The Annual Parent Guide 2023

THE ANNUAL

Inside

Parent's Picks Local Family Features Youth Sports & More!

THE ANNUAL PARENT GUIDE 2023

012 Parent's Picks: Ready

056 Family Spotlight:

014 Parent's Picks:

058 Parent's Pick: A

For Your Next Move?

One-Stop Personalized Healthcare For Your Entire Family

016 Parent's Picks:

Youth Have So Many Influencers

019 Restaurants Where

Kids Eat Free

022 Parent's Picks:

Guide to Family Fun

028 Let's Get Ready To

(Birthday) Party!

030 Parent's Picks: A

Trusted Resourced for Parents & Families

032 Family Guide for Fall:

Pumpkin Patch Tour

034 Family Guide for Fall:

Corn Maze Tour

036 Parent's Picks:

Dakota Adult And Pediatric Psychiatry Is Bringing The Gap With A New Standard In Psychiatric Care

038 Family Guide for

079 The First Annual Parent's Guide In this magazine, we aim to uncover the hidden gems and celebrated treasures of Fargo-Moorhead that make it an extraordinary place for families. From the charm of our local parks to the innovative programs of our community organizations, this magazine is your guide to the best our cities have to offer.

Winter: Indoor & Outdoor Ice Rinks in Fargo-Moorhead

040 Parent's Picks:

Digital Addiction

042 Parent's Picks:

Dive into the Arts!

048 Parent's Picks:

Beyond Boundaries Is Your Parent's Pick For OT, PT, SpeechLanguage For Your Family

The Misialeks

Sweet Time For The Whole Family

060 Family Spotlight:

The Johnsons

063 Family Spotlight:

Paul's Hoefer's Family

066 Parent's Pick:

Bowling, Lasertag, & Escape Rooms

068 Family Spotlight:

Aubree Wilson's Family

072 Family Spotlight:

The Johnsons

074 Parent's Pick: Where

Young Dreams Take Flight!

075 Parent's Pick: A Hero

for Health in Horace

076 Family Spotlight:

The Netlands

079 Family Spotlight:

The McCoys

082 Parent's Pick: Your

Family's Trusted Expert In Oral and Facial Surgery

083 Parent's Pick:

Empowering Families and Fostering Independence

084 Youth Sports

Feature: Moorhead Youth Lacrosse

088 Parent's Pick: Ear,

Nose, & Throat

090 College for Kids!

050 Family Summer

Guide

054 Parent's Pick: Flexible

Space Options For Your Next Dream Home

5

CHECK OUT

WELCOME. reetings to all the wonderful families of FargoMoorhead-West Fargo.

As a parent myself, I know firsthand the challenges and rewards of raising a family here. That's why we've put together this magazine, a practical, straightforward guide for parents in our community.

In this magazine, we've gathered input from local families who shared with us some of their favorite resources and spots in the area.

We also know how important local businesses are to our families' lives.

So, we've highlighted some of the best spots in town—from kid-friendly restaurants to educational spaces. These are the places that make our community a great place to raise kids.

SPOTLIGHT MEDIA'S OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Additionally, we've put together lists to help you find what you need quickly.

Whether it's a place for an afternoon outing or a new activity for the family, these lists are designed to help you make the most of what our area has to offer.

As a parent and community member, I believe in the importance of supporting each other and making the most of our local resources. This magazine aims to do just that—connect families and help you enjoy life in Fargo-MoorheadWest Fargo.

I hope this magazine serves as a useful resource for you and your family, helping you to explore and enjoy our community to the fullest.

Mike Dragosavich Mike Dragosavich Founder and CEO Spotlight Media

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Volume 1 / 2023

The Annual Parent Guide is a free community resource produced to help you and your loved ones take advantage of all of the great things the metro has to offer.

Publisher Mike Dragosavich EDITORIAL Editorial Team Lead Brady Drake Brady@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Editors Geneva Nodland, Grant Ayers Art Director Kim Cowles Editorial Graphic Designer Ty Betts Creative Strategist Josiah Kopp Content Specialist Gary Ussery INTERACTIVE Business Development Manager Business Development Associate Videographer Director of Creative Strategies Graphic Designer Web Developer

Nick Schommer Kellen Feeney Tommy Uhlir Megan Suedbeck Ben Buchanan Austin Smith

ADVERTISING VP of Business Development Paul Hoefer Paul@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Sales Representative Al Anderson Al@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Sales & Marketing Advisor Tori Helland Tori@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Business Development Representative Austin Cuka AustinCuka@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Client Relations ClientRelations@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Client Relations Manager Jenny Johnson Marketing Coordinator Jessica Mullen Operations Assistant Miranda Knudson DISTRIBUTION Delivery John Stuber

Fargo Monthly is published by Spotlight, LLC. Copyright 2023 Fargo Monthly and fargomonthly.com. All rights reserved. No parts of this magazine may be reproduced or distributed without written permission of Fargo Monthly and Spotlight, LLC is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. Spotlight, LLC accepts no liability for the accuracy of statements made by the advertisers.

Spotlight, LLC 4609 33rd Ave S Suite #304 Fargo, ND 58104 or info@spotlightmediafargo.com ADVERTISING: 701-478-SPOT (7768)

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13

Meet The Team!

Dr. Stephanie Hendricks, DNP, FNP-C/Founder and Owner Jessica Neisen, BSN, RN Kayla Christianson, Reception/Office Administrator Dr. Carrie Nelson, DNP, FNP-C

by Gary Ussery

Celebrating their one-year anniversary in November, Amend recently completed a clinic renovation, adding two additional exam rooms!

AMEND HEALTHCARE

One-Stop Personalized Healthcare for Your Entire Family amily medicine is a branch of medicine designed to care for individuals and families through primary care and prevention. Primary care is the key to living a longer, healthier life through lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise, as well as individualized, targeted medical care for diseases and concerns. Amend Healthcare serves all ages and stages—from newborns all the way up! According to Stephanie Hendricks, DNP, FNP-C, they enjoy caring for entire families or single individuals alike, as it's rewarding to have the honor of caring for entire families including children, parents, and grandparents.

"Amend was designed for both inclusivity and comfort. We welcome anyone and everyone to our facility, where you will be warmly greeted and treated in a nonjudgemental, non-biased way," she said.

"We intentionally and methodically chose our supplies and equipment to meet the needs and comfort of all of our patients.

For example, instead of using standard 14 | 2023 | THE ANNUAL PARENT GUIDE

patient gowns, we also offer plush robes and slippers as an addition or alternative.

We want our patients to feel like their visit is a positive experience and not one they dread attending. We also partner with each of our patients to determine a treatment plan that is centered around their emotional, spiritual, social, and financial perspectives, giving the patient the driver's seat in their care. Our goal is to provide care on a more personalized and relationship-centered basis."

Amend Healthcare is often able to provide same-day appointments for acute needs and often able to schedule patients sooner than other clinics. Every patient is given ample time to meet with their nurse and provider, with plenty of time to discuss their concerns. They understand that a patient's time is precious, and they utilize that time as best they can.

After working in the healthcare industry for almost 20 years, significant gaps in healthcare came to light for Hendricks.

These gaps included patients feeling like they weren't being listened to, having limited time with their provider, and feeling like a number rather than a valued patient.

"I knew as a provider that I wanted to have ample time with my patients and not feel rushed to meet a standard quota of patients per day," she said. "I was fortunate to have other entrepreneurs in our community and across our state, in both healthcare and other areas of business, to help inspire and guide me through the process of becoming an independent organization."

Support Amend Healthcare Family Practice and learn more today!

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If your kids love breakfast for dinner (or breakfast for breakfast), these restaurants are sure to make their day. Whether your kids like chocolate and banana pancakes, omelets, bacon or just a good slice of toast, these restaurants have everyone’s favorite breakfast items on their menus. Not feeling breakfast food when your kids are? There are lunch and dinner options, too!

Sometimes all you want is a nice, juicy burger and fries. But it’s a lot of work to make them at home and fast food is just not the same. These grills are perfect for a night out with your family—you can have a hearty meal and you can feed your kids without having to pay for it. Most of these restaurants even have chicken strips or mac and cheese for your picky kids!

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Need somewhere to go for family pizza night? These restaurants have pizza toppings the whole family will love and smaller kid’s meals for the ones who don’t like the toppings the rest of the family chose. These are the perfect places to grab a bite after your kids’ sporting events!

For families that love a bit of spice, Mexican restaurants are a great place for a meal. Take your family out to dinner at one of these restaurants and you’ll probably get something free for yourself, too! These restaurants offer free chips and salsa before your meal, so you and the kids have something to snack on while waiting for your food.

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Looking for a healthier choice for the kids? Some of FargoMoorhead’s sandwich shops also offer free kid’s sandwiches and meals. Whether you want a cold meal on a hot day or a hot meal on a cold day, these restaurants have something for you. There are plenty of vegetarian options!

Guide to Family Fun

Photos by Josiah Kopp

SCHEELS is the perfect place to spend a day with your family! There’s so much to explore at SCHEELS, so we created a fun guide to help get you started with your shopping adventure! Check out these 9 fun ways to experience the store in a whole new way!

Get a jump start on your day or take a break and enjoy breakfast, lunch, coffee, and a sweet treat with your family at Ginna's Cafe. There is something on the menu that everyone will enjoy, even the pickiest eaters!

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The Shooting Gallery at SCHEELS is fun for the whole family, whether you’re a hunter or not. Make it a game and see who can hit the most targets! It’s fun for all ages to play, even parents!

There are so many fun interactive games throughout the store, which offer the perfect break between shopping. Enjoy a game of minibowling or check out Connect 4 Hoops, it’s a great way to use up some energy!

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PARENT'S PICK

Shopping for clothes and shoes at SCHEELS is fun! Have the kids pick out their favorite outfits and put on a little instore fashion show!

SCHEELS even has a Fuzziwig's Candy Factory, which is the perfect place for a sweet treat! Whether you like sour candy, chocolate, gourmet caramel apples, or even Dippin Dots ice cream, there’s a treat everyone will enjoy! Don’t forget to sample the handmade fudge, there are many unique flavors to try!

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Going to SCHEELS Toyland is always a must, as they carry the latest and best toys and a wide selection for everyone in the family. You’ll find toys and games you loved as a child, and your children will discover new favorites.

The Golf section at SCHEELS is a family favorite. Offering an interactive zone with a golf simulator for a try-before-you-buy experience. It's the perfect time to try all the latest equipment.

Kids always enjoy the putting green, hoping each time they’ll get a hole-in-one!

25

PARENT'S PICK

There are many different photo ops throughout the store, can you find them all? Make it your family’s goal to take a photo or two at each of the photo ops.

The Big Chair is always a fun photo for the whole family!

Saving the best for last, one of the most-loved attractions at SCHEELS is the Ferris wheel.

Rides are just $1 and the best way to end every shopping adventure at SCHEELS!

scheels.com |

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scheels |

@scheelssports

Birthday parties can be stressful to plan for any child, whether they're a toddler or teenager. Now, let us handle the stress, simply check out our Kids Party Planning Guide! While fun knows no age limits, each party location has been given age suggestions ranging from toddlers and young children to teenagers.

TNT Kids Fitness and Gymnastics The opportunities are endless at TNT Kids Fitness. With trampolines, a foam pit, ninja courses, party hosts, and much more, TNT has no shortage of fun and activities.

2800 Main Ave, Fargo tntkidsfitness.org

Kingpinz

Courts Plus With a 7 level playground that is 38 feet tall, the kids are bound to enjoy their time on one of the biggest playgrounds in the area at Courts Plus.

Kingpinz offers HyperBowling, laser tag, escape rooms and a cutting-edge arcade. It's perfect for anyone looking to have the birthday bowling experience of a lifetime.

3491 S University Dr, Fargo courtsplus.org

3485 Jacks Wy S, Fargo kingpinz.com

Where to Get Dessert in Fargo Birthday Cake: 457 Cake Ice Cream: Silver Lining Creamery (Catering) Cookies: Insomnia Cookies (Catering by # of cookies) Donuts: Sandy's Donuts Cupcakes: Gigi's Cupcakes 28 | 2023 | THE ANNUAL PARENT GUIDE

Take an Art Class With great options in town like Clay Your Way, The Plains Art Museum, and Creatively Uncorked, anyone can let their creativity shine at your next birthday party. clayyourway.com | plainsart.org | reativelyuncorked.com

Escape Rooms South Fargo Escape Rooms offers multiple locations (Fargo Escape Room, Puzzled, and Clues and Keys), so there's something for every age group.

Puzzled is perfect for all ages, and Clues and Keys offers a more childfocused escape room experience. For teenagers, Fargo Escape Room has extra "puzzling" rooms for those ready for the challenge! fargoescaperoom.com puzzledescaperooms.com cluesandkeys.com

Replay Games Skate City ND Take a trip back in time to the classic birthday party: roller skating! Skate City offers various package levels for birthday parties that are sure to get the kids excited.

Replay Games, a modern-day video game arcade, offers over 6,000 video games to choose from. Ranging from classic Atari to modern PS4 games, they have plenty of options for kids to challenge their friends in games that span decades.

3302 Interstate Blvd S, Fargo skatecitynd.com

109 Broadway N, Fargo replaygames.us

Birthday Party Planning Checklist 1. Where's the party?

In addition to picking where you want it to be, it's important to plan in advance for inclement weather and have a backup plan just in case.

2. Invite friends and guests: Handing out birthday invites is so 2005. Create a Facebook event to keep everyone updated about any changes and information.

3. Book the location, food, and dessert TIP! Make sure you book everything weeks in advance. Some dessert caterers need weeks in advance for large orders, so it's important to prepare early.

4. Set up all the party necessities TIP! Not every party venue will set up tables and decorations for your group. Ask beforehand if they handle it or if the setup is required by the party guests beforehand.

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Catholic Charities North Dakota celebrates 100 years of trusted parenting and adoption services

By Josiah Kopp | Photos by Josiah Kopp

Kris Haycraft and Teresa Wetsch with the PPAS program

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Bailey Kitko and Jaclyn Stroehl with the Post Adopt Network

Tesia Miller, Nicole Larson, and Morgan Nerat with the AASK program

Visit our website at catholiccharitiesnd.org Call us at 701.235.4457 Follow us on social media /AASKND /pregnancyandadoptionND /ndpostadopt /catholiccharitiesnd @aasknorthdakota @adoption.nd

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Family Guide For Fall

By Geneva Nodland As one of the most popular fall-tivities among children and adults of all ages, visiting the pumpkin patch is essential to complete your fun fall to-do list.

