Gulfshore Life Mini April 2022

Parenting in Paradise

Raising the Future

WISDOM FROM DAPPER DADS THE RISE OF OUTDOOR SCHOOL + FA M I LY F U N ON THE GULF

262 LITTLE HARBOUR | LITTLE HARBOUR $12,950,000

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C ONTEN TS

42 / Southwest Florida’s Dapper Dads

Anna Nguyen

54 / The Bensons’ Bucolic Life

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WILL THEY INHERIT YOUR VALUES ALONG WITH YOUR WEALTH?

Creativity.

Cooperation.

Vision.

Your values have helped you succeed—and they are the most special thing your children can inherit.

Having a plan is essential. We can help.

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ESSENTIALS

MINDFUL PARENTING

FAMILY TIME

16 / Design: A Chic Pool Slide

22 / Learning: Education Goes Outdoors

72 / Day Camps: Immersive Learning

17 / Style: All About April’s New Looks

26 / At Home: From Bachelor Pad to Family Home

74 / Welcome Home: Family-Friendly Communities

18 / Play: Fort Myers’ Sensory-Safe Gym

36 / Prodigies: 11-year-old Baker Riya Shah

78 / Book Club: Stories by Local Authors

19 / Celebrate: The Mobile Party Planner

38 / Giving Back: Kids’ Minds Matter

80 / Editors’ Pick: A Home Run by the Mighty Mussels

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74

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Courtesy Memorable Mobile Parties; Dan Cutrona; Courtesy Kalea Bay

C ONTEN TS

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President/CEO

Assistant Editor

MARKETING

Jim Schwartzel

Zahra Khan

Director of Marketing

Editor in Chief

Editorial Fellow

Rachel Galante

Stephanie Granada

Dominique Caruso

Editors at Large Jennifer McCurry Dorothea Hunter Sönne Senior Editor Samantha Garbarini Associate Editor Jaynie Bartley

Raising the Future

Digital Media Marketing Manager Brittney Kleis

ART Art Directors Julie Low Ed Melnitsky

Circulation Director of Audience Development

Mindy Roosa

PRODUCTION

National Account Director

Martha Leavitt

Wendy Tooley Marketing Consultants Holly Baldwin Natasha Gonzalez Meredith Mills

DAPPER DADS THE RISE OF OUTDOOR SCHOOL + THE BEST OF THE GULF FOR FA M I L I E S

Kerri Nolan

ADVERTISING Associate Publisher

WISDOM FROM

SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Scott Glick

Parenting in Paradise

Production Manager

GULFSHORELIFE.COM

Creative Director

and Events

ON THE COVER: Shot on location at Gulfshore

Production Services Manager Ankita Joshi

Life’s Bonita Springs’ studio by Anna Nguyen. Jason Teeters

ADMINISTRATION

and his son, Kesh Hassan-

Advertising Services Manager/

Teeters, are styled by Anna Ruiz.

Reprint Sales & Distribution Kathleen Hill

READER SERVICES Office Address

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Gulfshore Life adheres to American Society of Magazine Editors guidelines, which require a clear distinction between editorial content and paid advertising or marketing messages. ©Gulfshore Life Media, LLC. All rights reserved. 26101 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 Gul​fshore Life and Gulfshore Life Media, LLC retain exclusive rights to all editorial and photographic materials used. Materials cannot be reproduced in any manner without written consent. © Copyright MINI is published by Gulfshore Life Media, LLC. The entire document of MINI is © 2022 by Gulfshore Life Media, LLC. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the publisher. Gulfshore Life, HOME, Gordon Drive, MINI, Healthy Life, Southwest Florida Guide to the Arts, Visitors’ Guide, Men and Women of the Year, Best of the Gulfshore, Taste of the Gulf, Weekend Insider and Shore Thing are copyrighted service marks and are the property of Gulfshore Life Media, LLC., all rights reserved. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine. Editorial or advertising does not constitute advice, but it is considered informative. Gulfshore Life is locally operated. Occasionally we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened companies that offer products and services that we believe would interest our readers. If you do not want to receive these offers, please advise us at Gulfshore Life, 26101 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, FL 34134. Please include your name and address as it appears on the mailing label of your most recent issue.

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From the Editors

It Takes a Village

While the world feels turned

mixed-race identity, interact

until we go to the farm,” Jessica

upside-down recently, the

with people from different

tells us. By being outside, helping

children featured in this issue and

backgrounds and build a strong

care for the animals and parting

all your little ones at home, fill us

sense of self. Community School

with their gadgets, the kids are

with optimism. With every tiny

of Naples dad Arsen Ustayev

gleaning a sense of independence,

human that comes into the world,

teaches his 7- and 10-year-olds

respect for the land, empathy and

we have the opportunity to

that we are all one human race.

real-life skills that they will carry

shape a better future—whether

And, Dwayne Bergmann and Luis

with them all their lives.

as parents, aunts, godfathers,

Insignares make sure their boys

In these pages, you’ll find

grandmothers or community

flex their creativity and engage

stories like theirs, along with

members supporting each other.

with the world around them

local resources for your journey

by limiting screen time to 30

as you raise Southwest Florida's

minutes a day.

futuremakers.

As you read this issue, we hope you’re reminded that in Southwest Florida, you have

After talking with so many families, we are reminded there’s

Consider the dapper dads

no one way to do things. But

featured on p. 42. Each share

there are certain principles that

distilled values they drive home

are resurface often: practicing

with their kids. Jason Teeters—

kindness, spending time in

who works with Collaboratory

nature, building independence,

(the Fort Myers nonprofit aiming

and emphasizing fun. Jessica and

to create a unified, equitable

Ryan Benson checked all those

community in 18 years) makes

boxes with the Alva farm they

sure his kids celebrate their

bought for their family of six to get out of the city on weekends.

“The kids count down the days

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— The Gulfshore Life Team Zach Stovall

a heck of a tribe to draw on.

Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence Community School of Naples | 13275 Livingston Rd., Naples, FL 34109 | 239-597-7575 | www.communityschoolnaples.org

From the Editor at Large

Peace of Mind

As parents, we know the day-

As a mother, I want to invest

Parent to parent, I encourage

to-day operations of balancing

in any organization that provides

you to reach out to someone if

work, your child’s education,

resources to our community to

you need a helping hand. And,

playdates, after-school activities,

ensure family challenges are

don’t discount your needs; your

even getting your kids to bed on

addressed before a crisis occurs.

mental health is as important as

time isn’t easy. One day goes

One cause close to my heart is

your children’s. The day-to-day

smoothly while another is an

Kids’ Minds Matter, which raises

of raising a healthy family comes

uphill battle.

awareness and funds for the

with plenty of challenges. We

mental and behavioral wellbeing

need a sense of mental stability to

if your child deals with mental

of children in Lee, Collier,

get through it all. At the end of the

health issues like depression,

Charlotte, Glades and Hendry

day, we’re stronger together.

anxiety or trauma. We’re

counties. You can learn more

fortunate that talking openly

about the incredible work the

about mental and behavioral

organization does on p. 38.

It’s even more challenging

health is more acceptable today.

I’m impressed by how the

There are more opportunities to

group works holistically, pairing

assess needs, give kids tools to

mental health providers with

navigate their feelings, and help

local agencies, law enforcement,

make their and our lives more

schools and faith-based

productive and proactive.

organizations who work together

Still, we have a ways to

toward the common goal of

go. According to a University of

supporting our children. The

New Hampshire study, between

organization also lobbies for

41% and 63% of children in

systemic change and long-term

the United States don’t get the

funding for programs.

mental health treatment they

It gives me great satisfaction to

need. In Southwest Florida

be part of the bigger picture for

alone, around 46,000 children

our children’s futures. Nothing is

desperately need these services.

more important than our youth

Jennifer McCurry Editor at Large

feeling safe and supported with whatever life throws at them. Kids’ Minds Matter gives us the tools families so we all can live happier, heather lives.

