Cincinnati Parent // 05.2012

May 2012

[ FREE]

[ cincinnatiparent.com ]

ONE-TANK-TRIP

Ideas for FAMILY FUN UNDERSTANDING

Children’s Mental Health

Summer

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BUCKET LIST 10 Things to do in Cincy Before Age 12

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MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 3

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contents 14

23

28

May 2012 31

visit us online at cincinnatiparent.com

features

in every issue

14

Foster Families

16

Understanding Children’s Mental Health

23

Local Organizations Lend a Hand

Connecting the Dots

Summer Bucket List 10 Things to do in Cincy Before Age 12

24

One-Tank-Trip Ideas

28

Women’s Health

Area Destinations that are Kind on the Gas Tank

08 22

Publisher’s Note Online Buzz

around town 10

Community Spotlight

commentary + parenting 12

Mommy Magic

Putting Your Passions, Skills & Talents to Use

resources 32 38 46 46

31

Summer Camps

Camp Defines & Develops Character

Summer Camp Guide Childcare + Education Guide Birthday Party Guide Marketplace

Local News, Events and More

calendars

health 18

Pediatric Health

Dealing with Depression in Children

21

Pediatric Health

Working Moms and Breastfeeding

40 45 47

Daily Events Ongoing Events Fun + Wacky

Putting Yourself First

ON THE COVER Cover Model: Avery Faulkner Photographer: Cara Harrison, Mischief and Laughs Photography

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MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 7

in every issue [ publisher’s note ]

The Humor of Parenting Welcoming our new stay-at-home dad blogger te e et Pe

PUBLISHER Mary Wynne Cox | publisher@cincinnatiparent.com MANAGING EDITOR Megan Kirschner | megan@cincinnatiparent.com

M

Occasionally parenting can be a daunting task.

Diapers, crying, sleepless nights, messes, sibling rivalry, cooking, driving, endless laundry and whining are just a few of the many challenges we face each day. It’s important to lighten up sometimes and take in the funny aspects of parenting. I would like to introduce you to our new stay-at-home dad blogger, Pete. He is hilarious and will put a huge smile on your face.

Below is a sample of his blog submissions.

Our House is Like a College Bar It is 6 p.m.

I’m in our living room. From where I stand I can see in pretty much every room in our house.

Everywhere I look there is some kind of mess. In twelve hours three small children have completely disassembled our entire house. It looks like someone took our house, turned it upside down, shook it and then set it back down.

The good news is, in a few short hours all the kids will be in bed, everything will be put away and our house will be back to normal. Ready to do it all over again tomorrow.

This reminds me of something...

I used to bartend in college. After serving thousands of drinks to hundreds of (ahem) 21-year-olds, the place was trashed. Everything was dirty. Nothing was in the right place.

But, in a few short hours after the bar emptied out, it would be cleaned up, and ready for the punishment of the next day.

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Katie Pfierman | katie@cincinnatiparent.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Heather Lipe | heather@cincinnatiparent.com

Floor = Sticky Smells: A variety of not so great smells, at the back end of the bar and the back end of my 2-year-old.

Tears: An emotional girl cowering in the corner bawling her eyes out.

Noise: Ears left ringing because of long-term exposure to loud noise.

Clothing optional: Chunky guy strutting around with his shirt off or girl running around with no pants.

Bodily fluids: Spit up, throw up. What’s the difference?

Underwear: There is a strong likelihood you would find someone’s undies in the bathroom at the bar and my kid’s underwear in ours.

Come to think of it bartending in college may have been the perfect preparation for parenthood.

Messy tables: Spilled drinks, writing on the tables.

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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jenny Swain | jenny@cincinnatiparent.com BUSINESS MANAGER Roxanne Burns | roxanne@cincinnatiparent.com EVENTS COORDINATOR & PUBLIC RELATIONS Wendy Cox | wendy@cincinnatiparent.com OFFICE MANAGER Karen Ring | karen@cincinnatiparent.com

CONTACT US

Cincinnati Parent 9435 Waterstone Blvd., Suite 140 | Cincinnati, OH 45249 PHONE: 513.444.2015 | FAX: 513.444.2099 EMAIL: info@cincinnatiparent.com

His blog is now featured on our Web site at www.cincinnatiparent.com and is updated regularly. I promise his posts will make you laugh out loud!

Wishing our Cincinnati Parent readers a happy month of May with lots of sunshine and fun!

So, here are some of the similarities between a college bar at closing time and my house at 6 p.m.: Overflowing trash cans: Beer bottles, paper scraps from art projects, plastic cups, dirty baby wipes. They all create a trash surplus.

SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Jennica Zalewski | jennica@cincinnatiparent.com

Mary Wynne Cox Publisher

Copyright Cincinnati Parent Magazine is published monthly. Copyright 2012 by Midwest Parenting Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of products, commentary or services herein. For information on subscriptions, editorial guidelines, advertising rates and more visit www.cincinnatiparent.com.

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 9

around town

[ community spotlight ]

Kids Bowl

FREE

Community Spotlight

This Summer!

Now in its 5th year, KidsBowlFree.com serves more than a million children and 700,000 families across North America each summerallowing them to bowl for free all summer long.

More than 950 bowling centers participate in the program from coast to coast which provides kids with 2 FREE games of bowling every day all summer.

Families must register online at www.kidsbowlfree.com and then will begin receiving emailed vouchers valid for two free bowling games each day for a week every Sunday morning from the starting date at their center until the conclusion of the program in their community.

Most Kids Bowl Free programs kick off by Memorial Day weekend and end on or about Labor Day Weekend.

Cincinnati Area Participating Bowling Centers: • Heid

Bowling Lanes

• Stump’s

Bowling Lanes

Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour Cincinnati Tour Stop on May 25, 2012 at U.S. Bank Arena Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour is a great opportunity for parents to introduce their children to not only Michael Jackson’s music, but also his theatricality, impressive dance moves and overall persona as a great pop legend. A riveting fusion of visuals, dance, music and fantasy that immerses audiences in Michael’s creative world, the show unfolds Michael Jackson’s artistry before the eyes of all in the audience. Aimed at his lifelong fans as well as those experiencing Michael’s creative genius for the first time, the show captures his essence, soul and inspiration, celebrating a legacy that continues to transcend generations.

Tickets available at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets range from $50 to $250 each.

Explore the “On Wings of Harmony” Butterfly Exhibit at Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati

2012 World Choir Games

“On Wings of Harmony” will feature thousands of vibrant, colorful butterflies that will arrive in Cincinnati from every continent on earth (with the exception of Antarctica!). They will be in free flight throughout the showroom, often fluttering together through the ribs of a 10-foot recycled aluminum globe. (Now that’s ‘harmony’ at its very best!)

The World Choir Games is the largest international choral competition in the world, taking place every two years. This year our very own Cincinnati will play host to this once-in-alifetime event, July 4-14.

Show Highlights Include: • 16,000

butterflies representing the continents

• Beautiful • Special • New

floral displays

children’s programming

hummingbird garden

• Photo,

drawing and painting contests

• Colorful

Mot h er’s Look ing f or ? s in Cincy Day event code t o see Scan t h e ng on what ’s goi n! around t ow 10 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

set designs including giant mobiles, butterfly topiaries and rainbow accents

• Friday

evening Happy Hour Events

For more information, visit www.butterflyshow.com

Coming to Cincinnati

Cincinnati USA was selected as the first U.S. city to host the World Choir Games. The 2012 Games are expected to bring 20,000 participants and tens of thousands of visitors from more than 70 countries, and will be Cincinnati USA’s largest international arts event ever with an economic impact of $73.5 million. Proctor & Gamble is a Presenting Sponsor.

Make plans to attend the once-in-alifetime event that will allow you to experience the colorful culture of performing artists from some 50 countries that span the globe.

Tickets for the 2012 World Choir Games can be purchased at: www.2012worldchoirgames.com/tickets.

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 11

parenting

[ mommy magic ]

Quotes About Talents I believe talent is like electricity. We don’t understand electricity. We use it.

GUIDE Putting Your Passions, Skills and Talents to Use Don’t waste the gifts bestowed to you

—Maya Angelou Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. —Leo Bascaglia I believe that life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel, but we are well-equipped for it if only we tap into our talents and gifts and allow them to blossom.

—Les Brown To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.

—Winston Churchill I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.

—Albert Einstein Imagination is not a talent of some men but is the health of every man.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

—Henry Van Dyke We are most alive when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

—Thornton Wilder Those who are blessed with the most talent don’t necessarily outperform everyone else.

It’s the people with follow-through who excel.

—Mary Kay Ash

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Mary Susan Buhner marysusan@mommy-magic.com

My oldest daughter has a gift for drawing, sketching, and painting. She has been a wonderful artist since she was a little girl in pigtails. Not being able to draw more than a stick figure myself, I am in awe of this natural talent and skill. It was nothing we taught her to do. Rather, she was just born with the ability to draw. Of course, my daughter’s not the only person who has an innate talent. The way I see it, all of us have specific gifts, especially us moms!

Let’s face it, as a mom we have the gift of multitasking in the bag. There is, however, more to each of us than just being able to fold laundry, make dinner and kiss a boo boo on a skinned knee (all at the same time, of course). For some, it may be the gift of singing, for others, it might be teaching, photography, cooking, baking, dancing, swimming, running, writing—the list goes on.

I see these talents, these innate abilities, as God-given gifts. I visualize it kind of like this: Imagine that you are sitting at your kitchen table with God. He places a beautifully wrapped gift in front of you, and pushes it toward you. You look at it for a minute, touch the big bow, and

admire the expert wrapping. God says, “Go ahead, open it.”

You have three choices.

One: You can get excited about opening the gift, and rip the paper from the box.

When you do, you realize that the package contains a very specific talent or skill. You quickly realize that this special gift is meant for you and only for you!

God gave it to you, and you decide, then and there, to use and develop it throughout your life.

Two: You open the gift, but decide not to use it—and like anything else that goes unused, the gift eventually withers and dies. Have you ever given a special gift to someone and after spending time creating it, you found out that they shoved it in a closet never to be used?

Not a good feeling. Same goes with not cultivating and using your own innate gifts and talents. Don’t shove them away never to be used. Not only is that sad for you, but disappointing to those around you who could have and would have benefited from your special skill set.

Three: You could sit and stare at the beautifully wrapped gift, never opening it. You push it across the table, as you shake your head and say, “No thanks.

Not for me. Don’t want to know what it

is, don’t want to use it. It would be better if you just took the gift back.” Of course, God never takes it back, He always leaves the gift on the table. You then spend a lifetime just staring at it, never really understanding how special the gift is inside the box.

The next time you walk by your kitchen table, visualize a beautifully wrapped gift there for you, just waiting to be opened. What would you do? If you unwrapped your gift today, what would be inside the package? Would you have the courage to use the gift?

The exciting news is that we live in a world where we as moms can use our gifts in limitless ways, and fulfill our passions and dreams while doing it. I know many moms who have made the decision to use their special talents while being a mom. One mom I know started a catering business because she loves to cook. Another creates personalized stationary because she loves to create art with paper. Another uses her gift for music to help teach children piano.

Whatever your passion, skill, and talent might be, don’t waste it. Use it! So the next time you walk by your kitchen table, make the choice to unwrap your special gift. It is there waiting for you to use it, develop it and be proud of it!

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 13

one by one

foster care is changing lives Along with Focus on Youth, there are many more foster care organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area.

These include the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home, St. Joseph Home of Cincinnati, The Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services, Pressley Ridge, and many more.

Written by Katrina Robke Holtmeier

Substance abuse. Neglect. Homelessness.

Poverty. Domestic violence.

For some children, these issues are a fact of life. But it doesn’t have to be that way. That’s where the foster care system can help.

Chrissy Staggs knows this first hand. She and her husband, Jason, have been foster parents for more than a decade. They set out to change the lives of children in need. In fact, of the 18 foster children they have welcomed into their home, they went on to adopt 10 of them. Staggs said every child who has come into her home has impacted her life, and that of Jason, in many ways.

“My children have taught me unique life lessons,” she said.

“I think my kids have taught me to accept people where they are at, not to judge, to have faith, and believe in the power of change. They taught me about true resiliency, unconditional love, and tolerance.”

According to www.abcnews.com, nearly 60,000 children in the United States are reported as abused or neglected each week. About 520,000 children end up in foster care each year, and approximately 800,000 children every year come in contact with the foster care system.

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local organizations and families lend a helping hand One local foster care and adoption agency is Focus on Youth, located in West Chester. There, Staggs is the manager of foster care and adoptions. She supervises all of the licensing and compliance of foster care and adoptive homes, and she coordinates placement.

Staggs said working at a facility like Focus on Youth has made her a stronger parent, and ally for foster and adoptive parents.

“My personal experience gives me better insight and understanding to what our foster and adoptive parents are experiencing,” she said. “I am able to use [my] experiences when I am training families or to give them support and guidance when dealing with challenging issues.”

The most important thing people need to know about foster care, Staggs said, is being committed and adaptive. It is very challenging for everyone involved, and the most important thing, in her opinion, is to do everything in her power to place a child in a loving home.

