling

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by Meena Viswanathan

Special Section: Our Awesome 2015 Camp Guide

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Why Camp is Good for Kids

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Does My Kid Know How To

32 41

Editor’s Note

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Books About Making Friend

by Jennifer Boren

Fun Day Camp Ideas

by Robin Branch

When Grandma Forgets:

by Kristi Cook

Early Years Sleepovers foster independence

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Dear Teacher

Calendar and Events What’s happening for families around Memphis

Around Town Morning of Hope fundraiser, Kid President’s Book, Treetops Adventure course opens at Shelby Farms

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Favorite Moments Readers share cute kid photos and funnies

Reading aloud, Kindergarten readiness

by Margie Sims

by Jane Schneider

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Growing Up Strong

Tennessee Safari Park’s Pet Vet

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5

10

One Cool Mom Lucille O’Neal, Shaq’s mom

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School Notes

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Finding a tutor

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Health Matters Managing tornado season

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Family Table

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Delicious dumplings

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COVER: © JORG HACKEMANN | DREAMSTIME.COM

m i n d . b o d y. s p i r i t.

Briarcrest Christian School fosters your student’s all-round development with classes and activities that nurture the whole person—mind, body and spirit.

It’s a balanced education for a balanced life. Call us to arrange a tour.

www.briarcrest.com 901.765.4600

MEMPHIS

PARENT

EDITOR’S NOTE

Growing Up Strong

STAFF

Advertising Art Director Christopher Myers Graphic Designers Dominique Pere, Bryan Rollins Advertising Manager Sheryl Butler Account Executive Ashley Haeger Advertising Operations Director Margie Neal Calendar Editor Meena Viswanathan Copy Editors Frank Murtaugh, Marilyn Sadler STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Memphis Parent strives to provide information of value to all who are invested in our children’s future.

Memphis Parent is publis hed by Contemporary Media, Inc. Publisher/CEO Kenneth Neill Chief Financial Officer Jennifer K. Oswalt Director of New Business Development Jeffrey A. Goldberg Editorial Director Bruce VanWyngarden Director of Digital/Operations Molly Willmott Advertising Director Penelope Huston Digital Manager Matthew Writt Print/Digital Marketing Assistant Jackie Sparks-Davila Marketing Consultant Britt Ervin Accounting Coordinator Ashley Haeger IT Director Joseph Carey IT Assistant Ashlee Taylor 460 Tennessee Street, Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38103 Tel: (901) 521-9000, Fax (901) 521-0129 send advertising queries to:

sheryl@memphisparent.com

www.memphisparent.com

Join us on Facebook and Twitter!

Follow the magazine @memphis_parent or Jane at @membelle.

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Questions, comments? Let us know! • janes@memphisparent.com

It Takes a Village In Parkway Summer Camp Ages 5- 15 years old

May 26- August 8 Math/ Reading • Life Skills • Getting Fit Home Economics • Sports Video Center • Field Trips 4400 Knight Arnold Road Memphis,TN 38118 (901) 491-1607 or (901) 566-0100

Help Your Aspiring Child Get to the Next Level

Professor at U of Memphis is offering tutoring sessions focused on Reading / Math / SAT + ACT.

Weeknights or weekend appointments.

Contact nkstnmch@memphis.edu

Dentistry for ChilDren Betsy Barcroft, DDs, Ms Pediatric Dentist

6425 N Quail Hollow RD Suite #101 MeMPHiS, tN 38120 901.682.8491 baby-Dentist@ComCast.net

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here is a theme running through this month’s issue, namely helping your child down the road to independence. That’s really what our job as parents is all about. We strive to give our children the strength and confidence to one day live apart from us, successfully, on their own.

What you’ll notice as you raise your children is that this happens incrementally. There are many small steps your children will take over the course of their childhood that will gradually build their self-confidence and competence. Each step will help them gain self-awareness of their ability to manage in the wider world. Even that baby you hold in your arms today will soon learn that you aren’t always present in his life to watch over him, though others will stand in your stead.

I can still recall the first time I became aware of this notion. I was fortunate enough to be at home with my son during the early years, I didn’t have to place him in a day care so that I could go to work. I expect that must be a difficult thing to do, especially when your child is still a baby. But I did work doing freelance writing, and so I often felt the tension that comes from having a home business, wanting to do the best I could for my clients, and yet needing to care for my son as well. It was a tricky balance to strike.

So when I was able to use the Mother’s Day Out program that our church ran, I did. Once my son turned 1, he began going to their classrooms several mornings a week. I realized that in doing so, he would begin having time away from our home; having experiences I wouldn’t be privy to, developing attachments to others, learning and growing separately from our family. In being on his own, he would begin to recognize the existstance of this wider world, one in which he navigate on his own.

It made me sad at first. How could he be without me? But it also gave me relief.

I could work at home without feeling guilty, knowing he was in good hands. He had other children to play with, (which, as an only child, was a definite plus), and came to love his teachers. Being there was his first taste of independence.

What followed were many other small steps, from doing overnights with friends in elementary school to flying on his own to stay with his cousins in Georgia when he was 10.

At each passage I often asked myself, is he ready for this next step? Will he be able to fend for himself? Will he gain new strengths and a sense of confidence in his abilities? If the answer was no, we slowed down, waiting until he was ready.

I must admit, though, that he did spend three weeks at an overnight camp something a bit more than we expected and he came down with a horrible case of homesickness. I was genuinely surprised, I thought he was ready. But he toughed it out, and when I arrived to pick him up later that month, he enthusiastically showed me around camp and told me of all his adventures.

He’d come through the experience unscathed, and perhaps stronger for it, too.

Although I will admit, he never did return to camp. Oops.

Fast-forward to this past Valentine’s Day, when the young man who will forever hold the key to my heart moved out to a place of his own. Of all things to receive on this day of love, the gift of letting go was a tough one. But I am thankful he felt competent enough to strike out on his own. I won’t lie and say it didn’t hurt because it did, initially. And then it didn’t. Because I see him forging a life of his own and making good decisions as an adult. He’s juggling college coursework and his job and he’s doing it successfully. I expect that’s the best Valentine gift a mother ask for. MP

MARCH 2015

Art Director Melissa Ellis

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

BY JANE SCHNEIDER

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Editor Jane Schneider

around town

A Beacon of Hope Need to earn your GED? Head to HopeWorks

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f you or someone you know is among the more than 93,000 adults in Memphis without a high school diploma, you need to know about HopeWorks. This nonprofit organization operates one of the largest GED programs in the city.

Students who attend a 13-week course can gain their GED and receive assistance with job placement. HopeWorks strives to provide new opportunities for those who did not complete high school, are chronically unemployed, have a felony record, or are otherwise in need of education and assistance.

This month, HopeWorks also welcomes motivational speaker Lucille O’Neal, the mother of former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal. The 60-year-old O’Neal shares her inspiring story, touching on what it took to overcome poverty, rejection, and addiction issues to proudly share the spotlight with her famous son.

“Lucille O’Neal’s story serves as a beacon of hope for people who are challenged by barriers in life, and her success is a representation of what each HopeWorks graduate can achieve,” says Ron Wade, executive director of HopeWorks. “She has prevailed through a number of tough situations, and I believe her message will inspire and encourage our students and guests for years to come.”

The fundraiser takes place Saturday, March 28th, at 8:30 a.m. at Woodland Hills Event Center (10000 Woodland Hills Dr.). Tickets are $60 or $600 for a table of 10. Tickets at whyhopeworks.org or call 272-3700 x104. Sponsorship opportunities available. Ticket purchase deadline is March 21st. MP

On Your Being Awesome?

Believe it, says Kid President

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Swimming Lessons

• Ages 6mo and Up • Baby & Me Classes • Private Swim Lessons • Group Lessons

Year ‘round in our HEATED indoor pool!

SCUBA RANGERS Come Join the Fun with Scuba Rangers Ages 8 - 12

• Scuba Skills • Accomplishment • Community Awareness • Teamwork • Goal setting • Snorkel & Scuba Classes • Confidence Gift Certificates make great gifts!

999 South Yates, Memphis, TN 901-763-3483 www.diveshop1.com

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re you a fan of Kid President?

You know, that adorable little boy who’s always dressed like the president and talking about the importance of kindness and such?

You can now bring home those clever sayings when you pick up the Kid President’s Guide to Being Awesome trivia book.

Published in early February, it holds the keys to happiness (or so we’re told).

The book’s authors, 10-year-old Robby Novak and writer/musician Brad Montague, are the same pair who turned out the clever videos about kindness and encouragement that quickly went viral in the summer of 2012. They quickly became an Internet phenomenon and were soon being invited as guests on national TV. Since then, they’ve been routinely popping up everywhere, from The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The View, and Every Day with Rachael Ray, to President Barak Obama’s Oval Office. As the book says, “We never thought the Kid President would take us where it has — from the locker room Pep Talk to the White House and Beyonce’s arms.

But it did.”

The two actually come from Somerville, Tennessee; Robbie is Brad’s brother-in-law. One thing you may not know is that Robbie was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a brittle bone disease that has required numerous operations. But his ailment doesn’t lessen his ability to laugh and be the bright light he’s become. As for the book, reviewers call it, “heartfelt, fun, and full of surprises.” Check it out. • $17.79 on Amazon.com. MP

HARDING ACADEMY i nv i te s you to

You can climb, swing, and zip through the forest.

P R E V I E W D AY

White Station Campus March 18 @ 9:00 a.m.

2 yrs.–Grade 6 | 1106 Colonial Rd. Memphis, TN 38117

• 6 zip lines • 2 Tarzan swings, a series of rope ladders, bridges, spider’s webs, and trapezes • 42 obstacles situated 40 feet up in the forest canopy.

The course is made up of six individual sections, each section taking you higher into the canopy and finishing with a zip line that brings you back to Earth. It takes two to three hours to complete the course, but paid admission gives you unlimited time to play. The course was developed through a partnership between Shelby Farms and Go Ape. This is the company’s eighth U.S. location to open since 2010 and its first in Tennessee. • Price: $57/adults, $37/ages 10-18. Children must be supervised by a participating adult. To learn more, go to shelbyfarmspark.org. MP

ADMISSIONS TESTING March 28

RSVP

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w w w.W hy I L ove H a r d i n g.c o m Harding has three campuses and offers classes for ages 2 years–Grade 12. Call Admissions at 901-767-4494 to schedule an individual tour.

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2 yrs.–Grade 6 | 8350 Macon Rd. Cordova, TN 38018

March 2015

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alling all tweens and teens! Got an adventurous spirit? Then you’ll want to check out Go Ape Treetop Adventures, opening this month at Shelby Farms Park Conservancy. Go Ape, an interactive adventure course, welcomes climbers on Saturday, March 21st, with the promise of getting hearts pumping. The course will be constructed amid the stand of trees near Pine Lake.

With instructors help, participants are secured with harnesses, pulleys and carabiners, given a 30-minute safety training session, and then let loose in the forest canopy. You’ll be free to swing through the trees and more. It sounds like awesome fun, with features that include:

March 25 @ 9:00 a.m.

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Treetops course opens this month at Shelby Farms

Macon Road Campus

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High Flying Fun

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A UNIQUE SUMMER FARM CAMP A AUNIQUE SUMMER FARM CAMP UNIQUE SUMMER FARM CAMP FOR KIDS AGES 4 -9 FOR FORKIDS KIDSAGES AGES4 4- 9- 9

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MAPLEGROVE GROVE FARM, MAPLE LLC MAPLE GROVEFARM, FARM,LLC LLC 2015 FARM CAMP EVENT WEEKS June 1-5 June 8-12 June 15-19 June 22-26

Farm Mania July 6-10 Wild West Hoe Down July 13-17 Nature Farm July 20-24 Gold Rush Canyon

Barnyard Round - Up Sheriff’s Posse Fishing Hole

Growing GrowingHappy HappyHearts Hearts Growing Happy Hearts Also Open for Birthday Parties, Weddings, and Events!

FARM OPEN 8:00 am to 5:30 pm

CAMP OPEN 8:30 am to 3:00 pm

Missy & Firecraker Tim orNicole Nicole McDaniel 901-861-7422 Tim or Nicole McDaniel 901-861-7422 Tim or McDaniel 901-861-7422 4961 Windsong Park Drive • Collierville, Tennessee 38017- 9380 www.maplegrovefarm.net

Preschool Infant Care Beginning at 6 weeks

Toddlers 12 months to 3 years Pre-Kindergarten Jr. Kindergarten

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Our caring educators cultivate learning though play and active engagement.

By supporting children in the important early years, we are investing in their future.

Guided by Jewish values and traditions, students of all faiths learn to appreciate our diverse world.

For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Lindsey Chase, Early Childhood Director, at 901.761.0810 or lchase@jccmemphis.org.

Memphis Jewish Community Center 6560 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38138 jccmemphis.org 901.761.0810

DEAR TEACHER

Q &A

BY MARGARET EBERTS & PEGGY GISLER

Is Reading Aloud Helpful to Kids?

at St. Mary’s

© STEPHEN DENNESS | DREAMSTIME.COM

Because some of the students in my child’s fourth-grade science class are struggling readers, the teacher has the students take turns reading the textbook chapters aloud. My child, a good reader, finds this to be incredibly boring. What are the pros and cons of reading material aloud in class?

There are definitely a lot more cons than pros to having children read textbook material aloud. It can be helpful for those with very poor reading skills. However, they would be better served by listening to recordings of the material. The quality of the reading would be higher, and the time spent on reading aloud could be better spent if it was devoted to meaningful discussion or projects related to the material.

For good readers, hearing the material read aloud in a classroom is not beneficial.

Because oral reading is a lot slower than silent reading, good readers can cover the material faster by reading it silently.

There is also the problem of comprehension. Hearing material read aloud is passive reading — not the active reading needed for good comprehension.

Furthermore, many students suffer embarrassment and anxiety about reading aloud without any opportunity to look over and practice the material.

Q &A

Determining a Child’s Readiness for Kindergarten

camps | academics | college prep | athletics arts | leadership & community for girls & boys PK-12

www.stmarysschool.org • 901-537-1482

Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher.com or ask them on the columnists’ website: dearteacher.com.

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Almost every research study on the age of entry to school concludes that the youngest children in kindergarten classes usually do not do as well as the oldest children. There is disagreement about how long the effects of being youngest last.

Many researchers feel that by third grade the differences due to age disappear. On the other hand, other researchers have found that some slight academic difficulties continue throughout the elementary years.

Remember this, just because statistics seem to support older children doing better in kindergarten, many younger children are extremely successful in school as well.

When children are ready for kindergarten, their first encounter with school is likely to lead to future academic success. Children who are only marginally ready may or may not be able to catch up with their readier classmates before the start of first grade.

The issue for you is readiness is more than age. You may find it helpful to consult with your child’s preschool teacher, pediatrician, and others who know the child well in order to evaluate his readiness. It is also a good idea to look at your school district’s kindergarten readiness checklist if it has one. Our Dear Teacher website has a very comprehensive list of skills children need to be ready for kindergarten in the checklist section.

In the end, your own opinion is the most important, because you are the one who knows your child best. If you have very strong doubts about your child’s readiness for a particular kindergarten program, the child probably is not ready. MP

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© ANNALISABALL | DREAMSTIME.COM

My son is supposed to start kindergarten next fall. Since he has a late birthday, he will be among the youngest kids in his class. He has been attending preschool for the past two years and loves it. Should I enroll him in kindergarten or hold him back a year so he’ll be older?

