Kids’ Corner

AZ ON THE ROCKS Need a way to keep the kids active and happy during the summer?

ROCK CLIMBING YOGA NINJA COURSE MARTIAL ARTS AND OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES

Our well qualified counselors will help your child build new friendships, discover new interests and improve selfesteem, all in an inviting environment. No experience is required. Lunch is provided fresh every day. WHERE: 16447 N 91st Street #105 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 WHEN: June 3 – August 2 (registration will open on March 1 with an early registration discount for registration received during the month of March) TYPE & AGES: Day camp. Ages 6-12. CONTACT: Contact2@azontherocks.com, 480-502-9777

www.AZOnTheRocks.com

XTREME GYMNASTICS FIT-N-FUN DAY CAMP FIT-N-FUN camps promote health and fitness while having a blast. Children 3-12 years of age will enjoy gymnastics, trampoline, group challenge activities, obstacle courses, team sports, relay races, inflatables and much more! Flexible schedules and sibling discounts available. A new action packed theme every week! 2019 weekly summer camp themes; circus, variety sports, super heroes, adventure stunts, gold medal games, team challenge, water blast, ninjas and best of the best. WHERE: Scottsdale WHEN: Weekly sessions May 28-Aug. 2 TYPE & AGES: Day camp. Ages 3-12 CONTACT: www.xtremegymnastics.com, 480-596-3543

www.XtremeGymnastics.com

VIP AIRSOFT Get out on the field this summer with two unique camps to choose from! Our MERC Work camp focuses on basic airsoft skills with fun role-play exercises like “secret agent.” Our Special Operations camp provides a more realistic experience focusing on real world skills. Two different camps, one great summer camp experience! Space is limited - Register by April 30 for discounted rates! WHERE: Two Valley Locations in Gilbert and Phoenix! WHEN: 8am-12noon; MERC Works (Gilbert): June 3-7, July 8-12; MERC Works (Phoenix): June 10-14, July 15-19; Spec Ops (Phoenix): June 17-28 TYPE & AGES: Day camp. MERC Work, Age 10+. Spec Ops, Age 11+. CONTACT: Visit our website www.VIPAirsoft.net or call 480-507-9420 Ext 2 for more information. IMAGINE THAT SUMMER CAMP Celebrating 40 years of fun! 30+ specialty camps for ages 5-11. Indoor Sports, Sciences, Dance:The Greatest Showman, Fine Arts, Showtime, Inventive Tinkering, Xtreme Games, Jr. Chef, Dinosaurs, STEM Fairy Tales, Mixtures, Construction, American Girl, Campus News and theme base camps for ages 3 and 4. Costs: $300 3 week session (M-Th) to noon, $550. to

3:00pm, early option available. WHERE: Imagine That! Summer Camp, 4455 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 WHEN: June 3-July 5; Session 1, 3 weeks (M-Th); Session 2, 2 week (M-F) TYPE & AGES: Day camp, ages 5-11, preschool theme based camps for ages 3 and 4 CONTACT: Bev Nystedt, Director, 480-570-5234

www.ImagineThatSummerCamp.com

CARRIE CURRAN ART STUDIOS ART CAMP Kids develop artistic skills while painting with acrylics, drawing, sculpting and creating mixed media projects. Professional artist Carrie Curran and her art education staff will guide children to develop an eye for color, composition and design. Students create a portfolio they are proud to display for an art show at the end of every session. Parents agree that this one-of-a-kind program is the perfect blend of creative fun and fine arts education. Students, beginners-advanced, will enjoy new thematic projects each session. WHERE: Carrie Curran Art Studios, 8300 N. Hayden Rd. Ste. A100 WHEN: All sessions are 4 days, Mon-Thur, 9am-3pm (8am early drop off available at an additional cost) May 28-Aug 1. Please visit website for individual session dates. TYPE & AGES: Day Camp. Ages 6-8, 9-13 and teens. CONTACT: Call 480-478-8121 or visit CarrieCurranART.com

www.CarrieCurranART.com

FRIENDLY PINES CAMP Friendly Pines Camp has been sharing the wonder of nature, community, and childhood play with boys and girls for 78 years. Friendly Pines Camp is truly an Arizona Tradition! Friendly Pines Camp is a traditional overnight camp that offers over 30 activities, including horseback riding, waterski, canoe, ropes course, tennis, sports, archery, visual arts, performing arts, pet care, and more. WHERE: Friendly Pines Camp is located in the Bradshaw Mountains just 6 miles outside of Prescott. The camp sits in the cool pines at an elevation of 6300’ WHEN: Two week sessions: June 9-22; June 23-July 6; July 7-20 One week sessions: June 9-15; June 16-22; June 23-29; June 30-July 6; July 7-13; July 14-20 TYPE & AGES: Overnight camp. Ages 6-13 CONTACT: email: info@friendlypines.com, 928-445- 2128, www.friendlypines.com

KIDS’ CORNER HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUR KID

By Jill Frier

The summer months are coming soon and parents all over the Valley are scrambling to find ideas for ways to keep their kids busy or provide weekly childcare while they are out of school. One solution many parents take advantage of is summer camp. Here are some tips for finding the right summer camp for your kids this year.

