Omaha Area Family Fun Guide - Spring 2021

OMAHA AREA

Family Fun Guide SPRING 2021

10 TIPS TO RECOGNIZE RIPE FRUITS!

Family Recipe:

A BUDGETFRIENDLY DISH

Family Fun

IN OMAHA

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2 FamilyFuninOmaha.com | Spring 2021

WELCOME! It is hard to believe Spring is almost here!

Warmer weather, flowers blooming, birds singing, and sunshine bring the beautiful season of Spring!

We are very excited to bring you the 2021 Spring Issue of our Omaha Area Family Fun Guide with a fresh new look!

Our newly updated, seasonal magazine is another way we can

help you easily plan fun family outings, find activities for your kids, and experience things to do that are right here in our community.

Enjoy the excitement of finding the perfect Summer Camp. Do a Word Search with your child.

Make a new recipe with your family. Let’s get out and enjoy this Spring Season!

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: DISCLAIMER: ©2021 Family Fun in Omaha, All rights reserved. We are not responsible for Facebook.com/FamilyFuninOmaha errors and omissions, or changes Instagram.com/FamilyFuninOmaha since publication. Reproduction in whole or in part granted only by Join our Email Newsletter written permission of the publisher.

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Spring 2021 | FamilyFuninOmaha.com

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Fantastical

FOLKLORE through May 9 Discover creatures of legends and lore in the garden’s plant kingdom

100 Bancroft Street, Omaha (402) 346-4002 lauritzengardens.org/tickets

UPCOMING EVENTS March 26 through April 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.** Easter Extravaganza April 7 at 10 a.m. or April 8 at 1 p.m.* | Lil' Sprouts: Leaves April 17 at 10 a.m.* | Family Workshop: Stepping Stones May 3 from 5 to 8 p.m.** Leashes at Lauritzen - bring your dog for an evening garden stroll!

May 5 at 10 a.m. or May 6 at 1 p.m.* | Lil' Sprouts: Insect Safari May 24 through August 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.* Summer Adventure Camp - nature-based camps for ages 5-12 *pre-registration is required **timed tickets required 4 FamilyFuninOmaha.com | Spring 2021

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE

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2021 Summer Camp Guide 10 Tips to Recognize Ripe Fruits Budget Friendly Dish Just for Kids: Spring Word Search

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SMALL BUT MIGHTY:

A Hands-on Investigation of Viruses & Bacteria Camp June 7-11, 2021 | 8:30 - 4:30 (Day Camp) | 9th - 12th Graders $50; Need-based scholarship available | Bellevue University

Register: YNS.NEBRASKA.EDU/CAMPS

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2021 OMAHA AREA

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

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Summer Ca mp uth Yo

ACTIVE KIDS ARE HEALTHY KIDS! YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMP Summer is an amazing time for a child. Make 2021 the best summer ever for your kids with YMCA of Greater Omaha summer day camps, voted Best of Omaha in 2021! Camps will fill up fast, so don’t wait!

Our camps offer kids a safe, fun and engaging environment where they will find friends, a sense of belonging and accomplishment. Plus with a focus on closing the summer achievement gap, parents can rest easy knowing your child is learning every day.

SIGN UP ONLINE OR AT ANY YMCA LOCATION! YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA • metroymca.org/camp

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Spring 2021 | FamilyFuninOmaha.com

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2021 OMAHA AREA

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Looking for fun at a variety of Summer Camps in Omaha?

Create, discover, explore, perform, play, and make memories this summer with many Omaha Area Summer Camps!

Summer camps are a great way to keep your kids active, having fun, and learning while school is out of session. From Art Camps to Specialty Camps and themes for every age and interest, you are sure to find one for your kids.

Be sure to visit the online guide, too, where you can search by Type of Camp, Age of Campers, and Week of Camp!

Browse through this updated guide to find the perfect Summer Camp for your kids!