ONE COOL MOM

Empower, Push, and Pray Lucille O’Neal talks about her personal journey and life with her son, Shaquille O’Neal

by Jane Schneider

HAVE YOUR SPIRIT RAISED

Motivational speaker Lucille O’Neal Morning of Hope fundraiser for HopeWorks Saturday, March 28, 8:30 a.m. Woodland Hills Event Center $60/person, $600/table of 10.

WhyHopeWorks.org or call 272-3700

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ucille O’Neal was just out of high school when her first son, former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, was born. As an awkward teen of 17, she knew nothing about motherhood. She was tall (6’2”), self-conscious, and angry at times. Raised by a grandmother who showed love through tough discipline, Lucille struggled with her self-esteem. Her mother was humbler, sweeter. “I learned how to speak love and how to show love by what I did,” she says. I spoke with Lucille about her life’s journey, as a parent and a woman.

IN YOUR BOOK, YOU TALK ABOUT OVERCOMING NUMEROUS CHALLENGES, INCLUDING ALCOHOLISM. WHAT ENABLED YOU TO STOP DRINKING?

I got tired of being sick, of having hangovers in the morning. I began to lose my memory. And I didn’t want to embarrass Shaquille. I didn’t want people to see Shaq’s mother as a drunk. I was using his money to buy the best liquor. The world was paying more attention and I needed to give them something positive to look at. You have to make up your mind that you’re going to better yourself. I wasn’t a bad mother, but I had demons. I needed to be delivered from alcohol. Now I’ve been single for 15 years and I’m having a love affair with myself and the Lord.

“You have to make up your mind that you’re going to better yourself. I wasn’t a bad mother, but I had demons.”

WHAT DID BEING A TEEN MOTHER TEACH YOU?

Shaquille and I grew up together. I learned about sacrificing what I wanted so my son could get what he needed. I went on welfare for a time, and then got a job. Since Shaquille’s father wasn’t around, I had to stand on my own financially.

I took responsibility for my child, I didn’t hand him over to my mother or grandmother. That made me a better person.

YOU MARRIED SHAQ’S STEPFATHER WHEN HE WAS 6, AND HAD THREE MORE CHILDREN. HOW DID YOU FOSTER SHAQ’S ATHLETIC ABILITY?

WHEN SHAQ WAS DRAFTED BY THE ORLANDO MAGIC IN 1992, YOU SOON REALIZED IT WASN’T JUST YOUR SON IN THE SPOTLIGHT, BUT YOU AS WELL. WHAT WAS THE IMPACT?

For 20 years, people only knew me as Shaq’s mama. But I wanted them to know me, my dreams, that I am more than somebody’s mother. My book is my testimony: Walk Like You’ve Got Somewhere to Go: From Mental Welfare to Mental Wealth.

WHAT IMPACT HAVE YOUR CHILDREN HAD ON YOUR LIFE?

I shared with them that I wanted to write a book, to return to school, to become a motivational speaker. It took many years to find the courage to do those things. I was so used to caring for my children I had put me on the back burner. But during my 40s [after a divorce], Shaq paid for my college education and put me in touch with people who could help me write my book. In doing that, in finding my voice, I discovered I was stronger than I knew. Now I’m in a better place, in mind, body, and soul. I’m so happy. I’m a happy person.

WHAT’S YOUR MESSAGE TO YOUNG PARENTS?

It’s not the end of the world to have a baby at a young age. Just don’t stop dreaming, always look forward. And put your faith in God. MP

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I didn’t know how good my son was initially. He played baseball, basketball, and football. But slowly, we realized he had a gift we needed to nurture. Knowing he had a dream to play in the NBA, we put him in AAU play, made sure his grades were good so he could get a scholarship, and worked together as a family. He worked so hard to accomplish his goals. I was proud that he never quit. Our job as parents is to get out of the way of our children. Don’t stifle your child’s growth.

Empower them, stand behind them, push, and pray.

apply now.

www.cmdsmemphis.org 901.261.2157

devotion to

expression

FREE

at St. Mary’s

CHALK FEST BLOCK PARTY SATURDAY, MARCH 21 10 AM – 2 PM

Celebrate Spring Break and the special exhibition This Light of Ours at the Brooks!

camps | academics | college prep | athletics arts | leadership & community for girls & boys PK-12

Join us for a fun day of art, food trucks, live music, and collaborate with artists and other visitors to turn our plaza into a colorful work of chalk art.

www.stmarysschool.org • 901-537-1482

Summer Field TripS

BROOKSMUSEUM.ORG

Learn to SkaTe Summer

Camp - June 15-19.

This camp is for anyone who has thought that they might like to give ice skating a try.

No experience necessary!

Skate rental is included with camp fee.

OVERTON PARK TM

NEXT TO THE MEMPHIS ZOO

MARCH 2015

FU N FO R A LL A G ES

Call 901-881-8544 ext.

2 for reservations.

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

Free admission. Chalk will be available for purchase ($3 for a set of 12) or feel free to bring your own.

Price for admission + skate rental- $6.

The groups MUST book before hand to reserve their spot.

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A Macy’s Community Day

www. me mphis par ent . com

from 10a.m.- noon, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays all summer.

SCHOOL NOTES

Does Your Child Need a Tutor?

Tips on when and how to find a good fit

by Robin Gallaher Branch

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utor Susan Ison gets many calls from parents.

Some are frantic: “My child has a math test tomorrow! Can you help?” Others range from, “My child is falling behind” to “My teenager needs tutoring for the ACT.” Ison, director of Memphis Tutorial Association, handles the first example with a confident, “Come over. Let’s get right on it.” The others permit more time and may involve her Victus Study Skills System or one-on-one tutoring over several months.

Tutoring — additional, specialized, remedial and/or enrichment instruction — not only may be necessary to help a child in school but also may increase a teen’s chances of getting into a good university or winning a scholarship.

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WHEN IS TUTORING BENEFICIAL?

“Grades are the first indication,” says Pamela Palmer, owner of Tutoring for Success. Other signs your student might need help are when you, teachers, and/or other professionals notice that your child: • Lacks confidence in a subject; • Missed or doesn’t understand concepts being taught. Math, for example, builds on foundations like division, multiplication, and fractions;

• Persistently asks for help but is not improving, OR • Never asks for help.

“Children can live a long while hoping clarification will pop into their head. It usually doesn’t,” notes Palmer. “These children may need tutoring twice a week to catch up.”

Parents often seek help from a tutor when they can’t help their child themselves, or become frustrated in a homework-helping situation because the way they learned a subject is different from how it’s taught in school today.

“Parents often tell me the best thing they did for their child was to let someone else tutor,” Palmer says.

Since tutoring is very relationship-based, you should share with them any diagnosed learning disabilities. A tutor can also assess a child’s learning style.

Appropriate questions for a tutor include the degrees and certifications they hold, the type of classroom experience they’ve had, and how they work with students. And by all means, ask for references.

TUTORING BUILDS CONFIDENCE

Most children find a tutoring experience builds confidence; they become excited about learning.

“If a child sees measurable progress, that’s a great motivator,” Palmer says. Tutoring especially helps demoralized students.

A Kids’ Music Class that Really Rocks Come Jam with Music for Aardvarks, Memphis!

An interactive music program for children 6 months to 5 years and their parents/caregivers

Spring Registration Now Open!

• Straight from New York City • Great music • Live guitar and storytelling, singing and dancing • Fun for parents too!

• Great for birthday parties, special events, & school programs

Newcomers welcome to drop in for one FREE class

NEw ClassEs startiNg er n iN BartlEtt & tEMplE israEl n i WClasses now in Midtown, East Memphis, Collierville, and Cordova Classes in Midtown and East Memphis Visit us on also the web at www.memphisaardvarks.com Visit us on the web at www.memphisaardvarks.com or contact us at 871-0227 or info@memphisaardvarks.com or contact us at 871-0227 or info@memphisaardvarks.com

NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS

Alex Northcut, tutored by Phillips, saw his ACT score jump from 22 to 29. He took the test four times, meanwhile, his school grades also rose.

“Tutoring benefitted me. Oh, absolutely! It’s made me ready for anything academically that comes up,” says the Trinity Christian Academy senior, who hopes to go into sports broadcasting. “I learned how to pace myself and how to answer the questions thoroughly and accurately,” he says. MP

TUTORING RESOURCES Susan Ison, Memphis Tutorial Association 683-3718 Pamela Palmer, Tutoring for Success 737-7442 Ben Phillips, Jane Ross Tutoring (731) 803-2552

© LISA F. YOUNG | DREAMSTIME.COM

Ben Phillips is agency director of Jane Ross Tutoring, a 36-year-old Memphis firm that concentrates on ACT and SAT tutoring. “We look for ways to supplement what juniors and seniors have been learning in high school. We give them specialized training, tips, and strategies unique to college admission tests,” he says.

A teen with good grades in school may receive lower-than-expected scores on standardized tests. A way to change this, Phillips says, is to study in a way that fits the tests. For example, since ACT questions are multiple choice, it’s possible to recognize certain patterns and develop answering skills.

“We practice, practice, practice. We train students to do well and to be successful. It’s as much an exam in psychology as it is an academic exercise,” Phillips says. “Preparation alleviates test anxiety,”

Parents often seek help from a tutor when they can’t help their child themselves, or become frustrated in a homework-helping situation because the way they learned a subject is different from how it’s taught in school today.

Pediatric ER is Now Open!

at St. Mary’s

Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children’s Hospital Visit us online at baptistonline.org/pediatrics

camps | academics | college prep | athletics arts | leadership & community for girls & boys PK-12

your children from birth through their teens. All pediatric services, including the new Pediatric ER, are conveniently located under one roof, with easy parking and access, and the same level of exceptional care you’ve come to expect from Baptist.

If you have an emergency, please visit the ER or call 911.

Get Better.

6225 Humphreys Blvd., Memphis, TN 38120 901-227-PEDS (7337)

MARCH 2015

Wilson Baptist Children’s Hospital, dedicated to caring for

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

expanded with the opening of the Spence and Becky

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The region’s first freestanding women’s hospital has

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www.stmarysschool.org • 901-537-1482

HEALTH MATTERS

Weather Woes Help your children manage fears of stormy weather

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frequently occurring activities that are not anxiety provoking,” Christophersen says.

Teach Weather 101. FOX13’s Meteorologist Joey Sulipeck speaks regularly to school groups about the weather, “Most kids are just scared in general of storms. I have found educating them helps allay those fears.”

Sulipeck’s message to kids is simple: Knowledge is power. “The key is making good decisions when tornado warnings take place. That’s really the pinnacle of safety.” So the issue then becomes: what is safe?

One of the major threats when a tornado is in the area is high wind speed. That is why most of the advice about tornado safety centers on getting away from windows, and into an interior part of the home, says Sulipeck. Basements are ideal, but since few Mid-Southerners have those, the next best thing is an interior closet or bathroom, one not adjacent to an outside wall. Insulate yourself against the dangers of flying debris that might break through a window or wall.

Another trick is to track the movement of a storm. After lightning flashes, kids can count 1-1-1000, 2-1-1000, and so on until you hear thunder. Every five seconds is one mile since sound travels more slower than light.

When to seek help. Young children commonly experience fears or phobias, but most generally wane as kids grow older. If your child’s phobia lasts more than six months and impairs her ability to participate in daily activities, find an experienced anxiety disorder therapist with supervised clinical experience in treating phobias. The therapist can conduct a standardized anxiety screening. Avoid those who want to start therapy by giving your child an IQ test.

MP

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W

hen tornado sirens howl, thunder crashes, and lightening forks from dark clouds, we naturally feel a mixture of unease and awe during nature’s dramatic displays. Many families, however, would prefer to skip the show given the emotional havoc storms can wreak on their kids.

DeTonya Childress says her daughter Alexia, 9, becomes frantic during severe weather. Alexia’s fear manifests as tears and quickly progresses to pleas for an immediate retreat to the basement.

“Tornadoes and thunderstorms are the worst,” Childress says.

“When Alexia was 3, she decided to sleep in her own bed during a storm. The first crack of thunder led her back to my bedroom, crying all the way. (Now) once in my room, she begins to pray.”

If volatile weather sparks a wave of panic in your child, calm storm preparation, soothing relaxation techniques, and a dash of Weather 101 may help ease her fears.

Create calm before the storm. “The most important thing parents can do is prepare their children for severe weather before it happens,” says Dr. Edward Christophersen, pediatric psychologist at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. “Parents need to be cognizant that their behavior directly influences their child’s behavior. So, parents should very calmly practice their threatening weather procedures.”

Draw up a severe weather plan for your family. Designate a safe area in your home, preferably a basement, or a bathroom or closet in the middle of the house on the lowest level. Store a storm safety kit in your safe area that includes a batterypowered weather radio, flashlight, blankets, a pair of leather gloves, and safety whistles.

Periodically conduct storm drills. Set up a small table in your safe place for family members to engage in a familiar, relaxing activities such as board or card games. When threatening weather happens, stay calm and follow your safety plan.

Practice relaxation techniques. Play weather sounds for your child while relaxing together, playing a game, eating dinner, or doing homework. Begin with very gentle sounds like a light rain and slowly progress to heavier rain and thunderstorms.

“The rationale here is to get the child to pair or associate weather sounds with

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June 1 - July 31

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M E M P H I S PA R E N T

Summer Day Camp

Summer Blast

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Building a foundation that lasts a lifetime

EXPLORE SUMMERS @ LAUSANNE 2015

Lausanne Summer Program (Rising JK–12th Grades) 1381 W. Massey Road Memphis, TN

Dates: May 26–July 31

View the full brochure and register online at www.lausanneschoool.com/summer.

Before Care Morning Sessions Lunch Afternoon Sessions After Care

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M E M P H I S PA R E N T

MARCH 2015

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theater Camps

6 Weeks DesigneD for stuDents ages 8-13 anD 1 Week DesigneD for stuDents ages 12-16 Week of June 15-19 Sleeping Beauty (Mon-Fri 8:30am-12:30pm)

Week of June 22-26

Pinocchio (Mon-Fri 8:30am-12:30pm)

Week of June 22-26

The Trial of Goldilocks (Mon-Fri 1:00pm-5:00pm) (TEEN CAMP)

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Missoula Children’s theatre in “rapunzel”

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NEW! DISCOUNT PROGRAM Complementary lunch, Before and After Care with select camp registrations: q Register for select morning sessions and receive FREE Before Care. q Register for select afternoon sessions and receive FREE After Care. q Register for select morning and afternoon sessions or all day session in the same week and receive FREE Before Care, After Care and lunch.

Week of June 29-July 3

Wizard of Oz (Mon-Fri 8:30am-12:30pm)

Week of July 20-24

Our popular theatre event for the youngest of thespians. There is no charge to participate and 50 kids will be chosen for two one-hour productions. tickets are $8.

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auditions are Monday, June 8, 2015 at 3:30 p.m.

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Princess and the Pea (Mon-Fri 8:30am-12:30pm) Robin Hood (Mon-Fri 8:30am-12:30pm) Little Mermaid (Mon-Fri 8:30am-12:30pm)

901.474.1013 | www.lausanneschool.com/summer | Memphis, TN

Tennessee Safari Park’s Exotic Pet Vet Caring for everything from antelope to zebras is this dad’s calling

by Candice Baxter don’t know how to hunt in the wild, so not all can be released. archimedes, a surrendered raptor, now lives safely as the educational owl at tennessee safari park. he makes appearances for the busloads of children who visit for field trips every year.

March 2015

“Birds of prey are beautiful. It’s rewarding to release them into the wild and know they’re not going to be adopted out,” Hanan says.

M e M p h i s pa r e n t

tennessee safari park opened to the public in 2007 to promote appreciation and conservation awareness through interactive education. here, visitors get to touch and feed rare and endangered species, many of which are bred in captivity before being shipped to other zoos. at the park’s gift shop, 45 blue emu eggs warm in an incubator have already been promised to zoos around the country. ratites, a Greek word meaning flightless bird, grow strong on the farm and are well fed by visitors. as we take an hour-long drive that winds through open range, llamas greet us in hopes of a nibble.

Jon Conley, director of tennessee safari park, discovered his passion during high school, buying nine dybowski sika deer with his graduation money. he knew he wanted to preserve these and other endangered species. still baby-faced at age 27, he now owns a herd of 69 deer. “my father was a banker with an interest in exotic animals. But we’ve taken it a step Right: Devyn with an ostrich further and way beyond.” Conley egg as her dad, David. looks and his brother, Claude, the park’s on. Below: a tiny tortise manager, oversee 500 acres and roughly 1,000 animals; some only exist in a few other zoos in the u.s. Jon’s niche is raising antelope and rare hoof stock for african animal exhibits. hanan visits the warm conservation barn where

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GrowinG the park

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f you drive an hour northeast from memphis to alamo, tennessee, you’ll find the Conley farm. like many places in this region, a white columned plantation home and spinning windmill caps the hill near its entrance. But instead of raising cattle, this fifth-generation farm is where zebras graze, ostriches peck the earth, and kangaroos tuck joeys into their pouches. it’s the tennessee safari park, a haven for rare and endangered species and a drive-through safari for tourists. i’m joining dr. david hanan, an avian and exotic animal veterinarian with memphis veterinary specialists in Cordova, on his weekly trip to the safari park. his 15-year-old daughter, devyn, a freshman at arlington high school, rides along. she usually brings a friend so they can feed the Chinese gorals (a type of goat) and West african sitatungas (swamp-dwelling antelope) that call this place home. While many of the park animals are endangered in their native habitat, they wander free here; it is park visitors who are restricted to their cars. during the week, hanan tends to injured ferrets, snakes, monkeys, and birds. But his real passion is working with birds of prey and exotic animals. hanan’s journey began at auburn university, where he studied at the College of veterinary medicine. it was at auburn that hanan became acquainted with big birds through the southeastern raptor rehabilitation program. When he moved back to memphis, he offered his services as a volunteer vet at the mid-south raptor Center, a place that provides rehabilitation for wild birds.

“Birds of prey are beautiful. it’s rewarding to release them into the wild and know they’re not going to be adopted out,” hanan says. Birds raised in captivity

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Above: Devyn holds a miniature deer Below: Hanan examines an ostrich with an injured beak

more than 70 tortoises spend the winter. He checks on a feeding tube (much like an IV) strapped to the back of a Vietnamese keeled box turtle. “This guy looks like he’s doing better. You can tell because he’s starting to open his eyes.”

Outside, the vet examines an ostrich with a cracked beak and later we visit a separate pasture where a lone male zebra, treated earlier in the winter for a leg injury, now trots. “He’s starting to get around with that splint off,” observes Hanan.

Back at the petting zoo, Devyn waves goodbye to Elvis, a two-year-old camel that lies near the barn getting petted and fed by excited children. In addition to the driving and petting zoo, you’ll find a log cabin that dates to the 1800s and other reminders of Tennessee’s pioneer roots. But for Hanan, it’s caring for giraffes and wallabies that keep him coming back. “I really like the uniqueness. Each species represents a new challenge. It keeps life interesting.” MP

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Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m. $12/adult, $8/ages 2-12. $10/feed buckets. Cash or check only.

“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” — Rudyard Kipling

IllustratIons by leo & DIane DIllIon

African American heritage comes alive through the award-winning work of authors Patricia McKissack and Frederick McKissack

by Meena Viswanathan

ALA AwArd Pat and Fred McKissack were honored in January with the 2014 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement from the American Library

door openers “Reading opened up a world for me,” she begins. “So, as I write, I think of a child that I used to be and write to build bridges with books for children.” It was her family’s rich storytelling heritage that sowed the seeds for McKissack’s writing career. She fondly calls her family members as “fun porch tellers.”

Teachers also inspired her. She pays credit to her first-grade teacher Evelyn Glore-Ashford in particular for encouraging her to read and use her imagination.

“For a parent-teacher meeting, we first graders were asked to share about our museum field trip with a simple one liner: My name is so and so and I saw this.

When it was my turn, I said in my best storyteller

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Association (ALA). The couple began their writing/ research partnership in the 1980s, a collaboration that would yield more than 100 books and make an important contribution to children’s literature.

“Pat McKissack is a prolific storyteller,” notes award chair Loretta Dowell. “I can’t express how important it is to have the old storytelling tradition translated into printed work.”

Memphis Parent had the opportunity to congratulate Patricia McKissack and learn more about her journey, told to us in a most loving and tender voice. voice, ‘Well, when I got to the museum, a mouse and a rabbit showed me around, and I saw…’, Mrs. GloreAshford could have stopped me, but she didn’t. I remember her always for allowing me to have my own voice — the storytelling voice. I kept up with her until she died a few years ago at the age of 93.”

Like many girls of her generation, McKissack grew up reading The Bobbsey Twins. But her other favorites included Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mocking Bird and Langston Hughes’ Simple Stories. Later as a teacher, she learned what kids liked to read and came to better understand their language. She firmly believes there should be an element of fun or humor in every tale.

March 2015

ow would it feel to be part of a family brimming with storytellers? Tennessee native Patricia McKissack grew up listening to her grandfather’s stories rich in Southern dialect, her grandmother’s spine-chilling ghost tales, and her mother’s dramatization of Paul Dunbar’s poems.

These childhood experiences would greatly influence her own storytelling. Throughout her career, McKissack has explored both familiar and lesser known topics, bringing African-American history to life through family-based folklore and biographies.

The past three decades have produced a broad array of fiction and nonfiction titles, including Flossie & the Fox, The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural, and Paul Laurence Dunbar: A Poet to Remember.

McKissack’s work was made possible thanks to her late husband, Frederick McKissack, who helped make her dreams of becoming a writer come true.

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Storytelling

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IllustratIon by Jerry PInkney

The Art of

GROWING UP IN SEGREGATED NASHVILLE “I grew up loving the library and librarians,” continues McKissack. During segregation, the Nashville Public Library was one of the only places downtown where African-Americans could go.

She talks about how her families, neighbors, teachers, and friends loved and sheltered children from the harsh realities of the segregated South.

Then came the Civil Rights Movement. She was still in high school when the protests began, and her mother, fearing for her safety, didn’t let her take an active role. So McKissack worked behind-the-scenes, passing out flyers and stuffing envelopes for people involved in the movement. Despite the unrest, the Nashville Public Library remained open to all.

Years later, she wrote Going Someplace Special, an autobiographical account of the important role the library played in her life. “I didn’t want to tell the story with anger in my heart. I wanted it to be a story about overcoming and rising above negativism and being proud of who you are, where you want to go. It meant the world to me to get the story out, and share it with young people.”

TEAMWORK WITH FRED MCKISSACK Joining hands with her husband Fred McKissack, the couple set out to fill the gap in the African-American experience. During 1992-1993 alone, they had as

many as 18 biographies published. They laughed and giggled like kids most of their 50 years together, but were deadly serious about their work. McKissack says her husband was one of the best researchers in publishing. He possessed a brilliant, analytical mind, forever inquisitive, introspective, and thoughtful.

“Our favorite book together was A Long Hard Journey – The Story of Pullman Porter,” says McKissack.

“It was our first book that won the Coretta Scott King award and we enjoyed learning about the brave men who formed the first black union.” Their travels took them around the world in search of stories.

“Our journey was full of adventures that I may write about one day. Did I say how much I miss him? Well, I do.”

STORIES THAT SPEAK TO CHILDREN “The McKissacks’ books teach about the love of family, African-American history, and embracing diversity,” points out Crenshaw Branch Library Manager Inger Upchurch, who recalls meeting the couple years ago.

Upchurch talks passionately about using their books during story times at the library because of the valuable lessons they teach.

Touching on the McKissacks’ nonfiction, Upchurch admires their skill in presenting historical figures ‘in a way not too far removed from ourselves.’

They made it relatable by describing how people

Curl Up with a Good Book

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MARCH 2015

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by Jane Schneider

What we discovered reading Patricia McKissack’s books is how rich and diverse her storytelling is. She writes lyrically, in dialect at times, retelling African-American history and folk tales by breathing new life into old events. She creates warm, gentle worlds where children are inventive, resourceful, and clever, surrounded by helpful family and friends. Writing together with her husband, Frederick, the McKissacks coauthored many books, winning numerous prestigious writing awards, including the Coretta Scott King Award and Newberry Medal runner-up. Here are a few titles to get you started.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Titles are written by Patricia McKissack except where noted.

PICTURE BOOKS Flossie and the Fox • Pictures by Rachel Isadora Young Flossie must deliver a basket of eggs to a neighbor, so Grandmother warns her to watch out for the wily fox. Unafraid, Flossie uses her own powers of observation to outsmart the trickster. McKissack’s first picture book, beautifully illustrated by Rachel Isadora.

Mirandy and Brother Wind • Illustrations by Jerry Pinkney, Caldecott Honor & Coretta Scott King Award winner Mirandy is convinced if she can just catch Brother Wind, he’ll do her bidding and help her win the junior cake walk. But how? Her clumsy friend Ezel is amused by her various attempts to solve this riddle and ultimately, his patience is rewarded. Illustrator Jerry Pinkney conjures up wonderfully detailed images of a gentle Southern landscape, and the mischievious wind, pictures young children will enjoy pondering.

HISTORY A Long Hard Journey: The Story of the Pullman Porter • by Patricia and Frederick McKissack, Coretta Scott King Award winner The history of the Pullman Porters is as life changing as the advent of the railroad itself.

Pullman car porters, originally freed slaves hired to serve passengers in the sleeping cars, made train travel comfortable, elegant, even memorable. The job became highly coveted and brought financial security and prestige to its men. Moreover, this group would eventually forge America’s first black union in the 1920s, thus gaining national recognition and better working conditions.

like Dr. Martin Luther King had a childhood, went to school, and faced adversity. “Their legacy lies in continuing to encourage children to love literature and history,” observes Upchurch.

A LEGACY THAT LIVES ON Although McKissack is now 70 years old, she continues to write. “I am working on several titles scheduled for publication in 2016,” she says. With her partner gone — Frederick died in 2013 — she’s leaning more towards works of fiction, though her next title will be a nonfiction book she was working on just before her husband passed away. Their son Fred Jr. helped to complete the book. She has also written books with her other two sons, John Patrick and Robert.

Carefully placed in each of McKissacks’ books is the idea that it isn’t necessary to pass judgment on people for what they do or don’t do, or for what they believe or don’t believe. She hopes her voice touches the heart and mind of young readers everywhere: “Different is not a synonym for wrong. Different is something we celebrate and that’s what writing has done to me.” MP

FOLK TALES Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters • Illustrations by Andre’ Carrilho African Americans have a rich history of storytelling, featuring gifted tellers who often held court on front porches. Their tales, while woven around kernels of truth, were often embellished and funny. Here, McKissack adds to that genre, drawing from myths and legends to create a clever collection of tall tales. Andre’ Carrilho’s expressive, amusing illustrations will leave you wanting more.

The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural • Illustrations by Brian Pinkney, Coretta Scott King Award winner In this Newberry Award winner, McKissack again taps African-American folklore, reminding readers of the storytelling tradition that often took place at dark-thirty, when twilight settled. Creating a treasure trove of spooky stories, she weaves many from memories of tales heard growing up. Some are scary, others poignant, but all remind the reader of a history that’s come before.

Never Forgotten • Illustrations by Leo and Diane Dillon, In her research, McKissack ould find no history of African stories about the millions of people taken into the slave trade. Yet surely they were remembered. In elegant prose, she creates such a tale, telling the story of Dinga, a blacksmith raising his son Musafa to work beside him at the forge. Until one day, when the boy disappears. Distraught, the father calls upon the four great elements — Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind — to discover his son’s fate. Dinga’s comfort comes in learning that Musafa and others survived and carry on the traditions of their mother country in America. Beautiful illustrations work in concert with the prose, making this a memorable book.

SERIES Messy Bessey series • Good for early readers developing their vocabulary and becoming familiar with sight words.

The Miami Jackson series • These easy chapter books introduce Miami, a clever boy who frequently discovers that by using his smarts, he can achieve anything.

SUMMER

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PEACE, LOVE, & HIP HOP CAMP NEW BALLET / JUNE 22 - 26 Ages 6 - 8, 1:00 - 4:00pm Ages 8 - 10, 1:00 - 5:00pm

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This camp will get your child’s creative juices flowing! Each student will learn hip hop moves, tumbling, stretching, and dance fundamentals. Our day also includes daily art projects and games that engage many aspects of your child’s creativity.

SPANISH CULTURE CAMP NEW BALLET / JULY 20 - 24 1:00 - 5:00pm

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New Ballet Ensemble and School’s Flamenco teacher, performer, and Barcelona native, Noelia Garcia Carmona brings the culture of Spain to life through the language, dance, castanets, cooking, singing, and more.

March 2015

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CONTENTS 25 Why Camp Is Good for Kids 29 Does My Kid Know How To… 30 Books for Building Friendships

Summer Dreams Starts Here

ULTIMATE SPORTS | SWIMMING | WILD & WACKY KROC ADVENTURES | HOLIDAY CAMP | UNDER THE SEA SOCCER | OUTDOOR BONANZA | KROC OLYMPICS DIGGIN’ DINOS | BASKETBALL | MESSY GAMES MAD SCIENCE | TOP CHEF | CHEER | AMAZING RACE PRINCESS & KNIGHTS | SURVIVOR | ON THE FARM JUNGLE | SUPERHERO

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M E M P H I S PA R E N T

Camps offer so many cool possibilities for discovery and fun that your kids won’t find time to be bored.

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32 Day Camp Ideas for All Ages

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MARCH 2015

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My playground

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Why Camp Is Good for Kids The summer camp experience makes kids stronger and more independent? You bet.

by Margie Sims

w w w. memphi spa re nt. c o m MARCH 2015

But with the countless activities available that encourage individuality, why camp? “Because I am a product of camp,” says former camper Allie Denton, who found North Carolina’s Camp Hollymont on the Internet as a girl. “I had seen a movie of an all-girls camp in the mountains when I was 10 and immediately knew that was what I wanted. That summer, my parents made a bold move and put me on a plane to North Carolina to attend. After two weeks, I was hooked.” Denton returned each summer and eventually became Hollymont’s assistant director.

While it is certainly normal and healthy for parents to protect and provide for their children, going away to camp offers kids a true first try at doing for themselves. “Camp not only gave me authentic confidence,” says Denton, “but also forced me to move forward in learning conflict resolution and respect for others and their differences.”

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

Why sleep-away camp?

Memphis dad Jeffrey Goldberg agrees.

“I was an athlete and all of my counselors were “You can’t take a college athletes, so we had that in common,” big leap until you he says. The counselors, however, did not share his Jewish faith and consequently, were take a small step. unfamiliar with Jewish customs and values.

— former counselor & “We shared that with them, and we learned a administrator, great deal from them in return,” he says. Even Allie Denton his college choice was, in part, colored by the impact a camp counselor (who played ball for Syracuse) had on him.

Although the camp experience is rooted in childhood, its influence often grows with kids, even through college. “Not only was going away to college easier, but accepting people’s differences once I was there came more naturally to me,” says Denton. Different families have different ways of doing things, and camp is the perfect place to learn respect and find common ground. “In fact,” says Denton, “when I later had the opportunity to go to South Africa and study abroad, I kept looking back at my 10-year-old self, reminding myself if I conquered fear of the unknown then, I could conquer it now.” Denton adds that her time in South Africa turned out to be one of the most enriching experiences of her life. “But I’m not sure I could have done it without the camp experience. You can’t take a big leap until you take a small step.”

“Camp not only influenced where I went to college, but prepared me to go when the time came,” adds Goldberg, who grew up spending eight weeks every summer at camp. “The idea of moving away from home was appealing to me because living at camp every summer had given me the confidence to go out into

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vividly remember picking up my 10-year-old daughter, Bethany, after her inaugural week at camp. While I envisioned her jumping into my arms, she merely shot me a friendly smile with a wave before returning to her newfound friends. In the moment, I was disheartened; but more than a dozen years after that day have proven the experience to be an important first step in her journey towards independence.

Olivia Dowell, who along with her husband, Jack, founded Camp Bear Track in 1994, agrees. “As parents, we all want our children to try new things, to gain self-confidence, and find the courage to face situations with which they are not familiar.” Dowell says camp is the place for kids to discover that type of courage.

“They get through camp and realize how much they gained from it; while going away to camp gives kids many things, the greatest gift is independence.”

© PETRO | DREAMSTIME.COM

o l l e H s my name i

SEVEN WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR KIDS (AND YOU) FOR THE CAMP EXPERIENCE

l mart, Bold gir

Strong, S

er camp!

o to summ g o t t n a w I and

1. Give your child the gift of attending sleep-away camp.

2. Prepare him for homesickness, but don’t manage it from a distance.

3. Do not make the “We’ll take you home if you’re unhappy” deal.

4. Help your child practice skills he’ll need before leaving home.

5. Use letters and postcards for updates from home.

ove our Your Girl will L

Camps!

6. Take a vacation from parenting. Have fun and skip the guilt.

Source: Homesick and Happy by Michael Thompson, Ph.D.

Three Sessions: June 1-12 l June 15-26 l July 6-17 For girls ages 6-18 Register for as low as $75 per session!

Bundle sessions and save!

www.girlsincmemphis.org

901.523.0217

© OLESIA BILKEI | DREAMSTIME.CO-

the world; I was confident that I could handle myself.”

Goldberg will send his own fourth-grade son, Kosten, to camp this summer for the first time. And how to prepare for this new adventure? “Other than orientation and a few overnights away from home, I’m not sure,” he admits, “but I am confident it will help him learn about life and experience things he couldn’t at home. I was so lucky to have that experience.”

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A place of community and traditions

Memphis mom Lisa Waggoner sent all four of her children to Camp Bear Track in Drasco, Arkansas, from the time they entered first grade, and has been delighted with the impact that camp has had on her kids. “Not only did camp foster independence and self-discovery, it also gave them the chance to be themselves, without making them feel as if they had to reinvent themselves,” says Waggoner.

In his book, Homesick and Happy: How Time Away From Parents Can Help a Child Grow, psychologist Michael Thompson highlights the experience of one 14-year-old boy, David McDonald, who discovered his talent not for sports or swimming or horseback riding, but (to his surprise), glass blowing, at camp. “It changed the way I felt about myself forever,” says McDonald.

“We help campers discover and develop what they excel at and what they like by letting them choose the activities they want to try,” says Dowell. Admittedly, archery, water skiing, or another unfamiliar sport or activity can be a bit of a reach for kids, but trying new things in a safe atmosphere is part of the secret sauce of camp. “It’s not the bells and whistles but the community and traditions that keep bringing them back year after year.”

Community, traditions, and independence are all a part of what camp offers. “A place to make mistakes and skin their knees; growth in a controlled environment,” says Denton. “You can’t purchase that at a store.”

As the mom of 10, the time comes every few years for one of my own children to fly. I feel like I’ve done my job when he or she can go forward confidently.

“Doesn’t it make you sad when they are so ready to go?” Mom Dot, my mother-inlaw, often asks me when another kid leaves the nest. No, I tell her. I would rather have them eager to go find their lives than shrinking back, afraid.

In my experience, summer camp is a safe, solid first step in that journey. MP

BRIARCAMP

March 2015 M e M p h i s pa r e n t

JUNE 1 - JULY 24 • WWW.BRIARCREST.COM

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SIGN UP FOR A SUMMER OF FUN!

www. me mphis par ent . com

20 15

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M e M p h i s pa r e n t

March 2015

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Does My Kid Know How To...

Work on improving these self-care habits before your child heads off to camp

by Jane Schneider

What Should Camp Leaders Know About My Child?

• Any specific medical or personal needs your child has • Food &/or medicine allergies • A history of bed wetting or irritable bowel issues • Autism • Asthma • Fainting spells • A recent death or divorce in the family Someof these may be on your camper’s health form, but don’t be shy about calling and speaking directly to camp staff regarding issues concerning your child.

© DAVE WILLMAN | DREAMSTIME.COM

Eat Smart

At camp, kids are given the freedom to select whatever they want to eat at mealtime. Naturally, some load up on bread, mac and cheese, and Jello exclusively. But picking foods that provide a balanced meal, including fruits, veggies, and protein, will give your child more energy. Choose poorly and they may suffer the consequences of fatigue, irregularity, sugar highs, or headaches.

Work on making good food choices at home and encourage kids to try new things. Since dehydration is also pretty common at camp, talk about the importance of drinking plenty of water all day long. Get in the habit at home, by serving water instead of juice or soft drinks at mealtime.

Swim Across a Pool

Many camps have swimming facilities, a lake or pool, where part of each day is spent. If your child hasn’t mastered swimming yet, don’t worry. Lessons are often part of the program and with daily drilling, your child will likely improve. A swim test is given to determine each child’s skill level. “We ask campers to swim the length of our competitive lap pool and then tread water for 30 seconds,” says former camp administrator Allie Denton. To build confidence, practice these skills before camp begins.

Talk to a Counselor

Kids are used to turning to their parents when they’re hurting or in need of support. So who provides that role at camp? Their counselors and camp nurse.

Tell your child these are the people they can go to if they’ve accidentally wet their bed, feel homesick, wake with a stomachache, become constipated, or being teased or picked on. Counselors are trained to help campers, regardless of the issue. Kids should never be afraid to ask for assistance when they feel uncomfortable. Talk to your child about how and when to share their personal information. “I’ve had campers in the past hide grievances such as these, only to have it come out once they’ve gotten home and talked to their parents,” says Denton. “Not only are these issues ones that can be easily solved at camp, but campers miss out on an important life skill: being an advocate of their needs and learning to trust others.” MP

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New clothes are not a great fit for camp. Cabins with five or more bunkmates means clothing gets mixed up and dirty and sometimes lost forever. Make sure aricle of clothing has your child’s name on it. Talk about the importance of respecting the kids they’ll share their cabin with. Keep clothes picked up and stored in a central place (trunk or drawer), so items don’t get lost. Hang up wet clothes so they can dry out. NO bathing suits or T-shirts stuffed into the corner of a trunk where it will mildew. Hang up towels instead of leaving them in a heap on the floor.

Many camps recognize the importance of being unplugged. That means iPods, tablets, and other devices are not allowed or their use is restricted. With so many new activities to try, kids typically don’t miss being connected. Begin taking a break at home, by shutting down electronics after supper or several hours before bedtime, so kids can spend their time exploring other activities.

MARCH 2015

Manage Laundry

Turn Off Electronics

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

As you might expect, once kids are out from under Mom’s watch, skipping a shower is the norm. After all, who will notice, right? Wrong. Showering is part of a camp’s daily routine, so kids need to know how to be quick and efficient.

Limiting showers to five minutes will ensure everyone has enough hot water.

Proper hygiene is also important, talk about the importance of brushing teeth, washing hair (send along detangler for girls with long hair), and changing underwear regularly.

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Take a Shower

Swimming! Ping Pong! Pool!

Books on Making Friends

by Jennifer Boren Whether meeting new acquaintances, or rekindling seasoned friendships, these new titles will help your reader learn the importance of making and keeping friends.

PreK-2nd Grade

Friendship is Like a Seesaw. Written and illustrated

by Shona Innes.

The picture book series, A Big Hug, which provides a road map for children and parents to navigate difficult subjects such as death and bullying, offers a new title worthy of exploration. In Friendship is Like a Seesaw, familiar critters learn the ups and downs of friendship, how to play together, and what to do when left out of the fun. Innes offers practical solutions for young children to mend friendships, and delicately illustrates just how tough making and keeping friends can be.

Crafts! Special guest!

Field trips! Tutoring Time Available! And More!

“VENS Summer Camp”!

(Vollintine Evergreen Neighborhood School)

LOCATION: Living Hope Church Midtown 815 McLean Blvd., Memphis 38112 TIMES: 7:15-6:00 DATES: June 1st-July 31st AGES: Rising K - Rising 8th graders COST: $85.00 per week CONTACT: Leslie Montgomery at 258-9473 or 300-4860

or email lesliem@venschool.com

summer safari May 26th-August 7th

IT’S AN EDUCATIONAL EXPEDITION!

FOR KIDS ENTERING 1ST-8TH GRADES . PLEASE SIGN UP FOR ALL SUMMER OR JUST A FEW WEEKS . . WEEKLY FIELD TRIPS & ON-SITE EVENTS . . ON-SITE SWIMMING POOL, GYM AND PLAYFIELD! .

ol Summer Camp o h c S e r P Pre-K2 through Pre-K 4/5 year olds . ON-SITE FIELD TRIPS . SWIM & WATER PLAY DAYS .

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Age Summer Camp l o o h c S . .

910 COLLIERVILLE-ARLINGTON RD. COLLIERVILLE, TN 38017 (901) 854-4334 WWW.COLLIERVILLECHRISTIANACADEMY.COM PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend.

Written and illustrated by Dan Santat.

In Dan Santat’s new Caldecott Award-winning picture book, Beekle gives up waiting for the perfect friend to imagine him, and bravely sets off on a quest to find the true meaning of friendship. Readers will be drawn into Beekle’s imaginary world, where adventure awaits, and relate to the “real” world, where people are too busy to listen to the music and always need a nap. This is a first pick for any child who loves to imagine or pretend.

My New Friend is So Fun! Written and illustrated by Mo Willems.

What is a best friend? Children will relate to this hilarious tale of what happens when friendships blossom and their social circle expands. Mo Willems does not disappoint with this new, humorous addition to his series, when Elephant and Piggie discover that their best friend may not need them anymore. A great choice for beginning readers, the book brings to life relatable characters that give children the confidence to deal with jealousy and make new friends.

3rd-5th Grade

The One and Only Ivan. Written by Katherine Applegate.

Based on a true story, Katherine Applegate offers a provoking and gripping tale of the unlikely friendship between a silverback gorilla, kept in confinement for 27 years at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall, and a baby elephant named Ruby. Awarded the Newberry Medal, Ivan narrates his story in short chapters that read like prose. Readers will explore what it means to create safe friendships, and how important relationships with animals can be. Perfect for children who’ve had to say good-bye to an old friend.

El Deafo. Written and illustrated by Cece Bell.

In her graphic-novel memoir, Cece Bell illustrates her life growing up with severe deafness after contracting meningitis at the age of four. Readers in upper elementary will agree; making and keeping friends at school can be especially challenging when you’re labeled with a disability. Bell captures the alienation of her peers, and how she turned her impairment into her superpower. Recently awarded a Newberry Honor, and a Best Book of 2014, El Deafo has a format will appeal to struggling and advanced readers, and offers a fresh perspective on bullying and fitting in.

Prairie Evers. Written by Ellen Airgood.

When her grandmother, who also happens to be her best friend, moves back home, Prairie Evers must attend school for the first time. Prairie finds herself struggling to fit into the confines of public school, having been homeschooled her entire life, and making friends proves even more difficult. This debut novel, and well-received title, has also been nominated for the Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award. Readers will welcome Airgood’s refreshing perspective on issues like peer pressure, and maintaining autonomy in complicated friendships. MP

Show your love for Memphis at Harding Academy Day Camp, opening June 1.

I901!

Cordova: 8350 Macon Rd. East Memphis: 1100 Cherry Rd. - F U L L DAY & H A L F DAY - E X T E N DE D C A R E I NC LU DE D -

A L S O : S P OR T C A M P S & L E A P E N R IC H M E N T C A M P S

www.HardingLions.org/summer

901.322.3002

MARCH 2015

Orpheum Summer Movie Series Elvis Sock Hop | MIFA Pink Palace | Gibson’s Donuts Redbirds | Fire Museum

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

2 L O C AT ION S :

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F E AT U R I NG :

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S E N IOR K– G R A DE 1 2 | OPE N T O T H E C OM M U N I T Y

Why Go To A Camp That Doesn’t Fit? LINDENWOOD LIFE CENTER offers FOUR unique programs for a Summer of Fun!

May 26 - August 13, 2015 Camp open 6:45am - 6:30pm

LIFESAVERS Camp Rising 1st and 2nd Graders

LIFESAVERS Camp is full of color, fun, excitement, and learning. Camp will include many new and fun adventures, games, arts and crafts, educational opportunities and field trips.

CHALLENGE CAMP Rising 3rd-5th Graders

Challenge Camp will challenge campers with fun and silly contests in sports, art, music, academics, and more. Campers will earn points and win individual and team medals. Weekly field trips, themes, and classes make Challenge Camp fun and exciting.

UCAMP

Rising 6th- 9th Graders

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UCAMP provides a mixture of activities that include community service projects, several weekly field trips, an overnight retreat, and extra week-end activities.

UCAMP allows campers to help make decisions about daily and weekly activities. UCAMP is housed in our youth facilities located in our UNDERGROUND – equipped with lots of extras. 6th graders may choose to attend either Challenge Camp or UCAMP.

UTEAM

Rising 10th-12th Graders

UTEAM is an intern program for our older students. Applicants may apply for limited spaces, complete a 8 week training program (Wednesday Nights starting on March 18 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm), and pay the $75 registration fee to help cover costs of training and tee shirts.

LINDENWOOD LIFE CENTER

2400 Union Avenue • Memphis • 901.327.LIFE (5433) • 327lifecenter.com

Looking for a Summer Day Camp?

We’ve found some fun options

by Robin Gallaher Branch with Jane Schneider

I

s your child always drawing pictures, exploring outdoors, humming a tune, thinking about airplanes, or looking for adventure? Then consider a specialized summer camp that concentrates on these interests — or help them discover new ones. Just make this summer one to remember!

Tennessee State Parks Junior Ranger Camp Meeman Shelby Forest & T. O. Fuller State Parks Ages: 6-13 Dates: June 8-11 & June 22-25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thurs. night from 6-10 p.m.

(NOTE: Dates shown are for Shelby Forest programs only. Call T. O. Fuller to learn their dates & program offerings.)

Fees: $30. Register April 1-June 1 (slots go quickly; call on April 1).

Fun Stuff: Campers who love the outdoors will get to explore this shady park.

Activities include hiking, fire building, fishing, canoeing, hunting tool demos, and learning about Tennessee plants and wildlife. At the end of camp, kids receive a Jr. Ranger certificate.

Contact: 876-5215, Shelby Forest, 543-7581, T.O. Fuller.

Memphis Botanic Garden Summer Camps 750 Cherry Road, 38117 Ages: 5-12. Caterpillar Club (ages 4-5), Nature Scene Investigators (ages 6-9), Eco-adventure Camp (ages 9-12) Dates: Go to website.