“You have to be committed to being a team player who is willing to be flexible and accommodating,” she said.

Focus on Youth’s executive director, Cindy Skinner, said foster care is a very important service because it provides safety and well-being for children from all areas of the

community. She said it can deeply impact the lives of the families it serves.

“Foster care changes lives by providing strong, nurturing families who have worked to develop the necessary skills to help youth and families adjust and make life changes,” she said.

Both Staggs and Skinner agree that foster care is all about making an investment in a child’s future, and that every child’s safety and happiness is worth whatever it takes.

Staggs said for the children she comes in contact with, including her own foster and adopted children, she tries to be a positive influence. “[I] try to encourage them along the way,” she said. “I like to show children that their life can be different by making different choices. I feel proud of the work we have done with children and families and hope they have learned something they can carry with them throughout their lives.”

For many local children, foster care is a bridge between the past and the future. No matter what circumstance leads a child into the care of a foster and adoption agency, there are people like Staggs and Skinner there to offer a helping hand, a hug, and a life-changing placement.

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 15

UNDERSTANDING

Children’s Mental Health

Written by Sarah McCosham

Connecting the dots

s a parent, there is perhaps nothing more difficult than the nagging feeling that something is “not quite right” with your child. It could be that he is not hitting those developmental milestones the pediatrician asks you about, or that she seems socially “behind” her friends at your weekly play date.

Coping with a mental illness diagnosis can be especially rough for parents, as the term “mental illness” comes with much stigma and misconception. If you or someone you know is dealing with this diagnosis, then perhaps the following information can help.

Defining Mental Illness Mental illness is a broad term that encapsulates a variety of behaviors and specific disorders. Julia Anixt, a psychiatrist with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, defines mental illness as a discrepancy in the achievement of “expected developmental milestones in the areas of thinking, emotion, and social interaction.”

David Katkin, owner of Katkin Therapy, added that mental illness causes a “marked disturbance in a person’s life. A mental illness is a diagnosable condition that is causing a person’s life to be worse or much worse than it should be. It is a mix of behavioral and neurochemical issues that affect mood, or mood that affects the behavior,” he said.

Because mental illness can cover such a wide spectrum of disorders, Anixt said it 16 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

is important for parents to look for certain red-flag behaviors in their child. These include behaviors which interfere with how he or she functions at home with the family, in school, or in community activities; feelings of sadness, worry, irritability, or problems with sleep which persist over time and interfere with how well a child is able to function in day-today settings.

schedule. Finally, she said she didn’t think Andrew’s problem was necessarily verbal, but that “he just couldn’t hear.”

Anixt added that some warning signs that a child may be struggling and could benefit from evaluation include: a decline in grades; poor school performance despite trying very hard; severe worries leading the child to refuse to go to school or social activities; hyperactivity; constant fidgeting; persistent aggressive behavior or disobedience; frequent unexplained temper tantrums; or a persistent negative mood associated with changes in eating habits or sleep.

Because she got help so early, Andrew is now thriving in school and looking towards graduation and college. Seide said that early intervention was key in helping Andrew make so much progress.

One Parent’s Observations For Janet Seide, it started with a simple observation: her 2-year-old son, Andrew, seemed to have a hearing problem. “He wasn’t responding to his name,” said Seide of Andrew, who is now 16. “He also seemed to be behind verbally,” she added.

However, Seide initially chalked Andrew’s behavior up to a few things. She initially thought that Andrew’s linguistic delays could simply be that he “was a boy, and boys are typically a little behind [girls] in their verbal skills.” Also, Seide noted that she didn’t start talking until age 2, so she figured Andrew was simply following the same developmental

After bringing up her concerns to her pediatrician, Seide was referred to specialists at a local hospital. After roughly a year of tests and evaluations, Andrew was diagnosed with autism.

Treatment

Like Seide, if you suspect your child may have mental illness, you should voice your concerns to your pediatrician. Anixt explained, “Families who have concerns about their children’s mental health can first speak to a primary care physician who will be able to refer the child for additional evaluations. As there can be an overlap in symptoms between many different mental health conditions, it is important to accurately establish a correct diagnosis.”

After speaking to your pediatrician, Anixt explained that the doctor might refer your child and his parents to a psychologist for diagnostic testing, behavioral treatment, and parenting strategies. Your child may also be referred to a physician such as a psychiatrist or developmental-behavioral pediatrician to establish a diagnosis and to recommend behavioral therapy and/or medication treatments.

There are lots of resources and treatment options available for parents and children coping with this diagnosis. One such resource is MindPeace, a local practice that helps direct families to treatment.

MindPeace collaborates with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the Hamilton County Board of Mental Health, local school districts, and mental health providers to increase children’s access to quality mental health services.

“MindPeace works to unite the right teams so kids and their families can get the mental health care they need,” explained Susan Shelton, director.

Moving Forward While mental illness is not curable, Katikin said that with early intervention parents can expect to see significant progress and improvements in their child’s symptoms and behaviors.

“Theoretically, a mental illness doesn’t go away, but the problems associated with that illness can go away as the child becomes an adult and finds him/herself more stimulated in what they are doing in the post school world.”

When parents first suspect their child has mental illness, “it can be devastating,” Seide explained, “but there are so many options available now.” Seide said she can’t emphasize enough the importance of early intervention; she’s convinced that Andrew’s early diagnosis and subsequent treatment has made all the difference.

“As long as you see your child progress,” Seide concluded, “there’s hope.”

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 17

health

[ pediatric health ]

Dealing with Depression in Children Advice from an expert David Katkin Clinical counselor and CEO of Katkin and Associates

Kids, especially adolescents, have a pretty non-traditional way of showing depression. Often that “depression” comes out more like anger. It also shows its ugly head in the form of defiance and withdraw or isolation. The confusing thing for parents is, when is it normal teenage behavior and when is it depression?

To make the diagnosis, I default to some real observable negative changes. These are the questions I ask: Have their grades gone down significantly?

Have their eating habits changed?

Has their time spent with friends gone down?

How’s their hygiene?

If the answers to these and more questions indicate a marked change for the worse, then it’s time to get some professional help. Me being a therapist would recommend taking the depressed child to a therapist first. Doctors are great, but all too often, their first answer is medication.

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Therapists look to change the behavioral situation and work with the parents to help them set up situations for the child to be able to positively affect their own life.

And at the very least, it gives the child a safe place for them to vent their frustrations and concerns about life, a place where they won’t be judged, criticized or talked about behind their backs.

Sadly, as a therapist I have to admit that therapy isn’t always the answer and sometimes the child may need medication. Each situation is unique and there isn’t one straight answer on what to do for each situation. We therapists also have a rule, when in doubt, consult. So if you’re in doubt about what to do, give your friendly neighborhood therapist a call, or even talk to a doctor you trust. Whatever you do, don’t ignore the problem.

That doesn’t make it go away.

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 19

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[ pediatric health ]

health

Working Moms and Breastfeeding Making the effort Dawn Manfroy MD Board-certified Group Health pediatrician

Breastfeeding after returning to the workplace can present some challenges, but with effort it can be a highly rewarding experience!

home. The tricky thing is that production of breast milk works on a supply-and-demand principle. If you are not nursing or pumping while you are at work, your supply of milk will decrease.

You will need some basic things to pump in the workplace:

• You gain many advantages A high quality electric breast Breastfed babies are less likely to get sick in when you continue to pump. breastfeed. It provides the first year than those who are formula fed.

• Bottles or bags to collect and significant health and This also may translate to fewer missed store your milk. nutritional benefits to your child. Breastfed babies are less workdays due to your baby’s illness. Plus, • A cooler or refrigerator to keep likely to get sick in the first the expressed milk. you may enjoy some cost savings by not year than those who are formula fed. This also may • having to purchase formula.

A clean and private place to translate to fewer missed pump. workdays due to your baby’s illness. Plus, you may enjoy some The number of times you pump is cost savings by not having to purchase formula. related to the amount of milk you would like to generate. A suggestion is to pump about every four hours.

One of the most gratifying reasons to pump breast milk while at work is that it helps you maintain a feeling of Finally, you should strongly consider discussing your closeness with your child even though you are apart. decision with your supervisor, and offer the assurance that this will not interfere with your work.

Most working moms cannot get away to breastfeed and instead use a breast pump to express milk while at work.

Certainly breastfeeding after returning to work is not a You can also consider replacing feedings while you are at simple endeavor, but both you and your baby will enjoy work with formula, but continue to nurse when you are your successful efforts.

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 21

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Info: $2 for adults; $1 for children Location: 441 Vine St., Cincinnati Gaze into t he world’s oldest telescope at t he Cincinnati Observatory

Situated atop the rolling hillsides of Mt. Lookout, the Cincinnati Observatory is home to the world’s oldest telescope still in use nightly by the general public. Your little astronomer will love stargazing and learning about what he sees above and beyond.

Info: “Astronomy Thursdays” admission is by suggested donation of $4 per person. “Astronomy Fridays” are $6 for adults and $4 for children under 18.

Reservations are required for all evenings.

Location: 3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati Eat chocolate chip ice cream at Graeter’s

Many self-professed ice-cream connoisseurs agree: Graeter’s has the best ice cream in Cincinnati. Graeter’s has been making ice cream (two gallons at a time) for almost 140 years. Let the kids order a big scoop of any of Graeter’s signature chip flavors.

Info: $2-$4 per serving Location: Many throughout the city Couples’ skate wit h Mom or Dad at Jimmie’s Rollerdome

Roller skating may be a throwback activity for you, but it’s a new adventure for the kids. Grab their hands and guide them around the rink to some classic jams in this roller rink that’s been family owned and operated since 1948. There’s nothing better than a couples’ skate with the (little) ones you love.

Info: Varies Location: 115 Main St., Elsmere, Ky. Find pirates’ t reasure on a BB Riverboat

Board the boat for the Pirates of the Ohio Cruise on a BB Riverboat. Make like a real sea criminal with a free pirate hat,

Info: Fridays (June 1-August 31) from 3-4:30 p.m.

Adults $18, children $14 Location: 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, Ky. Compete in t he Kids Fishing Derby at Triple Creek

In the Kids Fishing Derby, youngsters 12 and under can wet a line in the pond at Triple Creek and win a trophy if they catch a tagged fish. Each child who catches any fish receives a certificate to commemorate their catch, and everyone who participates receives a special Fishing Derby button.

Info: Free Location: 2700 Buell Rd., Cincinnati Ride down t he 93-foot-long slide at Marker’s Wally World

Marker’s Wally World has all the essentials for a day of warm-weather fun: go-karts, miniature golf, bumper boats, batting cages, a kiddy train-ride – but it’s the 93-foot-long Super Dry Slide that’ll really have the kids’ hearts pumping.

into the Ohio River all in the same amphibious vehicle. The kids will love to blow on the provided duck whistles, and the guide’s informational banter is entertaining for the whole family.

Info: Adults $17, children $12, ages 2 and younger free Location: Pick up tickets in front of Newport Aquarium: 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, Ky. Eat a burger at Zip’s Café

Nosh on quality kid food at Zip’s Café, a family-friendly joint that’s been voted as having the best burgers since 1926.

The dining room is small, and the tables are community-style, so expect to make some new friends who’ll be sharing your elbow room.

Info: $3-$8 per meal Location: 1036 Delta Ave., Cincinnati

List

Get the best view of the city from the 49th floor of the Carew Tower – a true Cincinnati landmark. Expect some ear-popping as the modern elevator carries you to the 45th floor; from there, you transfer to a rickety telephone-booth-size elevator and then climb a gray steel staircase to the observation deck.

eye patch and treasure map. Play games to find out if you have to walk the plank, and use your map to find the hidden treasure. There’s plenty of adventure aboard.

Buc ket

f loor of Carew Tower

S umme r

See t he view f rom t he 49t h

Info: Unlimited rides down the slide for $3.75. Other rides individually priced.

Location: 1212 S. State Rd. 101, Liberty, Ind. Touch a shark at Newpor t Aquarium

Discover the bizarre and beautiful water world at Newport Aquarium, rated as one of the best aquariums in the Midwest. Kids can watch piranha, sharks and fish being fed, visit the otters in the rainforest, meet the penguins and touch sharks.

Info: Adults $23, children 2 to 12 are $15, children under 2 are free Location: 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, Ky. Undergo t he “splashdown” on a Ride The Ducks tour

10 things to do in Cincy before age 12 Written by Brooke Reynolds

The Ride The Ducks tour – a unique way to take in Cincinnati – isn’t just for tourists.

Tour the streets and splash MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 23

One-Tank-Trip

IDEAS Area destinations are kind to the gas tank and full of family fun!

Written by Mandy Gabbard

hether families cannot afford the time off, the lodging or the gas, in our economy the family vacation is often the first household budget cut. Forgoing the time away could possibly make for a humdrum summer but fortunately there are some very affordable and creative ways to have fun close to home. These destinations are the perfect budget-friendly way to give your family a getaway with a sense of fun, adventure and discovery and still be home by bedtime!