Whether you’re taking the family out for the afternoon while the ground is still snowfree or making sure you capture the best “fall vibes” for your Instagram, there are plenty of patches to pop into and pumpkins to pluck in the FM area, check them out!

Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch

Geared towards Kids & Families

These pumpkin patches are especially perfect for family outings! Check out each patch’s activities and events to see how you can plan your family’s next next fall adventure.

Lil’ Bitz Pumpkin Patch

A classic in the FM area, the Lil’ Bitz Pumpkin Patch is open until the end of October and has plenty of activities for the family to enjoy! Go on a horsedrawn carriage ride, play games like mini golf, farm animal croquet, and so much more (over 25 different attractions), take home pumpkins to decorate your home for the fall, and

Special Hours:

October 19 & 20, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Heading a little further into Minnesota, check out the Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch! Enjoy the patch’s petting zoo area, cheer at the duck races, take a barrel car ride, stroll through the enchanted forest, and more. Kids can participate in Cowboy Camp where they try activities like roping a steer head or other rope tricks! Spend a perfect fall day out in the beautiful scenery through the end of October, $6 general admission, $3 horse-drawn carriage rides, and $2 barrel car rides!

14447 Highway 10 Glyndon, MN

snap lots of great photos at their many photo opportunities throughout the patch. They even have bonfires for families to enjoy, as long as the weather cooperates of course. $12 general admission (under 2 is free) and $10 military admission.

7414 40th Ave N Fargo, ND

Thea’s Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze Another wonderful pumpkin patch is Thea’s Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze! Find 7-10 acres of pumpkins to browse for the one you’ll take home, and check out the many kids' games and attractions too.

With the wide pumpkin varieties they offer, the pumpkins cost anywhere from $1 to $10. General admission to the patch is $10, and kids under four are free!

Learn more about Thea’s corn maze on the next page!

19982 Appaloosa Rd Pelican Rapids, MN

Janu's Pumpkin Patch

Nestled in the lake country of western Minnesota, you'll find Janu's Pumpkin Patch, a charming and exciting destination for fall enthusiasts of all ages. Choose from an array of pumpkins in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and get into the autumn mood with activities like gourd painting, pumpkin bowling, and more with the entire family!

Make sure you stop at the picturesque seasonal decor to get a photo with your loved ones! Whether you're seeking a family outing, a cozy escape, or a backdrop for seasonal memories, head to Janu's, plus there are no admission fees— you do have to purchase your pumpkins though!

404th Ave Frazee, MN

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For Anyone

Although these pumpkin patches are perfectly fine for the kiddos, they also have some fun events for adults! In addition, we’ve included a few farmer's markets and shops where you can find the perfect pumpkin, gourd, and fall decor!

SheyWest Garden Center

This gem in West Fargo offers great finds for your home goods and gardening needs, and they don’t disappoint for the fall season either. Look through their pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin to pair with your other autumn decorations.

225 40th Ave W West Fargo, ND

Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley

Head across to the river to Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley pumpkin patch for a self-serve pumpkin patch! Visit the farm, find your pumpkin, and stop by the stand with the cashbox. From there, it’s up to you if your pumpkin will become a spooky jack-o-lantern or a perfect fall centerpiece in your living space!

7378 40th St N Moorhead, MN

Visit daily and find the store hours at facebook.com/sheywestnd Learn more about SheyWest in their feature story at fargomonthly.com/sheywest-more-than-just-a-garden-center!

Find more info about the Corn Maze & events on the next page!

Lost in the Valley Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch

This fall destination has made itself a fan favorite, offering family and friends fall fun at the Lost in the Valley Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch! Hop on a tractor ride to the pumpkin patch and venture through the rows of gourds to find the perfect one to take home!

Visit through the end of October, and pick your pumpkin for $5!

Red River Valley Fairgrounds, 1805 Main Avenue West, West Fargo

Mother, Goose & Bean's

Head a bit to the south into Minnesota on your hunt for unique pumpkins and gourds for autumnal decor, activities, and whatever else! Mother, Goose & Bean's offers a huge selection and variety of pumpkins to choose from their 5-acre patch, each with its own character and color.

You can also get your hands on delicious sweet corn, as well as tasty kettle corn, which comes in a few different sweet and salty flavors to enjoy. Finally, you can even stock up on your holiday decor, like wreaths—with no admission fees, just pay for what you go home with. This stop is the ultimate fall destination!

Tim's U-Pick

One of the ultimate pumpkin-picking patches is just over a half hour away at Tim's U-Pick! Enter at no fee, pick and choose a gourd of your liking (or 2, or 10), stock up on seasonal decor, and pick a handful of beautiful flowers. Enjoy all that the fall season has to offer with your family and friends!

1750 155th Ave SE Hunter, ND

16607 340th St Erhard, MN

33

Family Guide For Fall

Corn Maze Another crucial outing to complete your fall festivities is winding through a corn maze!

These fields are bearers of laughs, determination, and sometimes even spooks. Despite the Valley’s plentiful harvest, a few fields have been dedicated to corn mazes that have been whipped up for this classic autumn event, check them out!

As part of the Lost in the Valley Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch, watch out for the Red River Valley Fair's Dazed in the Maze event!

Make your way through the corn stalks and search for local breweries, wineries, cideries, and meaderies hidden throughout the maze!

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Geared Towards Kids & Families

Traditionally, corn mazes and Halloween go hand in hand… in a spooky way. But there are corn mazes around the community that vary in levels of spook! Find the right one for you!

Lost in the Valley Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch Back again is the Lost on the Valley Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch! Venture through the winding, twisting corn maze by the Red River Fair Grounds through the end of the month. If the corn maze is a bit daunting, take the kiddos through the kid’s straw maze! Try out pumpkin bowling, classic corn hole (yes, it's corn hole at a corn maze!), snap a photo at their photo spot, grab some snacks from the local vendors, and more. No matter how you plan it, you’ll want to spend some time at this maze! Admission is $10 + online fees, $15 + fees at the gate, and children 2-year-olds and under are free!

Find tickets at redrivervalletfair.com Red River Valley Fairgrounds, 1805 Main Ave West Fargo, ND

Thea’s Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze Make a stop at Thea’s Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze sometime now through the end of the month. Travel into Minnesota and you’ll find this 11-acre corn maze, along with other great activities like a petting zoo, hayrides, face painting, food, and more! Open through the end of October, you don’t want to miss the one-of-a-kind, annually-designed theme for the corn maze. Those who want to explore after dark can take part in the Twilight Maze. Plan your visit this season!

General admission to the patch is $10, and kids under four are free!

Learn more about Thea’s pumpkin patch on the previous page!

19982 Appaloosa Rd Pelican Rapids, MN

Find more info about the Pumpkin Patch on the previous page!

By Geneva Nodland

For Anyone

Anyone can enjoy a good stroll through the corn stalks… but make sure you’re brave enough to visit these ones! Here are some of the spookier corn mazes around town, and you know, where there’s a spooky corn maze, there are bound to be some other hauntings going on!

Haunted Farm

Join in on the scare at the Haunted Farm just outside of Moorhead! Travel through spooky spots like the Dark Maze, Haunted Woods, the Insane Clown Room… and, of course, the Haunted House. There is no lack of scares at this destination, open through Halloween… visit if you dare! General admission for the Big Show is $22 per person, plus head to their website for a coupon for $2 off!

OTHER GREAT FALL ACTIVITIES

1947 130th Ave S Moorhead, MN hauntedfarm.com

Fall in Fargo

Acres of Terror Corn Maze If you’re up for some scare, head to the Acres of Terror Corn Maze! This corn maze features creatures like ZiggyD Wolf the bus driver or Striker the mass murderer to help create a frightful night in the maze! Until the end of the month, visit for $30 per adult and $15 per youth (10 years and under). To celebrate the maze's 20th anniversary, guests received a free t-shirt every Friday of the month of September, and in October, they will get a free gift! And if you need some fuel for your journey, load up on Wild One Food Truck treats!

108 ND-18 S, Leonard, ND

The Crypt at Jacobs Manor Spend another scary night at The Crypt at Jacobs Manor! Although the entertainment is spooky, many have said it’s a great spot for families who enjoy the scare! For the little ones who want in on the action but don't want to be scared, The Crypt offers a lantern to guide the kids and to tell the staff to not scare them. But, if you want the full experience, don't worry— you'll be spooked! Admission to The Crypt is a suggestion. Mark your calendars for the last two Fridays and Saturdays in October!

307 1/2 Railroad N, Leonard, ND

Check out regional corn mazes to explore in the fall!

Mother, Goose, & Bean’s 16607 340th St Erhard, MN Otter Berry Farm Corn Maze 38132 470th Ave, New York Mills, MN Valley Corn Maize 42969 160th St NW East Grand Forks, MN Country Blossom Farm Corn Maze 1951 Englund Rd SW, Alexandria, MN A-Maze-N Clown Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze 3523 82nd Ave SE Jamestown, ND Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze 2448 20th Ave NE Emerado, ND

This event at Rheault Farm offers a family-friendly atmosphere with fun activities, crafts, and pumpkin picking.

Activities include a straw bale maze, pumpkin tic-tac-toe, and hayrides, celebrating the vibrant colors and cozy vibes of autumn​​.

Homecoming Celebrations The Fargo-Moorhead area, having three different colleges, hosts multiple homecoming celebrations with various events. Make sure you check out the homecoming dates for NDSU, MSUM, and Concordia College.

An NDSU Football Game I mean come on, how can you not take in gameday at least once? Make sure you get there early for some legendary tailgating.

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is Bridging the Gap with A New Standard in Psychiatric Care

Awards and Recognitions Dr. Douglas Hess is dual board-certified in General Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. He has been awarded the UND Dean’s Special Recognition award for outstanding volunteer faculty in April 2023 and the UND 8th Annual James E. Mitchell, MD Award for outstanding Co-Teacher of the Year for 2021-2022.

Aubrey Hess, PA-C has been Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) since 2010.

Both providers also serve as Clinical Assistant Professors and have a passion for teaching.

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In the complex and ever-growing field of mental health care, families often find themselves in a maze of waiting lists, impersonal interactions, and uncertainty regarding their next steps. Enter Dakota Adult and Pediatric Psychiatry—a community-driven clinic founded with a mission to fill these gaps and offer timely, compassionate, and comprehensive psychiatric care to those in need.

Founders Dr. Douglas Hess, DO, and Aubrey Hess, PA-C aim to go above and beyond the standards of psychiatric care available to our community.

"We wanted to offer timely and compassionate comprehensive care to the community as the wait times (still currently in some facilities) were over six months to one year. Our motivation

to provide care stems from a personal history of mental illness impacting each of our lives at young ages through close family members," they explained.

Both have faced the heartbreaking reality of losing a loved one to suicide—Dr. Douglas Hess, his grandmother, and Aubrey, her uncle. Knowing the pain, challenges, struggles, barriers, and stigmas of mental health, they are hoping the impact of their care can help others before getting to this point.

What further distinguishes Dakota Adult and Pediatric Psychiatry from other psychiatric care providers is their commitment to treating patients as individuals rather than statistics. "We treat them like our own family—brothers,

sisters, children, mothers, fathers, grandparents—and not just a number.

We enjoy getting to know our patients on an individual basis and are genuinely invested in the outcome of their mental health journey," Douglas said.

specialist," urges Dr. Hess. "Prompt appropriate diagnosis and treatment can reduce the duration and severity of your illness and reduce the likelihood of treatment-resistant illness developing," they said.

Their unique approach doesn't stop at individualized care. Dakota Adult and Pediatric Psychiatry extends its services to entire families, offering a more nuanced understanding of family dynamics and outside stressors.

Dakota Adult and Pediatric Psychiatry is not just a clinic; it's a community resource.

Treating ages from five years old and older, the clinic often sees multiple family members, making their care holistic and multi-generational.

"Many times, we get to see the whole family, which is very rewarding to see these kids grow and heal. Treating multiple family members allows the provider to understand the intricacies of a family dynamic, thus allowing better care," Aubrey said.

| 3523 45th St S Ste 107 Fargo, ND 58104 Office | 701-552-6578 | dakotapsychiatry.com | admin@dakotapsychiatry.com

"If you or your loved ones are going through difficult times or are interested in taking the next steps in psychiatric care, please reach out to a psychiatric

New Location Coming Soon! | 4541 52nd Ave S Ste 100 Fargo, ND 58104

Cutting-Edge Treatment: Spravato Nasal Spray A large number of individuals who seek out psychiatrists have struggled with treatmentresistant depression and have tried multiple medications or other treatment modalities with limited success. When it comes to treatment-resistant depression, Dakota Adult and Pediatric Psychiatry offers an alternative that has seen significant success—Spravato nasal spray.

"Almost 100% of our clinic patient population have had a significant reduction in their depressive symptoms," Dr. Hess said. Spravato offers a noninvasive treatment path compared to other alternatives such as ECT, which can have unwanted side effects. Its success rates are as high as almost 80%, making it a gamechanging resource for individuals aged 18 and above.

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Ice Rinks Indoor Rinks If you’re looking for the ice-skating experience without having to face the elements of the outdoors, an indoor rink would be the perfect option! The FargoMoorhead area has several indoor arenas that offer open skating time during the winter months.

Cornerstone Bank Arena

Location: 4404 23rd Ave SW, Fargo Open Skate Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Admission Rate: $2.75 for children 12 and under $3.50 for children 13-18 $3.75 for adults over 18 $5.75 for families

Fargo Sports Arena

Location: 2001 17th Avenue S, Fargo Open Skate Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission Rate: Free

Moorhead Sports Center

Location: Moorhead High School, 2400 4th Ave S, Moorhead Open Skate Hours: Sundays, 2:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Admission Rate: $2.00 for children 17 and under $3.00 for adults $5.00 for families

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Veterans Memorial Arena

Location: 1201 7th Ave E, West Fargo Open Skate Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission Rate: $2.00 per skater or $5.00 per family (max of 5 people per family rate)

Outdoor Rinks

If you love the outdoors and cold weather, there are plenty of outdoor rinks in the FargoMoorhead area for you to use and enjoy, as well.