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Brian Tietz

and resources to support our

generations

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTICS RECOMMENDS AN ORTHODONTIC EVALUATION BY AGE 7

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ESSEN TIAL S Fun discoveries, products we love and other inspirations for the modern parent.

Shopping

Design

Let It Slide Not that long ago, children were barely meant to be seen, let alone heard—especially when it came to matters of home design. Those days are long gone, as far as designer Michelle DeLaCruz is concerned. When she and her husband, homebuilder Lupe, began designing a nearly 3,000-square-foot oasis in the backyard of their Fort Myers home, they looked to their children for input. While the palette and architecture are Santorini-inspired, 14-year-old Geo and 11-yearold Mia deserve all the credit for what has become the most popular element with visiting children and adults alike: the slide. “That was the first thing they came up with, and they definitely made sure to tell me, ‘Mom, this can’t be a baby slide,” DeLaCruz says with a laugh. structure that works well with the rest of the aesthetic. By painting the slide white and integrating it into the adjacent cave-like lounge area and cupola (which harkens to an iconic structure in DeLaCruz’s native Puerto Rico), she managed to create something that makes everyone happy. “It’s really fast, so the children love it, but it doesn’t look at all kid-ish,” she says. “I call it a ‘sexy slide.’” —Laura Kostelny

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Dan Cutrona

While the designer initially had reservations, she ultimately figured out how to design a barely there, sculptural

Style

Comfy Cute In choosing everything she stocks at her Naples children’s boutique, All About April’s owner Chris Conell considers one thing: sourcing unique, luxury styles that parents can’t find elsewhere.

Most recently, that meant adding designer Stella McCartney’s pint-sized collection (which reflects the same casual-chic aesthetic and sustainable values as her adult line), BILLIEBLUSH (known for its playful, cheery palette) and Petit Bateau (the luxe French brand with ultrasoft basics, sleepwear and knickers).

The recent arrivals dovetail with a trend Conell has noticed since the pandemic, with young girls opting for laid-back athleisure over frilly dresses.

“For girls ages 5 and up, it’s all about nice leggings, joggers and loose tops,” she says. “Just like mom is wearing.”

Conell, who moved from Germany to Naples 15 years ago and bought the existing boutique, focuses the majority of her stock on head-to-toe outfits, including Habitual puff-sleeve smocked shirts with denim shorts (plus a hair bow, of course), Georgia-made Bailey Boys chinos and polo shirts, and Boboli Courtesy Stella McCartney

bodysuits for babies, along with an extensive selection of swimwear.

And, Conell notes, most of the brands at All About April deal exclusively in childrenswear, so they’re experts at “making super cute things for kids.”

ESSENTIALS

17

Play

Soft Space children of all abilities to play with toys and equipment that improve neurological development, strength and balance. Padded floors and crash pads make it safe for little ones to run around, hopping between swings that aid with balance, climbing structures for motor planning, and trampolines for kinesthetic awareness. If a child needs a break, they can go into a quiet reading room.

At the core of the gym’s mission is also the idea of fostering inclusion. The equipment is fun for all children, allowing kids with different abilities to interact and learn from each other. Co-owner Colt Green estimates that 90% of groups that visit have at least one child who is on the spectrum, and 80% of kids who play at the gym are neurotypical. We Rock’s motto is emblazoned on the wall and staff T-shirts: “Finally, a place where you never have to say ‘I’m sorry.’” —Aisling Swift

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Anna Nguyen; Courtesy Memorable Mobile Parties

The 5,300-square-foot We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym in Fort Myers provides a sensory-safe space for

Celebrate

Life of the Party

that make everyone feel transported. Parents love her creativity and level of specificity. For a gamer party, computer circuit boards were

Memorable Mobile Parties’ Gisselle Rodriguez

turned into a techy backdrop; everyone drank

takes an idea and turns it into a magical cele-

out of coconuts for a 10th birthday beach luau;

bration with a theater-quality setup. A Mickey

and a basketball lover’s guests went home with

Safari birthday at the Everglades Wonder

personalized jerseys.

Gardens had life-size animal statues, binoculars

The party comes to you (hence the name),

and wide-brim hats at every seat, plus Mickey

and the service is white-glove all the way.

and Minnie dressed in safari outfits.

Rodriguez can secure the location, map out the

When Rodriguez, a mother of two, starts

festivities, and work with bakers, rental compa-

orchestrating an event, she’ll first talk to the

nies, balloon designers, entertainers—anyone

child (if they’re old enough) to learn what they

needed to turn the child’s dream into a reality.

love. She’ll spend hours studying the theme,

“I’m the choreographer,” she says. “Everyone

honing in on instantly recognizable details

just shows up.” —Andrea Stetson

ESSENTIALS

19

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M IN D FUL PAREN TIN G Notes on learning and raising the next generation of changemakers.

Learning

Mother Nature Knows Best Outdoor schools offer a new model for experiential education.

Words: Artis Henderson Every teacher dreads those mornings when the whole classroom is off: Kids are moody, unsettled, out of their routine. In a traditional setting, this might set the tone for the day. But at an outdoor-focused school like the Woodland Nature Montessori School in Fort Myers, mornings like these call for a walk. The school’s founder and director, Karen Cichy, rounds up her 23 students (ranging in age from 3 to 6) and heads out into the 105-acre Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium preserve, where the school is located. Before long, the kids are crouching down

each day. They spend up to six hours

in Scandinavia. Though they’ve been

to inspect mushrooms growing

outside on days when they have an

around in the United States since the

on a log, looking up to watch a

outdoor lesson—a nature hike, learn-

1960s, these programs have seen a

red-shouldered hawk sitting in a

ing how to make a lean-to shelter, or

recent rise in popularity. Between 2017

tall pine, leaning in close to count

visiting injured wild animals that the

and 2020, the number of outdoor

the spots on a ladybug. “We don’t

nature center staff are rehabilitating.

schools in the United States more than doubled, according to a survey from

problems. Psychologically, watching

the Natural Start Alliance, a North

this—it’s been truly amazing,” Cichy

American Association for Environmen-

stations and learning through play

says. “At this age, everything is a

tal Education project. The study re-

instead of sitting at desks. On

teachable moment.”

ported 585 outdoor schools across the

“Every day is an adventure.”

Montessori schools focus on

average, students at the Woodland

22

Outdoor schools—also known as forest or nature schools—originated

school spend four hours outside

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MINI

country in 2020, primarily preschools and kindergartens.

Getty

“We have so few behavioral

have bad days here,” Cichy says.

PARENTAL GUIDANCE Two moms share their experience with nature school.

Woodland Nature Montessori School mom Bridgette Garuti People notice that Bridgette Garuti’s two children—4-year-old daughter, Hazel, and 6-year-old son, Forest—are not like most kids their age. They’re independent. They’re adaptable. They don’t need constant stimulation. “My children have a higher level of awareness than most kids,” she says. “They understand the world around them.”

She loves that they spend their school days hiking and studying different types of fungi: “I believe in connecting our children’s feet to the ground, and this school makes sure that happens every day.”

Though she believes her traditional education served her well, she says raising children is different today. It’s easy to put a tablet in a kid’s hands or sit them down in front of the TV. But, she prefers for them to be outside. “At Woodland, my kids are out in the trees, smelling the pines, incorporating the natural world into everyday living,” she says.

“They’re allowed to get dirty. Mother Nature is one of their teachers.

Amazing things happen when that’s the focal point.”

Preschool of the Arts mom Gwendolyn Carter Gwendolyn Carter remembers sitting outside at the Preschool of the Arts, watching her children, Quincy, 5, and Cricket, 8, play in the naturescape. Spontaneously, the kids began collecting twigs and other found materials, using their imagination to create a fairy garden. “The outdoor space can become a hundred different things in Students glean independence

one day,” she says. “The school provides the materials, and the kids

by interacting with nature and

provide their imagination. It’s really magical.”

engaging in free play.

For Carter, the outdoor, unstructured play is pivotal. “They’re learning how to be free in nature,” she says. “Kids don’t get enough of that.” Her children have learned to play outdoors for hours without her direction; they rely on themselves. “Now my kids have an amazing sense of confidence,” she says. “They wouldn’t have that part of themselves without outdoor learning.”