Holiday World—Santa Claus, Ind. If planning a trip for a family of thrill seekers, Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana may be just the ticket.

This family-owned amusement park is just a threehour drive from downtown Cincinnati and offers top-notch roller coasters, family rides and a waterpark. Their wooden coaster, The Voyage, has been named the number one wooden coaster on the planet several years in a row and their waterpark has been dubbed the best water park in the nation by

Tripadvisor.com. Additionally, when you pay the affordable admission, (general admission $34.95-$44.95; children 2 and under are free), you get access to one of the cleanest and friendliest parks in the world, free parking, free sunscreen and free soft drinks all day…really! This is a great getaway for any family who loves thrills and spills!

24 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery—Dayton, Ohio Got kids who are curious about the world around them? Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton, Ohio is only an hour from downtown Cincinnati and offers a world of scientific exploration and learning that is fun for the entire family. It is a natural history museum, science center, children’s museum and zoo, and is the region’s only public planetarium and observatory.

Featuring more than 90,000 square feet of permanent and traveling exhibitions, the Boonshoft

Museum offers hands-on labs, fiery demonstrations of basic scientific principles in the Science Theater, extensive astronomy exhibitions, and the Space Theater, known as The Dome.

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 25

The Boonshoft Museum also brings nature indoors at the MeadWestvaco Treehouse, and history comes to life in the African Room. Visitors can splash their way through the Water Properties Table, find their rhythm at the CW Color Wall, climb a three-story tower, and come face-to-face with the furry, prickly and scaly residents of the Discovery Zoo. With general admission ranging between $7.50-$8.50, (children under 2 are free), and three Tuesdays a year that everyone gets in free, this is an extremely frugal trip for a family of eager young scientists.

Mammoth Cave National Park—Central Kentucky Mammoth Cave National Park, named for its unbelievable size in the early 1800s, (before the discovery of an additional passage in the 1970s that doubled its size), it is the second oldest tourist attraction in the United States.

With 390 miles of cave to explore, the adventurous family can make this destination a fun day trip or memorable overnight mini-vacation. Visitors can spend their days on cave tours, hiking, horseback riding, shopping in the gift shops or playing tennis. In the evening, Mammoth Cave explorers, no matter what their level of “roughing it,” can rest comfortably in the park’s hotel, cottages or three campgrounds. Prices for tours, attractions and lodging vary and can be found on the park’s website, www.nps.gov/maca. A world of exploration is only a three-hour drive away!

Lost River Cave—Bowling Green, Kentucky Just three and a half hours south of downtown Cincinnati awaits a world of adventure and outdoor fun at Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

26 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

The park’s main draw is its cave tour.

The tour consists of a 20 minute guided walking tour followed by a 25 minute boat tour and a self-guided tour of the Butterfly Habitat and Blue Hole Walking Trails. Admission to the tours, depending on visitor age, ranges from $3.50-$15.00. The cave and its additional attractions are open year round and offer a plethora of family events and activities such as The Great American Campout and the Annual Butterfly Celebration.

Lost River Cave also offers a number of educational programs centered on science and history. Travelers who love to learn will enjoy their Sinking into Karst, Geology Rocks and Focusing on Fossils courses. History buffs will enjoy learning about the role of caves in prehistoric times as well as the part Lost River Cave played during the Civil War. Most people are cutting out some of the extras in order to get by these days. Fortunately, with destinations like these so close, fun does not have to be one of those cuts!

FIND MORE ON THE WEB For more great ideas on fun things to do in the greater Cincinnati area, visit our website at:

CincinnatiParent.com

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 27

Women’s Health Putting Yourself

F I R ST Written by Gretchen Keene

...go have a glass of milk and take a nap.

That doesn’t sound so

bad, does it?

28 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

hy, as women, do we so often put ourselves last on the list? We’re so busy taking care of everyone else, we often forget the importance of keeping up on our own health ­— or at least push it to the back of our minds until we have more time to deal with it.

The good news is, experts say there are many preventative measures we can take to stay in good health. No surprise here: diet and exercise are important components. “Diet does play a major role in wellness,” said Dr. Glen Hofmann of the Bethesda Center for Reproductive Health and Fertility. “Too much fast food, rich food and alcohol all adversely affect one’s overall health. A diet balanced to provide an adequate level of protein, carbohydrates and fat is essential.”

More good news: You don’t have to be an exercise nut or run marathons to stay healthy.

“To maintain her current weight, a woman should get her pulse up enough to break a sweat three to four days a week for thirty minutes at a time,” said Dr. Robert Flick of Mercy Health.

“To lose weight, women need to up that routine to one hour at a time, five or six days a week.”

While that may sound like a grind, it really is worth it to get to a healthy weight. “It cuts down on all the risks associated with being overweight, such as type II diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, breast cancer, gallbladder disease...” said Flick. Need we go on?

Both of these doctors agree on one very important step to getting and staying healthy: quit smoking! “Clearly the most damaging thing

15 MINUTES COULD SAVE

YOUR LIFE. Schedule your mammogram today at any of the following locations: Call 513-956-3729 for Mercy Health Hospitals in Anderson, Clermont, Fairfield, Mt. Airy, and Western Hills.

Call 513-686-3300 for The Jewish Hospital and Mercy Health Mobile Mammography.

www.e-mercy.com

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 29

Of ten women struggle with issues, knowing

something is off, but not knowing if seeing a

physician is necessary or the right thing to do. a woman does is smoke,” declared Hofmann. “Smoking is bad for her entire body and lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in women.” Cutting out this one single habit will impact your health in more positive ways than you can imagine!

Patricia Molony, Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) of Seven Hills Women’s Health Centers, recommended a couple of other things women can do that won’t feel like rolling a boulder uphill. “Wearing sunscreen and avoiding overexposure to the sun [are important]. Women also need to get four to five servings of calcium daily to promote bone health, which will be important as they age. Getting adequate sleep and managing stress can also play an important role in managing health,” she said. So go have a glass of milk and take a nap. That doesn’t sound so bad, does it?

As much as we’d all like to avoid doctors, getting certain things checked regularly can potentially go a very long way in maintaining one’s health. Hofmann said, “Yearly examinations with your primary care physician or OB/GYN are recommended with direct testing for pap smear, mammograms and colonoscopies as indicated. Reviewing medications, weight, blood pressure, fasting blood sugars and other life and health issues with your physician will optimize your health.”

Staying healthy is certainly important, but some women need to get healthy first.

Often women struggle with issues, knowing something is off, but not knowing if seeing a physician is necessary or the right thing to do.

Trust the Group to care for you and your family.

As women, most of us suffer from mood swings now and then (it’s called having hormones). But sometimes it’s more serious than that. Severe mood swings, coupled with other symptoms can be caused by bipolar disorder. According to Molony, “Women with bipolar disorder may seem much happier or much sadder than normal. Rapid changes in mood may occur. The ‘happy’ symptoms include being quick to anger, being more active than usual, thinking one has special powers, poor decision making, and starting big projects but never finishing them.

‘Sad’ symptoms may include significant weight losses or gains, sleeping too much, feeling very tired, feeling bad about yourself, feeling very little enjoyment and thinking about suicide or death.” Doctors can help! Get to one if you feel you exhibit these symptoms. “Medication and/or counseling are used in treating bipolar disorder.”

Group Health has a new look to show that we are part

While bipolar disorder is a serious example of the medical challenges women may face, postpartum depression is much more common, but also very treatable.

130+ Providers and 18 Specialties

“Mood changes are common after having a baby,” assured Molony. “Many women get what is referred to as the ‘baby blues.’ Symptoms of baby blues usually start two to three days after having a baby and resolve by two weeks, [and they include] being moody, irritable or anxious, trouble sleeping and crying spells.

Postpartum depression symptoms are much more severe and last longer. They may include anxiety, angry outbursts, feeling guilty and overwhelmed, or like a failure and unable to care for yourself or the baby.”

“If [these] symptoms persist,” advised Flick, “please speak with your physician right away. Without treatment, the depression may become worse or last longer.

We can help!”

30 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

of the TriHealth system, but you can still expect the same great care and compassion, and the same ease and convenience. We have offices throughout Cincinnati so we’re near to wherever you live. And services like MyChart, which allows you to make appointments and access your medical records, make it easy to get what you need when you need it. Our look may be new, but our commitment to you and your family will always remain the same.

Office locations | Anderson | Clifton | Finneytown | Kenwood Mason | Springdale | Western Hills | Western Ridge TrustTheGroup.com | 513 246 7000

[ summer camps ]

around town

Camp Defines and Develops Character Building tomorrow’s leaders

American Camp Association Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines character as one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. Many families want to ensure that their children are developing a strong character — including aspects like honesty, integrity, and empathy for the world around them. So where can families turn to help provide the right environment for character development?

Families can go to camp.

For over a century, millions of families have been benefiting from the positive, supportive environment provided by the camp experience. At camp, children and youth feel safe and nurtured, allowing them to take healthy risks and

develop character organically.

Supporting mentors model positive character traits and lead by example.

And camp is filled with teachable moments — it is a place where a disagreement about the rules of a field game actually becomes a lesson on integrity, honesty, and fair play.

“Camp is a unique educational environment,” said Peg Smith, chief executive officer for the American Camp Association (ACA).

“Developmental growth significantly contributes to a young person’s ability to develop 21st century skills. Skills such as character building are inherent in the camp environment.

More importantly, research tells us

this growth lasts well beyond the camp experience and becomes a lifelong attribute.”

Camp builds character and is critical to a child’s development. For millions of families, camp has long been the answer to the character development question.

For families who are new to the camp experience, or interested in learning more about camp and character development, ACA offers an online resource with helpful hints, expert advice, and information on child and youth development at www.CampParents.org.

Camp is more than fun — the experience develops character and builds the leaders of tomorrow.

Camp — it’s good for life.

About ACA The American Camp Association® (ACA) works to preserve, promote, and enhance the camp experience for children and adults. ACAAccredited® camp programs ensure that children are provided with a diversity of educational and developmentally challenging learning opportunities. There are over 2,600 ACA-accredited camps that meet up to 300 health and safety standards.

For more information, visit www.ACAcamps.org.

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 31

summer camp DAY CAMPS

ADVENTURE DAYS ON THE FARM Address: 11896 Old Lexington Pike, Walton, KY 41094 Contact: Mary Mary Benton Marcum /Director Phone: 859-485-7000 Email: bentonfamilyfarm@aol.com bentonfamilyfarm.com Special Needs Camps Offered: Yes (specialty camps) Financial Aid Offered: Yes Hours: Monday-Friday 9:45am-2:45pm Dates: Farm Camp offered only these weeks due to this being a working farm. July 9-13, July 16-20, July 23-27 Ages/Grades: Ages 6-12 Cost: $185 per week;Families with siblings will be provided discouts.

Requirements of Campers: Parents will be interviewed to be sure your child is ready for farm life!

Activities Included: Campers will be assigned a sheep/goat the first day. The camper will be responsible for its care for the week, bathing, grooming, shearing, and walking it for exercise. We will learn all the farm chores and be assigned daily.

Adventure Days on the Farm is just a kids dream week of making new friends and learning so much in one week. And did I mention we learn to fish, learn to milk a cow, and lots of farm fun games.

Friday is a big day for the kids! Awards of best milker, best shearer, biggest/ tiniest fish caught, and so much more.

See our website. Join our facebook pages and meet our incredible staff.

Activities Included: Each day will follow a curriculum, and will follow a particular theme. We will offer a snack, craft and incredible games.

Ages/Grades: Children’s Workshop - Ages 4-8;

Each week has a unique theme and each day has a special and creative lesson plan. Enroll for just one day or one full week! You can customize your child’s camp schedule to fit your needs.

Art Academy Of Cincinnati Address: Art Academy of Cincinnati, 1212 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Contact: Bobbi Vallery, Camp Art Academy Director Phone: 513-562-8748 Email: bvallery@artacademy.eedu

Address: The Little Gym, 7318 Yankee Road Liberty Township, OH 45044; 8201 Arbor Square D Phone: 513.777.1110

Ballet Theatre Midwest Summer Workshops and Intensive

www.ballettheatremidwest.com

everyday camps)

Gender of Campers: Day: Co-ed Basic Category: Arts Hours: Children’s Workshops - 9:30-12:30, Monday - Friday; Summer Intensive - 9:30-4:30, Monday Friday Dates: Children’s Workshops - June 11-29; Summer Intensive - July 2-27

Hours: Monday-Thursday 1:00p-4:00p; Friday 9:00a-12:00p Dates: June 11 - August 24 Ages/Grades: 3 years - 10 years Cost: $25 per day through $90 for the week Requirements of Campers: Must be potty trained.