Fees: Caterpillar Club: $125/week, $150/ nonmembers. Nature Scene & Eco Adventure: $150/members, $175/nonmembers Fun Stuff: Help your kids connect with nature.

At Memphis Botanic camps, children get to explore the great outdoors, learn about plants, discover creepy crawlies, play garden games, and more. Some lessons are translated into crafty projects. For older kids, eco-experts lead tweens to trek, thread, hike, and splash through the garden.

Contact: memphisbotanicgarden.com U.S. Space & Rocket Center Camps U.S. Space & Rocket Center, One Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805 Ages: 9-11 & 12-14.

Dates: Overnight camps held weekly from May 24 through August 16. Camp runs from Sunday 2 p.m. to Friday 9 a.m.

Fees: $939/week (room & board). Day camps also available, $275/per week (9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily). All activities take place in Huntsville.

Fun Stuff: Trainees choose robotics, aviation, or space as a focus. Robotics Camp builds on a love of Legos. Students learn basic engineering and design principles with robots. Those in Aviation learn to fly an F-18 simulator and receive land/water survival training. Campers choosing Space learn about living and working in space. Crew trainers guide trainees through the past, present, and future of flight or space exploration, using actual jets, shuttles, and rockets as the backdrop. Dorm-style housing and meal plan.

Contact: rocketcenter.com/daycamps or call (256) 837-3400 or (800) 637-7223 YMCA Day Camps NOTE: Most YMCA branches offers summer camp options.

Contact the one near you for details or visit their website.

DeSoto County Childcare YMCA Summer Day Camp Locations: Hernando Elementary School, Olive Branch Elementary School*, Southaven Intermediate School* - * Locations offer lunch & snack Ages: 5-12 Dates: May 26-July 31, 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Fees: $75/registration. $115/week. $5/sibling

R E M M S U

5 1 0 2 p m Ca

JUNE 1–JULY 24

Early Childhood Camp for Age 3–Kindergarten One-Week Sessions for Grades 1–8 Sports and Specialty Camps More Field Trips for Grades 2–6

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Memphis Jewish Community Center 6560 Poplar Ave. 38138 • jccmemphis.org • 901.761.0810

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

MARCH 2015

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Check us out at jccmemphis.org/camp2015

BRINGS YOU

PETITE PALETTE SUMMER CAMP

PETITE PALETTE KID'S CAMP AGES 5-9 AND 10-13 June 15-19 9:30 am-1:00pm June 22-26 9:30 am-1:00pm July 13-17 9:30 am-1:00pm Fees: $195

RESERVE BEFORE MAY 5 $175

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN! Petite Palette Kid's Camp We'll

be painting Owls, Frogs, Beetles, Guitars, and so much more! Crafts include mosaics, rain sticks, jewelry boxes just to name a few! With a few games and a bit of Art History thrown in.

Contact Kristi Bauer sanderlin@pinotspalette.com 5040 Sanderlin Suite 111 • www.PinotsPalette.com

SKY CAMP

WHAT BETTER WAY TO SPEND A WEEK OF SUMMER than in the SKY!

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SkyCamp is the perfect way to combine fun and fitness.

2 weekly sessions June 8-12 and July 13-17 8:00am - 12:00pm daily Ages 6-12 Only $129 per week

Early Bird Registration Special $ 79/ per person if you register by April 10th!

It’s five, half days of instructorled activities, age appropriate SkyRobics, open jumping and Ultimate Dodgeball- all

incorporating the fun and excitement of Sky Zone. $79 per child early sign up by April 10 regular price is $129

Sky Zone Memphis 5355 Distriplex Farms Dr., Suite 102 Memphis, TN 38141 (901) 322-3281 | skyzone.com/memphis

discount. $60/week for Counselors in Training “CIT” program. Applications must be submitted for review before acceptance.

Registration: Located at Olive Branch Elementary, Southaven Intermediate, and Hernando Hills Elementary, March 21 & April 18, 9 a.m.-noon.

Fun Stuff: Camp activities include weekly adventure field trips. Teamwork values promoted via sports and games. Art projects encourage imagination and creativity.

Weekly themes like Wacky Wednesdays help make camp fun. Swim lessons also offered. Y day camps promote character development, respect, responsibility, and faith.

Contact: ymcamemphis.org/find-a-y/desoto/camp/ or (662) 280-6370 or email Mandy Smith, msmith@ymcamemphis.org.

Millington Family YMCA Summer Day Camp Locations: Arlington Elementary School, 11825 Douglass Street, Arlington, 38002 Lakeland Elementary School, 10050 Oak Seed Lane, Lakeland 38002 Millington Middle School, 4964 Cuba Millington Road, 38053 Munford at Old Munford Library, 87 College Street, Munford, 38058 Ages: Completed Kindergarten-5th grade Dates: May 26-July 31, 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Fees: $75/registration per child nonmembers, $150/per family. Weekly fee: $85 & $100/per child, per week. Registration begins March 1. Check with individual Y’s for details.

Fun Stuff: The Y’s Summer Day Camp gives campers a chance to explore the outdoors in a structured, safe environment where kids can form lasting friendships and develop leadership skills. Y camp offers two swim days, a field trip day, a day to visit a park, and a Fabulous Fun Day based on a theme; children dress up to illustrate a theme — be it Indiana Jones for ancient Egypt, or music rock stars.

Contact: ymcamemphis.org/find-a-y/millington/ or Carrie Cullum at 873-1434.

YMCA Summer Camp at Schilling Farms Camp Locations: Collierville First Baptist Church, 830 New Byhalia Road, Collierville, 38017 Evangelical Christian School, 1920 Forest Hill Irene Road, Germantown, 38138 Ages: 5-15 Dates: May 26-August 7, Collierville First Baptist Church; May 26- July 31, ECS Germantown campus. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Registration: Begins March. March 30, 5:30-8:30 p.m. & April 25, 9 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Fees: $75/registration for nonmembers, $150/per family. Camp is $125/per child per week. Fee assistance and income-based rates are available.

Fun Stuff: The Y’s Day Camp offers children a variety of activities that nurture spirits, challenge minds, and strengthen bodies. Campers participate in ageappropriate activities including physical fitness, swimming, and field trips.

Contact: ymcamemphis.org/find-a-y/schilling/camp/ or call Pam Hipp, 850-9622, |phipp@ymcamemphis.org Theater Camps at the Orpheum Theater Rising Star Camp Orpheum Theater, 203 S. Main Street, 38103 Ages: Grades 3-5 Dates: July 20-24. 9 .a.m.-4 p.m.

Fees: $250/per child. $40/lunch for the week Fun Stuff: Campers will learn about musical theatre, master fun and challenging choreography, rehearse songs, and explore their imaginations. Rising Star Camp is an opportunity for musical theatre students to develop vocally, physically, and creatively. A final presentation will include choreographed song selections from our upcoming Broadway season.

Contact: orpheum-memphis.com, call 529.4242, or email: education@ orpheum-memphis.com Broadway Boot Camp Ages: Grades 6-8 Dates: July 6-10 & July 27-31. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fees: $250/per child. $40/lunch for the week.

Fun Stuff: Broadway Boot Camp

SU SU UM MM M ME M ER E R at

St. George’s

Join us for a summer of fun, excitement, and outdoor adventure!

Sports | Science and Technology | Academic Enrichment | Fine Arts | Performing Arts | Woods and Water | Fairy Gardens | and more!

June 8 - August 7 Girls and boys, PK - 12 Morning/afternoon/all-day camps offered Extended care available 7:30am - 5:30pm Visit www.SGIS.org for camp information and online registration.

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

MARCH 2015

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www.SGIS.org

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Register today!

means five days of singing, dancing, and acting. Learn everything from Broadway musical backgrounds to choreography. Campers will work with professional teaching artists to create a one-of-a-kind production based on the Orpheum’s upcoming 2015-2016 Broadway Season. A choreographed showcase will be presented to family and friends on the last day of camp.

Contact: orpheum-memphis.com, or call 529.4242, or email: education@orpheum-memphis.com

Register Online Today!

Christ-Centered Residential Summer Camp for Ages 7-17 A Ministry of French Camp Academy

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www.campoftherisingson.com • 662-547-6169

Broadway Summer Institute: Motown the Musical Ages: Grades 9-12 Dates: July 13-17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fees: $250/per child. $40/lunch for the week.

Fun Stuff: Come experience the business side of show biz. Learn the inner workings of the theatre and performing arts in classes that explore administrative subjects including Marketing and Promotion, Development, and Box Office Operations along with technique classes in stage adaptation, movement, and acting. Classes will be taught by local artists, performing arts personnel, Orpheum staff, and Broadway actors from the smash hit Motown: The Musical.

Community Music School Summer Camps Memphis Suzuki Institute, 3775 Central Avenue, 38111 Ages: 3+ Dates: June 7-12 Fees: $75/registration fee or $120/family registration. $370/full-day tuition. $235/half-day tuition Fun Stuff: Children attend semi-private lessons daily; each student receives focused attention from an expert teacher. Children also take part in group lessons, ensemble classes, performances, and related musical enrichment classes.

Parents are able to see Suzuki teaching in action through observation of their children’s lessons and classes and experience the Suzuki philosophy at work.

Memphis Music Camp, 3775 Central Avenue, 38111 Ages: Fifth grade+ for String Camp (violin, viola, cello, string bass, harp) Ages: Sixth grade+ for Band Camp (woodwind, brass, percussion) Date: June 15-19 Fee: $50/registration fee. $350/camp tuition. $100/housing, $100/meal plan for four nights optional. $25 Early Bird discount (if paid in full by 5/1) Fun Stuff: Memphis Music Camp provides quality instruction, an artistically stimulating environment, and an opportunity for young musicians to have fun and make new friends. Along with large band and orchestra ensembles, campers will participate in master classes, private lessons, chamber ensembles, and musicianship classes. Faculty is made up of distinguished teachers, performers, and conductors from across the Mid-South.

Piano & Art Camp, 935 West Park Loop, 38111 Age: 8-12 years old Date: July 13-17 Fee: $50/registration fee. $225/camp tuition. $25 Early Bird Discount (if paid in full by 5/1).

Fun Stuff: Piano & Art Camp offers young piano students the opportunity to develop their playing skills, learn more about music fundamentals, and more. Participants will be coached in solo and ensemble repertoire and have the opportunity to express their creativity through multi-media art classes. Campers will use clay, paper, paint, and found objects to create cool works of art. All materials and supplies will be provided.

Contact for All Music Camps: memphis.edu/cms/mmc.php or email: cms@ memphis.edu, or call the Community Music School, 678-4244.

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SUMMER CAMPS

Whether you're looking for the perfect summer quest for your little adventurer or a way for your child to perfect some seriously thrilling skills, The Little Gym Summer Camps have something for everyone! Plus, flexible scheduling options allow you to schedule several weeks, a single week or even just a day at a time!

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Super Kid's Quest Camp 3-8 & Skill Thrill Clinic 6-12

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Whether you are seeking activities in academics, athletics, or leadership development, MUS will make this your most post-worthy summer yet!

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The Little Gym Of Germantown www.tlggermantowntn.com 901.755.1323

37

M e M p h i s pa r e n t

March 2015

www. me mphis par ent . com

Register online at musowls.org/summerprograms or call (901) 260-1300.

ASPERGER

SUMMER PROGRAM The asperger summer Program is a unique, intensive outpatient program (in a camp-like setting) designed specifically for elementary, middle and high school students with AspergerProgram Disorder.

The Asperger Summer is a unique,

intensive outpatient program (in a camp-like setting) designed specifically for elementary, middle and high school students with Asperger Disorder.

Students may attend one week or any number of consecutive weeks.

Lunch will be Students provided.may

attend one week or any number of consecutive weeks.

Lunch will be Monday - Friday • 9:00am - 2:00pm provided.

June DaTes

Week One: June 15 - 19, 2015 Week Two: June 22 - 26, 2015 Week Three: June 29 - July 3, 2015

Pinot’s Palette Art Camp 5040 Sanderlin Avenue, Suite 111, 38117 Age: 5-12 Date: June 15-19, June 22-26, & July 13-17. Classes run from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Fee: Check website.

Fun Stuff: With a little bit of art history and a lot of fun, kids at Pinot’s Palette Summer Camp will explore the world of painting and crafts in a fun morning camp with kids of all ages. Campers will have the opportunity to learn about impressionism, abstraction, and Southern art traditions.

Contact: pinotpalette.com/sanderlin or call 761-0021 Camp Fly High for Special Needs Campers Madonna Learning Center, 7007 Poplar Avenue, 38138 Ages: 5-30, open to all children with disabilities Dates: Mid-June-July 21. 8-week camp runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Registration: Deadline is May 16.

Fun Stuff: Imagine a place that has special friends just like you and volunteers who are caring and attentive. Days are filled with arts, crafts, and games, cooking and swimming, field trips and more. A place you can be yourself and FLY HIGH without leaving the ground.

Moms say they have piece of mind when they leave their children each morning, thanks to awesome counselors.

MARCH 2015

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July DaTes

• The program was designed by parents, care-givers, and clinical professionals.

Lindenwood Summer Camp for Kids • The goal is to develop and maintain continuity This is an intensive outpatient program Lindenwood Life Center, 2400 Union Avenue 38112 in students-developmental and behavioral skills isthroughout and most insurance accepted, based Ages: 6-14 the summer. upon medical necessity. Self-payment Dates: May 26-Aug. 7 Fees: $50/registration. $120/week • The program will be led by licensed and trained arrangements can be made. For more Fun Stuff: Kids who attend camp at Lindenwood learn cooperation and therapists, certified special education teachers and certified information or to register, please con800-232-LAKE teamwork through games, crafts, outings and more. activities therapists in a safe, supportive tact Ednaenvironment.

Weiner at

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

www.lakesidebhs.com

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July Dates

June Dates

Monday - Friday Monday - Friday Architecture+Design Summer Program for Teens 9:00am - 2:00pm 9:00am - 2:00pm Department of Architecture, University of Memphis Week One: June 13-17, 2011 Week One: July 5-8, 2011 Ages: 9th to 11th graders interested in art & science of design.

Week Two: June 20-24, 2011 Week Two: July 11-15, 2011 Dates: June 1-June 13, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday Friday27-July1, • 9:00am - 2:00pmWeek Three: July 18-22, 2011Fee: $350 by May 18. $400 after May 18. Space is limited. Scholarships available Week Three:- June 2011 based on merit and financial need. Scholarship applications must be received by Week Four: July 6 - 10, 2015 May 1, 2015. Tuition covers instruction, materials, and field trips.

Week Five: July 13 - 17, 2015 • The program was designed by parents, Fun Stuff: Jointly sponsored by the Department of Architecture at The University The pattern-based care-givers and clinical professionals. of Memphis and the Memphis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, curriculum includes: The goal is to develop and maintain this camp incorporates visits to architecture and design firms and an architectural The pattern-based •curriculum includes: continuity in students’ developmental tour of downtown. Activities include an introduction to architectural and structural • Social skills development • Social skills development and behavioral skills throughout the • Sensory motor integration concepts, computer applications, model building, and freehand drawing. Campers • Sensory motor integration skills training summer. skills training work one-on-one and in groups with university instructors and design professionals.

• Educational/learning • Educational/learning skills skills • The program will be led by licensed The program ends with a presentation of student projects. andbehavior trained therapists, certified • Study skills/adaptive classroom • Study skills/adaptive Contact: aiamemphis.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/2015-Architectureclassroom behavior • Activity/recreational therapy special education teachers and Summer-Camp-Application.pdf. Or call Heather Koury, 525-3818 or email: certified activities therapists in a safe, • Activity/recreational therapy info@aiamemphis.org. supportive environment.

901-373-0931 This is an intensive outpatient program and most insurance is accepted, based upon medical necessity.

Self-payment arrangements can be made.

For more information or to register, please contact

800-232-LAKE

www.lakesidebhs.com

Lisa Hicks at Lisa.Hicks@uhsinc.com or call 901-373-0931

Internship Opportunity: Teen leadership for students grades 10-12. UTeam members serve by making snacks, mopping floors, washing dishes, and watering plants.

They also leading games, assist with classes and more. Teens must meet internship requirements. Register now, training begins March 18th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

327lifecenter.com/life-center/summer-camp/uteam--10-12 Contact: Wilson Clark, youth pastor. wilson.clark@lindenwood.net. 327-5433 MP

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Call 725-7941 for more information or to register!

ENROLL BY APRIL 1 FOR A 10% DISCOUNT!

March 2015

bible s

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Rock 101 Camp Session I: June 8-12 Rock 101 Camp Session II: July 6-10 Performance Boot Camp Session I: June 15-20 Performance Boot Camp Session II: July 20-24 BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED CAMPS

M e M p h i s pa r e n t

sic

May 26th — July 31th 7 am - 6 pm Boys & girls, ages 5-12 www.idlewildchurch.org

SUMMER CAMPS

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Schedule a field trip for your summer camp!

Starts June 20, 2015 June 6 - September 7, 2015 Funded by the North Carolina Arboretum Society and the Creel-Harison Foundation

Lichterman Nature Center • Live Animal Presentations • Two exhibit buildings to explore

• Lake, Meadow & Forest Habitats • Nature Walks

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M e M p h i s pa r e n t

March 2015

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PLANETARIUM RE-OPENING MID-JUNE WITH:

3050 Central Ave. 901.636.2362

5992 Quince Road 901.636.2221

When Grandma Forgets

caregiver StreSS? Know these tell-tale signs: • Overeating • inability to sleep • constant fatigue • Depression

Alzheimer’s disease can be confusing to children.

Here’s how you can help.

by Kristi Cook

A

about the affected member, even outbursts of crying or anger. “Offer them comfort and support,” advises Clay.

“Provide opportunities for them to express their feelings, let them know that their feelings are normal and respond honestly to their questions.”

Explain and listen. “We encourage parents to educate their children and teens about the disease and encourage them to ask questions,” says Clay. Explaining the process in age-appropriate language helps kids understand it’s the disease that causes family members to act and talk differently.

Fielder recounts her nephew’s change in perspective once he understood why Grandma took his crayons.

“He became the activity director of the house,” managing what the family would do with Grandma, such as coloring or puzzles. “Suddenly,” she says, “he wanted to help Grandma.”

To further help explain the disease in child-friendly language, go to alz.org, and check out recommended story books, caregiver training programs, and support groups for families.

Keep family bonds growing. Lisa Bobal, executive director of The Gardens of Germantown Memory Care, warns that children may “feel neglected while mom/dad has to focus all their attention on grandma/ grandpa.” Families can keep bonds intact while continuing caregiving by involving children in dayto-day activities along with the family member with HOw iS yOur cHilD cOPing?

Alzheimer’s.

Children may not express their emotions with tears “These activities can include going for walks or anger. Warning signs indicating children are not together, folding laundry, raking leaves, or washing coping well include a lower school performance, dishes, listening to music, looking at old photographs, lack of interest in hobbies, vague ailments such as stomach aches and headaches, refusing to visit or talk watching a movie together, and even creating a scrapbook or photo album together,” says Clay. However, she reminds parents to set aside the alzheimer’s association, Memphis • alz.org plenty of special one-on-one 24-hour Helpline: (800) 272-3900 / Free education resources for time, assuring kids they are still adults and children. Helpline answers questions, concerns, and important and loved. provides professional care consultation.

Seek help to avoid burnout.

Some caregivers share the Schmieding Home caregiver training Program • arcaregiving.org responsibility of caring for their (870) 207-7600 / Training for caregivers loved one among several family members, while others are the the gardens of germantown Memory care • gardensofgermantown.com 755-5450 / Weekly, 24-hour respite care

© Andres rodriguez | dreAmstime.com

lzheimer’s is not just a “forgetting” disease. Rather, it eats away memories, deteriorates personalities, and eventually leads to death. Once diagnosed, Alzheimer’s affects every family member, even children and teens. Parents can help kids navigate this confusing time by understanding their emotions, fears, and needs.

Always My Grandpa by Linda Scacco Ph.D. Ages 6 to 10 A young boy learns to navigate his emotions and cherish time with Grandpa as he watches changes take place.

Singing with Momma Lou by Linda Jacobs Altman Ages 6-10 A 10-year-old girl learns why Grandma doesn’t remember her while helping her hold on to memories a little longer.

March 2015

SuggeSted Reading foR ChildRen

M e M p h i s pa r e n t

sole care providers. Either arrangement can lead to burn out. Clay encourages taking frequent breaks from caregiving “by utilizing adult day care and respite services, as well as in-home sitter services.” Services are available for two hours to several days or more.

“You need to take the best care of yourself,” says Bobal, “so you can take care of your loved one[s],” including your spouse and children”. Clay agrees.

“Two of the most common issues we hear from parents that are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s while raising children is that they lack the time for self-care that is coupled with the ‘guilty’ feeling of wanting to have time for self away from their children and loved one with Alzheimer’s.” Her recommendation? Take a spa day, go for a walk, or read a book. Just give yourself time to reenergize. MP

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Just as adults have differing responses to Alzheimer’s, so do children. “The most difficult aspect of Alzheimer’s for children and teens. . . is the sadness that comes with being confused about the changes in their loved one’s personality and behavior,” says Miriam Clay, manager of programs and education at the Alzheimer’s Association, Memphis.

Linda Willey recalls her son’s reaction when he visited an uncle who had Alzheimer’s. “Here was this 16-year-old macho football player crying because Uncle Art couldn’t remember his name,” notes Willey, nurse coordinator of the Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Program. “Yet his uncle remembered every tree he had planted along the highway as part of the Corps of Engineers after the war.”

Kids often have difficulty understanding how their loved one can remember detailed events from half a century ago, yet forget family members’ names or recent conversations. The irrational and paranoid behavior many Alzheimer’s victims display is especially confusing to preschoolers and elementary-aged children, as Valerie Fielder, assistant to Willey, attests.

“My 6-year-old nephew hated grandma, thought she was being mean because for a time she would take things away from him, saying ‘These are my crayons.’”

Clay adds children may even believe “they may have done something to cause the change in their loved one’s behavior.” Others fear catching the disease.

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cHilDren’S reactiOnS vary

FAMILY TABLE

Satisfying Dumplings Tasty treats your kids will love making

by Elizabeth Phillips

MusHrooM-CABBAge PoTsTICKers

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MarCh 2015

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A

round the Lunar New Year back in February, The New York Times ran a piece about making seafood dumplings at home.

My boys and I gasped — and drooled a little — at the paper’s photo of tender, translucent pockets of shrimp and scallops. Though I’d made Italian filled pastas before, I’d never tried their Asian cousins.

But we had a bag of shrimp in the freezer and a can-do spirit. As I rummaged around to see what else was on hand, I found a pound of mushrooms and half a head of cabbage, both standard in vegetable dumplings. However, most of the recipes I found on the web and in my own cookbooks called for shiitakes and napa cabbage, and I didn’t want to do any special, or expensive, shopping. After all, dumplings at their heart are like burritos or sandwiches: you should be able to fill them with whatever you have. I finally found a great recipe using humbler ingredients on a blog called Kokocooks.

Though I changed a few things, adding ginger for kick, I cheerfully embraced her suggestion that I pan-fry these as potstickers. My kids preferred them to the shrimp, despite my younger one’s claim that he loathes mushrooms.

Best of all, my kids could help me. We used sturdy prefab wrappers (both round and square) from the grocery store. The boys easily moistened, sealed, and crimped the dumplings closed. My job was to place the right amount of filling in the middle of each wrapper. No need to wait for next year to make these! MP

3 tablespoons canola or other neutral oil 1 lb. mushrooms (white or shiitake), washed, dried, stemmed, and finely chopped salt 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced 1 tablespoon peeled, and grated fresh ginger 2-3 carrots, peeled and shredded on the smaller holes of a box grater 1/4 head cabbage, finely shredded, then chopped to yield 1 1/4 cup 1 tablespoon soy sauce 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil 1 teaspoon sriracha (a chili pepper paste, in the Asian foods section) Fresh ground black pepper 2 scallions, all but darkest green part sliced thin or minced For Assembly And cooking 1 package (about 50) round or square dumpling or wonton wrappers A dish of water more neutral oil dipping sAuce 1/3 cup soy sauce 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until all liquid has evaporated, about 8-10 minutes. Add the cabbage and cook until wilted,

about another 2 minutes. Then add the carrots and cook another minute or two. remove pan from heat. stir in all remaining ingredients.

Have filling, wrappers, a small bowl of water, a baking sheet or large clean dish towel, and another clean towel for hands nearby. Keep extra wrappers covered with a damp towel.

Place a small amount of filling (about 1-2 tsp.) in the center of the wrapper. It might take a little practice to get used to using a small enough amount. If you use too much and your dumpling won’t stay closed, just discard the wrapper and reuse less of the filling in another dumpling. Dip your index finger in the water and wet around the edge of the wrapper.

Pleat the edges to crimp closed.

(There are videos that can teach you.) Place finished dumpling on baking sheet or towel. repeat with remaining wrappers and filling. stir dipping sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a skillet (nonstick if possible) over medium-high heat. Add around 8 dumplings (don’t overcrowd the pan) and brown on bottom side, about 4 minutes. Add ¼ cup water, reduce heat to medium, and cover pan. simmer dumplings another 3 minutes. remove lid from pan and allow any remaining water to cook off. repeat with remaining dumplings, adding more oil as needed. Dumplings will be brown on the bottom, tender and translucent on top. serve with dipping sauce.

St. Therese Little Flower Catholic School 1 Month

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starting March 2, 2015 Mondays: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. • Tuesdays- Fridays: 9a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Christ-Centered • Academically Excellent Structured and Nurturing Environment • Tuition Based on a Sliding Scale 1666 JAckson AvE., MEMphIs, tn 38107 901-725-9900

Good youth programs are informative.

Great Ones are

TransfOrmaTive.

TransfOrmaT rma ive. rmaT

Mary Van Dyke Artistic Director The Racquet Club of Memphis 2-18yrs & Adults Open to the public

Annie

Give your child a learning experience that will last a lifetime.

and Sound of Music on the Buckman Stage

Bridge Builders COLLABORATE® one-year program • Build friendships and develop leadership skills at week-long Bridge Builders Summer Conference • Six trainings and events throughout the school year to connect with peers and find your voice • Serve your community through action projects across the city

CAMPS! tel 901.921.0388 or email info@balletchildren.com

REGISTER

June 1 - July 23

ONLINE: tennismemphis.org BY mAIL: Leftwich Tennis Center, c/o NJTL Camp,

WHY TENNIS? FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BENENFITS KENT BRADSHAW 901-268-6710 kbradshaw@tennismemphis.org

4145 Southern Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117

IN-PERSON:

at Bellevue, Eldon Roark/Whitehaven, Leftwich, or Wolbrecht Tennis Centers KENT SMITH 901-237-5677 ksmith@tennismemphis.org

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• Weekly Camps: Monday –Thursday • Times: 8:00 – 11:00 AM Registration opens March 23 • Ages: 5 – 18 • 9 Camp Locations • Weekly Cost: $25 or $75 per child depending on camp location • Group rates for organizations, daycares, churches, nonprofits

MARCH 2015

sponsoring organization

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT CAMP COORDINATORS:

AppLiCAtion deAdLine iS ApRiL 10, 2015.

ChildrensTheaterClassesMemphis.com

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

info@ballet-children.com

Students in grades 6-11 are eligible to apply.

Learn more about Bridge Builders® at bridgesusa.org/apply or call 901.452.5600.

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CBT Nutcracker by Marci Lambert

CAMPS!

Early yEars

Growing Together, Growing Apart Sleepovers provide an important early step towards independence

by Mat thew Timberlake for the Urban Child Institute

V

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March 2015

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If You Love Them, LeT Them Go When our children first begin forays into nights away from home, it’s important to help them find the sweet spot of comfortable independence. Sure, you worry about their first season away at summer camp, but don’t shackle them to your anxiety.

Don’t make your fear of snakes theirs, too. Yes, they might get into poison ivy or hear stuff you’d rather they stay naïve about for a few more years.

But you know about the seedy underbelly of the overnight sleepovers because you went to them yourself. Children grow in different but important ways when they spend time away from the core family and share experiences with their friends, extended family, camp counselors, or scout leaders.

As parents, we get the privilege of having the most powerful influence on our child’s developing sense of self, their worldview, their understanding of their place in society. But children also need to see how others think and behave. They need to see that there are many ways a life can play out, many roles a person can play. These paths may be more or less pleasing to you as a parent, but ultimately, which path to take is your child’s decision to make.

Children should feel comfortable making that decision independent from you, but parents should

© Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com

isiting grandparents for the weekend.

Attending a slumber party. Spending a week at sleepover camp.

Long before our children leave home to forge a life of their own, they take small steps towards independence, growing through experiences they have outside our care.

It can make us proud or sad (or a little of both) to drop off our children and drive away into a life without them for a spell, but it’s the stuff parenting is made of.

It’s a dry run for the end of active parenting, looming somewhere ahead in their late teens or early 20s. If we do this parenting thing right, our kids will eventually leave home to begin building lives of their own.

take comfort knowing your guidance will be a help color that decision.

TheY do Come BaCk Mom may make a great peanut butter sandwich, but she doesn’t make the only one in the world. Your family may play Monopoly with the Free Parking cash bonus rule, but not all families do. Your traditions feel right but they’re really only right for you.

Others do things differently, and a child that understands this, and can be totally fine with it, is growing up with the kind of social adaptability that will open doors in the future. There is a whole wide world of individual points of view out there, and some day your child will be faced with making their way in it, living among peers.

Your child should feel happy to have an adventure away from you. Certainly they’ll be thrilled to return

When Can I Go on a SLeepover?

• Age 5 to 6 is generally a good first time for friend sleepovers.

• Make sure your child can manage self-care tasks (toileting, bathing, brushing teeth) • Talk to the other parents about the evening’s activities and let your child know what to expect.

• Send a backpack with PJs, toiletries, a pillow, and an extra set of clothes.

• Make sure phone numbers are exchanged in case of an emergency. to the warmth of your love and care at the end of their journey, and to tell you about and get your perspective on the things they’ve learned. MP

Dance Scholars, Inc.

Summer Program July 6- 31, 2015 Junior Camp:

Tues. & Thurs. 7:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Senior Camp:

Mon., Wed., Fri., 7:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Guest Teachers & Performances Registration May 22nd- 30th & June 22nd- 30th.

Scholarships Available!

Call 901-301-3262

Located in the Evergreen District 1738 Galloway Ave. Memphis, TN 38112

www.dancescholars.org

Summer CAMP! May 26 - July 31

Workshops will focus on exploratory creative expressions to power-building.

Weekly themes range from sports to science to self-esteem and everything in between!