ESSENTIALS

23

Learning

Cichy, whose school currently has

socialization, develops gross motor

a waitlist, has seen a steady rise in

skills, promotes independence and

enrollment over the last five years

boosts physical activity. “When

and “a huge spike in enrollment

children are allowed to climb, swing

during the pandemic.” Call it the

and explore in a natural environment,

pendulum effect: More time on

research shows they become more

screens and more days spent

resilient, their social-emotional skills

indoors means some parents are

tend to be higher, and it positively

desperate to get their kids outside.

impacts their physical, mental and

based education promotes

founder and director of Preschool

brain development, encourages

of the Arts in Naples, says. Although

focus, reduces stress, enhances

her school is indoors, it incorporates

Getty

spiritual well-being.” Ettie Zaklos,

Studies show that nature-

Heal y, ha y smiles fr bir to y ng adults!

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239.262.3898

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g ulf shorelife.com childrensdentistryofnaples.com

outdoor elements with its natural

students visit the injured wildlife,

playscape and garden.

they whisper kind words to the

For now, Woodland is the only true forest school in the region, but others

between students, there’s a “peace

are in the works. Sacred Soul Sanctuary

table,” another Montessori concept.

Farm in Naples’ Golden Gate is

“Say somebody took somebody’s train,

fundraising, with the aim of opening its

we have the peace table with a peace

K-8 campus by 2024.

rose on it. The child most upset takes

At the Woodland School, which

i n n o vat i v e

d e s i g n

,

animals. And to settle conflicts

the peace rose and brings it to the

is located in a one-room, 100-year-

other child. Nine out of 10 times, they

old building, Cichy has noticed an

talk it out, hug, high-five each other,”

additional benefit to her outdoor

Cichy explains. “We’re big on

curriculum—empathy. When her

conflict resolution.”

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s e rv i c e

.

Sydney Moeller and Jeremy Jones sprang into action when they learned their son, Navy, was on the way.

“Our house now reminds me of an art gallery,” Jones says, reflecting on transforming his bachelor pad.

In the living room, a faux-concrete finish on walls and a wooden screen behind the T V adds dimension.

The bar cart (right) is from Jones’ furniture collection.

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At Home

Baby’s First Bungalow The founders of Stone + Beach Design transformed their Naples home for the arrival of their first son.

Words: Laura Fenton Photography: Dan Cutrona

Jeremy Jones needed to turn his

and had just finished a major renova-

bachelor pad into a family home—and

tion of her home in Fort Lauderdale,

fast. Jones and his girlfriend Sydney

which Jones helped manage.

Moeller had talked about moving in

Even more importantly, the

together, but she had resisted relocat-

couple was in agreement on the

ing to his home, which she describes

direction they wanted to take the

frankly as being “like a circa-2000

house. “We wanted it to be a chic,

bachelor pad.” The happy news of a

modern, beachy bungalow,”

baby boy on the way fast-tracked their

Moeller says. Having already

plans for cohabitation.

Fortunately, the couple was uniquely equipped to turn the dark, outdated space into something bright and stylish in record time. Jones is the founder of an eponymous decorative painting business in Naples, Jeremy Jones Fine Finishes, and as a result, he has deep experience with home renovations.

(He also makes those uber-cool crystal-and-resin tables and other home accents that aesthetes fawn over at places like Judith Liegeois Design & Gallery and East West Fine Art.) Moeller also has a creative background

M I N D F U L PA R E N T I N G

27

worked together on her home,

While they didn’t expand the

they were experienced in making

house, the new layout made the

design decisions as a team. “We

three-bedroom home feel much

knew it was going to be a lot of

larger. (It also allows them more fami-

work having a child, and we knew if

ly time, as they can still interact when

we didn’t do it right then, we might

one is in the kitchen cooking while

never do it,” Jones says of the deci-

the other is playing with Navy in the

sion to renovate when Moeller was

living room.) A few tweaks to the ex-

five months pregnant.

terior also improved the flow. Bump-

To kickstart the makeover, the

ing out the front door just a couple

couple called on their friends, family

feet and installing a window provided

and coworkers to help gut the main

daylight and a place to drop keys and

living space down to the studs. “It

the diaper bag. They knew they’d be

was a demo day just like you see on

welcoming lots of friends and family

HGTV,” Jones says with a laugh. The

eager to meet the baby, so they re-

next order of business was to open

placed a window with slider doors in

the main living area. Down came the

the guest bedroom to make hosting

nonstructural wall between the living

more comfortable.

room and kitchen; out went a hallway

With the bones for the new

to the office and laundry room near-

space defined, Jones brought in his

by. “We wanted a hotel vibe,” Jones

professional expertise. He reconfig-

says. “Think: really clean and modern

ured and repainted the existing dark

with everything in its place.”

cherry kitchen cabinets a light, mod-

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At Home

While design-forward, every detail was conceived with the baby in mind. Rounded furnishings keep little noggins safe, white oak-look synthetic floors can take a beating and clever details, like the Kraft paper roller in the kitchen, help the family keep things in order.

M I N D F U L PA R E N T I N G

29

At Home The couple didn’t compromise on their cool-kid aesthetic.

Their home now recalls a luxe boutique hotel with on-trend design and a place for everything to be stored away neatly.

ern gray. Counters were swapped

aesthetic that would also stand up

shelves and the primary bedroom

from a dark stone to white quartz,

to the rigors of a young child (that

headboard, but opted for a synthetic

which can easily be wiped clean with

resin floor looks like art, but it cleans

flooring, designed to look like white

bleach, if needed. In the living room,

up like a dream). A pair of curving

oak, that could weather wear-

he treated the walls with a faux-con-

loveseats and an upholstered otto-

and-tear. To help keep themselves

crete finish and, in the dining room,

man form a stylish sitting area, with

organized, the couple created a des-

he embellished a wall with dramatic

the added bonus of no sharp corners

ignated space for everything. They

black Venetian plaster. The most im-

for a toddler to bump on. Plus, the

also rotate toys, storing some and

pressive decorative finish may be the

performance fabric upholstery is no

bringing in new ones to keep clutter

poured resin floor with embedded

match for grubby fingers. They used

from accumulating. And, some areas

crystals in a guest bathroom.

white oak accents throughout the

were intentionally left unfurnished to

house, including the entertainment

allow baby plenty of room to play.

The couple selected new furnishings that fit their hotel-inspired

center, the kitchen island, floating

For Navy’s nursery, they converted

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a guest room, avoiding kitschy kiddie decor and keeping with their modern aesthetic. “We are pretty hip, if I can say that,” Jones says with a laugh.

“We want [our home] to still be cool.”

The entire house came together in less than five months–including a two-week break for a babymoon to Tulum (they came back from that trip with a boho-chic bassinet that tends to hang out in their room)–and was completed just weeks before their son Navy, now 2, was born.

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Drawing on Jones’ experience as a sought-af ter designer, painter and fabricator, the home flaunts artistic details, like the poured resin floors in the bathroom. The crochet bassinet from their babymoon in Tulum, Mexico, reflects Moeller’s boho vibe.

M I N D F U L PA R E N T I N G

33

At Home

“Our house now reminds me of an art gallery,” Jones says.

In the whirlwind of new parenthood, the couple became keenly aware of their friends and family’s delight in the refreshed space. “We started thinking after we got everyone’s reaction from the house,” Moeller says. “We knew it was pretty amazing, but we definitely were motivated by others’ reactions to the space.” They wondered, could their love of design be turned into a home design business? With the world turned upside down by the pandemic and a

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After their successful down-to-the-studs renovation, Moeller and Jones launched Stone + Beach Design, which allows them to flex their creative skills and set their own hours—a godsend with baby number two on the way.

new baby at home, Moeller saw

ahead in their personal lives.

the appeal of pivoting to a career

The couple recently closed on a

that would let her make her own

new, larger home in Logan Woods,

hours, and Stone + Beach Design

which they are renovating in their

was born. Jones continues to run

signature, sophisticated beach-

his decorative painting business

house style (they’re still hanging on

as the couple slowly takes on a

to their old home for now), and the

few clients for design projects,

family is expanding, with Moeller

including a bathroom renovation

expecting another baby in May.

and a backyard lounge space.