All outdoor rinks are free.

Fargoan Favorites Broadway Square Ice Rink

Broadway Square’s rink is a fan-favorite, with well-maintained ice that rivals indoor rinks. This rink offers skate rentals from their “Skate Shack” warming house for $5 during their business hours (listed below), as well as some grab-and-go concessions available in the shack or at their skate-up window. They also offer skate sharpening for your own skates for $3 per pair!

Location: 215 Broadway N, Fargo Skate Shack Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Equipment for Rent: Skates for rent $5 during Skate Shack Hours

The Lights - Essentia Health Plaza Ice Rink

The ice rink at The Lights, located in the Essentia Health Plaza, is an outdoor rink treated with the care of an indoor rink.

Located right next to the West Fargo Sports Arena, high school hockey players occasionally play on the outdoor rink instead of the indoor rink next door. The Lights also offers $5 skate rentals during open skate hours from the community room located in the Southeast corner of the plaza.

Location: 300 32nd Ave W, West Fargo Open Skate Hours: Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Equipment for Rent: Skate rental $5 during open skate hours

Other Outdoor Options Alm Park

Location: 1300 Elm St S, Moorhead *No warming house on site.

Centennial Park Ice Rink

Location: 4101 25th St S, Fargo Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Clara Barton Park Ice Rink

Morningside Park Ice Rink

OTHER GREAT Winter ACTIVITIES

Hansmann Park Ice Rink

Ridgewood Park Ice Rink

Frostival

Location: 1451 6th St S, Fargo Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: 1320 12th Ave N, Moorhead Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Horace Mann Park Ice Rink

Location: 1025 3rd St N, Fargo Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Kennedy Park Ice Rink

Location: 4501 42nd St S, Fargo Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Lamb Park Ice Rink

Location: 1324 14th Ave S, Moorhead Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Lemke Park Ice Rink

Location: 1000 32nd Ave S, Fargo Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Lincoln Park Ice Rink

Location: 2120 9th St S, Fargo Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Longfellow Park Ice Rink

Location: 20 29th Ave N, Fargo Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Madison Park & Bicycle Playground Ice Rink Location: 3010 11th Ave N, Fargo Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: 455 Oakway, Moorhead Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: 1818 31st St S, Moorhead Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Riverview Estates Park Ice Rink

Location: 3801 5th St S, Moorhead Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Roosevelt Park Ice Rink

Location: 1220 9th St N, Fargo Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A celebration of winter's "cool" with outdoor events, concerts, and familyfriendly activities across Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead. Some of the activities in the past have included: • An ice sculpture contest • A chili cookout • Pond hockey • Sleigh rides • A Coffee & Cocoa Crawl Keep an eye out on frostival.com for updates on this year's events!

South Park Ice Rink

Location: 2101 14th St S, Moorhead Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Trails at Stonemill Park

Location: 4449 Bluestem Way, Moorhead *No warming house on site.

Village Green Park Ice Rink

Location: 2601 Village Green Blvd, Moorhead Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Voll Park

Location: 2600 Fairway Dr, Moorhead *No warming house on site.

Washington Park Ice Rink

Location: 1725 Broadway N, Fargo Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Essentia Health West Fargo Winter Classic

For the last two years, The Lights in West Fargo has hosted this event which features games between youth and high school teams playing in the elements as the early hockey players did.

Head to westfargoevents.com/eventing for more details on this event!

Ice Skating Rinks/ponds for ice hockey Snowshoeing Spots Sledding Hills Scan the QR code to learn about the XC Skiing and snowshoeing trails in the area!

McKinley Park Ice Rink

Location: 2931 10th St N, Fargo Warming House Hours: Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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By Geneva Nodland

DIGITAL ADDICTION

Digital addiction is something almost everyone can admit to, if they're being honest. But sometimes we might not be aware of how much screen time we, or our kids, are getting.

Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF), an organization that spearheads communityfocused projects and programs, aids in fundraising for charities, and provides resources for solutions for broad health betterment, looked deeper into this health issue.

The bottom line is that if adults with matured brains and focus find it challenging to fend off the constant temptation to scroll and click, children stand little chance against this digital pull and the consequent addiction— which is why DMF has provided a ton of resources for families to challenge digital addiction.

After becoming aware of digital addiction through DMF, Kelly Barbot considered her and her family's screen time and decided to challenge them, and herself, with change.

"I wanted to model a more appropriate digital

The family's usage of screens and media looked like this: most mornings began with tablet time and TV before school, which led to a tough time for the entire family when trying to get ready to go. For Kelly, after the alarm went off, she was immediately checking social media like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, "I'd have to see what I missed while I was sleeping, of course," she said.

"Throughout the day, at any buzz or social media notification, I'd immediately have to check it out—no delaying. I was worse than the kids and my husband. I don't know how many times I'd check social media throughout the day, but let's say it was excessive and my husband was usually the one to call me out on it."

After sharing what she had learned about digital addiction with her family, they implemented some new rules and

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a model around what screen time would look like. While this wasn't without pushback from the kids and a challenge for everyone, this was something Kelly wanted to try with her family— whatever that looked like to them.

Whether it was Jerad and Kelly reminding each other of their phone usage, Kelly actually deleting her apps, or the kids adjusting to the lessened tablet time— they were creating new habits to replace the times when they had previously reached for their devices.

How did the family adjust to the changes?

Brody started playing basketball and said, "My confidence is slowly growing." Jerad began coaching Brody's basketball team and says it has been amazing to watch that confidence grow. According to Leo, he's less angry, and Kelly has found her anxiety lessened and isn't experiencing FOMO—or, fear of missing out—like she once did. "I find myself not comparing myself to others like I once did," she said, "I'm enjoying what I have more."

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usage for my children, I don't want them to remember Mom and Dad always being on their phone," she said.

HE B T T

A R B OT

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hroughout their study, they found a multitude of statistics that inspired the larger campaign. American teens spend an average of nine hours a day consuming entertainment media, and adults spend about seven hours—and those high numbers are linked to a higher likeliness of having suicidal ideation than those spending few hours in front of a screen.

Kelly Barbot, with over four a half years as a design lead at Dakota Medical Foundation, enjoys reading, crocheting, and the comforts of home. Her husband, Jerad Barbot, has been a web developer at Onsharp for 12 years, recently returning to his hobbies of golfing and tinkering around the house.

They met while working at Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND and have been married for 12 years. They have two active boys: Brody (10) joined basketball, and Leo (8) loves sports and creativity.

Weekends are spent relaxing, attending local events, and cheering on the Vikings, Fighting Hawks, and the Wild while visiting family.

Are you or your family ready to challenge digital addiction?

DMF has a wide collection of resources to help you and your family rediscover life with fewer screens. Find a variety of different resources ranging from apps, books, e-books, and articles to videos, websites, and activity ideas for you and your family to utilize. One of those resource details DMF's Phones Down Heads Up Challege, check it out!

RULE #1 Eliminate social media for a week or abstain from using your phone for a day.

Choose a digital detox that works for you.

RULE #2 Choose 3 activities and commit to doing them for a week or a day.

Choose a timeframe that works for you. Some of the activites DMF provided include: try a new hobby or craft, order coffee or food in person rather than on-app, meditate, volunteer, and so many more!

10 TIPS Surprise every family member with their very own wake-up buddy: an alarm clock.

Say goodbye to morning phone traps!

Set up a gadget power hub for everyone's devices and keep bedrooms a "no-charge zone."

Designate some chill zones in your home where tech takes a break.

If you're having guests, have the phones take a time out in another room!

Pencil in some techfree time slots for you and the kiddos.

Dinner or dusk, pick your off-grid hour.

Try daily checkins with your kids.

Chatting about their day can keep them from processing big emotions online in unhealthy ways.

Make meal times a phone-free challenge—first person who checks their phone is on dish duty!

Nightly routine: PJs, brush teeth, and... screen time check!

Set your digital curfew and stick to it.

Hosting a crew of kiddos? Have them drop phones in the welcome basket on the way in.

Devices need their rest too, so power down 30 minutes before dreamland.

Challenge your kids to go wild without Wi-Fi! From nature explorations to board game battles, big book dives to kitchen cook-offs, and exercises—plus, remind them it’s okay to be bored sometimes!

Visit DakMed.org for more tips and resources!

RULE #3 Complete the challenge and take notes about how you feel.

Recognize the symptoms of your improved wellbeing and report back to DMF about your experience!

Learn more about the challenge and find inspiration from the activities DMF provided here!

It's not a one-fits-all solution," Kelly said. "For myself, I chose to delete all of the social media apps on my phone. I can still access Facebook on my computer, but I don't spend hours mindlessly scrolling—the enjoyment it once had is gone. You make it work for your family. I don't think it's realistic to get rid of all technology. It's not the way the world is going, we live in a time where kids are on tablets at school, people text to communicate vs. calling, and my job is sitting in front of a computer all day. But, when you set some limits and parameters you can cut the chains and start to regain freedom of what it was like before we were tied to these tiny computers."

Becoming aware of your technology usage is important, adjusting it can be tough— but working together as a family to correct digital addiction is invaluable! Learn more at dakmed.org/health-and-wellbeing.

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Engaging in the arts holds significant value for individuals and communities alike. From a young age, involvement in the arts fosters creativity, encourages expression, and promotes an appreciation for diversity and the broad spectrum of human experience. This is especially important for children.

Thankfully, the Fargo-Moorhead community has a plethora of options for people looking to get involved.

Trollwood Performing Arts School

Fargo Theatre

Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre

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Trollwood Performing Arts School, located at the Bluestem Center for the Arts in Moorhead, Minnesota, is a unique arts institution committed to providing high-quality arts education, exceptional community entertainment, and serving as a community events and exposition center. They have a wide range of programs for children of all ages and abilities including

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trollwood.org

Catch a Show!

One way to inspire a child is by seeing a live performance. Below are a few organizations putting on a show in the area.

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314 Broadway N Fargo, ND 58102 fargotheatre.org

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The historic Fargo Theatre, located on Broadway in downtown Fargo and opened in 1926, doesn't show plays per se, but this spot is a must-visit for residents of the metro. If you have older children, be sure to check out the Fargo Film Festival which takes place in March!

Theatre B

The FMCT's Education programs, termed FMCT Ed, offer a holistic theatre education, covering various subjects like English, History, Science, Social Studies, Math, and Music.

The programs are designed to broaden students' perspectives, promoting creativity, collaboration, and connectivity with diverse individuals. They offer a range of classes and camps for different age groups, from preschoolers to adults, across various seasons.

Some examples include Musical Theatre classes, Preschool Acting, Story Invention, Middle School Acting, and Adaptive Theatre. fmct.org

Gooseberry Park Players

Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre (FMCT) Gooseberry Park Players provides an educational, multigeneration, and fee-free summer theater experience for youth ages 11-18.

202 1st Ave N Moorhead, MN 56560 fmct.org

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215 10th St N Moorhead, MN 56560 theatreb.org

goosberryparkplayers.org

EPIC Group’s Annual Art Show

This event, which took place on October 26, is a free art show displaying nearly 1,000 works from hundreds of regional artists. This is the perfect event for your kids who love art.

Midwest Kid Fest

This annual event in Island Park is filled with music, laughter, and bright colors where children can play and learn

Studio Crawl

Organized by the Fargo-Moorhead Visual Artists (FMVA), this event allows artists to open their studios to the public. While it's primarily an adult event, children can attend and observe the amazing art talent in our community

Schmitt Music

Amped School of Music

Schmitt Music offers private instructions for piano, guitar, violin, and cello.

This school provides private music lessons and group lessons on everything from piano, guitar, singing, and violin, to viola, drum, bass, ukulele, and composition.

schmittmusic.com/stores/fargo

ampedschoolofmusic.com

Catherine Tlusty Voice Studio This studio offers private voice lessons in Fargo Moorhead, under the guidance of Dr. Catherine Tlusty, who has extensive teaching experience and a rich educational background in voice performance and vocal pedagogy. The studio provides a nurturing environment to help students find and cultivate their unique voice, with a teaching philosophy oriented towards goal achievement and enjoyment in singing. Dr. Tlusty's experience spans over 30 years, and she enjoys teaching various genres including Classical/Opera, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary Commercial Music. ctvoicestudio.mymusicstaff.com

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Chris Argenziano Guitar

Elevate Rock School

Chris works as a Professor of Guitar at Valley City State University and teaches group guitar classes at NDSU. When he is not teaching, he performs on solo guitar and with the jazz and classical guitar duo Twelve Strings, an original folk/ americana group called The Gina Powers Band, as well as the acoustic duo called Ben and the Beard.

Established in 2011, Elevate Rock School offers music lessons for ages 7-18 covering bass, drums, piano, singing, or guitar. They also have a preschool program for ages 3-5.

guitarbycrhis.com

elevaterockschool.com

The Plains Art Museum

Moorhead Parks & Recreation

The Plains Art Museum offers a number of classes for people of all ages. Learn how to paint, make ceramics, and more!

Moorhead Parks & Recreation offers a number of art programs for youth.

To learn more about the variety of classes offered here, head to plainsart.org/create

For more information, head to

West Fargo Park District

Fargo Park District

The West Fargo Park District offers the following programs:

The Fargo Park District offers the following art programs: • Accelerated Artists (ages 9-12) • Artmania (ages 6-8)

• Canvas Creations (ages 6-12)

• Create and Explore (ages 3-5 + Adult) • Mrs. Claus Class • Mr. Claus Class For more information, head to fargoparks.com/youth-programs/ art-classes

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clayyourway.com

cityofmoorhead.com/departments/ parks-recreation/brochure-programs

• Start with Art (ages 4-5 + Adult)

wfparks.org/activities/youthactivities/youth-arts

Looking for a fun birthday? Head to Clay Your Way where children can pick out their favorite ceramics and paint them themselves!

To learn more, head to

• Pizza and Projects (ages 7-11)

For more information, head to

Clay Your Way

The Art Bar

The Art Bar is a small independently owned, social painting venue.