WHY SUMMER CAMP IS IMPORTANT

Camp is a place where kids are allowed to safely roam and play in a way the often aren’t in their own neighborhoods these days. Whether they are at day camp all summer, specialty camp for a week or two, or overnight camp, kids get to let loose and have fun with other kids outside of a school or home environment. Not only are summer camps a great way for your kids to have fun, get exercise and stay active during the months they are out of school, they also teach important life lessons such as how to make new friends and gain independence. Here are a few of the types of camps to consider for your child this summer: • Academic • Sports • Overnight • Outdoors • Science • Arts and music • Animals and zoos • Childcare for working parents • Just for Fun and Social Interaction

HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT CAMP FOR YOUR KID

There are tons of options, both in-state and out, for parents and kids to choose from when deciding which type of camp to pick. You can choose anything from traditional overnight camp with lakeside cabins in the woods, to science camp where kids go daily to conduct experiments and learn about different scientific and STEM-related topics, to soccer, gymnastics, karate or basketball. Some things to consider when deciding on the right camp include the following:

Know Your Goal: Do you need fullday care for your child every day, or do you just want to get them out of the house for a while to have fun with other kids? Do you want them to get plenty of exercise? Learn a new skill? Grow academically? Improve their musical or artistic abilities? Pick a camp that meets the goals you have for your child.

Know Your Child’s Interests: Discuss the different types of camps available with your child and see what things interest them. Understand the age range suggested by the camp and any skill sets they may be required to have. You can broaden their horizons by letting them try new things, but be aware of their limitations and the things they don’t like. For example, if your kid hates team sports, soccer camp may not be a great idea.

Know Your Budget: Summer camp can cost a lot of money, especially if you send your kid to a specialized place. Be sure that you consider all of the expenses involved, including equipment, meals and extras. There are also a variety of options that you can make work to fit your budget. Look for non-profit organizations, public parks and recreation venues, community centers and libraries for lower cost options.

Be Aware of Time Constraints and

Locations: Summer camp can be a big help to working parents, but note the drop off and pick up times to make sure they work with your schedule. Know the location of the camp, to make sure you can get to and from day camp and that the times and routes work for your family. Also be sure to plan around any known vacation or time off you have. Timing is a pretty key element when picking a camp.

Do Your Homework: The time to start doing homework for the right camp for your kid is now, before camp schedules get booked up and vacation time is planned. Do your research, read the fine print, talk to your child and make sure that the camp or camps you pick work best for everyone in your family.

Be sure to check out Ladybug’s Blog (www.LadybugsBlog.com) for many more ideas for having fun outside and out of the house this summer in Arizona!

COVER STORY AZ DOG SPORTS: OFFERING COMPREHENSIVE DOG TRAINING IN THE VALLEY

By Jennifer Marshall

You love your dog. He’s more than just your best friend; he means the world to you. You love the way he greets you at the door, how he rolls over so eager for belly rubs and how he cuddles you in the night. What you don’t love, though, are his patterns of misbehavior like happily jumping up on everyone he meets and wanting to chase the mail truck.

Fear not—misbehavior doesn’t have to be the norm. For over 10 years, AZ Dog Sports has been transforming dogs into polite canines utilizing positive, science-based dog training methods. Convenient to both Scottsdale and North Phoenix, AZ Dog Sports offers owners access to 15 plus specialty trainers.

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“We’re very concerned about people having a companion dog in public that isn’t well-behaved,” said Layne Kizler, AZ Dog Sports’ Managing Partner. “Our pet training is geared towards having a well-behaved dog, which means you can take him to Starbucks or a dog friendly restaurant, and he’ll lay quietly under the table.”

Just as you teach your children proper manners and behaviors at an early age so, too, you should start training your puppies.

Think of AZ Dog Sports as a comprehensive indoor canine gym offering the following activities: Puppy Training, all levels of obedience, behavior, agility, sports, therapy dog training and service dog training.

As the ‘kindergarten’ of dog education, Puppy Training forms the foundation and is the prerequisite for more advanced classes in behavior and obedience. To maximize socialization, they recommend puppy parents enroll their fur babies in class after two sets of shots, which typically translates to about 11 to 12 weeks old.

Human academic learning is achieved by building knowledge one class at a time and one subject at a time. The same principles apply to your canine companions. Once your dog reaches one year of age, it’s time to build on their Puppy Training with Adult Obedience Classes and Activity Classes.