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ballet tech of ohio dance camp Address: 7623 Old 3C Highway, Maineville, OH 45039 Contact: Claudia Rudolf Barrett Founder & Director Phone: 513-683-6860 Email: ballettechohio@aol.com Gender of Campers: Coed Hours: 2 thru 4 yrs old: times/days TBD; Children’s Workshops: 9:30 - 12:30 M-F; Summer Intensive: 9:30 - 4:30 M-F; Adult Classes: 7:15 - 8:45 M & TH Dates: Musical Movement, Movement Discovery and Pre-Ballet: June 11 - Aug 3; Children’s Workshops: June 11 - 29 (Additional weeks TBD); Summer Intensive: June 11 - Aug 3 (2 - 4 weeks each); Adult classes: June 11 - Aug 3 Ages/Grades: Kids Camp: Ages 5 - 8; Summer Intensive: Ages 9 -25 Cost: See website for details.

Requirements of Campers: No audition for Children’s Camps Call to schedule summer Intensive audition or send video (see website for requirements).

Activities Included: Kids Camp includes ballet, tap and creation/production by students of a ballet.

Intensives include ballet, pointe, pas de deux, variations, repertoire, modern, jazz, performance

Special Needs Camps Offered: Yes (During

Gender of Campers: Coed

Gender of Campers: Day: Co-ed

Basic Category: Arts

Basic Category: Traditional

www.thelittlegym.com

Website: www.countryday.net

Children’s Workshops - Dance, music and art creatively built around a weekly theme with Friday performances.

Summer Intensive - outstanding technical and artisitic training with individual attention. Bi-weekly performances.

Gender of Campers: Coed Hours: Full days: 9am-4:30 PM; 1/2 days: 9am-12:15pm or 1:15-4:30 pm Dates: Six separate weeks from June 11 through July 27,2012 Ages/Grades: Ages 5 - 12 Cost: Full day: $245/week; 1/2 day:$155/week (morning or afternoon) Requirements of Campers: Interest in Visual Art and Art Making Activities Included: Drawing, Painting and Sculpture activities each week involving hands-on art making around that week’s art focus.

Address: 3833 Eastern Avenue, Spencer Township Hall, Cincinnati, OH 45226 Contact: Nancy Fountain, Director Phone: (513)520-2334 Email: ballettheatremidwest@fuse.net

Email: tlgmasonoh@thelittlegym.com

Email: moulint@countryday.net

Cost: Please see website for specific program rates.

www.ballettechohio.org

Anytime Summertime Kids Camp

Phone: (513)979-0365

Summer Intensive - Ages 9-25

www.artacademy.edu/community_ education

Convenient downtown location, Supervised drop off/pick up, and Secure building and classrooms. All provide a fun, stimulating art experience for future artists and art lovers!

GUIDE

opportunites, pilates,nutrition/injury prevention.

Inspiring summer programs with individual attention for all ages/levels.

Visit our website to see our renowned faculty and guest artists, Adiarys Almeida and Joseph Gatti of Boston Ballet and Valery Lantratov, honored artist of Russia. Traditional as well as unique ballet, modern and jazz repertoire. Valuable health education, dance history.

CCDSummer Address: 6905 Given Road, Cincinnati, OH 45243 Contact: Tina Moulin, Coordinator of Summer Programs

Type of Camp: Day Basic Category: Traditional Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm Dates: June 11 - August 3 Ages/Grades: 18 months - grade 12 Cost: $140 per week (half-day) - $1,080 for 4-weeks (full-day) Activities Included: Weekly themes that highlight play-based activities and foster academic growth in the areas of language arts, math, social studies, science, physical education, and art.

Our weekly day camps are led by degreed and experienced teachers who provide engaging activites that foster academic and social experiences for children 18 months - grade 6. Weekly workshops are available for students 18 months - grade 12 in the areas of arts, athletics, and academics. Some courses are available for high school credit.

CCM Preparatory Summer Happenings Address: 290 CCM Blvd, Cincinnati, OH 45221 Contact: Elizabeth Boland, Asst Director Phone: 513-556-2595 Fax: 513-556-9469 Email: ccmprep@uc.edu

www.ccm.uc.edu/prep Gender of Campers: Coed Hours: 9am-8pm Dates: June 11 – August 18 Ages/Grades: Music & Theatre Arts ages 5 & up; Ballet ages 4 & up Cost: Varies Requirements of Campers: Varies Activities Included: Music camps, lessons, theatre arts camps, including performance camps, music ensembles and ballet classes.

Programs designed to provide the finest arts education led by CCM Prep faculty and guest artists including CCM faculty, local artists and educators. Combine our camp with RecKids for all-day experience! Programs are located at CCM and UC Blue Ash.

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 33

CHCA SummerFlight Day Camps

Dates: June 15, 22, 25-29; July 6, 9-10, 13, 20, 23-27;

16-August 10

Address: 11312 Snider Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249

August 3

Ages/Grades: Ages 6-12

(tenth grade)

Contact: Beth Andrews, Director of Summer Programs

Ages/Grades: Ages vary by session. See website for details.

Cost: $1750 for one session; $3200 for two sessions

Cost: $200.00

Phone: 513-247-9944 x 275

Cost: Friday Fun Camps: $38; Stage Camp and Stage

Requirements of Campers: ree screenings will be

Requirements of Campers: All students must be

Email: summerflight@chca-oh.org

Camp Junior: $140 (includes lunch); Junior Artist

conducted on all campers at COTIs office

teacher-recommended or auditioned and have

www.chca-oh.org/summerflight

Camp: $80

Activities Included: Alert Program, Arts and Crafts,

unchanged voices.

Gender of Campers: Coed

Activities Included: Activities vary by session. Camp

Games and Sports, Movement and Dance, Science and

Activities Included: The festival consists of sessions

Basic Category: Traditional

themes include: theater, art, lifeguarding, fishing,

Nature, Swimming, Field Trips, Special Guests

in vocal artistry, sight singing, musicianship through

Special Needs Camps Offered: No

science, ooey-gooey activities, water games and more.

Financial Aid Offered: No Hours: Half-Day, Full-Day and Extended Hours options from 7:30am - 5:30pm Dates: Weekly sessions from June 4 - August 10 Ages/Grades: Age 3 - Rising 4th Graders Cost: $119.50/week for Half-Day Camp; $239.00/week for Full-Day Camp; $30 - $40/week for extended hours.

Activities Included: Weekly themed camps feature a range of age-appropriate activities including games, art, music, play, devotions and team-building.

Coney Island presents Camp Coney 2012, which offers a unique approach to summer “edu-tainment”. This series of camps is comprised of three multi-day camps and six themed Friday Fun Camps. See website for dates, age restrictions and camp themes.

Camp Creativity!

Address: 101 S. Monument, Hamilton, OH 45011 Contact: Jenn Acus-Smith / Education Coordinator

Camp OdakOTa is designed to help children with sensory processing disorders develop meaningful relationships and have fun. Some children avoid sensory input while others crave it.

Because the camp was conceived and developed by occupational therapists, our staff understand this and will be sensitive to your child’s sensory needs.

Central Montessori Academy

Ages/Grades: Ages 9 (third grade) - 15

movement, music theory, choral artistry and music history/world music.

Young singers interested in enjoying and developing their musicianship skills will gather for an exciting week as they attend inspiring, interactive sessions on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. The week will culminate with a closing concert shared by the Festival Choir and members of the Cincinnati Children’s Choir.

CincyNature Camps

Presented by Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy! In the spirit of summer adventure, CHCA SummerFlight Day Camps has planned an unforgettable summer experience for your child. Christ-centered fun, learning, adventure and character-building every day.

Located at CHCA’s Edyth B. Lindner Elementary School in Symmes Township.

Phone: 513-863-8873 ext. 110

Address: 1904 Springdale Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45231

Email: frontdesk@fittoncenter.org

Contact: Cheri Hauer

Address: 4949 Tealtown Rd., Milford, OH 45150

www.fittoncenter.org

Phone: 513-742-5800

Contact: Amy Johnson/Registrar

Gender of Campers: Coed

Fax: 513-742-5870

Phone: 513-831-1711

Hours: Half-day camps, hours vary based on each

Email: lsaylor@centralmontessoriacademy.com

Email: ajohnson@cincynature.org

camp; Youth Camps from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm or 10

centralmontessoriacademy.com

www.CincyNature.org

am - Noon and Teen Camps from 1 - 4 pm

Gender of Campers: Coed

Gender of Campers: Coed

Dates: Camps held from June 18 to August 3, 2012.

Basic Category: Traditional

Basic Category: Traditional

Camp Arrowhead

Choose from 20 different week-long camps!

Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Special Needs Camps Offered: Yes (Everyday and

Ages/Grades: Ages 4-18; Age ranges vary based on camps

Dates: June 4 - August 3

Specialty camps)

Address: 6703 Yankee Rd, Liberty Twp, OH 45044

Cost: Costs vary based on each camp; range of

Ages/Grades: Ages 3-11

Hours: Hours vary depending on camp.

Contact: Kelly Gilbert, Childcare Adm

$50-$120 per week. Save $10 by signing up for

Cost: Weekly rates range from $120

Dates: June 4, 2012 - August 10, 2012

Phone: 513-779-3917

multiple camps or if more than one sibling signs up.

Activities Included: Summers at CMA are based in

Ages/Grades: 3 - 15

Email: kgilbertlakotaymca@gmail.com

Scholarship applications are available.

our Montessori approach to learning and discovery.

Cost: Vary - Substantial discounts apply to CNC

www.lakotaymca.com

Requirements of Campers: Your place in camp will be

Each week offers unique opportunities that facilitate

Family Members

Gender of Campers: Coed

held upon full payment to the Fitton Center. Please

children’s growth and provide endless opportunities for

Activities Included: Variety of fun activities including

Basic Category: Traditional

sign up early - our camps must reach a minimum

fun and exploration!

canoeing, hiking, games, crafts, exploring the creeks,

Hours: 7am-6pm extended camp; 9am-4pm day camp

enrollment to be held.

Dates: June 4, 2012 - August 17, 2012

Activities Included: Camps offered in visual art, music,

Ages/Grades: Grades 1-10

guitar, photography, musical theater and creative writing

Cost: Members: $130 day / $165 extended / $105 CIT Non Members: $170 day / $205 extended / $135 CIT Activities Included: Each day campers will participate in recreational activities including: archery, crafts, group games, climbing wall, nature, swimming, sports, science, hiking, drama, D.E.A.R. and much more.

Camp Arrowhead is designed to provide campers with a variety of experiences in a well supervised camp setting. Each week will include a special theme. Don’t miss a great opportunity!

Spend your Summer with the Arts! The Fitton Center for Creative Arts presents Summer Camp Creativity, a perfect destination for creative and artistic children!

Watch their talents shine as they jump into our exciting and fun camps! Please visit www. fittoncenter.org or call 513-863-8873 to register today.

Central Montessori Academy’s early childhood and elementary Montessori summer programs are designed to nurture children’s curiosity, creativity and intellect.

These goals are met through many outdoor activities (like playing on our NEW Natural Playground), special theme weeks, project-based learning opportunities, inspiring learning environments and our energetic teachers.

challenges, discovery the natural world, team activities, hands-on nature learning, and making new friends.

CincyNature Camps are a fun way for kids to actively challenge their minds and bodies while using their creativity and imaginations in a natural setting. The variety of camps offer unique, age-appropriate activities that expose children to new and exciting outdoor adventures in a safe and friendly environment.

Address: Cincinnati Children’s Choir Preparatory

The Goddard School Summer Day Camps 2012

Address: 6642 Branch Hill Guinea Pike, Loveland, OH

Department College-Conse, Cincinnati, OH 45221

Address: 1280 Nagel Road, Cincinnati, OH 45255

45140

Phone: 513-556-0338

Contact: Bekkah Bennett, Summer Director

Address: 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, Oh 45230

Contact: Samantha Laichas, Director

Email: Choir@cincinnatichoir.org

Phone: (513) 474-5292

Contact: Alex Gartner

Phone: (513) 791-5688

www.cincinnatichoir.org

Email: andersontwpoh@goddardschools.com

Phone: 513-232-8230

Email: coti@cintiOTinstitute.com

Gender of Campers: Coed

http://www.goddardschool.com/Schools/

Email: agartner@coneyislandpark.com

www.cintiOTinstitute.com

Basic Category: Arts

Anderson-Township-OH/schools.gspx

Website: coneyislandpark.com

Gender of Campers: Coed

Financial Aid Offered: Financial aid is available

Gender of Campers: Coed

Gender of Campers: Coed

Basic Category: Special Needs

Hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday and

Hours: Full-day camp 7:00am - 6:00pm; Half-day

Basic Category: Traditional

Hours: 9:00-4:00 Monday-Friday

Saturday,12 - 4 p.m.

camp 7:00am -1:00pm (Activities begin at 9:00am)

Hours: Hours vary by session. See website fore details.

Dates: Session 1 June 18-July 13; Session 2 July

Dates: July 30 - August 4, 2012

Dates: June 4 - August 24, 2012

Camp Coney

34 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

Camp OdakOTa

Cincinnati Children’s Choir Festival

building forts, finding reptiles, accomplishing

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 35

Ages/Grades: Discovery Camp - under 5 yrs; Explorer Camp

extended camp options available.