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THE ROSE THEATER TWO LOCATIONS! 20th & Farnam AND 120th & Center Spend summer in the spotlight at The Rose!

Camps for ages 3-18 in drama, dance, musical theater, voice and acting! Learn new skills, expand your creativity, grow as a performer, and have the time of your life! Enroll TODAY!

YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMP 8 YMCA of Greater Omaha locations Fun is in your future at YMCA Summer Day Camp!

Campers will create art & crafts, explore STEM, & more. We will nurture their spirits, challenge their minds & have tons of fun! Sign up starts in Feb.

AMAZING ATHLETES SPORTS CAMP Multiple Locations Amazing Athletes will be offering Multiple Summer Sports camps and Sessions for your children this summer. Each day will be action packed with lots of fun games and activities while learning the fundamentals of 8 different sports. Ages 3-8 welcome! Register today!!

Football | Soccer | Volleyball | Tennis | Hockey | Golf |Track and Field | Basketball | Lacrosse.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE MIDLANDS CAMP NAKOMIS 4101 North 17th St. Carter Lake, IA We offer miles of hiking trails, numerous campsites, a fishing dock, swimming pool, archery site, themed weeks and much more! Ages 6-14! Register early as we have a limited amount of spots this summer!

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Learn about animal behaviors and nutrition.

Explore a day in the life of a veterinarian.

Perform a simulated exploratory surgery.

Interact with live animals each day.

SAVE $25 ENTER CODE AT CHECKOUT:

SFG21 Junior Vet Camp

Intermediate Vet Camp

Students completing 2nd - 5th grade Mon. - Thurs. 8 am - 4 pm • June & July

Students completing 6th - 8th grade Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 4 pm • June & July

For registration and information, visit:

www.oxbowvetcamp.com

Got summer plans yet?

Let MCC help.

Registration is open now for College for Kids and College for Teens classes at Metropolitan Community College.

• Art • Culinary • Engineering

• Science • and more

COLLEGE FOR KIDS AND TEENS SUMMER CAMPS 2021.

USE PROMO CODE BEST2021 AND RECEIVE $5 OFF. mccneb.edu/ce/summerfun | 531-MCC-5437 Metropolitan Community College affirms a policy of equal education, employment opportunities and nondiscrimination in providing services to the public. To read our full policy statement, visit mccneb.edu/nondiscrimination.

BROWNELL TALBOT CAMP DISCOVERY 400 N. Happy Hollow Blvd, Omaha, NE We offer camps focused on STEM, fine arts, leadership, sports, and future readiness. Full-day and half-day camps for preschool - grade 12! Morning and after care available.

CAMP LEGACY 6860 N 166th Ave, Omaha, NE Situated on 11 acres in Bennington, NE, Camp Legacy offers week-long day camps for children K-6th grade (Upper Camp) and ages 4&5 (Lower Camp). Activities include: arts & crafts, team building, cooking, sports, and MUCH MORE!

COLLEGE FOR KIDS AND COLLEGE FOR TEENS Omaha, NE College for Kids and College for Teens offers something for children and teens of all ages.

Classes are available in a variety of topics, including arts, culinary, engineering, science and more.

THE DURHAM MUSEUM SUMMER CAMPS 801 S. 10th St, Omaha, NE Specialty themed camps like Camp Construction and Wizard Academy. Field trips, fun and learning!

Half-day and full-day week-long programs available for 1st-5th grades. Before and After Camp care available.

FARM CAMP FOR KIDS Barreras Family Farm, 11564 County Rd P30, Blair, NE Visit our farm and explore everything there is to know about farm animals, from the cute and cuddly to the strong and massive. Each class had a different focus; Horses, Cows, Goats, Chickens, Bunnies, Soap Making, and Basic Beekeeping. Ages 5+. Space is limited. Free farm shirt for all students.

Use code: FUN21 to save 10%.

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BROWNELL TALBOT STEM, fine arts, leadership, sports, and future readiness camps on our beautiful campus next to Memorial Park.