“We’re pregnant again, and we’re

While they’re taking a measured approach to their new business

a laugh. Fingers crossed, they can

venture, it has been full steam

finish before the baby comes.

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Prodigies

On the Rise Fort Myers fifth-grader Riya Shah may dream of becoming an aerospace engineer, but in the meantime, she stands out as a champion baker.

Words: Hampton Williams Hofer Photographs: Anna Nguyen

who whips up lemon-jalapeño tarts and mango cheesecakes in her Fort Myers kitchen—and a contestant on the most recent season of the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship.

“Watching her as a baby, we never thought she would actually turn into a baker, but retrospectively we see she was always thinking about it,” Riya’s mother, Roshani Shah, says.

The 11-year-old baker recently landed a spot on Food Network ’s Kids Baking Championship.

When Riya Shah was only a year

Riya is a busy fifth-grader: a lover

old, she molded Play-Doh into

of art, math and music—namely the

cakes, patting down pretend frosting

flute, piano and violin, which she

decorations with her little hands. A

plays with the Southwest Florida

decade later, she is a baking prodigy

Symphony Youth Orchestra. She also recently won her school spelling bee.

When the pandemic gave her more time at home, she started watching baking tutorials on YouTube. “From there, there was no stopping her. She just took off,” Roshani says.

The young baker taps into her creative side with artfully decorated desserts like s’mores cookie bars, chaat masala popcorn and a chocolate Oreo cake with a reverse drip.

Many of the treats featured on her Instagram look almost too good to eat. One of her showstoppers is a chocolate cake with ombre pink frosting and chocolate ganache drip, adorned with Swiss meringue buttercream flowers and gold accents.

“I love baking,” Riya says, “because I love art and food.”

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While her favorite treats to eat are

After watching Kids Baking Cham-

cream puffs, Riya’s favorite things

pionship with her family for years,

to make are macarons, which allow

she decided to apply for the series

more room for creativity. “The first

last year. Her parents helped her

time I made macarons, I did it totally

make a video to send to the network.

wrong,” she says. “They were flat,

During its run, hordes of Riya’s friends

all spread out, but they still tasted

came over each week to watch

good.” For special occasions, like

her compete in Season 10. “To see

friends’ birthdays, she whips up

her working in that Food Network

specialties like galaxy macarons

kitchen, which had always been her

with blueberry Swiss buttercream

dream, was a feeling beyond what I

and Rasmalai macarons with saf-

can express in words,” Roshani says.

fron-infused buttercream. Riya

Riya has a knack for decorating her treats.

“I love baking because I love art and food,” she says.

Still, despite her knack, baking isn’t

made trays of themed sugar cookies

the career plan for Riya. “I want to be

for her school’s holiday party—an

an aerospace engineer because I like

assortment of snowmen and trees,

science and math,” she says. “I want

all decorated as if they came from a

to keep baking always, but I want to

boutique bakery.

do it as a hobby.”

M I N D F U L PA R E N T I N G

37

Giving Back

for the perfect storm. “The need is overwhelming,” says Scott Spiezle, who started the nonprofit with his wife, Susan Goldy, after their daughter’s own struggles as a child. She was mistreated, and the family had to navigate a fraught mental health industry before she received the care she needed.

When they moved to Southwest Florida in 2014, they wanted to help children in similar situations. Here, an estimated 46,000 minors deal with mental health issues, which many providers refer to as invisible illnesses due to the little-discussed and often hard-to-spot symptoms. When they started the organization, it took at least a year for children to get an appointment at Lee Health.

Managed through the Lee Health Foundation, Kids’ Minds Matter has raised more than $10 million to hire new staff, including 37 providers; fund mental

Nonprofit To Know

health programs; add satellite clinics and

Kids’ Minds Matter shines a light on children’s mental health.

TelePsych kiosks in underserved areas; increase the number of care navigators, who identify at-risk children; and establish specialized care centers, like the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program.

Words: Justin Paprocki

Even with those accomplishments, there is still much to do—especially with

2016 with a modest goal of raising awareness for children’s mental

and bringing better, more accessible

the heightened need. The reality is, kids go

care to local kids.

8 to 10 years from the onset of symptoms

The past two years have brought

until they receive a proper diagnosis. That’s

health in the region. Six years later,

added challenges that will have

why much of the program’s efforts deal

it’s raised millions of dollars and

ripple effects for years. The

with early detection and treatment. “If we

become a force in reducing the

pandemic, an economic downturn

can help kids early, they can live a much

stigma associated with mental health

and social upheaval combined

better life,” Goldy says.

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Getty

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THE SHOWUNMI FAMILY Despite moving from London to Florida seven years ago, it wasn’t until Enoch Showunmi’s 15-month-old daughter, Alba, was born that the retired professional soccer player felt “a bit of culture shock,” he says. “Everything we do day-to-day becomes about her.” She may be too young to kick a ball around with her dad, the director of Naples United Football Club, but Showunmi and his wife, Italian-born Gabriella, a former fashion designer-turnedCEO of luxury travel company Elect Lifestyle, take baby along for date nights at restaurants in Naples and on road trips to Miami. When Alba gets older, Showunmi wants her to experience other countries and cultures, just like he did as a child visiting family in Nigeria.

“You become more exposed to the world as a whole—and that’s something that I want to give my daughter,” he says.

Just as he is exposing his daughter to other cultures and opportunities, Showunmi also hopes to do the same for children in Southwest Florida with two-year-old Global Soccer Pathways, a youth mentoring and coaching program that he launched in Naples at the onset of the pandemic, when he noticed players were losing motivation. Growing up in England, the game was fully funded, leveling out the playing ground for children, but in the U.S., “soccer is an elite sport, so people pay to play,” he says. “There are so many kids, especially in Collier County, who can’t afford to pay, so we are working on—and getting closer to—building a fully-funded academy where kids locally can come out, play, develop and be part of something.” —Lane Nieset

Enoch Showunmi wears a polo by Brunello Cucinelli from Saks Fifth Avenue. Alba wears a dress by Janie and Jack.

45

THE PREBISH FAMILY For Naples-based luxury real estate broker Richard Prebish II, the pandemic had one silver lining—he had more control over his work schedule to spend time with his wife, Stephanie, and their two daughters, 6-year-old Margaret and 9-year-old Maryn. “I’ve spent more time with my family at the beach than I have in the past 15 years,” says the Michigan native, who moved to Southwest Florida shortly after completing his master’s degree.

The family often frequent the beach near their Port Royal home and take their boat, Something’s Gotta Give—a nod to the couple’s favorite film—on cruises to Keewaydin Island, where they’ll anchor on the Gulf side and spend the day picnicking and f loating on rafts.

“It’s like having your own private island right there, just 20 minutes from the dock,” he says.

Living in a region that’s rich in natural beauty is something Prebish wants his children to understand and appreciate, so they take every opportunity to get the girls out into the nature that surrounds them. The family also places a strong emphasis on the arts, and the house is scattered with supplies like paint and crayons—as well as a piano upstairs—giving the children plenty of options to unleash their creative side.

Being in the real estate business, Richard is naturally drawn to history and heritage, and as a board member of the Naples Historical Society, he focuses a good chunk of time on the preservation of the Naples Historic District. “Whenever I go by a landmark in Naples with the kids, I always make a point to stop and share a story,” he says. “It’s important to appreciate what has come before you.”

—L.N.

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Richard Prebish wears a shirt by Peter Millar from Saks Fifth Avenue. Maryn and Margaret wear dresses from Zara.

47

THE USTAYEV FAMILY

Arsen Ustayev wears a sweater by Saks Fifth Avenue with jeans by John Elliott from Saks Fifth Avenue. David wears a shirt and pants by Ralph Lauren. Sophia wears a dress by Kids Atelier.