- 5 and 6 yrs; Adventure Camp - 6 to10 yrs

Dates: Camp offered June 4 through August 17

Cost: Discovery & Explorer Camps - cost varies depending

Ages/Grades: Camps for children ages 4-18

on schedule. Adventure camp - Full-day $210/wk; Half-day

Cost: $55-$220/wk

$160/wk

Requirements of Campers: ALL FARM CAMPERS WILL:

Activities Included: Expanded campus this year includes

feed and groom animals, cook with food grown or raised on

indoor gym, large outdoor fields. Traditional Goddard

the farm, take a hay ride, hike to our lookout for lunch and

summer curriculum, engaging visitors, weekly water days ,

games, make creative crafts, engage in age appropriate

high energy, outdoor activities, and frequent field trips (age

activities. Theme Camps will participate in activities sp

appropriate).

Activities Included: Be a farm kid! Interact with barnyard

The Goddard School in Anderson Twp. is committed to providing the best early childhood development for children – summer included! Our School is a place where children are encouraged to develop their own curiosity and creativity through structured play and learning activities. 2012 Summer Camp theme is “Welcome to the Olympics!”

The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori Summer Program and Camps

animals, explore the woods, garden fun, games, hiking, crafts, music and more. Special themed camps for wilderness, art, cooking & science. Camp sessions scheduled by age group.

emotional and academic growth in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Children enjoy themed programs under the direction of experienced Seven Hills faculty members.

Shakespeare Summer Camp Address: Xavier University/Gallagher Student Center 3800 Victory Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH Contact: Jeanna Vella, Director of Education Phone: 513.381.2273 X 3202 Email: jeanna.vella@cincyshakes.com

www.cincyshakes.com Gender of Campers: Coed

GHF’s talented & dedicated camp staff are recruited nationally. Camp counselors are selected based on their experience with children, passion & creativity for teaching, & knowledge of agriculture & the environment. You will never want to leave!

Basic Category: Arts

Mercy HealthPlex Summer Camps

10th-12th grade)

Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm; Friday 9am-9pm (includes performance at 7pm for family & friends) Dates: Camp 1: JUNE 11-15, 2012; Camp 2: JUNE 18-22; Camp 3: JUNE 25-29 Ages/Grades: Camp 1 (completed 6th & 7th grade); Camp 2 (completed 8th & 9th grade); Camp 3 (completed

Special Needs Camps Offered: Yes, During Every Day Camps Hours: 9am-4pm with before and after care available Dates: June 11-July 27, 2012 Ages/Grades: Ages 8-16 Cost: $600 per session Requirements of Campers: : Candidates should be girls, at least 9 years old and no older than 16 years by the first day of camp, highly motivated, self-contained young ladies who have a sincere enthusiasm and passion for learning Activities Included: Zumba, Field Trips, Swimming, Math, Science, Financial Literacy, Art, Dance, Poetry, Entrepreneurship, College and Career Exploration, Personal Style, Leadership Development, Round-Table Luncheons, Music, Capoeira, Self-Esteem Workshop, Yoga

The Sisters of Nia Girls’ Summer Enrichment Camp is a fun-filled, mind stimulating and uniquely designed summer camp that blends academics, fun and creativity perfectly for girls ages 8-16. The camp fosters an “I can do it” attitude by bulding confidence, cultural awareness and personal edge.

Address: 4460 Berwick Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45227

Address: Multiple Locations in Cincinnati

Cost: Camp 1: $260; Camp 2: $270; Camp 3: $280; Include

Phone: 513-271-4171

Phone: 513-942-PLEX

tuition, t-shirt, 2 daily snacks and pizza party on Friday.

Fax: 513-271-4680

MercyHealthPlex.com

Requirements of Campers: Must have completed the

Email: ntoon@gscmontessori.org

Gender of Campers: Day: Co-ed

grade listed by the start of camp. Auditions required for

Address: 2121 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45208

www.gscmontessori.org

Basic Category: Traditional

Camps 2 & 3 only.

Phone: 871-6080 ext. 402

Gender of Campers: Coed

Dates: June 4 - August 17

Activities Included: Shakespeare Summer Camp is a

www.springer-ld.org

Hours: full or half day

Ages/Grades: Full Day Camps for ages 6-12 and Half -Day

one-week theatre day camp for middle school and high

Gender of Campers: Coed

Dates: Summer Program: 8 weeks: June 18-August 10th;

PreSchool Camps and Adventure Days for ages 3-5

school students who want to learn more about the art of

Dates: June 18 - July 13, 2012

Camps are 4-day camps week of June 11 and June 18

Cost: Varies by camp. Please check the website for details.

theatre in general and Shakespeare in particular.

Ages/Grades: Summer Program is only for ages 3-6; Camps are for ages 4-12 Cost: Summer Program: Two 4 weeks sessions: $110/wk for half day (8-12) and $220/wk for full day (8-4): 3 hr camps are $80/week Requirements of Campers: Dress comfortably and bring a water bottle.

Activities Included: Set on our beautiful 13 acre wooded campus, the Summer Program for 3-6 yrs olds focusses on Art and Nature exploration guided by Montessori trained teacher; Camps are for Drama, Nature, Art and Ultimate Frisbee.

Mercy HealthPlex offers a wide variety of day camp programs including full-day Plexploration camps and half day specialty, sports and preschool camps. Energetic and qualified staff offer a safe and nurturing environment to help your child make wonderful summer camp memories. Join us for a summer full of new experiences and new friends.

The Seven Hills School Summer Enrichment Program Address: 5400 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227

Go to www.gscmontessori.org for more information.

Contact: Jill Romerill, or Linda Clark Camp Directors

Gorman Heritage Farm - Farm Camp

www.7hills.org

Phone: 513-728-2400 Email: jill.romerill@7hills.org

Camp I: Includes beginner’s classes in acting, voice, combat, set and costume construction, text analysis, and movement to mount a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”- all in just one week! Camp II: Students experience a more in-depth study of scenes from Shakespeare’s canon.

Intermediate study of Shakespearean text, acting methods, and stage combat are explored, as well as introduction to skills like voice-work and improvisation. Camp III: Campers will stage iconic and challenging scenes from the Bard’s romances, tragedies, and comedies. Advanced study of Shakespearean text and acting will be emphasized, with college level master classes in various acting techniques, audition techniques and more.

Springer School and Center

Ages/Grades: Ages: 1st – 8th grade

“Adventures in Summer Learning” is designed for students of at least average potential who are not making expected progress. The morning program helps children become confident in the basic skills through small group instruction. The afternoon program consists of specialized courses in math, writing, social skills, and creative expression.

YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Summer Day Camps 2012 Locations: 12 locations throughout the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Phone: 513-362-YMCA

www.myY.org

Address: 10052 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45241

Gender of Campers: Coed

Contact: Mike Roman, Camp Director

Hours: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Early and after-care available.

Phone: (513)563-6663

Dates: June 18 to August 10

Fax: (513)563-6659

Ages/Grades: 3 to 18

Email: camp@gormanfarm.org

Cost: Varying. Parents can schedule from one

www.GormanFarm.org

to 8 weeks.

Address: University of Cincinnati. 2925 Campus Green Dr.,

Financial Aid Offered: Yes

Gender of Campers: Coed

Activities Included: Weekly themed activities in a fun,

Cincinnati, oH 45221

Hours: Hours vary per camp.

Basic Category: Animals

relaxed atmosphere. Program options include academics,

Contact: Kamilah Bryant, Executive Director

Dates: Dates for each camp available on our website,

Special Needs Camps Offered: Yes (Everyday and

fine arts, outdoor activities, sports and technology. Open to

Phone: 513.254.4315

www.MyY.org

Specialty camps)

entire community.

Email: info@sistersofnia.com

Ages/Grades: Ages 3-15

www.sisterfofnia.com

Cost: Cost varies depending on each camp. Pricing

Gender of Campers: All-Girl

Information is available on our website. Registration begins

Financial Aid Offered: Financial aid is available Hours: Most camps run 9:30-2:30, Half-day options and 36 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

A summer enrichment program designed to support children’s social,

Sisters of Nia Girls’ Summer Enrichment Camp

Gender of Campers: Coed Basic Category: Traditional Specific Categories: Themed Day Camps, Pre-school Camps, Teen Camps, Counselor-in-Training programs, Specialty Camps, Sports Camps

at all YMCA of Greater Cincinnati branches on March 10

At the YMCA, we make learning fun while giving youth the opportunity to engage in creative problem solving and team building.

This summer, in addition to all the fun traditional and creative camp activities, all sites will also include time for summer programs integrating the arts with math and language standards.

ensures individual instruction and attention.

Excellent instructors and horses. ACA accredited since 1959. References available.

If you love horses, you’ll love this camp!

Falcon Young Adventure Camp Address: 4251 Delta Rd SW, Carrollton, OH 44615 Contact: Dave Devey Director/Owner Phone: 800/837-CAMP Email: info@FalconCamp.com_

www.falconcamp.com

RESIDENTIAL CAMPS Falcon Camp

Address: 4251 Delta Rd SW, Carrollton, OH 44615 Contact: Dave Devey Phone: 800/837-CAMP Email: info@FalconCamp.com_

www.falconcamp.com Gender of Campers: Coed Basic Category: Traditional Dates: 2,4,6,8 week sessions available from June 17 – August 11 Ages/Grades: Ages 6 - 16_Cost: $2150 to varies with length of session Requirements of Campers: Willing to have fun and try new things!

Activities Included: Sailing, horseback riding, riflery, archery, tennis, crafts, drama, woodslore, canoeing, swimming, basketball, softball, sports, overnight camping, dances, creative arts, video, much more!

Ohio’s premier summer camp since 1959.

Boys and girls enjoy wide variety of activities with outstanding staff. “Fun for Now, Skills for Life” is motto and environment created at Falcon. Located on beautiful 8 mile Leesville Lake in hundreds of acres of woods, great food, great fun, lifetime of memories.

Falcon Horse Lover Camp

Gender of Campers: Coed Basic Category: Traditional Dates: July 29 - August 4; August 5 - August 11 Ages/Grades: ages 6 – 9 Cost: $990/wk Requirements of Campers: Designed for first time sleep away camp experience.

Activities Included: Program same as Falcon Traditional Camp; includes horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, archery, air rifles, crafts, sports, rocketry, fishing, nature study, sailing and much more.

A unique and exciting introduction to overnight camping for boys and girls ages 6 -9. These one-week programs are designed with care to guide the campers in being successful with their first great “Young Adventure” away from home.

1:2 staff/camper ratio provides individual attention, instruction and parental oversight.

YMCA Camp Carson Address: 2034 Outer Lake Road, Princeton, IN 47670 Contact: Mark Scoular Phone: 812-385-3597 Email: campinfo@ymca.evansville.net

www.campcarson.org

Address: 4251 Delta Rd. SW, Carrolton, OH 44615

Gender of Campers: Coed

Contact: Dave Devey, Director

Dates: Multiple Sessions Available

Phone: 800/837-CAMP

Ages/Grades: Ages 7-16

Email: HorseCamp@FalconCamp.com_

www.horselovercamp.com Gender of Campers: All-Girl Basic Category: Animals Dates: One week sessions June 17 – August 11 Ages/Grades: Girls ages 11 – 15 Cost: $1050/wk Requirements of Campers: For horse lovers only. Some experience recommended.

Activities Included: Daily mounted lessons, trail rides, fun rides, games, guest instructors, field trips, your “own horse”, parent demo, take home video, ground lessons, approx. 4 hours actual riding each day.

For Horse Lover’s only! Eat, sleep and breathe horses in this special program designed to improve riding skills, teach horsemanship, horse health and care. Very limited enrollment

Cost: Prices vary per session

YMCA Camp Carson has it all! Truly “An Experience That Lasts a Lifetime!”

Just over 3 hours SW of downtown Cincinnati, join campers and staff from over 25 different states and 7 countries at southern Indiana’s premier summer resident camp. Horseback, motorized dirt-bikes, archery, canoeing, sailing, swimming, kayaking, mountain-bikes, archery, marksmanship, climbing, pottery, woodworking, fishing, crafts, mountainboards, “The Blob”, water zip-lines, Tom Sawyer Swing, and so much more. Also offering soccer camp with European soccer staff and specialty camp for those with Type 1 Diabetes. ACA accredited.

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 37

education +childcare resources

[ childcare ]

Child Care/Preschool Chai Tots Early Childhood Center

Academic excellence via unique blend of Montessori method and traditional Jewish education. Chai Tots teaches children the culture and traditions of Judaism, while developing their creativity skills and promoting independence. Flexible schedule. Before and Aftercare. 7587 Central Parke Blvd., Mason, OH 45040, (513)234-0600, www.chaitots.com, Grades: 6 weeks - 6 years, Enrollment: 40

The Compass School Ages 6 weeks-6 years plus after school & summer camp up to age 12. Offering outstanding Reggio-Inspired full and part-time Infant, Toddler, Two’s, and Preschool programs, as well as Kindergarten, After School, and Summer Camp for school-age children. Degreed teachers, extensive parent communication, and welcoming family environment. Setting the standard in early care and education. Call today for your personal tour. 9370 Waterstone Blvd., Cincinnati, OH 45249, Contact: Laura Carr, Phone: 513-683-8833, Email: CompassLC@yahoo.com, www.TheCompassSchool.com

The Gardner School of Blue Ash This award-winning, academically focused preschool has recently opened in the Blue Ash Community. You want the best for your child, and so do we. With our nationallyrecognized curriculum taught by our degreed teaching faculty, we are committed to providing a nurturing environment for learning readiness where your child can prepare for academic achievement and lifelong success.