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING AVAILABLE www.GirlsOfLeadership.org or call 901-268-1005 Camp held at 1015 South Cooper

1015 South Cooper St. - Suite 200 Memphis , TN 38104

For more information visit www.balletonwheels.org or call 901.870.4348

ATTENTION PARENTS: CHILD CARE AVAILABLE

Goodwill Homes Learning Center (formally Goodwill Homes Head Start) is NOW OPEN and ENROLLING. If you are in need of a quality, dependable child care provider, Goodwill Homes is Enrolling Now (Spaces are Limited).

• Serving Children Ages 3-4 and 5 Year Olds who are not eligible for Kindergarten at a Moderate Cost • Accepting DHS Childcare Certificates For more information, please call our office at 901.789.1636 or 901.438.4221 (cell), or visit our office at 4590 Goodwill Rd., Memphis, TN 38109.

All Days are Happy Days

When: June 8 - June 12, 2015 8:30am - 3:30pm Cost: $175.00 before May 1, 2015 $195.00 after May 1, 2015 For More Information Contact Ashley Annestedt at (901) 448-6670 or email annested@uthsc.edu

MARCH 2015

Who: Children ages 6-11 years

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

Where: TBD

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The camp is sponsored by The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities.

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A CAmp for Children With Adhd

CALENDAR

Happenings in March Memphis-area activities and events for families

BY MEENA VISWANATHAN

Rhythmic Circus - Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! 1 · SUNDAY Little Chick, How Do You Grow? Memphis Zoo. Through March 31, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Stop by Once Upon a Farm and learn about the life cycle of chickens. Free with admission.

333-6500.

Wild Lunch at Lichterman. Lichterman Nature Center.

Tuesday through Saturday at noon. Watch the Backyard Wildlife Center’s animal keepers feed the animals. Free with admission. 636-2211.

4 • WEDNESDAY

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M E M P H I S PA R E N T

MARCH 2015

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Camel Excursions Opens. Memphis Zoo. Through March 31, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visitors are given the opportunity to ride a camel. $5/person. 333-6500.

University of Memphis Opera. Harris Concert Hall. 3 p.m.

Students present scenes from The Elixir of Love, Hansel and Gretel, The Most Happy Fella, The Merry Widow, and more.

Free. 678-4244.

An Afternoon of Jazz with the Memphis BoyChoir Inc. Saint John’s Episcopal Church. 3-4:15 p.m. The Memphis BoyChoir and GirlChoir team up with Tony Thomas Jazz trio for an afternoon of jazz. Free. 323-8597.

2 · MONDAY Dr. Seuss Birthday Party. Germantown Community Library.

4:30-5:30 p.m. Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with stories, songs, crafts, and cake. Free. 757-7323.

Read Across America: Dr. Seuss Story Time. Barnes & Noble Wolfchase. 7-7:30 p.m. Join to read two classic Dr. Seuss books and take part in a fun activity. Free. 386-2468.

Giraffe Feeding Adventure. Memphis Zoo. Through March 29. Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until noon & 2-3 p.m. Visitors get up close with the zoo’s tallest residents. $5/person. 333-6500

6 · FRIDAY Jazz Reach featuring Metta Quintet and Stax Music Academy. Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC).

7 p.m. This concert is the culmination of a three-day residency of select students from Stax Music Academy and the Metta Quintet. $20/person. 751-7500.

7 · SATURDAY Mid-South Baby & Kids Expo. Bellevue Baptist Church.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Family-friendly activities for children & adults, educational resources for parents, and vendors. $5/adult. Free for children 12 and under. Visit midsouthbabyandkidsexpo. com or call 227-9873.

Family Studio. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. 761-5250.

9 · MONDAY 3 · TUESDAY Mini Masters. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Tuesdays from 10:30-11:15 a.m. $8. Call 761-5250 to register and pre-pay by Monday noon before the class.

Welcome Spring! Memphis Botanic Garden (MBG).

Through March 13. Also March 16-10, from 10 a.m. until noon. Celebrate Spring Break with a daily drop-in garden craft and activity. $3 plus garden admission. 636-4100.

10 · TUESDAY Caterpillar Club: Humpty Dumpty. MBG. Also on March 24 & 25, from 10-11 a.m. Choose Tuesday or Wednesday session.

Topic for March 24 & 25: Pocket Full of Posies. Semester Theme: How Does Your Garden Grow? Mother Nature’s Nursery Rhymes. 6-class semester fee: $70. Individual session: $13. Call 636-4122 to sign up.

LOOk fOr uS aT The Mid-SOuTh BaBy & kid’S expO

TM

ON MarCh 7!

“Words from my 10 year old daughter, ‘ I am very thankful for this dentist.

They are very nice. They let me chose my own toothpaste! I even get sunglasses so the big light does not hurt my eyes. They let me watch TV so I am not scared!!!”— Carol S.

DOES YOUR CHILD STRUGGLE WITH READING, SPELLING, COMPREHENSION OR MATH?

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Children should have thei r first dental vi sit at age 1?

Our research-validated programs help students learn to their potential.

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Bob Lorentz, D.D.S., M.S., Kyle Fagala, D.D.S., M.D.S.

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Germantown

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Pediatric Dentists sts

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662.567.4951 Olive Branch

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NIKE TENNIS CAMPS

USSportsCamps.com All Rights reserved. Nike and the Swoosh design are registered trademarks of Nike, Inc. and its affiliates, and are used under license. Nike is the title sponsor of the camps and has no control over the operation of the camps or the acts or omissions of US Sports Camps.

1-800-NIKE CAMP

(1-800-645-3226)

MARCH 2015

June 1-5 | June 8-12 Full Day: (9:00am-3:30pm) $405 per session Co-Ed | Ages 10-18 | All Skill Levels Directors: Paul Goebel, Head Men’s Coach; Christopher Doerr, Assistant Men’s Coach; Hayden Perez, Head Women’s Coach; Ryan Haymond, Assistant Women’s Coach Open to any and all entrants, limited only by age and number of campers

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

Memphis, Tennessee

47

UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

www. me mphis par ent . com

SERIOUS. FUN.

March Calendar 12 · Thursday Mommy’s Secret Consignment Sale. Pleasant Hill Elementary School in Olive Branch, MS. Through March 14. Thursday, Friday, & Saturday (Half-Price Day) from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Shop for spring/summer collection of children’s clothing, toys, books, DVDs, sports equipment, electronic games, and baby equipment. Free admission and parking. Visit MommysSecret.com or call 606-8434.

through March 14. Register online at memphisbotanicgarden. com/ddregister

daffodil dash 3-Miler & Family Fun run

Peanut Butter and Jam Session: Bluegrass Jam. GPAC. 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. Children ages 8 and under are invited to come explore bluegrass, country, and gospel tunes with Memphis musicians. $8/child with two adults. 751-7500.

Block Party: A Chalkfest celebrating “This Light of Ours.” Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Festivities include gallery tours, indoor and outdoor salsa with rumba hands-on activities, performances, and chalk art. “romper”room Bring your chalk or purchase a 12-pack for $3.

Free. 544-6200.

13 · Friday Park + Pajamas. Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms Park. 7 p.m.-9 a.m. This overnight event includes a nocturnal nature hike, stargazing with Memphis Astronomical Society, a camp out at the Woodland Discovery Playground, family movie, and breakfast with the buffalo. $55/family. RSVP online at shelbyfarmspark.org/family-programs or call 222-7275

Toddler sewing Club

14 · saTurday Hattiloo at the Library (HAL).

Central Library. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Join for a live-action original play based on the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Free. 525-0009

16 · Monday

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March 2015

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U n d e r d o g M o v i e We e k .

G er ma ntow n C om mun it y Library. Through March 21 at 3:30 p.m. Children ages 5-12 are invited to come relax during Spring Break watching classic underdog movies. Snacks provided. Free. RSVP tickets given out beginning Monday, March 9. 757-7323.

17 · Tuesday Toddler Sewing Club. Anchor Center at Grace-St.Luke’s School. 9-9:30 a.m. Age-appropriate sewing activities for toddlers. Free. RSVP at enroll@gslschool.org.

St. Patrick’s Day Story Time: St. Patrick’s Day. Barnes & Noble Wolfchase. 11- 11:30 a.m. Join to learn about the history of St. Patrick Day and take part in an activity. Free. 386-2468.

20 · Friday Campfire Party. MBG. 6-8 p.m. Celebrate with campfire, songs, stories, a craft, and outdoor fun. Hot dogs, cider, and s’mores provided. $15. Tickets online at memphisbotanicgarden. com or call 636-4131 to confirm.

21 · saTurday Daffodil Dash 3-Miler & Family Fun Run. MBG. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Race begins at 10 a.m. Run through the garden in full bloom at our 9th annual Daffodil Dash. Onemile Family Fun Run begins on the Great Lawn, follows the Prehistoric Plant Trail and finishes at the exit of the Woodland. Post-race party includes refreshments and live music. March 15th through Race Day: $25. Family Fun Run: $10/ ages 12 and under. Advance registration rates available

Magic Carpet featuring Salsa with Rumba “Romper” Room. Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s School. 10 a.m.

Children ages 2 to 8 are invited to explore salsa dancing with Edgar Mendez and friends. $5/child. Free to adults. 537-1483 Photos w ith Easter Bu nny.

Carriage Crossing in Collier v ille. T hrough April 4. March 21-29: Monday-Thursday, from 2-7 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.7 p.m. Sunday, noon until 6 p.m. March 30-April 4: 11 a.m.7 p.m. The Easter Bunny is available for photos in Suite 214, near Zales. Visits are free, extra charge for photos. Visit shopcarriagecrossing.com or call 854-8240.

22 · sunday Character Story Time: Cookie Mouse Visits. Barnes & Noble Wolfchase.3-3:30p.m.CookieMouseinvitesyoutoreadIfYouGive a Mouse a Cookie and take part in a fun activity. Free. 386-2468.

27 · Friday Kids Night Out. YMCA at Schilling Farms. 6-9 p.m. Activities for children ages 5-12 include swimming, games, snack, and craft. Bring swimsuit and towel and wear tennis shoes for

games. $20 for first child. $5 for each additional child. 850-9622.

Rhythmic Circus - Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! The Orpheum.

6:30 p.m. Performance features genre-hopping music, percussive dance, and entertai n ment.

General admission: $15. VIP tickets: $25. 525-3000.

After-Dark Easter Egg Hunt. Cameron Brown Park in Germantown. Games at 7:30 p.m. Egg Hunt at 8:15 p.m. Children ages 9-12 are invited to bring flashlights and a bag to join this after-dark egg hunt.

Rain date: Tuesday, March 31. Free. 757-7375.

28 · saTurday Junior League of Memphis Character Breakfast.

Junior League of Memphis. 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Activities include a visit from favorite characters including Frozen’s Elsa, Spiderman, and Batman. Also, Goodnight Memphis story time and craft, an appearance

by Easter Bunny, and photos with the Easter Bunny. $25/ adult-child pair. $10 for each additional child. Visit jlmemphis. org or call 452-2151.

Easter Eggstravaganza. Cameron Brown Park in Germantown. Games at 10 a.m. Egg Hunt beginning 10:30 a.m. Features the Easter Bunny, a petting zoo, moon bounce, and age-divided egg hunts. Rain date: Tuesday, March 31. Free.

757-7375.

Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies. The Orpheum. 7:30 p.m. Also on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Orpheum and Memphis Symphony Orchestra present symphonic arrangements featuring songs from The Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Frozen, and more. $25-$250. 525-3000.

FAITH .

KNOWLEDGE. EXCELLENCE. SIN CE 1972 .

The Pool School’s UNDER THREE SWIMBOREE A NEW SELF-PACED, INTERACTIVE APPROACH TO PARENT/TOT SWIM LESSONS BEGIN YOUR CHILDS WATER EDUCATION IN A FUN, NONTHREATENING ATMOSPHERE WATER TEMPERATURE 90 DEGREES YEAR AROUND CLASSES SATURDAY MORNINGS

C H R I S T P R E E M I N E N T. For more than 40 years, FACS has put Christ first in all facets of academic, fine arts, and athletic education.

Come see why so many families choose FACS.

JrK-6

PREVIEWS

7-12

PREVIEWS

8:30-9:30 AM

8:30-9:30 AM

March 25, April 8, April 22

March 26, April 9, April 23

TO ENROLL, GO TO: WWW.SWIMPOOLSCHOOL.COM, CLICK ON ENROLL HERE CLASSES BEGIN MONTHLY

FOR ADDITIONAL INFO CALL: 901-386-1999

facsmemphis.org 8650 Walnut Grove Road

(901) 458-5543

Cordova, Tennessee 3 8 018

objective voice, guiding you through all of your travel options. We have access to upgrades and special pricing promotions that are not offered on the internet !

Travelennium.com Your neighborhood Memphis travel agency since 1968.

March 2015

having done some or all of the research. Think of Travelennium as a neutral and

M e M p h i s pa r e n t

A: We love the internet too and we embrace the customer who comes into our office

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Q: I have the internet, so why do I need a travel agent?

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MEMPHIS PARENT (MARCH 2015)

•Christ-centered •Academic excellence •Structured & nurturing environment •Tuition based on sliding scale

Providing an academically rigorous and vibrantly Catholic education that prepares students to become all God created them to be JUBILEE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS NETWORK St. John Catholic School De La Salle at Blessed Sacrament PreK-6th Orange Mound (901) 743-6700 K-8th Binghampton (901) 866-9084 St. Joseph Catholic School Memphis Catholic PreK-6th Whitehaven (901) 344-0021 7th-12th Midtown (901) 276-1221 Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School St. Patrick Catholic School PreK-8th Frayser (901) 358-7431 PreK-6th Downtown (901) 521-3252 Resurrection Catholic School St. Therese Little Flower Catholic PreK-6th Hickory Hill (901) 546-9926 School PreK-2nd Vollintine-Evergreen St. Augustine Catholic School (901) 725-9900 PreK-6th South Memphis (901) 942-8002 To learn more: Contact (901) 373-1205 jubilee.schools@cc.cdom.org www.jubileeschools.org

SUPER SEGA SUMMER CAMPS

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M e M p h i s pa r e n t

March 2015

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Camps for Boys and Girls Ages 3 and Up. Summer Classes available, Monday and Evening times.

170 Mid-South Cove Collierville 854-8825 www.segagym.com

SIGN UP ONLINE!

Easter Eggs-travaganza!

Spring Break = Camp Fun Kids will learn about fossils, animals, plants, and more

Spring Break Camp: Going, Going, Saved. Memphis Zoo. March 9-20, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Ages jr.K-grade 5. Campers learn about special endangered animals and how they can save them from extinction. Participants also engage in games, crafts, and interactive experiments. • Registration deadline for Week 1 is March 5th, and Week 2 is March 12. $50/day or $199/five-day session. Call 333-6500 to register.

Spring Break Fun Camp. Memphis Botanic Garden. March 9-13 & March 16-20, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Children ages 5-8 join for games, outdoor exploration, and hands-on craft activities with different themes each day. Monday: Old Fashioned Fun. Tuesday: Wacky Wildlife. Wednesday: Birds of Feather.

Thursday: Plant Power. Friday: Garden Goodies. Bring a sack lunch. $35/day or $150/week. Snack provided. • Register online at memphisbotanicgarden.com/camps or call 636-4126 to register.

Spring Break Camp. Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms Park.

March 16-20, from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Aftercare provided. Grades 3-6.

Campers will learn about fossils with Memphis Archaeological and Geological Society, explore native mammals on a habitat hike, participate in CrossFit for Kids, and gain archery skills. $150. • Register online at shelbyfarmspark.org/camps or call 222-7275.