Arsen Ustayev and his family moved to the U.S. in 1991 when he was 11, f leeing from the oppressive Soviet Union. “We were only allowed to take $90 per family member,” he recalls. On his first day of school, students mocked him for the hand-me-down pink backpack he wore. “I didn’t have the right clothes or the right sneakers,” he says. Now, he raises his daughter Sophia, 10, and son, David, 7, to be accepting of all people. “We are all one human race,” he reminds them.

Having moved here in 2020, the Ustayevs are relatively new to Naples, but they have become quick fixtures at Community School of Naples (CSN). With this trademark f lair, Ustayev is easy to spot in his fitted Dolce & Gabbana blazers (the fashion house recently invited him to a runway show in Milan).

His wife is equally stylish, and both little ones share their dad’s love for Dolce (David especially loves the brand’s sneakers).

Academics take precedent, though, and the straight-A students have never missed a day at CSN. “This school is so advanced,” Ustayev says. “Things my daughter was learning in third grade up in Pennsylvania, my son is learning in first grade here.” The couple recently donated to help fund CSN’s new dining hall, and they support local nonprofits, including Naples Children & Education Foundation and Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. When the kids aren’t in school, they’re playing tennis, practicing the piano or boating along the Gulf as a family. “We want to give our kids every opportunity to enjoy life and have things we didn’t have,” Dad says.

“But we also know the importance of ‘Vitamin N,’ which is the word ‘no.’ They need to hear that, too.” —Jaynie Bartley

49

THE BERGMANNINSIGNARES FAMILY Designer Dwayne Bergmann and his lawyer husband, Luis Insignares, limit their twin sons to 30 minutes a day of screen time to avoid overstimulating or over-entertaining the kids. “We want them to have a sense of self-drive and self-management,” Bergmann says. At Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School in Downtown Fort Myers, the 8-year-olds Carter and Coleman, are encouraged to explore drama, dance and music. “We wanted them to be exposed to the arts and explore their creativity,” Insignares says.

Living in Fort Myers, the couple lured Bergmann’s parents from Missouri and Insignares’ from Miami to create a close network of extended family, before the boys came along. (Insignares’ sister also lives in the area with her kids, who are 12 and 18.)

“It’s an idyllic place to raise a small family,” Insignares says. On days off, you’ll find the clan of four at Love Boat Homemade Ice Cream in Fort Myers or on the court, playing tennis with their cousins. The rest of their free time is spent running around in their Fort Myers backyard or crafting with scraps of cardboard, paper and tape (“Cardboard and tape are hot commodities around here,” Bergmann says). “Our house is destroyed every day; they get everything out and play,” Bergmann says with a laugh. “But that’s the trade-off. Otherwise, they’d be sitting in front of the TV playing video games.” —J.B.

Dwayne Bergmann wears a shirt, slacks and a coat by Saks Fifth Avenue. Luis Insignares wears a polo and slacks by Theory from Saks Fifth Avenue. Coleman and Carter wear khakis and shirts by Hope & Henry.

51

THE HASSANTEETERS FAMILY

Jason Teeters wears a button-up and jeans by Isaia from Saks Fifth Avenue. Kesh wears khakis and a button-down by Ralph Lauren. Marra wears a dress by Kids Atelier.

Jason Teeters and Kehrin Hassan Teeters represent a new generation of Southwest Florida families: hustling, multi-talented entrepreneurs who steadily fill the region with businesses that cater to their millennial peers. Jason, who moved to Fort Myers to teach at Dunbar High School in 2002, now works full-time for Collaboratory, where his role as Nurturing Lead has him connecting nonprofits with activists, artists and other changemakers. Their goal: to turn the region into a fully equitable and united community by 2040. “My kids are biracial, so I try to think about what it means for them to be Black in America, and what does it mean to be white in America?” Teeters says. “If I can create a space that makes it easier for my kids to navigate that in this community, then I have to go allin on that.”

He’s also building his lifestyle design business, Jet Set State, working with local entrepreneurs to help them grow their businesses and maintain a healthy work-life balance. His wife runs a destination wedding company, and their nuptials in 2015 on an olive farm in Marrakesh inspired the names of their two children: 5-year-old Marra (who attends preschool at Bobbie Noonan’s Child Care in Fort Myers) and 3-year-old Kesh.

Jason and Kehrin love taking the kids to see new art at Alliance for the Arts, check out the food trucks at Millennial Brewing or watch the sunset on the Causeway beaches. They make a point to celebrate different backgrounds and cultures with their kids, doing things like attending events to support immigrants, the BIPOC and LGBTQ communities, and people with disabilities. “Allowing them to explore and to figure out who they are as individuals is really important for us,” he says. —J.B.

53

Words: Ayn-Monique Klahre Photography: Zach Stovall

his For t Myer s f a m i l y b heir clan—and now live ife—A Life A bu nda nt on heir ow n terms, decampi o their farm in A lva ever Fort Myers family r i d a y t hThis r o u g h S u n d a y .

T built their clan and now on d their own terms, a t h t o w live a r b u i l d i n g a l i decamping to their h e y l o v eAlvahfarma ons weekends. n’t been ea s or Jessica a nd Rya n Ben he t wo got married in 007 when they were 28, hen they decided to hav hildren, it became clear hat someth ing wa sn’t rig

When Jessica and Ryan Benson were unable to conceive, they turned to surrogacy. Now, the Fort Myers couple has two sets of twins, Banks and Rory, age 7, and Beckham and Ellie, age 3.

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The path to building a family life

Just like with their first babies,

hasn’t been easy for Jessica and Ryan

they were adamant about attending

Benson. The two got married in 2007

appointments. Jessica was about

when they were 28, but when they

to board a plane home after one

decided to have children, it became

appointment when she got a call

clear that something wasn’t right.

from the doctor that it was time.

“We started seeing a reproductive

“She called and said, ‘I’m leaving the

endocrinologist at age 30, and after a

airport!‘ I flew up that same day,”

few years of interventions, we realized

Ryan says. “I made it in time for the

I couldn’t carry,” Jessica says.

birth.” That day—and, technically, the

After weighing their options,

next, since their youngest daughter

they opted for surrogacy. They

was born just after midnight—they

connected with a woman nearby

welcomed Beckham and Ellie, now

through a clinic and implanted two

3. “We joke that Ellie just wanted her

embryos—both took. “She is a really

own day,” Jessica says.

special woman,” Jessica says. The

The couple is grateful for the two

couple attended all the doctors’ visits

“incredible” women who helped them

with her and were there for the birth

become parents. Jessica says her kids

of Banks and Rory, now 7.

are starting to understand the family

Three years later, with two

dynamics. “We tell them, this is the

embryos from the same egg

woman who grew you in her tummy

harvesting procedure, they tried

when mommy’s tummy was broken,”

again. “The doctor couldn’t believe

Jessica says, adding that raising two

we wanted to do it again, but we

sets of twins has its challenges and its

felt strongly that we wanted a

perks. “It’s a lot of work, but everyone

bigger family,” Jessica says. This

always has a buddy, and it’s fun to

time, they opted to use a surrogate

see them team up—sometimes it’s

in Massachusetts due to concerns

older versus younger, sometimes girls

about the Zika virus in Florida.

versus boys.”

57

During the pandemic, the family bought a 10.5 -acre farm in Alva, where the kids could run outside and play. They still live in the city during the week, but on Fridays, they decamp to the country in pursuit of the simple life, fixing up the farmhouse, fishing, gardening, cooking and playing games together.

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By 2020, life was pretty full. The

Ryan says. “And the kids really

younger twins were a year old,

enjoyed it.” One day, their oldest

so Jessica had reduced her work

son said he wanted to be a farmer,

schedule as a nurse anesthetist to

and Dad realized he felt the same

one day a week. Ryan was running

way. Soon after, they found a 10.5-

the Naples-based building firm, A.

acre horse farm in Alva, with a house

Vernon Allen Builder, which he and

surrounded by pastures and bordered

a partner had bought out just before

by oak trees. They saw it the next day,

the older twins were born. Plus,

fell in love and bought it.