9920 Carver Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242, 513-985-9444, www.TheGardnerSchool.com, Ages 6 weeks - Pre-K

Kinder Garden School

Montgomery Community Church Preschool

MCCP is a quality, Christian based preschool where kids learn, grow and develop good social skills led by college degreed teachers. MCCP continues to be awarded the 3 star Step Up to Quality, the highest level of certification, for excellence in its program. Watch your child blossom in this nurturing environment. 11251 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249, Contact: Chris Conner, Phone: 513-469-5333, Email: cconner@mcc.us, www.mcc.us, Grades: Ages 3-Pre Kindergarden, Enrollment: 165

Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Nursery School Professionally qualified teachers provide active, expressive, child-centered learning experiences at this 3-star award-winning program. Choose 2, 3, 4, or 5 day AM or PM sessions. Excellent ratios, degreed teachers and spacious, sunny, classrooms await your preschooler. Parent and child classes also available for babies and toddlers. 5950 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45213, (513)631-0170, www. prpc.org, Grades: 2 1/2 - 5 years, Parent/Child classes birth to 32 months, Enrollment: 65

Sharon Hill Preschool Star Rated program with step up to quality. We are open from 6:30-6:30. We offer full and part time rates, creditialed teachers, and creative curriculum. 11550 Chester Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45246. Contact: Chanel Hill, Director.

Phone: 513-772-2666. Email: hillcl@mail.uc.edu. sharonhilldaycare.org. Grades: 6 wks - 13 years.

Skidaddles

love of learning. 2651 Highland Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219. Contact: Jean Walker. Phone: 513-281-8733. Email: willowtreehouse@aol.com. thewillowtreehouse.com. Grades: Serving ages 6 weeks to 5 years in our Preschool Program.

Enrollment: Professionally qualified teachers providing a caring and nurturing environment utilizing a constructivist based curriculum, meaning that children are not idle beings who learn through passive observation.

Montessori The Child’s Place

Montessori Early Childhood Program! 6 weeks - 4 years.

Low ratios and individualized approach in a nurturing environment! Spacious facility on 2-acre campus with bike/ cart paths. Separate play areas for toddlers and preschoolers. Spanish and Music classes offered. Full-time (7:00 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.) and Part-time available. AMS Affiliate. Open House: Sunday March 22, 1:00-3:00pm.

4936 Old Irwin Simpson Rd, Mason, OH 45040, (513)3986928, www.montacademy.org, Grades: 6 weeks through 4 years, Enrollment: 150

Central Montessori Academy We invite you to call and schedule a tour to come see our new Natural Playground and Outdoor Learning Environment, as well as our redesigned Elementary classrooms! For parents of Toddlers and Preschoolers, be sure to ask about our new “Montessori My Way” flexible early childhood programs designed for today’s family-friendly work schedules. 1904 Springdale Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45231, Contact: Laura Saylor, Phone: 513-742-5800, Fax: 513-742-5870, Email: info@centralmontessoriacademy.com, www.centralmontessoriacademy.com, Grades: Infancy through Sixth Grade, Enrollment: 110

Skidaddles offers convenient and reliable care that is available without reservation. Drop-in days, evenings, and weekends whenever you need childcare. Whether you need care for a few hours or all day, part-time, or full-time with flexibility, we can accomodate all your childcare needs! Feel Children’s Meeting House confident knowing your children are having fun and learning Montessori School An authentic Montessori school program resting on 6.5 while being cared for by well qualified staff in a safe and acres. Extraordinary and rigorous hands-on learning inside clean environment. 5939 Deerfield Blvd., Suite 104, Mason, and outside of the classrooms creating life long learners, OH 45040, Contact: Tiffany Sams, President, Phone: critical thinkers and passionate leaders. 927 O’Bannonville 513-204-3482, Email: info@skidaddles.com, www.

Road, Loveland, OH 45140, Contact: Meg Thomas, Head of skidaddles.com, Grades: 18 months - 12 years, Enrollment: School, Phone: 513-683-4757, Email: thomas@cmhschool, New registrations are always welcome. Register once and use www.cmhschool.com, Grades: Preschool through Sixth both locations - Mason, OH and Florence, KY! grade, Enrollment: 150

Together with interaction of child, staff and family, we develop the complete child. In our Kinder Garden, we provide formative encouragement and knowledge with hands-on staff taking a personal interest in family and holistic education decisions for the child. Kinder Garden School is devoted to growing a child’s wish to flourish and learn by cultivating curiosity and problem-solving proficiency in a full supportive, fertile, fun setting. ENLIGHTENMENT IS OUR MISSION. Blue Ash - 10969 Reed Hartman Highway, Blue Ash, OH 45242, Contact: Tami Lanham, Phone: 513-791-4300, Email: tami@kindergardenschool.com. West Chester - 5900 West Chester Road, Ste. C, West Chester, The Willow Tree House Daycare Cornerstone Montessori School OHIO 45069, Contact: Trudi Simpson, Phone: & Preschool Cornerstone Montessori School is a private school that 513-874-3100, Email: trudi@kindergardenschool.com, The Willow Tree House is centrally located just 5 minutes serves children between the ages of 3 and 14 in the from downtown and Good Sam Hospital. We are also within www.kindergardenschool.com, Grades: 6 weeks through Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. We walking distance of U.C, and University Hospital. Our kindergarten, Enrollment: Please call or email. teachers goal is to have happy children and instill a life long have provided a solid academic, social and collaborative 38 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

foundation for students since our founding in 1992. Our small, family oriented school offers quality, individual learning programs and low student/teacher ratios. We are conveniently located off I-471 near dowtown Cincinnati and I-275. We are enrolling now, so please call for a private tour 859-491-9960. 2048 Alexandria Pike, Highland Heights, KY 41076. Contact: Anna Wessling. Phone: 859-491-9960.

Email: office@cornerstonemontessori.us. www. cornerstonemontessori.us. Grades: Preschool - 8th grade.

Country Hills Montessori Providing half day programs for 3 to K. Small, individualized classes with low student-teacher ratios, under the guidance of Montessori certified teachers, in an inter-generational enviornment. Multiple Locations in Eastgate, Oakley, Harrison and West Chester Ohio and in Ft. Thomas and Erlanger KY. Visit chmschools.com for all location addresses & phones.

4400 Glen Este Withamsville, Cincinnati, OH 45236, Contact: Susan Schreiber, Owner, Phone: 513-752-1066, Email: sschreiberchm@yahoo.com, Grades: 3 - K

Montessori Academy of Cincinnati Celebrating 25 years of offering a Montessori curriculum with an individualized, nurturing approach. Experienced, degreed teachers foster a love of learning, promote independence and develop the necessary skills for success.

7.5-acre campus! State Chartered. AMS Affiliated. Extended Care available on-site. Open House: Sunday March 22, 1:00-3:00pm. 8293 Duke Blvd., Mason, OH 45040, (513)398-7773, www.montacademy.org, Grades: 3 years – 8th grade, Enrollment: 300

The New School Montessori Founded on Montessori principles in 1970, our wooded playgrounds, home-cooked meals and family-like setting in North Avondale’s Mitchell Mansion provide a stimulating and nurturing environment for learning. We value diversity and create a caring and supportive community. Our graduates excel academically, but more importantly are empowered as citizens of our global community. (Accredited

by AMS and ISACS). 3 Burton Woods Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45229, (513)281-7999, www.thenewschool.cc, Grades: 3 year-olds through 6th Grade, Enrollment: 150

The Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori A unique Catholic Montessori school where each child can achieve his or her full potential in academics, faith and life.

Dedicated, well trained teachers, a 12:1 teacher/student ratio, Spanish program beginning at age 3, and unparalleled faith formation with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd are just few of the things that make GSCM a great school for your child. Students score 36% higher than national

average and 88% better on HS entrance exams. 4460 Berwick Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45227, Contact: Dan Teller, Phone: (513)271-4171, Fax: 513-271-4680, www. gscmontessori.org, Grades: Serving 3 year old preschool through 8th grade, including full day Kindergarten, Enrollment: 200

Non-Public Cincinnati Country Day School CCDS is an independent, co-educational school dedicated to educational excellence serving students 18 months through Grade 12. The School is nationally recognized for its innovative, integrated laptop computer program. Extended day and tuition assistance is available. 6905 Given Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45243, Phone: (513)979-0220, www. countryday.net, Grades: Early Childhood (18 months); 12th grade, Enrollment: 800

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy At CHCA, a student’s story starts early and builds with each year. Preschool through high school, our faculty inspires each student to investigate and understand the world around them. Along the way they become part of a dynamic faith community that develops character and shapes lives.

11525 Snider Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249. Contact: Natalie Pfister, Enrollment Director. Phone: (513)247-0900. Email: admissions@chca-oh.org. www.chca-oh.org. Grades: Preschool 3 - Grade 12. Enrollment: 1520

St. Ursula Villa Academic excellence in the Ursuline tradition for boys and girls in preschool through 8th grade. Whole-child development, family atmosphere, dedicated faculty, Montessori or Traditional preschool options, small class size, individual attention, outstanding high school preparation. 3660 Vineyard Place, Cincinnati, OH 45226, (513)871-7218, www.stursulavilla.org, Preschool – 8th grade, Enrollment: 496

The Seven Hills School Seven Hills is an independent, non-sectarian coed school that prepares students in grades pre-K through 12 for 21st-Century opportunities. They graduate as future-ready learners with the skills and habits of mind needed to excel in college and beyond, to live honorably, lead effectively and learn continuously. The school has been educating Cincinnati area boys and girls since 1906. 5400 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227, Contact: Janet Hill, Director of Admissions, Phone: 513-728-2400, Fax: 513-728-2409, Email: janet. hill@7hills.org, www.7hills.org, Grades: Pre-K through 12, Enrollment: Nearly 1,000

Summit Country Day School Founded in 1890, the area’s only independent, Catholic, co-ed, college-prep school servin students age 2 Grade 12 is recognized as a leader in formalized Character Education, Credo. A diverse community of

students benefit from a rich, classical and challenging curriculum within three contiguous divisions. Extensive athletic and visual arts programs campus-wide.2161 Grandin Road, (513)871-4700, www.summitcds.org, Grades: Age 2 - Grade 12, Enrollment: 1100

SPECIAL NEEDS

Leap Beyond Therapy A pediatric physcial therapy center that offers intensive physical therapy using the Therasuit model. These are individual programs based on the specific needs of you child. Intensive Suite Therapy Model consists of physcial therapy 3 hours a day, 5 days a week for three weeks.

We also offer modified therapy, traditional therapy, home-based fitness programs and are the Tri-State’s largest dealer of adaptive bikes. Call today!! We can make a difference!!! 6915 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230, Contact: Jennifer Smith, Phone: 513-232-LEAP, Fax: 513-232-2321, Email: jenny@ leapbeyondtherapy.com, www.leapbeyondtherapy.com

Springer School and Center For 40 years, Springer School and Center has empowered students with learning disabilities to become strategic learners. Springer offers a day school for students ages 6 - 14 and outreach programs and learning disability resources for students, parents and teachers in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Springer

Experience. Success Changes Everything. 2121 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45208, Phone: (513)871-6080, www. springer-ld.org, Grades: 1st - 8th grade, Enrollment: 200

TUTORING

Langsford Learning Acceleration Centers Langsford is a private educational organization dedicated to developing life-long, independent learners. Since 2001, we have been teaching reading, spelling, comprehension, and writing in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and encouragement. Our successful model identifies where the breakdown in the reading and writing process is occurring and then we apply targeted instruction using research-validated approaches. 9402 Towne Square Ave. Ste B, Cincinnati, OH 45242. Contact: Jeff Graham, Executive Director.

Phone: 513-531-7400. www.WeTeachReading.com.

Grades: All ages.

Virtual/Distance Ohio Virtual Academy

Ohio Virtual Academy helps your K-10 children obtain an excellent public school education, tuition free!

Under the guidance of licensed teachers, parents help their children learn at home using K12’s comprehensive curriculum and educational materials. Best performing eSchool in Ohio (866)339-9072, www.ohva.org, Grades: Kindergarten – 10th

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 39

calendar 11-12 >>

25

Appalachian Festival

>>

Coney Island Park. Artisans, crafts, dance and food vendors. Storytelling and bluegrass music entertainment. www.appalachianfestival.org

Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil Tour takes place in a fantastical realm where fans discover Michael Jackson’s love of music, dance fairy tale, magic and the fragile beauty of nature.

