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Community
Community Arizona State Parks and Trails Opens Registration for Spring Family Campout Program
Learn to explore the great outdoors through camping adventures.
Photos courtesy of Arizona State Parks and Trails
Arizona Family Campout Program weekends are designed for families with kids that have little or no experience camping. Arizona State Parks and Trails staff introduce families to camping through hands-on activities. You will learn how to set up a tent, get an introduction to cooking outside, plus you will get to try some fun activities you can do while camping.
Registration is now open for this popular learning program that helps families of all ages enjoy a variety of outdoor activities during a weekend camping experience.
Register now for campout dates starting in March. Events sell out quickly, so early registration is encouraged. The Family Campout Program teaches families the basics of tent camping, as well as various outdoor activities such as kayaking, archery, geocaching, astronomy, and more! Plus, Arizona State Parks and Trails provides the equipment, including tents! Each event also includes a service project to teach conservation and preservation at the park. This is an exciting experience for kids to discover the joy of time spent outside.
New this year is a weekend at Alamo Lake State Park, where families will learn camping, outdoor meal prep, and fishing at this popular destination. Families who are interesting in learning more about reeling in a big one will gain fishing knowledge and experience.
Family Campouts offer valuable lessons to any family interested in learning more about the outdoors for just $90 for a family of four. Children must be over 5 years old. Families can register for one event per season. The activities vary depending on the park, participant ages, and weather conditions, but all guarantee a fantastic outdoor adventure. • March 11 – 12: Alamo Lake State Park, Wenden • March 18 – 19: Catalina State Park, Tucson • April 1 – 2: Patagonia Lake State Park, Patagonia • April 8 – 9: Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area,
Show Low • April 22 – 23: Red Rock State Park, Sedona • May 6 – 7: River Island State Park, Parker • May 20 – 21: Dead Horse Ranch State Park,
Cottonwood • June 3 – 4: Lyman Lake State Park, St. Johns
To learn more about the program, see reviews from previous families, and register for a spring date, visit azstateparks.com/family.
PROGRAM PROVIDES • Tents • Sleeping mats • Camp chairs • First aid kits • All activity equipment • Plus: Water, coffee, daily snacks, Dutch Oven dessert for dinner, and campfire treats!
FAMILIES PROVIDE • Food for Saturday’s lunch and dinner, and Sunday’s breakfast and lunch • Water bottles • Sleeping bags or any available bedding • Pillows • Clothing • Good, sturdy shoes • Flashlights • Personal items (toothpaste, towels, soap, etc.)
Learning to build a campfire during a weekend campout.
Community
Diversity Champion to be Recognized at 29th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Photo courtesy of Community Celebrating Diversity
Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey has been named the 2023 Diversity Champion by the Scottsdale nonprofit Community Celebrating Diversity (CCD). She will be recognized at the 29th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Dinner Celebration which takes place 5:30 p.m., Jan. 12, at the Fieldhouse at Scottsdale Stadium.
Diversity Champions are individuals who exemplify the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and who have enriched the community by empowering others. Individuals can be nominated by anyone in the community. Eligible nominees must work, live, or volunteer in Scottsdale.
Dr. Porter is a highly regarded physician leader, philanthropist, author, and associate professor with a passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion. A proud graduate of Spelman College and Temple University School of Medicine, Dr. Porter has served as a neuro-oncologist at Mayo Clinic since 2008 and currently serves as the most senior Black woman in neuro-oncology.
Eager to give back to the next generation of physician leaders, Dr. Porter founded ElevateMeD alongside her husband, Dr. Gregory Umphrey, to elevate medicine to an ideal where the physician workforce represents the communities served. Since its founding in 2019, the nonprofit organization has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships and support to deserving medical students from underrepresented backgrounds across the country. She is a native of Scottsdale, where she currently resides.
The 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Community Dinner Celebration begins with a 5:30 p.m. registration and reception, followed by a 6 p.m. dinner and recognition ceremony. Dr. Benjamin Chavis is the featured speaker for the dinner, which has become the signature MLK celebration across the Valley of the Sun. The cost is $100 per person, and sponsorships are available. CCD hosts the event with APS. Tickets can be purchased online at ccdarizona.org.
Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey has been named the 2023 Diversity Champion by Community Celebrating Diversity
Community
Grieving Children and Families Find Healing at New Center
By Lin Sue Flood Photos courtesy of Hospice of the Valley
When Melissa Alvarado’s oldest daughter, Gloria, died in May, she quickly realized her family needed professional support and to be around others who could fully grasp their pain.
At New Song Center for Grieving Children, they discovered support groups and meaningful activities to help them find healing. Melissa, her husband and their two younger kids were among 150 people at New Song’s recent bereavement event at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix. “I like being here because these are the only other people who know how we feel,” she says. “And the support groups validate our emotions and feelings.”
New Song is Arizona’s first and largest child and family grief support program. All the services are provided at no cost. Since combining bereavement programs with Hospice of the Valley in 2009, New Song has served thousands of families, providing: • Support groups for grieving children, teens, young adults, and adult caregivers. • Support groups for grandparents, parents, and siblings who are grieving the death of a child. • A family support group for Spanish-speaking families. • Pediatric support and counseling for families caring for a child who is medically fragile or has a life-limiting illness. • Day camps for siblings of children living with complex medical needs. • Fun trips to family-friendly places like Butterfly Wonderland or the movies.
“Our mission is to provide comprehensive grief education and support to help families heal after a traumatic loss,” says Lisa Schmitt Betcher, executive director of the nonprofit program. “We recognize that children express grief quite differently than adults, more likely through behavior than words.”
Within age-specific grief support groups, New Song creates a safe space for youngsters to enjoy art, play, journaling, and other forms of expression. Adults attend their own support groups to learn how to help children process grief in a healthy way — and to learn how to help themselves cope with loss.
At the park gathering, the McMullins wore matching gray shirts with the name “William” printed in big, bold letters and three words below it: “brave, strong, superhero.” Lauren and Chris McMullin were referred to New Song after their 7-year-old died in April. The couple also have an 11-year-old, Owen, and a 4-year-old, Arthur.
Erica Schwartz, a New Song pediatric bereavement and family support counselor, sees the oldest boy one-on-one. “I feel incredibly lucky that I get to do that,” she says, standing near a table covered with “blugs” — a blanket and a hug.
“Owen looks forward to her visit every time,” Lauren says.
After bonding over special arts and crafts, all the families formed a large circle. One by one, they shared the names of their loved ones — Gloria, William, Isaiah, Landon … and many more. Then five white doves were released one at a time — symbolizing grief, courage, memories, love, and hope.
As all remaining doves were set free, New Song Clinical Director Jill Lovill reminded the families that everyone’s journey is unique. “As individuals, we grieve; as a community, we heal. May we each find our paths towards healing in the days ahead.”
Callie Carpenter (left), Julie Lazzara and Mark D’Aprile attended New Song Center’s bereavement event at the park in honor of 4-year-old Landon D’Aprile.
Jada Williams and her dad, Ezra, joined other families to remember and celebrate their loved ones. Janet Crawford and daughter Jemma enjoy New Song activities, such as visiting Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale.
William McMullin lives in the hearts of dad Chris, mom Lauren, and brothers Owen, 11, and Arthur, 4.
Through arts and crafts, Celeste and Adam Estrada expressed their forever love for Gloria, their big sister.