Full-day and specialty camps for ages 3-16 Before and after care available.

Full STEAM Ahead! brownell.edu/camps Swimming Pool Canoes

camp

Nature Education Fishing Sports

FRIENDS FOREST FUN Breakfast & lunch included!

Limited spots available!

/ week

Archery Hiking

Weekly Awards And much more!

June 7-July 30

$150 bgcomaha.org/camp 14 FamilyFuninOmaha.com | Spring 2021

FITGIRL, INC CAMP EMPOWERMENT Multiple Locations The ultimate outdoor experience! In June, we offer a different theme at a different park each week for girls ages 8-11 years the first three weeks and girls 8-14 years in the last week.

Sports, Outdoor Adventures, Guest Speakers, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Arts and Crafts, Group Entertainment, Cooking, Self Esteem Workshops,

GENESIS MIGHTY CAMP Multiple Locations Mighty Camp is an action-packed summer camp experience that your child will look forward to all year long! When school’s out for summer Mighty Camps at Genesis are the place to be! All of the Mighty Camp activities are designed for children who have completed kindergarten through age 12.

LAURITZEN GARDENS SUMMER ADVENTURE CAMPS 100 Bancroft St, Omaha, NE Exciting adventures await campers 5-12 years old!

Choose from a variety of full-day, all-inclusive camps with fun themes that connect children to nature & foster an appreciation for the environment.

MCGUIGAN ARTS ACADEMY SUMMER CAMPS 8719 Countryside Plaza, Omaha, NE Our summer camps explore a multitude of artistic opportunities! From learning about the fundamentals of early rock ‘n’ roll in our signature Rock ‘n’ Roll Roots music camp, to studying acting, improv, dance, voice, drawing & painting in our ARTapalooza Camp, the McGuigan Arts Academy is a safe place for creativity and self-confidence to thrive!

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Join The Durham Museum for a summer of fun and exploration! Our engaging camp themes offers something for every kid to enjoy—campers can explore cam Castaway Island, enroll in Wizard Academy or visit Creation Station!

• • • •

June 1— August 6, Age 1st-5th Grade Affordable Half & Full-day Programs New Safety Protocols Before & After Care Available

Today! CampsAtTheDurham.org 16 Register FamilyFuninOmaha.com | Spring 2021

OSMD DANCE & MUSICAL THEATER CAMP 14505 California St, Omaha, NE FULL DAY CAMPS for ages 3-13! REGISTER TODAY to spend four days singing, dancing, playing games, doing crafts, script writing, improv and much much more!

OXBOW ANIMAL HEALTH VET CAMPS 11902 S 150th St, Omaha, NE For children who have a passion for animals.

Includes hands-on activities and a chance to practice skills real veterinarians perform! Junior and Intermediate camps available. Save $25 with code SFG21!

PHOENIX ACADEMY SUMMER KICKSTART 1110 N 66th St., Omaha Summer Kickstart is a great way for all ability level students (K-8) to learn new skills, retain what they learned during the school year and get a kick start for next year! July 6th-30th.

STRETCH-N-GROW SUMMER FUN! WHERE KIDS LOVE TO MOVE. Multiple Locations Weekly morning sessions (9am-12pm) in sports, yoga, fitness and dance.

•

June Sports Camps in Bellevue for kids ages 6 and up

•

Fun Club sessions in Midtown and Elkhorn for kids ages 3 and up ~ A new theme each week

•

Year round preschool and daycare enrichment classes at partnering facilities Spring 2021 | FamilyFuninOmaha.com

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FULL-WEEK SESSIONS $215-$235

p m a C e r u t en Adv

SUMMER

CONDUCT FUN, HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES

EXPLORE THE MANY ASPECTS OF THE NATURAL WORLD

ENJOY ENCOUNTERS WITH NATURE - SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS - ART PROJECTS GAIN AN APPRECIATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS

FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER NOW at lauritzengardens.org SAVE $25 PER WEEK WITH EARLY BIRD PRICING THROUGH FEBRUARY 28 Off Interstate 80 at 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha | (402) 346-4002, ext. 212 | Open year-round for discovery

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SUMMER DANCE CAMPS & CLASSES AT BLOOM 156th & Blondo and 1072 N 204th Ave in Elkhorn Bloom has one week themed camps in the morning (9am-12pm) and afternoon (1pm-4pm) available for boys and girls ages 3+ at both our Blondo and Elkhorn locations! We also have weekly dance classes for 6 weeks after 4pm!

WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS SUMMER CAMP 17114 S 63rd St, Papillion, NE Kangaroos, Lemurs & Lizards oh my! Meet real animal ambassadors while learning about wildlife conservation, zookeeping, animal careers & animal care! Miles of hiking trails, swimming pool w/ lifeguards, nature center & more!

YOUNG NEBRASKA SCIENTISTS/ SMALL BUT MIGHTY: A HANDS-ON INVESTIGATION OF VIRUSES AND BACTERIA R. Joe Dennis Learning Center at Bellevue University June 7-11, 2021 (8:30a-4:30p). 9th-12th Graders. $50; need-based scholarship available. YNS introduces campers to some of today’s hottest topics in science, technology, and engineering with hands-on experience in and outside of the lab.

FIND A VARIETY OF CAMPS WHERE YOU CAN SEARCH BY TYPE OF CAMP, AGE OF CAMPERS, AND WEEK OF CAMP! FAMILYFUNINOMAHA.COM/OMAHA-AREA-SUMMER-CAMPS/

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Don’t let your child lose academic ground over the summer, enroll in Kickstart!

2021 Dates: July 6th – July 30th Tuesday – Friday 8:15 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Summer Kickstart helps students of all abilities improve their reading and math skills. Grades entering K-9.

Register with a $50 deposit at phoenixacademyomaha.org

Tuition is $700

(Mention this ad for a $25.00 discount per child.)

Balance due on or before the first day of the Summer Kickstart. phoenixacademyomaha.org

Book classes online at: www.McguiganArtsAcademy.com

Located in Countryside Village

SMALL CLASS SIZES!

Safer and more personalized!

OFFERING SUMMER MUSIC, THEATRE & ART CAMPS! Summer camp classes: Rock ’N’ Roll Roots ARTapalooza

Happy Feet 20 FamilyFuninOmaha.com | Spring 2021

Family Fun

IN OMAHA LOCAL BUSINESSES– REACH THOUSANDS OF LOCAL FAMILIES LOOKING FOR BUSINESSES JUST LIKE YOURS– FIND OUT MORE HERE: FAMILYFUNINOMAHA.COM/ ADVERTISE-PR/

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10 TIPS TO RECOGNIZE RIPE FRUITS [Culinary.net] Keeping fresh fruit around the house provides a healthier alternative when your sweet tooth comes calling. Understanding how and when to buy at the peak of ripeness (or just before, in some cases) can help you avoid food waste while keeping your doctor happy.

Consider these simple tips for recognizing ripe fruits: •

Strawberries: Check the area at the top of the berry near the stem and leaves. A ripe strawberry is fully red; green or white near the top means the fruit is underripe.

•

Watermelon: The “field spot,” or the area where the melon sat on the ground, should be yellow, and a tap on the rind should produce a hollow sound.

•

Cherries: Flesh should appear dark with a crimson color and feel firm.

•

Blueberries: Similar to cherries, color should deepen to dark blue. A reddish or pink color may be visible in unripe berries.

•

Blackberries: Look for a smooth texture without any red appearance.

Because blackberries don’t ripen after being picked, they tend to spoil quickly.

•

Cantaloupe: You should detect a sweet smell, and the melon should feel heavy upon lifting.