Jessica, who was born and raised in

Over the past year, they’ve gotten

Fort Myers, and Ryan, whose family

settled in the new home, developing

moved to the area when he was in

their own brand of farming bit by bit.

middle school, had a full calendar of

“We Googled ‘cows for sale’ and

social and family obligations.

bought them off a Craigslist ad,”

Then COVID-19 hit, shutting down

Ryan says with a laugh. The family’s

schools, playgrounds and most

menagerie has since grown to six

public activities. But, as Jessica says,

cows, 35 chickens, about a dozen

“It was also this hard stop—finally, we

peacocks and ducks, and three

had permission to say ‘no.’”

goats. They’ve also become dog

The family retreated to a small

people after their first two goats fell

vacation home they had on Sanibel

victim to Florida panthers.

Island. “The beaches and nature

Now that school’s back in

were still open, so there was always

person, the Bensons live in a

something to do,” Jessica says. The

recently purchased home in Fort

more time they spent out there,

Myers during the week, while

the more they liked the slower

a Florida Gulf Coast University

pace. They sold their home in Fort

student cares for the animals on

Myers and bought chickens. “It was

the farm. Jessica works as a nurse

something to do during COVID,”

at Canterbury School, where their

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Over time, the Bensons have acquired a community of furry and feathered denizens. In addition to a flock of 35 chickens, they have cows, goats, peacocks, ducks and two guard dogs—which the kids help care for.

61

Weekends on the farm have become a sacrosanct part of the family’s routine. “The kids count down the days until we go to the farm,” Jessica says. “They have the space to be independent and feel trusted.”

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children are enrolled, and her mom

Everyone’s learning about farming,

helps in the afternoons, steering

too. The kids collect eggs from the

kids with their homework and bath

chickens, corral the goats into the

time before Ryan gets home.

stable and feed the animals. They’re

But every Friday, they head back

also working on a garden. Jessica

to the farm. There, the pace is slow

and Ryan are slowly improving the

and the Wi-Fi is even slower. The

structures on the property. “We

kids wake up and head outside,

started on the inside, to make it

often not returning until sunset. “Our

livable, and now we’re working

oldest heads to the pond with a

on the outside,” Jessica says. “It

fishing pole and would still be there

will probably always be a work in

at night if we let him,” Jessica says.

progress,” Ryan says with a laugh.

On Friday nights, they watch a movie

Through it all, they count their

together—with unlimited candy, a

blessings: among them, the women

real treat—and on Saturdays, they

and the doctors who helped build

cook something that takes all day,

their family, the many people in Fort

then play games together or make

Myers who support them day-to-

s’mores. “The kids count down

day, and the circumstances that led

the days until we go to the farm,”

them to this farm, where they make

Jessica says. “They have space to be

memories as a unit of six. “Being out

independent and feel trusted.”

here just feels right,” Jessica says.

& NATURE PARK

Crave adventure and comfort food? Adore bargains and cute critters? How about catching a show? The Shell Factory & Nature Park is the place for you! We’ve got tons of fun happening every day of the week all year long. You’re gonna love it as much as I do!

Check out our Facebook page and website for upcoming events and info 16554 N. Cleveland Ave. (US 41), N. Fort Myers, FL 33903 • (239) 995-2141 • shellfactory.com

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Comprehensive Guide of Program and Activities

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LIFT OFF Entrepreneur Program provides real-life experiences for problem-solving while connecting our students to the greater community.

CANTERBURY SCHOOL To experience Canterbury is to appreciate inspiring teachers, coaches, and mentors rigorously preparing students for a world of unlimited possibilities. The foundation of our school is based

STEAM Education aims to challenge and inspire students to think critically with hands-on learning experiences.

on four tenets: academics, leadership, character, and service. These tenets work in conjunction with key aspects that create a great “prep” school – a strong honor code, exceptional academics, a wide range of co-curricular opportunities, and meaningful relationships. Canterbury is an established leader in science and technology education with our Independent Science Research program, cutting-edge computer science courses, and state-of-the-art lab facilities. Highlights include our outdoor marine biology classroom, complete with a 1,000-gallon saltwater touch tank, as well as engaging opportunities in engineering, forensics, artificial intelligence, astronomy, and much more. From visual and performing arts to video production and music, we are pleased to present one of the most robust and diverse arts programs in Southwest Florida. Athletics also enrich the lives of Canterbury students, creating a climate of teamwork, cooperation, and sportsmanship. Working together in a resilient community, Canterbury prepares students to meet challenges with confidence, knowledge, integrity, courage, and responsibility. This powerful combination provides the foundation for your child’s success in learning and life. There is no doubt that this is one of the true values and lifelong returns of Canterbury’s independent school education.

Summer Programs with 50+ unique opportunities for all ages to explore!

Location: 8141 College Parkway Fort Myers, FL 33919 Phone: (239) 481-4323 Admission Office: (239) 415-8945 Website: www.canterburyfortmyers.org

Blue Ribbon School of Excellence PreK-3 through 8th grade.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Extra-curricular activities/ Athletic programs: Including but not limited to chorus, drama, basketball, soccer, volleyball, flag football, tennis, golf, lacrosse.

St. Francis Xavier Catholic School has been serving families and developing leaders in Lee County since 1938. We would love the opportunity to help prepare your children to be leaders in high school and beyond. Our school community is a family and the feeling of being welcomed and included are evident when you come through our doors. Several of our teachers are alumni, which speaks volumes that they are back to educate our future leaders!

98-100% of St. Francis Xavier Catholic School students go on to pursue higher education: 80% to a 4-year college and 19-20% to a 2-year college

While we are steeped in many rich traditions, we have embraced the advantages of technology for our students. We have a 21st Century technology center and utilize a 1:1 iPad program in 5th – 8th grades while providing a rigorous curriculum and traditional values. Our VPK program scored among the highest rankings in Lee County and surrounding areas for kindergarten readiness from the Early Learning Coalition. Our students consistently score top rankings on the nationally ranked standardized tests taken every Spring.

But it’s not only the tests and grades that set us apart. Dedicated students and teachers can be found at every school. So what makes us different? Our teachers and staff incorporate a deep love of Christ into every lesson. We teach our students from day one that a strong academic education goes hand-in-hand with solid Christian values. Don’t wait, become a part of the St Francis Xavier family and contact us for a tour today! Financial Aid and Scholarships are available.

Location: 2055 Heitman St. Fort Myers, FL 33901 Phone: (239) 334-7707 Fax: (239) 334-8605 Website: www.stfrancisfortmyers.org

COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF NAPLES Community School of Naples, an independent, PreK-12 college preparatory day school, was launched in 1982 by a group of parents seeking to establish a private school close to home. Essential elements of the school’s educational program include a comprehensive curriculum focused on academic rigor; opportunities in athletics and arts, both fine and performing; and character development. These elements ensure that each student experiences a challenging education only an independent, college preparatory school can provide.

Community School of Naples is known both regionally and nationally as the choice for families seeking the best educational experience for their children. CSN’s rigorous and globally focused academic curriculum prepares students not only for college, but for a lifetime of intellectual curiosity and social accountability. Centered around CSN’s motto of “Academic Excellence,” the school embodies this mission through outstanding teaching, wide-ranging curriculum, and extensive college counseling. Students are encouraged to strengthen skills and build confidence through various athletic, art, music, and extra-curricular clubs and activities. CSN also offers courses not available at any other school in Collier County, along with a robust Global Exchange Program and CSN Scholars Program. CSN is committed to the development of the whole child.

13275 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34109 (239) 597-7575 www.communityschoolnaples.org

NAPLES ART Naples Art offers ARTScool each summer as an enriching arts program for children and teens ages 5 – 17, where imaginations come to life and new friendships are forged while creating art.

Collaborative, lively, and even a little bit messy—an ARTScool classroom is a place where children’s innate artistic curiosity is nurtured and guided by accredited art instructors.

ARTScool students learn by participating in immersive arts activities incorporating math, science, language, history, and technology with painting, drawing, mixed media, paper arts, clay, printmaking, assembling 3D sculptures, and more!