May 2012

26 >>

Taste of Cincinnati On six blocks of Fifth Street, from Race to Broadway. Food from more than 40 Greater Cincinnati restaurants. Music on multiple stages. www.tasteofcincinnati.com

www.usbankarena.com

Need even more great ideas on fun things to do with your family?

Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter at cincinnatiparent.com!

40 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

Tues 01 Reds VS Cubs

Fri 04

Civil War Weekend

Cave Overnight Program Times: 7:00 PM - 10:00 AM Price: $28 per camper and per chaperone Phone: (513) 287-7021 Location: Cincinnati Museum Center. 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203

Times: 7:00 PM Phone: (513) 765-7000 Location: Great American Ballpark. 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202 www.reds.com

Come cheer on the Reds as they take on the Chicago Cubs!

Weds 02

Gold Star Chilimobile Times: 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM Price: FREE Phone: 513-369-6028 Location: Madeira Branch Library. 7200 Miami Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45243 www.CincinnatiLibrary.org

Register for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County’s Summer Reading program, and receive a FREE cheese coney from the Gold Star Chilimobile, courtesy of Gold Star Chili.

LITTLE TYKE HIKE Times: 11:00 AM Phone: (513) 521-7275 Location: Winton Woods. 10245 Winton Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45231 www.greatparks.org

It’s a campground caper! Trot your three to six year old around our beautiful campground to solve a nature mystery and learn about camping.

Thurs 03

Surviving and Thriving in the Girl World!

come celebrate our favorite literary PiggiePiggie from Mo Willems’ “Elephant and Piggie” books! Hear some stories, eat a snack, make a piggie mask, play games, and have even more fun with us!

Ages 4-10. Please register in advance.

http://www.cincymuseum.org/

Reds VS Nationals

This popular overnight program is designed to provide visitors with an indepth study of the longest man made caves. All of Museum Center’s limestone and ice caves will be explored, animals will be introduced, games will be played, and art will be made. You will enjoy the OMNIMAX film, Journey into Amazing Caves, the next morning.

Times: 1:00 PM

Friday Fun Club Occurring Each Through Friday, May 18, 2012.

Times: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM Phone: 513-388-4515 Location: Beech Acres RecPlex. 6915 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45230 www.andersonparks.com/

Games, arts and crafts and other activities. Children introduced to classroom atmosphere that encourages social skills development.

Class 3. Weekly through May 18.

Spring Garden Party Occurring Daily Beginning Friday, May 4 Through Sunday, May 6.

Times: 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM Phone: 513-721-2787 Location: Cincinnati Art Museum. 953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202 cincinnatiartmuseum.org

We’ll have trunk shows featuring our newest collections in jewelry, decorative glass, home and garden accessories, children’s books, vintage prints, and more.

Occurring Daily Beginning Saturday, May 5 Through Sunday, May 6.

Times: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Price: Museum Admission Phone: (513) 287-7021 Location: Cincinnati Museum Center. 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203 http://www.cincymuseum.org/

Come visit with us and meet soldiers, sailors and civilians who were friend and foe as we bring historic participants to life through costumed interpretation.

Try “hands on history” demonstrations, listen to presentations, view 19th century crafts, see musket and cannon firing demonstrations and learn about the many contributions of women on the home front as well as the battlefield.

Cincy-Cinco Latin Festival Occurring Daily Beginning Saturday, May 5 Through Sunday, May 6.

Phone: (513)721-3555 Location: Fountain Square. Fifth and Vine Streets, Cincinnati, OH 45202 www.myfountainsquare.com

Phone: (513) 765-7000 Location: Great American Ballpark. 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202 www.reds.com

Come cheer on the Reds as they take on the Washington Nationals! Kids Jay Bruce Cereal Bowl and Spoon Set FREE to First 8,000 kids 14 and younger.

Mon 07

For more ideas on fun things to do, visit our website at cincinnatiparent.com!

Tues 08

Rave Cinema Classic Times: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Price: $3/person Phone: 513-248-2169 Location: Rave Cinemas Milford. 500 Rivers Edge Drive, Milford, OH 45150 www.ravemotionpictures.com

Movies from the Golden Ages of Hollywood. Weekly event includes popcorn and a drink.

Authentic Latin American food, art, vendors, exhibitors, music, dancing and children’s activities.

Weds 09

Sun 06

Price: $89, $79 residents

Happy Pig Day!

Young Rembrandts: Pre-School Drawing Times: 6:00 PM Phone: 513-388-4513 Location: Beech Acres RecPlex. 6915 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45230 www.andersonparks.com/

Innovative, step-by-step drawing method to teach any child how to draw, regardless of artistic ability. Weekly class. Age 3 1/2-6.

Sat 05

Spring Plant Sale Occurring Daily Beginning Saturday, May 5 Through Sunday, May 6.

Times: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Price: $15/person Phone: (513) 231-6630 Location: Beech Acres Parenting Center. 6881 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230 www.beechacres.org

NATURE CRAFTS FOR MOM

Times: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Times: 11:00 AM

Price: N/A

Price: FREE

This workshop is designed just for girls and their moms! This fun and interactive workshop will focus on the roles girls take in the complicated “girl world.”

Select from a wide array of tomato plants, annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs + compost by the bucket - to create your best garden ever. by Granny’s Garden School.

Phone: 513-324-2873 Location: Loveland Primary School. 550 Loveland-Madeira Road, Loveland, OH 45140 www.grannysgardenschool.org

Times: 3:30 PM Price: $6 per child Phone: 513-731-2665 Location: blue manatee children’s bookstore.

3054 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209 www.bluemanateebooks.com

In honor of the Flying Pig Marathon,

Phone: (513) 923-3665 Location: Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve.

3455 Poole Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45251 www.GreatParks.org

Stop in to make a kid created nature craft for mom or grandma! Crafts are targeted to age six and under.

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 41

Thurs 10

Hooray For Hollywood with The Mighty Wurlitzer Price: $25 Phone: 513-621-5282 Location: Cincinnati Music Hall. 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 www.cincinnatiarts.org/

Acclaimed theater organist Jelani Eddington returns to perform your favorite Hollywood hit theme songs both old and new, with all of the bells, whistles, and special effects that only an instrument as grand as the Mighty Wurlitzer can create!

Don’t miss this very special evening of music and fun for the entire family!

Appalachian Festival Occurring Daily Beginning Friday, May 11 Through Sunday, May 13.

Price: $8, $4 ages 55 and up, $2 ages 4-11, free ages 3 and under. Parking: $6 Phone: 513-251-3378 Location: Coney Island Park. 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230 http://www.appalachianfestival.org/

Artisans, crafts, dance and food vendors. Storytelling and bluegrass music entertainment.

Sat 12

The Butterfly Walk, 5K & Fun Festival for CancerFree Kids

Times: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Phone: 513.281.4700 Location: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45220 cincinnatizoo.org

Fri 11

Children’s Book Festival with JosephBeth Booksellers (all ages) Times: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Price: Free Phone: 859-342-2665 Location: Boone County Public Library. 1786 Burlington Pike, BURLINGTON, KY 41005

In celebration of Children’s Book Week, Joseph-Beth Booksellers will have bargain basement prices on children’s books.

Don’t miss this opportunity with books starting as low as 99 cents The library receives a portion of the proceeds.

Times: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Price: FREE Phone: 513-474-6777 Location: Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.

1319 Nagel Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45255 www.seaofsmilesdds.com

Times: 8:00 AM Phone: 513.535.2948 Location: Cottell Park, Mason, OH www.butterflywalk.com

Gather your family, friends, and coworkers and come join local walkers for fun at the 6th annual walk & 5K in an effort to raise awareness and funds to fight pediatric cancer. all registered walkers are invited to join us. Activities at the festival will include music, food, magicians, clowns, arts and crafts activities, games and inflatable rides, animals, and much more!

Mom+Me: Portraits

Parent’s Night Out Times: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Price: $20/child Phone: Call 513.829.7867 Location: Pump It Up. 7724 Service Center Dr., West Chester, OH 45069 www.pumpitupparty.com/oh/west-chester

Show Mom some love and create glass art together Make self-portraits or portraits of each other in this introductory glass fusing class. Students will use our fused glass components to make their unique 8x6’’ fused glass hanging portrait.

42 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

Sea of Smiles Open House

Sun 13

Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Price: 30.00 Phone: 513-321-0206 Location: Brazee Street Studios. 4426 Brazee St., Cincinnati, OH 45209 http://www.brazeestreetstudios.com/

Enjoy a night out while your kids enjoy a night in at Pump It Up! The night will be full of Jumping, Climbing, Sliding with lots of Games, Crafts and Prizes! Pre-register below to save $5!

This event is for children ages 5-12.

Come join us for a 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk through Mason’s beautiful parks. Please join us for a fun-filled family event with a DJ, face-painting, crafts by Art Ala Carte and games.

Sea of Smiles is having an Open House and YOU are invited! Tell your friends that this is an awesome time to check out our office! Food, prizes, face painting, balloon animals and more!

WILD ABOUT WINE

This wildly popular wine-tasting series is returning to the Zoo for its seventh year. Held in various locations throughout the park, each event features wine sampling, light fare, live music and up-close animal encounters.

Location: Corwin Nixon Park. 6249 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040 www.masonparksfoundation.org

Run Walk and Roll for Common Ground Times: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM Price: 5K - $25($20 by 4/27) 1 Mile Walk - $20($15 by 4/27), Students - $15 Phone: 513-770-0443

MOM’S DAYBOAT RIDE Times: 7:00 PM Price: $5.00 per adult, $4.00 per senior & children 12 and under Phone: (513) 521-7275 Location: Winton Woods. 10245 Winton Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45231 www.greatparks.org

Treat mom like royalty with a ride aboard the Winton Queen. Take in the beautiful scenery as we learn a bit about wildlife moms.

Mon 14

Make a Mess at the Manatee Occurring Each Monday Times: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Price: $5 per child, Pre-Registration Required Phone: 513-731-2665 Location: blue manatee children’s bookstore.

3054 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209 www.bluemanateebooks.com

Join Ms. Kelli every Monday to enjoy this wonderful outlet for your child’s creative side. Have fun listening to a good book and participating in an art-making activity! ages 2-4

Tues 15

Fundraiser for Autism Speaks

Mother’s Day manaTea and beadmaking workshop Times: 3:30 PM Price: $16 per mother/child duo ($7 per additional child) Phone: 513-731-2665 Location: blue manatee children’s bookstore.

3054 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209 www.bluemanateebooks.com

Enjoy an afternoon tea with your mom!

We’ll sip on tea from Essencha tea house, eat delicious pastries, and have a special mother-child polymer clay bead-making workshop with artist Sandra Gross.

Mother’s Day Brunch Price: ($15.99 per adult, $7.99 per child 2-12, plus tax Phone: (513) 521-7275 Location: Mill Race Banquet Center. 10245 Winton Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45231 www.greatparks.org

Treat your mom special with a brunch buffet of over 25 items, including a carving station and omelet bar. Advanced reservations are required. 10 am, 12 pm & 2 pm

Times: 7:00 PM Price: $35 Phone: 513.271.2793 Location: Cheers to Art. 7700 Camargo Rd., Madeira, OH 45243 www.cheerstoart.com

$10 from every painter will go to Autism Speaks and Walk Now for Autism Speaks Team - Patricks Peeps.

Sorry no BOGO’s, coupons or special promotions accepted for this fundraiser.

ADVENTURE INTO SPRINGTIME Times: 10:00 AM Price: $5 Phone: (513) 521-7275 Location: Sharon Woods. 11450 Lebanon Rd., Sharonville, OH 45241 www.greatparks.org

Register your three to five year old for this fun look at springtime. We will go for a hike, make a craft, play games and read a story.

Weds 16

For more ideas on fun things to do, visit our website at cincinnatiparent.com!

Thurs 17

Thursday Art Play: Lovely Lines Times: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Phone: 513.345.8400 Location: Contemporary Arts Center. 44 East Sixth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 contemporaryartscenter.org

Drop, glue, paint and bend! Learn how little lines can have a big effect! Children (preK-8yrs) can tap into their imagination and creativity while learning through a unique, multi-layered experience with art.

Fri 18 Maifest

Occurring Daily Beginning Friday, May 18 Through Sunday, May 20.

Phone: 859-491-0458 Location: Mainstrasse Village. Main Street, Covington, KY 41011 www.mainstrasse.org/

Arts and crafts booths, German and international foods, music, children’s play area, amusement rides, street chalk art contest and more. Music on four stages.

CincItalia, Cincinnati Italian Festival Occurring Daily Beginning Friday, May 18 Through Sunday, May 20.

Phone: (513)481-2830 Location: Harvest Home Park. 3961 North Bend Road, Cheviot, OH 45211 www.stcfestival.org

Celebration of Italian heritage. Entertainment from national music acts, activities for all ages and authentic cuisine prepared by local Italian restaurants and Cincinnati’s Italian cultural societies. Ages 19 and up only on Friday.