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•

Peaches: A sweet, fragrant odor should be apparent. Skin should feel tender but not soft.

•

Pineapple: Smell is again an important factor for pineapple – a sweet scent shows it’s ready, but a vinegary one likely means it’s overripe.

•

Raspberries: Generally follow the same rules as blackberries. Best eaten within a couple days of purchase, a bright red color represents ripe berries.

•

Bananas: A ripe banana features a peel lightly spotted without significant bruising. Your best bet may be to purchase bananas still slightly green and allow them to ripen at home.

Find more food tips, tricks, recipes and videos at culinary.net Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

E AS T E R E X T RAVAG A N Z A

March 26 through April 11, NOT YOUR GARDEN VARIETY EGG HUNT...

spring blooms + fun family activities!

Reserve tickets:

100 Bancroft Street, Omaha lauritzengardens.org Spring 2021 | FamilyFuninOmaha.com

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A BUDGET-FRIENDLY FAMILY DISH: BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN [Family Features] Creating family meals with nutrition in mind adds another consideration to a daily task that is often stressful enough. However, making health-conscious decisions each evening at the dinner table doesn’t have to mean turning away from your loved ones’ favorite dishes.

Simple swaps to more nutritious ingredients paired with healthier preparation methods, such as baking chicken rather than frying it, can help you make more nutrition-based choices. This Baked Chicken Parmesan offers the best of both worlds, providing a 30-minute meal that allows you to spend less time in the kitchen without forgoing healthy habits.

Made with Parmesan cheese, this recipe provides an excellent source of calcium. Dairy foods, such as cheese, are an irreplaceable part of a balanced diet that offers a valuable source of essential nutrients. Plus, because it’s made using just a handful of ingredients, it’s a budget-friendly option that doesn’t break the bank and doesn’t call for seldom-used spices or seasonings you may never use again. Find more family meal inspiration at milkmeansmore.org.

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BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN Recipe by Kirsten Kubert of “Comfortably Domestic” on behalf of Milk Means More

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 6 2/3

cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs

1

teaspoon Italian seasoning medley with garlic

3/4

cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided

5

tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs 3

cups prepared tomato and basil sauce, warmed, divided

1

pound thick spaghetti, prepared according to package directions

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line rimmed half sheet pan with parchment paper; set aside.

In shallow dish or pie plate, combine breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, stirring with fork until blended. Pour melted butter in separate shallow dish or pie plate.

Working with one chicken thigh at a time, dip each side in melted butter to coat. Press butter-soaked chicken into breadcrumbs, turning to coat well on both sides. Place breaded chicken on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken thighs.

Drizzle remaining melted butter over breaded chicken. Bake 8 minutes. Turn chicken over and bake 7 minutes to crisp other side.

Briefly remove chicken from oven. Spoon two tablespoons pasta sauce over each chicken thigh. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over chicken. Return chicken to oven and continue baking 5 minutes, or until cooked through.

Serve Baked Parmesan Chicken over cooked spaghetti topped with additional pasta sauce.

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Brought to you by Rotella’s Bakery

S P R I N G WO R D S E A R C H

B U N N Y B T B T S G

D M M T L U U A C U R

April baseball bloom bunny

N X A B I T L S B N E

A R P Y R T I E L S E

B F R U G E P B O H N

colorful flowers garden green

B L I N A R L A O I J

C O L O R F U L M N G

M W J C D L W L A E C

may rainbow Spring sunshine

H E B A E Y W B R J Z

O R A I N B O W C A G

T S P R I N G T H Z D

umbrella butterfly March tulip

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Family Fun

IN OMAHA

ENROLL IN OUR SPRING PROGRAMS! Operating out of Countryside Village Book classes online at 28www.McguiganArtsAcademy.com FamilyFuninOmaha.com | Spring 2021

FIND MANY MORE IDEAS OF THINGS TO DO THIS SPRING HERE: FAMILYFUNINOMAHA.COM