Sessions run June 6 –July 29, 2022. Tuition is $150 per class, including supplies.

Each class runs 3 hours per day for 5 days. Morning and afternoon classes available.

Register at naplesart.org.

585 Park St., Naples, FL 34102 (239) 262-6517 www.naplesart.org

PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS At Pace Center for Girls – Find the Great in Every Girl!

Pace Center for Girls, Collier at Immokalee, serves at-risk girls between the ages of 12-18 by providing strengths-based, trauma-informed, and gender-responsive academics and social services Monday – Friday, 12 months a year.

Pace envisions a future where all girls and young women, regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status, are uniquely cared for, supported, and encouraged to become the best versions of themselves through a path of healing and recovery.

Pace Center for Girls’ team of counselors and educators develop individualized approaches based on each girl’s unique strengths and needs, offering full academic services, counseling, life-skills training, and career preparation.

For information on enrollment, career opportunities, volunteering, advocacy, and donations, visit: www.pacecenter.org/collier.

160 N. First Street, Immokalee, FL 34142 (239) 842-5406 www.pacecenter.org

SEACREST COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Head of School Steven Caruso is a parent, teacher, coach, and mentor to the students of Seacrest Country Day School.

“The first time I stepped onto campus nine years ago, I noticed that all of the students were so happy to be at school,” Caruso said. “This is true for my own children. There has never been a day when they weren’t excited to go to Seacrest.”

Mr. Caruso brings 30 years of independent school experience to his headship at Seacrest. From the first day as a 6-week-old child to the last day as a senior, Seacrest students are engaged in hands-on learning, research, problem-solving, intellectual exploration, and collaboration.

Located minutes from I-75, our vibrant 40-acre campus is the optimal setting for students to benefit from small class sizes, project-based learning, challenging academics, arts, athletics, sustainability, robotics, entrepreneurship, and more.

Since 1983 Seacrest has challenged students to take intellectual risks, achieve their full academic potential every day, and prepare for a future of life-long learning.

“At Seacrest, we meet students where they are in their academic journey,” Caruso said. “We allow them to not only find their strengths and passions but also to recognize and embrace their own struggles and challenges.”

Steven Caruso, Head of School

7100 Davis Blvd., Naples, FL 34104 (239) 793-1986 www.seacrest.org

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Southwest Florida Christian Academy has been a leader in K-12 education for over 28 years and is fully accredited by Cognia (AdvancED) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Students are provided a Christ-centered, expansive educational program that includes STEM offerings, AP courses, one-toone technology, and a comprehensive fine arts program. With the 3 choirs, 7 bands, and a full art and drama program, students are provided a multitude of performance platforms. The athletic program provides opportunities for students to participate in 42 competitive sports teams and 6 intramural teams across grades K-12 and has received the FHSAA Academic Team Champion recognition four times in nine years. While leadership training occurs across all grade levels, SFCA’s unique Student Leadership Academy identifies and equips students who will be the next generation of leaders. Community involvement is encouraged through field trips, service projects and mission trips.

Every aspect of SFCA’s program is geared towards preparing students for college and the careers of the future and to be godly leaders who will impact the culture for Christ. Please visit our website www.sfcakings.org to schedule a tour.

3750 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33966 (239) 936-8865 www.sfcakings.org

ST. ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL “What sets our school apart is not only our commitment to academic excellence and education of the whole child, but our tradition of closeness as a family community.

Through the hard work, dedication and support of parishioners and others, St. Elizabeth Seton School was literally hand-built in 1981 by the very families that wanted their children to have a quality, Catholic education. Since that time, Seton has been recognized throughout Naples for honoring its rich tradition of family values and faith in action.

We are small enough that teachers know all the students and their families, and large enough to offer a full range of academic rigor and extra-curricular experiences such as a music program complete with beginner and concert bands, competitive athletics, 1:1 iPad program, Spanish, Art, PE, an integrated STREAM program, and middle school electives including theater and life skills, as well as a host of clubs and activities.

I welcome you to visit, open our doors, feel the unique spirit and experience the joyful learning inside. See why our students love their school! Visit www.SaintElizabethSeton. com or call 239-455-2262. I’ll be happy to give you a tour of our special school where academic excellence, faith, values and community come to life each day!” ~ Maria Niebuhr, M.Ed., Principal

2730 53rd Terrace SW Naples, FL 34116 (239) 455-2262 www.SaintElizabethSeton.com Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence in Catholic Education!

FAM ILY TIM E Things to do and places to go to reconnect, unwind and feed young explorers’ imaginations.

Day Camps

Full Steam Ahead At the Edison and Ford Winter Estates’ new STEAM program, children learn to power an entire city with the sun.

Words: Artis Henderson

Calling all inventors. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates hosts one- and five-day programs for science and engineering enthusiasts. Kids can study the solar system, build and launch a rocket ship; design, build and code a robot; and explore chemical reactions with handson experiments. “We want our students to experience the whole process of invention, from beginning to end,” Pearce Augustenborg, education coordinator at the Estates, says.

The camps are designed to inspire kids to pursue “chasing that interesting idea”— like former resident and revered inventor, Thomas Edison, would do. “Edison was always curious,” Augustenborg says.

summer stands out. In it, students learn to

“That’s why he got up early and stayed up

generate electricity using sustainable solar

The Estates’ camps foster a sense

late. Ideas were like a book he couldn’t

panels, hydropower and windmills. The

of discovery, as kids learn to

put down.”

program begins with a lesson on building a

build rocket ships, code robots

basic light circuit using solar power; by the

and create renewable energy.

Among the many unique offerings, the renewable energy camp debuting this

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end, they’ll be building Innovation City, a

MORE WAYS TO LEARN Kids develop new skills and pursue budding passions through these hands-on programs.

Fashion Forward Little fashionistas explore the finer points of style during Lilly Pulitzer Fashion Camp, a week-long program that sells out every year at Waterside Shops. Kids learn about fashion, etiquette and printmaking—plus pointers on walking the runway. Open to girls in third through eighth grade, the program runs for two hours each morning and wraps with a fashion show for the parents with the girls as the stars.

Culinary Chops Chefs-in-training love Quality Thyme Meals Dinner Club that runs for five weeks after school and teaches cooking basics. Little ones make fun recipes, like Korean noodle stir fry and Thai curry, and—good news for busy parents—they leave every class with a ready-to-eat meal that serves Courtesy Edison and Ford Winter Estates

four. Open to ages 7 to 14.

Marine Matters The Sanibel Sea School’s Summer Camps are offered on the island for Sea Squirts (ages 4 to 6), Island Explorers (ages 6 to 13) and Teens (ages 13 to 17). Each five-day experience concentrates on one of the Gulf’s majestic creatures—loggerhead turtles, octopus, rays and snowy plovers, to name a few.

Natural Elements Lovers Key State Park’s Eco-Arts Summer Camp is tailor-made for model city completely powered by renew-

mini-ecologists with creative streaks. The 712-acre park’s five-day

able energy. “We want our students to have

program teaches environmental stewardship through mornings

personal agency as they solve problems,”

spent outdoors exploring the pristine beaches and mangroves of

Augustenborg says. “Our hope is that

Lovers Key. Afternoon lessons take place inside (in the air condition-

campers walk away saying, ‘I discovered

ing!), where they dabble in the arts—drawing, painting and storytell-

something,’ not ‘I was taught something.”

ing focusing on local ecology.

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Courtesy Kalea Bay

Poolside mini chaise lounges are just some of the stylish indicators that tell us Kalea Bay in Naples is built with tykes in mind.

Welcome Home

Home Sweet Home Whether you’re new to town or looking to upgrade to a private community where little ones have the run of the place, consider these neighborhoods with whimsical play areas, access to great schools and plenty of amenities for kids to explore and grow.

Words: Andrea Stetson

BABCOCK RANCH,

GREY OAKS, NAPLES

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Grey Oaks reinvented itself as a

Five years ago, Babcock Ranch was

child-friendly community when it added

fields of grass and trees. Now it’s home

a resort pool with a shallow splash area

to more than 1,400 homes with

four years ago. There’s also a play-

residents who live across 18,000 acres

ground, holiday events and sports.

in comfortable homes designed to

Little ones love the drive-in movies

meet green-building standards. The

and the pancakes in pajamas gatherings.

solar-powered community is modeled

They also get into the family bingo,

after the ideals of the developer Syd

trivia nights and the fall and spring

Kitson’s childhood hometown. “My mom

festivals with carnival rides. Parents ap-

used to kick us out in the morning and

preciate the holiday and summer camps

tell us to be home for dinner,” Kitson

that keep kids busy with sports like golf,

says. “We had no phones, no computers

tennis and swimming.

and no Gameboys. It was fantastic. We would just get on our bikes and explore.”

That’s what Kitson created at

In addition to the stately homes, coveted country club membership and restaurants helmed by award-winning

Babcock—a place where children ride

chefs, many people move to Grey Oaks

their bikes to school (the community has

for its three championship golf courses

its own A-rated K-8 charter school, and

and stellar tennis program. That ap-

a high school is expected to open this

plies to little ones, too. The community

fall), the town center, Cub Scout meet-

conditions young players through its golf

ings and to go fishing at the lake.

and tennis classes and events, like the

On weekends, children enjoy the splash pad and two playgrounds, swim programs, family movie nights and

glow-golf nights when neon targets are set up on the course.

Families—who often move to the

events like Chalk the Walk. It’s no won-

community for its proximity to Com-

der families have flocked here.

munity School of Naples—love the

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75

A giant waterslide meanders

A variety of year-round activities

50 coach with youth sports nonprofit

through a rock wall in the pool area

keep kids engaged (including weekly

U.S. Kids Golf.

before dropping into a resort pool.

dance, acrobatics and tumbling

Nearby, tykes play in the fountains

classes), and there’s an abundance of

THE PLACE, ESTERO

in the splash pad and on the sandy

sidewalks, which allows kids to roam

The Place seems as though it was

beach. The party room has more

safely throughout the neighborhood.

built for kids, with what may be the

than 100 retro games, including

area’s largest menu of attractions

Pac-Man. There is also a Kids’ Club,

KALEA BAY, NAPLES

and activities for the under-18 set,

where parents can drop off children

You might think of high-rises as be-

including a stellar outdoor area.

for free childcare while they workout

ing solely for retired snowbirds, but

“We always set out to cater to a

at the fitness center (and during Par-

this is not the case at Naples’ Kalea

multi-generational community,” de-

ents’ Nights Out, when children are

Bay. As they build, the team keeps

veloper Nick Cameratta says. Now,

treated to an evening of games and

the influx of young families moving

about 65% of the occupied homes

pizza, while mom and dad can sneak

to Naples—not just visiting grand-

are filled with families.

away for a solo dinner).

kids—in mind.

coaching, led by Bob Usher, a top

Courtesy Kalea Bay

Welcome Home

The style factor at Kalea is in play

For outdoor recreation, the

for the kiddos, too. The two game

kids’ pool has a sandy beach and mini

rooms—one for tiny tots and another

chaises for tiny sunbathers. There are

for teens—share the community’s

also year-round tennis clinics. And, in

coastal contemporary design, with no

the spring, Kalea hosts a tournament

clunky toys or technicolor decor. The

in which adults pair up with juniors,

room for ages 3 to 9 fosters creativity,

ages 6 to 15, for matches.

with books, an oversized chalkboard

The cherry on top: sundae socials

and building toys; while the teens’

with Bonita Springs’ Royal Scoop

quarters has all the frills to entice even

Homemade Ice Cream and kids’

the moodiest adolescent. Retro arcade

menus at both on-site restaurants.

games stand next to a foosball table,

With every perk, the team thinks

and virtual reality games are enhanced

about creating “not just a vacation

by the mod, cocoon-like chairs with

home, but a forever home” for fami-

surround sound.

lies, Kalea’s Inga Lodge says.

Life’s Short, Eat Dessert First!

Follow Us: mmscafe royalscoopberkshire royalscoopberkshire mmscafe

Royal Scoop at Berkshire Commons

M & M’s Cafe at Tin City

(239) 231-4544 www.royalscoop.com

(239) 261-5317 www.cafemnm.com

7335 Radio Rd., Suite 104, Naples, FL 34104

1200 5th Ave S., Suite 122, Naples, FL 34102

Book Club

Imagination Station Five local authors pen tales filled with inspirational messages and gorgeous illustrations.

Words: Aisling Swift

The Adventures of Ta

Julia and the Power of W.O.W

and Boddington

Written and illustrated by

Written and illustrated by

Kathy Kuser

James Zwerneman A teacher at Naples’ Mason

Kathy Kuser, co-owner of Happen-

Classical Academy, James

ings Magazine and publisher of Lee

Zwerneman was working on a

Family News in Fort Myers, gave her

caveman novel for his master’s

main character, Julia, an imaginary

but couldn’t get the humor right.

friend, Willy. Julia is a confident girl

“I was doodling characters and

who loves sharing her friend’s magic

I said, ‘I could put these in a

(W.O.W. means “with our Willy”) as

children’s story,’” he says. Ta is

they encounter situations that, with

a caveman chief, Boddington

companionship and a little magic,

is a troublemaker, and Sally is

are changed for the better. Kids love

a genius inventor who solves

looking out for the hints of Willy that

their problems. Friendship and

are hidden on each page.

courage are prevailing themes in

IngramSpark, $19

this series.

Wiggins Press, $15

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What Will Snarl Fig Be? /

Toofer & The Giblet

Dogs at Work: Good Dogs.

Nutsy and Her Tree

By Paulette LeBlanc

Real Jobs

Written and illustrated by

Illustrated by Dmitriy Morozov

By Margaret Cardillo

Heather Heckel

Illustrated by Zachariah OHora

A Naples High graduate and art

This first story in a seven-book

Naples native and mom Marga-

teacher in New York, Heather

series teaches life lessons

ret Cardillo got the idea for her

Heckel created this book as a

through two mice—Toofer and

third book while volunteering for

project at Ringling College of Art

The Giblet—in Nimblewood

Puppies Behind Bars, a program

+ Design. Her story follows Snarl

forest. The books, which include

that teaches inmates to train ser-

Fig, a monster who would rather

Beatrix Potter-like watercolors,

vice dogs. When she took pups

make perfume than scare peo-

explore friendship, letting go,

home, a friend joked that they

ple. When building a perfume

making assumptions and life’s

were coming home from their

shop, Snarl Fig endangers a tree

fast pace. “These are adult books

real jobs. In the story, Cardillo,

where Nutsy, the squirrel, lives.

for children,” Paulette LeBlanc,

who teaches screenwriting at the

The book, which won a Moon-

who is managing editor of the

University of Miami, follows chil-

beam Children’s Book Award and

Pine Island Eagle paper, says.

dren waiting for dogs to return

a Next Generation Indie Book

“Every lesson is something I

from work. “Every job in the book

Award, trails Nutsy’s efforts to

learned or wish I had learned.”

is a real dog job,” Cardillo says.

save his home.

Dragon Horse Publishing, $19

Balzar + Bray/

AuthorHouse, from $25

Harper Collins, $14

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Editors' Pick

Play Ball The first pitch of the Mighty Mussels’ home season crosses the plate on Apr. 12, and this spring, the Fort Myers minor league team is hitting it out of the park with its kid-friendly promotions. At Sunday home games, sluggers can play catch on the field and run the bases before and after the game, while fireworks follow Friday and Saturday night games. The team is also rolling out themed fan events, including Star Wars (Apr. 30) and Marvel

Getty

Defenders (June 17) nights.

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*Support your family’s normal immune maturation and innammation balance.

DrThornburg.com *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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A U n ique C h il d r e n’s Bout ique Clothing, Shoes, Swimwear, Toys, Gifts, and Pure Joy! 720 5th Avenue South Naples, FL 239 643 3833