To learn more, head to theartbarwfgo.com

is your parent's pick for ot, pt, Speech-Language for your family Relationships Are Key Since the start of a fully integrated treatment approach including OT, PT, and Speech-Language therapy services in 2007, Beyond Boundaries' actions consistently match their mission, vision, and core values. "This community has placed its trust in us and is able to see and feel this in all that we do. We know the importance of communication and strive to not just treat the child, but we are here for the entire family."

Their Mission Shines Through Beyond Boundaries Therapy & Wellness tailors their services to fit the unique needs of each individual, which is crucial in helping clients meet their goals.

Furthermore, they prioritize a well-balanced and professional workplace culture focused on core values of excellence, trust, integrity, and respect.

Making a difference today for a brighter tomorrow.

Beyond Boundaries Leadership Team Photo by Geneva Nodland

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A rendering of Beyond Boundaries' new building, opening in Fall 2024.

Parent Testimonial "Beyond Boundaries is an absolutely fabulous establishment. The care my daughter has received here is the best of the best. Her progress since switching to their care for PT 1.5 years ago can’t even be compared to her previous progress and services. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for topnotch care for their child. Everyone there is incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and wonderful at what they do."

"At Beyond Boundaries, we partner with families, applying traditional and innovative therapeutic interventions to help infants through geriatrics. We go beyond the boundaries to empower our patients and families to fully participate in functional activities of daily life. We love what we do, and it shows. This leads to loyalty and longevity at Beyond Boundaries Therapy & Wellness."

Many Things to Be Proud Of In addition to making such a difference for hundreds of children and families each week, Beyond Boundaries has been recognized on a state, regional, and national level for innovative ways to serve this community. In 2022, Beyond

Boundaries Therapy/House of Everyday Learning received the Outstanding Rural Health Program award for the state of North Dakota and was also recognized on a national level for this award.

join them in their state-of-the-art facility.

Offering a wide range of services, in addition to traditional OT/PT/SpeechLanguage therapy, they will be placing wellness at the forefront.

"We want parents/families to feel empowered as they enter our building; from grabbing a cup of coffee or lunch "We offer many unique at our partnering cafe to fitting some programs in movement/exercise into this community, their day. We strive to be including there for the whole Equine Assisted family in more ways Parent Testimonial Therapy, pediatric than one. Our team "They truly care and focus incontinence, is experienced, on your child. They make aquatic therapy, provides your child feel special and literacy, lactation, excellence in give you hope that the skills feeding, and care, demonstrates they teach will give your kids more. Our wellness outstanding a chance to be their best services started leadership/ selves. Our family loves it!" in 2023 with the mentorship, and addition of massage always puts families therapy, nutrition first. We are here for therapy, and the Savvy you!"

Sleeper program. Future plans include mental health services for children and families."

Embracing Change Beyond Boundaries is looking forward to serving the community in their new space, coming Fall 2024! They are inviting new and previous community partners to

49

When you live this far north, your summer is limited. So you better make the most of it!

Pools & Splash Pads in the Area Fargo

West Fargo

Davies Recreational Pool Features: Two large waterslides, zero-depth swim area, large playground with several small slides, climbing wall over a section of the pool, large deck area for lounging, and concessions.

7150 25th St S, Fargo

Veteran's Memorial Pool Features: Zero-depth swim area with a water playground, water slide, splash pad, and lap lanes.

131 6th Ave E, West Fargo

Island Park Pool Under construction; project to be completed Fall of 2024.

616 1st Ave S, Fargo Madison Pool & Splash Pad Features: Zero-depth splash pad, small wading pool, and small swimming pool.

1040 29th St N, Fargo Northside Recreational Pool Features: Large waterslide, zero-depth swim area, playground with a small waterslide, and concessions.

824 19th Ave N, Fargo Southwest Recreational Pool: Features: Large waterslide, zero-depth swim area, two-tiered playground with a waterslide, and concessions.

1840 15th Ave S, Fargo Broadway Square Spouts: Open: May-October, weather pending, from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

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Shadow Wood Splash Pad 3545 4th St E, West Fargo

Moorhead Moorhead Municipal Pool Features: three pools, water slide, a diving area.

800 19th St S, Moorhead Wading Pools at the Following Locations Hansmann Park: 1320 12th Ave N, Moorhead Northeast Park: 1817 8th Ave N, Moorhead Ridgewood Park: 1818 31st St S, Moorhead Riverview Estates Park: 3801 5th St S, Moorhead South Park: 2101 14th St S, Moorhead

Can't Miss Events West Fargo Street Fair An eclectic gathering of artisans, vendors, and local businesses showcase their products and crafts on the third Saturday of June at The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne.

It's a great place to discover unique finds, indulge in delicious food, and enjoy the community spirit.

Red River Market A bustling farmer's market at Broadway Square mid-July through October, where locals and visitors can purchase fresh produce, handmade crafts, and taste some of the best local delicacies. It's not just a place to shop but also a cultural experience with live music and various entertainment events!

Downtown Street Fair One of the city's most anticipated events, taking place July 18-20, 2024, featuring artisans, food vendors, entertainers, and a vibrant atmosphere. Streets come alive with activity, making it an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

Fargo Film Festival A prestigious event happening March 19-23, 2024, to celebrate the art of film. It showcases a diverse range of films from different genres, offering filmmakers a platform to share their stories and movie enthusiasts a chance to witness cinematic excellence.

FM Pride A celebratory event honoring the LGBTQ+ community.

It features a parade, live performances, workshops, and various other activities, making it a colorful and inclusive event for everyone to join and celebrate diversity.

Red River Valley Fair A traditional fair boasting various attractions from thrilling rides to animal shows. With games, food stalls, and live entertainment, it offers something for everyone and is a staple summer event for families.

Happy Harry’s Ribfest The dream for rib and BBQ enthusiasts, this fest brings together the best grill masters and BBQ joints. Attendees can savor mouth-watering ribs, enjoy live music, take part in the family-friendly activities during the day, and indulge.

Chalk Fest A celebration of art and creativity where sidewalks turn into vibrant canvases. Artists and enthusiasts come together to create and admire chalk art, accompanied by live performances, food stalls, and a festive atmosphere once a month all summer long!

CONTINUED

Golf

Tennis & Pickleball Courts

Here is a list of golf courses in the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo area:

Tennis

Edgewood Golf Course (18 Holes) 19 Golf Course Ave N, Fargo

Kennedy Park 4501 42nd St S, Fargo

Osgood Golf Course (9 Hole Course and 3 Hole Executive Course)

Island Park 598 1st Ave S, Fargo

Oak Grove Park 170 Maple St N, Fargo

4400 Clubhouse Dr S, Fargo

Elephant Park 100 19th Ave N, Fargo

El Zagal Golf Course (9 Hole, 3 Par Course) 1400 Elm St N, Fargo

Courts Plus Community Fitness 3491 S University Dr, Fargo

Park Recommendations

Prairiewood Golf Course (9 Holes) 22 Prairiewood Dr S, Fargo Rose Creek Golf Course (18 Holes) 1500 East Rose Creek Pkwy S, Fargo Fargo Country Club

The tennis courts at Courts Plus are indoors and the facility offers a number of tennis tournaments.

(Private18 Holes and 9 Hole Executive Course)

509 26th Ave S, Fargo

Pickleball Courts Moorhead Village Green Golf Course (18 Holes) 3421 30th Ave S, Moorhead The Meadows (18 Holes) 401 34th St S, Moorhead

Brunsdale Park 1702 27th Ave S, Fargo Rustad Recreation Center (Indoor) 601 26th Ave E, West Fargo Tintes Park 131 6th Ave E, West Fargo

Nearby Oxbow Country Club (18 Holes)(Private) 40 Clubhouse Dr, Oxbow, ND Maple River Golf Club (18 Holes)(Semi Private) 3666 163rd Ave SE, Mapleton, ND

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Head to fmpickleball.com for information and access to leagues and local tournaments!

Orchard Glen Park This beautiful park sits along the river and has seasonal fruit picking​!

900-992 Orchard Park Drive, Fargo Iwen Park Two disc golf courses, a boat ramp, mountain bike trails, and scenic views​— what more could you want?

1209 52nd Avenue S, Fargo Lindenwood Park This is the perfect park for those that love the outdoors. It's the largest multi-use park with trails, picnic shelters, a campground, bike and kayak rentals, and an adaptive playground​​.

1905 Roger Maris Drive, Fargo Rendezvous Park This is one of the most comprehensive parks in the valley with a playground, sand volleyball court, baseball fields, a basketball court, a disc golf course, a skate park, soccer fields, and walking/ biking paths.

1055 32nd Ave W, West Fargo

Flexible Space Options FOR YOUR NEXT DREAM HOME

BY JOSIAH KOPP PHOTOS BY JOSIAH KOPP

MEET THE DABBERT CUSTOM HOMES T E AM! C H E C K O U T T H E S E U N I Q U E S PA C E O P T I O N S FROM DABBERT CUSTOM HOMES—PERFECT F O R A G R O W I N G FA M I LY !

D

abbert Custom Homes was founded by Don Dabbert Jr. in 2010. Don has been building custom homes in Fargo and the surrounding area since 1992.

Today, they’ve grown to become a premier home builder in the region with a reputation for eye-catching designs, attention to detail, and quality construction. They specialize in designing and building model homes, as well as custom-construction homes to fit the lifestyle of their homeowners. “Customization is key when building your home and we take pride in tailoring our floor plans to create that dream home all while working with the best trade partners in town!” says President and CEO, Don Dabbert Jr. Don has an extensive reputation for bettering the Fargo-Moorhead community and is highly involved in the local Home Builders Association and holds many national titles, including NAHB Senior Life Delegate, BUILD-PAC Trustee, State Representative and NDAB Govt. Affairs Chair.

As the Fargo metro area is expanding, the growth and development is taking shape in a new light.

Don has high standards and poses to be a true advocate for the growth and well-being of the home-building industry and even more, the right of homeownership. Not only a homebuilder but a developer all the same, Don has multiple developments that create loyal partnerships with other local home builders.

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DABBERT CUSTOM HOMES

has been voted Best Home Builder through Locals Love Us for four years and Best of Houzz Service for eight years through Houzz. Along with being an accredited business through the Better Business Bureau, they have been an active Community Builder with our local Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.

F I R S T U N I Q U E S PA C E When it comes to the latest trends, Dabbert Custom Homes is always forward-thinking. They take extreme pride in unique spaces that create multifunctional rooms. The first notable mention is the pocket office in the laundry room. You can find this new feature on their Sarah and Ava floor plans.

Imagine being able to multitask right in your office. We all know when working from home we are throwing a load of laundry in the wash and keeping up with a few household chores. Have teenagers at home? Use this space as the perfect quiet, distraction-free place for them to work on their homework.

The beautiful thing is, that no matter if you use this space as an office or just a place to fold laundry, it is a usable and workable space however you see fit.

S E CO N D U N I Q U E S PA C E Up next is DCH's 4th-level flex space!

Imagine having a hidden room—All of their three-level split floor plans offer this bonus space, using every single inch of square footage in the home. Turn this unique room into a home gym, craft studio, hidden play area, man cave, or even extra storage space—honestly, the possibilities are endless.

The comfort of this extra bonus level is that it can adapt and change with you as your life and family grow. It can be transformed over and over, once a play area for young kids can now be a game room for teenagers. Dabbert Custom Homes works hard to make sure their homebuilding process is stress-free and they do that with communication, communication, communication.

They find open communication and transparency are the number one things that build trust between builder and homeowner.

We are honored to be a 'parents pick' for Parent Guide magazine. As a father of two smart, beautiful daughters and a husband to my lifelong love, we are dedicated to building the best homes for families in the Fargo-Moorhead area for years to come."

- Don Dabbert Jr., President & CEO

For more info: | dabberthomes.com | 701.205.4979

| 5522 36th St S

Fargo, ND 58104

| /DabbertCustomHomes | @dabbert_custom_homes

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The Misialeks

FAMILY SPOTLIGHT

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Geneva Nodland

ABOUT THE MISIALEKS The Misialeks are a very close-knit family.

Tori, their oldest is a typical teenage girl according to her mom. She loves hanging out with friends and family and she has a knack for art and poetry.

Hunter loves being a "little brother," and enjoys football, going to the lake, and playing video games.

Stephanie and Michael are just as close as their kids are. They work together for Premier Service Center, Inc. They love going to sporting events and concerts together and their kids keep them busy with sports, school activities, church, and friend gatherings.

Favorite Family Restaurant Randy's Diner Too

"Our favorite restaurant to go to is Randy's Diner Too. It is out of the business of Fargo and closer to us because we live in West Fargo. We like to go there after sports because it's less crowded later in the evening."

641 32nd Ave West Fargo, ND 58078

Sport Picks Dynasty Elite Athletics

Northwest Martial Arts - West Fargo Taekwondo "This is a smaller, old-school taekwondo place. We got started going here because the guy who runs it is a principal at an elementary school here in West Fargo. He is great with kids and the ones who make it all the way through the program are usually the ones helping teach classes. It's good for Hunter to have a goal to work towards and it's good for him to see that he can fulfill a leadership role. Plus, it's a very schooloriented program where you have to get signed off by your teacher before you can participate. His patience and listening skills have improved so much from this program."

feel comfortable and giving them a community where they can safely gather with other kids. It's great to help kids branch out and they do some awesome camps in the summer. Really, they help children deal with things that come up in life."

See upcoming events for these programs ylcassclay.younglife.org/events.

Rustad Recreation Center

Learn more at northwestmartialarts.com.

Recreation Recommendations Young Life and WyldLife

"The Rustad Recreation Center is an affordable place where kids can be active and meet people. They have courts that are used for basketball, pickleball, and volleyball, and they also have an indoor playground and turf field."

601 26th Ave E, West Fargo, ND 58078

"Our son is big and loves being a lineman. He was unsure of himself before and Dynasty Elite Athletics has definitely helped him build his confidence. He loves his coaches and teammates.

Dynasty is a second family for him."

Learn more about this youth program at dynastyeliteathletics.com!

Did you know?

"Young Life and WyldLife are great for middle school and high schoolers.

YoungLife is for high-school-aged kids and WyldLife is for younger kids. These are Christian-based organizations but you don't have to be Christian to go. They're great at making kids

The walking/running track at the Rustad Recreation Center is free to the public!