AZ Dog Sports encourages owners to take their dog through the full spectrum of education and training, which culminates with him earning the Urban Canine Good Citizen Certification issued by the American Kennel Club (AKC). This certificate not only represents many hours of hard work by the dog and his handler, but it also paves the way for the dog to gain entry to some hotels and to do off-leash training in specific parks.

“We want owners to have the best relationship and the most enjoyable life possible with their dog,” said Kizler, “and that means having your dog so well-trained that he can go on vacation with you, or you can be in public comfortably together.” If your dog is misbehaving, you may wish to enroll him in Behavior Classes. AZ Dog Sports offers a Feisty Fido and a Rowdy Rover, which address the most frequent behavioral issues exhibited by dogs. While a naughty and rambunctious dog might ‘look’ funny in movies and on TV, no one wants their dog to misbehave.

“We work with over a dozen nonprofits,” said Kizler “and we do a good deal of pro-bono work to help train dogs to become adoptable in our community.”

Agility Classes are fun as well as an excellent source of exercise for your dog. Whether in search of some adventure with your companion or looking to seriously train your canine for competition, you’ll find a full range of classes both indoor and outdoor.

You just know your dog is the next great doggie athlete. If they held Olympics for dogs, your best bud would easily take home the gold. Sports are exciting for your dog, and the exercise benefits can’t be beat. AZ Dog Sports offers a range of athletic opportunities from Dog Pawkour to Scent Work to Tricks Classes to Treibball Classes.

Outdoor Dog Training Classes are offered in the winter when the weather is suitable. Fresh air and sunshine are healthy for everyone, and the distractions outdoors are great for proofing the cues your dog has learned indoors.

Classes run for one hour each for six weeks with built-in time for practice; think of it like ‘doggie homework’. To be as convenient as possible for their clients, they offer some of the same classes at different times on different days. Each of these classes meet or exceed the standards established by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). For multiple dog homes, they offer monthly memberships with up to 15 classes per month.

If the array of training options listed above doesn’t work for you and your schedule, AZ Dog Sports offers in-home training. This is the perfect solution for super busy families with a new puppy

who are struggling with, say, potty training, crate training or boundaries in the home. In-home training is also effective for multi-dog households. When trainers come into the home, they’re able to observe all canine behavior, which provides them a better overall assessment. You want the very best for your pets; that’s why in-home training is the perfect solution in certain family situations. Effective dog education also means Fido isn’t the only one going to school. You need training and education, too! To that end, AZ Dog Sports offers educational seminars on a wide variety of topics. AZ Dog Sports offers a full program for both therapy dogs and service/assistance dogs. Look around—service/assistance dogs are everywhere from grocery stores to airplanes to cruise ships. People with disabilities are living fuller and healthier lives, and because of these dogs, they can now tackle challenges with fewer limitations. A service/assistance dog will enable their handler to achieve their dreams, and AZ Dog Sports is proud to be part of this rewarding process. Currently, they provide full training for mobility dogs, diabetic alert dogs and seizure response dogs. Part of this training is also teaching an important skill called public access. You’ve probably experienced this: Your dog is well-behaved at home or in class, but then you take him out in public and suddenly he’s no longer the well-behaved dog you know. That’s because public spaces are saturated with stimulation like cars, sounds and smells, which are new and exciting. Taking public access education is a necessity for both therapy and service/assistance dogs. While Kizler has much to be proud about, she’s eager to introduce their dog training school AZ Dog Smart Academy. Much education and handson practice goes into studying to become a professional dog trainer, and they’re one of only a few schools that actually provide this hands-on training as part of their comprehensive curriculum. This feature sets their program apart from others. “Many programs that teach dog training are only online,” said Kizler. “You can’t learn to ride a horse online, and you can’t learn to be an effective trainer of dogs exclusively online. We provide hands-on training right from the start, which is most satisfying for adult learners who prefer hands-on education. That being said, we do offer a few live video academic classes for those who may live a distance away. We can also do live

video consultations.” Academic and scientific knowledge is essential, but since every aspect of this profession can’t be learned from a book or online, it becomes important to actually do and practice the training as you’re learning it. After the 18-month long program concludes, students have a thorough understanding of the theories, the methodology and the science behind it all.

The AZ Dog Smart Academy is for those people who wish to become professional trainers themselves. Currently, many careers rely on dog knowledge to operate, so the academy provides training for business professionals working in the pet industry. This includes dog walkers, doggie day care staff, pet sitters, groomers and vet techs.

Their curriculum also requires a mentorship program, which they offer with a variety of different master trainers. Students follow a trainer around for weeks learning and working with them by doing what they’re doing. To complete the program, students must earn 75 hours of mentorship credit helping to train many dogs.

The AZ Dog Smart Academy conforms to all guidelines established by the APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers) and the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers).