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Visiting SOUTHERN ARIZONA

By Jill “MamaBug” Frier

It’s always surprising to hear how many Phoenicians have never spent time in Tucson. Just a short distance south of the Phoenix metropolitan area is a charming gem of southwestern sights to see. Tucson is home to the University of Arizona, but ASU fans shouldn’t let that stop them from enjoying the many fascinating places to see in Pima County. The hotels and resorts are plentiful, but our advice is do your research and look at the map to plan your trip. Tucson is much more than what you can see while driving down the highway, and the limited view from I-10 just doesn’t do it justice. Here are our favorite spots to visit while in Tucson.

ARIZONA SONORAN DESERT MUSEUM

It’s a zoo. It’s a botanical garden. It’s a museum. It’s all of the above! The Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum is located in mountainous desert on the west side of Tucson, but still right down the road from both Old Tucson Studios and Saguaro National Park West. The museum provides visitors with gorgeous views of Sonoran Desert fl ora and fauna in a botanical garden type of setting. A stroll down the paved and unpaved trails takes you near enclosures that are home to various creatures native to the Sonoran Desert, from hummingbirds and butterfl ies, to javelinas, hawks, bears and mountain lions.

One of our favorite exhibits is the geological display, located in a mineshaft trail that takes you underground to see the wonders of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert under the surface. This state-of-the-art facility is a must-see if you are in Tucson – and worth planning a trip just to go there on the weekend.

OLD TUCSON STUDIOS

Ever wonder where they made your favorite Western? It was probably right here in Old Tucson Studios. Located on the west side of Tucson, just down the road from the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, more than 400 movies have been produced at Old Tucson over the years - and they’re still going strong. With live entertainment, rides, tours and plenty to see, this is a great place to visit when you head to Tucson.

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK – EAST AND WEST

Some of the most beautiful hiking spots in Arizona are found in Saguaro National Park West and East. The West part of the National Park is home to a fantastic display of petroglyphs, mountains and Saguaros. The East part of the park provides an entirely different view of the pristine Sonoran Desert, mountain ecosystems and desert wildlife. Everything the Sonoran Desert has to offer is available in two completely different parks, focused on the same purpose – preserving the mighty Sonoran Desert and the Saguaros that give the National Park its name.

KARTCHNER CAVERNS STATE PARK

Do you love fantastic caves and beautiful desert vistas? Then you’ll love visiting Kartchner Caverns State Park. It’s opening in 1999 makes it a somewhat recent addition to the Arizona State Park system. Located southeast of Tucson, near Saguaro National Park East, Kartchner Caverns State Park provides facilities for camping, hiking and of course touring the caverns. Be sure to book your cave tour tickets in advance because tours book up very quickly!

PIMA AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM

If you love aircrafts, space and the history of fl ight, then the Pima Air and Space Museum should be on your must-see bucket list. This museum is one of the largest non-government funded aviation and space museums in the world, featuring over 350 historical aircrafts from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. The museum, which opened in 1976, is located on 80 acres in the southeast part of Tucson, near Davis–Monthan Air Force Base.

The Pima Air and Space Museum houses six indoor exhibit hangars, three of which are dedicated specifi cally to World War II. Walking tours and museum ground Tram Tours are offered daily. The museum is also the exclusive operator for bus tours of the “Aircraft Boneyard,” a 2,600-acre U.S. military and government aircraft storage facility also located in Tucson. If you love aircrafts, be sure to plan a visit to the Pima Air and Space Museum. But give yourself plenty of time to explore – the museum is huge and there are hours worth of airplanes and historical displays to see!

SABINO CANYON RECREATION AREA

If you are looking for a beautiful place to get outdoors for some hiking, biking or trail running, Sabino Canyon is home to a range of trekking opportunities from paved paths and easy trails, to more rugged mountainous terrain. Located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains on the northeast edge of Tucson, Sabino Canyon offers visitors a chance to see one of the premier natural areas in southern Arizona. Sabino Creek fl ows almost year around and the Sabino Canyon tram offers narrated, educational 45-minute tours every day. The tram route begins and ends at the Visitor’s Center, with stops at points along the road to drop off and pick up hikers at the various trailheads. This is a wonderful spot to get a fl avor for the beautiful Tucson wilderness.

BIOSPHERE 2

The Biosphere 2 is one of the most interesting and educational attractions we have visited in Arizona. One of the world’s most unique facilities, the Biosphere 2 is dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientifi c issues. The facility is a working laboratory for controlled scientifi c studies, an arena for scientifi c discovery and discussion, and is a far-reaching provider of public education. The mission of Biosphere 2 is “to advance our understanding of the natural and man-made environment through unique experimentation, training of interdisciplinary scientists, science education and public outreach, and organization of meetings to address grand challenges that affect the quality of life and the understanding of our place in the universe.” This facility defi nitely does that – and it’s open to the public for tours.

Biosphere 2 is located north of Tucson, near Oracle, and you can reach it on the way into Tucson if you are traveling down AZ Highway 77 from Florence, AZ. There is really nothing like Biosphere 2. Make a point to stop and take a look the next time you head to Tucson – it’s worth the trip!

These are just a few of our favorite places to visit in Tucson, but there are many more spots worth seeing so take some time to stop and enjoy the desert scenery. And be sure to check out Ladybug’s Blog (www.LadybugsBlog.com) for more fun things to do with kids everywhere in Arizona!

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5 WAYS PARENTS AND COACHES CAN TAKE THE TOXICITY OUT OF YOUTH SPORTS

For many kids, organized sports aren’t much fun anymore. Overbearing parents, over-the-top coaches and overzealous competition are frequent images associated with youth-athletic leagues today. Though playing ball often used to embody the enjoyment of being a kid, the experience for many youngsters is too serious and stressful – and ultimately not worth it. One study revealed 70 percent of U.S. and insults during a game,” Castro says. children drop out of organized sports “Parents should set the right example for by age 13, with pressure and burnout their kid – and for adults who obviously among the main reasons cited. haven’t grown up.”

“The politics, as well as the overemphasis adults put on kids to see a college scholarship as the ultimate goal, is ruining a kid’s ability to get the most out of sports,” says Maya Castro, author of The Bubble: Everything I Learned as a Target of the Political, and Often Corrupt, World of Youth Sports (www. thebubbleweb.com).

“This over-emphasis has created an environment amongst the parents and coaches that is similar to a mafi a. We badly need changes in this toxic, political and corrupt environment. And it must start with the parents.”

Castro, who says her own experience as a young soccer player was tainted by misguided and misbehaving adults, offers ideas on how adults can improve the youth-sports culture:

STRIVE TO BE A MENTOR

Castro says parents and coaches have a great opportunity to use sports as a teaching tool for life. “The learning aspect of the game needs to be the focal point of youth sports,” Castro says. “Sports should be an extension of family values and behaviors. Good parents and coaches tie in the ups and downs of competition with the challenges in navigating adult life.”

MODEL POSITIVE BEHAVIORS

Part of the negative image of youth sports is related to parents yelling at coaches, referees, opponents, or even their own kids. “There are enough critics in the stands hurling profanities

ENJOY THE MOMENT

Too many parents and their young athletes are fretting the future. “Too often it’s all about winning and getting the scholarship,” Castro says, “but my parents told me there was a time when kids actually enjoyed playing for the sake of playing, and parents won just by getting to watch them play. We need to get back to that. Without it, memories are wasted.”

BE ENCOURAGING

“Celebrate the effort, not just the result,” Castro says. “This goes for youth coaches as well as parents. When kids do some good things, don’t let the mistakes cloud your post-game comments. Be honest in discussing room for improvement, but not at the expense of making them feel like they have to play perfectly to get praise.”

MAKE EDUCATION FIRST

Castro and many observers of youth sports say parents have lost perspective by thinking their kid is on the fast track to a scholarship or a pro career. Statistics show few advance that far. “In the meantime, kids are exhausted from travel leagues and tournaments,” she says, “and the way their future through sports is emphasized, education becomes a distant second.”

“Whether a kid decides to keep playing sports or to walk away,” Castro says, “he or she should be able to do so without deep regret in having wasted their time.”

TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR KIDS INVOLVED IN SPORTS

By Jill “MamaBug” Frier

One of the many wonderful things about living in Arizona is that your kids can participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor sports all year round. There are many great options for getting your kids involved in local sports programs here in the Valley of the Sun. And not only are sports a great way for your kids to have fun, get exercise and stay active, they also teach kids important life lesson like sportsmanship, teamwork and respect.

Whether you want them to participate in team sports or as an individual, here are a few things to keep in mind when you are selecting a sport for your child.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SPORT FOR YOUR CHILD

Expose your child to a variety of sports activities, but help them choose a sport that is well suited to their age, interests and abilities. Don’t force your child to participate in a sport that doesn’t really interest them or that isn’t a good fi t for their skillset – it’s a waste of both time and money, plus it can have a negative affect on your child’s attitude towards sports. Be sure to pick something that fi ts your budget and your schedule, to reduce your family’s stress level and make it an enjoyable experience for everyone. And don’t forget to include the cost of equipment, clothing and gear in your budget when you choose a sport!

Here is a short list of some of the popular sports available locally, to give you some ideas about different types of sports that may be fun for your youngster: • Archery • Baseball and Softball • Basketball • BMX • Football • Golf • Gymnastics • Horseback Riding • Ice Skating and Hockey • Martial Arts • Rock Climbing • Soccer • Swimming • Tennis • Volleyball

BE A GOOD FAN AND TEACH GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP

A great way to get your kids to have more fun and be excited about playing sports is to be excited for them. Make sure they get to practice on time, stay to watch, attend games, volunteer to help with the team or individual events if you can and always cheer them on. Make sure that both you and your child understand the basic rules of the sport and be a good role model for your child by not overreacting when the competition doesn’t go your way. Show them that it’s okay to be competitive and disappointed when you don’t win, but that sports are meant to be fun, even if you don’t always beat the opposing team or competitors.

MAINTAIN A BALANCE WITH SCHOOL, SPORTS AND FAMILY

It’s important to keep your child from becoming overwhelmed with sports or competition. Participate in activities that work with your schedule and allow you to balance athletics with school, family and non-athletic hobbies. If your child feels stressed out, hates going to practices and games, or just participates to make you happy, it’s probably a good idea to call it quits.

RESOURCES FOR SPORTS IN THE VALLEY

How do you fi nd a sport that works well for your kid and their unique interests and skills? There are many resources to help you fi nd sports programs here in Phoenix. A few of the non-profi t resources include: • The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Commission Youth Sports provides affordable programs and resources for youth basketball, baseball, football, soccer, tennis and volleyball, and provides sports complexes, facilities and Community Centers around the Valley. www. phoenix.gov/parks/sports/phoenix-plays

• One non-profi t organization helping kids through sports is Sports Kids AZ. This group provides quality coaching and athletic programs to home schooled families, after school athletes, and homeless children throughout Arizona. www.sportskidzaz.org

• The Valley of the Sun YMCA, one of the oldest and largest non-profi t organizations in the Phoenix area, offers youth sports programs to help children build skills, learn about teamwork, and focus on sportsmanship. The YMCA offers a variety of sports and fi tness programs throughout the year to keep kids active and engaged. www.valleyymca.org/ programs-activities/youth/

So do your homework and get your kids off the couch, away from their screens and interested in one of the many great sports programs available right here in Phoenix. And be sure to check out Ladybug’s Blog for more articles and recommendations for fun things to do outside with kids everywhere in Arizona! www.ladybugsblog.com

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