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A Sweet Time For The Whole Family

By Josiah Kopp | Photos by Josiah Kopp

Making birthdays better—one donut at a time! Sandy's Donuts has been Fargo-Moorhead's go-to birthday treat for over 40 years! Whether it is for a classroom party, at home, or another party venue, you cannot go wrong with Sandy's. With around 80 different varieties of donuts, you are sure to find something you will love. Make your birthday even sweeter by having Sandy's Donuts cater your big day! Check out owner Jeff Ostlund's top 10 donut picks for your child's next big celebration!

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Check out

Jeff's top 10 picks

5

Vegan Options!

Vegan Glazed 6.

M&M 1.

"Raised donut, milk chocolate frosting and M&Ms—enough said!"

Marble Cake 2.

3.

"Blue vanilla dip, sprinkles, frosting eyes, and a cookie. Definitely a fan favorite!"

| 3 Great Locations: West Fargo, Osgood, and Downtown Fargo

"Just like the classic Homer donut but no dairy, or eggs!"

Vegan Dark Chocolate Iced 8.

9.

"A fluffy raised donut topped with homemade milk chocolate. Yum!"

Cookie Monster 5.

7.

"Chocolate dip, and sprinkles. What more could you ask for?"

Light Chocolate Iced 4.

Vegan Homer

"Vanilla and chocolate cake mixed together, and topped with dark chocolate and vanilla drizzle—the best of both worlds!"

Chocolate sprinkled

"Just like the classic glazed donut but no dairy, or eggs!"

10.

| 701.281.0430 | /sandysdonuts | sandysdonuts.com

"Raised donut topped with rich dark chocolate. No dairy or eggs!"

Vegan Maple Long Johns

"Raised long john topped with our famous maple frosting. No dairy or eggs!"

Vegan Bavarian Cream Long John

"Long john topped with fudge icing and filled with bavarian cream. No dairy or eggs!"

| @sandys.donuts | @sandysdonuts

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The Johnsons

FAMILY SPOTLIGHT

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Geneva Nodland

ABOUT THE JOHNSONS "The best I can explain our family, simply is 'beautiful chaos,'" said Jennifer Johnson, who has four kiddos.

They are always on the go.

Asher, the 4th grader and the oldest eats and breathes everything football.

Jordan, the second oldest, also loves sports and rotates between flag football and basketball.

Ava, the second grader, is into creepy crawlies and has a love for all animals and creatures. In fact, she wants to be a scientist in the future!

Adilena, their pre-K baby, is a social butterfly sure to put a smile on your face and make best friends anywhere she goes. Her passion, at the moment, is gymnastics.

Prince and Jagger are their 2.5-year-old American Bully and their 4-month-old English Bulldog. Both enjoy endless cuddles from the whole family.

Jennifer and Brandon work full-time while navigating their beautiful chaos. Brandon works from home to provide extra support for their home life. "There is something fulfilling about ending the day with a relaxing evening knowing your kiddos are happy and healthy, and the household is filled with love. Life is crazy at times, but we wouldn't have it any other way," Jennifer said.

Into the Wild

Chahinkapa Zoo

Finding Events

The Johnsons are an outdoorsy bunch and they love all things wild, but some of their favorites are:

When looking for family-centric information in the area, the Johnsons head to:

Willow Falls in Wisconsin

The "Fargo Moms Group" on Facebook

It's about a four-hour drive from Fargo to Willow Falls, Wisconsin, but the views are well worth it. Pack up the family and explore Willows River State Park with its miles of hiking trails, beautiful campgrounds, lakeside picnic areas, and nature center.

Located in Wahpeton, many FargoMoorhead residents are aware of Chahinkapa Zoo. However, you may not be aware that this zoo, which has been around since 1933, offers a carousel, a rentable Chapel, and a camping area.

Learn more about all there is to do at Willow Falls here!

See what events are happening and learn more at chahinkapazoo.org

With over 6,000 members, Jennifer says this is her favorite way to find events in the area and to connect with other moms out there.

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The Visit Fargo Moorhead Events Page

Did you know?

Courts Plus Community Fitness

Fargo All-Stars can be rented for birthday parties!

This is the place to go to find just about any event in the Fargo-Moorhead area—check it out at

Recreation Recommendations KidCo Children's Museum

"My husband and I are able to get a workout in while the kids utilize the giant play place or the gyms for basketball."

fargomoorhead.org/events

Did you know?

Childcare Recommendation

Courts Plus also offers a selection of after-school, no-schooldays, holidays, and weekend programming for kids of various age groups!

When looking for childcare in the area, the Johnsons head to: The YMCA

"Three of our kiddos went here from infant to pre-K. We loved that the kids could enjoy sporting programs (swimming lessons, soccer, assorted sports) during daycare hours without taking more time out of our days. It is extremely helpful that they have multiple location options to choose from, and the waitlist was never crazy. They got to enjoy field trips as well and were able to be involved in the community."

Ava and Addy the All Stars Fargo All Stars

Both Ava and Addy have participated in Fargo All-Stars, a local organization offering programs for both gymnastics and cheer.

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"This is close to us in Moorhead, and our girls absolutely love it!"

Did you know?

Reservations are not required, but they are highly encouraged as attendance is capped! Download the KidCo. app for easy booking!

You can also purchase a variety of packages or memberships if you'd like to visit and get your kids' "wiggles out" more often!

There is so much going on for area youth at Courts Plus—check it out at courtsplus.org/programs/ youth-programs!

Help is Available When looking for childcare in the area, the Johnsons head to: Solutions Behavioral Healthcare Professionals

Skate City ND

"From Birthday parties to playdates, this is one of our favorite places."

Did you know?

Family Memberships, which are $25 per year, get members 25% off admission for regular public skating sessions, 25% off meal deals, and more!

"Two of our kids live with ADHD and anxiety but have found a wonderful resource in Solutions Behavioral Healthcare Professionals in Moorhead.

We are thankful to have found this resource, and I have noticed significant improvement in behaviors. There is even a counselor who goes back and forth between the solutions building and also has an office at one of the elementary schools to do some meetings between classes. "

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Paul Hoefer's Family

About Paul Hoefer's Family At Spotlight, we are proud to say Paul Hoefer is our Vice President of Business Development. However, Paul is proud to be a father of a blended family that he describes as "a modern-day Brady Bunch."

Currently, Paul, his fiance Wendy, her son Braydon, and his oldest daughter Emma, are busy fulfilling the role of unpaid Uber driver for his very busy family of athletes, a set of triplets (Addison, Brielle, and Gracie), who who participate in volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse in Moorhead.

"Without Wendy, I would be lost," Paul said.

Restaurant Recommendations Paradiso Mexican Restaurant

"Kids eat free on Sundays. As a parent of four kids in the house, with three being triplets, I took advantage of that deal a lot. Beware though, with their access to technology these days, kids know the deals that are available around town and they think these mean the meals are basically free—this will come back to bite you."

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Kobe's

"Our kids love watching their food get made and this hibachi grill is extra fun for them."

Athletic Recommendations

Moorhead Youth Lacrosse

Just for Kix

"We have done BioGirls, JO Volleyball, Moorhead Youth Lacrosse, Tri-City Soccer, and Just for Kix."

BioGirls

The Moorhead Youth Lacrosse Association (MYLA) is a communitycentric entity aimed at promoting lacrosse among Moorhead's youth with teams available for ages 6U through 14U. BIO Girls, established in Fargo in 2013

by Missy Heilman, is a non-profit aimed at enhancing the self-esteem of girls in grades two through six across four states. Through a 12-session program, it provides mentorship, inclusive environments, and non-competitive physical activities, supported by a network of over 1,000 volunteers as of 2022.

Learn more at moorheadlacrosse.com

Tri-City United Soccer Club

Just For Kix in West Fargo is a wellregarded dance studio offering a wide range of dance classes to the local community. The studio provides a wholesome learning environment emphasizing teamwork, technical training, and a respectful experience for its students, covering dance styles like Kick, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap, and Pom. Learn more at justforkix.com

Wild Bills Bingo

Learn more at biogirls.org

JO Volleyball Being the largest soccer community in North Dakota, Tri-City United Soccer Club is the premier option for soccer in the Red River Valley with recreational and competitive soccer programs available for kids ages 18 months through U19.

Learn more at tricityunited.org

The USA Junior Olympic Volleyball, often referred to as JO or club volleyball, is a nationwide system. It consists of individual clubs, categorized by region, and operates under the overarching organization, USA Volleyball. The main aim of this system is to promote and bolster the sport across the country.

Anyone who knows Paul knows he loves playing Bingo at Wild Bills. And, a big reason he loves it so much is that his kids like to tag along.

"It's not something you would think would be fun for kids, but they really like it."

Did you know?

Another family-friendly night at Wild Bill's is Tuesdays, where kids can play for free in the game room! With each purchase of a kid's meal (dine-in only), they get a $5 game card. Go retro with games with Vs Excite Bike and Donkey Kong, get your pinball game on, or get interactive with Skee Ball, Giant Jenga, Air Hockey, and more—these games aren't just for the kids, get the whole family in on it! Learn more at wildbillssportssaloon-fargo.com.

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By Geneva Nodland Kingpinz Social is a family destination with fun packed into every corner! Its engaging attractions include 14 lanes of HyperBowling, a massive arcade, a laser tag arena, 4 escape rooms, and a VR Hologate arena. Your family can spend the day no matter the occasion—from birthday celebrations, family reunions, sports team-building, field trips, and more!

Hyperbowling HyperBowling reinvents the way that you think about bowling. HyperBowling is an interactive and unique way to get all skill levels hyped up and having fun!

It's like playing a physical video game on the lane—every ball is different, and every turn brings a new challenge. The interactive environment has changing lights, changing targets and levels, and one single ball can change the winner!

In a nutshell, HyperBowling involves hitting colored lights on the lane bumpers to earn certain multipliers that are then factored in based on the number of pins you hit. Example: If your ball hits a green light, you earn 3x the points; and you get 3 pins (at 1,000 points per pin), you'll earn 3,000 points in one frame, versus traditional bowling where 300 points is the max for an entire game. The scoring and levels increase in fun and, depending on the game, can increase in difficulty (not all games are like this though). Plus, there are a few different ways to play—you can compete against the other teams on different lanes— which is fun for groups of friends and family to compete head-to-head!

Details: •Max of 6 bowlers per lane •Fun for all ages •Great for any group size as lanes can participate together •Can be booked online—Kingpinz strongly suggests booking ahead!

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Top it all off with the variety of from-scratch food options, including a full-service restaurant, Baron's Eatery & Bar, servicing the lanes in addition to the restaurant itself. Kingpinz also has a kid-friendly food truck (a former converted AirStream), Axis Tilt, that serves up nostalgic kid-friendly favorites like snow cones and much more.

Check out what makes Kingpinz a Parent's Pick in Fargo!

Laser Tag Kingpinz offers two levels and 3,200 square feet of Junkyard-themed fun in their Laser Tag arena. The game is best for groups of 10-12 kids, but Mom and Dad can play too! Laser Tag is first come, first serve—but you can reserve the arena if you're celebrating your birthday or a large private event at Kingpinz.

Birthday Parties

Escape Rooms Kingpinz has four escape rooms with options to best serve your family.

Three rooms are 60-minute challenges and the other is 30 minutes—great for putting families to the ultimate teamwork test! The Kingpinz team works with their guests, meaning they take into account the age group that enters the Escape Room to give everyone a fair chance. If a younger group is struggling and needs another clue, they will provide one to help.

No matter the age, Kingpinz will get the entire birthday party moving and having fun. Whether the kids head for the Hyperbowling lanes or the escape rooms, venture into the laser tag arena or throughout the arcade, or even visit the AirStream "food truck," they'll love it. Another great part about birthday parties—adults can (and should) get in on the fun too!

Birthday party packages are inclusive of HyperBowling, Arcade, and Food.

Plus, three of the four packages include Laser Tag and a Party Room. To learn about the variety of packages and to book, scan the QR code below! Or, call 701-532-BOWL and speak with Kingpinz' Event Director to book.

Here are the Escape Rooms!

•Inventor's Workshop •Mayday Kid favorite!

•Singularity There's a surprise •Cell Block E found in one of the parts of the puzzle— head to Kingpinz to see what's in store!

| kingpinz.com | 3485 Jacks Wy S, Fargo | (701) 532-2695 | /kingpinzfargo | @kingpinzfargo 67

Aubree Wilson's Family

FAMILY SPOTLIGHT

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Geneva Nodland

About Aubree Wilson's Family "We have a very blended family, which makes everything interesting," AuBree Wilson said.

Their family consists of: Amara, who is four years old and is Cornelius's daughter.

Diana, who is turning two in December, is Cornelius's daughter.

Phoenix, who is 13 and is AuBree's son.

Derrion, who is their "bonus son," has been living with them off and on for the last five years.

Cornelius, who works as a Fraud Analyst at US Bank.

AuBree, who works at Caregivers Home Health.

Childcare Recommendation Head Start

"It all depends on your financial situation, but since Cornelius and I are not married yet, I qualify for the Headstart program. Phoenix and Derrion were both in the program— that's actually how we met Derrion.

It's such a great program. They have dentists and doctors who will go there. If a child needs speech therapy, they will get the child involved in that."

Did you know?

Head Start and Early Head Start are child development programs, serving children from birth to age five, expectant mothers, and families. Head Start's goal is to increase the social ability of children in low-income families and children with disabilities and improve their chances of success in school.

Restaurant Recommendations Cashwise Foods

Fargo has a restaurant and salad bar inside—and it's really cheap. They have cheeseburgers, BLTs, soups, pizzas, and I'm sure some other things I'm forgetting.

This is a great spot if you are looking to eat for a great price."

Mahana Fresh

"My fiance's brother owns the Fargo location, but my kids actually really love the food, which is surprising. And, it's super healthy!"

Did you know?

"I didn't realize until recently that the Cashwise on 52nd Avenue in

You can order ahead on mahanafresh.com—meaning you can make a quick in-and-out stop for lunch or dinner for the family on those busy nights!

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Recreation Recommendation

The Plains Art Museum

Help is Available "I'm a big believer in therapy and we've been able to find a number of great options in the area."

Rogue Boxing

Quality Life Counseling "The Plains Art Museum is a great place to go. They have a ton of fun activities you can do with your children."

Did you know?

"Phoenix has been involved with boxing through the recommendation of his therapist. He has been working with Jake 'The Snake' Henriksen over at Rogue Boxing. It has been amazing—he is great with children—and it has been really good for Phoenix to handle stress and anger."

The Plains Art Museum offers both introductory classes as well as adult classes.

Birthday Bash

"Phoenix went there when he was younger and they have great play therapy there. Currently, I go there for [eye movement desensitization and reprocessing] EDMR therapy."

Nexus-PATH Family Healing

Games Galore

Buffalo State Park "Phoenix currently goes here and it has been great for him."

Games Galore is a party rental business located in Fargo, North Dakota, specializing in inflatable games and bounce house rentals. Featuring bouncy houses to slides, games like bean bag toss, mini golf, a dunk tank, and so much more—head to gamesgalore.fun to see all their inventory and packages for celebrations!

"Buffalo State Park is great for hiking and it's also a great place to have a picnic."

Did you know?

There are about 12 miles of hiking trails at Buffalo State Park.

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"Games Galore is great because you can actually relax and enjoy the party rather than having to worry about all of the setup and whatnot."

The JOHNSONS

FAMILY SPOTLIGHT

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Geneva Nodland

ABOUT THE JOHNSONS At Spotlight, Jenny Johnson is our Director of Client Management. At home, she is a wife and mother of two.

"My husband and I are in a very busy stage of life with small children," said Jenny who lives in Fargo with her two kids.

Landon is five and just started kindergarten this year. "We are excited to see our son start basketball through the YMCA this year and hoping he enjoys it just like his dad did," said Jenny.

Presley is a busy two-and-a-half-year-old. "We are really lucky that our children are obsessed with each other and are truly best friends. We will see how long that lasts," said Jenny.

Jenny's husband Jordan, who is a Workplace Consultant at Connect Interiors, feels the same. Plus, both are equally obsessed with their adorable dog Ollie.

"We are somewhat of homebodies, especially during the week.

We enjoy watching movies—currently, our kids are obsessed with Beetlejuice and Nightmare Before Christmas," said Jenny.

"On the weekends we try to do something fun like going to Kingpinz, Chucky Cheese, a local park, or out to eat at a fun restaurant."

Follow These Pages

Restaurant Recommendations

Folkways

Chuck E. Cheese

and a meal for a reasonable price. If you are looking to keep young kids full of energy for hours, this is the place to go. Pro Tip: "Have a good bribery plan in place when it is time to leave because your kids will not want to!"

Maplewood Park

Folkways is a dynamic community-building initiative based in Fargo, known for creating immersive experiences aimed at addressing issues like workforce retention, economic vitality, and fostering a sense of communal belonging. Through a series of signature events, they brought together 143,000 visitors last year, featured 120 live performances, and collaborated with115 local small businesses.

@wearefolkways /wearefolkways Live Downtown Fargo

"They recently did a huge remodel and got all new games. Our kids love to go there and something I really appreciate is a new option to buy unlimited game cards for a certain amount of time that can be paused while you eat. A pro tip is to purchase cards for each of your kids or for each parent so you don't have to run and find the card if your children split up. Also, I recommend going for a late lunch or early supper to avoid the rush."

Recreation Recommendation Thunder Road

This initiative shows off the fun lifestyle and good things downtown Fargo offers like great food places, unique small shops, and local art galleries, hoping to get more people to live and work there. It highlights the easy access to restaurants, stores, job chances, and the beautiful nearby Red River and Island Park.

@livedowntownfargo /centricmanagement

Photo Provided by the West Fargo Park District Jenny strongly recommends Maplewood Park in West Fargo. "It's a wonderful park to bring kids of all ages. From the playground to the ninja area, you can't go wrong."

This park was renovated in 2022 to be more accessible for all types of people with additions of ramps and widening of walkways for those with mobility issues.

"My Son loves Thunder Road—he calls it 'Oldtown Road.' I took him there for the first time with my friend and her son. The two boys are around the same age and loved the go-carts, mini golf, and laser tag room although I don't know who liked laser tag more, the moms or the kids. They have a great package where you can get lots of activities 73

Fargo Air Museum

Where Young Dreams Take Flight!

The Fargo Air Museum is dedicated to preserving the rich history of both civilian and military aviation.

"It is a spectacular place for kids, not just to tour but education-wise," Dave Mohn, Fargo Air Museum's Volunteer Education Coordinator, said. "The goal for the STEAM class is a display for the Museum. Kids are able to do projects for their community and it really adds value. We have lots of interest from other museums about our education programs. I've been doing the monthly camp since 2016 and have the topics on a three-year rotation. They have a lot of diversity within aviation in hopes kids will stick with aviation or be able to relate the topics in camps to their chosen careers."

What do they offer?

Turn It, Build It! STEAM Camp

Why STEAM?

Youth Aviation Camp

•Deep Dive into Aviation: This isn't just any camp; it's an advanced STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) camp that delves deeper into aviation topics covered in the Youth Aviation Camp.

While STEM focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEAM goes a step further by integrating arts into the mix. It's not just about learning; it's about connecting, innovating, and thinking outside the box. At the Fargo Air Museum, STEAM education is all about removing limitations and replacing them with wonder, inquiry, and creativity.

•What's it about? This camp introduces youngsters to the fascinating world of aviation. From the basics of flight to the intricate workings of aircraft, this camp is a young aviator's dream come true.

•Age Groups: The camp is split into two: •Junior Aviators (ages 6-10): These sessions happen once a month, with varying topics to keep things fresh and engaging.

•Senior Aviators (ages 11-18): This is a two-part camp spread over two Saturdays in a month. The catch? You've got to register for the first to attend the second. And here's the cherry on top: completing both parts might qualify you for a Scout Merit Badge!

•Cost: Hold onto your pilot hats, because this camp is FREE! This is all thanks to the generous grant funding from the North Dakota Aeronautics Association.

•Hands-On Fun: Campers get to tinker with materials, fostering skills essential for various careers in the aviation world.

•Age Groups & Themes: •Junior Campers (ages 8-10): Offered twice a month, each camp brings a fresh topic to the table.

•Senior Campers (ages 11-18): This camp runs once a month and has an exciting year-long theme. Every month presents a new challenge, emphasizing teamwork. And don't worry about missing a session; each camp picks up from where the last one left off.

Young Eagles Build Night: Pietenpol Workshop

•Cost: It's $20 for non-members and just $10 for members. And guess what?

Scholarships are available!

•The Fargo Air Museum, in partnership with the local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), hosts the Young Eagles Build Night: Pietenpol Workshop, where participants learn about early aviation and get hands-on experience in building a real airplane.

•When: This workshop is held monthly at the Fargo Air Museum, typically lasting for an hour from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM •Who: Participants aged 10-18 are welcome to join for free, and no prior experience is necessary to partake in this enriching experience.

So, if you've got a budding pilot, engineer, or astronaut in the family, the Fargo Air Museum's youth camps are the perfect launchpad for their dreams. Secure a spot early, as spaces are limited, and let the adventures begin! | fargoairmuseum.org 74 | 2023 | THE ANNUAL PARENT GUIDE

| /fargo.airmuseum

| @fargoairmuseum

| @FargoAirMuseum

A Hero for

M

aple Family Dental, a veteran-owned and operated company located in Horace, ND, prides itself on community involvement, education, and excellence in dental care. The practice, steered by the husband-wife duo of Dr. Jonathan Bultema, DDS, and Tara Bultema, Oral Health Educator, is not just a practice— it's an integral part of the community.

"Maple Family Dental is here to care for our community and families through the many changing seasons of life. We are thrilled to be a constant source of quality comprehensive dental care and encouragement through life’s ups and downs," Dr. Bultema said. Their engagement extends to collaborative efforts with the ND Department of Health, facilitating Preventative Dentistry in local schools.

The team at Maple Family Dental is not just about fixing teeth; they’re about enhancing lives through personalized dental treatments, delivered by a highly skilled team. Tara is always championing the practice’s threepronged approach: Education, Excellence, and Experience. "All treatments are customized to fit personal needs, with detailed advice on the advantages or disadvantages of one treatment or another," she said.

Maple Family Dental is involved in the Red River Dental Access Clinic and Donated Dental services as volunteers. Their community outreach doesn't stop at the local level. Maple Family Dental’s contributions span across homeless shelters, non-profit organizations, overseas dental missions, toy drives, food drives, and sponsorships. They are ingrained in community events, epitomizing their tagline: “We Care About YOU…And Your Teeth.”

Health in Horace

Maple Family Dental's excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed. They have been honored as the Forum’s Red River Valley “Best Dental Office” and Locals Luv Us “#1 Dentist” for seven consecutive years. Their accolades also include the “Excellence in Comprehensive Dentistry” award in 2021 from Heartland Study Club and being dubbed a “Dental Influencer” by Kleer in 2018. Additionally, they were finalists for the FMWF Chamber Choice Awards “Entrepreneur of the Year” and “Best Small Business” awards.

"Just like a Maple Seed may start small when it’s planted, it grows into a large tree that provides for its community," Dr. Bultema said.

Since its inception seven years ago, Maple Family Dental has educated thousands through their oral health education initiative, staying true to their mission of caring about people, serving through dentistry, and influencing the community for the Glory of God. Through their unwavering commitment, they continue to foster a culture of education, experience, and excellence.

We Care About YOU…And Your Teeth.

| 594 Main St N, Horace, ND 58047 | maplefamilynd.com | 701.552.6001 | /MapleFamilyDentalND

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The Netlands

FAMILY SPOTLIGHT

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Geneva Nodland

ABOUT THE NETLANDS The Netlands might be one of the busiest families in town.

Eric is the Owner of Play it Again Sports.

Emily is a 1st grade teacher at Horace Mann Elementary and an instructor at Courts Plus Community Fitness.

Emmerich is an 8th grader at Discovery Middle School who participates in football, hockey, track & field, and golf. In his spare time, he umps baseball for Fargo Youth Baseball.

Easton is a 7th grader at Discovery Middle School who participates in tennis, hockey, baseball, and golf.

Elyse is a 5th grader at Eagles Elementary who participates in gymnastics and track & field.

Eddie is a four-year-old who loves daycare and "being dragged to every sporting event under the sun."

"Family time has become more important as the kids are getting older and much more independent," Emily said. "We try to take a family trip once or twice a year. This is usually in the form of a road trip in the summer for a few days or going somewhere warm over spring break. We also do game nights once or twice a month. It usually starts with some heavy sighing and eye-rolling when it comes up, but by the end of it, we are crying from laughing so hard. Sunday nights are typically the only night we are all home for a meal.

So, we try to make sure that that's the one night everyone gets a hot meal instead of heating one up in the microwave while they are coming and going."

Training Options in Town

Krafting Champions

Edge Goaltending

The Netlands are a very athletic family.

Here are a couple of trainers and sports camps they take advantage of.

El Zagal

If you aren't a fan of regular golf, you can still hit the links at El Zagal for some fun with the only FootGolf course in the Fargo-Moorhead area. FootGolf is a cross between golf and soccer.

Put on by former professional hockey player and Moorhead native Ryan Kraft, Krafting Champions has been Emmerich's go-to summer hockey camp.

"I love this camp because it's twice a week in the summer at 6 a.m. That means he has all day to do what he wants after he is done," Emily said.

Learn more here!

Easton is a hockey goalie so he attends Edge Goaltending, a camp that has trained multiple Division I goaltenders.

Learn more about the camp at edgegoaltending.com

Did you know?

The tennis courts at Discovery Middle School are open to the public and the lights don't shut off until 10 p.m. in the summer. This is a great spot for a fun late-night game with the family!

Visit it at 1717 40th Avenue S, Fargo.

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Team NoDak Youth Club "This is Elyse's track & field organization and we love it because you can make a big or small commitment, whatever works for you."

Personal Training S2AQ Sports Acceleration Camp

at a park in West Fargo during the summer.

Capitalize on the Capitol

If you are interested reach out at myronloberg@gmail.com or 701.540.5437

Raging Rivers

"It's great because you can pay per week or you can pay for the whole summer and it's super affordable," Emily said. "Emmerich loves it because it keeps him in shape and he's doing different things than he would in the gym or at hockey or at football."

Wristband Days

North Dakota's Gateway to Science

Thunder Road

S2AQ Sports Acceleration Camp is a camp put on by Myron Loberg, a man with extensive experience working with top-level athletes from all sports—a number of athletes he has trained have gone on to become professional athletes and many more have gone on to receive college scholarships. The camp is for kids in grades 6 through 12 and takes place

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One of the Netlands' favorite things to take advantage of is the wristband days at Thunder Road. On wristband days; which are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m., you can get unlimited go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, batting cages, and bumper cars for $30 per person.

While everyone is going far and exploring the world, the Netlands are here to remind us that there are some pretty awesome local attractions. Take a day trip to Bismarck to see the new attraction, North Dakota's Gateway to Science Museum, and then head to a local favorite—Raging Rivers Waterpark for loads of fun!

The McCoys

FAMILY SPOTLIGHT

Geneva Nodland

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ABOUT THE McCoys The McCoys are a very busy family of four with something always going on. If they do have downtime, you can catch them participating in fun activities like watching movies, bowling, golfing, or enjoying a local restaurant.

Laila, the seven-year-old who is the youngest of the bunch keeps the family on their toes with her spirit, passion for singing, and love of slime. She is in the church choir and practices at American Gold Gymnastics.

Sammy, the nine-year-old, is wise, funny, and busy with many different activities. He loves video games, music, and playing football.

Samson and Christina, who met in college, are busy tag-teaming their children's activities and excelling in their professions.

Christina works as the Fargo Market Director of Corporate Sales for KAJ Hospitality and Samson, with his master's in social work and clinical license, is a social worker for Southeast Human Service Center.

Deuce is the adorable and loyal puppy!

Restaurant Recommendations Pizza Ranch

"We love the game room, the FunZone.

And, kids eat free on Tuesday and love the chicken! We eat at the same booth every time and go every other week. We try to go later in the evening, around 7:30 p.m. because it's less crowded and the kids can have a lot of fun with the games!"

Did you know?

You can host a birthday party at the FunZone! With access to the arcade and tons of pizza—it's sure to be a successful event! Learn more at

pizzaranchfunzone.com/plan-a-party

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Space Aliens

Osaka

"Tuesdays are for Pizza Ranch, but Wednesdays are for the Rib Riot at Space Aliens. Our kids love ribs—my daughter is seven and gets herself a full platter of ribs."

"My kids love the games at Space Aliens and Pizza Ranch, but they really love Osaka and the interactive experience they get at the hibachi grill.

They love sushi, seafood, and seeing their food made and having a say in what they eat."

Did you know?

HuHot Mongolian Grill

The Rib Riot at Space Aliens on Wednesdays offers all-you-can-eat ribs, martian munchies, brisket and pulled pork for just $17.99.

"It's a similar thing with HuHot, they get to see their food be made and they get to play a part in it."

Other Recommendations Skyzone

a month." healingartschiropractic.com facebook / HealingArtsChiropractic

Meals on Wheels

"Our kids love Skyzone so much that they have a membership. They have gotten to know the staff and the other kids with memberships and it's great exercise for them! We like to go on Saturdays when they have Glow Nights. If you go to this, get there at 7:30 p.m. because it runs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and they cap entrance at a certain point."

Olivet

"I do this and the kids have helped me in the past. It's a great way to help people and get involved in the community."

Learn more about Meals on Wheels and sign up to volunteer here!

Do you have tips for finding good childcare in the area? Are there any places you would recommend?

"Our kids were very fortunate to attend The Learning Patch Child Care Center when they were growing up in the area! It's a family organization that has been around for over 40 years that preps kids for school and life lessons. It's a one-of-akind learning center with amazing teachers!"

"My best advice is to put your kids in activities and church! We have met so many other parents in the activities and our amazing church, Olivet!"

1330 S University Dr, Fargo olivet.org facebook /olivetlutheran

When you get away from the family, what are your favorite things to do for date nights?

Healing Art's Chiropractic

"One Team, One Sound" "We have been taking our kids to Dr. Paape since they were young. He would help with their sleeping problems and he is very helpful now that they are in athletics. We probably take them once

Q&A

According to Christina, this is the family motto and they're always cheering on and supporting one another.

"We love trying new restaurants in town for date night or going to concerts! My husband Sam is an amazing singer and we also like karaoke downtown. We also enjoy Comedy at the Cellar downtown—it's a very intimate atmosphere."

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Your Family's Trusted EXPERT in Oral and Facial SURGERY

By Geneva Nodland When it comes to the oral health of children, every parent seeks the best—enter Prairie Oral Surgery. Rooted in our community as a locallyowned private practice, they specialize in oral and maxillofacial procedures. From the simple to the complex, be it tooth extractions, wisdom tooth management, or dental implants, their expertise ensures a smooth experience. Beyond these, they are a trusted center for those grappling with Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders, head and neck pathology, and the need for reconstructive surgeries.

Did you know?

Prairie Oral surgeons, trained at the esteemed Massachusetts General Hospital by worldrenowned experts, have embraced the future with advanced virtual surgical planning. Unmatched in the region, they collaborate seamlessly with referring orthodontists, ensuring a smooth experience for patients.

Since 2002, Prairie Oral Surgery has served the Fargo-Moorhead area. In 2021, Dr. Corbett Haas and Dr. Ryan Smart joined, becoming owners the next year. Visit and see why your child's smile is in safe hands at Prairie Oral Surgery!

The trusted team at Prairie Oral Surgery specializes in a few different areas that suit families' needs—check them out!

Wisdom Teeth Service Prairie Oral provides expert consultations and surgeries for impacted wisdom teeth with sedation options for a comfortable experience.

Patients have 24-hour direct access to their surgeon's cell phone. All procedures take place in a top-tier facility ensuring safety and comfort. Bonus: No referral is needed for wisdom teeth treatment!

"We deeply value our community and every patient who walks through our doors. Taking a personalized approach, we invest time in carefully evaluating each case, planning the best course of action, and thoroughly explaining the procedure, anesthesia options, and post-operative expectations."

- Ryan Smart, DMD, MD, FACS - Partner, Prairie Oral & Facial Surgery

Jaw Surgery Service Prairie Oral specializes in orthognathic (jaw) surgery, often paired with orthodontics, to address jaw growth abnormalities, providing transformative results for patients. They uniquely

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offer this as an outpatient service, reducing costs compared to hospital stays. Plus, with diverse payment plans, jaw surgery is more affordable than ever!

Expertise meets dedication with these surgeons, who are not only board-certified but esteemed fellows of the American College of Surgeons.

They offer a wide range of services with unmatched skill and compassion, ensuring that every patient feels both valued and in capable hands. More than just fixing smiles, the Prairie Oral team is dedicated to making patients smile throughout their entire experience!

"Whether it's wisdom teeth or jaw realignment, consider us your personal pit crew for all things oral and facial surgery. Come in and experience the blend of cutting-edge expertise and hometown compassion that you won't find anywhere else in the FM area. We look forward to joining you on your journey to a healthier, happier smile!"

- Corbett Haas, DDS, MD, FACS - Partner, Prairie Oral & Facial Surgery

By Brady Drake

Empowering Families and Fostering Independence

C

Community Options, Inc. in North Dakota offers an array of services tailored to meet the individual needs of children and families.

Through a person-centered approach, the organization extends support to individuals and their families, helping them to live independently and actively engage in their communities.

Family Services • The Family Check-Up intervention targets families with children aged 2 to 17.

• Aims to promote positive family management and address child and adolescent adjustment issues through an initial assessment, feedback, and parent management training.

Targeted Case Management (TCM) • TCM provides supportive services to individuals with Medicaid. The services are for adults with a serious mental illness, or children with a serious emotional disturbance.

Free Through Recovery (FTR) • A community-based behavioral health program extending recovery

support services to individuals involved with the criminal justice system having behavioral health concerns.

LIHEAP application support • LIHEAP is a low-income home energy assistance program that will help qualifying families with their heating costs. If approved, 5-95% of a heat source can be covered. This runs Oct to May 31. Community Options does not determine people's eligibility, but they are able to help with the application which can provide significant financial relief.

ND Housing Stability • NDRH Housing Stabilization’s focus is helping households experiencing homelessness find long-term stable housing. Once applicants are housed NDRH will assist with three months of rent.

During this time, the applicant will receive assistance with additional resources around the state to assist with housing and financial needs.

NDWORKS • Helps individuals overcome barriers, gain skills or experience, and participate in supervised job search activities to improve their employment prospects and reduce reliance on SNAP benefits​.

Reach Out Through these free services and programs, Community Options, Inc. is committed to serving those facing financial hardships, substance abuse, and mental health issues. If you feel like you could benefit from these programs, call 701-223-2417 to speak with a dedicated referral coordination from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

| communityoptionsnd.com | /CommunityOptionsInc | @ComOptND

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YOUTH SPORTS FEATURE:

Moorhead Youth Lacrosse

By Josiah Kopp Photos provided by MYLA

oorhead Youth Lacrosse offers lacrosse to both boys and girls from ages 5-14.

The program strives to offer elite lacrosse training to prepare kids for high school, while also teaching kids life lessons like good sportsmanship and teamwork. They also offer club lacrosse opportunities and camps throughout the year.

Back in 2013, The Red River Valley Lacrosse Association (RRVLA) began offering club lacrosse to Fargo, Moorhead, and surrounding areas. Over the next few years, high schools in Minnesota were slowly adding lacrosse teams to their program, and some Moorhead parents who had kids in RRVLA wanted to bring the sport to Moorhead at the youth level, and also add it to its high school program. This group of passionate parents started the Moorhead Youth Lacrosse Association (MYLA) in 2017. From there, they petitioned and helped fundraise, and in 2018, Moorhead High School sanctioned boys and girls lacrosse team.

America's fastest-growing sport Starting from the youth level all the way to the pros, Lacrosse is the fastest-growing sport in the country. Due to its increasing popularity, lacrosse is being and streamed more, helping drive the demand for the sport.

If you've never watched or played lacrosse before, think of it as a mixture of basketball, hockey, and soccer. Naturally, kids that play these sports fall in love with this sport after they see it or try it. "Word of mouth is another reason why I think the sport is growing in the area," MYLA Vice President Mitch Lau said.

"More kids are playing lacrosse and telling their friends about it. The successes the Moorhead boys' and girls' teams have had in the state are driving attendance and making our youth want to be part of the tradition."

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Did you know?

Last year Moorhead Youth Lacrosse Association had its first annual Lacrosse Tournament hosting teams from MN, ND, and SD.

Did you know?

The Spuds boys' team three-peated their way to state again and took the consolation championship in the state.

The Spuds girls' team made it to the section finals. Not bad for a school that's only had a team for 5 years!

Ph ot

o

What parents can expect from a season schedule

by Jos

Registration starts in January 2024 and goes until April. The season itself kicks off in April and goes until the end of June. Kids that play on 10U, 12U, and 14U teams will have two to three weekends of travel. Teams will practice twice a week on weekdays. All games are played on the weekends with an occasional Friday game depending on tournament schedules. Teams will see typically 15-20 games.

opp ia h K

My child has never played before—is the league a good fit for "new to the sport" youth?

"We encourage all kids who have a desire to play lacrosse to come out and play," Lau said. "A lot of our players are new to the game and have limited experience. One thing that is great about lacrosse is that people of all skill levels play the sport and are successful because it's not just about pure physical size and athleticism. We also have a lot of excellent coaches with lots of experience in the sport that will make your child feel comfortable and confident."

I am a parent and I'm interested in getting involved with the league—are you looking for volunteers or coaches?

"If you would like to get involved with our organization, please reach out to us! Reffing in the area is one of our biggest challenges, and we would love to assist you in getting certified. We could always use more volunteers and coaches as well. We are always looking for more people to join our team!" - Mitch Lau

Ready to register?

You can find registration information and everything else at moorheadlacrosse.com /Moorhead Lacrosse @MoorheadLax @moorhead_youth_lax

About Mitch Lau V I C E P R E S I D E N T, M Y L A

"Ever since I got to watch my son play this sport, I fell in love with it. Not long after he started, my four daughters started playing, and I fell in love with the girl's game. It's a great sport that's extremely fun to watch. Although I no longer have a child playing in the youth association, I stay on the board because I am passionate about watching the sport grow and thrive in the area. I plan to stay on the board for years to come."

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YOUTH SPORTS FEATURE:

A Guide to Other Youth Sports Programs Available in Fargo-Moorhead Archery

Bowling

Sand Hills Archery Club (great for both youth and adults!) sandhillsarchers.org

The Bowler thebowlerfargo.com

Basketball Fargo Basketball Academy fargobasketball.com FM Youth Basketball League fmybl.com Inspired Athletics iaplaytoinspire.com The Next Level Basketball Academy thenextlevelbasketballacademy.com

Kingpinz kingpinz.com Fargo-Moorhead USBC Bowling Association fmusbc.com Red River Lanes redriverlanes.com Sunset Lanes bowlingsunset.com

Fastpitch Softball

Messiah Dance messiahdancetheatre.com ND Academy of Dance ndacademyofdance.com ND Elite Cheer & Dance ndelite.com Red River Dance (Also offers programs for kids with special needs!) facebook.com/redriverdancend Reign Dance reigndancestudio.org Studio Vibe Arts facebook.com/SummerArtsWF

Fencing

Rise Up Basketball Academy riseupbasketballacademy.org

The Ball Yard (great for baseball and softball training!) fmballyard.com

Shoot 360 shoot360.com/fargo

West Fargo Fusion westfargosoftball.com

Baseball

West Fargo United Youth Fastpitch facebook.com/westfargounited

American Gold Gymnastics americangoldgymnastics.com

Dance

TNT Kid’s Fitness & Gymnastics tntkidsfitness.org (Also offers programs for kids with special needs!)

Moorhead Youth Baseball moorheadbaseball.com Fargo Youth Baseball fargoyouthbaseball.com West Fargo Baseball westfargobaseball.com The Ball Yard (great for baseball and softball training!) fmballyard.com

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FM Fencing Club fmfencing.com

Gymnastics

BAS Dance Studio facebook.com/BASStudios

Football

Fargo All Stars fargoallstars.com

Dynasty Elite Athletics dynastyeliteathletics.com

Gasper's School of Dance gaspersschoolofdance.com

FM Athletics fmathletics.com

Upward Sports Flag Football upwardfm.org

Fargo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fargobjj.com

Golf

Hidden Teachings Karate fargokarate.com

Fargo Park District Youth Golf fargoparks.com/youth-programs/golf Golf with Lisa golfwithlisa.com

Hockey Fargo Youth Hockey Association fargohockey.org Moorhead Youth Hockey Association moorheadyouthhockey.com Fargo Angels Hockey fargoangelshockey.org First Shift Hockey firstshifthockey.com West Fargo Stampede westfargohockey.com

Lacrosse Fargo Polars Lacrosse rrvla.com Moorhead Youth Lacrosse moorheadlacrosse.com

Martial Arts Academy of Combat Arts fmaca.com ATA Martial Arts atamartialarts.com Carter’s Tae Kwon Do Academy Search "Carter's Academy" on Facebook

Shou Shu Martial Arts shoushufm.com USA Spirit Tae Kwon Do Academy nathanielclifton.wixsite.com Red River Traditional Tae Kwon Do rrtkd.com

Multi-Sport Programs Fargo Parks fargoparks.com/youth-programs Moorhead Parks cityofmoorhead.com/departments/ parks-recreation/brochure-programs West Fargo Parks wfparks.org/activities/youthactivities YMCA ymcacassclay.org/sports-recreation

MOTORSPORTS Red River Kart Club (kids can race as early as age 5!) redriverkartclub.com INEX Youth Legends (tours nationally!) inexseries.com

Northern Lights Marlins Swim Team gomotionapp.com/About. jsp?team=ndmms Red Dragon Swim Team reddragonswimming.com West Fargo Flyers Swim Team gomotionapp.com/team/ndwffs/ page/home

Soccer Kangaroos Soccer facebook.com/KangaroosSoccer Tri-City United Soccer Club tricityunited.org

Adaptive Sports Special Olympics Cass County sondcasscounty.com Minnesota Wild Special Hockey mnspecialhockey.org YMCA Swim ymcacassclay.org/swim-school

Wrestling Bison Wrestling Club bisonwrestlingclub.com Moorhead Magic Youth Wrestling moorheadwrestling.squadfusion. com Tech Team Wrestling Club techteamwrestling.com

Swimming FOSS Swim School fossswimschool.com

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Ear, Nose, & Throat ver two decades ago, Stanfordeducated Dr. Susan Mathison, with triple board certifications, established Catalyst Medical Center + Clinical Spa in Fargo. This family-centric clinic, staffed by devoted experts, promotes community health and well-being. Serving Fargo and Grand Forks, and now the Jamestown community five days a week, Catalyst provides personalized care for children, from allergy treatments to sleep medicine, making family health their sincere priority!