Spring to Art Camp. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. March 16-20, from 9 a.m. to noon. Children ages 7-11 are invited to explore art, horticulture, and literature. • $115. Snack provided. Call 7615250 to register.

Saturday, March 28 10am-1pm Admission is free for members and $15 for non-members

458-2678

CMOM.COM

Spring Break Adventure Camp. Memphis Botanic Garden. March 16-20 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Ages 9-12. Campers engage in active, crafty, and nature-based activities through the garden. • $35/day or $175 for the week. Register online at memphisbotanicgarden.com/camps or call 636-4119.

Ongoing Events

Hutchison School’s Center for Excellence at 507-2460 to register.

Parent Support Groups and Mom and Baby Classes can be found under Resources & Guides at memphispar ent .c om

Child Care Workshop : Cooperative Learning Through Music. North Branch Library. Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. until noon. Learn to teach using music. Free.

276-6631.

Magevney House Tour. Magevney House, 198 Adams Avenue. Saturday, March 7, from 1-4 p.m. Free. 523-1484.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS ACT Prep. Parkway Village Branch Library.

On Wednesday and Thursday, from 2:30-4 p.m. Staff member helps teens with homework and ACT prep. Free. Call 415-2776 to register.

Kaleidoscope Club. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m. At this after school program, children ages 5-9 are invited to work on a creative project that involves horticulture, art, or literature. $12.

Snack provided. Call 761-5250 to register.

Open Studio. Dixon Gallery and Gardens.

Fridays from 4-5 p.m. Ages 15 and up. Bring your sketchbook and pencils and get advice from an art instructor on how to advance your skills. Free with admission. 761-5250.

LAUGH AT. Tour your local Goddard School and experience why it’s the best preparation for social and academic success.

COLLIERVILLE 901-861-0108

Sharpe Planetarium. Wonders of the Universe. Through June 15. The show is offered in the Mansion Theater or the Discovery Theater, while planetarium i s b e i n g r e n o v at e d . 6 3 6 -2 3 62 .

Mallory-Neely House Tour. Mallory-Neely House, 652 Adams Avenue. Fridays & Saturdays, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $7/adult. $5/child (ages 3-12). 523-1484.

NOTHING TO

Goddard Systems, Inc.’s program is AdvancED accredited.

CTI 3D Giant Theater. Humpback Whales 3D. March 7 through November 13. Show features close encounters with humpback whales as you learn about their ecological survival in the world’s oceans. Hidden Universe 3D. Through November 13. 636-2362.

OTHER PROGRAMS

PLAY IS

GoddardSchool.com The Goddard Schools are operated by independent franchisees under a license agreement with Goddard Systems, Inc. Programs and ages may vary. © Goddard Systems, Inc. 2014

Teach Talk Read Play. Levi Branch Library.

Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. until noon.

Catherine Baldwin shares information with parents and caregivers that help babies and children ages 3-5 in their development. Free.

789-3140.

Dynamic Dads. Meets on select Saturdays.

March 21, at Saint Francis Bartlett and March 28, at Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women from 12:30-4 p.m. Community-based boot camp facilitated by a coach, training rookie fathers, and fathers-to-be on how to be responsible and involved in the lives of their newborn. Free. Light lunch provided.

RSVP to Herman Jackson, Families Matter Fatherhood Program Manager at 412-7245.

HOMESCHOOL CLASSES Home School Days : Luck y Charms.

Memphis Botanic Garden. Wednesday, March 4, from 2-3:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Join for hands-on learning experience. $5/child.

Garden admission not included. Call 6364100 to register and pre-pay.

FUND-RAISERS Germantown Half Marathon and Mayor’s Cup 5K Run. Germantown Athletic Club.

Sunday, March 15, at 7:30 a.m. Registration available online at germantownhalfmarathon.

Are you looking for an excellent Private School and Summer Camp Program?

Come See what Se aCademy Private SChool have for your Child.

“learning and fun beComeS one” enrolling now for next fall and for Summer CamP Apply for A ScholArShip At our office: 5960 Knight arnold rd ext memPhiS tn 38115 901-729-6021 SeaCademy.biz Summer cAmp Begin: June 1, 2015 time: 7-5 We offer: ComPuter ClaSS, Qualified teaCherS, Small Setting, handS-on teaChing, and great! CurriCulum.

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Pink Palace Museum. Animal Grossology. Through April 19. 636-2362.

Landscape Painting Workshop. Dixon Gallery and Gardens. March 10-12, from 9 a.m. until noon. Three-day workshop for children ages 8-12 is hosted by Hutchison School and the Dixon. Participants are invited to study British masterpieces and learn to paint them in the art studios at Hutchison School and onsite at the Dixon. $75. Call the

THROUGH

MARCH 2015

Memphis Zoo. Stingray Bay Returns. Opens March 1. This interactive exhibit allows visitors to touch stingrays and sharks. $2/ person. Jellyfish Exhibit. Opens March 1.

Take a look at some of the zoo’s newest residents. Memphis Zoo Takes Flight.

Through October 31. Show times during the week: 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Show times during weekends and holidays: 10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. 333-6500.

NOW ENROLLING!

M E M P H I S PA R E N T

Memphis Brooks Museum of A r t . “T h i s Light of Ours: Act iv i st Photog r apher s of t he Civ i l R i ght s Movement.” Through May 10. 544-6200.

Pure Barre in the Park. Nest #1, Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms Park.

On Saturday, March 7, from 10:30-11:15 a.m. and on Tuesday, March 31, from 6-6:45 p.m. Pure Barre is a full-body workout session involving music and exercise in the open air.

Bring a beach towel or mat and any light set of weights. $15/session. Benefits Shelby Farms Park Conservancy. RSVP required online.

Contact: Coral O’Connor. 222-7275.

>

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MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITS

LEARNING

ongoing events com, at the race or during packet pickup at the Sports and Fitness Expo on March 14, at Germantown Athletic Club.

Morning of Hope. Woodland Hills Event Center in Cordova. Saturday, March 28, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. HopeWorks Inc. hosts their seventh annual breakfast and fundraising event featuring Lucille O’Neal, motivational speaker and mother of NBA star, Shaquille O’Neal. $60/person. $600 for a table of 10.

Reservations required by March 21. Visit WhyHopeWorks.org or call 272-3700 x104.

The Booksellers at Laurelwood 3 87 Pe r k i n s R d . E x t . 6 8 3 -9 8 01 Story time with Miss Marjorie every Tuesday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

GermanTown communiTy LiBrary evenTs For a complete listing, visit facebook.com/ GermantownCommunityLibrary Night of the Doctor. Thursday, March 12, at 5:30 p.m. Celebrate with fellow Whovians an evening of “Doctor Who” themed events and crafts for children. Free.

Coffee House Night. Tuesday, March 24, from 6-8 p.m. Middle, high, and college students are invited to come chill out coffeehouse style with fresh coffee and pastries and study for mid-terms. Free.

Build-It Bonanza. Wednesday, March 25, from 1-2 p.m. or 4:30-5:30 p.m. Children ages 6-12 use different materials that will challenge creativity and encourage STEM skills. Free.

TheaTre Performances

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March 2015

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Tango Buenos A ires. Ger mantow n Performing Arts Center (GPAC). Thursday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. Tango Buenos Aires has become one of Argentina’s great cultural exports known throughout the Americas and Europe for their authentic representation of the tango. $30-$75. Reservations. 751-7500.

Los Lonely Boys. Buckman Arts Center at St. Mar y’s School. Friday, March 20, at 8 p.m. Three Texas brothers, known for their Tex-Mex, Conjunto, Tejano, rock and blues inf luences, are promoting the release of their 10th studio album. $35/adult. $32/child. 537-1483.

memPhis LiBrary evenTs For a complete listing, stop by your local branch and pick up Infodates, the library’s monthly calendar, or go to memphislibrary.org Central

sTory Time aT area BooksTores Barnes & Noble Booksellers The Avenue Carriage Crossing Mall, 853-3264 Mondays at 11 a.m. Ages 1-6.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers 2774 N. Germantown Pkwy. 386-2468 Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Ages preK-6.

National Story Time. Saturdays from 1111:30 a.m. features different story and activity each week. March 7: Once Upon a Cloud.

March 14: Mustache Baby. March 21: Edmund Unravels. March 28: Duck and Goose. Free.

3030 Poplar Ave., 415-2700 · Junior Achievement Teen Program. On select Tuesdays (March 3, 10, 24, & 31) from 4-6 p.m. Local professionals guide high school students with real-world corporate experience helping develop skills necessary for school and in the workplace. · PAWS for Reading. Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. Program allows children to read to a therapy dog in order to improve reading and communication skills. · Read with Me, Sign with Me. Saturday, March 14, from 11 a.m. until noon. Family story time for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing families in collaboration with Literacy MidSouth and Deaf Family Literacy Mid-South.

Ongoing Events Levi 3676 Highway 61 S. 789-3140 · Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration. Saturday, March 14, from noon until 1 p.m. Activities involving science and poetry.

North 1192 Vollintine 276-6631

6382 Stage Road 386-8968 · R.E.A.D. to Tootsie. Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. until noon. Children ages 5-11 read individually to a trained therapy dog.

Call 386-8968 to register.

Cordova 8457 Trinity Road 754-8443 · International Story Time Celebrating Syria.

Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. · Art-to-Grow. Tuesday, March 17, from 3-5 p.m. Celebrate the world around you with Dixon Gallery and Gardens’ Art-to-Grow! · Teen Hang Out/Geek Out. Thursday, March 19, from 4-5:30 p.m. Make your own afternoon snacks. · Spring Into Spring! Saturday, March 21, from 11-12:30 p.m. Celebrate the season at the library.

Crenshaw 531 Vance Avenue 525-1643 · Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration. Monday, March 2, from 10-11 a.m. Kids celebrate with stories, songs, and activities. · Spring Break Fun. March 16-18, from 11 a.m. until noon. Fun with math on Monday, fun with science experiments on Tuesday, and make your own Baymax character from the movie Big Hero 6 using Legos, marshmallows, foam, plastic bags, and other materials.

East Shelby 7200 E. Shelby Drive 751-7360 · Children’s Story Time: A Few of My Favorite Things. Saturday, March 14, from 1-3 p.m. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority presents this story time for children ages 3-11.

· Teen Career Day. Thursday, March 12, from 3-5 p.m. Staff member help teens with resumes, how to dress for an interview, and interviewing skills.

Visit: www.kidstationonline.com/birthdays For details.

Poplar-White Station 5094 Poplar 682-1616 · Shelby County Sheriff’s Dept. “The Choices We Make.” Wednesday, March 4, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Children ages 11-17 learn how important it is to think before we react when in heated situations.

Kid Station Drop In and Play Center Visit • 579 Erin Drive East Memphis Call • (901) 761-PLAY (7529) Click • www.kidstationonline.com

· Shelby County Sheriff’s Dept. “Internet Safety.” Tuesday, March 17, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Children learn how to protect themselves while online. · Shelby County Sheriff’s Dept. “Teen Sexting.” Thursday, March 26, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Children ages 12 and up learn the ins and outs of this dangerous practice.

Raleigh 3157 Powers 386-5333 · Spanish Language Program for Teens.

Four-part series runs from March 16-19, from 1-2:30 p.m. Teens learn shortcuts to understanding and communicating in Spanish.

Randolph 3752 Given 452-1068 · Puppet Show. Monday, March 16, from 4-4:45 p.m. Cordova’s Children’s Librarian Sharon Evrard brings her furry friends for a special puppet show for kids ages 3-8. · Tween Craft. Monday, March 16, from 4:305:30 p.m. Tween craft for ages 8-12 focuses on one of the STEAM fields. · Teen Cooking. Tuesday, March 17, from 2-3 p.m. Join teen librarians Carolina and Jasmine and learn how to cook and prepare simple meals and side dishes.

South

THE MID SOUTH

BABY & KIDS EXPO SAT., MARCH 7TH 10 AM – 3 PM

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Bartlett

4655 Knight Arnold 363-8923

BELLEVUE BAPTIST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP HALL

Please join us for the 2015 Mid South Baby & Kids Expo. Experts

March 2015

· Master Chef, Jr. Wednesday, March 18, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Meet child chef Logan, winner of Master Chef Jr. Season Two.

Parkway Village

will be on hand to answer all your questions and guide you through pregnancy, delivery and beyond. This family-friendly event offers lots of fun and informative activities for moms, dads, grandparents and kids. Also, be sure to sign up for great door prizes that we will be giving away at the event.

Please visit our website, www.midsouthbabyandkidsexpo.com and our Facebook page for additional information.

SPONSORED BY

1929 S. Third 946-8518 · Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! Saturday, March 7, from 2-3 p.m. Crafts and stories celebrating Dr. Seuss.

Pediatrics East

BELLEVUE BAPTIST CHURCH – FELLOWSHIP HALL • 2000 APPLING RD. • CORDOVA , TN • W W W. MIDSOUTHBABYE XPO.COM

M e M p h i s pa r e n t

· St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. Tuesday, March 17, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Crafts, food, and fun celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

· St. Patrick’s Day Event. Tuesday, March 17, from 4-5 p.m. Teens learn the meaning behind St. Patrick’s Day.

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· Clockwork Mechanilists. Saturday, March 14, from 3-4:30 p.m. Steampunk-inspired program features costumes, music, and gadgets. Teens make crafts to take home.

Come “party” “par rty rt ty” with wit wi ith th us!

Kid Station is available on Sundays for private events...including birthday parties!

Our Favorite Moments

KID FUNNIES

February’s surprise Snowcation was a bright spot for kids. Three days off from school meant plenty of time to play in the snow.

I took my 6-year-old grandson to his favorite steak restaurant. Being very grown up, he ordered everything for himself. When the waiter asked how he wanted his steak, he replied with a puzzled look, “You know ... on a plate!” ~ Thanks to Ellen I was telling my 5-year-old granddaughter, Ella, what my childhood was like: “We used to skate outside on a pond.

I had a tree swing made from a tire. We rode our pony and picked wild blackberries in the woods.” She listened closely and then replied, “I sure wish I’d gotten to know you sooner!” ~ Thanks to Grandma G

s lla (2) a (5), & E racters. r e k c u ), T ha Addi (6 orite Frozen c v their fa

Ella (4) & Libby (4) enjoying icicle popsicles.

Aubrey (4) says let it snow!

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Abby M ae (2 in her h ) warms up win ot pink jacket. ter

Emma (9), Luke (5) & Kate (7), sledding down their driveway.

Jaimison (4), embraces winter with a beautiful smile after church.

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M E M P H I S PA R E N T

MARCH 2015

Kaylon (2) (Gmommy’s luv) rocks his camo wear.

Sledding left Kyle (11) all smiles.

Your Child Should Be Here!

Send us your kid funnies, photos, or artwork via email with Favorite

Moments in subject line to janes@ memphisparent.com

Reagan (4) finds boogie boards make great sleds.

Lila (3) in her cute monkey hat.

Luke (5) faces winter like a boss.

M E M PH I S

ENTER OUR COVER KID CONTEST!

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Healthy up your eating habits

Family Fun

Some very effective therapists have four legs.

Understanding that matters.

At Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, some of our most highly trained therapists have more years of experience than they can count. They also happen to walk on four legs. We understand that pets often play an important role in kids’ lives. Our pet therapy program enables hospitalized children to spend time with animals in ways that are engaging, calming and truly therapeutic.

Little things – like a visit from a friend with warm fur and a cold nose – matter to a child. And as one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals according to U.S. News & World Report, we know that if something matters to a child, it matters to us.

Where Every Child Matters lebonheur.org