Sat 19

Walk Now for Autism Speaks Times: 8:00 AM Phone: (614)716-8570 Location: Coney Island Park. 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230 www.walknowforautismspeaks.org

Join Autism Speaks as we walk to change the future for all who struggle with autism!

Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a funfilled, family friendly event and is our single most powerful force to fund vital research that will lead us to the answers we need.

Civil War Weekend Occurring Daily Beginning Saturday, May 19 Through Sunday, May 20.

Phone: 513-563-9484 Location: Heritage Village Museum. 11450 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati, OH 44241

www.heritagevillagecincinnati.org

Civilian re-enactors demonstrate Civil War fashion, games, entertainment and more.

Civil War battles, 2 p.m. each day.

Sun 20

Puppet Power!

Times: 2:00 PM Price: -Free, all ages event Phone: 513-731-2665 Location: blue manatee children’s bookstore.

3054 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209 www.bluemanateebooks.com

Explore the animal world with some silly puppet friends! Mike the puppeteer will share stories and fun animal facts in this zany story time.

Sun-day, Sunday, Sundae Times: 1:00 PM Price: Cost: $6 per person.

Phone: (513) 321-5186 Location: Cincinnati Observatory Center. 3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH 45208 www.cincinnatiobservatory.org

See sunspots and solar flares safely through the Observatory telescopes. We’ll have ice cream sundaes for everyone too.

Mon 21

Raising Resilient Kids: Helping your child bounce back and gain strength from stressful situations Times: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Price: $15/person Phone: (513) 231-6630 Location: Beech Acres Parenting Center. 6881 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230 www.beechacres.org

Has your child ever felt left out? Or had challenges getting along with other kids? Your child is not alone. We’ll provide you with strategies to help coach your children on how to cope with everyday hurdles as well as from complex situations like bullying, challenges at home, illness, divorce, and much more.

Tues 22

Gold Star Chilimobile Times: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Price: FREE Phone: 513-369-4442 Location: Madeira Branch Library. 10398 New Haven Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45030 www.CincinnatiLibrary.org

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 43

Register early for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County’s Summer Reading program and receive a FREE coney from the Gold Star Chilimobile, courtesy of Gold Star Chili.

Weds 23

CAMPFIRE FUN

NATURE FESTIVAL

www.pumpitupparty.com /oh /west-chester

Times: 7:00 PM Price: FREE Phone: (513) 923-3665 Location: Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve.

3455 Poole Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45251 www.GreatParks.org

Occurring Daily Beginning Sunday, May 27 Through Monday, May 28.

Times: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Price: FREE Phone: (513) 521-7275 Location: Miami Whitewater Forest. 9001 Mt. Hope Rd., Harrison, OH 45030 GreatParks.org

A night for Special Needs kids, and their siblings and families! Kids with autism and those on the autism spectrum love the active movement of jumping and climbing on our safe, giant inflatables.

Bring your campfire dinners and roasting sticks to cook up to one hour before this program that fea¬tures live animals and other campfire fun.

Preschool Little Explorers Gymnastics and Dance Occurring Every Mon, Tue & Wed Times: 8:00 AM Price: $40 a month for 45 minute weekly class Phone: 859-431-7190 Location: Premier Athletics. 1610 Dixie Hwy, Park Hills, KY 41011 www.premierathletics.com

Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil

Reds VS Braves

Times: 7:00 PM Phone: (513) 765-7000 Location: Great American Ballpark. 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202 www.reds.com

Occurring Daily Beginning Saturday, May 26, 2012 Through Monday, May 28, 2012.

Phone: 513-579-3100 www.tasteofcincinnati.com

Times: 8:00 PM Phone: 800-745-3000 Location: US Bank Arena. 100 Broadway Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 www.usbankarena.com

Come cheer on the Reds as they take on the Atlanta Braves!

Tour takes place in a fantastical realm where fans discover Michael Jackson’s love of music, dance fairy tale, magic and the fragile beauty of nature.

Fri 25

Sat 26

Times: 10:30 AM Phone: 513-731-2665 Location: blue manatee children’s bookstore. 3054 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209 www.bluemanateebooks.com

Price: Registration Fees Phone: 513-232-8230 Location: Coney Island Park. 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230 www.coneyislandpark.com

Nature Story Time with Imago!

Join us for a monthly installment of nature stories, songs and other fun activities with our friends from Imago!

Join us at the harbor for some free family fun! Kids can make a bird feeder and get their faces painted.

Families can participate in a scavenger hunt for prizes and learn all about the natural world through games and hands-on activity stations.

Taste of Cincinnati USA

Each component has been designed to provide our preschoolers with positive learning, healthy fitness, strength, peer cooperation, motor skill development, and so much more.

Thurs 24

May 2012

5th Annual Tri For Joe

Be a part of this triathlon to benefit the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati.

On six blocks of Fifth Street, from Race to Broadway. Food from more than 40 Greater Cincinnati restaurants. Music on multiple stages.

Sun 27

Well Behaved Dogs Times: 1:00 PM Price: $25 Phone: 513.271.2793 Location: Cheers to Art. 7700 Camargo Rd., Madeira, OH 45243 www.cheerstoart.com

Recommended for Ages 8+

Mon 28

SENSORY NIGHT Times: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Price: $8/child. Parents are Free Phone: Call 513.829.7867 Location: Pump It Up. 7724 Service Center Dr., West Chester, OH 45069

Tues 29

For more ideas on fun things to do, visit our website at cincinnatiparent.com!

Weds 30

Wee Wednesday: By the Sea Times: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Phone: 513-721-2787 Location: Cincinnati Art Museum. 953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202 cincinnatiartmuseum.org

Perfect for ages 2-5. Explore the museum and enjoy four interactive storytelling stops with our specially trained docents.

This program is now featuring an optional kid-friendly lunch buffet.

Thurs 31

Thursday Art Play: Music Makers Times: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Phone: 513.345.8400 Location: 44 East Sixth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 contemporaryartscenter.org

Join us as we make artwork inspired by the Spectacle exhibit that include paintings made from spinning CDs and even mosaic Album covers.

Children (preK-8yrs) can tap into their imagination and creativity while learning through a unique, multi-layered experience with art.

Visit cincinnatiparent.com for even more great events!

Want the week’s top events delivered right to your inbox?

Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter at cincinnatiparent.com!

44 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

ongoing events

May 2012 Mamma Mia!

Phone: 513-621-5282

Occurring Daily Beginning Tuesday, May 1 Through Sunday, May 6.

Location: Aronoff Center. 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

Price: $87.50 - $27.50

www.cincinnatiarts.org/

Phone: 513-621-5282 www.cincinnatiarts.org/

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, LES MISÉRABLES is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit.

A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget!

TITANIC

Location: Aronoff Center. 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

Occurring Daily Beginning Friday, May 11 Through Saturday, May 19.

On Wings of Harmony

Price: $22.00/person

Occurring Daily Through Sunday, June 24.

Phone: 513-621-5282

Price: $6 adults • $5 seniors • $4 children • 4 and under are FREE

Location: Aronoff Center. 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

Phone: (513)421-5707

Based on the true story of the great ship’s maiden voyage from departure in Southampton, England to the sinking in the Atlantic by an iceberg. The show touches on issues such as class, immigration and mankind’s vulnerability in the face of nature.

Location: Krohn Conservatory. 1501 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202 www.cincinnatiparks.com/krohn-conservatory

Featuring thousands of vibrant, colorful butterflies that will arrive in Cincinnati from every continent on earth (with the exception of Antarctica!). They will be in free flight throughout the showroom!

ZOO BABIES

www.cincinnatiarts.org/

Education Days at King’s Island Occurring Daily Beginning Monday, May 14 Through Friday, May 18.

Phone: (513) 398-0115

Occurring Daily Beginning Tuesday, May 1 Through Thursday, May 31.

Location: King’s Island. 5691 Kings Island Drive, Mason, OH 45040

Price: Adult (ages 13-61) $15, Child (ages 2-12) $10

www.visitkingsisland.com

Phone: 513.281.4700

The perfect opportunity for students to experience curriculum in action. The park becomes an experiential education laboratory where students connect abstract concepts with full immersion learning opportunities.

Location: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45220 cincinnatizoo.org

Help us celebrate our newest arrivals at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden during May. Six-foot-tall pink and blue storks statues displayed throughout the Zoo will lead visitors to all of the cutest little baby faces.

A Day in Pompeii Occurring Daily Through Sunday, August 12.

Price: $19.50, $17.50 seniors, $12.50 ages 13 and under. Members: $12.50, $8.50 ages 13 and under

May Family Open House: Family Portraits

Phone: (513) 287-7021

Occurring Each Saturday Beginning Saturday, May 5 Through Saturday, May 26.

Location: 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203

Times: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

www.cincymuseum.org/

Phone: (513)321-0206

Collection of more than 250 priceless ancient artifacts from the Roman city of Pompeii and its surrounding areas. In A.D. 79, Pompeii was frozen in time by the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, burying everything in its path for more than 1,700 years until it was rediscovered in the 1700s.

Location: Brazee Street Studios. 4426 Brazee St., Cincinnati, OH 45209 www.brazeestreetstudios.com

Bring the family to create one-of-a-kind fused glass family portraits! Design your own glass standing figures to look just like your family members. This is an open house style class, so join us anytime between 10am-1pm.

Les Misérables

Cincinnati Gridiron Kids Occurring Each Saturday Beginning Saturday, May 5 Through Saturday, June 16.

Times: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Occurring Daily Beginning Tuesday, May 8 Through Sunday, May 13.

Price: $65

Price: $87.50 - $27.50

Phone: 513-340-3335

Location: Wall 2 Wall Soccer. 846 Reading Road, Mason, OH 45040 www.cincinnatigridironkids.com

Cincinnati Gridiron Kids is an introductory football skills program for kids ages 3-7 that is fun and non-contact.

We provide a relaxed and safe environment for kids to discover football without competition or tackling.

FRIDAY NIGHT GRILL OUTS Occurring Each Friday Beginning Friday, May 25 Through Friday, August 31.

Times: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Price: FREE Phone: (513) 521-7275 Location: Lake Isabella. 10174 LovelandMadeira Rd., Loveland, OH 45140 www.greatparks.org

Bring family and friends to Lake Isabella and en¬joy a great evening of freshly grilled meals and live music on the dock.

Music In The Parks Occurring Each Saturday Through Saturday, May 26.

Phone: (513) 398-0115 Location: King’s Island. 5691 Kings Island Drive, Mason, OH 45040 www.musicintheparks.com

Music in the Parks culminates with a motivating awards ceremony at Kings Island where students are recognized for their accomplishments.

Sensory Sunday: Stories, Songs and Fun for You and Your Little One Occurring on the second Sunday and fourth Sunday of each Month Times: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Price: FREE, RSVP online!

Phone: 513-703-3343 Location: Gymboree of Mason. 6209 Snider Rd., Mason, OH 45040 www.myshalomfamily.org

Now Shalom Family has a great new way for parents and babies to get connected to one another and the Jewish community. Featuring the popular Miss Meliss, who keeps babies and their parents engaged and entertained with her unique brand of fun. A program of Shalom Family, an initiative of The Mayerson Foundation. Open to families in the Jewish community with children two years and younger in which at least one parent is Jewish. Plus, two families will each win a $50 Target Gift Card at every event!

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 45

birthday party

GUIDE

marketplace LEARN TO PLAY MUSIC AT HOME!

Piano, guitar & voice lessons Lessons available for all ages Highly qualified music teacher Flexible scheduling/Optional recitals $10,000 Musical Lending Library

PIANO LESSONS

IN YOUR HOME, INC. (513) 860-3540

www.pianolessonsinyourhome.com

YOUR AD HERE!

West Chester Academy of Music & Dance www.wcaom.com 829-2345 46 CINCINNATIPARENT.COM

Contact Katie at Katie@CincinnatiParent.com

fun+wacky

May 2012

28

12

national clean up your school nurse room day day

eat what you want day

national miniature golf day

18

19

national pizza party day

on this day

chocolate chip day

on this day

na

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n ill a p u d d i

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in 1866, the first nickel, the “shield nickel” was minted.

22

23

29

30

HAPPY paper clip day on this day in 1848, the ice MEMORIAL cream freezer was DAY!

ch er

ry c o bble

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17

24

al n atio n

cinco de mayo

in 1844, the Ringling Brother’s circus opened.

25

morse code happy birthday, day cookie monster!

penny day

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11

16

5

10

15

io

27

9

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endangered species day

4

8

da

strawberry picking day

i ce d ay

national two different colored shoes day

14

21

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day

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sat

great american grump out day

ay

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20

INDY 500

3

national teacher day

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2

7

13

1

fri

hawaiian lei day

no diets or children’s homework day mental health awareness day HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

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dessert da 26 y

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6

weds

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tues

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mon

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sun

31

hug your cat day

CALENDAR SPONSORED BY

patented.

Sources: familycrafts.about.com, brownielocks.com, holidayinsights.com, zanyholidays.com & thenibble.com

MAY 2012 [ cincinnati parent ] 47