Dr. Susan Mathison, MD (Fargo & Jamestown)

From the Parents "We were visiting Fargo when we noticed our 6-year-old was having ear problems. We were recommended Catalyst to see if they have any openings and they were able to fit us in the NEXT DAY! As a parent with a sick child, you know how crucial and meaningful it was to have them accommodate us.

We have now switched our primary and dermatologist care to Catalyst and we live 2.5 hours away!"

- Abbie S.

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Why Our Care is Rare

Taylor Fontaine, PA-C (Fargo) • Locally owned, private clinic • Quality time isn't a luxury—it's a guarantee!

Jessica Gardner, NP-C (Jamestown) • Experience shorter wait times and faster scheduling • Serving kids throughout all of life's milestones

Kinsey Johnson, NP-C (Fargo) • Proudly the state's first of its kind!

• Close-knit team offering diverse care

To learn more visit catalystmedicalcenter.com 1800 21st Ave S Fargo, ND 701.365.8700

/catalystmedicalcenter @catalystmedicalcenterandspa

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By Geneva Nodland

College for Kids!

Opportunities for FM youth at our local Higher Education Institutions! hile you or your kids might not be thinking about college just yet, don't discount the many opportunities open to the community's youth at our local higher education institutions! Check out the variety of camps and activities offered in the area!

Minnesota State University Moorhead College for Kids & Teens Minnesota State University Moorhead's College for Kids & Teens is a summer camp program designed for students in grades K-12, offering all-day and half-day (morning and afternoon) camps that span a wide array of subjects, including arts and sciences. Leveraging technology and creativity, expert instructors guide young participants through immersive learning experiences, fostering exploration, adventure, and a comprehensive appreciation for various topics, all within an engaging and educational environment. The program also offers add-ons for early drop-off and late pick-up to fit a family's needs.

The College for Kids & Teens scholarship program facilitates access for local youth to attend these summer programs on campus, specifically aiding families for whom covering the full registration cost poses a financial challenge.

Early Education Center MSUM offers on-campus childcare, welcoming children from the campus and community to their toddler program (16 months to 3 years) and preschool program (3-5 years), for both full-time and part-time enrollment. Within a safe and nurturing environment, the center prioritizes fostering language proficiency, self-reliance, and both physical and emotional development through engaging, active learning experiences. Tailoring to each child's unique needs, the program emphasizes educational foundations, promoting independence, problem-solving abilities, creativity, social interaction, and holistic growth through a diverse array of activities.

Learn more about the Early Education Center here!

Learn more here!

Scrubs Camp Scrubs Camp at Minnesota State University Moorhead provides a dynamic and exploratory experience for high school students, entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2024, who are eager to delve into the multifaceted world of healthcare careers. Taking

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place predominantly on the university's campus, participants engage in diverse healthcare-related activities, while also getting a taste of college life and forming new friendships. This exciting program, co-sponsored by HealthForce MN—a center dedicated to healthcare innovation, diversity, and learning— offers not just knowledge, but also fun and camaraderie for every aspiring healthcare professional.

See if the Scrubs Camp is for your teen here!

Dragon Athletics Sports Camps Minnesota State University Moorhead, through its athletics department, offers the community an array of youth sports camps designed to cater to various age groups and skill levels. Offering an engaging and skill-enhancing environment, camps span across a multitude of sports, including Football, Volleyball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Women's Soccer, Swimming & Diving, and Wrestling.

These camps not only aim to foster athletic skills but also embody the spirit and excellence of Dragon Athletics, providing young athletes an opportunity

to immerse themselves in a collaborative and empowering sporting environment.

Learn more about the variety of Dragon Athletics camps here!

back-floating and kicking. This approach ensures that if a child falls into the water, they have the knowledge to roll over, kick, and navigate safely to the poolside, dock, or shoreline.

Learn more about Dragon Swim School here!

Planetarium MSUM's on-site Planetarium captivates and educates audiences of all ages with a vast array of multimedia presentations, providing both awe-inspiring and informative experiences. Visitors are invited to embark on a journey through the solar system and beyond with the help of a night sky simulation, delivering stunning imagery via the elite Elumenati projector and Uniview scientific software—tools utilized by the nation's top planetariums.

Affordably priced for all to enjoy, the facility, which seats 62 and welcomes 10,000 visitors annually, offers a diverse monthly selection of shows, especially tailored towards youth, ensuring experiences that are not only educational but also immensely fun!

See what shows are coming up for your family to enjoy here!

Learn more about this immersive language learning program here!

Concordia College Cobber Kids Cobber Kids at Concordia College opens its doors to children ranging from 16 months to Kindergarten age, providing them with a nurturing educational environment. This childcare center, renowned for its robust ties with the campus community, facilitates invaluable interactions between the children and Concordia faculty and students, ensuring a vibrant, learning-rich setting. Having undergone a comprehensive self-study and on-site evaluation to secure its NAEYC accreditation, a notable hallmark of high-quality early childhood education, Cobber Kids adheres to the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and over 400 related Accreditation Criteria, underlining its commitment to delivering exceptional early education and care for over 25 years.

Check out more about Cobber Kids at Concordia here!

Dragon Swim School MSUM's Dragon Swim School stands out for offering superior swimming lessons in the Fargo-Moorhead area, maintaining a notably low student-to-instructor ratio of 4:1. With classes organized by skill level rather than age or height, the program prioritizes the teaching of crucial swimming and water safety skills to children. Guided by experienced, assured, and expertly trained staff, comprised of college students and varsity high school swimmers/divers, emphasis is placed on foundational water safety skills such as

educators, as well as adults nationwide, immersing them in enriching language and cultural experiences, both in the picturesque, immersive camp settings within Minnesota's North Woods and through highly engaging virtual platforms.

Participants of varying language proficiencies are welcomed to "live the language" through an array of programs ranging from brief weekend sessions to comprehensive, lifelong linguistic journeys!

Want to learn even more about the opportunity at Concordia Language Villages? Check out Fargo Monthly's indepth feature on the program, including an interview with the program's Executive Director Mary Kosir! Grab a copy of November 2023's magazine or head to issuu.com/fmspotlight to check it out!

Sports Camps Concordia College's athletics department offers a variety of Cobber Sports Camps, providing athletes, K-12, with a range of skill levels an array of sports camps and clinics in disciplines such as Baseball, Esports, Men's and Women's Basketball, Women's and Men's Soccer, Softball, and Volleyball.

Young athletes are given the opportunity to explore, enhance, and excel in their chosen sports, while also understanding the spirit and values that characterize Cobber athletics!

Keep an eye out for Cobber sports camps and clinics here!

Concordia Language Villages Concordia Language Villages stands as a pioneer in delivering global education through its expansive language and cultural programs that encompass 18 languages. Annually, the initiative attracts thousands of young individuals, 91

NDSU STEM Kids Camp NDSU offers the dynamic STEM Kids Camp, designed to spark and nurture young minds' fascination for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Welcoming students from grades K-12, these summer camps, hosted by NDSU's College of Engineering, delve into a vast range of STEM topics, often going beyond the usual school curriculum. As part of the STEM Kids Camp, the Explore Engineering High School Camp spans a week, immersing these students in diverse engineering disciplines with mornings dedicated to hands-on lab sessions with NDSU faculty and afternoons comprised of engineering industry excursions. From computer coding, robotics, and forensic science to the intricacies of engineering, entrepreneurship, roller coaster design, and the wonders of chemistry, each camp promises a comprehensive and enjoyable learning journey!

Learn about the variety of camps offered and sign up for spring 2024 registration here!

NDSU Bison Camps North Dakota State University's athletic department is proud to offer NDSU Bison Camps—a series of youth and high school sports camps designed to cater to diverse age groups and abilities. These camps offer young athletes an immersive experience in sports including Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Football, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling.

Guided by skilled trainers and coaches and set in the spirit of Bison athletics, participants have the opportunity to hone their talents, learn new techniques, and immerse themselves in their chosen sport, ensuring an enriching and skill-enhancing experience!

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Learn about each sports camp and keep an eye out for registration here!

4-H Cass County Since 1967, the North Dakota 4-H Program, an integral part of NDSU Agriculture, has been offering enriching camping experiences tailored to foster life skills essential for wholesome living, personal growth, and productive use of free time. An array of specialized camps are available, including those focusing on farm safety, livestock management, fishing, horse riding, culinary arts, and many more hosted on 80 acres of pristine wooded riverfront land, just 1.5 miles west of Washburn, ND. The ND 4-H Camp has been a haven for youth, providing them with memorable overnight camping experiences led by a team of professionals trained in outdoor activities, science, agriculture, and youth development.

Beyond structured educational programs, the camp is filled with recreation, from hiking trails and mud pits to archery, plus, campers can enjoy Dutch oven culinary adventures, evening bonfires, the exhilarating waterslide, and vibrant dance sessions.

See the variety of camps offered for your family to take part in, as well as the variety of year-round programming that 4-H offers here!

North Dakota Governor’s School North Dakota Governor's School is a fourweek residential program for scholastically motivated North Dakota high school sophomores and juniors that takes place during the summer. Students live, work, and have fun on NDSU's campus.

Governor's School academic programs offer high-quality, concentrated instruction from NDSU faculty through classroom experiences, discussion groups, labs, field trips, and other activities.

If you are gifted academically and interested in learning more about Engineering, Information Technology, Laboratory Science, or Mathematics, apply to become a member of the North Dakota Governor's School class of 2024 here!

Moos, Ewes and More Meet the animals that call NDSU home, the farm managers who care for them, and the faculty and staff who teach and do research in the NDSU Department of Animal Sciences. Moos, Ewes and More will have a mix of new and old activities from previous years, kids’ games and activities, a scavenger hunt, and chances to visit the “prize pen.” There will also be opportunities to bottle feed a calf, guess the feedstuffs, and see research in action!

Keep an eye out for the NDSU Animal Sciences Department to announce this event around September!

Boo! at NDSU Head to Boo! at NDSU for a free familyfriendly carnival and trick-or-treating event that is open to the community.

NDSU student groups will host a carnival throughout Cater Hall where youth from across the community can come in their costumes and participate in games, crafts, and other Halloween activities. In addition to the carnival, Cater, Seim, Sevrinson, and Thompson will be open for trick-ortreating.

Plan your spooky season with NDSU and watch for this event's announcement in October!

Kiddie Days NDSU Saddle and Sirloin Club invites any daycare, preschool, or kindergarten class to come to Kiddie Days, an event for children to see, learn, and ask questions about various livestock. Hosted by the NDSU Animal Sciences Department around April!

Mind Mysteries (Psychology) Take part in these take-home experiments called "Mind Mysteries" which are available for families and include experiments based on drawing, coloring, or using stickers to show us what kids think about faces, objects, and textures.

Families can either return their completed packets to the library or mail them directly to NDSU via a postage-paid and addressed envelope included with the materials. A new Mind Mystery is available about every six weeks, and is located at all three branches of the library (in the Children's Room at the Main Library and at the circulation desk at Northport and Carlson)!

Littles Art Day An exciting collaboration between Children’s Theatre NDSU, Plains Art Museum, Gasper’s School of Dance, and the Fargo Public Library is the FM Area’s premiere arts festival for children ages 5 and under. This May, families with toddlers and preschoolers are invited to participate in a wealth of creative programming including: - The Ugly Duckling, a play designed for toddler audiences and their families by Children’s Theatre NDSU - An interactive gallery experience by the Plains Art Museum - Itty-Bitty Ballet class by Gaspers School of Dance - Storytime by the Fargo Public Library DADDS DADDS (Dads And Daughters Do Science) is a one-day event this spring that allows young girls to learn and explore the different branches of science while doing handson activities with their dads. The day consists of various stations including a Biology, Chemistry, and Physics station.

Daughters will be exposed to various STEM fields, and dads will learn more about how to encourage their daughters to pursue their interests.

This event is hosted by the College of Engineering, learn more here!

Mommy, Me and SWE Mommy, Me, and SWE (Society of Women Engineers) is a one-day event, typically held in October, for girls in grades K-2 and their moms. Throughout the morning, moms will work with their daughters doing hands-on projects introducing them to the different types of engineering!

Learn more about the event here!

TechKids Details: During this five-week program, typically one evening per week in October, children in grades 3-5 are introduced to different types of science and engineering concepts through handson learning. TechKids is put on by the NDSU chapter of the Society of Women Engineers.

through several projects. By focusing on these projects, students will be able to see what different types of engineers do when working towards solving problems in their fields. This is a great opportunity for teens to get hands-on experience learning how to form scientific questions and solve them.

Learn about the program and register here!

BisonCyber Day Camp Taking place this summer, at BisonCyber Day Camp, teens will learn programming, cybersecurity, robotics, and other computing skills at this free day camp available to students entering grades 9-12.

Check out more about this opportunity and how to register here!

Learn more about how your kids can get techy!

Tech Teens Tech Teens is a one-day program for students in grades 6-12 in the springtime to explore the different engineering practices

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as part of its outreach activities aimed at inspiring girls to consider an education and career within the STEM disciplines.

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is part of National Engineers Week activities that are celebrated nationwide.

Learn more here!

HOPE Camp HOPE (Health Occupations and Professions Exploration) Camp is a fiveday camp, typically in June, at NDSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences and Sanford Health that introduces high school students from rural areas to jobs in health care through on-the-job views of nursing, pharmacy, paramedics, radiologic technicians, respiratory care, and much more. Students explore career options through interactive workshops learning from professionals, while also experiencing campus life.

Watch for registration announcements for HOPE Camp here!

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day gives area 8th-grade girls a full day focused on the field of engineering, including hands-on activities and industry visits.

The NDSU College of Engineering uses the event, which takes place in February,